Thanks to the partnership from HudsonAlpha, Auburn University, Alabama A&M and Yellowhammer Brewery, Huntsville residents can now try a beer that is more “Alabama” than any other beer on tap.

Last week at a special event, Yellowhammer Brewing released its newest beer — Avalon Zwickelbier — the first beer to be brewed in the state of Alabama with barley malt also grown within the state.

The collaboration included experts from HudsonAlpha, Auburn University and Alabama A&M University, who planted more than 50 barley varieties at field stations across Alabama back in 2021. The varieties that grew the best were then planted in one of four larger field trails in the fall of 2022. Over 30,000 pounds of barley were harvested from the initial eight-acre trial.

Yellowhammer Brewing co-founder Ethan Couch spoke at the event about his excitement for the project.

“It’s all about community for us, and it’s getting together and having a beer. We’ve made over 400 different beers since we started and this is the closest we’ve ever come to a farm to table product,” Couch explained. “You can taste the earthiness and you can see how it represents itself in the beer. We always do that when we get malts, we try them and try to see how it’s going to translate to a beer. This has worked out beautifully so we’re extremely excited to be a partner in this and to see where this goes over the next few years.”

The Zwickelbier is actually the second beer to be sold to customers as a direct result of this project. Earlier in the month, the Braided River Brewing Company in Mobile also used the newly grown barley to produce an IPA that also featured Alabama-grown hops.

Dr. Alex Harkess of HudsonAlpha said that the concept has received tremendous feedback from local brewers all over the state.

“We talked to brewers and asked if they would be open to the idea of paying a little extra to use locally grown barley and all of them we spoke to were on board with the idea,” said Dr. Harkess.

According to Barley Project Manager Kaitlyn Williams, the project offers far reaching economic benefits to farmers in the state as well. Farmers who have equipment for wheat, which is a standard crop in Alabama, also already have what is approved and needed for barley. With high yields and strong demand, farmers will gain another crop to put into their winter rotation.

“It’s rewarding to see a local guy making local products for local folks. The whole barley project gives back in many different ways,” said Williams. “Everyone benefits from that local product, whether you’re enjoying a nice beer, profiting from the beer, or incorporating a new, lucrative crop into your farm’s rotation.”

You can now get Avalon Zwickelbier beer at Yellowhammer Brewing at 2600 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville, AL 35805.