Fishers Foods, Thirsty Dog team up on new beer

Fishers Foods is teaming up again with Thirsty Dog Brewing Co. to release an exclusive beer.

The Stark County-based grocer and Akron brewery have created Tiger Tale Farmhouse Ale, which will be available on draft this week and in six-packs starting next week. The Belgian-style ale features New Zealand hops and clocks in at 5.2 percent alcohol by volume.

Last year, the grocery and brewery collaborated to produce Nutty ProFisher, a nut brown ale.

The Tiger Tale name pays tribute to Fisher family history. In the 1900s, five Fisher brothers hand-rolled cigars called Tiger Tails to pay for their college education.

“Without their determination and hard work, a Fishers Foods would not exist,” Alex Fisher, who helped design the beer, said in an email. “...Tiger Tale Farmhouse Ale pays homage to their determination in which helped pave the road for generations to come.”

The label was designed by Canton artist Holly “Buffy” Atkinson, who co-owns the ACME gallery.

“With this creation, I immediately knew I wanted to incorporate the nautilus shell, as it is a great metaphor for what Alex Fisher is accomplishing as the fourth generation of Fishers Foods — a reaffirmation of the family’s passion for a growth and expansion,” she said in a prepared statement.

The tap handles are being made by Jorge Cervantes, who also created the Nutty ProFisher label and tap handles. The handles will be Tiger Tail cigars.

The first keg of Tiger Tale will be tapped Thursday (May 21) at Vintage Canton. The event runs from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. The growler stations at the Fishers stores will tap kegs Friday, and six-packs will be available starting May 29 at the Craft Beer Tasting + Release Party from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Fishers, 5215 Fulton Road N.W.

Tiger Tale also will be available at Basil Asian Bistro (Canton), Lucca, The Auricle, Buzzbin, Conestoga Grill, George’s Lounge, Gallery 121 and Table Six Kitchen + Bar.