The Copper Horn Single Malt IPA is the brainchild of downtown St. Pete's Mandarin Hide. A partnership between the cocktail bar and a trio of locals — Rock Brothers Brewing in Ybor City, St. Petersburg's Green Bench Brewing Co. and Pale Horse Design — the beer was created as the ideal pairing with Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch, finished in IPA casks.
After a taste of the latest Glenfiddich spirit, Mandarin Hide owners Tony Casoria and Ryan Griffin were inspired to get a few friends and neighbors, including Casoria's Rock Brothers, behind their spin on the classic beer-and-shot combo. "Those who favor a more unique, high-brow pairing," according to a news release, will dig it.
Brewers Khris Johnson of Green Bench and Eric Wannemacher of Rock Brothers developed the Copper Horn recipe, which is multipurpose. Keeping pace with the original idea, the beer serves as a complement to the single-malt Scotch, but also stands on its own — with help from the orange blossom honey and blood orange it's brewed with.
"Light early additions and aggressive dry hopping [of] Azacca and Mosaic provide a citrus flavor and tropical aroma," Wannemacher said.
As for the branding, Pale Horse Design's Chris Parks spearheaded that side of the project.
"Chris has a way of dialing into a vision and hitting home runs with his art," said Casoria of his longtime pal and creative collaborator. "I can't praise his work on this project enough. The branding is just on point and reflects Mandarin Hide and all the collaborators perfectly, including Glenfiddich."
A launch party for Copper Horn is scheduled at The Attic, the music venue above Rock Brothers, on Oct. 4, followed by two more on Oct. 12 at Mandarin Hide and on Oct. 22 at Green Bench. Guests are treated to a concert from Boxcar Hollow, free pairings and giveaways during each event.
Expect to see the beer's tap handles at Anise Global Gastrobar, Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, The Galley, Franklin Manor and other places around town, too.
This article appears in Sep 28 – Oct 6, 2017.