Hopping Eagle Brewing Company has partnered with Three Hammers Winery for something really special…
If you thought the hazy IPA craze had crested, think again. A new beer from Hopping Eagle Brewing Company (Hawley, PA) is quietly asking us to reconsider how far beer’s creative boundaries can stretch. Meet Flying Hammers 2025 Grape Skin NEIPA, a brew that’s at once familiar and unexpected, rooted in hops, yet flirting with the vineyard.
A bit about the brewer…
Hopping Eagle Brewing Company is a nano-brewery nestled inside the historic Hawley Silk Mill. They’re not chasing massive scale or distribution; instead, their mission is creativity, local sourcing, and a hands-on community spirit.
“We are a nano brewery located in Hawley, PA, within the historical Hawley Silk Mill. We offer great beers that can be found yearly on tap, as well as unique, seasonal rotating beers.”
It’s a straightforward philosophy that fits their character: small-batch brewing with a sense of experimentation. So when they tell a story of hops and grape skins, you can bet it’s a thoughtful twist, not a gimmick.
Locally grounded…
This latest creation comes from a partnership with a fellow regional artisan, Three Hammers Winery, also based in the 570 region. The grape skins used in the brew are sourced from freshly pressed vintages of Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc.
That matters. These aren’t generic leftovers, but grape skins with vineyard identity, a literal expression of local terroir. It means this beer isn’t just about hops; it’s about a sense of place: the rolling hills, the vines, the craft, and the connection.
What kind of beer is it?
It’s a New England IPA (also known as a hazy IPA), big on hop aroma and flavor, low to moderate in bitterness, with that signature juicy, clouded mouthfeel.
According to the listing on Untappd, Flying Hammers 2025 clocks in at 7% ABV. The description reads:
“This year’s collaborative brew was made with a blend of freshly pressed Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc grape skins. Juicy hop notes intertwine with whispers of berry and dark fruit, lending to a graceful, wine-like presence.”
So, you get the lush hop texture and fruit-forward NEIPA DNA, but layered with grape-skin complexity and a wine-like nuance.
What makes it unique…
A few things set this one apart:
Grape skins: Using grape skins in beer isn’t unheard of, but fresh local skins from a collaborating winery? That’s rare. Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc bring residual fruit character, a touch of tannin, and a subtle, vinous finish that lingers just long enough to make you pause.
Local collaboration: This isn’t “let’s try something weird.” It’s Hopping Eagle + Three Hammers, neighbors and craftspeople working together to tell a shared story.
Hazy IPA meets vineyard: In a world full of tropical hop bombs, Flying Hammers leans into something more grounded, the vineyards and forested hillsides just up the road.
Drinkability with character: At 7%, it’s assertive enough to feel like a serious craft beer, but not so heavy you’re gearing up for a stout. It invites curiosity: How does this taste different? What’s it saying about where it came from?
How to enjoy it…
This is a beer with nuance; treat it accordingly. Serve it cold, but not ice-cold so that the aromatics can come through. A tulip or IPA glass lets the haze and hop aromas shine.
Pairing ideas:
- Grilled bratwurst with caramelized red onions
- Roasted beets with goat cheese and balsamic drizzle
- Charcuterie and cheese with fig jam
- Mushroom risotto finished with a splash of local red
Or just sip it on the deck overlooking the Hawley hills, letting the hops and grape skins quietly converse.
Why it matters for the 570 craft scene…
For the Northeastern Pennsylvania craft drinker, Flying Hammers 2025 feels like a statement, creativity, locality, and collaboration in a glass. It’s not a mass-market IPA; it’s two local producers combining their raw materials and philosophies to explore new ground.
This is what makes the 570 scene special: small breweries and wineries willing to push, to collaborate, to express where they’re from. It’s about flavor with a fingerprint.
So, when you see Flying Hammers 2025 Grape Skin NEIPA on a tap list or in a can, pull it. Sip it slowly. Taste the hops. Taste the grape skins. And think about how beer and wine, craft brewing and small-batch winemaking, can cross-pollinate in the same glass.
Here’s to new ideas, local partnerships, and the next leap for NEPA craft. Raise a glass to Hopping Eagle, to Three Hammers, and to the Flying Hammers that just landed.
