Rush Launching Official Beer Later This Month

Surviving Rush members Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson have teamed up with Toronto's award-winning Henderson Brewery for the new “Rush Canadian Golden Ale.” Back in 2016, the craft brewing company issued a “Put Your Scarf On Geddy” limited edition Canadian Imperial Stout, and was the natural choice for the band. The new line officially launches on August 30th.

According to the official announcement:

It started during Rush's 2015 R40 tour when, after a gig, someone handed frontman Geddy Lee a bottle of Robinson's 'Iron Maiden-Trooper' beer. Geddy took one look at it and jokingly asked where the Rush beer was. That quip stayed in the mind of the band, and recognizing the growing craft beer movement, particularly in their hometown of Toronto, the band decided to look into it seriously.

In the summer of 2020, Rush and Henderson began taste testing many prototype brews and early in 2021 the band and the brewery both felt they had come up with a brew they could stand behind. Subtly complex, refreshing and satisfying and uniquely Canadian, as the beer gets its taste from Canadian ingredients, including Rye.

Guitarist Alex Lifeson — “the band-proclaimed Beer Scientist” said in a statement: “Rush Canadian Golden Ale is golden in color with a dense ivory head. It has an earthy aroma with hints of orange-peel, pine and spicy rye. While the emphasis is on refreshment, there are elements of pine, rye spice and a citric hop flavor that add to the subtle complexity of the beer.”

Geddy Lee told us that having a legion of fans following you is still a pretty heady experience: “It's a tremendous compliment to be told that you've inspired someone or influenced someone musically, or in any aspect of life — and beyond that, y'know, you really don't know what to say. Y'know, it's a nice thing, and it makes you feel like whatever you're doing has a little more validity, I guess.”