Colorado Springs taphouse Tap Traders to host a tapping party for Rocky Ford's Hirakata Farms new melon beer for fall 2017!

Hirakata Farms has partnered with Denver craft brewery Banded Oak Brewing Company to whip up a batch of limited edition Crenshaw melon IPA. The Crenshaw melon's flavor is similar to the famed Rocky Ford Cantaloupe, but a bit sweeter and slightly spicy.

Tap Traders is the only Colorado Springs location to get a taste of this unique collaboration at a tapping event this Friday evening.

• What: Tapping event for Banded Oak's Hirakata Farms Crenshaw Melon IPA
• When: Friday, September 22nd, 6pm
• Where: Tap Traders  3104 N Nevada Ave Unit 100, Colorado Springs, CO 80907

"Tap Traders is a unique facility, being the former home of the Alexander Film Company," said owner Tim Black. "We're always on the hunt for unusual brews to serve, and this local collaboration between Rocky Ford family farm Hirakata Farms and Denver's exciting new craft brewery Banded Oak fits the bill- we can't wait to tap the keg for this special event!"

The beautifully balanced India Pale Ale leans toward a West Coast-style IPA with copious amounts of CTZ and Chinook hops, while staying true to Colorado with an infusion of Hirakata Farms Rocky Ford Crenshaw melon that adds sweetness with an appreciable spice to mellow the hoppiness.

The collaboration with Banded Oak Brewing Company increases the amount of Hirakata Farms' Rocky Ford melon beer available this year, giving everyone the chance to taste a pint on draught.

"We are so excited to work with Banded Oak Brewing to increase the scope of the project this year," said Michael Hirakata, co-owner of Hirakata Farms. "The Crenshaw melon is kind of the ugly ducking of the varieties we grow, but it's also one of the sweetest."

Banded Oak creates both classic and unique styles of beer aimed at being accessible to both hardcore beer geeks and patio drinkers alike. The head brewer combines the best quality traditional and non-traditional ingredients to create their in-house brews.

"We couldn't wait to get involved in this project," said Banded Oak Brewing owner Will Curtin. "Working with a local, family-owned farm like Hirakata Farms to get the best seasonal Colorado ingredients is exciting as brewers and beer drinkers."

Hirakata Farms is a 5th generation family farm located in the Arkansas River Valley town of Rocky Ford. The farm specializes in the famed Rocky Ford Melons like cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew, and also produces special varieties like the Crenshaw, as well as pumpkins and other produce.