Dragonhösen Imperial Oktoberfest: By 2013 there were more than 2,500 breweries in the U.S., which means probably more than 20,000 beer names! Internet search engines became members of the beer naming team of any brewery that wanted to go past the chalkboard stage. Our head brewer brought an Imperial Lager to the table and said – this is a great beer, let’s sell it during Oktoberfest. The folks who name beers poured themselves a few samples – and at 9.5% ABV, in no time at all the ideas started flowing. Great names were tossed up in the air, but as they were googled, they were just as quickly scratched off the list. As he watched the process unfold, the brewer said with quiet resignation, “I’ll let you guys do what you do, I’ve got to go downstairs and drag some hoses around.”
“Hey, that sounds kind of German…”
Draggin’ some hoses became Dragonhösen in just a few minutes of creative chaos. With the right art and a great story, a great name was invented, and a lesson learned: if all the good names are taken, make one up!
The original label: “Late at night in the dark cellar or among the rows of towering vessels at Boulder Beer, if you listen carefully you can hear the eerie sound of the Dragonhosen.
Brewed with generous amounts of Vienna and Munich malts for a rich, full-bodied malty flavor, Dragonhosen begins as a traditional Oktoberfest lager, then stealthily breathes fire with 9% alcohol by volume. Hallertau and Czech Saaz hops add balance with a mild earthy aroma and flavor with moderate bitterness.
If you find yourself at Boulder Beer, listen closely and beware… if you hear a scratching and scraping coming your way, the bite of the Dragonhosen is sure to follow.”
