Airways Brewing Company (blog sponsor) is about to introduce a new IPA: Seat Kicker IPA. Like most beers from Airways, there’s a story behind the name. As usual, it involves a character with which we are all familiar.
Imagine, if you will: It was a long, exhausting business trip and you are looking forward to the cross-country flight home so you can finally get some shuteye. As the plane fills up and the flight attendants begin to ready the cabin for departure, you realize that the seat behind you is not occupied. You pray that they close the forward door before anyone claims that seat so you can recline without worry or guilt.
Then, when they’re just a few precious seconds away from shutting the door, you see him run aboard the plane. Headphones on. He’s singing aloud to a lewd hip-hop song without a care. Mothers hurry to cover the ears of their children.
He slams his luggage into the overhead bin, carelessly pushing and smashing other bags while he’s at it. All the while, he keeps on singing. “I’m a bad motherf***** gonna f*** you all…”
You can instantly tell that this stupid punk is completely oblivious. You want take off his headphones and box his ears, but you are pretty sure that the guy in seat 8C is a an Air Marshall. Although you know what’s in store, you don’t want to get kicked off the plane and arrested. What’s worse, you are pretty damn certain that this stupid kid is a seat kicker. Of course he is. No sleep for you, just a constant, five-hour barrage of thumping in the back, without so much as an apology or even the tiniest bit of empathy.
Ah, the seat kicker. They come in every size, age, and gender, but we all know them. Now there is finally a Seat Kicker you’ll actually enjoy. Here’s the official announcement from Airways Brewing:
Airways Brewing Company Introduces Seat Kicker™ IPA
Kent-based microbrewery releases third bottled IPA with new character.
KENT, Wash. (April 29, 2014) – Will it ever stop? Say hello to Seat Kicker, the newest IPA from Kent-based Airways Brewing. This delicious, Northwest-style IPA joins the brewery’s year-round draught and bottle line-up.
“Seat Kicker is a great addition to our existing lineup of delicious IPAs,” said Alex Dittmar, owner and head brewer at Airways Brewing Company. “We brewed a more citrusy, balanced, and lower alcohol beer that complements our more piney and bitter flagship Sky Hag IPA. This beer has a bouquet that won’t quit – which is how we developed the beer’s name and character.”
Airways once again tapped the talents of Washington artist Brett Nilsson to create the look of the Seat Kicker. Brett previously created the look of brewery’s “Sky Hag” and “Loud Lady” characters.
Seat Kicker IPA is a 60 IBU beer brewed with more than 24 pounds of Citra, Centennial, Simcoe, Columbus, and Cascade hops added to each 10-barrel batch. Deep gold in color with a strong hop flavor and aroma, this IPA is designed to be balanced and flavorful and comes in at 6.5% ABV.
The newest in the Airways series of annoying airline-related characters will make its debut in Alaska Air’s Seattle Board Room inside SeaTac Airport on May 1st, 2014 from 3-6 pm. Interested Board Room members that are not traveling that day can contact the Seattle Board Room at 206-392-9490 ahead of time for admission. “It’s great to see a company like Alaska, my employer for 13-plus years, believe in supporting local businesses and take an interest in locally made craft beer,” said Dittmar. Airways beer will be featured in the Alaska Board Room for the month of May.
The beer will be released on draft and in 22 oz. bottles at both Airways locations and in bottle shops around the Puget Sound area starting May 6th.
In addition to Seat Kicker IPA, craft beer enthusiasts can pick up the brewery’s flagship Sky Hag IPA and Chocolate Stout in 22-ounce bottles. Pre Flight Pilsner and PSA Summer Ale are available in 16-oz cans. Pints, tasters and growlers of all of these beers and more can also be found at the Airways Brewing Tap Room or Airways Brewing Beer & Bistro in historic downtown Kent.
For more information about Airways Brewing and its selection of handcrafted brews, be sure to follow Airways Brewing Company on Facebook ,Twitter, Instagram, or visit www.airwaysbrewing.com.