(ESCONDIDO, CA) – To “spotlight” its talented individuals, Stone Brewing encourages brewers to explore what craft beer is truly about: ingenuity, creativity and…well…having fun. Back for a third round, the Stone Spotlight Series has a new prize-winning brew from this year’s in-house brewing competition. Stone Spotlight: Scrü Wit is a unique recipe created by Stone brewers Brandon Jacobs and Alex Rodriguez, who were deemed champions by a panel composed of co-founders Greg Koch and Steve Wagner along with Brewmaster Mitch Steele. Beginning May 17, fans are invited to meet the brewers at launch events in Southern California celebrating their one-of-a-kind creation.

When it came to the 2016 Stone Spotlight Series competition, Brandon and Alex said, “Screw it! Let’s brew something completely uncharacteristic of Stone.” Embracing this independent, go-your-own-way mentality, the first-place team combined a Finnish sahti, medieval European gruit and Belgian imperial wit, inventing a new style they nicknamed SahGruWit. Say it fast a few times and you’ll see what they did there. The result is a crazy-delicious success courtesy of ingenuity paired with the unlikely, hard-to-source ingredients of mugwort, wormwood and juniper berries. It’s extremely unique, which is why it was the hands-down winner of this year’s competition.

Can’t meet the talented brewing duo in person? Starting next week, fans in the Golden State will be able to purchase the limited-release beer in 22-ounce bottles and on draft at retailers, restaurants and bars in select California markets. For details about the celebratory events listed below or to find Stone Spotlight: Scrü Wit at a retail location, visit: find.stonebrewing.com.

Stone Spotlight: Scrü Wit Events

Lucky Baldwins Pubs – Tuesday, May 17 from 5 to 8 p.m.

17 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105

Congregation Ale House – Wednesday, May 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.

201 E. Broadway Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802

Pedalers Fork – Thursday, May 19 from 5 to 9 p.m.

23504 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, CA 91302

Bottlecraft Little Italy – Saturday, May 21, from 4 to 7 p.m.

2252 India St., San Diego, CA 92101

Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Escondido – Monday, May 23, from 6 to 8 p.m.

1999 Citracado Parkway, Escondido, CA 92029

QUICK FACTS

STONE SPOTLIGHT: SCRÜ WIT

Name: Stone Spotlight: Scrü Wit

URL: stonebrewing.com/spotlight/scruwit

Stats: 8.5% ABV, 40 IBUs

Availability: Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning May 16

Hop Variety: Styrian Golding

Distribution: California

Find Beer: find.stonebrewing.com

About Stone Brewing

Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996, San Diego-based Stone Brewing is the 10th-largest craft brewer in the United States. Stone has been listed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list 11 times, and has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice. The multifaceted company will be the first American craft brewer to independently build, own and operate a brewery in Europe, and is also building a production brewery and destination restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. Brewing at both locations will be underway in summer 2016. Known for its bold, flavorful and largely hop-centric beers, Stone has earned a reputation for brewing outstanding, unique beers while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, business ethics, philanthropy and the art of brewing. For more information on Stone Brewing, please visit StoneBrewing.com or the company’s social media sites:Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and The Stone Blog