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Growlers Bar Kicks Off Spring With Crabbie's Ginger Beer

By Stasia DeMarco

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Growlers Pub in Bella Vista is celebrating the first day of spring with all things Crabbie's. The only catch? This party is for adults only.

Crabbie's Original Alcoholic Ginger Beer (4.8% ABV) is tasty and refreshing. Growlers' owner, Jay Willard, says the alcohol in the ginger brew is what caught his attention, given that most ginger brews are non-alcoholic.

And with that lower ABV, Crabbie's is a great session beer, as Willard is quick to point out.

"Here in Philadelphia, we are very beer savvy, and a lot of the beers you find around here are going to be around 5-7% (ABV) most of the time. I like Crabbie's. It's still session-able. I can have five of them if I want to and still drink responsibly but enjoy myself. I see it taking the place of Corona -- as a beach beer is a good way to put it."

Starting at 5 p.m. on the 20th, Growlers will offer Crabbie's. It will be served chilled over ice with a slice of lemon or lime (traditional style) or in a variety of cocktails such as Moscow Mules, Crabbie's mixed with vodka and fresh lime juice and Dark & Crabbie's with dark rum; or Crabbie's and fresh lime.

There will also be a selection of ginger-inspired dishes created by Chef Jerry Donohue that will complement the ginger beer like Crabbie's Jerk Chicken Satay, ginger beer marinated chicken satay with spicy ginger peanut sauce; Brussels Sprouts with cherry wood smoked lardons, Vermont cheddar, ginger and apple cider vinegar; Pulled Pork Sliders with Crabbie's Ginger BBQ sauce; and Tropical Ginger Rolls with kiwi, mango, papaya and a Crabbie's cherry reduction sauce.

Scottish merchant-adventurer John Crabbie first imported ginger from the Far East into the ancient port of Leith, Edinburgh in 1801. Today, more than 200 years later, John Crabbie's still uses the same ginger to develop the one-of-a-kind flavor of their ginger beer.

Listen to interview with Growlers Owner Jay Willard below...

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