Harrisburg Beer week is set for April 20th – 29th. And with 160+ events, it’s hard to be any more excited for the week. But that isn’t stopping them from adding to the fun!
Four Harrisburg-based breweries have joined forces to bring you a special beer to celebrate HBW! ZerØday Brewing, Tröegs, Appalachian and Pizza Boy Brewing companies have teamed together to introduce “717 Collaboration Beer”.
“In the spirit of Harrisburg Beer Week, we want to celebrate the growth and inclusivity of our local beer community,” said Sara Bozich, Harrisburg Beer Week co-founder and organizer. “As our community continues to flourish and grow, it only makes sense to add new breweries each year to grow the 717 Collaboration beyond the tanks and taps of its originators.”
Harrisburg Beer Week organizers selected Zeroday Brewing Co. to join this year’s collaboration. The Midtown-based brewery opened in 2015 just weeks before the inaugural Harrisburg Beer Week and has been actively involved not only in Harrisburg Beer Week but with the community at large.
717 Collaboration Beer is an Extra Cream Ale brewed with cherries and vanilla — and was inspired by ZerØday’s addition. Designed to be low in bitterness and approachable to all, the Extra Cream Ale uses malts with subtle flavor profiles, hops with stone-fruit notes, lactose and loads of cherries and vanilla beans. ABV: 7.17% | IBUs: 20
Zeroday Brewing Co.’s name pays homage to a hiking term that refers to a day spent exploring a town off the trail. Read our review on them here.
“We’ve always felt Harrisburg is a zero day town,” said Theo Armstrong, Co-Owner and Brewmaster. “It’s a place worth stopping and exploring.” The Harrisburg area is home to a small piece of the 2,189-mile Appalachian Trail (AT), including its midway point in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. In 2005, Armstrong hiked the entirety of the AT with his brother.
As is a trail tradition, Armstrong enjoyed the “Half Gallon Challenge” at Pine Grove Furnace General Store, where thru-hikers consume a half-gallon of Hershey’s Ice Cream to celebrate and refuel at this halfway mark. Armstrong’s flavor of choice: Vanilla with cherries.
The collaborators met several times to discuss concepts and develop a recipe, including sampling a test batch and ingredient profiles. Brew day was held Tuesday, March 13 at Appalachian Brewing Co., this year’s host brewery.
717 Collaboration Beer will be released on Friday, April 20, the first day of Harrisburg Beer Week. And will be available for sale and growler/crowler fills at all Appalachian Brewing Co. locations, Tröegs Independent Brewing Co., Al’s of Hampden/Pizza Boy Brewing Co., and Zeroday Brewing Co. A portion of the proceeds from the 717 Collaboration Beer will go back to benefit Harrisburg Beer Week’s exclusive beneficiary, Harrisburg River Rescue & Emergency Services.
It also will be poured at the Harrisburg Beer Week VIP Kickoff Party at Strawberry Square on Friday, April 20 and PA Flavor at the Pa. Farm Show Complex on Saturday, April 21.
Responsible imbibers are encouraged to use the hashtag #717collab and #hbgbeerweek when they sample this year’s collaboration beer. Watch the 717 story as it progresses on Harrisburg Beer Week’s social media channels – @hbgbeerweek on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
