BJ's Restaurants, Inc. and Stone Brewing Co. have released a limited release collaboration beer, Temple of Stone IPA, which became available in all BJ's restaurants in August and is on pace to be one of the bestselling collaboration beers for BJ's restaurants. This is the first collaboration between the two Southern California-based companies. Stone is the ninth largest craft brewer in America and known for making bold, hop-centric beers, and BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is one of the fastest growing national restaurant chains expanding now along the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast.
BJ's brews and sells its own proprietary beers along with offering a large selection of other craft beers on tap. Both BJ's and Stone have been brewing award-winning beer since 1996. The result of the partnership is Temple of Stone IPA, which is currently available in all BJ's restaurants and will remain on tap through early September, or while supplies last. This collaboration IPA was brewed with malted wheat, new hops, and elderflower. The use of wheat enhances the complex hop profile. Two modern hop varieties—Jarrylo and Belma—contribute fruity hop flavors that resemble blackberry and strawberry, while mellow floral notes of elderflower cover the palate.
"The brewers at Stone Brewing Co. are longtime friends of BJ's and are true craft brewing pioneers. We couldn't think of a better brewery to partner with for our annual collaboration beer," says Alex Puchner, senior vice President of brewing operations. "Together, we created Temple of Stone IPA, a hoppy IPA that's complex, engaging and extremely drinkable."
"It was great to collaborate with the team at BJ's and create a truly distinctive and flavorful IPA that showcases new hop varietals," Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele says. "Temple of Stone IPA represents two original craft brewers combining talent to create a recipe that highlights the industry's camaraderie."
Temple of Stone IPA was brewed at BJ's sixth and newest brewpub in Temple, Texas. Alex Puchner and Mitch Steele were joined by BJ's Brewmaster Michael Ferguson and Stone President, co-founder and original brewmaster Steve Wagner for a collaborative brewing day with BJ's Temple brewing team. BJ's has a long history of brewing award-winning craft beers, which have won over 100 nationally recognized beer awards since 1996, 40 of which were won during the past five years.
