Denizens Brewing Co. Chief Beer Officer & Co-Founder Jeff Ramirez Talks Papagayo

We spoke with Denizens Brewing Co. Chief Beer Officer & Co-Founder Jeff Ramirez about Papagayo.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)?
It's fun to create a beer that's yeast-forward, yet without having the saison yeast in the primary fermentation and the Brett in the secondary fermentation, this beer would be completely different. The spicy and tropical fermentation characteristics accentuate the fruit addition of soursop (guanabana) and pineapple.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
Named for the papagayo wind jet that travels north of the Gulf of Papagayo in Central America. The idea is that this whirlwind of tropical flavors from the south is driven up north to our Mid-Atlantic brewery.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Spicy, dry and refreshing with unique tropical fruit flavors.

BC: Do you know a story – or have a personal story – that revolves around this beer?
I had tried the guanaban fruit in Mexico when I was 14 on a school trip in Curnavaca. I didn't know what it was at the time, but I just purchased it, opened it up and didn't like it. Fast-forward just under two decades later, and I was on a trip in Belize when I saw it again at a fruit market. I purchased it again, and then realized that it needs to ripen for a few days! Once I did that, I opened it up and it tasted great. All I could think is that I needed to use this fruit in a Brett Beer!

BC: What's a good food pairing for this beer?
Ceviche or Tacos de Camaron.

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