Joe Thomas Beer: Where To Buy And Taste It

Former NFL player Joe Thomas collaborated with Great Lakes Brewing Co. to create 73 Kolsch, a beer that was first released in 2018. The beer is a tribute to Thomas, who played for the Cleveland Browns from 2007 to 2017. It is a light, crisp, and refreshing Kolsch-style ale with 5.7% ABV. 73 Kolsch was initially available for a limited time in the Cleveland area, but it has since expanded to other locations, including Thomas' native Wisconsin.

Joe Thomas' beer is called 73 Kolsch

Joe Thomas beer is called 73 Kolsch, a limited-edition Kolsch-style ale brewed in collaboration with the Cleveland football hero and former offensive lineman. The beer is named after the number on Thomas' jersey as he lined up for 10,363 consecutive snaps in a Browns uniform. The beer is brewed with rye, which gives it a crisp, dry finish and a subtle rye bitterness. It has an ABV of 5.7% and is considered an easy-drinking beer with a moderate amount of complexity.

The story behind 73 Kolsch began several years ago when Joe Thomas sat down with the folks at Great Lakes Brewing Co. to discuss a potential collaboration. Thomas, a Wisconsin native, is a self-proclaimed beer lover and grew up with a father and brother-in-law who were also beer connoisseurs. He recalls that his retired neighbour and former CEO of Great Lakes Brewing Co., Bill Boor, first suggested the idea of creating a beer together. However, the project was put on hold while Thomas continued his football career and Boor focused on his new role at the brewery.

Once Thomas retired, they decided the time was right to collaborate. Thomas visited the brewery and participated in a now-famous morning tasting session with Boor, brewer Mark Hunger, and pub brewer Steve Forman. They discussed different types of beers and Thomas gained a deeper understanding of his taste preferences. The group agreed that they wanted to create a beer that would make you want to drink another one, emphasizing "drinkability". This resulted in the creation of 73 Kolsch, a crisp and refreshing beer perfect for tailgating and game days.

The beer was first released in September 2018 and has since returned for additional batches, indicating its popularity. It is available in 12 oz. can 6-packs and on draft at select locations in the Cleveland area. The cans feature an illustration of Joe Thomas and references to his career accomplishments.

It was brewed in collaboration with Great Lakes Brewing Co

Joe Thomas' beer, 73 Kolsch, was brewed in collaboration with Great Lakes Brewing Co. The beer was created as a tribute to the Cleveland football hero and his 10,363 consecutive snaps in a Browns uniform. Thomas was closely involved in the brewing process, from tasting to adding hops to the boil and raking out the spent grain. The beer is described as a light, crisp, and refreshing Kolsch-style ale with a subtle dry finish. It was first released in September 2018 and has since been brought back for additional batches.

The collaboration between Thomas and Great Lakes Brewing Co. came about through a discussion between Thomas and his neighbour, GLBC CEO Bill Boor. Thomas, a well-known craft beer enthusiast, had expressed interest in creating a beer with GLBC, and after his retirement from football, the project came to fruition. Thomas worked closely with the GLBC team, including brewer Mark Hunger and pub brewer Steve Forman, to create a beer that embodied his love of craft beer and his dedication to the city of Cleveland.

The result was a beer that was tailgate-worthy and perfect for game day. 73 Kolsch is brewed with rye, giving it a unique twist and a crisp, dry finish. It has an ABV of 5.7% and is known for its drinkability, making it the ideal beer to enjoy throughout a football game. The collaboration between Joe Thomas and Great Lakes Brewing Co. showcases the synergy between Thomas' football career and his passion for craft beer.

The limited-edition 73 Kolsch has been well-received by fans of both Thomas and Great Lakes Brewing Co., and it continues to be a sought-after beverage in the Cleveland area and beyond. The collaboration highlights the creativity and community involvement that Great Lakes Brewing Co. is known for, while also honouring the achievements and legacy of Joe Thomas. The beer is a testament to the power of collaboration and a delicious tribute to a local legend.

