Founders Brewing Co. Gets All ReDANKulous on Hopheads

Posted on by mashingin

reDANKulous2017Feature_editedFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has announced that reDANKulous Imperial Red IPA has officially returned to be the brewery’s current Specialty release.

Since it has achieved a RateBeer score of 99 and locked down “back-to-back medals at the Great American Beer Festival in 2015 and 2016 in the Imperial Red Ale category (gold and silver, respectively)”, it is quite obvious that reDANKulous has endeared itself to the hop-loving masses.  With a “striking red hue and subtle sweetness . . . courtesy of the Caramalt and roasted barley,” this Imperial Red India Pale Ale reaches true “dank” status thanks to a hop bill featuring Mosaic, Chinook and Simcoe hops.  This combination of ingredients results in a 9.5% ABV and 90 IBU hop experience that is spicy, piney, tropical and simply reDANKulous.

“If you’re wondering what dank means in this beer, think lingering sensory overload,” said Co-Founder and President Dave Engbers. “It really says something that this style has become a crowd favorite of judges and hop heads alike. Jeremy and our team of brewers love to experiment with new varieties, combinations and techniques – because of that reDANKulous exudes our ‘brewed for us’ philosophy.”

ReDANKulous Imperial Red IPA officially releases on June 1 and will be available through September.  This Specialty offering can be found in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $11.99) and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s 46 state distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for reDANKulous Imperial Red IPA from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Specialty, June to September 2017
Style – Imperial Red Ale (Imperial Red IPA)
ABV – 9.5%
IBUs – 90
Featured Hops – Mosaic, Chinook & Simcoe
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/find-our-beer/

Second Self Beer Company Releases Margarita in Gose in Cans

Posted on by mashingin

MIGSecond Self Beer Company (Atlanta, Georgia) recently announced that MIG – Margarita in Gose has officially returned for the summer as a Seasonal release available in 12 oz. cans and on draft.

Originally released last year as a draft-only offering in the taproom at Second Self, MIG – Margarita in Gose returns as a Seasonal variant of the brewery’s fan-favorite Maverick & Gose.  To provide this offering with a refreshing and tropical twist, “Margarita in Gose is made with organic, Florida orange peel and freshly squeezed lime, imparting the classic, sweet-tart taste of a refreshing margarita.”  At just 4.3% ABV, Margarita in Gose is the perfect brew to turn to after those long summers days spent playing beach volleyball.

MIG – Margarita in Gose officially releases on June 1 in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft.  You can expect to track this Seasonal brew down at select craft beer-friendly bars, restaurants and retailers in Alabama and Georgia.  Be sure to keep a cold MIG on hand this summer (say . . . at about 2 or 1.5 meters) so that it is easily accessible the next time you find yourself in a 4G inverted dive with thirst.  Prost!

Vital Information for MIG – Margarita in Gose from Second Self Beer Company

Release – Seasonal, June to October 2017
Style – Gose
ABV – 4.3%
IBUs – 8
Added Ingredients – Orange peel & lime juice
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Suggested Food Pairings – Braised pork al pastor, ceviche, mango salad, and chips & queso

Heavy Seas and Cigar City Brewing Collaborate on Partner Ships IPL

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35031085885_4e10682b3e_kHeavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) has announced that IPL, a special collaboration beer with Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida), will release in July as the next installment in the brewery’s Partner Ships Series.

The brewers at Heavy Seas and Cigar City Brewing recently got together to create India Pale Lager (IPL) as the second release of 2017 in the Partner Ships Series, a lineup of limited releases from Heavy Seas Beer that “features beers produced in collaboration with other regionally and nationally recognized brewers in the spirit of friendship, creativity, and adventure.”  IPL is a golden lager that showcases the characteristics of a sizable hop bill –  Cascade, Centennial, Mosaic, Simcoe and Mandarina Bavaria – alongside “bready malt aromatics.”  Thanks to “late addition kettle hops followed by extensive dry-hopping”, the 7.8% IPL provides “full citrus and tropical fruit flavors and aromas balancing a soft bitterness.”

