Tasting Notes: Wandering Blind Through Pumpkin Beer Hell

Posted on by mashingin

pumpkincornIn honor of Halloween, this week’s Tasting Notes exposes my mind, body, soul and palate to the horrors that can only be found in Pumpkin Beer Hell.

This comes as no shock to those that know me personally, but I must admit that I despise Pumpkin Beers.  In all fairness, it really is not limited to the beer alone.  I just never developed a taste for pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie or the distinctive spice mixture that thrives within these recipes.  It is just not my thing.

Even with that being the case, I still drink at least one Pumpkin Beer each year without fail.  Some may say I do this for science.  Others may say I do this because I secretly hate myself.  I say I do it as a practice to test my palate and see how it continues to develop as I get older.  Well, this year I decided to go all in on this palate punishment by accepting an invitation to a friend’s annual Blind Pumpkin Beer Tasting.  This event amounts to one evening with 10 beer lovers, 15 Pumpkin Beers that remain unnamed until after the tasting, and a ridiculous amount of groaning and whining from this guy.  Let’s do this.

Tasting Notes: An Evening Wandering Blind Through Pumpkin Beer Hell

Pumpkin Beer No. 1 – Alright . . . I’m trying to be open-minded here and it seems to be paying off.  This one is dark amber in color, has a really pleasant vanilla malt base, light pumpkin spice, and a grace of bitterness for balance.  The beer’s reserved spice level and slight nuttiness keeps this one tolerable.  Damn, I nearly finished off my pour.  We are off to a good start.

Pumpkin Beer No. 2 – As the second offering hits the table, I am immediately reminded of why I have a disdain for the Pumpkin Beer style.  This one is a very light copper in color and has a huge pumpkin spice presence in both flavor and aroma.  Nutmeg and all-spice is all over the place, and the beer’s body is far too light to carry these flavors.  There is absolutely nothing here to provide balance and, to top it off, there is also a contrasting floral and metallic presence building.  Nope . . . just a whole lotta’ nope in a glass.

Pumpkin Beer No. 3 – Light brown in color with a bit of an orange tint to it, No. 3 leads with some sweet caramel backed by a floral character.  The pumpkin spice starts light, but builds and settles heavily into the aftertaste.   Vanilla and apple also turn up from time to time.  This brew is not overly off-putting, but not particularly memorable either.  Movin’ on.

Pumpkin Beer No. 4 –  Ok, I have been presented with a very light amber, golden-hued brew that is just billowing with spice.  Like a lot of spice.  Too much damn spice.  I can taste the pumpkin spice just by smelling this beer.  It really wants to be pumpkin pie, but it just comes across to me as nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla and a touch of wet dog.  It’s abrasive, boozy, and everything I fear in life.

Pumpkin Beer No. 5 – Next up is a dark orange-colored brew that is sporting a likable sweet vanilla cream and caramel malt base.  This opens to show off the expected pumpkin spice notes along with some crust like character.  There is a solid balance being achieved here between the spice and sweetness, and I can dig that.  It also has a bit of a root beer-like quality to it.  I may not like pumpkin pie, but I do have a youthful love for root beer . . . so I’ll take my wins when I can get them.

Pumpkin Beer No. 6 – Hmmm . . . this one is just weird.  Red-tinged copper in appearance, No. 6 has big floral and citrus notes working alongside all the pumpkin spice.  It is also extremely proud to show off a few more pumpkin spices than the beers that preceded it, but it is impossible to individually distinguish them as they relentlessly assail the senses.  The malts and hops are lost behind a booze-laden spice train of pain.  It’s just so aggressive.  Why is it so angry?!?!

