Let’s Be Honest: Zipline brews up private label for GroundUP Restaurants

GroundUP Restaurants and Zipline Brewing Co. have agreed to produce a beer for the company’s restaurants. Honest Ale will debut on draft later this month at all four Honest Abe’s locations, Sebastian’s Table and Eleanora Cocktail Lounge.

“We have great respect for Zipline Brewing because they grew up like we did: focusing on local ties and building customers in their own back yard,” said GroundUP’s Erik Hustad. “When we were considering a partner to work with on a private label beer, they were first on our list. It was a long process, but we believe we’ve developed a beer that perfectly complements our menus.”

Tom Wilmoth, co-founder of Zipline Brewing, affirmed that the respect and excitement is mutual.

“I’ve been following the GroundUP team since they were hustling a food truck all over town,” Wilmoth said. “Their recipe for success parallels ours: make a great product, offer it at a great price, and support those who support you. We’ve always been reluctant to produce a private label beer due to potential impacts on our production schedule, but the opportunity to team up with another Lincoln original was too enticing.”

Honest Ale is a refreshing golden ale that drinks smooth and crisp with notes of fresh citrus from additions of orange peel, fresh taragon, and El Dorado hops.

“Honestly, when Erik mentioned tarragon, I was pretty hesitant.” Wilmoth admitted. “But, we played with it in the mash, we played with it in the boil, we made teas, we used fresh and dried tarragon, until we figured it out. Now we love it and are sure people will love it as much as they love Abe’s burgers and freedom fries.”

Honest Ale will be produced exclusively at Zipline’s brewery on West O Street in Lincoln and only available on draft.