IPL is a limited release that will officially launch in July.  You can expect to find this offering in 22 oz. bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of Heavy Seas Beer’s distribution footprint.  Like all releases from the Partner Ships series, the supply of IPL will be incredibly limited.  Keep that in mind when this brew releases next month and get it while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for Partner Ships Series: IPL from Heavy Seas Beer & Cigar City Brewing

Release – Limited/Partner Ships Series, July 2017
Style – India Pale Lager
ABV – 7.8%
IBUs – 48
Hops – Cascade, Centennial, Mosaic, Simcoe & Mandarina Bavaria
Malts – Pilsen, Vienna & MFB Special Aromatic Malt
Availability – 22 oz. bottles
Beer Finder – http://hsbeer.com/beerfinder

 

 

Starr Hill Brewery Remasters its Grateful Pale Ale

Posted on by mashingin

Remastered-Grateful-1_editedStarr Hill Brewery (Charlottesville, Virginia) has officially announced the release of a newly-updated version of their classic Grateful Pale Ale.

To keep up with the ever-evolving craft beer landscape, the brewers at Starr Hill decided to give their Grateful Pale Ale the Remastered treatment.  Their overall approach to this update was to take the beer in more of an American Pale Ale direction rather than that of a Session IPA.  The first stage of this transition was to add “Carafoam and Torrefied Wheat . . . to the malt bill for a fuller mouthfeel.”  The hop bill was then revamped to feature “Cascade, Mosaic, Centennial and Falconer’s Flight in the kettle and dry-hop, replacing Chinook, Topaz and Columbus.”  Thanks to the utilization of hop-bursting techniques, Grateful Pale Ale now exhibits enhanced hop aromas and flavors that are balanced beautifully by the beer’s new malt backbone.

“Similar to when we refreshed the recipe for Northern Lights IPA, we didn’t want to throw out the soul of Grateful,” says Robbie O’Cain, Brewmaster at Starr Hill Brewery. “For Grateful fans out there, this is an enhanced, balanced version of this beer that’s perfect for the warm summer months ahead.”

Grateful Pale Ale – Remastered is available now as a part of the brewery’s Core Lineup.  This offering can be found in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Virginia, and throughout the rest of Starr Hill Brewery’s distribution area.  Keep an eye out for Grateful Pale Ale – Remastered while on your next beer run so that you can experience this new take on an old classic.  Prost!

Vital Information for Grateful Pale Ale – Remastered from Starr Hill Brewery

Release – Year-Round/Core Lineup, Remastered version launches late May 2017
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 4.7%
IBUs – 45
Featured Hops – Cascade, Mosaic, Centennial & Falconer’s Flight
Featured Malts – Carafoam & Torrefied Wheat
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://starrhill.com/Beer-Finder/

The Unknown Brewing Co. Plans to Celebrate its 3.5ish Anniversary with Music Festival

Posted on by mashingin

3.5ishbottle_editedOn Saturday, June 10 at 2 p.m., the folks at The Unknown Brewing Co. (Charlotte, North Carolina) will recognize their 3.5ish Anniversary with a full-blown music festival boasting six musical acts, fine cigars and a ridiculous amount of tasty brews.

To make good on their promise to go “bigger and better” with each year’s anniversary festivities, The Unknown Brewing Co. has booked 6 of “the best up and coming bands in the US” to properly celebrate the brewery’s 3.5ish Anniversary.  If that were not enough, this event will also feature limited release brews, beer-infused cigars, a charity fundraiser, and quite a few other surprises from The Unknown.  The 3.5ish Music Festival is absolutely bursting with awesome details, so let’s break it all down.

The Basics

The Music

To live up to its listing as an all-out Music Festival, the following six musical acts get top billing for this party:

The stage times for each band have not yet been released, but we will update this area with that information once it is available.

