Rock Legend Rush Releases Big New Beer

Rush is probably one of the more polarizing uber-successful rock bands in the world and they’ve partnered with a popular Canadian brewery to release a new beer that could generate another rush.

Here’s the deal…

You either love the Canadian rock band Rush, or you hate them, there’s seldom middle ground. You’ve got to be into to progressive rock to begin with and open to eclectic lyrical motifs that draw heavily on science fiction, fantasy and philosophy and Getty Lee’s high register vocals.

But whatever your take on the band they’ve had an incredible run having been awarded 4 Platinum and 3 multi-Platinum albums in the US and entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013.

So yeah, these guys have earned their own line of beers.

It started during 2015’s R40 tour which commemorated the 40th anniversary of drummer Neil Peart, who died of brain cancer in 2020, joining the band four decades earlier.

After a gig, someone handed Geddy Lee, Rush’s lead vocalist, bass, synthesizer player and composer a bottle of “Iron Maiden -Trooper” beer.

Geddy took one look at it and jokingly asked where the Rush beer was.  That moment stayed in the mind of the band, and recognizing the growing craft beer movement, particularly in their hometown of Toronto, the band decided it was time.

Like with many bands, beer has always been an important part of the band’s touring experience.  That first after-show beer helping to draw a line between that night’s show and the wind-down that follows.

“When I get off stage, I really, really enjoy an ice-cold beer, it’s like a little reward,” commented Geddy Lee during a visit to Henderson Brewery, the award-winning Toronto brewery that Rush partnered with on its first beer, Rush Canadian  Golden Ale.

And in June Rush will be releasing another band beer (that they once again did with Henderson Brewing) which promises to be much heftier than their last release and here’s how the band describes it…

“Xanabrew is a Belgian Golden Strong Ale brewed with Freeze-Dried Honeydew Melon, Huell Melon Hops & Niagara Riesling Juice. Complex & delicate with notes of apple, pear, stone fruit, honey dew, citrus, and spice (sage, cracked black pepper). This beer finishes dry, which allows the esters and phenolic characters to take center stage.”

But unlike Rush Canadian Golden Ale which came with a relatively manageable alcohol content (5.5% ABV) Xanabrew is a BIG beer (10.5% ABV) so the band recommends that you “please sit in a comfortable chair when drinking.”

You can preorder the beer in the US HERE and in Canada HERE.

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(All Image credits: Rush)