Brickway Brewery & Distillery - IPL

The so-called India Pale Lager style has become quite popular in recent years, and with beers like Brickway’s IPL on the market, it’s easy to see why. On the pour, this brew presents a rich amber color capped with lots of fluffy and persistent foam that laces the glass as it recedes. We found the aroma profile really attractive and inviting; look for big, rich caramel malt notes along with plenty of softly floral and citric hop overtones. These hops come through bold and firmly bitter on the palate, offering some spice along with their juiciness, but the malts do a nice job of providing structure with plenty of caramel within a round and creamy mouthfeel. Some brewers craft their IPLs quite a bit lighter in color, delivering something more akin to a very hopped-up pilsner. We like what Brickway has done here, offering an IPL with a more caramelized malt profile while choosing American aroma hops over the perhaps more traditional (if such a word can apply to an IPL) European varieties. For a pairing, spicy dishes are a good call; we’d recommend a rich, nutty Kung Pao Chicken or Beef. Cheers!

Opened in December 2013, Omaha’s Brickway Brewery & Distillery is a relatively new venture, but founder Zac Triemert is no stranger to the craft brewing scene. A founder and former president of the nearby Lucky Bucket Brewery, Triemert left the business to start his own venture with his fiancée (now his wife), Holly Mulkins. The pair chose to locate their new business in downtown Omaha’s Old Market area, famed for its cobblestone streets and old brick buildings which house numerous art galleries, restaurants, and bars. Though originally known as “Borgata,” the duo chose to change the business’s name after hearing of possible legal action coming their way from the Atlantic City resort of the same name. We like their choice of “Brickway” to honor and reflect the historic district the company calls home.

With masters degrees in both brewing and distilling from Edinburgh, Scotland’s esteemed Heriot-Watt University, it’s no surprise Triemert is pursuing a vision for a dual brewery/distillery, especially considering Omaha had a rich distilling industry prior to Prohibition wiping it out. The similarities between brewing and distilling lead to a lot of synergies, and we’re honestly a little surprised more brewers don’t embrace craft distilling as a complementary business. Brickway’s tasting room embodies this, serving their own handcrafted beers and whisky, and, of course, cocktails – some of which are made with beer. For more info on their hours and tours, give them a call at 402-933-2613, or visit their website at www.drinkbrickway.com.