The Beer

This event may be a Music Festival, but it is still being thrown by a brewery.  With that said, The Unknown Brewing Co. obviously plans to celebrate its 3.5ish Anniversary with some damn tasty beers as well:

  • This event will act as the release of The Unknown Brewing Co.’s Geuze-inspired Lambic Ale titled “3.5ish“
  • A vast array of limited release beers will be flowing on tap
  • The brewery will also be delving back into its recipe book to revive several beers from the past

The Cause

To ensure that this event makes a difference, The 3.5ish Music Festival will also act as a fundraiser for Purple Heart Homes –  a 501(c)3 public charity “dedicated to providing housing for Service Connected Disabled Veterans that is substantial in function, design, and quality fit to welcome home the fighting men and women of America.”  During the event, The Unknown Brewing Co. will have a special “Charity Tap” set up.  $1 from every pint sold from the “Charity Tap” will go to benefit Purple Heart Homes.

Additional Info

To round off the celebration, The 3.5ish Music Festival will also feature cigars from Cigar Row that have been infused with beer from The Unknown Brewing Co., a selection of local food trucks, and quite a few “other awesome surprises.”

Tickets

Tickets for The 3.5ish Musical Festival are available now for the cost of $10 each (plus fees), and you can click here to secure your tickets.  Ticket price grants you entrance into the festival and access to the live entertainment.  All other aspects of this anniversary party are pay as you go.

That should just about cover all the information currently available concerning The 3.5ish Music Festival from The Unknown Brewing Co.  Once more details are released, we will of course update you here with that info.  You really cannot go wrong with a fantastic day filled with live music for just $10 a person.  Factor in all of those amazing beers that you will have access to, and this event easily graduates to can’t-miss status.  If you are free on June 10 and in the Charlotte area, make sure you are at The Unknown Brewing Co. for its 3.5ish Music Festival and Anniversary Party.  Prost!

unknownlogo

 

Hi-Wire Brewing to Expand Distribution into Atlanta

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Hi-Wire-BrewingHi-Wire Brewing (Asheville, North Carolina) has officially announced that it has signed with Georgia Crown Distributing Co. to expand its distribution network into the Atlanta, Northwest Georgia, and Southwest Georgia areas.

After testing the waters in smaller markets such as Athens, Augusta and Savannah, Hi-Wire Brewing has confidently decided to take a huge leap forward by launching their brand in Atlanta and the remainder of the state of Georgia.  To take full advantage of this opportunity, the brewery will enter the Atlanta market with its “entire portfolio,  including year-round, seasonal, specialty, and sour beers.”

“The opportunity to roll out into a major metropolitan area like Atlanta doesn’t come along too often. Hi-Wire will certainly see an incredible boost in its overall sales, but I believe the increased exposure from having a larger and more targeted audience, is the bigger piece of the puzzle.”

 

– Chris Lutkowski, Director of Sales for Hi-Wire Brewing

The Hi-Wire Brewing team and Georgia Crown Distribution Co. will celebrate this launch by hosting “a variety of tap takeovers, tastings, and other specialty events throughout the week of June 5th-9th.”  The list of confirmed events is as follows:

Monday, June 5

  • 6 p.m. – Launch Party at Argosy (470 Flat Shoals Ave. SE, Atlanta)

Tuesday, June 6

Wednesday, June 7

Thursday, June 8

  • 4 p.m. – Tap Takeover at Ale Yeah! (906 W. College Ave, Decatur)
  • 5 p.m. – Tap Takeover at Republic Social House (437-C Memorial Dr. SE, Atlanta)

Saturday, June 10

  • 11 a.m. – Tap Takeover at The Beer Growler (38A N. Avondale Rd. Avondale Estates)

The list above is just a sampling of what is to come, so be sure to follow Hi-Wire Brewing’s social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter & Instagram – for information on any added events.

