COMMERCIAL BEER RELEASES

“I have been brewing in my kitchen and garage for over six years, all while documenting every stage of the process in an effort to encourage more people to start brewing and help them along the way. Finally, I can offer people a chance to try my beer around Chicago and soon in select cities. This opportunity is a dream come true! I knew Pilot Project was where I wanted to kick off my first commercial brews. They are dedicated to uplifting and providing a platform for the underrepresented and aspiring creators within the brewing industry, and I’m grateful to collaborate with them.” – Sarah Flora, Owner and Founder of The Brewery Formerly Known As Flora Brewing

The Brewery Formerly Known As Flora Brewing, a contract brewery started by Sarah Flora, one of the top female digital creators in brewing, known for her educational homebrewing videos on YouTube, which have garnered over two million views, will make its commercial debut through incubator brewery, Pilot Project, in Chicago, Illinois. Beers will be available at both Pilot Project locations in Chicago and Milwaukee as well as various bottle shops and bars around the Chicago area.

INTRODUCING OUR FIRST FOUR BREWS:

MEDUSA PALE ALE

Brewed entirely with the unique Neomexicanus multi-headed hop, Medusa, this pale ale exudes the aroma of papaya and lime that carry into the flavor and are complemented by a mild bitterness and light body that make it perfect for summer.

In Greek Mythology, Medusa was a gorgon with a head full of snakes who could turn men to stone. Her story has been interpreted as a warning against female power, but recently, feminists have reclaimed her as a symbol of empowerment. Now, Medusa is the embodiment of women’s rage against the patriarchy, and a reminder that a girl with snakes for hair is not to be messed with. Plus, let’s face it, she probably never had a bad hair day.

BLOSSOM TONIC CHERRY SAISON

Despite its bright and refreshing taste, the saison packs a punch. Hints of coriander, fresh rosemary, and german hops take a sideline to tart cherry juice. French saison yeast balances the sweetness, creating the impression of biting into a freshly picked rainier cherry.

“This recipe is where it all began. When I was brewing in a tiny apartment, this was the first recipe that made me think, ‘this is good!’ Since then, it has become a staple. I love this beer because it reminds me why I started brewing. Beer has been around as long as civilization and embodies other disciplines. When you brew, you tap into our shared history and what it means to be human.”

FUN WITH FLAGSHIPS IPA

Flagships are supposed to be serious. What’s funny is a flagship is literally a ship with a flag. Will this dumb joke stand the test of time? Probably not. But we believe that beer should be fun. So, like when we fully committed to our self-inflicted flash tattoos, we fully commit to this bit. 

Now that we’ve explained the joke to death, let’s get to beer. Cascade, Simcoe, and Mosaic hops blend together in the boil and are topped off with a generous dry hop of Citra. A combination of 2-row, aromatic, caramel, and wheat malts give body without overt sweetness. To top it off, we’re using the classic Chico yeast strain.

BURN OUT IMPERIAL RED ALE

When we were kids, the internet was full of possibilities and wonder. How did we get from the family computer in the living room to having to be wired to 7 billion people constantly? Next time you’re reeling from a meeting that should have been an email, grab a burn out and imagine living on a peaceful 19th-century farm where sheep are leisurely grazing and you don’t even have a telegraph. Don’t stay too long though, or you’ll end up in prohibition. 

2-row, vienna, and caramel malts give this ale its burnt-like color while Centennial and Columbus hops bring the balance we so need in our lives. 

Tastes like: Two weeks notice, sleeping until noon, throwing your phone in a river

*Releasing early May