When pFriem Family Brewers started thinking about collaboration partners, Fort George Brewery was a natural pick. While these teams have different styles and approaches, they share deep respect for the craft of brewing, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in getting each element just right. As they started talking about collaborating, the conversation turned to something else they have in common–both breweries make their home in popular vacation destinations. It made sense right away that this would be the theme for the collaboration and the inspiration for each beer’s name.
Both breweries agreed to stick to the same raw ingredients–a clean base of Pilsner and Pale malts, with malted and unmalted wheat for texture, and a single hop bill of Eclipse, Krush, Citra Cryo, and Simcoe. Everything after that–yeast, fermentation management, dry hopping, and any other stylistic choices, was entirely up to the individual brewery.
These ingredients were anything but random. pFriem’s brewmaster, Josh Pfriem, offers a behind the scenes look at the process. “Both teams discussed raw materials that they have been having recent success with for West Coast IPAs and Hazy IPAs. Once we looked at each other’s ingredients lists and approaches, we came up with a blend of specific ingredients that each brewery has been using as well as some that we are both using. From there we chatted on the nuances of all the ingredients and how they contribute well to both beers.”
Then, it was time to brew some beer. Far from operating in a vacuum, the teams talked to each other, shared their recipes and tweaks and sent sample batches to each other for feedback (some of it went on tap at each brewery for feedback from customers). When everything was the way they wanted it, the teams got together at each facility to make it happen.
pFriem’s version is Vacation Destination, a brilliant, straw-hued West Coast IPA. The wheat provides just enough body to give the hops traction, letting the resinous pine of Simcoe and the sharp citrus of Citra Cryo slice through with an assertive, satisfying bitterness and a bone-dry finish.
Vacation Destination’s sister beer, Destination Vacation, keeps things hazy. Fort George utilized a distinct yeast strain and massive, bio-transformative dry-hop additions, then activated the wheat to form a plush, pillowy-soft mouthfeel. The bitter edge is rounded out entirely, allowing the sweet mandarin notes of Eclipse and the ripe, stone-fruit luxury of Krush to present as a velvety, juicy sensory experience.
Same starting point, two very different, world-class beers.
Along with the beer, each brewery worked with an artist to
develop a special can, each paying homage to their cities. Even the artists talked to each other, creating painted can art that is far from the same but that has distinct similarities. Each one tells a different side of the same story with lots of fun Astoria and Hood River-specific details to find.
As part of the collaboration, fans can enter to win a weekend getaway to either Astoria or Hood River to explore and do some beer tasting. Maybe you’re destined for that vacation?
Though there’s no wrong way to drink these limited edition brews, the ideal way is to try them side by side, taking in all the choices that produced such different results. Both beers will be on tap at both brewery’s brewhouses to make that easy, but you’ll also be able to find it on tap and canned at select locations in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and parts of Southern California throughout fall.
While the names of the beers seem to be in opposition, they are both asking the same questions. What makes a vacation? Is it what you do, where you go, what you’re drinking? What makes a particular special place into a vacation destination? And can a beer make you feel like you’re on vacation, anywhere you are? Give these IPAs a sip and let us know.
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