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NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft joins universe of space-themed beers

Antonia Jaramillo
Florida Today

Thanks to its ability to fascinate, space-themed products are everywhere – books, TV series, movies, toys, games and countless more.

But for those who have "outgrown" building LEGO model rockets and can enjoy the privileges of being the legal drinking age, there are still other ways to satiate space-related enthusiasm.

When it comes to the realm of alcohol, beer takes over in space – pun-driven beer names, science fiction inspirations and even beers inspired by real-life NASA missions.

NASA's OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return mission, which arrived at the asteroid Bennu on Dec. 3, is one of those mission-inspired beers. Dillinger Brewing Company, based in Tucson, Arizona, sought to create a series of beers inspired by OSIRIS-REx. 

This image of the asteroid Bennu was taken by the OSIRIS-REx spacecraft from a distance of around 50 miles.

Eric Sipe, owner and general manager of Dillinger Brewing, was on the same board of directors of the Boys and Girls Club in Southern Arizona as OSIRIS-REx Principal Investigator Dante Lauretta. 

"Dante is more of a beer guy, so he asked me if we could produce some sort of beer," Sipe said, "and I was all about it." 

Creating a series of seasonal beers related to the mission, Dillinger Brewing first came out with "Bennu Approach" and now that OSIRIS-REx has arrived at the asteroid, the new beer available is "Bennu Arrival."

Dante Lauretta

"We're doing beers for a bunch of different stages of the mission," Sipe said. 

But aside from simply having the beer named after the mission, Dillinger Brewing went even further.

"The fun thing that we did with this beer is we made it so that a pint of it has the same albedo as the asteroid," Sipe said. 

Working with NASA scientists, Dillinger Brewing was able to create a conversion where they can get the color of the beer to have the same proportion of light reflected as Bennu.

The full-bodied imperial stout has local cold brew coffee as well as cacao, giving it a smooth coffee and rich chocolate taste, Sipe said. 

"It's got some kick to it when you finish the pint," Sipe said.

Available only in Arizona, those out-of-state will have to make a trip to acquire the beer, but for those willing and wanting to try "one of the darkest objects in the solar system," it might just be worth it. 

Though unclear when the next beer will launch, Sipe said it will be called "Equatorial Survey" and will likely be available in March 2019. 

OSIRIS-REx BENNU ARRIVAL — Dillinger Brewing Company

"One small step for beer, one giant leap for beer-kind." — Dillinger Brewing Company

Dillinger Brewing Company came out with their new beer, Bennu Arrival, in honor of NASA's OSIRIS-REx mission arriving at the asteroid, Bennu on Dec. 3 2018.
  • 9.3 percent ABV
  • Imperial stout brewed with local cold brew coffee and hints of cacao
  • Taste: Smooth coffee and rich chocolate  with a bit of a kick at the end

For those unwilling to make the drive to Arizona, don't fret. There are plenty of other space-themed beers along the Space Coast. 

Located on Merritt Island and Melbourne, Bugnutty Brewing Company and Intracoastal Brewing Company also have their own takes.

Below are some of their space-inspired beers:

DARK MATTER BLACK IPA —  Bugnutty Brewing Company

"An IPA for dark beer lovers!" —  Bugnutty Brewing Company

Not sure what you like? Try a six-beer flight at Bugnutty Brewing Company on Merritt Island.
  • 6.5 percent ABV
  • 67 IBU
  • Full bodied IPA - Black/Cascadian dark ale
  • Taste: Toasty dark malt with chocolate, earthy, citrus and pine flavors

INTRAGALACTIC IMPERIAL IPA —  Intracoastal Brewing Company

"Intragalactic is a dangerously easy drinking Imperial IPA" —  Intracoastal Brewing Company

Choose a flight instead of a pint at Intracoastal Brewing Company and try several of their creative craft beers at a time.
  • 10.7 percent ABV
  • 75 IBU
  • Imperial IPA loaded with Falconer's Flight, Galaxy and four other American hop varieties
  • Taste: Notes of citrus, tropical fruits and "dank, resinous hoppy goodness" 

