New Belgium Brewing Sends French Oak Saison Out for Limited Release

Posted on by mashingin

French_Oak_Saison-1New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado) has officially announced the release of French Oak Saison as the brewery’s latest Limited Release offering.

The brewers at New Belgium Brewing developed French Oak Saison as their “take on the original 18th century Saisons brewed along the Belgian and French countryside.”  This Farmhouse Ale begins with a base of Rye and Spelt grains to produce a medium body, “while Huell Melon and Tettnang hops provide a honeydew and white pepper aroma.”  After aging in “French oak foeders for 15-18 months”, this 7.5% ABV Wallonia-style Saison is finally completed once it achieves “a mouthwatering sourness with a clean, dry finish.”

French Oak Saison is available now in 22 oz. bottles and on draft.  You can expect to find this limited release on shelves and taps at select craft beer retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina and throughout the rest of New Belgium’s distribution network. French Oak Saison is only available while supplies last, so get it while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for French Oak Saison from New Belgium Brewing Company

Release – Limited, launching mid-April 2017
Style – Saison/Farmhouse Ale
ABV – 7.5%
Malts – Rye & Spelt grains
Hops – Huell Melon & Tettnang 
Treatment – Aged in French oak foeders for 15 to 18 months
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.newbelgium.com/Beer/finder

Boulevard Brewing Releases Changeling Dark Sour Ale

Posted on by mashingin

changelingbottlesBoulevard Brewing Co. (Kansas City, Missouri) has officially announced the release of Changeling Dark Sour Ale as the brewery’s newest Smokestack Series Limited Release beer.

To add some new flavor to their Smokestack Series, Boulevard Brewing went big by crafting Changeling Dark Sour Ale to be “an enchanting blend of sour ales aged in whiskey and wine barrels that were inoculated with brettanomyces and lactobacillus.” Deep ruby in color, Changeling establishes itself with notes of plum and toasted malt.  The flavor then takes on “a soft tartness, with notes of earthiness and funk provided by brettanomyces and a touch of lingering caramel to create a delicate balance.”  The finished beer weighs in at 7.3% ABV and consists of the following blend of beers:

The Official Blend for Changeling Dark Sour Ale

  • Snow & Tell Scotch Ale aged in whiskey barrels – 43%
  • Snow & Tell Scotch Ale aged in wine barrels – 40%
  • Dark Saison aged in whiskey barrels – 10%
  • Flanders Red/Belgian Blonde – foeder – 5%
  • Imperial Stout aged in whiskey barrels – 2%

Changeling Dark Sour Ale is available now in the Greater Kansas City Area “with other cities to follow soon.”  You can expect to find this limited release offering in 750 ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Missouri and other areas that normally receive Smokestack Series Limited Release beers.  Secure your bottles of Changeling while you can because this beer will only be available during the month of April and – like most Wild/Sour Ales these days – is sure to move fast.  Prost!

Vital Information for Changeling Dark Sour Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Smokestack Series, April 2017
Style – American Wild/Sour Ale
ABV – 7.3%
IBUs – 20
Treatment – A blend of Sour Ales aged in whiskey & wine barrels (see above for details on blend)
Availability – 750 ml bottles 
Recommended Glassware – Tulip
Suggested Food Pairings – Aged/smoked cheeses, roasted duck, apple smoked sausage, & beef carbonnade
Beer Finder – https://www.boulevard.com/beer/beer-finder/

 

 

Brasserie St-Feuillien Introduces Grisette Blanche Wit to the U.S. Beer Market

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stfeuillienBrasserie St-Feuillien (Le Roeulx, Belgium) has announced that Grisette Blanche Wit will make its official debut in the U.S. beginning this month.

