Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews is bringing innovative new offerings to the Denver-based Great American Beer Festival from October 5–7. Attendees to the three-day event will be treated to a first taste of Red Robin’s new signature 1969 Lager prior to its availability on tap in restaurants, and Bottomless Steak Fries seasoned with the restaurant brand’s new, propitiatory Red Robin Hop Salt seasoning. Red Robin continues its support for the country’s premier beer festival and competition as an official sponsor for the third year in a row.
“Red Robin has been synonymous with great burgers since our first restaurant opened in 1969, but we’re also a destination that offers an expansive selection of draft and bottled beer,” says Jonathan Muhtar, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Red Robin. “We wanted to build on the positive response from our first burger-inspired beer, which we introduced at last year’s festival, and know our 1969 Lager and Red Robin Hop Salt are menu additions that will resonate at the festival and in restaurant.”
The 1969 Lager is brewed by New Belgium Brewing. The crisp, easy drinking, golden lager has a modest 4.7 percent alcohol by volume and minimal IBU’s of 18. It’s a highly approachable, palate-friendly beer that packs big flavor to perfectly complement the more than two dozen high-quality gourmet burgers and Bottomless Steak Fries on Red Robin’s menu. After its debut at Great American Beer Festival, 1969 Lager will begin to rollout on draft in Red Robin restaurants nationwide.
Beyond the bar, Red Robin will also unveil its Red Robin Hop Salt, a new seasoning developed in conjunction with the Boston Beer Company. The unique spice is made with the same Hallertau and Tettnanger hops variety that makes up Samuel Adams Boston Lager, orange peel and brown sugar to balance the hoppy bitterness. The seasoning will be served on Red Robin’s famous steak fries along with a side of citrus ale dressing—creamy aioli with hints of citrus, onion, garlic and chives and an ale style beer reduction—for dipping. Hop salt is slated to rollout in Red Robin restaurants in summer 2018.