Coronado Brewing Releases Barrel-Aged Stupid Stout

Posted on by mashingin

ba_ss_web1-bottleCoronado Brewing Company (San Diego, California) will officially close out 2016 in style with the much-anticipated, limited release of Barrel-Aged Stupid Stout.

Returning as the year’s final release in the brewery’s Coronado Collection, Barrel-Aged Stupid Stout takes Coronado Brewing’s Seasonal release of Stupid Stout Imperial Stout to new heights thanks to “five months aging in fresh bourbon barrels from West Virginia craft distiller, Smooth Ambler.”  This aging process transforms the base beer by adding complex notes of bourbon-laced vanilla to the brew’s already intense “layers of espresso, caramel, dark chocolate, and a smooth, warming finish.”

“We look forward to this release each year,” says Ryan Brooks, Brewmaster, Coronado Brewing Company. “Stupid Stout is a big, bold beer, and it gets even more complex with barrel-aging. I love how the beer picks up subtle vanilla and coconut notes from the oak.”

Barrel-Aged Stupid Stout officially released in the Tasting Room at Coronado Brewing on December 23.  If you could not make the release event in San Diego, worry not because kegs and 22 oz. bottles of this small-batch, limited offering are headed out now to Florida and all other states within Coronado’s distribution network.  Like all barrel-aged beers these days, Barrel-Aged Stupid Stout is sure to move quickly once it hits shelves and taps.  Be sure to get yours if/when you see it.  Prost!

Vital Information for Barrel-Aged Stupid Stout from Coronado Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Coronado Collection, late December 2016
Style – American Imperial Stout
ABV – 10%
IBUs – 42
Treatment – Aged for five months in Smooth Ambler Bourbon barrels
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://coronadobrewing.com/brew-finder-2/

Southern Tier Brewing Co. Introduces Nu Skool IPA

Posted on by mashingin

ST-101 New School IPA 16oz_can_R.7Southern Tier Brewing Company (Lakewood, New York) has officially launched their take on the West Coast-style India Pale Ale, Nu Skool IPA.

After over a year of research and development, the brewers at Southern Tier Brewing Co. feel that their hard work and experimentation has resulted in quite the special beer.  At its core, Nu Skool IPA is a liquid study of American & experimental hops to show just how complex and dynamic hop varieties have become over the years.  This “well-balanced” West Coast-style IPA utilizes Mosaic, Simcoe, Equinox and Experimental Hop #07270 to create flavor and aromatic profiles “brimming with tropical, fruity, spicy, piney and citrus character.” With the beer achieving balance thanks to a “slight malty sweetness,” the brewery proudly declares, “There’s no need to add anything else.”  Weighing in at a very reasonable 6% ABV, Nu Skool acts as the perfect contrast to Southern Tier’s longstanding and more English-inspired brew known simply as IPA.

With availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft, Nu Skool IPA has started a gradual rollout throughout Southern Tier’s distribution area.  This new Year-Round offering is currently hitting shelves and taps in Florida, will become available in Alabama in January of 2017, and will arrive in other markets as late as March (full rollout map available below).  If you happen to be a hophead, be sure to keep an eye out for this one to start the New Year off with a new hop experience.  Prost!

Vital Information for Nu Skool IPA from Southern Tier Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round, gradual rollout beginning December 2016
Style  – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6%
Hops – Mosaic, Simcoe, Equinox & Experimental Hop #07270
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.stbcbeer.com/beer-finder/
Fun Fact – The hop process for Nu Skool IPA: “We used 3.5 lbs. of “new school” varieties of hops per barrel of beer. We load our hopback to the brim with Mosaic hops for a big tropical fruit character. A nice whirlpool dose of experimental hop #07270 gives the beer a flavorful, resinous character. We then dry hop this beer on two separate days with a large amount of Mosaic hops in our hop cannon & Simcoe + Equinox two days later.”

nuskoolmap

Cigar City Brewing Releases 2017 Distribution Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

ccbbrickCigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida) recently announced the release timeline for their 2017 portfolio of distributed beers.

