Hopstache

Origin Story

Hopstache is an American IPA that uses 3 popular signature American hop varieties (Simcoe, Amarillo, and Citra) that all lend big, floral, citrusy hop characteristics to beers. To further intensify the citrusy grapefruit-like experience of the Hopstache, the brewers add real grapefruit zest to each batch, greatly intensifying the signature hop experience. The first batch of Hopstache was brewed out of the Bellaire brewery on 12/28/2010 as batch number 1999. Originally brewed with grapefruit concentrate, which resulted in a pungency of grapefruit flavors that was greater than anticipated, the second batch brewed on 7/26/2011 utilized grapefruit zest that provided a more appealing amplification of citrus fruit allowing for a more harmonious blend of flavors and overall balance. There is over a half an ounce (16grams) of grapefruit zest in every gallon of Hopstache produced from Elk Rapids, and approximately 6.5 grams of zest in every pint of a pub batch! Which is a decent amount when you try to picture how much zest weighs. On 2/19/2013 at the Elk Rapids production facility, 3 30 barrel batches of Hopstache were brewed that eventually yielded 660 cases, 32 1/2's, 10 1/4's, and 20 1/6's for statewide distribution almost a month later. Although our company's infatuation with mustaches existed well before this beer, the label art does have a relevant story and marks a turning point for one man's mustached future. Even though most pub staff probably couldn't conceive a time when Joe Short wasn't able to grow a mustache, his days of upper lipped prowess weren't always so majestic. Back in the spring of 2010, Woj was getting ready to celebrate a personal milestone by turning 30. In the spirit of self indulgence, it was decided that a party would be thrown and themed appropriately as a "Dirty 30 Mustache Party and Pig Roast". As you can guess, a requirement of the gala was that all attending, if possible, should grow the appropriate facial hair and adorn it on the day of the festivities. Joe, always one to get into the spirit of things, took on this regal requirement and decided to grow his first official mustache (official meaning it wasn't just some dirt on the upper lip that grew between prolonged shaves). Knowing that this would take some time, Joe began growing his mustache almost 2 months prior to the event! Attending many meetings with an array of important people, Joe toughed it out until the day of the party where he displayed a mustache that would have made anyone one proud (except maybe Leah). After the party, Joe promptly shaved off his inaugural stache (probably accompanied by some strong encouragement from Leah), placed it in an envelope, which he then sealed and gave to me as an official birthday present. On the envelope was a picture of Joe right before he shaved it off, to prove he could grow a mustache worth displaying for the world to see. Who would have guessed that this simple birthday gesture may have triggered the awesomeness of facial hair display that we all see on him today?