Pumpkin Beer No. 7 –  It appears this tasting has taken a turn and things have gone dark with this brew.  Dark brown, almost black in color, Beer No. 7 is giving off some roasted malts and a bit of cocoa.  The pumpkin spice in this beer is mild and actually acts as more of a complement to the base beer.  What a novel idea!  And it works really well.  A note of black coffee adds some bitterness and strikes a nice balance between the malty sweetness and roastiness.  It pains me to say this, but this is a really nice Pumpkin Beer.

pumpkinwitchPumpkin Beer No 8. – Just as I find hope in this tasting, Beer No. 8 shows up to give me the finger.  This orangish-brown colored beast leads with a strong chemical smell that is like a mix of fusel alcohol and acetone.  Silver lining: at least it kills any chance of pumpkin spice turning up in the aroma.  AMIRITE?!?!  Each sip begins with a huge burst of booze that’s quickly followed by a deep, sticky sweetness filled with caramel, burnt brown sugar, and just a touch of fruit.  Then there’s the pumpkin spice.  All the spice is here.  All of it.  It is like a bomb went off in a spice cabinet and they all just happened to fall into this beer.  If I were to sum up this experience, this beer basically tastes like a caramel apple that has been dipped repeatedly in a barrel of pumpkin spice and then infused with the essence of spray paint.

Pumpkin Beer No. 9 – Alright . . . gotta regroup.  Gotta get myself together and Beer No. 9 is gonna turn it all around for me.  I just know it because it has to.  This brew is a light orange to almost blonde in color, and it opens with a lovely apple pie aroma.  That’s right, apple pie and not pumpkin pie.  The apple pie character carries over into the flavor with big hits of cinnamon and just a wisp of various other pumpkin spices.  That cinnamon brings some heat, but that heat is supported by something a bit more powerful.  Habaneros maybe?  It must be because it has a serious level of pepper heat that still holds some nice citrus tones.  The heat is on point and well placed.  I do not know how this sizes up as a “Pumpkin Beer”, but it’s fun and a welcomed distraction.

Pumpkin Beer No. 10 – As the tray approaches, I notice that the glasses are filled with another dark representation of the style.  That has proven to be a good sign so far, so I am hopeful.  Dark brown in color, this one is giving off a good amount of cocoa and nuttiness in both aroma and flavor.  This is supported by a bready, lightly roasted grain character that has a muted level of pumpkin spice laced within.  Medium in body, No. 10 has a peppy carbonation presence that keeps it easy-drinking.  I can get behind this one.

Pumpkin Beer No. 11 –  Salvation!  My palate has been saved by something that it has yet to experience today: tartness.  Dark yellow to gold in color, this beer is light in body with an effervescent carbonation level.   The flavor profile is comprised of light pumpkin (actual pumpkin), a dash of cocoa, a touch of pumpkin spice, and a delightful dose of sour citrus.  The beer is actually refreshing, and it reminds me that I am going to be ok.  I’m going to make it.  Is there more of this one?

Pumpkin Beer No. 12 – Rejuvenated after a good little run there, I approach this beer with a bit of optimistic curiosity.  The beer is dark orange in color and nearly devoid of aroma.  Strange . . . or sneaky?  The flavor is filled with mostly burnt caramel and a handful of brown sugar, but there is a light pumpkin spice presence lurking in the background with some dark fruit.  The spice to sweetness ratio is a bit more balanced, but it is just another stereotypical attempt at pumpkin pie in liquid form. Alas.

Pumpkin Beer No. 13 – It appears we have stumbled upon another twist, and I believe it is nitrogen.  Dark mahogany brown in color, this beer is crazy creamy in texture.  Fluffy even.  Aroma is just a touch of coffee, but the flavor produces notes of pumpkin spice, cream, and watered-down coffee.  This proves to be a decent combination, but it is muted overall.  You can tell it wants to be more.  Wait . . . have I stumbled into PSL territory?  Did I just become “basic”?  This tasting is trying to change me.  I can feel it.

Pumpkin Beer No. 14 –  It is just more of the same.  Pleasant pumpkin spice on the nose, but that spice goes on to dominate and overwhelm the malt base in the flavor department. More pumpkin pie.  I feel lost.  I look around and realize that everyone else at this tasting is thoroughly enjoying this beer and the tasting as a whole.  I am alone here and left reminded of that Conrad quote in Heart of Darkness:

“No, it is impossible; it is impossible to convey the life-sensation of any given epoch of one’s existence–that which makes its truth, its meaning–its subtle and penetrating essence. It is impossible. We live, as we dream–alone.”

