21st Amendment Brewery Launches Tales From The Kettle Beer Series

Posted on by mashingin

21A-TalesKettle-2017-12oz21st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) has announced that it is expanding its Insurrection Series with the limited release of Tales From The Kettle (2017) – Not Your Cup of Tea.

Developed in the spirit of “friendly competition and [as] an ode to the brewery’s roots”, the Tales From The Kettle series has a “story [that] begins each year with a teambuilding exercise, the [21st Amendment] Employee Homebrew Competition, where [the brewery’s] staff breaks into randomly selected teams who are challenged to come up with a winning homebrew recipe judged by the San Francisco Brewer’s Guild.”  Once a winner is chosen, that beer then enters full distribution in cans that proudly wear the names of each team member responsible for its creation.

This year’s winning beer is Not Your Cup of Tea, an “exceptional” Scottish-style ale brewed with black tea.  Deep amber in color, Not Your Cup of Tea (9% ABV) has an aroma that boasts “a light waft of sweetness and a soft smokiness”, and a “multi-layer malt” flavor that “closes out with a light spiciness from the black tea and a lingering light burnt caramel finish.”

“Tales From The Kettle gives our staff a chance to bring ideas and recipes to life that otherwise may never see the light of day, and as owners we get a rush of excitement from the innovation that is unleashed each time we host this competition.” said Nico Freccia, co-founder of 21st Amendment. “The creators of this year’s winning beer included our graphic designer, a server at our pub, our Chicago sales rep and one of our maintenance technicians. In their normal day-to-day these guys and gals would not have had an opportunity to bring a beer recipe to the spotlight, and now their names have been printed on a nationally distributed beer can with their winning beer recipe.”

Tales From The Kettle (2017) – Not Your Cup of Tea is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft.  You can track down this Limited Release offering at craft beer establishments located in Florida, California and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Tales From The Kettle (2017) – Not Your Cup of Tea from 21st Amendment Brewery

Release – Limited/Insurrection Series, December 2017
Style – Scotch Ale 
ABV – 9%
IBUs – 24
Malts – Maris Otter Pale, Crystal 70L, Special B, Chocolate, Smoked Malt, Peated Malt & Victory
Hops – Northern Brewer & Nugget 
Yeast – Burton Ale Yeast
Added Ingredients – Black Tea
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://21st-amendment.com/find-some/

LOKO Cuisine Teams up with Homes for our Troops for Caribeque Eggs & Kegs

Posted on by mashingin

lokocuisinelogoOn Sunday, January 21 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine will return to Cigar City Brewing (3924 W. Spruce St, Tampa, Florida) to host a special Caribeque Eggs & Kegs that will benefit Homes for our Troops.

For this edition of Eggs & Kegs, the folks at LOKO Cuisine are using their platform to help raise awareness for Homes for our Troops – a privately funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization that builds and donates specially adapted custom homes nationwide for severely injured post – 9/11 Veterans, to enable them to rebuild their lives.  While at this event, attendees will have the chance to participate in “a raffle with some sweet prizes from local businesses that will directly 100% benefit Homes for our Troops Florida recipients.”

As far as the grub goes, this Eggs & Kegs menu will be comprised of the following five-course, BBQ-themed brunch featuring seasonings and sauces from Caribeque Seasoning and Rub Co.:

backmenuCaribeque

Cigar City Brewing will be showcasing White Oak Jai Alai IPA as the featured pairing for the meal above.  Attendees will receive one drink ticket that is good for one pour of that offering or any other “one pint or snifter of equal value.”

Tickets for Eggs & Kegs: Caribeque are available now for $32.10 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the five-course brunch and one pour of beer (pint or snifter of equal value). Physical tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to a paid list once the purchase process is completed. FYI: Everyone in your party will have to check in under the purchaser’s name at the door.

If you are free on January 21, just go ahead and secure your Eggs & Kegs: Caribeque tickets now so that you can enjoy a fantastic meal and help provide support for the amazing cause of Homes for our Troops.  Prost!

