Two-time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip made a name for himself in the auto racing world over the span of a 31-year career behind the wheel. Today he’s ventured into the craft beermaking world, trying to put a dent into the ever-growing market of specialty suds. He’s planning to launch the Michael Waltrip Brewing brewpub somewhere in the Valley in January 2021 and hopes to have his current lineup of Two-Time brand beers selling in the Phoenix Raceway stands for next year’s racing schedule. As NASCAR gets set to crown a season champion this weekend in the West Valley, Waltrip sat down with PHOENIX magazine for a conversation about racing and beermaking.
Why choose Phoenix for your brewpub?
My partners Glenn Gross and Brian Sperber are both Phoenix guys. Whenever I retire, I’m going to spend most of my winters out here. It’s a perfect reason to come to Phoenix. We’re looking forward to sharing beers with our friends and enjoying Phoenix.
Location yet for the brewpub?
The brewpub will hopefully be up and operational by January 2021. We had planned on being open sooner, but due to the world we’re living in now we had to take a step back and push the launch of the brewpub back to January. I’m looking forward to opening that and brewing our beers there. For now, our partnership is with Payette Brewing Company in Idaho to brew our beer and ship it to us. We have a partnership with Hensley to distribute our beer in the area. That gives us great credibility and a great way to get our beer into the consumers’ hands.
On partnering with Hensley:
It’s the world to us. It says they believe in our product and they believe in our story. As a racecar driver, I’ve represented a lot of companies over the last 30 years driving a car, so I understand how important marketing is and to embrace what you’re doing. I didn’t just put my name on a beer – I’ve helped start this brand from the beginning. I got more refined and did a lot of beer tasting to make sure I understood what was out there in the craft market. I was hands-on with the design of the can. The Two-Time brand is near and dear to my heart to represent the two Daytona 500s we won. It’s a great opportunity to get people to understand who we are and what kind of beer we’re selling.
Is there a beer that inspired you to start making your own?
My go-to beer was a Coors Light. It’s a little bit of beer and a little bit of water tasting. That’s what I would play golf with. I was having wine in Sonoma with Brian and Glenn more than two years ago and I love golf and I love racing. What goes better than a cold beer or popping one at the racetrack? I said, “Why don’t’ we try to make a beer we like, one that’s better to us than any other beer?” That luncheon with a little bit of wine started this process.
One thing I have appreciated over the years in getting to the point where we’re selling our beer is the Two-Time Checkered Past Coconut IPA. I literally, at that time, could not drink an IPA. I could drink half of one and think this doesn’t work for me. Now, through the research and tasting beer, I’ve tasted some IPAs that I like, and it led us to our coconut IPA. The coconut is just a tinge that cuts into the bitterness a bit. Our beers are fairly low ABV, they’re light easy drinking beers. It’s not a fancy beer. It’s one that we think is a better beer.
Do you have a favorite?
At first, my answer would’ve been the Vamanos Mexican Lager because they’re so drinkable. You can enjoy four or five of them on a golf course and not even know it. But now I’m feeling more sophisticated because I’m liking this coconut IPA. I probably wouldn’t drink four or five of them on the golf course, but if I had the choice it’s the first one I have in the evening – get that nice full-bodied taste of a good IPA.
Prepared to start drinking heavier beers?
I think the answer is no. It goes from the Blonde to the Mexican Lager to the IPA and that’s about it for me. But that’s progress for me. That mean’s I’ve expanded my taste for beers through the last couple years of tasting. Who knows, never is a long time so I won’t say never.
Thoughts on NBA legend Michael Jordan getting into NASCAR ownership?
I’m really good friends with Denny (Hamlin) and in the last month before the announcement I’ve sort of known what was going on. I didn’t want to pry or overstep my boundaries, having experience owning a car in NASCAR. I’ve enjoyed watching him work at it. We went down to Florida and played golf with Michael and I thought I knew what they were up to. I know how much it means to Denny to pair up with Michael and I’m so happy for the opportunity that Bubba (Wallace) is going to get. This is a big deal in the world of NASCAR, but to me I’ve seen the way Michael lights up when you talk about NASCAR. It’s something he likes to talk about. I know how much it means to Denny to be partners with Michael and for Bubba. To me, for those guys who I each consider my friend, that’s what it means to me. What it means to the world of NASCAR and the attention that it’ll bring to our sport, that’s great for everyone.
What’s in the immediate future for Michael Waltrip Brewing?
Hopefully we’ll be back in the area for the championship race this weekend. Hopefully when we’re in town for the races in March we’ll be selling our beers at the track.
