Resurrection Ale: Redefining Good Beer

Willy Wonka’s infamous golden ticket is a lot like The Brewer’s Art Resurrection ale, but the beer has piqued the interests of local beer devotees far more than Charlie Bucket’s desire for chocolate.

Unlike the golden ticket, Resurrection is readily available at local liquor stores, where you can snag your slightly chilled canned six-pack of Resurrection Ale, or, if you prefer, the original 750-milileter-glass bottle.

Those who enjoy the drink said the 7 percent alcohol beer doesn’t have the bitterness that many high-alcohol beers do, making it a tasty delight.

It’s held in most local liquor stores as long as shop owners can keep it on the shelves, but venues like  can be sold out for weeks or months at a time.

“It doesn’t go out of the doors like Coors or Corona or Budweiser—it takes a distinct type of customer,” said owner Trisha Vitale.

Resurrection has been at Chartley for nearly three years and until recently, has been sold out preceding this past holiday season.

“It has a different taste. Most beers are a little bitter, this one isn’t,” said Chartley employee John Leakey.

Demographically, the average purchaser of Resurrection has a wide beer budget. At $10.99 for a canned six-pack, it’s a not a cheap beer pong candidate.

An employee at Cherryvale Liquors said that his customers are willing to pay the extra price for the quality. The abbey-style brew attracts the palate of those in their late 20s to early 30s to the store.

His limited supply of about five cases a week demonstrates the uniqueness and scarcity of the Resurrection drinker.

Until May 2010, Resurrection was exclusively brewed in 750-ml glass bottles, but Cherryvale has seen an increase in sales due to its availability in cans. The Brewer’s Art, who brews Resurrection, was criticized for the canned production. However, thanks to being known as a high-quality microbrew, the locally crafted beer succeeded in the canning process, with a growing customer base.

Tom Creegan, co-owner of Brewer’s Art in Mount Vernon, was recently questioned about the change by the Baltimore Sun. He claims that as long as the beer inside the can is good, the packaging does not matter.

The first canned craft beer, Colorado-brewed Dale’s Pale Ale, helped pave the way for Maryland-brewed Resurrection Ale to gain can marketability. With the help of Brewer’s Art and Oskar Blues Breweries, canned beer can be reestablished and well, resurrected from a bad name.

“Made with five types of barley malt and lots of sugar, this beer is quite flavorful, without being too sweet,” according to The Brewer’s Art beer description page on their website.

About 10 perent of Bill Bateman’s Bistro Resurrection sales occur on Wednesdays, according to Reisterstown Bateman’s Manager Marc Handelr. With $2 drafts all day on Wednesday, even a struggling academic can indulge in quality.

“[It’s] a full-flavor microbrew; very smooth aftertaste but not bitter,” said Handelr.

With limited to no marketing on the beer, Handelr sees a range in who it attracts, from college students to business professionals.

Mary Heflin, a Bateman’s waitress, has never tried the beer because she has been too busy serving it to others. Normally waiting tables at another Bateman’s location where Resurrection is not sold, she sees a different variety of parties demanding the ale.

“They just can’t get enough—they want more and more,” she said remembering, a table she had waited last week.

“I can’t describe it. It’s a high alcohol beer, but you can’t taste it,” said Nick Bobes, a part-time Bateman’s bartender.

Canned or bottled, The Brewer’s Art Resurrection Ale has caught the attention of its followers with its golden argyle. To learn more about Resurrection Ale or The Brewer’s Art, visit their website.