Image: AFP/Stan Honda
It’s been a big week for everyone’s favorite astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson. After becoming the first American scientist to take home the Stephen Hawking Medal, Tyson now has his own craft beer created in his honor.
The Asheville Brewing Company in North Carolina has created the Bier LemonGrass Tyson to coincide with his guest appearance at the local auditorium next week.
The Bier LemonGrass Tyson is a white ale infused with lemongrass and coriander.
“We wanted to make a beer to celebrate science and to honor one of science’s rock stars coming to our town,” said Mike Rangel, Asheville Brewing president, in a statement.
To develop the beer, the Asheville brew masters conducted some online searches and fell upon an online video where deGrasse Tyson answers a fan question about his favorite type of beer.
Though he professed to be more of a wine guy during the interview with National Geographic, Tyson expressed a preference for Belgian beer, followed by locally brewed suds.
If neither of those are available, he added that his go-to is Blue Moon. Obviously.
“If there’s a line-up I’m choosing Belgian beer,” he affirmed.
“Unless I’m in a town and there are local breweries, and they didn’t have to move the brewery far to get to the dispenser I’m having a local beer. I like seeing and feeling people’s expression of how they make beer from one region to another… And otherwise, it’s Blue Moon beer of course. Stupid question,” he laughed.
The Belgian wit beer is brewed with German malt and Belgian yeast, and dry-hopped with Galaxy (of course, quips the brewery).
The 5.5 percent ABV beer is then flavored with lemongrass, orange peel and coriander to produce an easy-drinking beer.
As per Tyson’s preference, the beer will be available on draft at the brewery and as bottles at Asheville brew pubs.
Tyson received the Stephen Hawking Medal for his achievements in science communication. Winners are recognized for their contribution to popular science through writing, broadcasting, music, film and fine art. JB
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