Arrowhead Ales, Manhattan Leaders Brew Up Something Special

NEW LENOX, IL — The minds behind a New Lenox brewery have melded with those running the show in Manhattan, to brew up a little something special.

Arrowhead Ales Brewing Owner Mike Bacon brainstormed with Manhattan Mayor Mike Adrieansen and Trustee Justin Young to create hometown-themed Manhoppenins, set to make its debut at the village's Labor Day celebrations. The beer will be tapped that weekend, and will also be available in four-packs.

An American Pale Ale hopped with citra and chinook, the beer has a light citrus hoppiness with a slight piney bitterness, Bacon told Patch.

Bacon announced the collaboration on social media Tuesday, cheekily saying it "was the result of hours and hours of meticulous planning.

"It was very intense, but we got through it!" Bacon remarked.

The idea recently arose during last year's Labor Day event, Bacon said.

"... I was talking with the Mayor and his trustee over a beer, and we tossed around the idea of collaborating on a beer with this name as a play off the ever-popular Facebook page," Bacon said. "I've recently moved back to Manhattan and thought it would be nice to represent our little town and have fun with the Village while we do it."

The name is a nod to the town's beloved social media page named, in jest, "Manhappenins"—an acknowledgment of the town's "quieter" setting.

The label depicts some of the town's "hot topics," Young joked: coyotes and fireworks.

"We had something brewing for a while now … and it’s finally hoppenin'," Young said on social media.

Young was eager for a chance to work with Bacon on the idea.

"The owner and I have been talking about this beer for over a year," Young said. "Finally ... we went to work to make this fun experiment come to fruition.

"I had the opportunity to learn more about the brewing process, and take part in a fun process that will honor our great town with a fun spin on our beloved Manhappenins page."

The beer is the newest highlight added to the Labor Day weekend festivities, which will also include a parade, sand volleyball and bags tournaments, fireworks, and softball games.