In Cahoots with Mikey and Niko: Episode Three – Victory

A behind-the-scenes look at the Fulton + Fair State collaboration beer: Horatio

Fulton head brewer Mikey Salo, left, and Fair State head brewer Niko Tonks, celebrate their win at The Red Stag Supperclub’s In Cahoots! event // Photo by Joseph Alton

August 2, 8pm, Red Stag Supperclub Block Party

On a hot, sunny, classic August day, a champion was born: Horatio, a sour wheat beer with rhubarb and Nelson Sauvin hops, beat out four competing collaboration beers at the second annual In Cahoots! festival at the Red Stag Block Party.

And the winner with over 500 votes is…. @fultonbeer @FairStateCoop!!!! #InCahootsMpls pic.twitter.com/pSmqTxZWZT

— Red Stag Supperclub (@RedStagNE) August 3, 2015

We’ve been following Horatio’s journey from concept to creation, tagging along with brewers Mikey Salo, of Fulton Brewing, and Niko Tonks, of Fair State Brewing Cooperative, as they put their beer-focused brains together to craft a crisp, tart, refreshing sour beer that emerged as the favorite after nearly 900 votes were cast using ranked choice voting thanks to help from FairVote Minnesota. (See Episode 1 – The Game Plan and Episode 2 – The Brew Day.) It was a close competition.

In second place was Dave (Bang Brewing and Dave’s Brewfarm), followed by Proud Mayor (Bent Paddle Brewing Co. and Summit Brewing Co.), Danger-Wheelie (Sociable Cider Werks and Dangerous Man), and Farmhouse Bavaria (Schell’s and Bent Brewstillery). Dave held the lead throughout most of the afternoon, but a final surge in voting near the 8pm deadline pushed Horatio to the front. The victory is Mikey’s second In Cahoots! win.

The only brewer who can claim a 2-0 record at #InCahootsMpls. pic.twitter.com/ezYWh1OUpj — Joseph Alton (@JoeAlton) August 3, 2015

It was the second win in two weeks for a beer brewed by Niko; the weekend before, his beer Cromulence, a sour German wheat brewed with lemon and orange zest, took gold at All Pints North in Duluth.

Will these top-tier brewers continue their winning streak with more collaboration beers? It’s too soon to say, but rest assured that if Mikey and Niko decide to go in cahoots again, we’ll keep you posted.