THE SWEET LIFE
NM Pink Boots Society releases fruit pie inspired beer
Life just got a little sweeter with Essential Pie. The fruited American sour is now available at 13 New Mexico breweries in either can or on tap. Proceeds from the beer benefit educational programs offered through the Pink Boots Society. The society was created to empower women beer professionals to advance their careers in the beer industry through education.
“We’re excited about it,” said Jess Griego, head of the New Mexico Pink Boots Society. “... We actually added real graham crackers during the brew day which was a lot of fun. It is a creative way of getting characteristics of pie, fruited pie, with a little bit of sourness from cranberry, cherry and raspberry. It’s fun for the summer. It’s a really light fresh beer that has that graham cracker crust characteristic to round it out so that it’s not too tart or overwhelming just a nice balanced dessert beer.”
The group has released previous collaboration beers but never in cans. It was unclear whether breweries would be allowed to open in time for the Essential Pie release so the decision was made to offer the beer in cans as well as on draft. The labeling was designed by society member and Second Street Brewery creative director Mariah Scee.
“She actually donated her time and energy for that label, which was great,” Griego said of Scee. “With all the circumstances we had to kind of pull ourselves by our bootstraps and get this beer really as quickly and as efficiently as possible. When it came time to design a label I was a little lost. She totally stepped up and helped us.”
Nine breweries will release the beer in package and four will release it on draft.
Six-packs will be available at Bosque Brewing Co., Canteen Brewhouse, Ex Novo Brewing, Marble Brewery, Red Door Brewing Co., Santa Fe Brewing Co., Second Street Brewery, Sidetrack Brewing Co. and Tractor Brewing Co. The beer will be available on draft at Brew Lab 101, Steel Bender Brewyard, Rio Bravo Brewing Co. and Toltec Brewing.
The recipe was created by Canteen Brewhouse head brewer Zach Guilmette. It was brewed on National Women’s Day, on March 6, by members of the society representing the 13 breweries selling Essential Pie.
“We had a great turnout,” Griego said. “... At least 30 members (participated), which was really exciting.”
The society has served as a support system for women in the brewing industry, and membership more than tripled over the last year, Griego said.
“We’ve all been in constant contact with each other throughout this entire experience,” Griego said. “Trying to keep positivity in being that sounding off group for one another. The women in this industry over the last few months have really come together and I have never felt more part of a community in this way.”