Well-established US brewer Dogfish Head is collaborating with London’s Signature Brew, two-time SIBA brewery of the year, on Piercing Pils.
It’s a crisp, refreshing, 5.7% ABV pear-infused Czech pilsner, launching on 29th October 29th at Signature Brew’s base in Blackhorse Road, East London.
This will be followed by a co-hosted beer dinner on 30th October at Signature Brew’s Walthamstow bar, The Collab.
The launch event will incorporate a gig at the brewery featuring legendary punk veterans The Mekons and alt-punk upstarts Haggard Cat, chosen to reflect the two generations of craft beer that Dogfish Head and Signature Brew respectively represent.
The celebration will also feature an intimate pre-show Q&A with Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione and Signature Brew co-founder Sam McGregor, alongside The Mekons’ Jon Langford.
Sam Calagione said: “I got to know Sam McGregor when he visited Dogfish Brewery in the States this spring, and at a concert Dogfish sponsored in NYC celebrating the overlapping love of great indie music and great indie craft beer, shared by so many people all around the world.
“Over multi-pints that week, the two of us ‘Sam-wiched’ some ideas for a unique beer and a unique event we could put on together with our teams in London, celebrating this joint love of music and beer.
“The craft brewing movement and the punk rock movement essentially grew up together on interwoven timelines, and that is not a coincidence. Both are communities centred around beautiful DIY expressions of artists rebelling against the status quo, and all the people who are down with the opportunity to participate, whether the status quo is generic light lager or generic overly-produced pop-rock.”
Sam McGregor added: “When you start a brewery, you read Sam Calagione’s book. I did. It’s Dogfish Head’s off-centred approach to beer and their special relationship with music that has meant that they have always been one of my favourite breweries.
“So, when I got the chance to visit the brewery, try the beer at the source, and meet the man himself, I did not hesitate. The ideas came quickly and the unique concept for this beer and collaboration was born.
“I am very excited to get as many legends in the room as possible, drink some incredible beers, watch an unforgettable gig, and examine how the worlds of punk rock and craft beer are forever connected. It’s the reason Signature Brew exists.”
Piercing Pils has been brewed with a white pear tea and pear juice. Both the juice and the tea were added in the kettle during the whirlpool, after the boil, for maximum flavour and aroma contribution. The pear’s fruity complexity pierces right through the spicy Czech Saaz hops beautifully, say the brewers, adding a gentle acidity to the pale lager that makes for a crisp refreshing sipper. Amarillo hops add nuanced citrus notes.
Piercing Pils will be available while stocks last in 440ml cans via signaturebrew.co.uk and in 30-litre keg from pubs and bars.
Tickets for the launch event cost £22 and are available here.