This is an awesome score for Georgia’s craft beer faithful, so be sure that you are at one (or several) of these launch events to give the Hi-Wire Brewing crew a proper welcome to the Atlanta beer scene.  Prost!

 

EVENT POSTPONED: Magic City Brewfest Returns for 11th Year in Birmingham

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(**UPDATE 05.30.17**)  On Saturday, May 27, Free the Hops issued the following statement regarding the postponement of the 11th Annual Magic City Brewfest:

MCBFPostponed

We will update you with information as this situation develops.  (**UPDATE 05.30.17**)

On Friday, June 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 10 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Birmingham Chapter of Free the Hops will host its 11th Annual Magic City Brewfest at Sloss Furnaces (20 32nd Street North, Birmingham, Alabama).

To the delight of Alabama’s craft beer community, Brewfest Season is officially back in the Yellowhammer State and the time for Magic City Brewfest draws near. This is the original Free the Hops festival that helped create much-needed change in the state’s antiquated beer laws, and 2017’s Magic City Brewfest promises to be one of the best yet by boasting over “175 types of beer from over 70 breweries.”  Since this event is absolutely packed with amazing beer, delicious food, incredible live entertainment and insightful beer classrooms, we have quite a bit of information to go over.  Let’s break it all down.

The Basics

What – 11th Annual Magic City Brewfest
When – Two Sessions: Friday, June 9 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday, June 10 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where – Sloss Furnaces (20 32nd Street North, Birmingham, Alabama)

The Organization

“Free The Hops is a grassroots non-profit consumer advocacy organization whose successful lobbying efforts to reform hostile laws have helped make Alabama one of the most vibrant and welcoming beer markets in the USA. As a craft beer consumer advocacy organization, our mission is to work within our communities to educate the public, support the industry at large, and remain vigilant watch dogs on legislative processes. Started in 2004 by Alabamians with no ties to any alcoholic beverage business, Free The Hops was incorporated later that year and registered as an official 501(c)(6) non-profit in 2007. None of our members make any money off the grassroots effort.”

A New Focus

“This year, Free the Hops has overhauled their mission to focus more on education. We will be sharing a wealth of fun and useful knowledge, from an introduction to homebrewing and common off flavors in beer, to tips on pairing beer with food and maximizing your time at the festival. We will have an overview of the Cicerone curriculum, and details on various beer styles and serving methods.”

The Beer

In addition to showcasing over 175 beers from over 70 breweries, the 2017 Magic City Brewfest will also feature the following specialty releases:

  • Sponsored by The J. Clyde, the Alabama Cask Garden returns to feature one-off casks created by Alabama breweries exclusively for the Magic City Brewfest
  • The J. Clyde Fire Truck will be on-site to serve up some exclusive beers
  • This year’s Magic City Brewfest will also feature the Sister Cities Birmingham/Plzen Brewery Collaboration, a collaborative effort that had four Birmingham breweries (Cahaba Brewing Co., Avondale Brewing Co., Red Hills Brewing Company, and 5 Points Brewing) team up with breweries from Plzen, Czech Republic to create some exclusive beers for the festival.  Attendees will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite collaboration brew from this series

The full brewery and beer list for the 2017 Magic City Brewfest is in the process of being compiled.  Once it is completed, you can view it by following this link.

The Food

The following local restaurants will be on-site to serve up some tasty eats during the event:

Food is not included in the ticket cost.  Once inside the festival, attendees will be able to purchase tokens to exchange for food.

The Music

To keep the energy up throughout the event, the Magic City Brewfest will also feature the following local musical acts:

Friday, June 9

Saturday, June 10

Ticket Information

Tickets for the 11th Annual Magic City Brewfest are on sale now, and you can purchase yours by using the following links:

If the event does not sell out in advance, tickets will be available at the door day of the event for $45 each.  Designated driver tickets will also be available for $10 each.

Ticket price grants you entrance into the festival on your chosen date, a commemorative tasting glass, the ability to sample over 175 beers, and access to live entertainment and educational classrooms.

