Beer Shopping: Identifying 6-Point Brews

Sixpoint Brewery, founded in 2004 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, offers a range of craft beers, including ales, IPAs, stouts, and more. Their unique selling point is their 'Mad Science' approach to brewing, which involves experimental ingredients and techniques. While the brewery initially only distributed kegs to local bars and restaurants, they now offer canned beers and distribute their products across the country.

Sixpoint Brewery was founded in 2004 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York

The company's motto, "Beer is Culture", is a playful take on the cultural significance of beer and brewing, as well as the fact that yeast is a culture. Sixpoint's logo combines the brewer's hexagram with the nautical star, a symbol with a strong presence in Red Hook due to its history as a port town.

Sixpoint ascribes to a "Mad Science" approach to brewing, using unique ingredients and techniques. They began by only distributing kegs to local bars and restaurants, with customers able to fill growlers at bars to drink at home. In 2011, they started canning their beer and now distribute their products across the country.

Sixpoint Brewery currently offers four beers year-round: The Crisp (Pilz), Sweet Action (Ale), Bengali (IPA), and Resin (IIPA). They also release seasonal and limited-edition beers, such as their "Cycliquids" series, which began in 2014. Their beers can be found through the Sixpoint Beer Finder, which helps customers locate popular Sixpoint brews near them.

The company's motto is Beer is Culture

The Sixpoint Brewery, founded in 2004 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, USA, has a unique approach to brewing, which is reflected in their company motto, "Beer is Culture". This motto is a playful reference to both the cultural significance of beer and brewing, as well as the fact that yeast is indeed a culture.

Sixpoint Brewery embraces a "Mad Science" approach to brewing, experimenting with ingredients and techniques. Their beers are crafted by a former homebrewer, who creates small batches of unique, experimental beers that are often sour, funky, or aged in barrels. This approach to brewing is evident in their year-round offerings, which include The Crisp (Pilz), Sweet Action (Ale), Bengali (IPA), and Resin (IIPA).

The company's playful motto reflects their innovative spirit and their willingness to push the boundaries of traditional brewing. They recognize that beer is deeply rooted in various cultural traditions and practices, and they aim to contribute to this rich cultural tapestry by offering unique, craft beers.

Sixpoint Brewery's distribution has evolved since its early days, when they primarily served local bars and restaurants. Now, they distribute their beers across the country and offer a range of options for beer enthusiasts, including cans, seasonals, and their "Cycliquids" Series, which features unique beer releases independent of seasonal programs. Their commitment to innovation and quality has made them a notable player in the craft beer scene, attracting a dedicated following among those who appreciate their distinctive brews.

Sixpoint began by distributing kegs to local bars and restaurants

Sixpoint Brewery was founded in 2004 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, by Andrew Bronstein and Shane Welch. The microbrewery began by distributing kegs to local bars and restaurants, and customers could only drink the beer at home by filling growlers at bars. Sixpoint did not bottle its beer initially.

The company's motto, "Beer is Culture", is a play on the cultural significance of beer and brewing and the fact that yeast is a culture. Sixpoint ascribes to a ""Mad Science" approach to brewing through its use of ingredients and techniques. This approach is reflected in its unique and experimental beer releases, which are not seasonal but are instead released as the brewers see fit.

Sixpoint now distributes its beer across the country and began canning its beer in June 2011. The company currently brews four beers year-round: The Crisp (Pilz), Sweet Action (Ale), Bengali (IPA), and Resin (IIPA).

Sixpoint also has a pub in Bloomfield, New Jersey, called Six Points Pub, which serves specialty cocktails, craft beer, and local comfort food.

They began canning their beer in 2011

Sixpoint Brewery began canning their beer in 2011. The process of canning beer is quite complex and involves many steps. Firstly, empty aluminium cans without tops are loaded into a canning machine. The cans are then rinsed with pure water to clean the inside and purged with carbon dioxide to remove oxygen, which can cause staleness and negatively impact the beer's flavour. After filling the cans with beer, lids are automatically placed on top. A simultaneous burst of carbon dioxide pushes out any remaining air from under the lid. The filled cans are then sealed through a process called seaming, which involves using seaming rollers to crimp the end and the can together. The cans are then rinsed and dried to prevent stickiness.

Following the initial packaging, the beer cans undergo quality control checks to ensure they are filled to the appropriate level. Any underfilled cans are removed, and the remaining cans continue to the labelling stage. Labels can be applied in two ways: pressure-sensitive labels or shrink sleeve labels. The cans are also stamped with a "brewed on" or expiration date. Finally, the beer cans are packaged for sale in plastic rings, PakTech carriers, cardboard boxes, or case trays, depending on the number of cans in each package.

The canning process has evolved since the first beer cans were introduced in 1935. Today, advancements in machinery and automation have made the process ultra-efficient. While some breweries choose to purchase their own canning machines, others opt for contract packagers or mobile beer canners. Small-scale hand canning is also an option for microbreweries, although it can be labour-intensive and time-consuming.

Sixpoint currently brews 4 beers all year round

Sixpoint Brewery offers a range of craft beers, including four that are brewed all year round. These four beers are:

• Resin: an unfiltered beer with resin and pine notes, featuring Chinook and Centennial hops.
• Bengali IPA: a 6.6% ABV IPA.
• The Crisp Pilz: a 5.4% ABV pilsner.
• Resin DIPA: a 9.1% ABV double IPA.

In addition to these four year-round offerings, Sixpoint also brews a range of other beers in small batches, including experimental, sour, funky, and barrel-aged varieties. These small-batch beers are often available through the Sixpoint Beer Finder, which helps customers locate specific brews near them.

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