Sixpoint Brewery to Sell Newly Launched Small Batch Series Through Mobile App

Posted on by mashingin

Sixpoint-Small-BatchOn Saturday, September 30, Sixpoint Brewery (Brooklyn, New York) will release two Small Batch offerings, Toppen-ish IPA and Lil’ Raspy Raspberry Berliner Weiss. The twist from the Mad Scientists: these beers are only available at the brewery and can only be purchased through an exclusive Beta app.

The release of Toppen-ish IPA and Lil’ Raspy Raspberry Berliner Weiss marks the first-ever brewery release from Sixpoint Brewery, and there is no denying that they are going big for this occasion.  There are a lot of moving parts to this release, but let’s cover the info on the beers first:

  • Toppen-ish IPA – “Toppen-ish is part of the Farm to Pint Series, a collaboration series with our hop farmer partners. For each beer in the series we source 100% of the hops from a single farm, to highlight individual terroir. This beer is named after Toppenish, Washington, where Cornerstone Ranches is located. Our buddy Graham Gamache hooked us up with awesome El Dorado and Centennial hops for this one.”
  • Lil’ Raspy Raspberry Berliner Weiss – “Then there’s Lil’ Raspy, a hot pink Berliner Weisse brewed with over 200 lbs of raspberries from the Willamette Valley in Oregon per 20 barrel batch. It’s a quenching beer with a big raspberry aroma, smooth body and tart finish. With each case purchase, fans will also receive a bottle of “Raspy Sauce” a raspberry-jalapeno sauce made to pour directly into the beer. Traditionally, the Berliner Weiss was served with a sweet raspberry or woodruff syrup to counteract the intense sourness. With Raspy sauce, we add in a spicy twist as well.  (The sauce was created in conjunction with The Jam Stand, a Brooklyn-based company we’ve been working with since Mad Scientists #15, back in 2013.)“

Toppen-ish IPA and Lil’ Raspy cans will be available for pick-up at Sixpoint Brewery on September 30, but fans interested in obtaining these beers can begin purchasing them at noon on September 25 via Sixpoint’s Beta app.  When it comes to Toppen-ish IPA and Lil’ Raspy, “there will be no walk-up sales at the brewery, as all sales of the inaugural canned beer release will take place through the app.”  To ensure that you get all the proper information about how to obtain the app and purchase these beers, here are the step-by-step instructions provided by Sixpoint Brewery:

 

Sixpoint-App-Mock

 

HOW YOU CAN GET THESE BEERS:

First, sign up to be on the beta by clicking here.  

1. Once signed up, wait for the beta release email. Follow the instructions and download the beta.

2. Once downloaded, sign up for a Sixpoint account. (Adding your payment info makes for speedier checkout.)

3. Wait for the beer release notification. The first beers will go on sale on Monday September 25th at noon.

4. Buy, buy, buy! (Quantities are limited so look out!)

5. Check back on the Sixpoint app for updates about your liquid. (Imagine how it will taste. So special.)

6. Come out to Red Hook, Brooklyn, pick up your beer at the brewery, and chill with the Sixpoint crew on September 30th.

All of this may leave some of you asking, “Why an app?”.  Well, here’s Shane C. Welch, Founder and Chief Visionary at Sixpoint, with the answer to that question:

“We can now look back and clearly see there were certain moments that altered the course of brewing forever — the discovery of yeast, the invention of pasteurization, the development of the automobile, etc. Flash forward to 2017, and Sixpoint has devised a way to directly link the brewery to its customers from the palm of their hand,” said Welch. “For generations, breweries and their supply chain were shrouded in mystery – the process and the entire ecosystem was kept out of the public eye, and the actual product was just something that appeared on the shelf or on tap alongside a marketing message. We’ve changed all of that with our mobile app, as we have directly linked our customers with our great suppliers, the formulation process, and the product itself. We’re the conduit.”

As you can tell from quote above, Sixpoint’s approach to this beer release is all about innovation and tailoring the experience specifically to you.  Once you are signed up for the app, you will gain “access to a pipeline of new formulation and features, and anything you do now will be carried over to future versions of the Sixpoint App experience.”  This could very well revolutionize and streamline the brewery beer release experience moving forward.

Before we get ahead of ourselves, what we do know is that Toppen-ish IPA and Lil’ Raspy Raspberry Berliner Weiss will not see distribution and the Sixpoint Beta app is your only gateway to these beers.  If you will happen to be in the area of Sixpoint Brewery on September 30 and wish to get your hands on these Small Batch releases, just go ahead and download that app, make your purchases on September 25, and enjoy the experience of being at the cutting edge of craft beer innovation.  Prost!

