Mugs up! Walsh Alumni owned UnHitched Brewing Company in Louisville, Ohio produced a personalized brew for the Walsh University community.
UnHitched Brewery, owned by Walsh University alum and board member Ben Biery ’00, began to brew when friends Biery, Adam Longacre and George Kiko decided to open a place that promoted community, a unique food experience, a great brewing program, and entertainment. The name is an homage to the historic former local brewer of the late 1800s, George Dilger, whose horse and wagon is illustrated on the outside of the current building.
“Dilger would deliver his beer via horse and buggy,” said Biery. “So our name ‘unhitched’ is our way of saying come unhitch the wagon or ‘the daily grind’ and enjoy a nice sessional beer.”
This summer after discussing the idea with Biery, the Walsh University Office of Alumni asked for help from Walsh’s alumni and friends network to help name a special edition limited-tap American light lager made especially for friends of Walsh – a German style Kellerbier made with alfalfa honey, which comes from Ohio Honey Farms in Wooster, malt from Yarian Farms in Columbiana County, and centennial hops from Zachrich Hop Farm in Mechanicsburg. Head brewer, Garrett Conley, came up with the alfalfa honey flavor notes after hearing the story of the story how Walsh was founded in an alfalfa field. He wanted to tie the foundation of the school to its roots through the beer’s flavor profile.
The response to the naming contest was both creative and touching with nearly 70 name suggestions memorializing the past 60 years of shared Walsh experience. Unfortunately, some names were previously taken, therefore, determined to be unavailable by the state of Ohio. When it was all said and done, one name came out on top. We are thrilled to announce that La Mennais Lager as the name that has been chosen - a tribute to Walsh founding order the Brothers of Christian Instruction. La Mennais Lager will debut for tasting to those 21 and older at this year’s homecoming weekend.
“I am always happy to help out my alma mater and so when the alumni office asked if I would be willing, I was thrilled” said Biery. “At Unhitched, we like to do collaborations and custom beers for special events and this was a great, fun way to provide something special for our alumni and friends of Walsh University.”
La Mennais Lager will be available in limited quantities at various Walsh Alumni events throughout the year.
