Tap Traders hosts an exclusive tapping on Friday, September 22 at 6:00 p.m. of the limited edition Crenshaw melon IPA from Denver’s Banded Oak Brewing Company and Hirakata Farms out of Rocky Ford, Colorado. This specialty IPA caters to a West Coast-style and contains herbal CTZ and Chinook hops. It harnesses a heightened sweetness with spicy undertones from the melon, which is similar to the well-known Rocky Ford Cantaloupe.
“We couldn’t wait to get involved in this project,” says Will Curtin, owner of Banded Oak Brewing Company. “Working with a local, family-owned farm like Hirakata Farms to get the best seasonal Colorado ingredients is exciting as brewers and beer drinkers.”
Hirakata Farms is a fifth generation family farm with roots in the Arkansas River Valley town that specializes in melons. They grow familiar varieties like their famous cantaloupe, watermelon and honeydew as well as Crenshaw and pumpkins.
“We are so excited to work with Banded Oak Brewing to increase the scope of the project this year,” says Michael Hirakata, co-owner of Hirakata Farms. “The Crenshaw melon is kind of the ugly ducking of the varieties we grow, but it’s also one of the sweetest.”
Tap Traders, open as of July, is the only Colorado Springs establishment to be able to acquire this particular beer and have only a single keg to share.
“Tap Traders is a unique facility, being the former home of the Alexander Film Company,” says Tim Black, owner of Tap Traders. “We’re always on the hunt for unusual brews to serve, and this local collaboration between Rocky Ford family farm Hirakata Farms and Denver’s exciting new craft brewery Banded Oak fits the bill. We can’t wait to tap the keg for this special event!”
Tap Traders, 3104 N. Nevada Ave, Ste 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