It is a limited-edition Kolsch-style ale

Joe Thomas Beer is a limited-edition Kolsch-style ale, named 73 Kolsch, and it was created in collaboration with the Cleveland football hero and sports royalty, Joe Thomas. The beer was crafted by the Great Lakes Brewing Company, based in Cleveland, Ohio.

The name, 73 Kolsch, pays tribute to Joe Thomas, who wore the number 73 jersey as a left tackle and had an impressive record of 10,363 consecutive snaps in a Browns uniform. The beer was first released in September 2018, with the latest batch released in July 2022, marking its third consecutive year.

The beer is described as a "light, crisp, tailgate worthy" ale, with a dry finish. It is brewed with rye, giving it a unique twist and a subtle bitterness. The beer has an ABV of 5.7%, which is moderate for this style of beer. It is an easy-drinking beer with a pleasant, subtle complexity, making it the perfect game-day beer.

The collaboration between Joe Thomas and the Great Lakes Brewing Company came about organically, as Thomas and the former CEO, Bill Boor, were neighbours and friends. They often discussed their shared love of beer, and after Thomas retired, they decided to create a beer together. Thomas was heavily involved in the brewing process, from tasting and learning about different beers to adding hops to the boil and raking out the spent grain.

It is named after Thomas' jersey number

Joe Thomas is a former professional football player who played offensive tackle for 11 seasons with the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. He is regarded as one of the best offensive linemen of all time and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023.

Great Lakes Brewing Company, based in Cleveland, Ohio, created a beer named after Thomas' jersey number to honour the local legend. The beer, 73 Kolsch, was first released in 2018, the year Thomas retired from football. It is a limited-edition Kolsch-style ale that is light, crisp, and perfect for game days. The name "73 Kolsch" pays tribute to Thomas' jersey number, as he wore number 73 while playing for the Browns.

Thomas collaborated closely with the brewers at Great Lakes Brewing Co. to create a beer that was not only a tribute to his jersey number but also a refreshing and drinkable option for football fans. He participated in a tasting session to refine the flavour profile and even added hops to the boil and raked out the spent grain during the brewing process. The result is a crisp and refreshing ale with a dry finish, thanks to the addition of rye.

The 73 Kolsch beer has been well-received, with sales strong enough to bring it back for multiple releases. It is typically offered on draft at the brewpub and in 12-ounce cans for regional distribution. The brewpub also offers it in growlers and crowlers, ensuring that fans of Thomas and craft beer can enjoy their favourite ale at home or when they're out cheering on their team.

It is available in Cleveland and Thomas' native Wisconsin

Joe Thomas Beer, or 73 Kolsch, is a beer created by the Great Lakes Brewing Company in collaboration with Joe Thomas, a Cleveland football hero. The beer was launched in 2018 and is available in Cleveland, Ohio, and Thomas' native Wisconsin.

In Cleveland, the beer is available at the Great Lakes Brewing Company's gift shop and select Cleveland-area retailers in 12 oz. can six-packs. It is also available on tap at the brewpub, where fans can enjoy a glass poured by Joe Thomas himself. The beer is a limited-edition Kolsch-style ale, with a light, crisp, and tailgate-worthy flavor, named after Thomas' jersey number.

In Wisconsin, the beer is available at select retailers in the greater Milwaukee area, including @raysbeer, @WoodmansFood40, @OttosMKE locations in Elm Grove, Brown Deer, and Bayside, as well as Muskego Beer, Wine & Liquor. The beer is a tribute to Thomas' career and has been well-received by fans and beer enthusiasts alike.

The creation of 73 Kolsch came about through a collaboration between Thomas and the Great Lakes Brewing Company, specifically Thomas' neighbor, CEO Bill Boor. Thomas, a self-proclaimed beer enthusiast, worked closely with the brewers to create a beer that was both easy to drink and had some complexity. The result is a light Kolsch-style ale with a crisp, dry finish, brewed with rye and Sterling hops. The beer has an ABV of 5.7% and 20 IBUs, providing a reliably crisp and smooth drinking experience.

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