Pumpkin Beer No. 15 – A bronze-hued orange in color, this beer is really assertive with the pumpkin spice in all arenas. The flavor tries to strike a balance with notes of caramel and vanilla, but the spice cannot be vanquished.  It cannot be contained!  The beer is light in body and in ABV . . . wait . . . that’s the last one?  Hahahaha, I made it!  Beaten but not broken, I survived and I’m getting the hell out of here.

With the journey now completed, I rise out of this hell with the realization that many of you will want to know what beers were served during this tasting.  I will provide you with a list, but I will do so with a disclaimer. As I have said many times in the past, I am not in the business of hurting anyone when it comes to my reviews/Tasting Notes.  My intentions here are based purely in fun and to educate myself further on this style.  I may not like pumpkin beers, but that does not mean that these are bad beers.  I actually walked away from this tasting with an appreciation for many of these beers, and those that I gave the harshest criticism proved to be favorites for the nine other tasters in attendance (For example, Pumpkin Beer No. 8 was actually one of the highest rated beers at the tasting).  Sure, they were not all enjoyed by me, but they were all enjoyed by many at the table.  Now that I have gotten that off my chest, here are the beers in order of appearance in the photo below (Left to right; this is NOT the order that they were served in the reviews above – Deal with it – Sorry not sorry):

pumpkinlineup.jpg

**Once again, the list above is NOT the same order that the beers were presented in during the tasting.**

If you are lover of Pumpkin Beers and pumpkin spice, there is no denying that these beers have something to offer you and are absolutely worth a try this fall.  Be sure to check them out and don’t mind me at all.  Prost and Happy Halloween, folks!

 

Founders Brewing Co. Announces the Return of Canadian Breakfast Stout

Posted on by mashingin

CBSlabelFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has officially confirmed that CBS (Canadian Breakfast Stout) will be released later this year as the sixth and final release in the 2017 Barrel-Aged Series.

Six years may have passed since the last time CBS was bottled, but Founders Brewing Co. is ready to once again treat the craft beer community to this highly sought-after Imperial Stout in December.  Starting with “the same base beer as KBS, an imperialized version of Breakfast Stout” that is loaded with coffee and chocolate, CBS gets its unique and alluring character after being aged in “bourbon barrels that had previously housed maple syrup.”  This treatment results in “what can only be described as a transcendental drinking experience” filled with notes of “rich maple syrup, roasted coffee and velvety chocolate.”

“Well, the rumors are true. CBS will make its long-awaited return this December,” said Co-Founder and President, Dave Engbers. “It would be irresponsible for us to not release CBS again. The beer enthusiasts who have supported our brands throughout the years are vocal and their message is heard loud and clear. We could not be happier to bring back this beloved beer… they speak, we listen.”

CBS will officially release on December 1 with availability in 750ml bottles (suggested retail price of $24.99 each) and on draft.  You can expect to find this limited release offering at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution area.  Quantities will be extremely limited, and CBS is guaranteed to disappear with a quickness.  Be sure to stay tuned to this post as we will do our best to keep you up-to-date with any and all information as it is released. Prost!

 

 

New Belgium’s La Folie Grand Reserve: Geisha Makes its Debut

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geishaNew Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, Colorado) has officially announced the limited release of La Folie Grand Reserve: Geisha Sour Ale.

To celebrate “the artistry and passion behind two of the world’s most beloved liquids”, the brewers at New Belgium have introduced their award-winning La Folie Sour Brown Ale to the highly coveted Panama Geisha coffee grown at the Peterson family’s Hacienda La Esmeralda.  The whole roasted Geisha coffee beans possess “brilliant mandarin and soft jasmine floral notes which play nicely with the sour plum and cocoa flavors synonymous with La Folie.”  To further marry these flavors, the beer was also brewed with a “custom blend of Colorado-grown malted barley and wheat from Fort Collins based Troubadour Maltings . . . [to bring] the sweet, floral notes to the forefront.”  The 7.9% ABV La Folie Grand Reserve: Geisha was finished by being “bottled on nitrogen for a soft, velvet-like mouthfeel and body, and is recommended to be served chilled and fresh (not cellared).”