Stone Brewing Vows to Go Hop Heavy in 2018

Posted on by mashingin

Stone2018Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) recently unveiled its 2018 Beer Release Calendar and it boasts a serious amount of hop goodness from its newly-established Trinity of Hoppiness, a new Seasonal IPA series, and a few robust Stouts thrown in for good measure.

Just as we always do when it comes to beer calendars around here, we have posted Stone Brewing’s full 2018 Beer Release Calendar below for you to take in at your own leisure.  That said, there is a diagram and a handful of new releases that we should probably provide some clarity on before turning you loose.  We do intend to be brief, so let’s knock it out:

  • Devoted to innovation and their well-known obsession with hops, the folks at Stone Brewing are rolling out the Trinity of Hoppiness in 2018 (diagram available below).  This handy-dandy piece of reference material breaks down the brewery’s full line of hop-laden Year-Round releases and its occasionally released Stone Enjoy By IPA into the following three categories: Tropical & Juicy, Dank & Piney, and Citrusy & Floral.  The Trinity of Hoppiness basically acts as your road map to whatever hop experience you may be seeking on any given day.
    StoneTrinity
  • Stone Scorpion Bowl IPA will debut in March as the brewery’s newest Year-Round release.  Perched at the peak of “Tropical & Juicy” on the Trinity of Hoppiness, Stone Scorpion Bowl IPA “masters the fruity appeal . . .  of fruit-dominated beers . . . with absolutely no fruit additions. This juicy delight is brewed with heroic hop know-how.”  Once released, this offering will be available in 22 oz. bottles & on draft.
  • 2018 will also see the introduction of the new Stone Hop Worship IPA Seasonal Series, “three distinctive beers extolling the divine qualities of hops [to] consecrate Stone’s devotion to freshness.”  The series will include Stone Exalted IPA (February – June), Stone Righteous IPA (June – October), and Stone Sanctimonious IPA (October – December).  These beers will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & on draft.
  • Need more hops? Well, Stone Brewing has you covered because they will also be releasing three Double IPA Special Releases in 2018: Stone Loral & Dr. Rudi’s Inevitable Adventure Double IPA (February – June), Stone I’m Peach Double IPA (May – August), and Stone 22nd Anniversary Double IPA (August – November).
  • Fear not, malt lovers . . . there will also be a smattering of Special Release Stouts alternating between those DIPAs. Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout, a new Special Release featuring an updated hop bill “built on the backbone of the classic Stone Imperial Russian Stout recipe”, will be available from March through July.  That offering will be followed by Stone w00tstout (July – October) and Stone Xocoveza Mocha Stout (October – December).

  “We have a Brewing Innovation Team that has labored the last year in pursuit of the exceptional…and delivered it, in sanguine, liquid form,” said Dominic Engels, Stone Brewing CEO. “These incredible new beers, alongside a series of fan favorites allow us to unveil uniquely Stone beers with every release in 2018. True to our roots, the IPAs we’re releasing this year are clearly the work of an evangelical hop worshiping crew. Amen.”

Alright . . . our job should be done here, but there is still plenty to discover on the calendar below.  Check it out and get ready for a ridiculously hoppy year with Stone Brewing in 2018.  Prost!

Stone2018calendar

Holiday Gift Idea: The TrailKeg

Posted on by mashingin

Bottle_Callouts_trans_1024x1024Holiday shopping days are drying up fast, but you still have the chance to hook up the beer fan in your life with a sweet TrailKeg growler system.

We all know that growlers are awesome because they provide us with the option to enjoy fresh draft beer in the comfort of our own homes.  The only issue: that freshness is quickly compromised in traditional growlers the moment you unscrew the cap for your first pour.   CO2 escapes, oxygen gets in, the beer goes flat, and its flavor could be altered.

