Press Release:
(Lincolnwood, IL) – Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. knows the next big thing at first glance—or in this case, first sip. The Chicagoland distributor of craft and specialty import beer has partnered with Gigantic Brewing Co. of Portland, OR, to bring Gigantic IPA and limited releases such as Dark Meddle Vienna lager, The Royale Belgian pale ale, and Whole in the Head imperial IPA to the Windy City. Gigantic Brewing debuted at the Glunz Global Beer Expo April 22 and is now available to Chicago-area restaurants, bars, and liquor stores in kegs and 22-ounce bombers.
“Just as the name suggests, Gigantic is making big, bold beers that Chicago consumers will love,” says Anthony Norkus, craft and specialty import brands manager for Glunz. “Gigantic also works with a different artist for each beer for some of the most interesting labels in the industry, a great addition to the cold case.”
Current offerings from Glunz include:
Gigantic IPA (American IPA, 7.3% ABV)—True to its name, this year-round IPA packs a punch with Cascade, Centennial, Crystal, and Simcoe for a citrusy hop confluence that keeps on going in the flavor department. The IPA is the embodiment of Gigantic’s brewing philosophy to “never give an inch.”
Dark Meddle (Vienna lager, 5.9% ABV)—This beer is Gigantic’s crafty homage to a Mexican-style Vienna lager. The malty, full-flavored, dark brew is made extra-smooth with piloncillo cane sugar.
The Royale (Belgian pale ale, 6.3% ABV)—A beer fit for sophisticates and flâneurs, The Royale is a golden concoction of fruity and citrusy flavors, perfect for sipping outdoors with a group of friends.
Whole in the Head (imperial IPA, 8.5% ABV)—This beer is a “freakin’ hop bomb” with multilayered citrus hop aromas and flavors upfront and just the right amount of hop bitterness to back it up.
Gigantic Brewing is an independent, artisanal brewery located in southeast Portland. Brewers and Owners Ben Love and Van Havig, veterans of the Oregon brewing community, do, as they put it, “two things: make the best damn IPA in Portland, and produce seasonal, exciting, flavorful beers, most of which will be brewed only once.” The resulting beers are both new interpretations of classic styles and ones that don’t adhere to traditional guidelines.
“We’re excited to distribute Gigantic beer with Glunz in Chicago,” Love says. “They were the obvious choice with 125 years’ experience as a family business, and we signed with them when we had been brewing for 12.5 months. Numerical coincidence? I think not. That, and their dedicated support of craft beer.”
Founded in 1888 by Louis Glunz I in Chicago, Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. is among the oldest beer distributors in the United States and the recipient of the 2012 Distributor of the Year award by Beverage World Magazine. The 125-year-old company is family-owned and operated by President Jack Glunz, the grandson of Louis Glunz I, with day-to-day operations led by five of his seven children as members of the fourth generation and with members of the fifth generation also on staff. Glunz is an innovator in Chicagoland, proudly offering the most comprehensive selection of craft, specialty and import beers representing more than 190 breweries around the globe. The company is dedicated to quality service and to educating its customers and the public about beer tastes and trends. For product descriptions, food pairings, and a list of local retailers through a “Find it near me” ZIP code search, visit www.glunzbeers.com. Find Louis Glunz Beer, Inc. on Facebook.