Boston Beer, Weihenstephan to release new German brew next spring

(Boston, MA) – The AP reports that The Boston Beer Co. and Weihenstephan announced a new beer collaboration today. Considering Weihenstephan is the oldest brewery in the world and Boston Beer Co. is the largest independent American brewery, this is easily the biggest two-brewery craft beer collaboration to take place in recent memory.

According to the article, the cork-topped high-end beer will “follow Germany’s famed Reinheitsgebot, or purity law, which stipulates that beer can be brewed with only four ingredients: water, malt, hops and yeast.” [...] “This effervescent, Champagne-like beer will weigh in at more than 10 percent alcohol by volume, yet remain very dry and crisp, shattering the preconceived notions of what can be done following the Reinheitsgebot Law.” It will come out next spring in both the U.S. and Germany.

The announcement follows my September report on Boston Beer’s bid to jump into the high-end segment of the craft beer market with the upcoming Samuel Adams Barrel Room Collection.

The America brewery follows a number of other large U.S. craft breweries in trying out a collaborative project. Less than two weeks ago, the eighth largest independent craft brewery, Boulevard Brewing, announced it will create an Imperial Pilsner with Jean-Marie Rock of Orval from Belgium. In August, #2, Sierra Nevada Brewing, and Dogfish Head announced the Life and Limb collaboration project. #3, New Belgium, started a venture with Elysian Brewing in July 2008. #5, Pyramid Breweries, merged with #10, Magic Hat, in April 2008.

Of the the top 10, that leaves out only Spoetzel Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Matt Brewing, and Full Sail Brewing.

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