OnTap Magazine

Lotte Peplow is the American Craft Beer Ambassador for Europe for the Brewers Association and is based in London, UK. She is a Certified Cicerone®, BDI accredited Beer Sommelier, beer writer, author, speaker, beer communicator, international beer judge, homebrewer and beer lover. The Brewers Association (BA) is the not- for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 5,600-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup ® , Great American Beer Festival ® , Craft Brewers Conference ® & BrewExpo America ® , Homebrew ConTM, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week ® . The BA publishes The New Brewer ® magazine, and Brewers Publications ® is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com ® and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association ® and the free Brew Guru ® mobile app. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Issued on behalf of the Brewers Association, 1327 Spruce Street, Boulder, Colorado, 80302 USA. www.brewersassociation.org For further press information: Lotte Peplow: lotte@brewersassociation.org +44 (0)7973 698 414 The Brewers Association publishes a wealth of resources to understand and enjoy craft beer, downloadable free of charge from www.brewersassociation.org ABOUTTHE AUTHOR ABOUT THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION Jeremy Roberts, founder/brewer, 903 Brewers from Sherman, Texas, renowned for their fruit-forward slushies and adventurous Pastry Stouts, comments: “Pastry Stouts are extremely popular. We’re releasing 2-4…a month even in the summer and they appeal to a wide consumer profile from 35- 55 years old, both male and female. While they’re popular now, consumers palates and preferences are constantly changing so we hope they stick around but you never know.” Barry Holmes echoes these sentiments and says Pastry Stouts are not as popular as they were a few years ago but are still fairly desirable. At The Bruery, Pastry Stouts are popular among regular supporters who enjoy discovering how the brewers interpret a particular taste profile. Craft ‘Ohana releases three different varietals of Pastry Stouts a month, which are typically limited to 300-500 bottles each and they sell out most months. Kyle Fjalstad adds: “I think that the style will endure similarly to other styles that have come into the craft beer zeitgeist. I think that people are often surprised when they try a Pastry Stout for the first time. The appearance can be off- putting for some, but after the first sip they realise just how approachable the style is.” Pastry Stouts are ideally suited to sharing and sparking conversations – but will they last? Kyle Fjalstad comments: “Popularity will ebb and flow, but the breweries making the best versions of themwill have drinkers to consume them,” while Barry Holmes says, “It's a style that can fade if we don't continue to innovate around it.” American craft brewers are renowned for their ground-breaking creativity, relentless innovation and unswerving commitment to quality and as such are well-placed to continue pushing the boundaries of flavour and creating excitement with new ingredients and new taste experiences. Is it only a matter of time before we see pastry lagers!? WHO IS DRINKING PASTRY STOUTS AND ARE THEY A PASSING TREND OR HERE TO STAY? WHAT’S THE FUTURE FOR PASTRY STOUTS? 40 | Winter 2024 | ontapmag.co.za