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MONCELL ALLEN PRODUCTIONS
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MONCELL ALLEN PRODUCTIONS
From tequila and vodka to bourbon and rosé, athletes slapping their names on new alcohol ventures isn’t exactly groundbreaking news.
But in some cases, the connection to the spirit lies in name alone. And that’s precisely where Jay Cutler and his latest venture, Gratis Brewing, part ways with the industry standard.
“Jay has been instrumental in all aspects of devel- oping the beer. This is his baby—from creating the look of the can to what goes in it,” says Jason Sheer, Gratis Brewing’s strategic advisor and go-to guy for local distribution. “This isn’t some ex-athlete putting his name on a product. Jay has spent countless hours with our brewmaster to get the recipe just right. He has been in on all decisions big and small.”
Cutler, a former football quarterback who spent several seasons with the Broncos and Bears, has a strong connection to Nashville, having spent his ear- ly career playing for Vanderbilt. His vision? To bring an exceptionally smooth and sessionable drinking experience to his college stomping grounds and current hometown. Thus, Gratis Brewing was born.
“When developing Gratis, Jay set out to create something better. He wanted a clean beer made with only four simple ingredients — yeast, hops, grain, and water,” shares Sheer. “He wanted a beer that wasn’t too hoppy and didn’t taste bitter. To put it simply, you can crush a bunch of Gratis beers. They are smooth.”
Brewed and canned in Nashville, Gratis currently boasts two varieties in its lineup: an American ale (6% ABV ) and lager (4.6% ABV ). Both are brewed using the “reinheitsgebot” (or, “purity law/decree”) method made popular in Germany—one of the oldest brewing processes in existence. Created by Bavarian noblemen in 1516, this centuries-old law states that only water, barley, and hops are allowed in the creation of a beer. (Yeast was added as a fourth ingredient when scientists discovered it as a ferment- ing agent a few centuries later.)
MONCELL ALLEN PRODUCTIONS
This brewing method ensures that Gratis is free from additives and impurities, something that its creators hope will guarantee a consistently high-quality beer that can be enjoyed year-round. “The summer barbecues by the pool may be over, but the tailgating has just begun. We are aiming for Gratis to disrupt the beer industry as it’s a beer brewed with all-day drinkability at 6% alcohol,” says Sheer. “The beer was developed to drink at tailgates, at bonfires, on the lake, on a date, at family dinners, to sip at the end of a long weekday, and to cheer the weekend. It’s for anywhere you raise a glass freely.”
But the future of Gratis doesn’t stop with their current lager and ale. Cutler and crew have their sights set on Nashville’s next pool season with a refreshing summer ale. But until then, locals can get a taste of Gratis exclusively in Nashville at area bars, restaurants, and grocery stores via distributor R.S. Lipman Brewing Company. Along with its production method and easy drinkability, what makes Gratis stand out from the crowd, according to Sheer, is its ethos.
“We have an American flag on our can, and it says ‘Be Bold, Live Free’ below it. We take the flag and those words very seriously—we think a lot of people will agree with that message.”