ESTEVAN — Four friends from Estevan are excited that people will be able to purchase and enjoy their rye beer at bars in Saskatchewan.
The Rye'd or Die Lager was released by Feelin' It Brewing – formed by Rob Gallaway, Jesse Krupka, Kent Packet and Dustin Lafrentz. The beer is to be available on tap in Estevan at The Beer Bar, the Black Grasshopper, Willy's The Tap House, The Tower Café and 1124 Social House; and will also be available at locations in Regina and Saskatoon. An official launch party will happen Aug. 9 at the Black Grasshopper.
Rye'd or Die is being sold through a contract brew with Paddock Wood Brewing Co. in Saskatoon.
In an interview with SaskToday, Gallaway said he believes this first edition of on-sale Rye'd or Die turned out well.
"I talked to all of the guys at Paddock Wood. We actually went up and brewed it with them, so it was pretty cool," said Gallaway.
"They let us do a lot and just watched us, and then I've been talking to them as the beer's been fermenting and getting ready, and they're really happy with it," he added later.
Gallaway recalled that Paddock Wood's manager had heard Feelin' It Brewing was in the process of getting something ready for sale. He reached to Gallaway to see if they needed any equipment, and then they started talking about the contract beer.
They had a meeting, went through the details of Rye'd or Die and prepared a test batch a few months ago. It turned out well and they decided to release it.
Gallaway said the four brewers started collaborating four years ago. They created their own recipes and had guidance from their friends at Crazy Farmer Brewing, another group of Estevan brewers whose Hazy Little Treat Hazy IPA has been available in Saskatchewan since November 2021.
"I come from a farming background, so I like using the different grains. We tried putting the rye in the lager, and we really liked it, and there's actually some corn in it, too," said Gallaway. "We really played with the recipe, and a couple of years ago, we nailed it."
When they have Rye'd or Die on tap at the location where they brew their beer, Gallaway said people are eager to visit.
"It's a really big, popular beer. It's a pretty easy-drinking one. It's about five per cent, and just a lager with a little bit more flavour, and it's a good summer beer," he said.
Gallaway noted the first batch is only going to be available on tap, but Paddock Wood is expected to brew another batch shortly that will be released in cans, hopefully in September.
When they started brewing a few years ago, Gallaway said having a beer available on the market for people to enjoy was a goal. But brewing was a hobby until they delved into the science of home brewing.
"We're releasing a lager here, but we make a lot. We make really good fruit beers, we make good pale ales. We make hazys, we make stouts. We make every kind of beer, and I think we've perfected just about every type. I prefer our beer to most of the ones that you can go buy for craft beer at the store."
He doesn't expect they will get tired of making Rye'd or Die, and they're satisfied with the direction they're taking. They will see how Rye'd or Die does, but they have a couple other things in the works. They might open their own brewery one day, but they're happy with the Paddock Wood partnership.
"Paddock Wood has been a really good partner, so I think if this beer does well, I think they definitely would be open to releasing a different one of ours. They're great guys and we get along with them," said Gallaway.
