Patagonia Provisions, in partnership with Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) in Portland, Ore., announced the launch of Long Root Ale, a Northwest-Style Pale Ale made with organic ingredients and Kernza perennial grain. According to the companies, Long Root Ale represents a step toward transforming agricultural practices and supporting sustainable farming.
Patagonia Provisions’ partners at The Land Institute in Salina, Kan. Say they have made a major breakthrough in organic regenerative agriculture with Kernza, the perennial grain used in Long Root Ale. The Kernza grain’s long roots and perennial growth allow it to thrive without pesticides, it uses less water than conventional wheat, helps to reduce erosion and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than annual grains. “And it just so happens to make delicious beer,” said the announcement of the partnership.
Patagonia Provisions believes the future of farming, and our planet, lies in organic regenerative agriculture – a practice that restores soil biodiversity, sequesters carbon and grows crops all without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
“Beer holds a critical role in society and history. It is the center of many tables, uniting us with its common language,” notes Birgit Cameron, senior director of Patagonia Provisions. “With its wonderful tradition and history of bringing people together, Patagonia Provisions saw an opportunity to use such a widely influential product to tell the story of organic regenerative agriculture, via Kernza, to a wide swath of people with a product we can all enjoy and get behind. All it takes is a small tweak in the way we make our beer to effect big change – we are hoping this message reaches the big brewers of the world.”
A refreshing pale ale, Long Root Ale is made with organic two-row barley, organic yeast and a blend of organic Northwest hops, resulting in a beer with resinous, grapefruit hop aromas and flavor and a balanced maltiness. The addition of 15 percent Kernza adds a slight spiciness to the dry, crisp finish. Long Root Ale represents the first commercial use of Kernza.
Patagonia Provisions chose Hopworks Urban Brewery to create Long Root Ale due to its strong commitment to organics and sustainable brewing practices, said the company. Hopworks, experts in organic beer, is a B Corporation and is on a mission to revolutionize the brewing industry for the better.
“Working with Patagonia Provisions on Long Root Ale is the highest honor,” notes Christian Ettinger, founder and brewmaster of Hopworks Urban Brewery. “Kernza adds great flavors to this delicious Pale Ale. It also offers attractive agricultural benefits like substantial water reduction. Kernza is really paving the way for future discussions with other commodity grains that we use to brew. As organic brewers we are really excited about the ‘grain to glass’ model and Long Root Ale is just that.”
Long Root Ale will be available in 16 oz cans in Whole Foods Market locations in California, Ore. In addition, select Whole Foods Market bar-restaurants and both Hopworks locations will serve the beer on draft, as will the Miir Flagship Store in Seattle.
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