“La Folie is the sour that launched our wood beer program nearly 20 years ago, and as we reimagine our specialty portfolio, we’re revisiting many of our most-loved and acclaimed beers, presenting them in new and unique ways,” said Andrew Emerton, New Belgium specialty brand manager. “This take on La Folie is adventurous – reminiscent of coffee’s silky, rich attributes but counterbalanced with the bright, complexity of a foeder-aged sour. This will be the most expensive beer we’ve ever made, and it’s so very worth it.”

La Folie Grand Reserve: Geisha is rolling out now in 750ml bottles and will be available while supplies last.  You can look for this Limited Release to be available “in select markets” within New Belgium’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for La Folie Grand Reserve: Geisha from New Belgium Brewing 

Release – Limited/Special, late-October/early-November 2017
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 7.9%
Featured Malts – Malted Barley & Wheat from Fort Collins based Troubadour Maltings
Added Ingredients – Geisha Coffee from Panama’s Hacienda La Esmeralda
Availability – 750ml bottles 
Beer Finder – https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/finder
Fun Fact – “New Belgium partnered with Fellow B Corp, Sustainable Harvest out of Portland, OR, who brokered the coffee deal. A portion of proceeds from the beer will contribute to a grant that will distribute climate resistant coffee varietals to small scale coffee farmers across the globe.”

Guinness Sends 200th Anniversary Export Stout to the U.S.

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200thExportStoutGuinness & Co. (Dublin, Ireland) has officially announced that Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout is now available in the U.S. market for a limited time.

America’s history with Guinness can be traced back to “a single line” recorded in a brewer’s log on October 16, 1817.  That short note indicated that the “first eight barrels of Guinness beer – a porter to be exact – meant for America would make their arrival in South Carolina.” Two centuries have now passed since that modest note was written, but its impact has resulted in more than anyone could have imagined.  It was the genesis of a 200-year bond between America and Ireland that has resided within each and every pint of Guinness that has been poured in this country since.

To honor and recognize this 200-year-old relationship, the folks at Guinness conceived and crafted Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout at their Open Gate Brewery, “the pilot brewery . . . where Guinness brewers experiment with new styles and reinterpret historical brews.”  Drawing inspiration from a recipe developed in 1817 by Benjamin Guinness, the son of Arthur Guinness, the 200th Anniversary Export Stout (6% ABV) has been “brewed with Black Patent Malt and Goldings Hops” to result in a “dark ruby red” Stout that is “complex and smooth with a sweet chocolate flavor.”

“We took a look at that export stout’s recipe from 1817 in our brewing records and used that as our inspiration here, but it’s not just an homage to who we were as brewers then or who America was as a country,” said Peter Simpson, Head Brewer at the Open Gate Brewery in Dublin. “We’re also using this beer as a way to show how much we’re looking forward to the next 200 years. We knew it had to be special, and we really think this throwback recipe captures exactly what we wanted from 1817 all the way through 2017.”

Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout is hitting shelves now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles (MSRP: $8.99, 6-pack) and in the 200 Years of Stout in America Mixed Pack (MSRP: $21.99, 12-pack). You can find this Limited Release offering at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Guinness & Co.’s nationwide distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Guinness 200th Anniversary Export Stout from Guinness & Co.

Release – Limited, launching October 2017
Style – Export Stout
ABV – 6%
Featured Malt – Black Patent Malt
Hops – Goldings
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & in the Guinness 200 Years of Stout in America Mixed 12-Pack
Beer Finder – https://www.guinness.com/en-us/where-to-buy/

SweetWater Brewing Introduces Sinner’s Son

Posted on by mashingin

unnamed (64)SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that Sinner’s Son, a Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with Coffee, will officially arrive on Saturday, October 28 as the latest release from the brewery’s Woodlands Project.

Arriving just in time for Halloween, Sinner’s Son is an American Imperial Stout that is fresh out of SweetWater’s cellar at The Woodlands, an annex of the brewery designed specifically for barrel-aged and wild beers.  After spending “months” there maturing in Bourbon barrels, Sinner’s Son was then pulled and finished off with “a fresh blend of coffee and espresso beans from the JavaVino farm . . . to harmonize with the roasted malts and bring balance to its complex barrel aged soul.”  This all results in an imposing, 12.4% ABV Imperial Stout that ” is decadent and rich with chocolate and vanilla notes, a velvety mouthfeel and hints of oak.”