The remedy: TrailKeg, “a vacuum-insulated CO2 pressurized beer growler that keeps . . . drinks cold for 24 hours and perfectly carbonated for weeks.”  Designed to be a multipurpose device, the TrailKeg can be used as a stand-alone tap system or – with available upgrades – it can “[interface] with industry standard equipment that many beer lovers already own, such as Kegerators, beer taps, gas systems, and more.” Its convenience goes well beyond that as its “virtually indestructible” stainless steel construction and vacuum insulation allow you to pour perfectly “cold and carbonated” beers while “tailgating, enjoying a weekend outdoors, or enjoying a cold one on the back porch with a group of friends.” Whether you are at home or out on an adventure, TrailKeg’s versatile capabilities easily make it the growler that you need to have at your side.

The 64 oz. TrailKeg Growler alone starts at $29.99 each or you can go all-in with the tap-ready TrailKeg Package (64 oz.) that starts at $99.99 each (click here for options and direct link to purchase).  Either way you choose to go with this gift, rest assured that any beer lover will get plenty of use and mileage out of a TrailKeg.  Prost!

Rogue Ales is Set to Release Straight Outta Newport West Coast IPA

Posted on by mashingin

SON_Staged-39_editedRogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) recently announced that it will introduce Straight Outta Newport in January as a new Limited Release offering.

Inspired to brew a beer that embodies the spirit of the Oregon Coast, the brewers at Rogue Ales developed Straight Outta Newport to be a “uniquely West Coast” style India Pale Ale featuring Citra, Mosaic and Comet hops.  Clocking in at 8.7% ABV and 73 IBUs, Straight Outta Newport supplies “a bold and flavorful profile, bursting with aromas of grapefruit, tangerine and orange, fruity hop notes and a juicy finish.”

“We’re Oregon Coast through and through,” said Rogue President Brett Joyce. “We wanted to pay homage to our hometown with a world-class beer that dared to push the limits.”

Straight Outta Newport will officially arrive in January 2018 with plans to hang around throughout that month.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select locations found within Rogue’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Straight Outta Newport from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited, January 2018
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8.7%
IBUs – 73
Malts – Munich, Weyermann Pils, Gold Pils Vienna & DextraPils
Hops – Mosaic, Citra, Comet & Hallertau Magnum
Yeast – Pacman 
Added Ingredients – Belgian Candi Sugar
Fun Fact – “Straight Outta Newport’s label art is also a nod to Rogue’s seaside hometown, with an image of the iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge as well as the Rogue brewers who collaborated on crafting the one-of-a-kind beer.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.rogue.com/finder/

 

Stone Brewing Releases Five Barrel-Aged Small Batch Beers

Posted on by mashingin

stonesmallbatchStone Brewing (Escondido, California) recently announced that it will close out the year by releasing five limited beers from its Small Batch Series.

Firmly believing that the holidays are the perfect time to share some amazing beers with friends and family, the folks at Stone Brewing are breaking out the good stuff this month by releasing five barrel-aged offerings from their Small Batch Series.  These offerings include “long-time fan favorites” such as Stone Imperial Russian Stout and Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPA that have been given “new depth, character and complexity, thanks to the attention of Stone’s talented small batch brewers.”  This current barrage of Small Batch releases includes the following five beers (descriptions provided by Stone Brewing):

“I love experiencing how our brewers can transform a beer that I know so well into something completely new,” said Greg Koch, Stone Brewing executive chairman & co-founder. “They’ve taken painstaking efforts to procure the best barrels and have taken immaculate care of these rarities, some aging for almost a full year. The outcome will, no doubt, amaze whether you choose to drink them now or cellar them.”

The five beers above are available “throughout the month of December and into the New Year” (while supplies last).  You can find these Small Batch offerings available in 500ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia, and “nearly” throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area.  Prost!

CaCow Milk Stout Makes Seasonal Debut for Green Flash Brewing Co.

Posted on by mashingin

GF15logoGreen Flash Brewing Co. (San Diego, California) has officially announced that CaCow Milk Stout is available now as a draft-only, Winter Seasonal offering.

