0
0
Texas Meets Ireland in #DRINKINGBUDDIES Craft Beer Collaboration Between Jameson Irish Whiskey and Deep Ellum Brewing Company
When John Reardon, Founder and Chief Evangelist of Deep Ellum Brewing Company, started this project in a corner of a yet-to-be revitalized part of Dallas in 2011, even he couldnt imagine that he would be part of what would become a nation-wide phenomenon. At the time, there were only two craft breweries – independently owned production breweries that produce less than 6 million barrels of beer annually – in North Texas; Rahr & Sons in Fort Worth, and Franconia in McKinney. There are now 32 craft breweries in North Texas. This does not include the many brewpubs, draught houses, bottle shops or taprooms in the Metroplex.
Last week, Deep Ellum Brewing Company hosted an event that Reardon said was a testament to the craft beer movement in North Texas. For the first time ever, American brewers had the ability to age their beers in Irish whiskey barrels, thanks to Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Jameson identified five breweries in the US that embodied the neighborhoods around them, reflecting how the Jameson distillery embodies the town of Midleton, Ireland. Those five breweries were Hilliards Beer in Seattle, Angel City Brewery in Los Angeles, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Westchester County, New York, Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver, and of course, Deep Ellum Brewing Company here in Dallas.
Staff from each brewery were flown to Ireland and given a tour of the Jameson distillery, and when they returned they received six fresh whiskey barrels to do with as they pleased.
Enter Local Legend – Jameson Edition.
Reardon and his band of brewers decided to use roasted pecans in a sweet milk stout to blend the flavors of both Ireland and Texas together. The finished product is a silky smooth, rich beer with an earthy sweetness, punctuated by hints of vanilla, caramel and tangy licorice. Not overly boozy, Local Legend is easy to drink, dark but not heavy and slightly sweet.
What remains of Local Legend – Jameson Edition will be available at the Deep Ellum Taproom for a limited time.
*Disclaimer: I was provided a free ticket for entry to this event. All thoughts and opinions stated in this post are my own.*
Foodie Feedback