Milwaukee-based Central Standard Craft Distillery and Leinenkugel’s announced their collaboration on a ready-to-drink North Brandy Old Fashioned.

The RTD canned beverage honors the local heritage of the state’s official cocktail, and infuses the spirit of the Northwoods that brandy lovers chase. The RTD cocktail combines North Brandy from Central Standard Craft Distillery and iconic flavors like cherry, cranberry and orange from Leinenkugel’s beers.

“Our pride in both our state and its rich heritage runs deep, and this cocktail was designed to serve a true taste of home,” Evan Hughes, co-founder of Central Standard Craft Distillery, said in a news release. “The brandy old fashioned is at the heart of our story and introducing a product with a local legend like Leinenkugel’s, a decade into our journey, adds an extra layer of significance to that story and the work we’re devoted to doing locally.”

Starting in 2022, Central Standard co-founders Evan Hughes and Pat McQuillan worked with Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers to celebrate Sept. 22 as Brandy Old Fashioned Day and September as Brandy Old Fashioned Month. In the same year, Central Standard also started the Brandy Old Fashioned Hall of Fame in Wisconsin; they’ll honor the second class of inductees this month.

“It’s not just about supporting local products; it’s about supporting local people,” McQuillan said. “The Wisconsin spirits industry alone supports over 39,000 jobs. This partnership further instills our commitment to celebrate the incredible distilleries and breweries that make Wisconsin so special.”

“Combining the award-winning Central Standard North Brandy with our own flavors to deliver a Brandy Old Fashioned for Wisconsin made sense on so many levels,” Tony Bugher, president of Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., said. “We both share a deep appreciation for our home state and the audience of local craft fans.”

The RTD cocktail has an ABV of 8% and will be available in four-packs of 12-oz. cans. The canned cocktail will be available exclusively in Wisconsin, widely distributed across major retail and independent liquor stores, and expected on shelves across the state by March 1, 2024. It will also be available at local venues, bars, restaurants and supper clubs across Wisconsin. To learn more about where to find Central Standard products, check out the product locator online.

To kick off the partnership, Central Standard will host a variety of samplings, giveaways and events to celebrate with Wisconsinites across the state, including a kickoff party in March at the Central Standard Crafthouse & Kitchen. The dynamic space in the heart of downtown Milwaukee, a historic 11,700-square-foot building, boasts a tasting room, bar, private event spaces, rooftop patio and, coming soon, guided tastings.

For more information, visit https://thecentralstandard.com/.