JDub’s Brewing Co. Updates Packaging Design

Posted on by mashingin

jdubslogoJDub’s Brewing Company (Sarasota, Florida) recently announced that they are kicking off a brand update this fall with “refreshed” can designs for their Poolside Kölsch and Up Top! IPA.

To create a look that is more “reflective of the [brewery’s] meaning and current standing in the marketplace”, the shot callers at JDub’s Brewing Company have decided to overhaul the label artwork for their current portfolio of canned offerings.  This update will be gradual and will begin with two of the brewery’s Flagship Beers: Poolside Kölsch and Up Top! IPA.

For more information on why the brewery has initiated this change, here is what Jeremy Joerger, Owner of JDub’s Brewing Company, had to say on the matter:

“It’s about time for a ‘facelift’ for the cans.  As we grow and evolve, it’s important to look not just to the future for ways to innovate and stay relevant, but also at what we are currently doing and make sure nothing about the brand is stagnant. Also, I wanted to evolve from putting our core values of Quality, Innovation and Culture on the cans to what this brand truly represents, living the life you love and following your dream. That is my story and what I want this brand to mean to people. I’m stoked about these cans and think they reflect what we are and continue to be, a growing, quality Southeast brand.”

– Jeremy Joerger, JDub’s Brewing Company Owner

The new-look Poolside Kölsch and Up Top! IPA cans will officially roll-out this fall, and “plans are underway to refresh Passion Wheat and Bell Cow Milk Chocolate Porter cans” in the near future.  Look for these new cans to be on shelves soon at craft beer retailers located within JDub’s distribution footprint in Florida and Georgia.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Torikumi from SweetWater Brewing and Telluride Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

DankTankTorikumiPour_editedTasting Notes takes a bit of an unconventional turn this week as we sit down to examine a tall pour of Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) and Telluride Brewing Co. (Telluride, Colorado).

Torikumi, which translates to mean a “sumo bout”, comes to us as a special collaboration beer crafted by SweetWater Brewing’s Nick Nock and Brewmaster Chris Fish from Telluride Brewing Co.  After an excursion to Atlanta’s Buford Highway, a culinary playground of international cuisine, the two brewers returned to SweetWater Brewing Co. with inspiration to fill the Dank Tank with what would eventually be known as Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale.  Dosed with some “serious heat” from the added wasabi, this 7.5% ABV American Blonde Ale can be enjoyed as a pairing for a wide variety of dishes or – for those more daring heat seekers – on its own.  Torikumi is nearing the end of its availability, but it can still be found in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution area.

Now that the background information has been handled, it’s time to face the wasabi and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Torikumi Wasabi Infused Blonde Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company & Telluride Brewing Co.

Appearance: Torikumi presents itself as a deep golden colored brew with burnt orange hues radiating within and a bright white finger of foam resting on top.  When held to direct light, the color steadfastly holds but the yellows and oranges do gain a bit more vibrancy.  The beer is a touch on the cloudy side, but you can still spot a steady carbonation presence swirling about some particulate within.  Head retention is good, but it eventually falls to a half finger of thick, creamy foam that coats the glass with wide lace patterns.

Aroma:  With citrus and juniper leading the way, the first impression of this beer is an interesting and memorable mix of fruit and earthy spice.  The beer then shifts into that recognizable, nose-tingling presence of wasabi before settling into a solid malt presence of rye and wheat.

Taste:  Citrus – orange and lemon zest – and wasabi rush the palate just before a lovely, gin-like juniper works its way in.  That earthiness is further supported by some spicy rye and some wheat breadiness that rounds everything off.  Wonderfully unique, surprisingly pleasant, and incredibly balanced here.

Mouthfeel:  Torikumi is medium in body with an effervescent carbonation level.  It moves across the palate with expert-level balance, giving off a good mix of bitterness, sweetness, and wasabi heat.  It is actually a bit shocking that this brew clocks in at 7.5% ABV because there is not even a hint of a trace of alcohol heat . . . or it just might be hiding cleverly behind that subtle sting of wasabi.  The aftertaste is a nice combo of earthy rye, sweet orange and wasabi.

Final Thoughts:  Going into this experience, I must admit that I was not expecting to use the word “balance” too often.  Well, here we are and I can emphatically declare that Torikumi – wasabi and all – is an incredibly balanced brew.  The planning behind this recipe was damn near genius because the wasabi comes across with a beautiful grace as it mingles with the earthy grains, citrusy hops, and distinct juniper berries.  Oh, those juniper berries . . . their addition was a great call because they make the rye and wasabi really pop while still somehow taming them at the same time.   This allows the beer to retain some bite, but not nearly as much heat as the brewery’s description leads you to believe.  It honestly creates a flavor experience that is similar to a lightly sweetened gin cocktail that has been laced with just a bit of heat. Torikumi has balance and drinkability, and it just might be the most unique beer I have tried all year.  If you have been avoiding this one simply because the can reads “Wasabi Infused”, believe me when I say this is a must try brew.  Get beyond those apprehensions and give Torikumi a try before it disappears forever.  Prost!