Now that all the details are covered, this is the part where we give the Magic City Brewfest – and this goes for its sister Rocket City Brewfest in Huntsville – our full, honest endorsement as one of the finest and best organized beer festivals in the country.  The event is just big enough, the location is picturesque, the beers are top quality, and attention to detail is always the priority.  If you are in Alabama or anywhere near the state on June 9 or 10, do yourself a favor and pencil the 11th Annual Magic City Brewfest into your plans.  Seriously, do it.  Prost!

 

The Tampa Theatre BeerFest Returns in 2017 with Barley’s Angels

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BarleysAngels_PosterOn Saturday, June 24 from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Tampa Theatre will host BeerFest 2017: Barley’s Angels as its 6th (almost) Annual Beer Festival and Fundraiser.

BeerFest 2017: Barley’s Angels arrives as the sixth installment in the Tampa Theatre’s series of themed, tongue-in-cheek beer festivals that feature local craft brews and samples from some of Tampa’s top independent restaurants in a fun, theatrical environment. Although the theme may sound a bit silly, it is all done for the very worthy cause of benefiting the historic Tampa Theatre’s “artistic, educational and community programs, as well as its ongoing preservation and restoration.”  There are quite a few details to go over when it comes to this festival, so let’s break it all down.

The Basics

  • What – BeerFest 2017 – Barley’s Angels
  • When – 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 24
  • Where – Tampa Theatre: 711 N Franklin Street, Tampa, FL

The Theme

Barley’s Angels – “Evil villainess Hoppy vonKeggers is trying to steal all the beer at BeerFest 2017, hell-bent on rounding up recipes and creating her own ULTIMATE microbrewery. Luckily, the captivating crime-fighting trio of Amber, Blondie, and Honey – known to their foes as “Barley’s Angels” – are working alongside their ever-faithful assistant, Beersley, to stop vonKeggers and keep the community’s craft brews safe and sudsy for Tampa Theatre patrons to sample.”

The Barley’s Angels – Amber, Blondie, Honey – and other entertainers, courtesy of Busch Gardens, will be in attendance during the beer festival.  Guests are invited and encouraged “to get in the spirit by dressing as their favorite Charlie’s Angels character or in a costume inspired by the movie.”

Featured Breweries

Featured Restaurants

**Note** The brewery and restaurant lists above are expected to grow as the date of the festival draws closer.  We will update this post as additions are announced. **Note**

Additional Details

In addition to all the festival happenings going down within the Tampa Theatre, BeerFest 2017: Barley’s Angels “will spill out onto Franklin Street, where there will be live music, MORE BEER, and photos with Amber, Blondie, Honey.”

Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event; valid Government-issued ID is required for entry.

Ticket Information

Tickets for BeerFest 2017: Barley’s Angels are available now, and Advance Sale Tickets can be purchased online (click here) or at the Tampa Theatre Box Office in the following tiers:

  • Grand Sampling Ticket: $40 each
  • Premium Sampling Ticket: $65 each – grants you entry into the festival an hour early at 7 p.m.

Advance Sale discount pricing ends on Friday, June 2.  After that date, ticket prices go up to $45 for Grand Sampling Tickets and $70 for Premium Sampling Tickets.

Tampa Theatre Members save $5 off advance-sale prices.

Alrighty, that should just about cover all the details available at this time.  If you are free on June 24, go ahead and get a group of friends together, lock down some tickets and support a community landmark by getting in on all the good times sure to be had at Tampa Theatre’s BeerFest 2017: Barley’s Angels.  Prost!

Brewery Ommegang to Release Bend the Knee Golden Ale as Next Game of Thrones Beer

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Ommegang_Secondary_Logo_GreyscaleBrewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York) and HBO Global Licensing have announced that Bend the Knee Golden Ale Brewed with Honey will be released over Memorial Day weekend as the newest installment in their Game of Thrones series of beers.

