Weyerbacher ZOTTEN

Weyerbacher Brewing Company, announces the release of Zotten, a Belgian- style Pale Ale and a brand new addition to our seasonal line-up, debuting in June.

Zotten (rhymes with verboten) is bottle conditioned, with a small amount of yeast sediment and carries the distinctive flavors of the house abbey yeast strain that Weyerbacher uses for its Merry Monks’ Ale. At 6% abv, this is one tasty session beer. With a dry hoppiness for balance and fruity notes on the palate the bottle conditioning finishes this beer with a very nice complexity.

Available on draft on June 3, 2009 simultaneously at over 40 different bars in various states. Bottles available in 12 oz. 4-packs will be shipped to wholesalers across Weyerbacher’s market area at the same time. Head brewer Chris Wilson says, “This is a very significant release for us as well as the beer community out there. Here we have a very “sessionable” beer that has significant flavor, complexity and hops to satisfy the most discriminating palate, and its perfect for this time of year as.”

In the Lehigh Valley, PA, Weyerbacher’s home, Zotten will debut on draft at Pearly Bakers’ Ale House, Porters’ Pub, Starters Riverport, Liberty Street Tavern, Tally Ho, Blue Monkey and Bear Creek Mountain Resort and Conference Center.

In the Philly region the following pubs will be pouring Zotten: Craft Ale House, Theresa’s, Capone’s, Spinnerstown Hotel, Ortino’s Northside, The Belgian Café, South Philly Tap Room, Johnny Brenda’s, Standard Tap, Grey Lodge, Brigid’s, Hulmeville Inn, Old Eagle Tavern, and Race Street Café.

In Bucks County: The Blue Dog in Chalfont, Stephanie's in Doylestown, and Spinnerstown Hotel. In Baltimore the following pubs will be pouring Zotten: Max’s, Mahaffeys, Jack’s Bistro, Lures, Racers, Alonzo’s and Frisco’s.

In Washington, DC: Brickskeller, RFD and Pizza Paradiso M Street In Pittsburgh, all 4 Sharp Edge pubs with be pouring Zotten.

Weyerbacher, which bills itself as an “artisanal” brewery makes over 2 dozen different styles of beer throughout the year with such names as Blithering Idiot, Imperial Pumpkin Ale, and Slam Dunkel to name a few. Brewing 5500 barrels in 2008, Weyerbacher is expecting growth of 15-20% in 2009. President & Founder Dan Weirback stated, “ We prefer to grow organically, through word of mouth. We do extremely little advertising as we prefer to put our resources into developing and brewing great beers and providing a meaningful career choice for our fantastic staff.”

Zotten, which is Flemish for “fools”, fits right into the Weyerbacher stable with its jester’s cap icon. The name originates from a time several hundred years ago when an Austrian king, visiting Brugge, Belgium witnessed a parade through town to honor him. Many were dressed as court jesters and king was heard to say, “Brugge is a town full of zotten”.

Zotten release in draft and bottles is June 3 everywhere Weyerbacher is sold.