Hi-Wire Brewing is back with another twist on a classic backyard barbecue favorite with the release of Wickles Wicked Hula Pickle Beer. This limited-edition sour ale is a follow-up to Hi-Wire's wildly popular Wickles Pickle Beer, which sold out almost immediately upon its release in 2022. The new Wicked Hula version brings a tropical twist to the collaboration with Dadeville, Alabama–based Wickles Pickles.[1]
"The response to our first Wickles Pickle Beer was phenomenal," said Chris Frosaker, co-owner of Hi-Wire Brewing. "We still get inquiries on how to get the beer to this day even though it has been out of the market for over six months."[1]
A Tropical Twist on Pickle Beer
Wickles Wicked Hula Pickle Beer is a refreshing, approachable sour ale brewed with all the traditional pickle ingredients—dill, coriander, Himalayan salt, and black pepper—from Wickles' 90-year-old custom blend of spices. The twist: sweet pineapple and a touch of jalapeño heat for a Hawaiian-inspired flavor profile.[1]
"Building on a successful Wickles Original Pickle recipe, we amped up the flavor with a combination of jalapeño, pineapple and that secret Wickles flavor," explained Hi-Wire Head Brewer Hank Marshall. "Meet the perfect opener to summertime grilling and chilling."[1]
The beer comes in at a crushable 5% ABV and pours like pickle juice with a tart dill aroma, bright sweetness from pineapple, and just a hint of green jalapeño pepper. It finishes with that craveable Wickles Pickles flavor and a touch of heat that leaves your mouth watering for another sip.[1]
Meeting Demand
The original Wickles Pickle Beer sold out the same day of its release, leaving many accounts and customers without a chance to try it. For the Wicked Hula release, Hi-Wire brewed significantly more to satisfy demand—though the brewery cautioned that supplies would still be limited.[1]
"We had a lot of accounts and customers who were left out last time, so we'll be brewing significantly more for this release to satisfy demand," said Brian Laggis, Hi-Wire Brewing Sales Director. "But this one still will not last long."[1]
Availability
Wickles Wicked Hula Pickle Beer launched May 19 in four-packs of 16-ounce cans throughout Hi-Wire's nine-state distribution footprint—North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, Virginia, and Indiana—at independent retailers and select chains, as well as across all ten Hi-Wire taprooms.[1]
After the Wicked Hula release, Hi-Wire planned to re-release the original Wickles Pickle Beer collaboration around Labor Day.[1]
The Wickles Partnership
Wickles Pickles traces its roots to a 90-year-old secret family recipe once reserved for family and friends. In 1998, the recipe was unleashed to the public when brothers Trey and Will Sims and their friend Andy Anderson founded the company in Dadeville, Alabama. Today, Wickles is known as the South's best pickles, with a custom blend of spices that produces sweet, tangy, and spicy pickles, relishes, and spreads.[2][3]
"Here in the South, we love our pickles and a nice, cold craft beer, and now we love Hi-Wire Brewing's Wickles Pickles Beer," said Will Sims, co-founder of Wickles Pickles, when the original collaboration launched. "We can't think of a better combination than our 90-year-old custom blend of spices at work with an award-winning brewery known for fun and approachability."[2]
Where to Find Hi-Wire
Hi-Wire Brewing operates taprooms in Asheville (Biltmore Village, South Slope, RAD Beer Garden), Durham, Charlotte, Knoxville, Louisville, Wilmington, Birmingham, Cincinnati, and Nashville. For the latest releases and availability, visit Hi-Wire Brewing.
This report connects to ongoing BevWire coverage in The Beer Paradox: Why Canada’s Favorite Brew is American While the ….
Sources
- Brewbound — "Hi-Wire Brewing and Wickles Pickles Partner to Brew a Wicked Hula Pickle Beer"; Chris Frosaker, Hank Marshall, Brian Laggis quotes; May 19 release; 5% ABV; pineapple, jalapeño, dill; four-packs 16-oz cans; nine states; ten taprooms
- Brewbound — "Hi-Wire Brewing and Wickles Pickles Announce a Pickle Beer Collaboration"; original 2022 release; Will Sims quote; Wickles 90-year recipe; cucumbers, dill, coriander, Himalayan salt, black pepper
- Wickles Pickles — Wickles Pickles about; Dadeville, Alabama; 90-year-old family recipe; 1998 founding
- Encyclopedia of Alabama — Wickles Pickles history; Trey and Will Sims, Andy Anderson; Dana Ferniany; Sims Foods, Inc.