Fresh off of a gold medal win in the Belgian Style Witbier category at the 2016 World Beer Awards, the folks at Brasserie St-Feuillien believe that Grisette Blanche Wit is now ready to be introduced to the American beer market.  Boasting notes of coriander and citrus, this easy-drinking beer possesses all of the traditional hallmarks one would expect from a great Witbier.  For a more in-depth idea of what to expect, here is how the owner of St-Feuillien describes Grisette Blanche Wit:

“Grisette Blanche belongs to the rich family of Belgian white beers with light character, gentle flavor and a bouquet of aroma,” said St-Feuillien owner Ms. Dominique Friart. “At 5.5% ABV, it pours a pale golden yellow, with spicy aromas of citrus and coriander, a thick goldenrod head of foam and a smooth finish with minimal bitterness. It is a perfect refreshing springtime ale. However, it remains a full-bodied, savory beer offering lots of contrast.”

Grisette Blanche joins St-Feuillien’s U.S. offerings which include its Saison, Triple and Brune.

Launching in the U.S. this month (April 2017), Grisette Blanche Wit will be available as a draft-only offering.  Look for this new brew to be on tap lists at fine beer-focused restaurants and bars in Florida and throughout the rest of the Artisanal Imports national distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Grisette Blanche Wit from Brasserie St-Feuillien

Release – launches in United States in April 2017
Style – Witbier
ABV – 5.5%
Availability – Draft only
Distribution – http://www.artisanalimports.com/wholesalelocations.asp?id=0

Yazoo Brewing and Jose Cuervo Team Up to Create Maracuyá y Tradicional Golden Strong Ale

Posted on by mashingin

ETFlogo_editedAt 3 p.m. (CST) on Wednesday, April 19, Yazoo Brewing Company (Nashville, Tennessee) will host a taproom release for Maracuyá y Tradicional, a cask-aged collaboration with Jose Cuervo Tequila (Jalisco, Mexico).

After quietly collaborating for nearly two years, the folks at Yazoo Brewing and Jose Cuervo have seemingly come out of nowhere to announce their clandestine efforts with the release of Maracuyá y Tradicional (translated: Passion Fruit and Traditional Casks).  Arriving as an incredibly special offering from the brewery’s Embrace The Funk series of sour and barrel-aged beers, Maracuyá y Tradicional is a Brettanomyces fermented Golden Strong Ale that has been made with passion fruit and then carefully “aged in Jose Cuervo 100% Blue Agave Tradicional Reposado Tequila casks.”  No one is going to know this beer better than the head of Yazoo’s Embrace The Funk program, so here is how he describes Maracuyá y Tradicional: 

“Working with a legendary 200 year old Tequila producer on this project has been a very fun crossover into merging beer, freshly emptied tequila oak and wild yeasts. The beer has a big bright tropical fruit character that melds so well into the deep smooth character of the tequila casks. There are a lot of layers to this beer, it’s definitely multiple beers in one bottle.”

 

– Brandon Jones, Head of Yazoo’s Sour & Barrel aging program

As an added bonus, this collaborative effort gets another twist now that Yazoo has sent the Wild Ale-seasoned casks back to Jose Cuervo.  The distillery “is currently finishing a version of their 100% Blue Agave tequila in these same casks for a future special release of an Embrace The Funk tequila.”

On April 19, 750ml bottles – with a real wood label – of Maracuyá y Tradicional will be available for purchase in Yazoo’s taproom.  The brewery “will also have 20 (twenty) 1.5L magnum bottles of this one time collaboration available on a first come first serve basis.” In addition to the taproom release, this offering will also see ” limited local distribution.”  You best believe that these bottles will go fast, so do what you can to be at the Yazoo taproom on Wednesday to secure your bottle of Maracuyá y Tradicional.  Prost!

 

Ayinger Brewery Sends Bavarian Pils to the U.S.

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AyingerPilsposterAyinger Brewery (Aying, Germany) and Merchant du Vin (Seattle, Washington) have announced that Ayinger Bavarian Pils is officially available in the United States for the first time.

