Kishwaukee Brewing Co. President and Brewmaster Dan Payson Talks Bufflehead Brown Ale
Rating 97 - Exceptional
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Editorial Dept.
We spoke with Kishwaukee Brewing Co. President and Brewmaster Dan Payson about Bufflehead Brown Ale.
Who came up with this beer’s recipe, and how did they achieve the final product?
Myself and Head Brewer Mark Gres are both fans of traditional beers. Bufflehead Brown started as a draft-only offering for the taproom, but word got out and accounts began purchasing it on draft. It reached a point where it made sense to put it on the regular brew schedule. After that, the next logical step was packaging it in our traditional six-pack of 12-ounce bottles.
What makes this beer truly World Class?
Bufflehead Brown Ale is a well-balanced harmony of dark malts and floral and citrus hops. It received a silver medal at the World Beer Cup in 2023 in the American-style brown category. Bufflehead continues to be a year-round offering at Kishwaukee and a favorite throughout the Chicagoland area.
How do you recommend we drink it (setting, glass, temperature, etc.)?
Our brown ale is best enjoyed among friends and family, perhaps around a campfire, a wood-burning stove, or a fireplace. It’s also fun to sit in our taproom with customers and tell the story of Bufflehead. For proper service, pour it around 45°F into a nonic or Willi Becher glass (a tall, straight-sided beer glass that gently tapers toward the bottom, with a subtle flare just under the rim).
What does this beer mean to you?
Bufflehead is close to our hearts at Kishwaukee. It was our first beer to win a major award, and it reflects the dedication of the entire Kishwaukee Brewing Co. family.
What’s the ideal food pairing for this beer?
It pairs well with roasts, stews, chili (bean or no-bean variants), carnitas, and decadent desserts.
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