Delta has launched a new inflight IPA in partnership with Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company.
The carrier said that the Elevated H.A.Z.Y. IPA is a “reimagination of the acclaimed SweetWater H.A.Z.Y. IPA, tweaked so the same great experience customers have on the ground can now be enjoyed in the air”.
Delta said that the special brew “introduces new and more hops to the beer during the dry-hopping process, giving the already flavourful H.A.Z.Y. IPA more pronounced aroma that complements a smooth and creamy mouthfeel”, adding that “At 35,000 feet, this added punch of citrus helps to balance the bitter and sweet combination of the beer and overcomes the ways smell and taste are otherwise subdued by altitude and humidity level”.
The beer will be available on US domestic routes starting this Memorial Day Weekend.
Brian Miesieski, chief marketing officer at SweetWater said that the team had been “brainstorming a special collaboration brew for some time, but when Delta’s chefs approached us about adjusting a beer to account for tastebud sensitivity at higher altitudes, we knew we had something special”.
“The teams tasted and tested many different formulations onboard to ensure the recipe was perfect,” continued Miesieski . “Then we brought in our creative teams to design a unique can for the new brew that embodies the theme for this one-of-a-kind IPA. We are proud of our long-standing partnership with Delta, which is built on the shared vision of offering moments of delight.”
Delta is not the first carrier to launch a beer designed to drunk inflight. In 2019 British Airways launched The Speedbird 100 IPA in partnership with Scottish craft brewery Brewdog – a beer “specifically brewed to work perfectly in the air and adapt to the reduction in taste and smell sensitivity at high altitudes”.
Delta recently reintroduced its onboard snack and drinks service, with new single serve cans replacing poured beverages.
Delta to unblock middle seats, inflight snacks and drinks to return
