In the vibrant world of craft beer, moments of pure creativity occur when two passionate breweries team up, merge their styles and spirits, and produce something unforgettable. That’s exactly what happened when San Diego’s Coronado Brewing Company and Bear Republic came together to birth “MerBear” Rye IPA — an audacious blend of imaginations, styles, and regional buzz. This blog explores the story behind the brew, what makes it unique, and why craft-beer lovers should pay attention.
Just to emphasize the connection: the collaboration brings together the craft traditions of Coronado and the renowned California craft institution, Bear Republic Brewing Company. The latter has long been celebrated for its bold hops and its place in Sonoma County’s craft-beer legacy. The partnership marks a crossing of region, vision, and brewing philosophy.
Origins of the Collaboration
The idea for MerBear didn’t appear overnight. Back in early 2016, Coronado Brewing announced that the two breweries would join forces. As their announcement notes: “It’s half mermaid, half bear, and entirely fantastic.” The name alone evokes that dual identity — a mermaid (sea, San Diego, Coronado) meets a bear (California, Bear Republic).
The collaboration emerged from friendly meetings, mutual respect, and shared ambition. According to the article, the two breweries’ leaders met for beers at a local bar in San Diego, discussed the idea of doing something together, and then two years of visits and co-brewing later, MerBear was born.
What’s clear: neither brewery simply slapped their names on a beer. They truly co-created, mixing their strengths and identities.
What Makes MerBear Special
MerBear is not your run-of-the-mill IPA. The style is described as a Rye IPA — which immediately signals a twist. Instead of just pale malt and standard hops, the inclusion of rye malt introduces a spicier, grain-forward character. According to the launch details: Amarillo, Hallertau Blanc, Centennial and Equinox hops provide the beer’s “pungent, fruity character” while the malt backbone adds caramel and spice.
It clocks in at 7.5% ABV (as noted at launch) with about 45 IBU of bitterness. The packaging: 22-ounce bottles and draft, and the release was slated for mid-February 2016.
Beyond the numbers, the collaboration also launched dual tap events: one in San Diego (Blind Lady Ale House) and one slightly later at Fathom Bistro. Those events emphasized the live, communal nature of the release: meeting brewers, tasting both versions (By Land & By Sea), and celebrating the brewing community.
The Brewing Houses Behind the Beer
Understanding the pedigree of both breweries adds texture. As mentioned, Bear Republic Brewing Company (founded in 1995) has built a reputation for hand-selecting ingredients, bold hop profiles, and a place among America’s respected craft players.
On the other hand, Coronado Brewing Company, while rooted in San Diego’s burgeoning craft scene, has its own identity: West-Coast-style ales, local community involvement, and a readiness to experiment.
Together they bring West versus NorCal (so to speak), sea versus land, mermaid versus bear — all metaphorical of their regional identities and brewing philosophies.
Why It Matters to Craft Beer Fans
For dedicated beer enthusiasts and casual drinkers alike, collaborations like MerBear offer several reasons to pay attention:
- Innovation: Rye IPAs are less common than standard IPAs, and seeing two breweries combine forces to play in that space is exciting.
- Regional cross-pollination: Breweries often stay within their sphere; a cross-region release brings new energy, new audiences, and wider distribution.
- Storytelling and experience: From the name to the tap events, this isn’t just a beer — it’s an event, a narrative, a moment for the breweries and their fans.
- Quality mattering: Both breweries have strong reputations for quality and experimentation. When they collaborate, you expect something above average.
What to Look For (and Where)
When you encounter MerBear (or hear about it), here’s what to keep in mind:
- Taste profile: Look for fruity hop aromatics (thanks to Amarillo, Hallertau Blanc, etc), rye-influenced spice/grain character, and a malty caramel backbone.
- Serving context: Because it’s 7.5 % ABV with strong hop/malt character, it pairs well with rich foods (like grilled meats, spicy dishes) or as a sipping brew rather than a quick pint.
- Events & release culture: If either Coronado or Bear Republic (or their partner taprooms) host takeover events, brewery meet-ups, or special tastings — those are ideal to try both “versions” (if variations exist) and meet the brewers.
- Availability & collectibility: Since this was a limited-release collaboration, its availability may be constrained. If you find it, consider grabbing it (especially if you’re a fan of either brewery).
- Community aspect: Note that the Coronado article mentions a teddy bear drive at the tasting room during the release, supporting a children’s charity. This reinforces that the release wasn’t just profit-driven — there was community engagement.
Final Thoughts
The story of MerBear demonstrates what makes the craft-beer world vibrant: collaboration, personality, regional identity, experimentation, and community. When you pull a pint of MerBear (or see it on a shelf), you’re tasting more than malt and hops. You’re tasting a story — of San Diego meets Sonoma, sea meets land, mermaid meets bear. And for that moment, you’re part of a craft-beer celebration.
If you’re planning to try MerBear (or already have), I’d love to hear your tasting notes: what characters stood out, how it compared to other rye IPAs you’ve had, and whether you picked up any local event or community angle associated with the release. Let me know!