STOUT-ER SPACE —  Intracoastal Brewing Company 

  • 7.0 percent ABV
  • 37 IBU
  • Rich and robust stout with notes of dark chocolate, roasted barley and coffee
  • Taste: Dark cocoa and roasted grains with a smooth and silky finish

SPACE ODDITY LITE (BLONDE ALE) —  Intracoastal Brewing Company 

"An easy-drinking blonde ale." —  Intracoastal Brewing Company

  • 5.0 percent ABV
  • 23 IBU
  • Taste: Light malt with slight taste of German hops

LUKE, I AM YOUR PORTER (IMPERIAL PORTER) —  Intracoastal Brewing Company

For the "Star Wars" fan in the room:

Intracoastal Brewing Company and Intruck Coastal Bites, along with Indialantic Seafood, will host the upcoming Suzy's (Not So) Secret Supper.
  • 8.5 percent ABV
  • 38 IBU
  • An Imperial porter with an aroma of dark cocoa, sweet malt and roasted grains
  • Taste: Strong cocoa taste with light caramel/toffee note

If you want to expand your horizons a bit, below are some other fun, quirky space-themed beers from other parts of the nation.

GROUND CONTROL — Ninkasi Brewing Company 

"Mankind will enjoy the sweet finesse of this beer that only fares better with time" — Ninkasi Brewing Company

The Oregon brewing company worked with rocket scientists to launch a payload of brewer's yeasts into outer space, where they created a beer out of this world. Launched in 2014 from New Mexico, the Ground Control Imperial Stout beer has been in the market since 2015 and is "fermented with an Ale yeast that survived a trip to space and back." 

  • 10 percent ABV
  • 80 IBU
  • Imperial stout brewed with Oregon hazelnuts, star anise and cocoa nibs

SPACE DUST IPA — Elysian Brewing 

"A totally nebular IPA" — Elysian Brewing

A bottle of Elysian Space Dust IPA, with its picture of a hop in outer space, displayed in a pile of green hops.
  • 8.2 percent ABV
  • 73 IBU
  • Medium-bodied India pale ale
  • Taste: The hopping is "pure starglow energy" with chinook and dry additions of Citra and Amarillo

STAR TREK BEER SERIES — Shmaltz Brewing Company 

Shmaltz Brewing Company offers plenty of Star Trek-themed beers for the Trekki or beer enthusiast. Below are some of the beers in the series:

  • Star Trek Deep Space 9 Profit Motive Hopped Up Golden Ale
  • Stark Trek Mirror Universe Terrans Unite! India Pale Lager
  • The Next Generation Captain's Holiday 30th Anniversary Ale 
  • The Next Generation Symbiosis 30th Anniversary Ale 
  • Star Trek Klingon Imperial Porter
  • Golden Anniversary Ale Voyage To The Northeast Quadrant 
  • Golden Anniversary Ale The Trouble with Tribbles
  • Red Session IPA

MONKEYNAUT — Straight to Ale

Straight to Ale Brewing’s Laika Russian Imperial Stout.

Inspired by the first monkey sent to space by NASA, Miss Baker, this American IPA pays tribute to the Simian heroes who paved the way for manned U.S. spaceflight. 

  • 7.25 percent ABV
  • 75 IBU
  • Citrus, floral hop aroma with a strong malt body and crisp finish

Other space-themed beers from Straight to Ale include:

  • Boldy Gose 
  • Gorillanaut Imperial India Pale Ale
  • Third Rock Maibock 

Ecliptic Brewing

The Oregon brewing company incorporates owner John Harris' two passions: brewing and astronomy. This brewer houses a variety of space-themed beers which constantly rotate every 6 weeks on the old world calendar.

Some of their beers include:

  • Capella Porter, named after the bright star in the constellation Auriga
  • Carina Peach Sour Ale, named after the constellation Carina
  • Phobos Single Hop Red Ale, named after the Martian moon

The sheer number of beers might seem overwhelming, but one thing seems clear: When it comes to space and beer, there's no limit.

Contact Jaramillo at 321-242-3668 or antoniaj@floridatoday.com. Follow her on Twitter at @AntoniaJ_11.

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Bugnutty Brewing Co. is located at 715 N Courtenay Parkway on Merritt Island.