This introductory batch of Sinner’s Son will make its debut in SweetWater’s taproom on October 28.  Once early-November rolls around, this Limited Release offering will be available in 500ml cork & cage bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located within SweetWater Brewing’s distribution area.  Distribution will be limited, so stay vigilant and be on the lookout for Sinner’s Son next month. Prost!

Vital Information for Sinner’s Son from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Woodlands Project Series, arriving late-October 2017
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 12.4%
IBUs – 60
Malts – 2 Row, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Flaked Oats, Crystal, Victory & Lactose
Hops – Columbus
Added Ingredients – A blend of coffee & espresso beans from the JavaVino farm
Treatment – Aged “for months” in Bourbon barrels
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

The 2017 Vintage of Samuel Adams Utopias has Arrived

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utopiasdetail--en--d9106a3e-f7e0-4f94-b950-cab7b3c930f8_editedThe Boston Beer Company/Samuel Adams (Boston, Massachusetts) has officially announced the 10th release of the highly-coveted Samuel Adams Utopias.

Widely known as “the craft beer community’s most renowned and sought-after extreme barrel-aged beer”, Samuel Adams Utopias has returned for a 2017 vintage.  Defiant of any style classification, this unique, 28% ABV brew begins with “a special blend of two-row pale malt combined with Munich and Caramel 60 malts that impart a rich, ruby color.”  To balance the sweetness from those malts, the beer then receives three varieties of German Noble hops: Spalt Spalter, Hallertau Mittelfrueh, and Tettnang Tettnanger.  Once the brewing is complete, Utopias then undergoes a proprietary fermentation process with “several yeast strains . . .  including one typically reserved for champagne and a “ninja yeast,” created for its ability to survive and continue fermenting in an environment that has such a high alcohol level.”

To complete this labor-intensive offering, “a portion of this freshly brewed beer is then aged in hand-selected, single-use bourbon casks from the award-winning Buffalo Trace Distillery while the rest is aged in a variety of barrels including Bourbon, White Carcavelos, and Ruby Port.”  This year’s vintage was also given an added twist by being the first Utopias to see “Aquavit barrels, a Scandinavian spirit with distinct flavor from spices and herbs, primarily caraway or dill.”  After carefully aging the beer, the brewers at Samuel Adams created “the final 2017 blend by sampling and blending barrel-aged beer including 24-year-old Triple Bock and 17-year-old Millennium, as well as previous Utopias vintages, Kosmic Mother Funk, and a variety of barrel-aged blends.”  With the blend finalized, a portion of 2017 Utopias was finished in “Moscat barrels, a wine known for its slightly smoky character.”  When all is said and done, a sip of Utopias “is reminiscent of a rich vintage Port, old Cognac, or fine Sherry with notes of dark fruit, subtle sweetness, and a deep rich malty smoothness.”

“My original idea for Utopias was to push the boundaries of craft beer by brewing an extreme beer that was unlike anything any brewer had conceived. We’ve continued to stretch the boundaries in brewing with the release of our tenth vintage and I’m proud to present to drinkers this lunatic fringe of extreme beer worthy of the Utopias name.”

– Jim Koch, Samuel Adams Founder & Brewer 

With “only 68 wooden casks of Utopias created in 2017″, that means there are “roughly 13,000 bottles” of 2017 Utopias available for nationwide distribution.  You can track down this incredibly rare Limited Release “at select specialty beer and liquor stores for a suggested retail price of $199 per bottle” (price may vary by location).  Happy hunting and good luck out there, folks.  Prost!