Originally dreamed up by Green Flash’s “Virginia Beach employees as a part of [their] Genius Lab pilot brewing program”, CaCow Milk Stout is headed for the big time now that it has been green-lit for nationwide release.  This is not at all surprising when you consider the fact that this delectable, full-bodied Milk Stout “was inspired by the flavors of chocolate milk, with lactose added to provide its creamy consistency.”  Weighing in at 6.3% ABV, the “luscious and limited” CaCow Milk Stout “offers chocolate sweetness, balanced by bold coffee notes.”

CaCow Milk Stout is currently available for a limited time as a draft-only offering.  You can expect to find this new Winter Seasonal pouring at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Green Flash Brewing Co.’s nationwide distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for CaCow Milk Stout from Green Flash Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Seasonal, arriving mid-December 2017
Style – Milk Stout
ABV – 6.3%
IBUs – 25
Availability – Draft-only
Beer Finder – http://www.greenflashbrew.com/find-beer/

 

Great Divide Brewing Reveals 2018 Release Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

GDBClogoGreat Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, Colorado) just added some intrigue to the year ahead with the publication of a 2018 Release Calendar that brings news of seven new beers.

Another day means another beer calendar, and we have Great Divide Brewing Co.’s full 2018 Release Calendar available below.  You can jump straight to it, or bear with us while we quickly highlight those seven new brews.  It’s totally your call . . .

  • 2018 will see the introduction of Great Divide’s Wood Werks series, a new lineup of limited-edition barrel-aged and sour beers. The series will launch in February with Belgian-style Sour, a “Belgian-style tripel that was artfully soured for 15 months in red wine barrels and aged on plums.”  Belgian-style Sour will be followed by Flemish Sour Brown with Strawberries in May, and Barrel Aged Brown Rye Ale in August.
  • Car Camper Gose will roll out in April as the brewery’s new Summer Seasonal.  This refreshing little number is a German-style Sour brewed with guava & passionfruit.
  • Vanilla Oak Aged Yeti will arrive in May as the newest addition to the Yeti Clan.  This oak-aged Imperial Stout has “sweet vanilla tones [that] meld into the oak characteristics . . .  A pairing fit for a beast, the vanilla and oak are uplifted by the bold and roasty character we all know and love from [Yeti Imperial Stout].”
  • Back by popular demand, Rumble Oak Aged IPA will return as a part of the Tank Farm series in 2018.  It will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft from May through September.
  • Beginning in May, Great Divide will add Heyday Modern IPA to its Year-Round portfolio.  “What’s a Modern IPA you ask? Well, [Great Divide] brewed this beer in response to the shift in taste profile preferences of the modern IPA drinker. It’s slightly hazy (but not a hazy IPA) with abundant hop flavor and aroma of tropical fruit, berry, and melon. This contemporary IPA brings the multifaceted hop profile to the forefront without the expected bitterness and with a lighter body. It’s not “New England” or “hazy” or “west coast” or “English-style”, or “classic”, and it’s definitely not [Titan India Pale Ale]. It’s a modern IPA. Balanced and approachable, Heyday IPA is brewed for the modern Bold Character.”

That covers the new offerings, but there is still plenty to see on the calendar below.  Give it a good look so that you can be properly prepared for the Great Divide awesomeness headed your way in 2018.  Prost!

GD-2018-Release-Calendar

Tasting Notes: A Sneak Peek at Samuel Adams New England IPA

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image1
Photo Credit: Mashing In

For this week’s edition of Tasting Notes, we somehow stumble upon the opportunity to preview the soon-to-be widely released New England IPA from Samuel Adams (Boston, Massachusetts).

Since Samuel Adams is truly synonymous with the region of New England, it only makes sense for them to get in on craft beer’s recent IPA haze craze by brewing their own New England IPA.  Staying true to the more classic representations of the style (think Heady Topper from The Alchemist), the Samuel Adams New England IPA showcases an “opaque, hazy appearance”, a fruity hop presence with minimal bitterness, and a “juicy, luscious mouthfeel.”

Please, do not be confused by the blank sample cans we received. Packaging is in place (see promo image at the top of this post, credit: Samuel Adams), and this new Year-Round offering is currently experiencing a gradual rollout in Boston and select cities/states.  New England IPA will eventually see nationwide distribution after the New Year with availability in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.

