DES MOINES, Iowa – Drake Athletics today announced a partnership with Des Moines based Confluence Brewing Company to launch Bulldog, an officially licensed, university-branded craft beer.
"For years, Drake Athletics has brought people together to make lasting memories, cheer on the Bulldogs, and enjoy the taste of victory," said Brian Hardin, Drake Director of Athletics. "Now, thanks to our friends at Confluence, we have created a wonderful craft beer that Bulldogs fans can savor at our sporting events, out in Des Moines, and from the comfort of their own home."
Bulldog's branded containers pay homage to Drake as Des Moines' Hometown Team. A honey Kolsch style beer, Bulldog has a smooth, grainy, yet sweet flavor with a subtle hint of locally-sourced honey, making it the perfect craft beer for when the Bulldogs are marching down the field or crashing the boards. Bulldog will be available at the Confluence Taproom on October 27 and in local retail locations the week of October 30.
"We are long-time supporters of Drake Athletics and couldn't be prouder to expand our relationship with the Bulldogs by offering fans a specially brewed craft beer to enjoy on gameday and beyond," said John Martin, founder of Confluence Brewing Company. "We are a hometown brewing company and look forward to continued collaboration with Des Moines' Hometown Team."
Martin, an Iowa native, founded Confluence Brewing Company in 2012, years after first becoming fascinated with brewing as a teen on his family's farm.
The Drake-Confluence collaboration was created through Athletics multimedia rights holder Drake Sports Properties, the locally based team of LEARFIELD – the media and technology company powering college athletics – and CLC, a division of LEARFIELD and Drake's exclusive trademark licensing agent.
"We're excited to partner with such a respected local brewer as Confluence Brewing Company on an officially licensed, locally crafted beer for Drake fans," said Greg Ellis, General Manager, Drake Sports Properties. "Confluence has been a long-time Drake partner and as a fellow Des Moines institution, they share the Bulldog respect for tradition and commitment to quality."