In true Cigar City Brewing fashion, the always interesting and innovative brewery has more than a few intriguing beers in their 2017 distribution portfolio to grab your attention.  The full 2017 Distribution Calendar from the brewery is available below, but we really should go over a handful of highlights first:

Confident that our job is completed, we will now turn it over to Cigar City Brewing’s 2017 Distribution Calendar.  Check it out below.  Prost!

ccbdistro2017

 

Alabama Brewers Guild Names Mulberry Road as Third Release in Statewide Collaboration Series

Posted on by mashingin

Alabama Brewers Guild St Vert FullThe Alabama Brewers Guild has officially announced that Mulberry Road Belgian-style Dubbel will be the third release in their Capital Series, a line of collaboration beers created by brewery guild members throughout the state.

Established with cooperation from the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, the Alabama Brewers Guild created the Capital Series in celebration of the state’s 200th birthday that is fast approaching in 2019.  Launched in 2015, this series traces the story of Alabama’s five historic capitals through the medium of fine, handcrafted beers created by the state’s artisan brewers.  Previous limited releases in the Capital Series were 2015’s “St. Stephens Stout, paying homage to the territorial capital of Alabama”; and 2016’s Badlun Brothers Imperial Porter, named for the men that established Alabama’s first brewery in Huntsville “during the year it served as the temporary capital and Alabama was admitted as the 22nd state.”

The 2017 edition of the Capital Series will recognize Cahawba – the first permanent capital of the State of Alabama from 1820-1826 – with Mulberry Road Belgian-style Dubbel, “inspired by the stately mulberry trees lining the streets of the scenic town of Old Cahawba.”  Since the Dubbel is known for its rich malt complexity and notes of dark fruit, it was the perfect beer style choice to properly showcase “the natural sweetness of the mulberry.”  To add a poetic touch to this release, “Mulberry Road will be produced at Cahaba Brewing (Birmingham, Alabama) with brewers from across the state lending their hand in crafting the beer.”

The release of Mulberry Road Belgian-style Dubbel is slated for January of 2017.  This limited release offering will be available in 12 oz. cans and on draft throughout the great state of Alabama.  A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Mulberry Road will be donated to the Cahawba Advisory Committee for preserving the Old Cahawba historical site.  In addition to Mulberry Road, “many member breweries will also be developing and brewing their own beer styles based on the mulberry for release in their tap rooms.”

What we all need to recognize here is that the Alabama Brewers Guild Capital Series not only provides context to Alabama’s history, but it also acts as a means to preserve the state’s rich and beautiful heritage.  This is certainly something that the craft beer community should rally behind, so be sure to pick up those cans of Mulberry Road in January to support this amazing project.  Prost!

Vital Information for Mulberry Road created by the breweries of the Alabama Brewers Guild

Release – Limited, tentatively scheduled for January 2017
Style – Belgian Dubbel
Added Ingredients – Mulberry fruit
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Alabama
Fun Fact – Capital Series Timeline:

  • 2015: St. Stephens, territorial capital from 1817-1819
  • 2016: Huntsville, site of the constitutional convention in 1819
  • 2017: Cahawba, first permanent capital of the State of Alabama from 1820-1826
  • 2018: Tuscaloosa, the state capital from 1826-1846
  • 2019: Montgomery, the state capital since 1846

 

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The Alabama Brewers Guild brewing team for Mulberry Road

 

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Cahaba Brewing’s Eric Meyer adds mulberry juice to the brew

 

 

Sneak Attack Saison Makes Seasonal Return for 21st Amendment Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

21stsa-can-png-230x42421st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) declares war on winter once again with the re-release of Sneak Attack Saison.

Drawing inspiration from General George Washington’s bold decision to cross the Delaware River on Christmas night to surprise his enemy, 21st Amendment Brewery created Sneak Attack as a means of “ambushing the cold” with the summer flavors found within a Belgian-style Saison.  To deal winter a devastating blow, Sneak Attack digs in and lays a solid foundation with Pilsner Malt, Belgian Light Candi Sugar and spicy Saison Yeast.  These ingredients supply a refreshing flavor that is further reinforced with “aromas of pepper, cardamom, lemon rind and freshly cut grassy fields.”  Standing proud at 6.2% ABV and 38 IBUs, Sneak Attack is 21st Amendment’s subtle way of saying, “In your face, winter.”

“While this is the time of year when brewers are typically introducing strong, heavy beers, we wanted to brew up a bit of a surprising alternative that essentially says, ‘In your face, winter!’ This year we experimented with a new Belgian yeast and had some fun with the subtle spicing to create a true farmhouse-style ale.”

