In announcing the new product, River Rat Root Beer, GRB Brewmaster Paul Krutzfeldt was quick to praise Pregracke. "I'm a recent transplant to the Quad Cities, but even in my landlocked former home in Iowa, I'd heard of him and the work he was doing. It's impressive. When we opened the brewery here and Chad became a fan, it was like having a celebrity in attendance."
Pregracke, who has been honored by Presidents and was chosen by Mitchum as "The Hardest Working Man in America," couldn't be more thrilled. "When the idea for the River Rat Root Beer was first presented to me, I thought it was a fantastic idea... and an honor all in one. There are so many people who have, and continue to do great things for the Mississippi River. The Root Beer tastes awesome and promotes a great cause. I just want to thank GRB for choosing me to highlight."
The product concept and package design was the work of longtime Quad Cities marketing strategist Larry McDonald. "Great River Brewery gave me a blank sheet of paper with this product, but I know that the brewery is very supportive of worthy causes. Living Lands & Waters naturally came to mind. After I roughed out a series of concepts, the idea of making a younger Chad the star of the package kept coming to the top. After all, he's a heck of a role model and young people are known to drink root beer. I'm really glad that Paul chose a formulation that lives up to the standard."
Product samples will be available and refreshments will be served. An official tapping event, open to the public, will be held that same day at 5:00 pm.
River Rat Root Beer is made with 100 per cent pure cane sugar using a traditional recipe. It is packaged in 16 ounce can four-packs and will be available in Quad Cities grocery stores within days. Great River Brewery products are currently distributed through a seven state area.