Terrrapin Beer Co. Re-Releases White Chocolate Moo-Hoo

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TerrapinWCMooHooBottleTerrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia) recently announced that White Chocolate Moo-Hoo is available once again as a special Limited Release offering.

During the 2016 presidential election, Terrapin Beer Co. held a vote of their own to allow their fans to bring back a previously released beer.  The voice of the people was heard, and White Chocolate Moo-Hoo was declared to be the overwhelming winner.

This beloved Imperial Milk Stout (8.5% ABV) combines cocoa nibs from Nashville’s Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co. and white chocolate to supply you with “all the original flavor of Moo-Hoo that you remember, [and] all the new flavor of white chocolate you’ll never forget.”

White Chocolate Moo-Hoo is available now and will hang around while supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering in 500ml bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of Terrapin Beer Co.’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for White Chocolate Moo-Hoo from Terrapin Beer Co.

Release – Limited, Fall 2017
Style – Imperial Milk Stout
ABV – 8.5%
IBUs – 30
Malts – 2-Row Pale, Flaked Oat, Crystal 85, Chocolate, DH Carafa III & Roasted Barley
Hops – Nugget & Willamette
Added Ingredients – Cocoa nibs from Olive & Sinclair Chocolate Co. & white chocolate
Suggested Food Pairings – “Aged Gouda & Honey Chevre, or a scoop of caramel ice cream for dessert!”
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://terrapinbeer.com/beer-finder/

 

Brouwerij Bosteels to Bring Kwaktoberfest to the U.S. in October

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bosteels-pauwel-kwakBrouwerij Bosteels (Buggenhout, Belgium) and Artisanal Imports have officially announced that they will be celebrating Kwaktoberfest at bars and restaurants across America during the month of October.

If you have not figured it out by now, Kwaktoberfest is Brouwerij Bosteels’ annual celebration of their iconic Pauwel Kwak, a Belgian Strong Pale Ale that is equally known for its quality and its “instantly recognizable carriage glass.”  With the help of Artisanal Imports, Brouwerij Bosteels will take this Kwaktoberfest party to participating locations coast-to-coast.  In addition to pouring Pauwel Kwak, these venues will also showcase “the brewery’s other world-class brews including Tripel Karmeliet and DeuS.”  These events will also feature special point of sale items such as “flags, coasters, posters, single and double Kwak glasses and the almighty Quattro, capable of holding four Kwak glasses at once.”

“Kwaktoberfest is a fun addition to the German Oktoberfest season,” says Lanny Hoff, SVP-Brands Manager of Artisanal Imports. “There are stylistic similarities between Kwak and German Märzen and glassware is a big part of the celebration. Whether it’s a liter of Oktoberfest or a carriage glass of Kwak, it’s fun!”

Kwaktoberfest events will be taking place throughout the U.S. during the month of October.  If you are interested in attending a Kwaktoberfest event, keep an eye on Artisanal Imports’ website and social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for information, and be sure to check back here as we will update this post with any details we receive concerning official event dates and locations.  Stay tuned!  Prost!

Vital Information for Pauwel Kwak from Brouwerij Bosteels

Release – Year-round
Style – Belgian Strong Pale Ale 
ABV – 8.4%
Ingredients – Barley malts, mineral water, wheat, hops & white candy sugar
Availability – 11.2 oz. bottles & draft
Suggested Food Pairings – “Kwak is tremendous with any kind of grilled or roasted meats or poultry. It is also a good beer with dessert, particularly those with nuts or caramel. It goes with almost any cheese and makes a very tasty (if spendy!) beer soup.”
Fun Fact – Background on the glassware: “The legendary Kwak glass, or ‘Koetsiersglas’, hearkens back to the Napoleonic era. Back then, Pauwel Kwak was a brewer and owner of the De Hoorn inn, which saw daily visits from mail coaches and their passengers. While passengers could stop in for a drink, coachmen were prohibited from leaving their posts to join. To bypass this inconvenience, Kwak had special glasses blown with a convex bottom that could sit in the coach in a wooden stand, allowing the drivers to enjoy a glass!”

Cascade Brewing Launches Vitis Noble as New Tier One Offering

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CascadeVitisbottleCascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon) has officially announced that it will begin the release of Vitis Noble 2016 on Tuesday, September 19.

