The Past & Present of Gallivant

Batch 12 of Gallivant landed last week! Our flagship Hazy IPA is a wandering hop series. What does that mean exactly? Well, we have a base recipe for Gallivant that we've been subtly refining for years. From this base, we use a different combination of hops for each iteration in the Gallivant series. This allows us to bring something totally unique while still offering something oddly familiar.

A movie that is very dear to me is Past Lives, directed by Celine Song. I love the concept of a shared past and the indescribable connection you feel with someone you’ve never met. That’s the essence of Gallivant in my eyes: something that feels like a familiar friend, but it’s a brand-new connection.

Fernson Brewing Co. just celebrated a decade this month! Now felt like the most appropriate time to release another Prairie Storybook entry. Keep in mind that this was never published but instead used in-house as a guiding resource for the brand and its people. Without further ado, below is the first retelling of the Gallivant story:

Original Gallivant Story

His eyes were on the horizon, searching. To the right was the road back to town, a path worn smooth from the many times he walked it. Familiar things were there. The safety of his friends, a place he’d called home. To left were the foothills—high and wide, there was a sense of curiosity that was fed by the giants that lie behind them.

He was young yet, but old enough to realize time was working its way into his bones. Not so long ago, he’d look at the giants and feel afraid. But more and more these days he’d gaze up in wonder at the tops of their heads so high that snow settled on them each winter. Their broad, jagged shoulders were foreboding. He’d heard stories of people who’d wandered there and were never seen again, and still he couldn’t help but feel drawn to them.

There was uncertainty, but in that uncertainty was a sense of joy he could only articulate by moving his feet over the open ground. He knew a good deal. He could swing a hammer, he could mend a pair of boots, he knew what a handshake meant, but most of all he had this odd way of bringing people together that was like humble magic. He knew how to tell a story that made people forgive each other or think harder. Without ever meaning to, he’d done so much in this little town, but increasingly he’d speculate on what he might learn from the people who lived beyond the giants.

 What stories did they tell?

 What lessons did they teach?

 He had things to do back in town, true, but sometimes it’s best to follow a whim, not a path.

It was later in the season and the tall prairie grasses reflected gold back toward the sun. A crisp breeze blew in and nudged him the direction his curiosity was already telling him to go. There was still sunlight left in the day and if he got moving now he could be at the foothills before dusk. If there was a time to start, he figured, there was no better time than now.

A grin widened across his face as he struck out toward the giants to see if they might be moved.

Design

The essence of Gallivant has always been about adventure and new experiences. With this design, I wanted to create a bridge to the past. The label pays homage with the original Gallivant logo being resurrected for this iteration. The inspiration for the design was the idea that we have a voyage ahead. The Gallivant story and by extension Fernson Story, is far from over. The previous decade has given us many lessons and good times that we think very fondly of. But adventure continues to call to us!

Photography

The final product shots for this release are, in large part, the result of a personal project I’d been working on. I’ve been putting together a collection for a self-portrait project. Research included watching others complete this process and finding ideas in all forms of art. The big idea of a portrait, to me, is an exposing experience that highlights the true essence of a person. I was playing around with water and the release that floating or waves can evoke, and I had a lightbulb moment that this fit perfectly with my Gallivant design. My concept was for something exposed and authentic, ready to be seen. The opposing feelings of stillness and a violent splash perfectly represented what I wanted in the release. I wanted a bold entry but something that still had a calm confidence.

Where to Find

Gallivant Batch 12 is available on tap at Fernson Downtown and at select area bars & restaurants. Whether you're craving a cold one or planning to stock up for the weekend, you can find this release in 4-packs to take home. It's available at all the places where good beer is sold, so swing by your favorite local spot, grab a pack, and settle in for the adventure. This release is a true celebration of the journey we’ve been on together, and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. Here’s to new experiences, fresh connections, and the timeless call of adventure! Cheers, friends!!

Words By: Cole Casper