Civil Life

Long enough ago, all beer would’ve been brownish because of the difficulty of drying the malted grain without darkening it. Same was true in America until the fancy-pants German immigrant brewers started brewing pale lagers which eventually took over. Thankfully, American homebrewers and a few bold craft brewers like us have revived American Brown Ale for your pleasure. Malty, caramelly, tart and toasty, earthy and citrusy, with delicious hints of bitter chocolate and dark roasted coffee. Y’know that story about the hypocrite who tattled to President Abraham Lincoln about General Grant’s drinking? Ol’ Abe answered, “Well, find out what he’s drinking so I can send a barrel to every general in the army.” We’re pretty sure Grant was drinking The Civil Life American Brown.

Angel and The Sword seems like an odd name for a peace offering, but hear us out. Sometimes you just have to blend cultures. Toledo, Spain is an UNESCO World Heritage Site called “the city of three cultures” for the continuous coexistence of Jews, Christians, and Muslims since ancient times. They haven’t always gotten along, at times horrendously so, but they do their best. Iron sharpens iron, as their good books say. An area famed for sword production, our favourite monument remains Juan de Ávalos’ “statue of peace” outside Alcázar fortress, representing a winged female holding up her sword to the sky. Here is a great craft beer which IS NOT IPA. A departure from true-to-style brewing, we put a little bit of everything we’ve learned into this uniquely inclusive expression. Biscuity and bittersweet, familiar and unfamiliar, way more going on than its light colour and alcohol content would suggest. Let us raise our goblets to the sky in one accord.

Scottish-style ale featuring Golden Promise, Marris Otter, and Rahr Pale malts, and Magnum and Progress hops.

Double India Pale Ale given our bliss oat treatment for a smooth creamy mouthfeel and smashed with Citra Incognito, Citra T90 and Citra Cryo resulting in a Tropical Fruit Bomb.

COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTION This isn’t the littlest Pale Ale and it isn’t the biggest Pale Ale but it’s OUR Pale Ale and it’s supported by a strong malt backbone. Familiar pale ale traits plus rich graininess, subtle spice and crisp mouthfeel from the rye, lots of caramel, black pepper, pine cones, and grapefruit zest with a well-rounded bittersweet finish. Pick it up and run with it, act like you stole it...as long as you paid for it we don’t care. Best yet, our Rye Pale Ale won Gold at the Great American Beer Festival!

Brewed with 3 different varieties of rye malt and hopped with Simcoe hops.

South City or Southern England…what’s the diff? Regardless of your geographical persuasion, you’re gonna love this Brown Ale. Rich toffee-like sweetness with a nice round bready mouthfeel. Reminiscent of chocolate, molasses, toasted almonds, ripe red berries, dried plums, orange zest, coffee and cream. Medium body and carbonation, with an everlasting dark malty aftertaste. Pour over your Weetabix cereal. Be civil and carry on. UPDATE: This beer is currently being re-named and we are waiting on Federal and then State Approval. It is being re-named in honor of the Great Brian Hencel.