SeaWorld San Diego and Mike Hess Brewing have created a custom IPA that celebrates Emperor, the tallest, fastest, and longest dive coaster in the state, which opens to the public on Saturday, March 12. The all-new limited release beer will be available only at SeaWorld starting on March 2, the same day that pass members can start previewing the ride before it opens to the general public.
In addition to the great taste, guests can feel good about their beverage selection. Through SeaWorld’s continued partnership with Penguins International to focus on penguin awareness and the conservation needs of this special aquatic bird, a portion of the proceeds from Emperor Hazy IPA will be donated to Penguins International.
Emperor Hazy IPA is a 7.0% ABV citrus-forward Hazy India Pale Ale, a relatively new style of IPA in which the vast majority of the hops added to the beer are added at the very end of brewing, leaving all the bitterness out, and causing two desirable effects: first, a massive, citrusy aroma from the beer and, second, an interaction between the hop’s lupulin compounds and the beer’s grains creating a smooth haziness appearance to the beer.
Emperor Hazy IPA is crafted with water, barley, wheat, and oats, as well as Citra, Mosaic, and Cascade hops. And, like all Mike Hess Brewing’s beers, Emperor Hazy IPA is crafted to reduce gluten, so even guests who are gluten-intolerant may enjoy this ale.
SeaWorld and Mike Hess Brewing have partnered on custom brews for the park since 2015. The first, a fruit-forward IPA was created with the addition of real grapefruit juice to their popular Solis IPA brand. The beer, SeaWorld Solis, was an instant hit with guests and after its limited time at SeaWorld, and due to its popularity, the beer hit bars and grocery stories later that Summer. Grapefruit Solis was the number one brand for the brewery for over two years.
“It’s such an incredible opportunity to partner with an organization like SeaWorld, simultaneously an iconic San Diego brand as well as one so focused on their incredible work in protecting and preserving marine species, said Mike Hess, founder and chief brewing officer of Mike Hess Brewing. “The Mike Hess team is thrilled to be not only a part of the new coaster’s launch but to be aligned with another organization also doing much good. We’re very proud of this beer and hope it only enhances what’s sure to be an amazing day at the park.”
In addition to creating custom beers for SeaWorld, Mike Hess Brewing has been an active beer supplier at the park for over six years, participating in events such as Seven Seas Food Festival and the new Craft Beer Festival that debuted in 2021.
“I am excited for the opportunities that partnerships like this can do to enhance the experience for our guests, and what a better time as we launch California’s first floorless dive coaster,” said Jim Lake, SeaWorld Park president. “This partnership allows us to spotlight the ride, the amazing species it is named after, and support a cause-focused on penguin conservation, education, and research efforts. Mike Hess is a great friend of SeaWorld and we look forward to our continued relationship.”
For more information about Mike Hess Brewing, visit mikehessbrewing.com. For more information, park hours and to purchase tickets, visit seaworldsandiego.com.
