Firkin Fridays continues Dec. 2 at Steamworks Brewing Co.

December firkin fashioned after popular Bananas Foster dessert

Durango, CO – Steamworks Brewing Co. continues with its special monthly “firkin” tapping Friday, Dec. 2, 2011, featuring for the holidays, a special “Bananas Foster” brew fashioned after the popular dessert. The cask will be tapped at 3 p.m.

The unique flavor profile of the Bananas Foster firkin is based in one of Steamworks’ newest beer recipes, a Weizenbock, which is a strong, dark version of a traditional Bavarian-style wheat beer.
“A Weizenbock is typically characterized by an assertive banana flavor and aroma, which is a byproduct of fermentation,” said Ken Martin, Steamworks head brewer. “We simply added brown sugar and vanilla to attain the additional flavors traditional in this delicious New Orleans treat.” “The base beer is also already high in alcohol,” added brewer Spencer Roper, referencing the Weizenbock’s 8 percent ABV. “So this beer will have that warming sensation achieved when brandy or rum is added to the traditional Bananas Foster dessert.”

Unlike most draft beers, firkin beer is unpasteurized, unfiltered and naturally carbonated, or conditioned, it its cask. According to Martin, the yeast transforms the sugar into alcohol within the cask, and carbonation results from the trapped carbon dioxide occurring as a byproduct.
“And remember, it’s also served at about 55 degrees – cool but not cold,” said Martin. “Also, because it contains no preservatives, a firkin beer is designed to be consumed after tapping.”

A firkin is an old English unit of volume, typically a wooden cask equal to approximately one-quarter of a regular barrel, or nine gallons. Steamworks initiated its Firkin Fridays in Nov. 2010 to introduce specialty craft beers not suited to large draft production.

The award-winning Steamworks Brewing Co., open 11 a.m. to closing seven days a week, is located at 801 E. Second. Ave., Durango ( 970.259.9200 ). For further information, visit www.steamworksbrewing.com.