Created as a cousin of Cascade Brewing’s The Vine project, Vitis Noble (translation – Noble Vine) is a blended offering that “features sour wheat and blond ales aged in oaks barrels for up to 16 months with Willamette Valley grown chardonnay grapes, one of the most celebrated noble varietals.”  This all results in 9.1% ABV American Sour Ale that showcases “a wonderful balance between the beautiful flavors of the Northwest grown chardonnay grapes, oak tendencies and a bright clean finish.”

Vitis Noble 2016 will officially release on September 19 and will be available while supplies last.  You can expect to find this Tier One offering available in 750ml bottles and on draft at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Cascade Brewing’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Vitis Noble 2016 from Cascade Brewing

Release – Limited/Tier One; September 19, 2017
Style – American Sour Ale (blended)
ABV – 9.1%
Treatment – Sour wheat and blond ales aged in oaks barrels for up to 16 months with Willamette Valley grown chardonnay grapes
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Fun Fact – Concerning Cascade Brewing’s new labels: “Vitis Noble is a Tier One offering; Cascade’s bottles have distinct label styles for each of the three Cascade Brewing pricing tiers, with each label within the tier utilizing distinctive colors to clearly differentiate each beer. The tiers differ by the style of beer used in the product, the type ingredients contained within, the time aged in the barrels and types of barrels used.”

 

Rogue Ales Introduces Dead ‘N’ Dead as New Limited Release

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deadndead1Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) announced today that they have officially released Dead ‘N’ Dead, a Limited Release offering that unites Dead Guy Ale with Dead Guy Whiskey barrels.

Arriving as the newest evolution of Rogue’s Dead Guy Ale, Dead ‘N’ Dead is the brewery’s way of introducing their iconic German Maibock-style Ale to the barrels that once held Dead Guy Whiskey, a spirit “distilled from the same three malts as . . . Dead Guy Ale.”  Taking full advantage of being the only brewery-distillery-cooperage in the U.S., Rogue had their brewers, distillers and coopers work together to carefully age this brew for six months in these barrels.  Their hard work has paid off, and Dead ‘N’ Dead (7.3% ABV) comes together to feature “a strong whiskey nose and added notes of oak and vanilla, with a smooth caramel flavor from the whiskey barrels that balances out Dead Guy Ale’s malty, honey sweetness.”

“We had a lot of fun producing Dead ‘N’ Dead,” said Rogue President Brett Joyce. “We have these amazing tools to work with, from our handcrafted ales and spirits to our whiskey barrels. Our brewers and distillers got resourceful by colliding our most popular beer and spirit to make a new favorite.”

Dead ‘N’ Dead is a Limited Release offering that is available while supplies last.  You can expect to find Dead ‘N’ Dead in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in select areas of the Rogue Ales distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Dead ‘N’ Dead from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited, mid-September 2017
Style – German Maibock-style Ale (Barrel-aged)
ABV – 7.3%
IBUs – 40
Malts – 2-Row, C15, Munich & Rogue Farms Dare™ and Risk™
Hops – Perle & Sterling
Yeast – Pacman
Treatment – Aged for six months in Dead Guy Whiskey oak barrels
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.rogue.com/finder/

Funky Buddha Brewery’s Last Snow Coconut & Coffee Porter Returns

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Lastsnow22ozbottlenew (2)Funky Buddha Brewery (Oakland Park, Florida) has officially begun the limited release of their fan-favorite Last Snow Coconut & Coffee Porter as of September 17.

Released twice a year as Funky Buddha’s way of bookending both ends of Florida’s “colder” months, Last Snow is a “rich, creamy porter . . . layered with coconut and freshly-roasted coffee for a taste that recalls a winter wonderland.”  Big in flavor but still clocking in at a reasonable 6.4% ABV, Last Snow Coconut & Coffee Porter is the perfect beer to help all those in the Sunshine State get through the harsh sub-75° temperatures headed their way.

Last Snow Coconut & Coffee Porter is available now in Funky Buddha’s tap room, and will hit distribution any day now.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants located throughout Funky Buddha Brewery’s statewide distribution footprint in Florida.  Prost!

