What do you get when you bring ten amazing breweries together to create a unique brew?

The 519 Collab. That’s what. 10 breweries. 10 craft beers. 1 exclusive and limited edition pale ale. It’s a collaboration celebration!

In a Windsor Essex first, WindsorEats has rallied together ten of the region’s breweries to create a one of kind collaboration beer.

 

WHAT MAKES THE 519 COLLAB SO SPECIAL?

Each brewery provided a keg of one of their own pale ales. All ten pale ales were then combined and blended in one tank. Brewers gathered at Frank Brewing for an afternoon of creation, collaboration and camaraderie.

The blend was then recirculated over Sasquatch hops, provided by Hops Connect to add a bit more complexity to the flavour. Sasquatch hops are the first hop to be bred and grown in Canada, some of it right here in Essex County.

The final product is a beer with medium to high bitterness. You’ll be able to get some vanilla and fruit notes as well as tropical fruit and mango mixed with some berry flavours. The Sasquatch hops did lend a herbal essence on the nose.

It is literally a one of a kind beer.

The idea stemmed from Brad Wright, head brewer at Frank Brewing in Tecumseh, Ontario. During his time working and living in Vankleek Hill, Ontario, with Beau’s All Natural, he was involved in a similar project.

Brad Wright, brewer at Frank Brewing Company in Tecumseh, Ontario.
Brad Wright, brewer at Frank Brewing Company in Tecumseh, Ontario.

“I did something similar in the past but wanted to try and get our Essex County breweries to have more of a community feel to it. We are all always so busy so I just wanted a day to get good friends together to enjoy some company and good beers,” said Brad. “If more partnerships and friendships happen because of it, even better.”

Brad approached WindsorEats to take the lead on his idea and for bringing the breweries together and setting a plan in motion.

“This was a unique and fun endeavour that helped create bonds and potential future partnerships between the breweries,” says Adriano Ciotoli, co-owner of WindsorEats. “It’s a great way to build relationships all while giving to the community and showcasing the quality brews being made in Windsor and Essex County.”

 

Brewers from 10 of Windsor-Essex's craft breweries.
Brewers from 10 of Windsor-Essex’s craft breweries.

 

WHEN WILL THE 519 COLLAB BEER BE AVAILABLE?

The beer will be launched at each of the ten participating breweries beginning on May 13, 2019, the week leading up to 5.19 Day (May 19). 519 Day is a celebration of Windsor through the date representation of its 519 area code.

 

GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

The 519 Collab was created to celebrate the entire brewing industry. The project was about getting together as an industry to build and strengthen bonds within the local craft beer industry and across the community.

To show appreciation and showcase the importance local breweries can have to building up neighbourhoods, community and tourism in the region, proceeds of the 519 Collab are being given right back to community.

Each brewery has selected a charity that matters most to them and will donate all the proceeds from sales generated within their establishment to their charity.

Here is a list of which charity each brewery is providing to:

The 519 Collab was created to celebrate the entire brewing industry. The project was about getting together as an industry to build and strengthen bonds within the local craft beer industry and across the community.

So mark you calendars, raise your glass and help celebrate 5.19 Day with a true taste of Windsor Essex!