Ale-Liance IPA: The Story Behind the Beer

May is the month that beer and bicycles share the stage.  It is National Bike Month, a time to celebrate all things bicycling – and we do it up in a big way in Washington.  May is also the month for Seattle Beer Week, a collection of events celebrating local beer culture.

Erinn and Barb sample some Ale-Liance IPA at Schooner Exact.

This year, the two cultures have come together in a unique and exciting way.  The Bicycle Alliance of Washington and Schooner Exact Brewing Company have partnered together to present Ale-Liance IPA.  This specially created beer celebrates bicycle advocacy in a popular Northwest way – the IPA.

The idea for such a beer was hatched one evening at a party hosted by Bicycle Alliance Executive Director Barbara Culp.  Some guests were discussing how there seemed to be a natural affinity between bikes and beer, and wouldn’t it be cool if a local brewery produced a special beer that promoted bicycle advocacy.

“I think I can make it happen!” exclaimed Erinn Hale and she promptly volunteered to take it on as a project.

Erinn was the perfect person for the assignment.  She combined her knowledge of the local beer culture with her creative marketing skills and interest in bicycling, and called upon the bike friendly folks at Schooner Exact.  Ale-Liance IPA was born!

Schooner Exact has produced 30 kegs of Ale-Liance IPA for Bike Month and launched the first keg at the Bicycle Alliance’s open house on May 3. Kegs of this limited edition beer will be available at select Puget Sound locations during the month of May, and a portion of every keg sold will benefit the Alliance’s work to grow bicycling statewide.  Serving locations will be posted on the Bicycle Alliance and Ale-Liance IPA Facebook pages.

Tour de Pints – a pub crawl on bikes – is also an opportunity to sample Ale-Liance IPA.  Three pubs on the route will feature the beer: Fiddler's Inn, Ravenna Alehouse, and Wurst Tavern. The Bicycle Alliance will be on hand at Pike Brewery - the start of the ride - with a $20 membership special that includes an Ale-Liance pint glass and beer!

Happy Bike Month and cheers!