-21st Amendment Brewery Co-founder and Brewmaster Shaun O’Sullivan

Sneak Attack Saison is a Seasonal release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft from December 2016 through March of 2017.  You can find this offering available at craft beer-friendly establishments in Florida and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s 25 state distribution area (full list of states available below).  Do not sit idly by and allow winter to unjustly dictate your choices in libations.  Resist, fight back, pick up a sixer of Sneak Attack Saison and drink whatever you want.  Prost!

Vital Information for Sneak Attack Saison from 21st Amendment Brewery

Release – Seasonal, December 2016 through March 2017
Style – Belgian-style Saison
ABV – 6.2%
IBUs – 38
Malts – Pale Malt, Crystal Malt & Belgian Light Candi Sugar
Hops – Magnum
Added Ingredients – Organic cardamom pods
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – FL, CA, OR, WA, AK, ID, MN, OH, MA, NY, IL, NJ, DC, NV, DE, MD, VT, RI, PA, NH, ME, VA, GA, SC & NC
Beer Finder – http://21st-amendment.com/find-some/

21stbanner

Left Hand Brewing Announces 2017 Beer Release Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

Eager to hit the ground running in January, Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colorado) has supplied us all with a look at a 2017 Beer Release Calendar filled with new beers and plenty of surprises.

When it comes to the recent rush of 2017 release calendars, odds are that you know the drill by now.  We will post the full Left Hand Brewing Co. Release Calendar below for you to look over at your leisure, but we would certainly be remiss if we did not go over a few of the brewery’s new releases first:

saison-image

  • Left Hand will add a new Seasonal Series, Les Quatre Saisons (or The Four Seasons).  Available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, this series will consist of four Saisons “featuring native Colorado ingredients like; wildflower honey, chokecherries, juniper berries and regional grains.”  Saison au Miel – brewed with wildflower honey – will arrive in March of 2017 as the first quarterly release.
  • left-hand-brewing-well-played-can-147x300The brewery will offer several Seasonal brews exclusively in cans during 2017.  These will include “the popular summer favorite – Good Juju Pale Ale with fresh juiced ginger, and new brands Well Played Red IPA with experimental hops and Study Abroad Belgian Single.”
  • Several Perennial beers from Left Hand will also be offered in can packaging in 2017: Extrovert American IPA, Introvert Session IPA, Polestar Pilsner, and Sawtooth Ale.
  • Travelin’ Light Kolsch will join the brewery’s Perennial lineup in early spring of 2017.  This offering will be in cans as well.
  • Left Hand’s lauded Nitro Series will see the addition of Braveheart Nitro, a Scottish Ale seasonal – available May through July – in partnership with the Wallace family clan. Hard Wired Nitro Coffee Porter, Bittersweet Nitro Imperial Milk Stout, and Wake Up Dead Nitro Imperial Stout will all return as seasonal and limited Nitro Series releases in 2017.
  • The brewery’s Big Mo 22 oz. Series of higher gravity big beers “will also feature new limited releases including A Blessing & A Curse Double IPA, Season of Insanity Strong Dark Ale, and the return of St. Vrain Tripel.”

Alright, that should gloss over the highlights for you.  Check out the full 2017 Release Calendar below and prepare yourself for another great year of brews from Left Hand Brewing Co. Prost!

2017-beer-lineup-final
Click here to enlarge the image.

Shiner Beer Releases Cold-Brew Coffee Ale as Latest Birthday Beer

Posted on by mashingin

shinercbcabottle_editedTo celebrate the brewery’s 108th birthday, Shiner Beer/Spoetzl Brewery (Shiner, Texas) recently collaborated with Chameleon Cold-Brew (Austin, Texas) to create Cold-Brew Coffee Ale.  

Although Shiner Beer has been brewing beer at Spoetzl Brewery since 1909, the brewery has never taken on a coffee-infused beer of any type.  Now that they have reached their 108th birthday, Shiner has decided it is high time to remedy this situation.  To get their first Coffee Ale just right, the brewery combined “dark-roasted specialty malt and hops with Chameleon’s consciously sourced coffee beans (and plenty of their beloved cold-brew coffee).”  This collaborative effort resulted in a 5% ABV Ale that’s “sure to wake up your tastebuds.”

