Ides 29: Go Lanny Go!

This month’s beer is a collaboration with Calgary’s Trolley 5.  The inspiration for the West Coast IPA was Canada’s most famous moustache (and a pretty good hockey player), Lanny McDonald. Lanny left Toronto to go to Calgary to win his one-and-only Stanley Cup. What makes this release so special is that we designed the label so that the moustache peels off and can be stuck elsewhere; like on your face.

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE BREW
The 1970s were a pretty low time to be a Leafs fan. Losing in the quarterfinals or not making the playoffs at all were the norm. Fortunately, the Leafs had a lot of characters on those 70s teams, one of whom was Alberta native Lanny McDonald, a salt-of-the-earth guy and a great goal-scorer who was also well-known for his world-class moustache.

Lanny played 7 seasons for the Leafs, enjoying all-star selections, three consecutive 40-goal seasons and a trip to the 1976 Canada Cup championship. His character really shone through in the 1978 playoffs; playing with two broken wrists and a broken nose in Game 7 of the quarterfinals against the favoured Islanders, Lanny scored the overtime game winner. It was the first time the Leafs advanced to the semi-finals in 11 years. They didn’t win the cup that year, and haven’t won it since.

Lanny had to go back to Alberta and the Calgary Flames to bring home The Cup in his last NHL game ever, scoring a goal in Game 6 against Montreal to lock in the win.

We collaborated with Trolley 5 to create this West Coast IPA in tribute to Lanny and his time in Toronto and Calgary. Bursting with citrus and pine, this IPA’s hop character really shines through. Raise a glass and toast the man behind the moustache:

Go Lanny Go!!