That should just about cover all of the background information on Samuel Adams New England IPA, so let’s get into some Tasting Notes to see what this new brew is all about.

Tasting Notes for New England IPA from Samuel Adams

Appearance – This brew is a sunburst orange in color that has some darker amber tones residing within the center of the pour.  When held to direct light, the oranges and yellows brighten at the edges while that amber core actually holds and deepens.  The beer has a good amount of haze to it, and a steady carbonation level can just barely be seen coursing within.  The pour built a lush two fingers of eggshell white foam.  Retention is pretty fantastic, falling ever so slowly to a creamy, lasting finger that sheets the glass with wide sweeping patterns of lace.

Aroma –   Very nice here with intensely juicy citrus and tropical fruit notes filling the air.  We are talking about massive amounts of pineapple, grapefruit, tangerine and passionfruit.  These fruity tones dominate the profile, but a bit of grassy and earthy character can be found underneath.

Taste – The flavor nearly mirrors the nose as an ample tropical fruit presence bursts with notes of passionfruit, pineapple, grapefruit, orange, papaya and berry.  A faint pine and earthy quality does eventually move in alongside a guava-like note that is further supported by a trace of non-descript malt sweetness.  This thing is basically a liquid fruit bowl.

Mouthfeel – Residing a touch on the heavier side of medium in body with a medium carbonation level, this beer is creamy and smooth in texture.  It dries out quickly, causing any hint of hop bitterness to dissipate immediately.  Its 6.8% ABV is not at all noticeable, keeping the experience refreshing and easy drinking.  The aftertaste leaves behind faint traces of pineapple and sweet citrus.

Final Thoughts – In a craft beer world gone hazy, this New England IPA from Samuel Adams certainly holds its own.  The mouthfeel is right, bitterness is minimal, the aromatics and flavors are juicy as hell, and it is definitely pretty to look at it.  By definition, this is absolutely a NE-style IPA/Hazy IPA and should be taken seriously as such.  Like all Samuel Adams beers, this offering benefits from a respected lineage that unquestionably puts quality at the forefront. That being the case, New England IPA gets some serious bonus points when you consider the fact that is about to become the most solid, consistent and easily attainable Hazy IPA on the market.  Seriously, keep an eye out for this one when it makes its full nationwide release at the start of 2018. Prost!

 

Abita Brewing Honors New Orleans with Maison Blanc

Posted on by mashingin

mb_group_web__slideAbita Brewing Company (Abita Springs, Louisiana) has officially announced that it will recognize New Orleans’ Tricentennial celebration with the limited-time release of Maison Blanc.

Brewed to honor the 300th birthday of New Orleans, Maison Blanc is Abita’s attempt “to capture the diverse history and culture of this great city” in a glass.  Meant to cater to the tastes of both beer and wine drinkers, this special White Ale (or “House White”) has been brewed with malted barley, wheat and Sauvignon blanc grapes.  This elegant recipe results in a 6.5% ABV Maison Blanc that is characterized by “the mild, dry flavor you seek in your favorite house white wine, with the delicious crisp characteristics of Sauvignon blanc grapes.”

“When you think of New Orleans, it’s all about the food, culture and lifestyle that makes the city such a unique and special place,” said David Blossman, President of Abita. “The Tricentennial gave us a great opportunity to celebrate all of this, and we hope everyone will join the Abita family in enjoying Maison Blanc, while commemorating the culture and history that has made New Orleans the amazing place it is for the last 300 years.”

Maison Blanc officially debuts this week and will hang around through April of 2018.  This Limited Release offering will see distribution exclusively in Louisiana with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles.  Prost!

Vital Information for Maison Blanc from Abita Brewing Company

Release – Limited, mid-December 2017 through April 2018
Style – White Ale
ABV – 6.5%
Malts – Pilsner & Wheat
Hops – Hallertau Blanc
Added Ingredients – Sauvignon blanc grapes
Suggested Glassware – Flute, goblet or tulip
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles
Distribution – Available exclusively in Louisiana