E-Malt.com News article: USA, CA: Ruhstaller Brewery launches Captain California Black IPA

Ruhstaller, a Sacramento brewery in operation for about eight months, launched its newest beer last week, called Captain California Black IPA, and owner J-E Paino said that the company is working on another brew, which should be available by summer, Sacramento Press reported on February, 17.

Bottles went on sale in local stores by early December, after a launch party for the brewery in November, Paino said.

The brewery, which produces its flagship 1881 Red Ale and seasonal Hop Sac, originally offered its beers on tap at local restaurants. The expansion to bottles allows them to be purchased at local markets.

“That’s gotten us into Roseville, Folsom, El Dorado Hills and Elk Grove, even Vacaville and Woodland,” Paino said.

Captain California Black IPA is a cross between a dark beer and a traditional India pale ale, Paino said, but the beer isn’t heavy, as some would expect traditionally dark beers such as porters and stouts to be, and unlike most IPAs, it doesn’t rely on bitter hops, but mixes bitter and aromatic hops.

One quirk in bottling the beers that Paino said was unexpected was that sales went up when a piece of burlap was added around the necks of the bottles for character.

“I think it’s because the burlap calls out to (beer buyers), and they take it off the shelf because they want to touch it, and it ends up in their cart,” he said.

Paino and a friend initially glued the burlap to the bottles themselves, but realizing that they needed a larger workforce, they turned to Pride Industries, which employs people with developmental disabilities.

“They’re great to work with,” he said. “They come by once or twice a week and put the burlap on the bottles for us.”

Paino declined to give details about the next beer in the works, saying only that it will be good for drinking in the summer and will round out the brewery’s portfolio.

Ruhstaller is also looking for a home in the city, and whether it will be solely a production facility or a tap room and brewing facility is yet to be seen.

“The response (to Ruhstaller) has been really positive,” said Bows & Arrows co-owner Olivia Coelho. “They have their flagship 1881 red ale, and it’s really good. People love it. I think they have a really captivating story behind the beer, which is really exciting for people.”


22 February, 2012