Old Glory American Pilsner, a beer introduced this summer on July 4, is being offered in cans for the first time.
Hook Point Brewing Co., which had previously sold Old Glory on draft only, started canning the beer on Tuesday. Six-packs of the cans will go on sale as soon as Thursday at Hook Point’s East Memphis taproom, the Ready Room, and this weekend at Hook Point’s Collierville brewery.
Old Glory, 4.5% ABV, is brewed wth Liberty hops. It’s Hook Point’s newest core beer — and a refreshing one for the Memphis heat.
“It’s just a good, light, crisp American pilsner,” said Hook Point co-founder Mike Sadler.
The beer’s availability after this initial canning run will be limited, but the cans should get a wider release in Shelby County soon.
A beer inspired by Old Glory
While most people likely know that Old Glory is a nickname for the American flag, the story behind the name might not be so familiar.
The term was coined in the early 19th century by ship captain William Driver, who flew an American flag aboard his vessel. Driver later settled in Nashville and displayed the flag outside his home.
During the Civil War, when the Union army occupied Nashville, Driver gave the flag to troops to be flown over the State Capitol for some time.
That Tennessee connection helped inspire the beer’s name, along with a desire by Sadler to promote unity.
“With all of the divisiveness that’s going on in our country right now, and everybody seems to be on one side or another of every issue, we just wanted to try to create a message of unity and patriotism,” said Sadler, a veteran who was a pilot in the U.S. Navy.
“This is still the best country in the world, and we want to bring the focus back to that.”
Sales support worthy cause
In addition to raising awareness, Hook Point is raising money to support families of servicemen through the sale of Old Glory and other beers.
On Thursdays, Hook Point donates $1 from every beer sold at its taproom to Folds of Honor – Tennessee, which provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving.
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