Rhizing Bines

Deepening our bond with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., forged with the 2009 collaboration Life & Limb, we’ve brewed an East-meets-West Imperial IPA called Rhizing Bines.

“We had a lot of fun brewing the original dark and roasty Life & Limb in Chico with the Grossmans and Sierra Nevada’s extended family,” says Dogfish Head President and Founder Sam Calagione. “We are very proud of the way that beer turned out. Now it’s our turn to repay that hospitality and brew a very hop-centric IPA in Milton with our pals from Chico, incorporating innovative ingredients and techniques from both breweries.”

On the hot side, Rhizing Bines went through Dogfish’s signature continual-hopping process with floral and citrusy Bravo hops. On the cold side, it was dry-hopped with an experimental varietal so new it doesn’t yet have a name, just a number: Hop 644. A component of Sierra Nevada’s aroma-boosting Torpedo system made a pit-stop in Delaware for dry-hopping duty before it headed to Sierra’s new North Carolina brewery.

To celebrate Sierra Nevada planting East Coast roots, Dogfish Head tracked down a Carolina heirloom wheat grown and milled at Anson Mills. The soft red winter wheat contributes subtle sweet and nutty notes to this hop-forward ale.

“It gives my wife and myself great comfort to know that although we’re leaving our home and friends on the West Coast, we’re joining our craft brewing friends on the East Coast,” says Sierra Nevada General Manager Brian Grossman. “Here’s to great beer!”

The label for Rhizing Bines depicts the pairings behind this beer: two hop varietals, two yeast strains (Chico and Doggie), two unique hopping processes and two family-owned breweries. These bonds start at the root – or rhizome – and stretch throughout the mature bines.

“Sam and his family and the entire Dogfish crew have been friends of ours for a long time,” says Sierra Nevada Founder Ken Grossman. “When we started talking about doing another collaboration we jumped at the chance, especially since this version will be the hoppy counterpoint to the last brews. We couldn’t say no! We’re looking forward to joining forces again.”