Hanabi Pilsner Lager The Purple Egyptian Summer 2026

Purple Egyptian is an ancient landrace barley whose origins trace back thousands of years to the Upper Nile River region, where barley was among the foundational crops of early agriculture and brewing. While varieties like this once formed the backbone of food and beer production, most have gradually disappeared from modern agriculture as breeding programs prioritized yield, uniformity, and ease of processing.

The barley for this release was grown organically in Washington State by Don Scheuerman of the Palouse Heritage Grain Project. For decades, Don has dedicated himself to preserving and reintroducing rare grain varieties that might otherwise be lost. Working with farmers, researchers, and seed banks, he has helped ensure that grains such as Purple Egyptian remain part of our agricultural landscape—not as museum pieces, but as living crops grown in the field today.

For us, that is what makes this beer special. Purple Egyptian connects brewing not only to a distant past, but also to the people doing the patient work of carrying agricultural diversity into the future. Every bottle represents thousands of years of history, but also the commitment of modern farmers and seed stewards who believe these grains are still worth growing.