Reuben's Brews celebrates 8 years with two limited edition releases and a special announcement

Hard to believe that Wednesday (August 5th), aka “hump day”, aka ‘just another day in quarantine’, was the 8th anniversary of Reuben’s Brews. So where’s the cake, the party, the bands and food trucks? The long answer; the brewery is working around the clock to provide you beer at a grocery store, restaurant, or bottle shop. The short one, for your safety, the safety of the Reuben’s Brews staff was more important than risking the lives of others due to COVID-19 to host a party.

Looking back at what is now eight years, it’s hard to believe the brewery was born from a home-brewing kit on Christmas day. It didn’t take long before the brewery escaped the comforts of the kitchen stove and cozy garage; to 1406 NW 53rd Street, where a “new brewery” opened its doors, focusing mostly on ales made with rye. 

8 “crazy years”, three taprooms, multiple expansions and relocations later, Ballard’s most award-winning brewery is not only releasing several limited edition beers, but they are also further expanding their support not only to the neighborhood but the community that has supported them for 8 years.

Introducing Long Days Short Years and Black is Beautiful

image sourced from Reuben’s Brews

To celebrate their 8 crazy years (and 8 even crazier months this year alone) Reuben’s is proud to announce the release of “Long Days Short Years”, a new Hazy IPA brewed to commemorate this significant moment in their history. The imperial hazy IPA features Sabro, Michigan Chinook, and Citra hops which gives it a bright nose of orange and lime zest, with a deeper tropical fruit body delivering notes of mango and pineapple, and passion fruit on the finish…

Fittingly, the beer’s label features faces of those who, without them, Reuben’s Brews would not be here today. It seems appropriate that a brewery, like so many businesses during the global pandemic, would name a beer after not just their current struggles but the struggles endured these past eight years. The brewery hopes you will stop by the taproom and recover some “Long Days Short Years” and raise a toast. 

But the brewery wasn’t finished.

image courtesy Reuben’s Brews

After some personal reflection, the brewery switched gears by continuing their support of groups which still struggle to have their voice heard. Brewed from inspiration, after seeing the outstanding work of the men and women of Weathered Souls Brewing, Reuben’s Brews is pleased to release “Black is Beautiful”

Started by the men and women of San Antonio’s Weathered Souls Brewing, Black is Beautiful draws attention to the injustices affecting people of color. Through cooperation with thousands of breweries across the world, Black is Beautiful raises funds towards reforms and action. 

A staunch supporter of nonprofits and equality, Reuben’s Brews brewed their version of Black is Beautiful (“virtually”) with friend and industry legend, Annie Johnson. Named the 2013 AHA Homebrewer of the Year, Annie Johnson is a legend in the beer community. As a certified beer judge, this writer has sat at many tables near or with her and I respect her palate. 

Brewed to be an 6.2% (alcohol by volume) American Stout, Reuben’s Brews and Annie Johnson not only brewed this beer but also collaborated to scale the original recipe for Black is Beautiful, for use by the American Homebrewers Association. If you’d like to brew this beer for yourself, you can visit the AHA website. 

With all profits generated from the sale of “Black is Beautiful”, the brewery is donating to benefitting communities associated with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color.

But like so many things that Adam, Grace, their family and their staff generate more than just award-winning beer. 

Several years ago, after recognizing the many local nonprofits in need of help, the brewery started Thankful Thursdays, with proceeds going to a different non-profit each Thursday. To date, the brewery has raised $150,000 since 2013. Believing they could do so much more, the brewery decided their anniversary was the perfect time to announce the founding of the “Reuben’s Brews Foundation”. 

A non-profit, linked to Reuben’s Brews, the charity will not only continue to support the organizations which have already benefited from Thankful Thursdays, but also organizations associated with “... education, environment, arts, human rights, animal rights, health, and social justice”. In fact, the Foundation has already selected its first benefactor. 

As the Foundation’s first act, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of “Long Days, Short Years” will help fund a fellowship program designed to develop future BIPOC leaders in the brewing industry. The new program is being designed in partnership with Métier Brewing Company.

If you want to learn more about Reuben’s Brews including their hours, online ordering for takeout, or the Reuben’s Brews Foundation, visit http://www.reubensbrews.com. If you want to learn more about Reuben’s Brews’ co-founder Adam Robbings, you can read about him here.