Tracy Aviary, a nonprofit organization inspiring curiosity and caring for birds and nature through education and conservation, along with Toasted Barrel Brewery, a Utah owned brewery bringing Utah the great beers it deserves, crafted a new beer for the national “celebirdy,” Andy the Andean condor. Andy Ale, to be released to the public June 19 at Andy’s 60th bird-day celebration, pays homage the bird’s characteristics and home region in Patagonia.

Jackie Kolwowski, senior bird show trainer, and her sister Rachel Kolwowski, a local Salt Lake City artist, mentioned the brew idea to Toasted Barrel Brewery since the bird’s 60th “bird-day” was approaching. With over 13,000 Facebook followers, fans from around the world AND a feature in National Geographic, Andy was an easy pitch to Toasted Barrel Brewery. After experimental brews and numerous taste tests, the black rye saison, created by brewers Eric Albers and Laura George, was the winning blend.

Toasted Barrel Brewery drew on the Andean condor's coloring and country of origin to enrich their beer. The local brewery sourced malts from Andy’s home region, Patagonian perla negra, and created a black beer with a white head to match Andy’s coloring pattern. The black rye saison is a smooth, black beer with a creamy, yet light body, has an aroma of chocolate and a smidge of roast with notes of clove spice.

Andy Ale will be on sale after June 19 at Toasted Barrel Brewery’s Salt Lake bottle shop, 412 West 600 North, and sold at Tracy Aviary and Botanical Garden’s special events.