Bend the Knee Golden Ale has been crafted by the brewers at Ommegang as the perfect libation to honor the launch of the seventh season of HBO’s Emmy® Award-winning Game of Thrones and pay “homage to the struggle for control of the Seven Kingdoms.”  The foundation for this golden hued ale has been laid with an aroma and flavor that balances a firm maltiness with citrus hops.  Wildflower honey was then added during fermentation to have a light sweetness join the fruity character of Ommegang’s signature house yeast.  At 9% ABV, Bend the Knee “finishes dry and with [a] firm hop bitterness.”  To bring it all back to the show, this limited-edition offering has been packaged “in a series of three collectible 750ml bottles, all finished in matte black and adorned with one of the three Great House sigils: Stark, Targaryen, or Lannister.”

The retail release for Bend the Knee Golden Ale is set for May 22 and will roll out nationwide over Memorial Day weekend.  This limited release can be found on draft and in 750 ml bottles (suggested retail price of $9.99 each) at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Ommegang’s expansive distribution area.  The seventh season of Game of Thrones returns on July 16, so make sure that you have a bottle of Bend the Knee on hand to properly enjoy that first episode.  Prost!

Vital Information for Bend the Knee Golden Ale from Brewery Ommegang

Release – Limited, launches May 22
Style – Golden Ale
ABV – 9%
Malt – Pils & Flaked Oats
Hops – Saaz, Bravo & Styrian Golding
Availability – Draft & a series of three collectible 750ml bottles, all finished in matte black and adorned with one of the three Great House sigils: Stark, Targaryen, or Lannister
Suggested Food Pairings – “Fit for any feast table, Bend the Knee’s clean and balanced flavor and effervescent carbonation make it a fine pairing for a variety of foods including seafood and shellfish, roasted or grilled chicken, grilled steaks, and aged Swiss-style cheeses.”
Beer Finder – http://ommegang.com/#!locator

Rogue Ales Raises Cash for College with Launch of Hot Tub Scholarship Lager

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Jack_Joyce_ScholarshipRogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced the release of Hot Tub Scholarship Lager as a means of raising funds for the Jack Joyce Scholarship Fund.

Named in honor of the founder of Rogue Ales & Spirits, the Jack Joyce Scholarship Fund was established in 2014 to help “students at Oregon State University’s Fermentation Sciences program pay for their education.”  The fund has since awarded $185,000 to 15 recipients.  When one of the first recipients was asked to share a few words about the impact of the scholarship, “it was disclosed that, in addition to helping pay for books and tuition, the winner had taken a portion of the scholarship proceeds to buy a hot tub.”  With that honest response, the folks at Rogue Ales found the inspiration to create Hot Tub Scholarship Lager.

Honest, straight-forward and an homage to a classic beer style, Hot Tub Scholarship Lager arrives as Rogue’s take on a refreshing German-style Helles Lager.  Since this beer has been brewed for a great cause, “Rogue Ales will donate 10% of Hot Tub Scholarship Lager sales to the Jack Joyce Scholarship Fund.”

“We’re proud to help the next generation of brewers and distillers get a chance to make their dreams come true,” said Rogue President Brett Joyce.

Hot Tub Scholarship Lager is available now and will be hanging around through the end of September.  You can expect to find this offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans at craft beer retailers located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution area.  Be sure to look for this one while on your next beer run so that you can help another college student reach his or her dreams . . . of one day owning a hot tub.  Prost!

Vital Information for Hot Tub Scholarship Lager from Rogue Ales

Release – Seasonal, May to September 2017
Style – Helles-style Lager
ABV – 5.47%
IBUs – 35
Malts – GWM 2 Row, Weyerman Carahell & Dextra Pils
Hops – Rogue Farms Revolution & Alluvial
Yeast – Bohemian Lager
The Cause – Rogue Ales will donate 10% of Hot Tub Scholarship Lager sales to the Jack Joyce Scholarship Fund
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://www.rogue.com/finder/