Look for cans of Diamond Knot flagship IPA on shelves next week

Diamond Knot’s IPA is one of the most iconic craft beers in Snohomish County.

Soon it’ll be available in cans.

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Mukilteo’s Diamond Knot Craft Brewing announced this week that it is releasing its flagship IPA in 12-ounce cans next week. It’s the first canned beer the brewery has produced for market.

“We are ready for our next chapter,” said Diamond Knot CEO and president Bob Maphet in a press release. “We are proud of our IPA that has stood the test of time; 20 years in the making. It deserves to be our first style in cans on the shelves.”

Diamond Knot also announced 22-ounce bottles of its Blonde Ale, based on a pre-Prohibition era lager recipe, will hit shelves April 1.

Diamond Knot bottles a number of its beers, but was hearing encouragment from distributors to can its beers. The IPA will be available in six-packs throughout Washington, northern Oregon and western Idaho.

“It’s been a long two years in waiting, but it’s been a valuable two years,” said Sherry Jennings, DK’s director of sales and marketing. “We’ve been able to watch the can explosion, not literally, to see exactly where we want to be positioned.”

Sibyl Design designed the artwork for the can more than two years ago. Diamond Knot added a whimsical story on the can’s side:

“Loch Ness has its serpent, while the Salish Sea is home to the most giant of octopus. Sailors say a tentacled behemoth sensed prey, but was foiled by all those cans of salmon when it ripped open the Diamond Knot in 1947. In honor of the tenacity of the Diamond Knot crew, we’ve canned our IPA, a monster at the time it was first kegged in 1994. Hop forward, with aromas of grapefruit and cedar; enjoy the bitterness imparted by Galena and Columbus hops.”

Diamond Knot India Pale Ale finishes at 6.2-percent ABV and 40 IBUs.

Aaron Swaney: 425-339-3430; aswaney@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @swaney_aaron79. Follow the Hops and Sips blog at www.heraldnet.com/hopsandsips.