Shiner Cold-Brew Coffee Ale is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans and on draft. This limited release brew can be found throughout the 2016/2017 winter season at better beer establishments found in Alabama, Florida and throughout Shiner Beer’s extensive distribution footprint.  Get your pour of Cold-Brew Coffee Ale while you can and be sure to take a moment to raise that glass in recognition of 108 years of brewing tradition at Shiner Beer.  Prost!

Vital Information for Cold-Brew Coffee Ale from Shiner Beer and Chameleon Cold-Brew

Release – Limited/Birthday Beer, available late December 2016 through winter
Style – Undisclosed American Ale
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 15
Added Ingredients – Coffee beans & cold-brew coffee from Chameleon Cold-Brew
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.shiner.com/find

shinercbcacap

**Release Cancelled** Back Forty Beer Plans Inauguration Day Release of Mandarin Chief

Posted on by mashingin

mandarin_chief_can_NO_BACKGROUND.pngBack Forty Beer Company (Gadsden, Alabama) recently announced that they will officially release Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA on Friday, January 20.

**UPDATE 1.20.17**  Back Forty has made the following announcement concerning the cancellation of the release of Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA:

“MANDARIN CHIEF UPDATE (hint: its not ready): It turns out that #makingcraftbeergreatagain takes a lot of time and attention to detail. So we have to let you guys know that The Mandarin Chief will not be available tomorrow (January 20) night for our inauguration party. But because you guys have been asking here’s what we will do. For the next 24 hours…anyone who buys one of our limited edition The Mandarin Chief t shirts (either here in person or online) will receive a limited time voucher for a chance to purchase the first run of The Mandarin Chief here at Back Forty. For more details email brad@backfortybeer.com. Cheers!”  **UPDATE 1.20.17**

In an effort to make craft beer great again, Back Forty Beer Company will recognize Inauguration Day 2017 with the debut of Mandarin Chief.  Brewed with mandarin oranges, this Imperial Black India Pale Ale has come forward to be “a brand new beer for a brave new world.”  Weighing in at a YUGE 11% ABV and 70 IBUs, Mandarin Chief has unabashedly declared itself the perfect beer choice for either celebrating or condemning the swearing in of the 45th President of the United States.

“If our calculations are correct this is going to be the most terrific beer ever served, trust us, people that know beer, and we’ve talked to the top people, they love this beer.”

– Back Forty Beer Company

Mandarin Chief absolutely has a plan in place for its launch, but the exact details of that plan have yet to be released.  What we do know is that Back Forty will hold a release event/Inauguration Day Watch Party for Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA beginning at 8 a.m. on January 20, 2017.  “Initially available in the Tap Room only”, this offering will be available on draft and in 12 oz. cans.  The “initially” portion of that quote leads us to believe this brew will eventually see some sort of distribution, but that’s totally up to the Mandarin Chief. We will absolutely provide you with updates on this release once that information becomes available.  Stay tuned, Murica.  Prost!

Vital Information for Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA from Back Forty Beer Company

Release – Limited, Tap Room Release on January 20, 2017
Style – Imperial Black India Pale Ale/Cascadian Dark Ale
ABV – 11%
IBUs – 70
Added Ingredients – Mandarin oranges
Availability – Draft & 12 oz. cans (Tap Room only initially)
Official Twitter Account – @MandarinChief
Schwag Alert! – The brewery has Mandarin Chief t-shirts currently available for purchase on their website (click here to check them out)

b40mandarinsrm

 

Holiday Gift Idea: Last-Minute Beer Gift Packs

Posted on by mashingin

As the holiday season nears its culmination, many of us may still be scrambling to track down a few last-minute gifts.  If a beer lover remains on your list, we have you covered with a few beer gift packs that can be easily acquired at your local bottle shop or liquor store.

gsstbernardusFor the Belgian Beer Fan: St. Bernardus Gift Set

This beautiful gift set includes a stunning chalice glass and the following four, quintessential Belgian brews from the highly regarded Brouwerij St. Bernardus of Watou:

**Note: There is another gift set available out there consisting of two glasses and a six-pack containing just the St. Bernardus Prior 8, St. Bernardus Tripel, & St. Bernardus Abt 12.**

If the target of this gift pack has been extra good this year, you could also consider rounding off the set by including a 750ml bottle of St. Bernardus Christmas Ale.

gsweihenstephanFor the German Purist: The Ultimate Bavarian Gift Pack from Weihenstephaner

Since I fall into this category, I would be absolutely elated to receive this gift pack each and every year.  This set includes a branded Weizen glass and four of the following eight beer offerings from “The World’s Oldest Brewery”, Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan:

