Patagonia Provisions, in partnership with Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) in Portland, OR, launched Long Root Ale, a Northwest-Style Pale Ale made with organic ingredients and Kernza perennial grain.
Long Root Ale represents a step toward transforming agricultural practices and supporting sustainable farming. Patagonia Provisions’ partners at The Land Institute in Salina, KS have made a breakthrough in organic regenerative agriculture with Kernza, the perennial grain used in Long Root Ale.
Kernza grain is ideally suited for organic regenerative agriculture – its long roots and perennial growth allow it to thrive without pesticides. It uses less water than conventional wheat, helps to reduce erosion and removes more carbon from the atmosphere than annual grains.
Patagonia Provisions, based in Sausalito, CA, believes the future of farming, and our planet, lies in organic regenerative agriculture – a practice that restores soil biodiversity, sequesters carbon and grows crops all without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
“Beer holds a critical role in society and history. It is the center of many tables, uniting us with its common language,” noted Birgit Cameron, senior director of Patagonia Provisions. “Patagonia Provisions saw an opportunity to use such a widely influential product to tell the story of organic regenerative agriculture, via Kernza, to a wide swath of people with a product we can all enjoy and get behind. All it takes is a small tweak in the way we make our beer to effect big change – we are hoping this message reaches the big brewers of the world.”
Long Root Ale is made with organic two-row barley, organic yeast and a blend of organic Northwest hops, resulting in a beer with resinous, grapefruit hop aromas and flavor and a balanced maltiness. The addition of 15 percent Kernza adds a slight spiciness to the dry, crisp finish. Long Root Ale represents the first commercial use of Kernza.
Patagonia Provisions chose Hopworks Urban Brewery to create Long Root Ale due to its commitment to organics and sustainable brewing practices. Hopworks is a B Corporation, meaning a for-profit company certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency.
“Working with Patagonia Provisions on Long Root Ale is the highest honor,” said Christian Ettinger, founder and brewmaster of Hopworks Urban Brewery. “Kernza adds great flavors to this delicious Pale Ale. It also offers attractive agricultural benefits like substantial water reduction. Kernza is really paving the way for future discussions with other commodity grains that we use to brew. As organic brewers we are really excited about the ‘grain to glass’ model and Long Root Ale is just that.”
Long Root Ale will be available in 16 ounce cans in Whole Foods Market locations in California, Oregon and Washington beginning October 3, 2016. In addition, select Whole Foods Market bar-restaurants and both Hopworks locations will serve the beer on draft, as will the Miir Flagship Store in Seattle. For more information, visit longrootale.com.
“We love Patagonia Provisions’ efforts to find solutions for responsibly sourced food,” said Claude Ruau-Choate, specialty coordinator, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific Region. “And what better way to raise awareness about organic regenerative agriculture and Kernza grain than through a delicious pale ale? We’re thrilled to be the first retailer to carry this beer.”
