He is named the Crimson Rocker and the previous frontman for rock bands Van Halen and Montrose, however Sammy Hagar can also be identified for his success within the spirits enterprise, most notably tequila.
Now he is stepping into the craft beer enterprise, in response to a information launch. Hagar’s beer, known as Crimson Rocker Lager, is made right here in Detroit Rock Metropolis by way of his comparatively new Crimson Rocker Brewing Co., based mostly in Canton. It is being brewed in Corktown on the Brew Detroit facility.
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“Rock ‘n’ roll is on the coronary heart of Crimson Rocker Brewing Co. and there’s no higher place to brew our beer than in Detroit Rock Metropolis,” Hagar stated in Monday’s information launch. “We created Crimson Rocker Lager to not solely honor the followers however to additionally pay tribute to the soul of Detroit rock ‘n’ roll. “
Hagar says he labored for months with Crimson Rock Brewing Co. head brewer Cameron Schubert and Brew Detroit to formulate the beer to their liking.
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Subsequent month, Crimson Rocker Lager will formally launch in Detroit at a live performance occasion.
Crimson Rocker Lager is a Mexican-style lager with a 4.3% ABV. On the can, it is described as “a crisp, easy-drinking, lager brewed within the Mexican fashion.”
“It is type of medium-bodied,” Hagar stated in a cellphone interview Monday. “It isn’t as gentle as Corona or Tecate. It is extra like a Modela.”
Mexican beers are type of bitter due to the hops, he stated.
“I made mine a bit of bit sweeter, and it is simply acquired the clear crisp zing however with simply sufficient physique in your palate to the place you get a bit of extra taste out of a drink.”
Hagar, 75, stated making beer was one thing he tried to do earlier than he acquired into the tequila enterprise. He discovered it tough as a result of it is one thing finished in massive volumes and it is perishable.
Now he is working with Brew Detroit and likes the outcomes.
“With no accomplice, I can not do something. I can not run a brewery, I am not a brewmaster. … I discover a good accomplice, and I am able to go. And I discovered one in Eric Schubert.”
Hagar stated companions helped make him a hit. He created Cabo Wabo Tequila, named after his Cabo Wabo cantina in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, in the1990s. The tequila was an enormous success and grew to change into the No. 2 premium tequila within the U.S.
He offered most of his stake in 2007 after which what was left three years later for a complete reportedly close to $100 million. One other model, Hagar’s Santo Tequila and Mezquila, is in partnership with movie star chef Man Fieri He additionally has Seashore Bar Rum with rocker Rick Springfield.
As well as, Hagar launched Sammy’s Seashore Bar Cocktail Co., making canned ready-to-drink glowing rum drinks that characteristic his personal Puerto Rican rum. Different Hagar successes embody publishing, TV and radio. His third guide, “Sammy Hagar’s Best Cocktail Hits,” is his first cocktail recipe guide.
Hagar loves the truth that Crimson Rocker Lager will probably be brewed in one of many oldest elements of Detroit. “What I like about it’s … I’m a automobile nut. And it was once the place they made automobile elements,” he stated.
Hagar additionally spoke of his lengthy historical past with Detroit, first with Montrose in 1972.
“We performed 12 instances in a single 12 months at Cobo Corridor,” he stated. “And we had been the opening act. ” He recalled that Montrose opened for the J. Geils Band, Humble Pie, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Aerosmith and Ted Nugent.
Detroit, he stated heartily, is a rock and roll, blue-collar city and his type of folks.
“There’s something about Detroit,” he stated. “I’ve all the time finished rather well with my music in Detroit. It is simply a kind of cities. Each tour, I performed Detroit.”
Detroit, he stated, will probably be a “actual get together and an excellent launch” for his craft beer.
Hagar stated he is a pilsner and lager man however that Crimson Rocker will make a whole lot of completely different beers.
“I need to make a Belgian White as properly. However this, that is simply the primary one which I can say that is my beer. It is my go-to, and I can say that is excellent for my palate.”
Bought in a four-pack of 16-ounce cans in shops and bars all through Michigan, Crimson Rocker Lager may even be accessible to order on-line at redrockerbrewing.com and shipped.
Tickets for the Oct. 23 live performance occasion and launch get together go on sale at 10 a.m. Tuesday for Fanclub presale. Normal ticket gross sales start at 10 a.m. Friday by way of LiveNation.com.
Contact Detroit Free Press meals and restaurant author Susan Selasky and ship meals and restaurant information and tricks to: sselasky@freepress.com. Observe @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
