KBC Features Kalona Residents
August 12th, 2019
The people of Kalona and the surrounding areas make it a special place to live. At Kalona Brewing Co. we want to show the world our community…and what better way to do that is to give recognition to some of our resident and longtime KBC friends on a beer label!
Kalona Brewery first featured the popular Kalona resident affectionately known as “Daddy Demus” on our seasonal imperial stout You Be You. The name of the beer coming from a phrase of advice that he would often give to young people.
The next one featured Daddy Demus’ grandson, called Junior, so the stout that came from our imperial recipe became “Junior Stout” as a continued tribute.
KBC continues the tradition of featuring residents with Aloha Iowa Belgian Pineapple Ale, and Fresh Ink Black Ale.
Aloha Iowa – Belgian Pineapple Ale, 6.3% ABV
This favorite beer becomes extra special this year because the image now features proud Hawaiian native and Kalona resident, Pua Haight.
Pua, born and raised on Oahu, Hawaii, grew up with friends who were originally from Washington, Iowa. Right after graduating from high school she traveled across the country from Los Angeles to Kalona, Iowa to attend a church camp. Pua loved Kalona so much that she returned a year later to live…the rest is history!
She says, “Although I still enjoy living here in Kalona, Hawaii is still a part of me and can never be removed. I have family in Hawaii and was awe struck when my friends from Kalona “bumped” into my auntie upcountry Maui at a bakery…the conversation lead to ‘my niece lives in a small town in Iowa…well so do my friends…do you know Pua?’ I received a selfie of my auntie and two friends from Kalona on Maui! The world is very small…and very fun!”
Aloha Iowa can be found this spring on taps across Eastern and Central Iowa, and on tap at the brewery through summer. The Belgian blonde ale pours a light golden color, delivering a smooth and malty backbone, with the addition of real pineapple for a refreshing taste of the islands right here in the Midwest.
Fresh Ink – Black Ale, 4.9% ABV
Our new and much anticipated summer stout/black ale is now on tap. Called Fresh Ink for both the deep color and as a nod to Anthony “Spit” Spitzer, owner and operator of Kalona Graphics, this sessionable American stout is easy drinking with a smooth mouthfeel and low hop profile.
Anthony “Spit” Spitzer is a native of Kalona and an alumni of Mid-Prairie and Iowa State University. He started in the printing business when his family purchased Kalona Graphics in 1976 and after graduating from ISU came back and went into partnership with his father Terry. He has been the sole proprietor since his father retired in 1997. He and his wife Diane have two children and 5 grandchildren that they enjoy spending time with.
When not in the darkroom or running the presses Anthony enjoys traveling and going to concerts with Diane, flying his airplane, restoring antique cars and airplanes, performing at airshows around the country with the Tora, Tora, Tora team from the CAF, cooking and grilling, camping, and hanging out on the front porch with friends listening to or watching the Cubs and Hawkeyes.
Cheers to our good friends, old and new!
Photo & designs by John Choate, Storyline Multimedia