Beer and bands just go together.
Earlier this year, in time for St. Patrick's Day, Logboat Brewing rolled out Falling Fences Irish Red Ale, named in honor of the St. Louis band. In 2017, 4 Hands offered up Pokey LaFarge & The South City 3 Pilsner for a months-long run. And as early as this weekend, Earthbound Beer will introduce iLLPHONiCS’ iLLiXiR, a 4.5 percent blonde ale made with blueberries.
ILLPHONiCS' vocalist Larry “Fallout” Morris recalls brainstorming with his bandmates during practice about potential marketing opportunities. "We wanted to take it to the next level," Morris recalls, "and the concept of a beer came up.”
After the St. Louis–based hip-hop fusion group approached the brewery, they decided on a session beer with a bold flavor profile, a crisp finish, and a purple hue. Jeff Siddons, a brewer and co-owner at Earthbound, jokes that his instructions were, “It’s got to be purple, and the color I was able to get was about ‘melted grape popsicle.’”
"The name and color allude to the mythology we started with our album Purple Piano Society," band member Kevin Koehler explained in a press release, "and, more specifically, the song ‘Merlin.’ We’re super into wizardry and rap, so this was an awesome opportunity for us.”
iLLiXiR will be released with an event at the brewery on September 6 from 5–10 pm. Before that time, the brewery will offer tastings at events around town, including the World’s Fare Heritage Festival in Forest Park on Friday, August 16 and Rock the Hops in Alton on Saturday, August 17.
iLLPHONiCS has at least one more trick up its sleeve, Morris adds, that will involve food. He hints, “Think condiments.”