**Note: The four beers in each gift pack are clearly marked on the top of the box.**

6172unp9aul-_sl1000_-1For the Craft Beer Newcomer: Spiegelau Craft Beer Tasting Kit & Hand-Selected Mix Pack

The Craft Beer Tasting Kit from Spiegelau may be a bit harder to track down, but a lot of fine craft beer stores are carrying them these days.  This gift set consists of three glasses that were meticulously crafted to improve the experience of certain beer styles.  The Craft Beer Tasting Kit includes the following three specialty glasses:

**Note: You might also find a new Craft Beer Tasting Kit from Spiegelau containing a fourth glass, The Spiegelau Barrel Aged Glass.  Either set would make an amazing gift.**

Complete this gift with a mixed six-pack of beers to go into these glasses, and you will probably earn the title of “Coolest Gift Giver Ever” from the recipient.

That’s just a handful of ideas that will make just about any beer drinker happy.  If you cannot track these down, most beer stores typically have a wide selection of other gift sets during the holiday season.  If not, just talk to the beer specialist at the bottle shop to come up with a few bottles that match the taste and personality of your target.  Go the thoughtful route and you can never go wrong.  Happy holidays to all! Prost!

Tasting Notes: Selene Saison from Victory Brewing Company

Posted on by mashingin

victory_selenesaison_tapsticker_060916This week’s Tasting Notes journeys into the dark side of Saisons with a look at Selene Saison from Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, Pennsylvania).

Created as the sister beer to Helios Belgian Farmhouse Ale from Victory Brewing, Selene Saison is a dark example of the style filled with notes of “chocolate and clove funk, while rye blends with herbal and spicy whole flower East Kent Goldings hops to produce a smooth finish.” In order to add even more dynamic depth to the brew, fermentation was achieved with Blaugies and two strains of the wild Brettanomyces yeast.  Selene Saison was released back in the fall as a limited offering available in 750ml bottles and on draft.  Although it has been several months since this beer made its debut, there is always a chance of stumbling across a few bottles sitting on shelves throughout Victory Brewing’s 35 state distribution area.  With those particulars now covered, it is time to pop this cork and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Selene Saison from Victory Brewing Company

Appearance: Selene presents herself as an incredibly dark brown, seemingly black color.  Held to direct light, the deep brown hues gain strength and push through with more force at the top and bottom of the glass. Although opaque, a lively carbonation can be seen coursing at the edges.  A gentle pour resulted in two, fast building fingers of dark tan head that proves to have wonderful retention.  The foam has a good amount of stick to it and sheets the glass with lace.

Aroma: Clove and barnyard funk pleasantly greet the nose first.  Dark fruits, black cherry, banana and freshly cut grain rise gently and mingle nicely with the funk.  Complexity abounds as rich leather, spicy rye and earthy hops round off the aroma.  Everything here is enticing and fresh.  A good descriptor of these aromatics is comforting . . . soothing even.

Taste: When it comes to flavor, Selene proves to be a different, but equally beautiful creature.  The solid malt profile establishes itself first with notes of fresh grain, earthy rye and dark chocolate.  The earthiness of the rye provides a smooth transition to the musty funk character – tobacco, wet wood, and barnyard – of the yeast.  Clove steadily emerges alongside spicy and herbal hop tones to finish off each sip.

Mouthfeel: This Saison is medium bodied with a medium to high carbonation level.  This allows the beer to have a slightly creamy texture while still drinking like a much lighter brew.  The ABV is light in presence and only displays a soft tinge of heat at times.  The beer dries out slowly and nicely.  The remaining aftertaste is nothing but the beautiful funk supplied by the yeast strains.

Final Thoughts: Selene Saison is powerful and striking right from the pour.  The aroma is a wonderful balance of pronounced intensity and inviting comfort.  Just as each inhale makes you feel like you have this brew figured out, the flavors have their own direction and unique characteristics.  This being the case, somehow everything still manages to come together into an alluringly cohesive experience. Although the choice to take on a dark Saison adds some complications to many purists of the style, Selene shows off just enough Saison character to keep everyone happy.  That said, this stunner’s overall intention is to break the mold by teasing the drinker with a ridiculous amount of unexpected twists and turns.  Mesmerizing.  Tantalizing. Gorgeously executed.  Prost!