Local Brewery is One of Three to Partner with Chipotle

As part of its celebration of food, music, and ideas, Chipotle Mexican Grill has formed a partnership with three local breweries for its 2013 Cultivate Festivals in San Francisco, Denver and Chicago to produce a one-of-a-kind “Cultivate Farmhouse Ale,” a Saison-style beer that it unique to each city and will be exclusively poured at the Cultivate festivals. The beer is made in partnership with Speakeasy Ales & Lagers in San Francisco, Great Divide Brewing Company in Denver, and Five Rabbit Cerveceria in Chicago.

“Cultivate is a celebration of great local and artisanal foods,” said Chris Arnold, director of communications at Chipotle. “In keeping with that spirit, we have always served a menu of special items that are only available at these events, and thought it would be great to incorporate that same idea into the tasting tent, so we teamed up with local brewers to make that happen. The result of that collaboration is a Cultivate Farmhouse Ale that is both complimentary to the food we serve and very enjoyable to drink, and we think it will give our craft beer lovers something special to look forward to.”

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, Great Divide Brewing Company, and Five Rabbit Cerveceria have each created a never-before tasted recipe with unique ingredients such as honey, rye and fruit. Cultivate Festival attendees can expect to taste one of the following Farmhouse Ales in their respective cities:

• Speakeasy Ales & Lagers of San Francisco, Calif.

This special edition ale has a golden yellow appearance with a full white head. Slightly hazy, its aroma evokes fruity and spicy esters with herbal and floral notes. The flavor is a complex mix of fruit and spice notes, including Elderflower with a dry, highly carbonated mouth feel. It uses Belgian Pilsner & Pale along with Canadian Honey malts, as well as German Magnum and Hallertauer Hops and Saison II yeasts. 7% ABV.

• Great Divide Brewing Company of Denver, Colo.

This beautifully crafted Saison is brewed with barley, wheat and rice with the addition of black peppercorn and sweet orange peel.  This exclusive ale is delightfully fruity and slightly tart, with a dry finish infused with the slightest hint of black pepper spice.  In traditional farmhouse fashion, this refreshing Belgian is born to be celebrated throughout summer months.  7.3% ABV.

• Five Rabbit Cerveceria of Chicago, Ill.

Saison con Miel Mexicana

This Saison brew has a deep golden and slightly hazy appearance. Flaked rye is added to accentuate the phenolic notes of yeast, and a varietal Mexican honey adds a sweetish aroma with a crisp, dry finish. 5.8% ABV.

The Cultivate Farmhouse Ale will be available for $6 a glass in the Tasting Tent at all three Cultivate festivals alongside craft beer, wine, and other offerings from more than a dozen local brewers and vintners. In addition to the Tasting Tent, attendees can enjoy cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music, local food artisans, and several different interactive experiences focused on sustainable food throughout the day. Admission for all events is free.