|
WINTER 2025 RELEASE
The Winter 2025 Atlas Pilsner features a historic barley variety named Atlas, which was grown in the Central Coast region of California. Originally hailing from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, this barley was brought to the New World by European settlers over 250 years ago. It adapted to local conditions and became a true California heirloom variety. Atlas gained fame during California’s 1840s Gold Rush, when it was prized globally for its exceptional flavor. Today, it is exclusively grown on Bob Work’s multigenerational family farm near Paso Robles, the last remaining source of this historic seed in North America.
The Stories of Seeds
At Hanabi, we endeavor to brew beers that tell a story. Beer is essentially a fermented tea, brewed from toasted barley seeds. The folklore, history, and cultural significance of these seeds inspires much of the reverence that we have for beer.
Seeds have long symbolized survival and rebirth, and it fascinates us that most of the plants we eat propagate themselves this way. When times get tough— when the season runs low on water, warmth, or sunlight— the plants know that to survive, they need to pack away their children safely into seeds. Then, when circumstances improve, they can sprout the next generation and grow into beautiful new young plants.
Our relationship with them is sacred. For thousands of years, humans have grown and carefully protected the seeds of the plants that nourish and sustain us. Since the dawn of agriculture, as pioneers and explorers traveled throughout the world, they carried these life-giving seeds with them as the source of their sustenance and survival.
Seeds carry rich stories of people, exploration, and the great migrations across the beautiful world that we call home. They speak of true challenges faced, of food security and survival, and of civilizations that have risen and fallen over the years.
We feel as though finding and brewing with these special historic seeds, as we do at Hanabi, is a process akin to remembering.
The story of the Atlas barley seeds that we used for the 2025 Winter Hanabi Lager is integral to the history of California, our home. We love it and are humbled to continue that tradition.
Thank goodness for this fine day, and for the seeds that continue to nourish us all.