It takes two.
Industry City’s Brooklyn Kura, 68 34th Street, New York City’s very first sake brewery, has teamed up with Sunset Park’s Five Boroughs Brewing Co. to create a special drink, the one-of-a-kind rice lager called the Sunset Kura, which will make its debut on Saturday, May 5, also known as Cinco de Mayo, during a kick-off event at Five Boroughs Brewing Co., 215 47th Street.
“Sunset Kura is a lager that features a 50/50 split of extra pale pilsner malt and Brooklyn Kura’s American-grown rice inoculated with koji mold, an essential ingredient in sake,” said Nick Griffin, head of brewing and quality management for Five Boroughs Brewing Co. “But instead of being brewed into a batch of sake, the rice was transported a few blocks south to the Five Boroughs Brewing Company facility. There, the rice was brewed, cold fermented and allowed to mature according to traditional lagering methods, with the intent of allowing the koji’s citrusy, fresh rice character to play center stage. The result is Sunset Kura, a unique, unfiltered and unrefined lager unlike any other.” Sunset Kura has 4.5 percent alcohol by volume (ABV).
According to the two, Brooklyn Kura and Five Boroughs Brewing Co.’s friendship started a little over a year ago, and, since they’re both located in Sunset Park, the collaboration seemed like a natural way to share a love of brewing unique beverages with the community.
“This is Brooklyn Kura’s first official beer collaboration since Brooklyn Kura launched in March, so we are very excited to have partnered with Five Boroughs Brewing Company as they make excellent craft beer,” said Brooklyn Kura Co-Founder and President Brian Polen.
“As a brewery in Sunset Park, we were extremely excited that Brooklyn Kura moved into the area and knew that we wanted to collaborate together,” added Griffin. “While the brewing of beer and sake are distinctively unique, this collaboration served as an opportunity to blend our two worlds together and create something truly special.”
The two companies are excited to premiere the beverage during the celebration.
“Attendees can expect to taste the debut of Sunset Kura in addition to a sake tasting, while supplies last,” said Kevin O’ Donnell, co-founder and COO of Five Boroughs Brewing. “We will also be featuring our Summer Ale in the taproom for the first time. To top it off, Kings Kolache will be popping up at Five Boroughs for the day to serve a variety of their signature kolaches–the perfect pairing for a pint of beer.”
There will also be giveaways, such as free pair of branded sunglasses with the purchase of a Summer Ale, a blonde ale brewed with Mosaic, Cascade and Centennial hops.
“We will also be selling new summer merch and Kings Kolache will be on hand serving up a variety of savory pastries,” added Blake Tomnitz, co-founder and CEO of Five Boroughs Brewing Co.
The collaboration has each party satisfied.
“We are equally excited about this collaboration, especially being able to support one another as local New York brewers and Sunset Park neighbors,” said Brooklyn Kura co-founder and head brewer Brandon Doughan.
“This collaboration has been a true partnership between the two breweries,” Tomnitz concurred. “It’s always great to work with other local craft beverage manufacturers in New York City to showcase and promote the growing scene. We’re excited to see what our customers and New Yorkers think of Sunset Kura.”
The kick-off event will be held this Saturday, May 5 at 12 p.m. at the Five Boroughs Brewery Co. taproom, 215 47th Street, and will end at 11 p.m. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/fiveboroughsbrewing and www.brooklynkura.com.