Vital Information for Samuel Adams Utopias (2017) from Samuel Adams

Release – Limited, 2017 vintage release late-October 2017
Style – N/A
ABV – 28%
IBUs – 25
Malts – Samuel Adams Two-Row Pale Malt blend, Caramel 60 & Munich
Hops – Spalt Spalter, Hallertau Mittelfrueh & Tettnang Tettnanger
Added Ingredients – Maple syrup
Aging Process – Portions of the beer are aged in Buffalo Trace Bourbon casks along with a variety of barrels including Bourbon, White Carcavelos, Ruby Port, Aquavit & Moscat
Blending Process – The final blend is comprised of the various barrels of aged Utopias base beer and other barrel-aged beer “including 24-year-old Triple Bock and 17-year-old Millennium, as well as previous Utopias vintages, Kosmic Mother Funk, and a variety of barrel-aged blends”
Availability – 24 oz. bottle 
Beer Finder – http://www.samueladams.com/find-a-sam

Big Storm Brewing & William Dean Chocolates Collaborate on Unnamed Chocolate Beer

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image003Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) recently partnered with William Dean Chocolates (Belleair Bluffs, Florida) to brew a yet-to-be-named Chocolate Stout, and they are currently holding a contest to allow the public to name this very special beer.

Created to be a beautiful beer and chocolate pairing worthy of release on World Chocolate Day (Saturday, October 28), this new, Limited Release offering from Big Storm Brewing Co. was crafted with only the finest chocolates from William Dean Chocolates, “the company that made the chocolates featured in the movie Hunger Games.” Aptly described as a “Toffee Chocolate Stout”, this garnet-hued, deep black Stout possesses “flavors of sweet toffee and caramelized sugar [that] pair together with a hint of rich, indulgent chocolate.”

“Like most endeavors, it takes some time and experimentation to find the right balance between flavors like chocolate and beer,” said Head Brewer Joel Moore from Big Storm Brewery. “Sometimes the most fun and challenging part is finding the perfect recipe for a new crafted ale.”
“The subtle nuances of chocolate are exciting for me,” said Bill Brown, Founder of William Dean Chocolates. “While it took several attempts to get this chocolate stout just right, the final product is an excellent example of pairing great flavors together.”

The only thing that this Toffee Chocolate Stout is missing is a name, and you can help solve this problem by participating in the brewery’s naming contest.  This offering will officially be available in both Big Storm taprooms (Pasco and Pinellas) beginning on October 28, and fans are encouraged “to try the beer and get their creative juices flowing.”  Once you have decided on the perfect name for this beer, you can submit it directly to  namethebeer@bigstormbrewery.com.  The person who comes up with the winning name “will receive a private 8-person Big Storm Brewery tour, a tap handle for the new beer, a 20-piece box of William Dean chocolates and a supply of the new Big Storm-William Dean beer.”  Entrants must be 21 and up and names can be submitted until 10 a.m. on November 13.  The winner and beer name will be revealed at Big Storm Brewery in Clearwater on Thursday, November 16.

When you break it all down, you are basically being asked to try a decadent and delicious Stout for the chance to win a beer and chocolate-filled experience from Big Storm and William Dean Chocolates.  Talk about a big ask and some tough times, y’all. In all seriousness, be sure to swing by one of the Big Storm taprooms between October 28 and November 13 to try this exclusive Toffee Chocolate Stout and participate in the naming contest.  Prost!

 

Bell’s Brewery Unveils 2018 Release Calendar

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HopslamMiniKegRender‘Tis the season for brewery release calendars, and Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan) has come forward with a calendar that is absolutely loaded with good news for craft beer fans in 2018.

In keeping with our established approach to brewery release calendars, we have published Bell’s Brewery’s full 2018 Release Calendar below for you to go over at your own pace.  Bell’s does have quite a few new beers and packaging options planned for next year, so let’s quickly go over a few highlights before we turn you over to that calendar:

  • The Year-Round lineup will remain the same, but the packaging for Lager of the Lakes will transition to 6-packs of 12 oz. cans in 2018.  Lager of the Lakes bottles “will be officially retired as a packaging option. Lager cans will also start shipping in February.”
  • The Seasonal lineup remains mostly the same with the return of Oberon (late-March – August), Best Brown (September – October) and Winter White (November – January). Larry’s Latest Sour Ale (February – March) will be the only new Seasonal, and it will sub in for Smitten Golden Rye Ale (sorry, Smitten fans).  You can click here to read more about Larry’s Latest Sour Ale.
  • Hopslam Double IPA returns in January and will have availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 5L mini-kegs (that’s right, they are back!), and on draft.
  • To commemorate the 1988 debut of Cherry Stout and further celebrate being Michigan’s oldest craft brewery, Bell’s will release 30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve in May.  30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve “will be a special version of one of Bell’s signature stouts made with cherry juice sourced from Michigan’s Traverse City region.”  More details to come.
  • Sparkleberry Ale, a Belgian-style Tripel brewed with raspberries, will see increased availability in 2018.  Look for it in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans in June.
  • Since Hell Hath No Fury – a Belgian-inspired Stout from the brewery’s Specialty line – was always meant to be a part of a trilogy, Bell’s Brewery is focused on finally establishing the “Hell Series” in 2018.  Road to Hell will be released first in July, followed by Hell Hath No Fury in September and then Sympathy for the Devil in November.  More details to come.
  • The Oracle Double India Pale Ale will return in 2018.  Look for it to hit in July with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.

