Saint Croix Beer Company - Note from the Brewmaster

St. Croix ales defy categorization. We don't have to tell you that-our customers do every day. And that's why they like us. When we introduced St. Croix Maple Ale in 1985 it was the first commercial American beer fermented with pure maple syrup. Brewed in a uniquely American style from the 1800s for a rich and astoundingly smooth flavor, St. Croix Maple Ale quickly became a regional favorite through Minnesota and Wisconsin. St. Croix Maple Ale's full bodied flavor is enhanced by adding pure maple syrup in the brew kettle. After fermentation, only a slight hint of maple remains in the finish to complement this robust ale. Cold lagering makes this one of the smoothest ales you'll ever experience. St. Croix Maple Ale continues to get rave reviews from beer writers and festival-goers across the country. Maybe that's because there is still no beer brewed quite like it anywhere in the world. Our Serrano Pepper Ale was released to an eager audience of craft-beer drinkers on the St. Croix River two years later in July 1997. Mayor Jay Kimble of Stillwater was the first in line to christen the new brew and the response since has been terrific, from beer drinkers to chefs. Fresh Mexican serrano chile peppers added to the brew kettle contribute a subtle, tingling heat and wild pepper flavor and aroma without overwhelming this hoppy pale ale. The initial burst of peppery aroma belies the gentle warmth that follows and the ale finishes with a fruity, cool crispness. Serrano Pepper Ale is a perfect companion to a wide variety of foods-barbecue, Mexican, Asian-and brings a new twist to cooking with beer when used as an ingredient. (See our "Recipes" page.) And it won an award in Chile Pepper magazine's 1998 Fiery Foods Challenge. St. Croix Beer's future lies in owning its own brewery. We are currently investigating potential brewery sites in the St. Croix Valley. We're getting there one six-pack at a time. And with your support, we'll do it... Cheers!