The ‘Wild and Free’   Limited Edition Series

March

Butternut and Hickory Horned Devil , Maple Cream Ale, 5.6 %

White walnuts, better known as butternuts, historically grew throughout eastern North America. They were cherished for their beautiful wood, the bark and nut husks that produced yellow dyes, and oily, flavorful nut kernels. Sadly, a disease introduced from non-native walnuts has imperiled the species throughout its range, and it is a species of concern in West Virginia. Butternuts are an important part of our native forests providing food and habitat for many species, including the charismatic hickory horned devil, a caterpillar of the regal moth. We replaced all water for this brew with maple sap and used maple syrup during fermentation, both of which were provided by Blossom Hill Farm, located in Victor, WV.

June

The Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus)  – Spruce tip pale ale

Nestled in the highest elevations of West Virginia are the red spruce ecosystems. These lush havens of evergreen forest thrive in the cool, wet environment created by the High Alleghenies.   Isolated from the majority of the spruce forests far to the north, these lush havens are home to many rare species including the WV northern flying squirrel. Relying primarily on the red spruce for food and shelter, these squirrels neared the brim of extinction during the industrial logging era. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (CASRI), thousands of red spruce are being replanted and habitats restored, and the WV northern flying squirrel has made a tremendous comeback in recent decades.  A portion of proceeds will be donated to fund these efforts. 

July

Cerulean Warbler- Blueberry and lavender saison (6.3%)

The extensive stretch of Appalachian hardwood forest ecosystems provide excellent habitat and breeding grounds for thousands of migratory birds, including the breathtaking, Cerulean warbler. This brightly colored songbird relies on the complex canopy structures of mature forests with an abundance of oak trees. While overall numbers of Cerulean warblers have declined, nearly 70 percent of the entire population can be found in the Appalachian forests.  For this brew, we incorporated two locally sourced ingredients, the blueberries from A Farm Called Crow, located in Fayetteville, WV.

September

The Candy Darter- Sumac sour with wineberries and cranberries (6.5%)

The rippling streams in the Gauley, Greenbrier, and New River watersheds hold a stunningly beautiful treasure, the federally endangered Candy darter. The opportunity to witness these brightly colored fish shimmering with splashes of teal, scarlet, and yellow is rapidly decreasing. They are known to hybridize with the variegate darter, which, naturally blocked from swimming upstream by the Kanawha Falls, were likely introduced by the use of live bait. There are several organizations that are working towards protecting the Candy darter, but you can play your part as well! Please be sure to throw any unused bait in the trash, not in the water, or use non-living bait for fishing.

December

Allegheny Alligator (Eastern Hellbender)- Chocolate, cherry, chili stout 

Eastern Hellbenders, also known as Allegheny Alligators, hide in the shadows of large boulders in cool, swiftly flowing streams. Despite being the largest salamanders found in North America and contrary to what the common names might insinuate, these gentle giants cannot harm humans and are not venomous. They have a preferred diet of crayfish, and occasionally, snakes. Sadly, their populations have been in steady decline, primarily due stream modifications, such as dam construction and silt accumulation. We are proud to help support a hellbender eDNA  monitoring project conducted by the Friends of Cheat, and a portion of the proceeds will be donated to aid their efforts.