Daytrotter Gets its Own Beer From Bent River Brewing Co.

For more than a decade, our friends at Daytrotter have been focused on shining a spotlight on up-and-coming bands via their recording sessions based out of the Quad Cities area. Now, the indie studio has partnered with local Rock Island, IL brewery Bent River Brewing Co. to produce a pale ale that will likewise be throwing a spotlight on several up-and-coming hop varietals. Pale Horse Pale Ale looks to be an ideal collaboration, focusing on the “new and emerging” aspect of both music and beer.

The beer will be available at this weekend’s second annual Daytrotter Downs festival in downtown Davenport, Iowa, as well as throughout Bent River’s distribution footprint. Daytrotter will be hosting sets throughout the weekend, and will be teaming with River Music Experience’s Redstone Room as its second venue to present more than 50 bands. More details, as well as tickets, can be had by clicking here.

The beer, meanwhile, is significant for showcasing both Azacca and Hüll Melon hops, also known as Huell Melon. The former is known for complexity, imparting an array of citrus and tropical fruit notes that has made it in high demand, including in Founders’ popular all-Azacca pale ale. The latter varietal is even more unique, noted for unusual fruit aromatics of honeydew-like melon and even strawberry, which isn’t a description one tends to ever see in American hops. It promises a pale ale that is equal parts refreshing and easy-drinking, but curiously unique. Even in the course of blind-tasting 247 IPAs back in August, I don’t think we ever tasted one that had both Azacca and Hüll Melon.

You can see Bent River’s full photo of Pale Horse Pale Ale below.