One of the newest trends in the craft beer world is collaborations. Deschutes collaborated with BrewDog, Yards and Iceland’s Einstök Brewery worked together on a Coffee Pale Ale, and Half Acre and New Belgium even collaborated on an Oatmeal IPA. But, a few breweries have decided that collaborations aren’t limited to other breweries. Recently, one of the most esteemed breweries, Russian River Brewing Company, collaborated with local rock band HUGElarge to create a memorable Pilsner.
The band HUGElarge was formed in 2005 by Matt Norelli and Robert Malta, who had played music together in the mid-nineties in a band called Pawpawblowtorch. “After that, we continued as friends but we were not hanging out so much since he lived a half hour’s drive further up north,” says Malta. They both live in Sonoma County about 50 miles north of San Francisco. “I had the idea to start playing music again just to give us a reason to hang out.”
So Malta got a cheap guitar and called up Norelli. “Matt didn’t want to haul around his drums anymore and he thought maybe he might play a cocktail drum kit.” They got together and while Norelli was busy figuring out how to rock out on one drum while standing up, Malta was figuring out a way to get a unique sound out of a guitar for a two piece band. “We just played covers of songs that either or both of us dug while we were growing up.” While they were doing this, they developed their sound. “Shortly thereafter a friend dropped by and talked us into playing a local show with younger punk bands and that show started our playing out live. After that it really took off.”
The first time Russian River Brewing Company’s Vinnie Cilurzo saw HUGElarge, he was impressed. They were playing at Russian River Brewpub in Santa Rosa, California. “Instantly, they became one of my favorite bands and still are to this day,” says Cilurzo. Shortly after that original show, Cilurzo was inspired tp make a beer in their honor. Immediately, he thought of a classic Pilsner.
“My thinking was that a Pilsner can be every bit as hoppy and flavorful as an IPA if done right.” Additionally, watching them play, he wondered how two people could make such an amazing sound. “This is why I compared them to a Pilsner,” he says. “When a Pilsner is done right you think the same thing: you look at this light straw-colored beer and say, ‘There is no way this beer is full of flavor.’ But when done right a Pilsner is every bit as flavorful, and thus HUGElarge Sound Czech Pils was born.”
The beer is released peiodically. “When it is available it is served in Pilsner glasses or German beer boots with the HUGElarge Sound Czech Pilsner logo screen on them,” says Malta. “Upon it’s release, HUGElarge performed to an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd – a great party.”
The HUGElarge Sound Czech Pilsner is among many of the brewery’s limited release specialty beers. When it is available, folks can get it on tap only at the brewery in downtown Santa Rosa.
Malta and Norelli are extremely proud to have a beer brewed in their honor. “At first we thought we might just stop playing, because really, how many bands famous or infamous get a beer named after them? We felt we pretty much reached the pinnacle for a little garage band. But our fans won’t let us quit, and so we jut keep going.”
And so does the Russian river Brewing Company. To that effect, HUGElarge Sound Czech Pils will be offered this October, in honor of the band’s forthcoming album.
