Creating buzz among San Diego brewmasters and beer geeks alike, North park’s URBN Coal Fired Pizza and San Diego’s first licensed nano-brewery, Hess Brewing Company, have teamed up to create a highly anticipated, limited edition whiskey barrel-aged imperial stout, dubbed TORULUS, which will be exclusively released to the public in a collaborative tasting event held at URBN on Thursday August 23rd, in the midst of Hess Brewing’s 2nd Year Anniversary Week.
For one night only, San Diego hop heads will have a chance to sample a tasting flight made up of Hess’ Ex Umbris Imperial Stout, URBN’s house barrel of Elmer T. Lee Bourbon or "(b)urbn", in addition to the new bourbon barrel-aged TORULUS stout for only $22. This event provides a RARE opportunity to experience how specific properties of each libation influence the other in a side-by-side tasting. Tipplers will also take home a complimentary commemorative snifter glass with the purchase of the TORULUS flight.
Though still a niche in the overall craft beer industry, barrel-aging beer is quickly developing into one of the hottest trends in the fast-moving national craft beer scene. URBN and Hess’ TORULUS barrel aging technique entails an 8-month aging of one of Hess’ most popular brews, the Ex Umbris Imperial Stout. The beer is aged in a wooden barrel that had previously contained URBN’s appropriately dubbed, new house (b)urbn -- an Elmer T. Lee bourbon barrel select no. 16. Imparting the particularly unique character of the (b)urbn into the Imperial Stout produces a unassuming complexity and uniqueness to beer. The barrel-aged result embodies a wonderful blend of smoky and caramel rich notes, revealing a different flavor combination with every sip.
Hess Brewing is currently one of the premier craft breweries in San Diego, and also one of the smallest. Opening as the city’s first production in nano-brewery in 2010, Hess quickly built a solid reputation for great beers, through a loyal and growing following. Hess Brewing was launched by Proprietor and Chief Brewing Officer Mike Hess, Branding Manager Court Patton and Tasting Room manager Mike Skubic. Despite increasing production from 14 barrels in their first quarter to over 75 barrels in the latest quarter, demand continues to outstrip production; therefore they have undertaken a $1.9mm expansion. A new 30 bbl production brewhouse with tasting room and a 12,500 sq. foot facility is expected to open in the heart of North Park (ground zero for craft beer in San Diego) during 4th quarter this year. The success of Hess Brewing has been the result of brewing distinctive, high quality beers that appeal to a broad range of tastes, coupled with intelligent social marketing and effective branding, leading to glowing write ups in publications including Celebrator Magazine and the New York Times.
Be sure to check out the collaboration between URBN and Hess taking place on Thursday, August 23rd, from 6:00 pm until they run out of beer. The cost is $22 per tasting flight, which includes a complimentary commemorative snifter glass.
URBN Coal Fried Pizza
3085 University Ave.
619.255.7300
www.urbnnorthpark.com