Although Ayinger Bavarian Pils has been brewed for years, this classic offering has sadly never been available on U.S. shelves and taps alongside other Ayinger products.  Now that spring has begun to shift to summer, Ayinger Brewery – a Bavarian brewery founded in 1878 and known globally for their commitment to quality – has decided it is high time to remedy this situation.

Inspired by Czech Pilsner beers, Bavarian Pils is a perfectly clear, golden colored lager that combines the flavor of Germany’s highest quality barley with the “marvelously good aroma and bouquet” of noble hops from the Hallertau region.  True to tradition, Ayinger Bavarian Pils proves to be a clean, crisp and beautifully balanced beer that “may make you realize that the Reinheitsgebot is a powerful brewing asset rather than some kind of restriction.”

Ayinger Bavarian Pils officially begins its U.S. launch this month (April 2017) and will be available as a Year-Round offering.  You can find Bavarian Pils available in 4-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles and on draft at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the nationwide reach of Merchant du Vin.  Keep an eye out for Ayinger Bavarian Pils while on your next beer run so that you too can “Genießen Sie die echte Bierkultur” (“Enjoy the Real Beer Culture”).  Prost!

Vital Information for Bavarian Pils from Ayinger Brewery

Release – Year-Round, launching in the U.S. in April 2017
Style – German Pilsner
ABV – 5.3%
IBUs – 32
Ingredients – Water, Wheat Malt, Barley Malt, Hops & Yeast
Suggested Glassware – A tall, tapered Pils glass
Suggested Food Pairings – “Goat cheese or mild cheddar, grilled bratwurst with sauerkraut and pomme frites, croque monsieur, fried oysters with spicy remoulade, jerk or tandoori chicken, sushi, pound cake, or strawberry rhubarb pie.”
Availability – 4-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles & draft

 

Sugarlands Distilling to Offer Piña Colada Moonshine this Summer

Posted on by mashingin

SugarlandslogoSugarlands Distilling Company (Gatlinburg, Tennessee) recently announced plans to officially release Piña Colada Moonshine beginning on Monday, May 15.

Piña Colada Moonshine has been created by Sugarlands Distilling to act as the perfect paring for any summertime gathering with friends and family.  This new offering combines the flavors of “fresh pineapple and coconut milk” to trick the mind into believing it has been transported “directly to the sunny beach setting of its dreams.”  Clocking in at 70 proof (35% ABV), Piña Colada Moonshine “is best enjoyed over ice, on an island, or on your own front porch.”  Piña Colada is the latest moonshine to join Sugarlands’ “award-winning line of spirits that has won 20 awards internationally since distillation began in 2014.”

Sugarlands will officially release Piña Colada Moonshine on May 15.  Once released, this offering will be available in 750 ml Mason jars at select liquor stores found within the distribution area of Sugarlands Distilling Company and online at BuySugarlands.com. Prost!

Vital Information for Piña Colada Moonshine from Sugarlands Distilling Company

Release – launching May 15, 2017
Style – Flavored Moonshine
ABV – 35%  (70 proof)
Distribution – Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Minnesota & Indiana
Buy Online – BuySugarlands.com

 

 

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Takes Beer Camp Across the World in 2017

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BCAW_2017Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California) has officially announced that it will release Beer Camp Across the World, an international collaboration 12-pack, in June.

Each year, Sierra Nevada hosts Beer Camp as the “industry’s largest collaboration effort” to celebrate and showcase “the art, spirit and attitude of craft beer.”  In order to create a truly special collaboration 12-pack in 2017, the brewers at Sierra Nevada have “partnered with 12 craft breweries–6 overseas and 6 stateside–to brew . . . Beer Camp Across the World.”  Their efforts have produced the following 12 one-off, “dream beers” that have been created with some of the world’s finest brewing talent:

Each Beer Camp Across the World 12-pack will contain one of each of the beers listed above (a mix of cans and bottles).  Beer Camp Across the World will see a one-time-only national release beginning in June, and these limited edition 12-packs will be available at select craft beer retailers located in Alabama, Florida, California, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Sierra Nevada’s national distribution area.  Beer Camp Across the World is a rare opportunity for you to try some incredibly unique beers from a dozen highly-respected, world-class breweries in one package.  This thing basically defines the terms “can’t-miss” and “must-have”. These 12-packs will disappear with a quickness, so don’t miss out.  Prost!

