Photo by Deb Gau Marshall Mayor Bob Byrnes was invited to pour some of the first pints of Cultivate Pale Ale, a new variety of beer from the Brau Brothers Brewing Company. Brau Brothers created Cultivate by working together with Marshall’s city branding initiative.

MARSHALL — When they rolled out Marshall’s branding initiative earlier this year, committee members said they were focused on working together. There were a lot of ways to “cultivate the best” in the community, they said — and local residents and businesses stepped in to do just that.

The Brau Brothers Brewing Company joined the efforts by doing what it does best.

On Thursday, Brau Brothers celebrated the tapping of a new variety of beer to go along with the community brand. Representatives of Brau Brothers, the city of Marshall and the branding committee gathered in the taproom in Marshall as Mayor Bob Byrnes poured a glass of Cultivate Pale Ale.

“The recipe is kind of tried and true,” said Dustin Brau, of Brau Brothers. He said Cultivate is brewed with American west coast hops and malt to create a “classic style” pale ale.

The idea behind Cultivate was about growing new collaborations.

“Collaborations in brewing are really common right now,” Brau said. But then there’s also the spirit of collaboration that goes along with the Marshall brand slogan “Cultivating the Best In Us.” Brau said Cultivate Pale Ale was the first ever collaboration Brau Brothers has done.

Collaboration is also important from the city’s perspective, Byrnes said. The city needs to work together with its business and hospitality community, he said. Marshall’s branding initiative was launched early this spring, before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic closed down bars and restaurants, and affected the hospitality industry.

Cultivate Pale Ale was on tap at the Brau Brothers brewery in Marshall, but Brau said in the future he also plans to bottle it and make it available to buy at locations like Tall Grass Liquor in Marshall. He said he’s currently working on designing labels.