This is as local as local beer gets.
Brooklyn Brewery has always been proud to be a New York operation. In the 1800s, New York State was a massive brewing center, producing both raw materials and popular beer for years. Grains from upstate farms, hops from central New York and Long Island and the naturally balanced water found in the area made their way into countless local breweries, including 48 in Brooklyn alone. In Brooklyn Greenmarket Wheat, we wanted to pay homage to the agricultural bounty that shaped early brewing in New York, and celebrate the small farms active in our area today.
We teamed up with GrowNYC’s Greenmarket to source the grain for this project. They linked us up with North Country Farms in Watertown NY, which provides 70% of the grain used in Brooklyn Greenmarket Wheat. All of the hops for the beer come from a small family farm outside of Syracuse, NY. That was simple to source, since the farm is owned by Brooklyn Brewery Technical Director Mary Wiles (as those of you who recall Mary’s Maple Porter may remember), who grew up there. Our Bavarian yeast and New York State water completed the recipe, producing an unfiltered beer full of light fruit flavors and a zesty palate. It’s a utility player with food, able to accompany anything from fresh salads to grilled meat without being overwhelming.
Brooklyn Greenmarket Wheat will be available first in four packs, starting this Saturday at the Union Square Greenmarket. Four packs and draft will spread and enter other markets, so be sure to ask when you’ll be able to grab yours at your favorite local bar, market or bottle shop. GrowNYC’s Greenmarket will receive a portion of the proceeds of Brooklyn Greenmarket Wheat to continue their mission of supporting small farms, education, farmers markets, and other programs aimed at reviving New York State’s grain industries. It’s a New York beer from New York farms, and we’re proud to be sending it to you.