Grand Teton 5 O’Clock Shadow Coming 2/15

Grand Teton  Brewing Company, known throughout the West for their exceptional craft brews, is proud to announce the release of 5 O’Clock Shadow, the first in their 2015 Cellar Reserve series.

5 O’Clock Shadow Double Black Lager is brewed in the German Schwarzbier (black beer) tradition. Schwarzbier is to lager what stout or porter is to ale. Like those dark British beers, Schwarzbier has long been considered nourishing and even curative. German doctors often recommend Schwarzbier for nursing mothers. The Grand Teton Brewing Brewmaster, born in Munich, was the beneficiary of just such advice.

They have taken the traditional Schwarzbier, intended to be a “session beer” with typically moderate alcohol, and almost doubled its strength to 7.6% alcohol by volume. Their version is brewed with a fine balance of German roasted and crystal malts and spiced with German Tradition hops. They fermented 5 O’Clock Shadow at cold temperatures with a lager yeast from a monastery brewery near Munich and cold-conditioned it for sixteen weeks to create a velvety smooth, easy drinking springtime brew.

This German lager pours a deep brown, almost black color with ruby highlights. It has soft dark chocolate notes with hints of caramel and a light roasty finish.

5 O’Clock Shadow pairs nicely with hearty, spicy foods. Try it with barbecued, roasted or blackened meats and sausages. Steaks and burgers, especially charred, will complement this beer. Recommended cheeses might be a fine Munster or even a buttery, well-aged cheese like Gouda. For dessert they suggest a raspberry tart or ginger pear cake.

Alcohol By Volume: 7.6% • Original Gravity (Plato): 18.0˚P
Color (Lovibond): 40˚• International Bitterness Units: 38

5 O’Clock Shadow will be available February 15, 2015 in 1/2 and 1/6 bbl kegs and bottle conditioned 750 mL cases.