Whalefall, Orono Brewing Company's latest beer, is inspired by Daniel Kraus's upcoming novel, Whalefall (Simon & Schuster, August 8), and the professional relationship the brewery has built with the author. Bangor Daily News reported that after appearing on Capes and Tights, the podcast hosted by Justin Soderberg, Orono Brewing Company's creative director, the two "hatched a plan to make a beer for his newest book." The IPA will be available in cans and on tap next month at the company's Bangor and Orono, Maine locations and in local stores for a limited time.
"Whoever heard of a literary beer? But the salty, briny nature of Whalefall made me think of a whale ale right away," Kraus said. "I wanted to work with a brewery in a state actually known for whales. Orono seemed the perfect partner."
Soderberg said Kraus "had me hooked on collaborating together from the start, but I was even more on board when the book was centered around a whale." Whalefall the beer is brewed with a blend of American and New Zealand hops and is a classic New England IPA, which Kraus said is his favorite.
The author will appear in Bangor on August 26, signing copies of his comic books at Galactic Comics and Collectibles before doing a signing and reading of Whalefall at BOOKSpace, the events space for the Briar Patch bookstore.