[dropcap size=small]W[/dropcap]hen you think of comic books, you probably don’t automatically also think of beer (if you do, skip this article and head here instead).
Now, you can read a sequential comic book story right on the label of your beer!
The genius use of the medium comes courtesy of Arcade Brewery in Chicago. Their 6-Pack Stories series of beer debuts on Wednesday with Festus Rotgut: Zombie Cowboy, a story by Jason Aaron (Thor) and Tony Moore (Co-creator of The Walking Dead). The series will unfold across all six bottles of the black wheat ale. The quasi-Western featuring zombies is the first volume of the 6-Pack Stories, so more beers & comics are likely to be on the way.
According to Arcade Brewery co-founder Lance Curran, the brewery sought to first tell a story, then brew a beer to match the theme. Curran’s partner Chris Tourre described the creative process in determining what kind of beer would accompany Festus Rotgut: Zombie Cowboy:
[dropcap size=small]“[/dropcap]Since there are zombies, I immediately thought something dark. Driving a heard of cattle across the dusty landscape also made me immediately go to a dry wheat beer.”
The beer clocks in at 8.0% ABV and is described as “wonderfully hoppy and a touch dry with some fantastic roast notes.” According to Tourre, he used specialty roasts to create marshmallow and caramel flavors. The beer was then dry hopped to give it a spicy finish.
Unfortunately, the beer is in an extremely limited release, and will only be available at stores in the Chicago area. However, according to the Arcade Brewery Facebook page, the beer can be ordered via online retailers West Lakeview Liquors and The Beer Temple.
The beer will have an exclusive “first taste” at the following locations on Wednesday, Dec. 10 before mass distribution to the Chicago area begins at the end of the week:
Binny’s Beverage Depot – Lincoln Park – 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Bottles and Cans – 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
Kimbark Beverage Shoppe – 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
West Lakeview Liquors – 7:00 PM-9:00 PM
For a list of locations where Arcade Brewery beers can be found, check out their website here.
