Another “First” for Springfield!

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White Lion Brewing Company Brings Craft Brewing to the City —-
By Marjorie J. Hurst—-

White Lion brew master Mike Yates and president and founder Raymond Berry
White Lion brew master Mike Yates and president and founder Raymond Berry

Notwithstanding the fact that I am not a beer drinker, on October 21st I got to join with hundreds of well wishers at the Launch Party of the White Lion Brewing Company, which was held at the Lyman and Merrie Wood Springfield Museum of History, a fitting venue for another Springfield “first” that is destined to become a distinguishing symbol for the city right up there with Dr. Seuss, the Basketball Hall of Fame and the Indian Motorcycle.
The mood at the Launch was electric with folks from all walks of life there to extend their best wishes to Raymond Berry, president of White Lion Brewing Company. Taking an idea from inception to fruition is quite a feat and he deserves congratulations. For a short while, I was even willing to join in the moment, foregoing my wine snobbishness, and walk around two-fisted with a different brew in each hand, sipping first the golden cream ale and then the pale ale, going back and forth, trying hard to connect the quick education award-winning brewer Mike Yates gave in his presentation with what I was tasting. And, I must admit, although I’m not quite willing to make the switch from wine to beer, I would actually try both craft ales again. So what is the White Lion Brewing Company all about? Well according to Ray Berry, “White Lion Brewing Company symbolizes grace with limitless boundaries. It is a homegrown artifact that has the necessary ingredients for a successful future: a compelling brand and commitment to being a vital part of the city and region’s regeneration and renaissance, all while affording the consumer an opportunity to identify with a local product.”
Mike Yates, the Brew Master for White Lion, has been brewing in small and large brew houses for over 15 years, and through that lens and experience has created two outstanding ales. “We are rolling out a mild bodied golden cream ale and a American Pale Ale with a little more hop to it. White Lion will release an amber ale and dark IPA in early 2015.”
One of the questions asked by many at the Launch Party was where the name came from? Well, in his comments Berry explained: “The legend of the White Lion has been shared by word of mouth for centuries. Folklore declares that White Lions are children of the Sun and maintain mythical status. The White Lion has become a symbol to citizens from around the world; portrayed as a rare phenomenon and an extension beyond any color, creed, gender or race. The White Lion serves as a sign of good found in all mankind. Anyone blessed to gaze upon this rare gift will be sanctified with prosperity.” Now, that’s just awesome!
Those of us who know Ray can attest to his commitment to Springfield and he was upfront about it, saying “White Lion is committed to the city and region and we want to be part of the legacy that moved the region forward. We are currently working with various local and regional stakeholders on phase 2 of the project which is to bring a multi-barrel production facility to the city of Springfield. We envision a landmark for the region, a place where beer enthusiasts and visitors can go to be part of the White Lion experience.”
White Lion Brewing products will be sold in various establishments throughout Western and Central Massachusetts. Yates noted, “We are pleased to have positioned the company to be in partnership with Williams Distributing, Quality Beverage and Girardi Distributors All three distributors carry strong portfolios of national, regional and local beer brands and are active participants in the communities they serve.”
From Point of View to White Lion, may your hard work and vision pay off. Best of luck.

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