THE BREWSPAPER / [CHRIS] WHITE LABS’ FIRST CANNED BEER DEBUTS

GUEST BLOG / By Ryan Lamb, Editor-in-Chief, West Coaster Craft Beer and Beverage News (www.westcoastersd.com).

White Labs, one of America’s leading craft beer yeast makers

began its 25^th year in business with some big plans, including giving away trips to three Brewers Association conferences or festivals as part of a customer contest. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, all those events ended up being cancelled.

In better news, White Labs released their first canned beer in early July: Tabberer IPA. The four-packs include two beers with WLP001 California Ale yeast and two with WLP008 East Coast Ale yeast; all other ingredients are the same.

Chris White, Ph.D.

The company, founded in 1995 by Chris White after graduating from the UCSD with a Ph.D. in biochemistry, has mainly focused on producing pitchable quantities of liquid brewer’s yeast for homebrew stores and professional brewers.

“I love talking about the science of yeast and its impact on beer aroma and flavor. Opening a brewery was the way we could show this impact. But not everyone can visit our San Diego Tasting room or Asheville Kitchen & Tap brewpub,” said White. “Our first can release beer furthers our company mission and allows consumers to experience the impact of yeast and fermentation in their own homes.”

Tabberer IPA is named after Horace Tabberer Brown, a British chemist, who shared a passion for science and brewing. While working as a brewer in the late 1800s, he set up a small lab on-site, which became the first record of a scientist using a microscope in a brewery. Our most popular beer blends science with craft in this interpretation of east meets west style duo of India Pale Ales.

In other company developments, a new monthly YouTube series called “The Pitch” will explore every aspect of homebrewing, from recipe development to brew days, beer styles, equipment, and more. “We are hoping to target all levels of beer geeks and brewers with an emphasis on homebrewers,” said Erik Fowler, White Labs’ education & engagement manager.

Additionally, White Labs just joined MetroConnect, an international sales accelerator program run by World Trade Center San Diego and co- underwritten by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Procopio (plus support from more than a dozen local and international businesses and organizations).

Now in its fifth year, MetroConnect participants receive a $5,000 grant, a one-year subscription to premium translation software (courtesy of program sponsor SYSTRAN), discounts on international travel, executive workshops on export-related topics, and access to a global mentor and service provider network.

“We applaud White Labs for taking the next step in going global,” said Nikia Clarke, executive director of World Trade Center San Diego. “Amidst a global shutdown caused by COVID-19, ongoing trade negotiations with key trading partners, and rapid changes to global supply chains, it is more important now than ever to give local small and medium-sized enterprises an edge in the global marketplace by equipping them with valuable resources.

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