(Cincinnati, OH) – Christian Moerlein Brewing Company of Cincinnati has announced plans to launch its craft Moerlein Lagers & Ales in Tennessee with craft beer wholesaler BountyBev of Nashville this Saturday April 9th at the East Nashville Beer Festival.

Moerlein Over-the-Rhine Ale (OTR) and Moerlein Northern Liberties India Pale Ale (IPA) will be the initial styles launched in the Tennessee market. Both will be available in draft and six pack packages and have a suggested retail for $8.99 per six packs.

Moerlein OTR is a unique presentation of an early settlers’ ale from an era when refrigeration was limited, the brewer was generous with hops for stability; a full malt character would then balance the flavor. Its rich copper color, 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), 40 units of bitterness, original gravity (OG) of 16.4 and infusion of hops make for a distinctive version of an American Pale Ale style.

Moerlein Northern Liberties IPA is a well-hopped India Pale Ale inspired by an area of Cincinnati known as Northern Liberties, an area prior to 1849 beyond the reach of municipal law and known for its tolerance of beliefs and behaviors. This free-spirited brew has 6.3% ABV, 55 units of bitterness, 15.5 OG, copper color and rich blend of Cascade, Centennial and Columbus hops.

Christian Moerlein a highly successful late 19th century Cincinnati brewer along with William Gerst an experienced Moerlein brewery manager purchased the Nashville Brewing Company and formed the Moerlein-Gerst Brewing Company in 1890. After three years, Gerst purchased the interest of Moerlein and renamed the brewery the William Gerst Brewing Company to great acclaim in Nashville and which operated successfully under his name till 1954.

Christian Moerlein started brewing traditions in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine Brewery District in 1853 and ceased operations in 1919 at the start of prohibition. In 1981, the Hudepohl Brewing Company looking to produce and sell better beers re-launched Christian Moerlein as a full flavored all-malt lager and was one of the first craft beers sold commercially east of the Mississippi during that time.

“We are proud of the relationship we have developed with BountyBev as we wanted a wholesaler who is as passionate about our beer as we are,” said Greg Hardman President and CEO of Christian Moerlein Brewing Company. “Moerlein was looking for a distributor who could hand sell the unique qualities of their beers to a selected group of customers, that’s what BountyBev does,” said Kurt Strickmaker President of BountyBev of Nashville, “Its really exciting and will be a real treat for Tennesseans when you have a brand like Christian Moerlein, a great pioneer craft beer brand of today’s craft beer movement coming to town, not to mention a brand that has direct ties to Nashville’s brewing history” continued Strickmaker.

For more information, visit the Christian Moerlein Brewing Company website at www.christianmoerlein.com or BountyBev website at www.bountybev.com.

Christian Moerlein Brewing Company is the brewer of handcrafted Moerlein Lagers & Ales including Moerlein OTR Ale, Moerlein Lager House, Moerlein Barbarossa Double Dark Lager, Moerlein Northern Liberties IPA, Moerlein Fifth & Vine Oktoberfest Marzen, Moerlein Christkindl Winter Warmer Ale, Moerlein Friend of the Irishman Stout, and Moerlein Emancipator Doppelbock. More information on Moerlein Lagers & Ales can be obtained at www.christianmoerlein.com.