The brew debuted on New Year’s Eve at Grandad’s Bar, 317 N.W. 23rd. 

Brad Stumph, Black Mesa co-owner and partner, said the name is a tribute to Woody Guthrie. In “This Land Is Your Land,” the Oklahoma-born folk icon sings, “As I went walking that ribbon of highway and saw above me that endless skyway ...”

“We wanted to do an ESB (Endless Skyway Bitter) with an American twist,” Stumph said. “Fuller’s has long been the benchmark in bitters, so we wanted to stay close to the style, including the maltiness and nutty flavor of Fuller’s.”

Instead of the English noble hops that give Fuller’s its dry, piney quality, Black Mesa brewer/partner Chris Sanders added hops from the Pacific Northwest. The result is a fruitier hops note, especially grapefruit.
“I don’t want to focus too much on the hops,” Stumph said, “because the heart of this beer is that malty, nutty flavor you associate with ESB.”

The beer comes in about 6 percent alcohol by volume, making it easy to drink. It’s only available in kegs, of which the batch yielded approximately 85. 

Stumph said Grandad’s is the only place to find it currently, but that Black Mesa has commitments from Ludivine, 805 N. Hudson, and McNellie’s, 1100 Classen Drive, to carry it, with more to come within weeks.

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