Craft brewer Fritz Wulfing selects beverage cans from Ball Packaging Europe for new Imperial Red Ale, Die Gose in der Dose, says cans are 'the only packaging that protects the product completely from light and oxygen' and preserves flavor of hops

Elyse Blye

BROOMFIELD, Colorado , April 28, 2014 (press release) – Hand-Crafted Beers in Partnership with Ball Packaging Europe at 2014 World Beer Cup

Denver, Colorado once again became the center of the beer universe as it played host to this year’s World Beer Cup (April 6-8), which featured an international jury assessing and honoring beers from around the world. Participating for the first time was a member of the young German craft beer scene, Fritz Wülfing, who showcased two varieties of Ale Mania – "Imperial Red Ale" and "Die Gose in der Dose" (“Gose ale in a can”) on this world stage.
Signature cans from BPE ensure product integrity of Wülfing’s flavorful ales
Craft Brewer Fritz Wülfing Debuts Two New Canned Beers

Wülfing’s new Imperial Red Ale is a contemporary beer adopted from America and related to Imperial IPA. As an Ale Mania product, it is characterized by its very pronounced malty body, which is comprised of different roasting and caramelized malts. Gose on the other hand has a history that dates back to the Middle Ages, hailing from the German regions of Dessau, Halle and Leipzig. "Die Gose in der Dose" is extremely fruity, with a distinctive sparkle thanks to a subtly low level of lactic acid.

Passion for Craft Beer

Participating in the World Beer Cup was a dream come true for trained engineer Wülfing, who first got to know the American craft beer scene in early 2000, when he became fascinated by the vast range of these artisanal beers, coupled with their intense flavor. Because the craft beer industry was an unknown in Germany - due in large part to the lack of U.S. exportation - Wülfing started brewing at home and gradually began developing his own signature blends. Appearing at the World Beer Cup, Wülfing finally had the opportunity to test his home brews against the best in the world.

Taste in a Can

Like many American craft beer brewers, he too relies on beverage cans from Ball Packaging Europe. "The can is particularly well suited for my Ale Mania beers," says Wülfing. "It is the only packaging that protects the product completely from light and oxygen, thereby ensuring the delicate flavors of the hops are preserved and the beer tastes very intense and fresh." In the U.S., the majority of people prefer to drink craft beer from these “mini barrels.” As of March 2014, over 400 U.S. breweries were offering around 1,150 traditional beers in cans.

Fritz Wülfing is eagerly looking ahead to the future, as he seeks to further expand his brewing activities. "The goal is to open my own brewery in Bonn with its own small filling line," he explained. "And for that, I was also able to make the most of my visit to Denver, by forging good contacts with manufacturers."

With the craft beer market continuing to grow and the prospects of handmade/heavily-hopped beer becoming increasingly popular - even in Germany - Wülfing is hugely optimistic about the future.

About Ball Corporation

Ball Corporation supplies innovative, sustainable packaging solutions for beverage, food and household products customers, as well as aerospace and other technologies and services primarily for the U.S. government. Ball Corporation and its subsidiaries employ 15,000 people worldwide and reported 2012 sales of more than $8.7 billion. For more information, visit www.ball.com, or connect with us on Facebook or Twitter.

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