Warped Wing Brewing Company, Dorothy Lane Market and Cox Arboretum Foundation are excited to announce the release of Midwest Roots Prairie-Style Belgian Wit – a small batch collaboration beer brewed with ingredients grown right here in Dayton, Ohio. The beer debuts Thursday, August 20th, at 4pm at Warped Wing’s Downtown Dayton Taproom located at 26 Wyandot Street.
“Midwest Roots is more than just a beer. It’s a celebration of what happens when local organizations, local farmers and local businesses come together around a shared purpose. From the flowers sustainably harvested at Cox Arboretum to the Ohio-grown grains sourced through Dorothy Lane Market’s local supplier network, every ingredient tells the story of our region,” said Nick Bowman, Co-Founder & VP of Sales & Marketing at Warped Wing. “As a brewery rooted in Dayton, we’re proud to create something that reflects the incredible agricultural heritage and collaborative spirit of our community. Partnerships like this strengthen our local economy, support Ohio growers and producers, and remind us that some of the best products come from right here at home. We hope Midwest Roots inspires people to think locally, not just when choosing a beer, but whenever they’re making purchasing decisions. Every time you choose locally sourced and locally made products, you’re investing in the businesses, farms and communities that make Ohio such a special place to live.”
Copy on the can reads: “Brewed in collaboration with Dorothy Lane Market & Cox Arboretum Foundation, Midwest Roots Prairie-Style Belgian Wit is deeply rooted in our local landscape. Made with heirloom Ohio grown Red Fife Wheat & Chinook hops, lavender, calendula, passionflower, lemon balm & bee balm grown at Cox Arboretum, this beer is a true taste of homegrown harmony.”
“One of the most exciting parts of this collaboration was seeing plants that are normally appreciated for their beauty, fragrance and ecological value become part of a completely new experience,” said Joe Morrison, Regional Park Manager. “The lavender, bee balm, lemon balm, calendula and other botanicals were carefully grown and harvested from the Maimon Memorial Edible Garden, and it’s rewarding to see the incredible diversity of our gardens showcased in a way that introduces people to Cox Arboretum through a local craft beer. It’s a wonderful reminder that gardens can inspire creativity in unexpected ways.”
“This was a new experience for the brewing team – typically we don’t go out and harvest this stuff fresh out of the garden, so trying to determine how much of any one ingredient to use was a bit of a roll of the dice,” said John Haggerty, Co-Founder & Brewmaster at Warped Wing. “It made it quite intriguing to put together and execute, but that’s also what makes it fun! We are already looking forward to what we can pull out of the Cox Arboretum Maimon Memorial Edible Garden for next year!”
At an approachable 4.5% ABV, this unique brew offers an elegant expression of botanicals and heritage ingredients. Delicate aromas of lavender, honey, passionflower and calendula rise from the glass, creating an inviting floral bouquet that is both intriguing and refined. On the palate, notes of lavender and bee balm take center stage, balanced by a subtle touch of hops and a gentle herbal character. Light-bodied and exceptionally refreshing, the beer finishes crisp and dry, with a hint of spice derived from the interplay of botanicals and yeast. Brewed with Red Fife wheat, the beer develops a pillowy-soft mouthfeel and a naturally stable haze, adding layers of depth to an otherwise delicate profile. The result is a refreshingly drinkable ale that bridges tradition and innovation – floral, nuanced and unlike anything else in the Warped Wing lineup.
“It’s always a pleasure and gratifying exercise to partner with great local artisans like our friends at Warped Wing Brewing Company and present the great products they make to our guests! This project is enriched even more by pulling in Red Fife Wheat grown by farmer Jon Branstrator, a wonderful gentleman whose local grains also appear in some of our artisan breads,” said Todd Templin, Dorothy Lane Market VP of Center Store.
Midwest Roots Prairie-Style Belgian Wit will be available in 6-packs of limited-edition cans for $12.99 and on draft at Warped Wing locations the week following the Dayton taproom launch.
As part of Warped Wing’s “Share a Pint, Make a Difference” program, all draft and 6-pack can sales of Midwest Roots Prairie-Style Belgian Wit will benefit The Cox Arboretum Foundation, supporting its mission to inspire, educate and connect the Dayton community through nature.
“Every purchase of Midwest Roots helps grow something much bigger than a great local beer. Proceeds support the Cox Arboretum Foundation’s mission to connect people with nature through education, conservation and community experiences,” said Alexis Larsen, Chief of Philanthropy for Five Rivers MetroParks. “Charitable support has become increasingly important to sustaining and enhancing all of Five Rivers MetroParks, and partnerships like this help fund innovative projects and opportunities that go beyond what public funding alone can provide, ensuring these special places continue to thrive for generations to come. We’re grateful to Warped Wing and Dorothy Lane Market for creating a collaboration that celebrates local agriculture while giving people a delicious way to invest in the parks and gardens that enrich our community every day.”
So grab a pint, support local, and join us in raising a glass to homegrown harmony with Midwest Roots Prairie-Style Belgian Wit!
For more information, follow @WarpedWing on social media or visit www.warpedwing.com.
