Chatham Brewery honors Phish with new beer release

CHATHAM, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Chatham Brewery is paying tribute to upcoming Phish concerts at MVP Arena on Oct. 25-27, with a new beer. In a collaboration with two other breweries, the India Pale Ale (IPA) will be called "Play It Leo!."

The drink is an updated version of the beer originally made to commemorate the shows at SPAC in 2018. This version, however, is named to celebrate the keyboard player Page McConnell to play a solo.

As a hazy, full-bodied ale with tropical flavors, the drink will join others in the brewery's tasting room and throughout Capital Region bars and restaurants near MVP. It will also be available in four-packs at beverage centers in the area.

Chatham Brewery collaborated with Hutch Kugeman, Head Brewer for Brooklyn Brewery at the Culinary Institute of America and Board President of NYS Brewers Association and Adam Krawczak of Rip Van Winkle Brewing in Catskill to create the new beer.

"When we first introduced Play It Leo, fans who love Phish were thrilled. It’s a great single IPA, super crushable at 6%, so everybody else liked it, too," said Tom Crowell, owner of Chatham Brewing. "Our brewer Matt blasts Phish while he’s working, so he really wanted to get this right. And he did, collaborating with Hutch and Adam."