Big Bay Rolls Out New Craft Beer for Labor Day

In celebration of Labor Day, the last official long weekend of summer, Shorewood-based brewer . has introduced its new Long Weekend India Pale Ale (IPA). 

“The IPA style is a popular craft beer with a strong hop aroma and flavor that complements the lushness of the late summer season. It’s a great beer to savor on those final long afternoons on the lake or warm evenings on the deck,” said Jeff Garwood, Big Bay Brewing Co. co-founder and managing partner.

Big Bay Brewing’s Long Weekend IPA gives a nod to the original heavily hopped English style ale with a nice spicy and floral hop flavor and aroma, balanced with a good malt back bone. The result is a balanced and enjoyable IPA.

IPAs have a rich history dating back to the 18^th Century when British colonists needed to ensure that their beer would stay fresh and unspoiled during their long voyages from England to India. Brewers added extra hops and more fermented malt to their ales to prevent spoilage on the journey and to withstand the warmer climates of India. The new style was embraced and came to be known as India Pale Ale.

The introduction of Long Weekend IPA marks Big Bay Brewing’s first limited edition brew. It will be available into the fall at which time the brewer will roll out its next limited edition style — a porter.

“Craft beer drinkers are interested in exploring new flavor profiles, and with our limited edition beers we’ll be able to deliver a greater variety of beer styles to meet the unique demands of our craft beer consumers throughout the year,” said Garwood.

The original test brew of Long Weekend IPA has been available for sampling at the Big Bay's tasting room, located at 4517 N. Oakland Ave., for several weeks and has received positive feedback from tasting room visitors. 

The craft brewer introduced its first two beers – Big Bay Brewing’s Boatilla Amber Ale^® and the award-winning Wavehopper Kölsch Style Ale^®  – late last year and both have been well-received by retailers, restaurants and consumers across Wisconsin. Earlier this month, Big Bay Brewing launched its Oh Buoy! Cherry Cola and Pierjumper Twisting Citrus natural gourmet sodas across Wisconsin.