A lager made the most sense for a Taylor Swift-inspired beer, said Mike Marr, owner of Buffalo Creek Brewing, not only because the singer-songwriter is blonde, but the light beer is easy to flavor with edible flowers like lavender.
The brewery in Long Grove, a suburb about 35 miles northwest of Chicago, has created a limited-edition lavender beer in honor of Friday’s release of Swift’s 11th original album, “The Tortured Poets Department “.
“We are Swifties; of course our brewery is going to plan its entire operation around the Taylor Swift drop,” Marr said in an Instagram video announcing the featured beer inspired by the singer-songwriter. The brewery paired the announcement with a local giveaway of the limited four-pack, vinyl of Swift’s upcoming album, a gift card and a Buffalo Creek Brewery t-shirt.
Chicago became a near epicenter of Swift’s album release after a QR code appeared on a River North building Tuesday morning. Fans flocked to the Grand Avenue building to take photos, exchange friendship bracelets and see the mural for themselves.
The QR code links to a 13-second YouTube short on Swift’s account, where the message “Error 321” and a faded “13” appear in a typewriter font. It’s well known that the 34-year-old star has an affinity for the number 13 – as well as teasing projects with carefully placed clues.
Marr was also aware of Swift’s lucky number and used this knowledge to name his limited brew “13th Poet”.
Lager doesn’t have dominant malt or hop characteristics, making it “easier to bring out the flavor,” Marr said.
Buffalo Creek chose to flavor the brew with fresh lavender because purple seemed like an appropriate color for Swift. It’s also in theme with the popstar’s hit “Lavender Haze” from her 2022 album “Midnights.”
The local brewery made 20 gallons of limited-edition beer – half was bottled in four-packs for sale, and the other half will be available on draft at their Long Grove taproom.
A father of daughters, Marr said he listened to and enjoyed Swift’s discography.
“I enjoy his music,” he said. “But I really appreciate what she’s done and how she’s really come through and changed the music industry, and how (artists) are respected.”
Social media posts around the beer’s launch “blew up” far more than Marr expected, with one video on Instagram racking up more than 15,000 views. The brewery owner said he saw comments that people were planning to take the day off to attend the lavender lager release on Thursday.
Marr expected the Swift-inspired drink would only last until Thursday afternoon.
In anticipation of the success of this limited batch, Marr said the brewery is working on a second batch that will be released in conjunction with the brewery’s Maifest celebration next month.
“For anyone who didn’t get the first round, we’ll have the second batch for them,” Marr said.
This isn’t the first time Buffalo Creek Brewing has dabbled in themed beers. The business started five years ago when the brewery’s social media team suggested a candy corn beer for Halloween, Marr said.
The limited-edition beer sold out in half an hour the first year it was made, he said. It is now an annual Halloween tradition.
When creating a drink inspired by a celebrity as famous as Swift, Marr said the brewery was very careful not to infringe on its brand, which is why the beer is named “13th Poet” and not d ‘after Swift or her next album.
“It’s influenced by Taylor Swift, but it’s not a Taylor Swift beer,” Marr said.
For Thursday’s launch of “13th Poet,” Marr decorated her reception hall with Swift-inspired decorations, including the number 13, lavender streamers and more suitable for Swiftie selfies.