Vital Information for Last Snow Coconut & Coffee Porter from Funky Buddha Brewery

Release – Limited/Little Buddha Small Batch, September 2017
Style – American Porter
ABV – 6.4%
IBUs – 35
Added Ingredients – Coconut & freshly-roasted coffee
Suggested Pairings – “Stilton cheese, Roquefort, porter-braised beef, fresh Gulf oysters, Texas-style smoked brisket, Kansas City strip-steak with broiled asparagus, corned beef & cabbage with bacon, tres leches cake, black forest cake with coconut ice cream”
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://funkybuddhabrewery.com/beer-finder

 

 

Big Storm Brewing & Tampa Bay Lightning Announce the Release of Lightning Twenty Five Craft Lager

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BSBCLightning25Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially teamed up with the Tampa Bay Lightning to honor a quarter century of NHL hockey in Tampa with the release of The Lightning Twenty Five Craft Lager.  

Twenty-five.  That number means quite a bit to the Tampa Bay Lightning as they enter the 2017-2018 season.  First, that number reminds the organization and its incredible fan base that they have enjoyed an amazing 25 years of NHL hockey in the Tampa area. An anniversary bearing that number is more than worthy of commemoration, but a bit of kismet has made it possible for the team to also recognize one of their own that once wore that number.  Dave Andreychuk played for Tampa Bay from 2001 to 2006 and “wore jersey No. 25 when he led the Lightning as team captain to the 2004 Stanley Cup Championship.”  Fittingly, No. 25 will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame the same year that the Lightning organization gets to wear his number.  Twenty-five.

To celebrate both the Lightning’s 25-year milestone and the legacy of Dave Andreychuk, Big Storm Brewing Co. collaborated with the team to develop The Lightning Twenty Five.  This liquid tribute is an American Light Lager that features “classic American cluster hops and German pilsner barley malt.”  At 4% ABV, this easy-drinking offering promises to be the perfect go-to brew for Tampa hockey fans all season long.

“It’s exciting to play in role in highlighting the Lightning’s remarkable 25 years in the National Hockey League,” said Big Storm CFO and co-owner L.J. Govoni. “Big Storm Head Brewer Joel Moore has also done a fantastic job creating a stand-out beer that is worthy of the championship caliber team the Lightning will put on the ice this season,” Govoni added.

The Lightning Twenty Five Craft Lager will launch in Big Storm Taproom locations beginning on September 15, and it will then become “available at AMALIE Arena for the first preseason game and throughout Tampa Bay on September 19.”  Craft beer fans and Lightning supports can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 16 oz. cans and on draft at “at Amalie Arena, various Tampa Bay restaurants and bars, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Total Wine & More, select Publix locations and other outlets.”  If the celebration behind the beer wasn’t enough, Big Storm Brewing – a proud partner of the Lightning – is also giving the beer a cause as they “will donate a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Lightning Twenty Five during the season to the Lightning Foundation, which supports charities across Tampa Bay.”  The reasons are many to pick up a pack or two of The Lightning Twenty Five, so be sure to check out this special brew while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for The Lightning Twenty Five Craft Lager from Big Storm Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; launching September 15, 2017
Style – American Light Lager
ABV – 4%
Featured Malts – German Pilsner Barley Malt
Featured Hops – American Cluster
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Where To Get It – Big Storm Brewing Taproom locations, Amalie Arena, various Tampa Bay restaurants and bars, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Total Wine & More, select Publix locations and other outlets in the Tampa area

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Schedules Limited Release of Duende Double IPA

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Duendecan_editedCreature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has announced that it will officially release 4-packs of Duende Double IPA in their tasting room beginning at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 15.

Arriving as Creature Comforts Brewing Co.’s first release to be available in 16 oz. cans, Duende Double IPA is a “slightly hazy” marigold-colored brew that is most notably known for its “notes of orange, grapefruit, apricot, and tangerine coming from the hops.”  A closer look at this beer reveals that it starts with “a bright almost citrusy pine note” before developing those more intense fruit notes and “a consistent fruit flesh flavor.”  Just as you think Duende might be done, this 8% ABV Double India Pale Ale develops “subtle earth and berry notes . . . and the beer finishes with a perfectly balanced bitterness that rounds out the alcohol sweetness and immediately invites you to take another sip.”

Duende Double IPA will officially release in the Creature Comforts Tasting Room on Friday, September 15.  The brewery will open early at 1 p.m. for to-go purchases only, and on-site consumption will begin at 5 p.m.  Duende Double IPA will be available for purchase in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans ($15 per 4-pack, limit of FOUR 4-packs per customer).  Cans will only be available for purchase in the tasting room, but Duende Double IPA will see limited distribution on draft to select craft beer spots located in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia.  Prost!

Vital Information for Duende Double IPA from Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; September 15, 2017
Style – American Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8%
Featured Hops – Citra, Mosaic & Simcoe
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans available for purchase only in the Creature Comforts Tasting Room; limited distribution on draft in Athens & Atlanta, Georgia
Price – $15 per 4-pack
Limit – Four (4) 4-packs per customer