There are thousands of beers on shelves and in bars and pubs across the world, but for the latest “on-tap” at the Empire Brewery in Syracuse, the owner says it could actually have some health benefits. The main ingredient was imported from China in by chance partnership.
The first batch was sampled officially Tuesday morning, and contains brick tea produced by Jing-Way Fu Tea Company. Vice President Luo Ping spoke through a translator.
"The first word is creativity in action. 'Two dragons' is a great historical invention in the history of food creation [sic]. This is a number one even in American beer history and Chinese tea history. I believe that Empire Brewing Company has created a historic moment."
The relationship began when the owner of the Empire Brewing Company, David Katleski was invited to go with an eight person delegation to China including representatives of Centerstate C-E-O. Katleski was skeptical about the health benefits of the tea made from a golden flower that has the ability to lower cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure. So he had it tested.
"They were abosolutely accurate in their findings. And that excited me even more because, what a great oxymoron of having a healthy beer. Here's the opportunity of having a healthy tea with a beer, and now we're going to have a healthy beer. So, beer in moderation is considered healthy for you. So, why not have the tea added to it."
It took about three weeks to make the first batch. Director of Brewery Operations Tim Butler says the palette may taste a variety of flavors.
"It tends to have kind of an old wood character. As you drink through the beer, it kind of changes. You might pull a little bit of mushroom out of there, and definitely some tobacco or tea-type flavors."
The brewery will continue to refine the beer and plans to get Two Dragons on the retail market by September.
