Escondido-based Stone Brewing starts selling beer, made at its Berlin brewery, at taverns in seven European countries on Monday.
Stone Brewing says it is the first American craft brewer to build, own and operate a brewery in Europe. The company says its made-in-Germany beer will be on tap at 40 European bars and restaurants for a 6 p.m. Central European Time rollout.
Those Stone beers will include Arrogant Bastard Ale and Stone IPA. These strong, hoppy brews are made within the hallowed realms of old German pilsner. But Stone co-founder and CEO Greg Koch said those who think German palates don't like IPA should think again.
"You know, Germans, believe it or not, are people just like us," Koch said with a laugh. "And we love IPA! It sort of stands to reason that people with great taste are located all over the world."
Koch said making American craft beer in Germany is a historic event.
"We've always looked across the pond as, 'That's where the real beer comes from.' And now people are looking to the United States and the craft brewing culture we've developed here, and say, 'Wow. That beer over there in the U.S. ... that's pretty awesome. We want some of that, too.'"
Stone Brewing plans to open a bistro at its Stone Berlin Brewery by the end of March.
