Skip to main content

Planters Jumps into the Craft Beer Game with Mr. IPA-Nut

Lately, it seems that every major brand not traditionally in the beer market is making their own beer. Boston’s Harpoon Brewery created a coffee porter with Dunkin’ Donuts. IHOP worked with New York-based Keegan Ales to make a pumpkin pancake beer. Oregon’s 10 Barrel Brewing made a beer in honor of the last Blockbuster Video (not quite the same, but close enough). The newest major company to enter the beer game? Planters.

That’s right, folks, Mr. Peanut (the dashing, monocle-wearing peanut-human hybrid who is now being touted as the best “Wingnut” on the planet) teamed up with Lombard, Illinois’ Noon Whistle Brewing to fire up the brew kettle and release Planters’ first beer. Named Mr. IPA-Nut (because why wouldn’t you call it that?), the India pale ale is an attempt by the brand to prove that peanuts go with every kind of beer out there.

planters ipanut ipa beer
Planters

“It would have been easy to make a great stout or porter with nuts, but Planters wanted to prove that nuts go great with any style beer. Therefore, we took their honey roasted peanuts and made a great IPA that highlights both hops and peanuts,” said Michael Condon, owner of Noon Whistle Brewing.

Recommended Videos

Made with Wakatu and Citra hops, the company says that Mr. IPA-Nut delivers “a citrus aroma and a hint of honey-roasted peanuts, all followed by a slightly salty finish that makes every sip worth savoring.” Noon Whistle also makes over 10 other types of IPAs, ranging from traditional and Northeastern style IPAs to the new-ish category, brut IPAs, so it’s safe to say they have experience making the style with varying ingredients.

Launched to coincide for National American Beer Day (October 27), Mr. IPA-Nut will retail for $10 and be available in four-packs of 16-ounce cans at the brewery and in select stores in Illinois. A full list can be found here.

While we’re optimistic for this beer — the honey notes could complement the hops if done in the right amounts — we’ll be honest in saying we’re holding out for what will surely be the next Planters-themed beer: Cheese Ball Pilsner.

Mr. Peanut, if you’re out there, get on that.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Introducing regenified malt, the latest sustainable move in craft beer
A better way to make beer
Flight of beer

Thanks to a cool new certification process, there's a new ingredient in the craft beer sphere. Regenified malt is now on the market, and just showed up in an Extra Special Bitter release from a brewery in North Carolina. It's a sound step in the name of sustainability and a responsible way to raise malt, a key ingredient in beer.

It's the release of Riverbend Malt House in Asheville, North Carolina. The malt, dubbed Regenified™ Southern Select, is made from Avalon barley. Most importantly, it is certified regenified, meaning the product of regenerative agriculture. This farming style pushes practices that improve the land, including soil and water health as well as increases in biodiversity.

Read more
Craft beer and the aluminum tariff effect
Another challenge for independent brewers
Sour beer

Earlier this month, the current administration put a hefty tariff on aluminum imports. That's less than ideal news for the craft beer movement, which depends on the metal to create and distribute its work. The canning process, especially, is about to be significantly more expensive.

Aluminum is a big deal in beer. It's been reported that some 75% of craft breweries can their product. Tariffs of 25% would increase production costs dramatically, perhaps even putting some out of business.

Read more
Florida craft beer continues to ride significant wave
Still brewing strong in The Sunshine State
A glass of beer on a beach

The news for craft beer hasn't been all rainbows and unicorns as of late. New challenges have arisen, from hybrid beverage options to federal warnings and fears of future tariffs. But there's good news too, if you know where to find it.

Nowhere in the states is craft beer booming quite like Florida. The Sunshine State has gone from 66 to 396 breweries in the last decade alone, according to the Gainesville Sun. It's impressive growth that seems immune to a wobbly economy and shifting consumer preferences.

Read more