Harley taps special 115th anniversary lager
The blue beer can was on the table for under a minute when someone admired it. This happened again 20 minutes later.
To be fair, we were at MOTOR, the restaurant in the Harley-Davidson Museum complex and the color blue on the can mimics the blue that Harley chose for its 115th anniversary branding. Not a hint of orange in sight.
The bigger surprise is inside. Harley worked with three Milwaukee breweries for a limited-edition Harley-Davidson 115th Anniversary Milwaukee Lager.
The lager is a collaboration brewed by Good City Brewing, Third Space Brewing and Milwaukee Brewing Co., and made with a blend of all-Wisconsin malts roasted at Milwaukee’s Malteurop. The lager is probably more fruit-forward than a lager lover might expect. That’s not a bad thing.
The beer is expected to appeal to older Harley riders who are used to the lager style but also to young customers who prefer more body and fruit flavor. It has a 4.5% ABV (alcohol by volume) so it’s easy drinking.
Anniversary Lager was brewed at the Milwaukee Brewing 2nd Street location after discussions with Harley designers and brewery representatives.
David Hock, vice president of Beechwood Sales & Service, said limited-release beers made locally and for specific events like Bastille Days or the Harley anniversary are the wave of the future.
The beer rolls out in Milwaukee bars and restaurants and in 16-ounce cans on retail shelves Thursday.
Full Throttle Saloon, a Sturgis, South Dakota, saloon known for adult entertainment, will host a pop-up version at Veterans Park during the anniversary celebration. The 115th Milwaukee Lager will be sold there.
The 16-ounce cans are sold in 4packs at retail locations and cost $7.99 to $8.99.