Lagunitas Fusion VIII Debuts In Chicago w/Chicago Homebrewer Recipe

The keg-label came out for Lagunitas Brewing Fusion VIII back in November 2011 and now comes word that the beer was premiered in Chicago AND based on the recipe of Chicago homebrewer Steve Kamp.  Steve won the Lagunitas Homebrewing competition and got to brew his Chocolate Rye Ale w/Sorachi Hops in Petaluma CA with Lagunitas.  This from Chicagonow:

Lagunitas Brewing Company continued its push for the hearts and minds of Chicago homebrewers last Monday by… oh, not quite like that, but they did host a premiere party for one of its limited edition beers, which was formulated in the Chicago area.

Steve Kamp of south suburban Beecher had won a Lagunitas sponsored homebrewing contest this spring, with a chocolate rye ale made with Sorachi Ace hops. As his prize, Steve was invited to Lagunitas’ home town of Petaluma, California to brew his recipe on a commercial scale. He was accompanied by a contest entrant whose name was drawn at random; Adam York of CHAOS Brewing. Steve flew the colors of his club, Brewers of South Suburbia (and if you’re reading this, Steve, it was my clumsy way of working in your affiliation).

The new beer was released in a small batch, and will be onto only at about 100 Chicago bars, and the first one was tapped Monday night at Murphy’s Bleachers in Wrigleyville. The tapping, called the "Lagunitas MegaNano Homebrew Release Party," was an invitation event for the trade and for homebrewers. Karen Hamilton, Lagunitas’ Chicago beer evangelist, organized the event, putting three of Lagunitas’ favorite beers on tap and in bottles. Besides the Fusion VIII, I also enjoyed a 22 oz. bottle of their Lucky 13.alt, an anniversary tribute to West Coast pioneers Rogue Ales and Anchor Brewing in the form of an "Imperial California Common (Steam)" Beer. Munchies were in the form of a "Sonoma County" sandwich spread of turkey bacon, chèvre and pepper jelly on wheat bread—and Chicago style hot dogs.