Several years ago, a late-night listening session inspired Joe Ploof to send an email of appreciation to his favorite band. Now, the Hartford brewery he cofounded is brewing special beers for his musical heroes.
Hanging Hills Brewing Company is about to debut its second collaboration with Drive-By Truckers, the Georgia-based Southern rock band. HeAthen Homecoming Keller Pils, brewed with Pilsner, Carahell and Carapils malts and hopped exclusively with Liberty hops, will be released in the brewery’s Hartford taproom on Jan. 26 at noon. The beer will also be released in honor of the band’s homecoming performances at the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Ga., from Feb. 16 to 19.

A year ago, Hanging Hills released Chester, Goddamnit, a brown ale brewed with ingredients grown in Georgia (triticale malt, sorghum and pecans) for their 2018 run of homecoming shows at the 40 Watt, also selling the limited-edition beer out of its Ledyard Street taproom.

Ploof says he reached out to the band about six years ago after listening to lead singer Patterson Hood’s solo record “Heat Lightning Rumbles in the Distance” one night, and it resonated with his life circumstances in the moment.