New Belgium Brewing, Two Beers Brewing & Seattle Cider Company Collaborate on GRAFF(T)

SEATTLE, WA — Two Beers Brewing, Seattle Cider Company and New Belgium Brewing have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind graff, a unique style combining unexpected hops and malt with small batch cider from Washington state. Coined GRAFF(T) — a nod to the style of beer as well as the process of bonding a shoot from one plant to another — this 7.3 percent ABV beer was brewed at Two Beers Brewing in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood using New Belgium Brewing hop varieties and unfermented apple juice from Seattle Cider Company. A truly unique concoction, Seattle-area beer and cider lovers can find GRAFF(T) on tap and in 22-ounce bottles beginning January 12, as well as at a host of launch events taking place around town.

“A graff is an exciting new style we’ve been keeping our eye on and have been dying to create,” said Lindsay Guerdrum, brewer for New Belgium Brewing. “With the recent launch of Seattle Cider Company and their exceptional approach to craft cider, plus their connection with Two Beers Brewing, we saw the opportunity for a unique partnership and more importantly, a beer unlike any other.”
GRAFF(T) is an India Pale Lager (IPL) brewed with 100 percent Pilsner malt, Mosaic hops from Yakima Valley, Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand and a 10 percent by volume addition of unfermented apple juice (also known as “must”) from Seattle Cider Company. After fermentation, the brew is then dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops. With 53 IBUs and 7.3 percent ABV, the result is a dry, crisp, effervescent beer-cider hybrid with notes of grapefruit and citrus, accompanied by a brite and dry palate.
“It’s a lot of fun to see these three companies come together to offer something completely new to the Seattle market,” added Joel VandenBrink, founder of Two Beers Brewing and Seattle Cider Company. “We’ve looked up to New Belgium Brewing since we opened our doors and are honored to be working with them. Plus, it was a ton of fun to brew this beer together!”
In addition to The Woods tasting room, GRAFF(T) will be available for a limited time in 22-ounce bottles ($5.99) at retailers throughout Seattle including Whole Foods, QFC, PCC, Central Markets and more. Also find it on tap in Seattle area bars and restaurants, as well as a host of upcoming launch events, including:
  • Sunday, January 12 (6pm): Two Beers and New Belgium Brewer’s Dinner at The Sixgill. Join us for the debut of GRAFF(T) as we celebrate with a five course dinner paired with rare, barrel aged and sour beers and ciders from both breweries. Advance tickets ($60) are on sale now; reserve your spot by calling (206) 466-2846. Visit www.thesixgill.com for more info.
  • Tuesday, January 14 (3-8pm): Join the teams from New Belgium Brewing, Two Beers Brewing Company and Seattle Cider Company at The Woods tasting room in SoDo for a special on-site release party beginning at 3pm. Enjoy GRAFF(T) as well as sample beers from both breweries and cider from Seattle Cider Company.
  • Wednesday, January 15 (7pm): Hit up Latona Pub for a HUGE brewers night featuring Two Beers Brewing, Seattle Cider and New Belgium Brewing. Enjoy rare beers and ciders, giveaways and more while chatting with those behind the breweries.
For more information, be sure to follow Two Beers Brewing (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), Seattle Cider Company (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) and New Belgium Brewing (Facebook, Twitter).
About Two Beers Brewing Co.
Two Beers Brewing Co. began operations in a small Seattle basement in 2007 and today, produces twelve unique beers including five year-round, seven seasonal and a host of intricate infusions in its 4,800-square-foot SoDo brewery. Two Beers Brewing can be found in Seattle-area bars and restaurants, with tastings kegs and growler fill-ups available at their tasting room located at 4700 Ohio Ave. S. in SoDo, open weekly Tuesday —Friday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays & Sundays from 1 — 6 p.m. Select brews can also be found in 22-ounce bottles and 12-ounce cans through the tasting room, as well as local retailers in Washington, Oregon, Alaska and Northern Idaho. For more information, visit www.twobeersbrewery.com.
About Seattle Cider Company
Not your standard cider. Seattle Cider Company is the city’s first cidery since prohibition, bringing true craft cider back to Seattle. Bridging the gap between wine and beer with flavorful, small-batch cider, Seattle Cider’s initial offerings — Dry and Semi-Sweet — break the mold of overly sweet cider, bringing the natural flavors of Washington apples to the forefront. Naturally gluten free and made from a custom blend of fresh pressed, locally grown apples, Seattle Cider’s products are handcrafted with all natural ingredients and never from concentrate, successfully distinguishing themselves from the mass market cider found in stores today. Available in 16-ounce cans beginning September 2013, Seattle Cider products will be available at retailers and bottle shops throughout Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Seattle Cider will also be available on tap in Seattle-area bars and restaurants, with tastings, kegs and growler fills available at The Woods tasting room, located at 4700 Ohio Ave. S. in SoDo, open weekly Tuesday – Saturday. For more information, follow Seattle Cider Company on Facebook and Twitter (@seattleciderco), or visit www.seattlecidercompany.com.
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year- round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Ranger, Belgo IPA, Shift Pale Lager and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.