TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 20

Beer Release: 5pm

Event Start Time: 7pm

Background

Bavaria is the birthplace of so many popular beers that it is without a doubt one of the most important regions in the brewing world, but beyond their crisp and clean lagers and smooth hefeweizens, there are plenty of obscure styles that have never reached the same level of international acclaim or have fallen out of fashion in more recent years.

The Roggenbier is one such beer. A dark Weissbier brewed with rye instead of wheat, this specialty beer was first brewed in Regensburg, Bavaria in the late-1980s but remains hard to find as an export.  

For many folks, rye can be a polarizing ingredient, and in this Roggenbier, some of the signature characteristics are on full display. The slightly spicy, peppery rye flavor is present, and blends well with the aromatics from the weizen yeast. 

What’s in a Name?

When thinking of somewhat-obscure twentieth century German cultural artifacts, the work of Bertholt Brecht comes to mind, and seems especially fitting for a dark and cloudy rye beer like the Roggenbier.

Bertholt Brecht’s musical adaptation of The Threepenny Opera is also a biting critique of capitalism and the bourgeoisie, which also speaks to our mission to try to bring back beer to a drink meant for the people—as opposed to the showy, conspicuous consumption that has been plaguing the American craft beer scene for far too long.

Launch Party Details:

Because the 10x10 Festival all started with the Barrington Stage Company in Downtown Pittsfield, we can’t think of a better way to celebrate this year’s event than partnering with the BSC for a Special Edition of our Tuesday Night Taproom Trivia, which will not only be co-hosted by Barrington Stage team members but will also feature special prizes for the winners. We also feel like naming a beer after a German playwright also gives us no choice but to celebrate alongside our theatrical friends.