“With seven year-rounds, four seasonals and more than a dozen specialties, it’s going to be another amazing year of Bell’s beer,” Laura Bell, CEO of Bell’s Brewery, said.

“We will continue to push the boundaries and celebrate what makes Bell’s unique and innovative,” she said.  “As with this year’s release calendar, we still reserve the right to announce a few surprises here and there,” she hinted.

That should cover everything that we wanted to go over, but a quick look at the calendar below will show you that there are still quite a few exciting brews left for you to discover on your own.  Be sure to check it out so that you will be fully prepared for the stellar year of craft beer ahead from Bell’s Brewery. Prost!

Bells2018

Ciderboys Introduces Zen Berry as New Limited Release

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CiderboysZenBottleCiderboys Cider Co. (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) recently announced that Zen Berry Apple Boysenberry Hard Cider has officially hit the market as the cidery’s latest Limited Release offering.

The folks at Ciderboys created Zen Berry by combining “the sweetness of apple cider with the fruity tartness of boysenberry, a hybrid of raspberry, European blackberry, and American dewberry first developed in California in the 1920s.”  With the help of those boysenberries, Zen Berry (5% ABV) comes together to be a deep maroon Hard Cider that is “[swirled] with handpicked apples to form a quenchable yin-yang” between sweet and tart.

“Ciderboys fans enjoyed two limited-release flavors last year, Blackberry Wild last fall as well as Royal Blueberry, and they were very popular. Limited release Ciders are a great way to showcase Ciderboys’ innovation and craftsmanship,” said Julie Birrenkott, Ciderboys’ Marketing Manager.

“We offered Zen Berry on tap at the Point Brewery Pointoberfest on September 16 and the response was incredible,” she added. “If you like hard cider, you are going to love Ciderboys Zen Berry.”

Zen Berry is out now and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can find this Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at cider-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin and throughout the rest of Ciderboys’ 33-state distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Zen Berry Apple Boysenberry Hard Cider from Ciderboys Cider Co.

Release – Limited, October 2017
Style – Hard Apple Cider
ABV – 5%
Featured Ingredient – Boysenberries
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Cider Locator – http://www.ciderboys.com/cider-locator/

Rekorderlig Brings its Spiced Apple Hard Cider Stateside

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rekorderligSAHC2_editedRekorderlig Cider (Vimmerby, Sweden) recently announced that their Seasonal Spiced Apple Hard Cider is hitting shelves now in select markets within the United States.

Meant to capture the “beautifully Swedish” flavors of fall, Rekorderlig Spiced Hard Apple Cider “is an aromatic blend of European apples infused with cinnamon and vanilla.”  Since it is well known that fall weather can turn on a dime, this Spiced Hard Apple Cider (4.5% ABV) is a versatile offering that “can be enjoyed hot with a slice of orange or cold over ice.”

Spiced Apple Hard Cider is out now and “available throughout the winter months” in 16.9 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $4.99 each).  This Rekorderlig Seasonal offering will see limited U.S. distribution to cider-focused establishments found in Florida, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.  Prost!

Vital Information for Spiced Apple Hard Cider from Rekorderlig Cider

Release – Seasonal, available October 2017 through the winter months
Style – Hard Apple Cider
ABV – 4.5%
Added Ingredients – Cinnamon & vanilla
Availability – 16.9 oz. bottles
U.S. Distribution – AK, AZ, CA, CT, FL, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA & RI