Founders Brewing Co. to Unleash Doom in May

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BA_Doom2017ClusterFounders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has announced that Doom Barrel-aged Imperial IPA will officially return in May to act as the next release in the brewery’s Barrel-Aged Series.

Last released in 2013 as a part of the Founders Backstage Series, Doom is set for a comeback in 2017 as the third release in the newly established Barrel-Aged Series, a limited lineup of “complex, world-class beers worthy of time in a barrel.”  To properly embody “a collision of worlds” in craft brewing, Doom starts with an Imperial India Pale Ale base filled with “intense hop character.”  This beer is then left to rest in Bourbon barrels so that it may pick up “warm vanilla and oak notes.”  The result is an incredibly complex Imperial IPA that is meant to be sipped and savored.

“Imperial IPA and barrel-aging – two of our greatest strengths coming together to create the masterpiece we call Doom,” said Co-Founder and President, Dave Engbers. “This is a huge beer with a big attitude. We are so happy to bring this beer back for those who have been vocal in asking for its return and we look forward to introduce it to those who haven’t yet had the opportunity to try it.”

The inaugural year for the Barrel-Aged Series has already seen the releases of Frootwood and KBS.  Doom will serve as the third release in the series, and Backwoods Bastard (November) will join two yet-to-be-announced beers to close it out later this year.

Doom Barrel-aged Imperial IPA will officially release in the Founders Brewing Co. taproom beginning on May 12.  Shortly thereafter, this limited release will then see distribution in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $14.99), 750 ml bottles (suggested retail price of 11.99 each), and on draft.  You can expect to find this one available at craft beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of the brewery’s distribution footprint.  Mark those calendars and get it while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for Doom Barrel-aged Imperial IPA from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Barrel-Aged Series, May through June 2017
Style – American Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV – not available at this time
IBUs – not available at this time
Treatment – Aged in Bourbon barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750 ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/find-our-beer/

Tasting Notes: Coffee King of Hop from Starr Hill Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

4kingscoffeepour800To celebrate the workweek finally reaching its midpoint, we are getting into some Tasting Notes action with a little help from Coffee King of Hop Imperial IPA from Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia).

As we recently reported, Coffee King of Hop comes to us by way of Starr Hill Brewery’s Four Kings IPA Pack, a limited release mixed 12-pack that showcases the versatility of King of Hop Imperial IPA by offering it alongside inventive variants that feature various natural ingredients.  The lineup changes each year, and the 2017 Four Kings IPA Pack contains three bottles of each of the following four offerings:

  • King of Hop Imperial IPA
  • Coffee King of Hop
  • Mango Habanero King of Hop
  • Orange King of Hop

The Four Kings IPA Pack officially released on April 1, and these mixed 12-packs are available for a limited time at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Virginia, and other states within Starr Hill’s distribution area.

Coffee King of Hop immediately caught our attention when we opened the box, so let’s get into some Tasting Notes and see what this beer is all about!

Tastings Notes for Coffee King of Hop Imperial IPA from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance:  Coffee King of Hop presents itself as a deep golden in color with hues of burnt orange radiating at its core.  Held to the light, bright yellows and oranges push through.  The body is crystal clear and displays a lively carbonation presence.  The pour produced two fingers of lily white foam.  Those carbonation bubbles are quick to feed the head, so retention is fantastic.  The foam has great stick to it, and massive webs of lace are left behind on the glass after each pull.  An absolutely beautiful beer to look at.

Aroma:  One might expect the aroma of any Imperial IPA to begin with big, bursting notes of juicy hops, but this one actually leads with the coffee.  It is nothing crazy or over the top, just a lightly-roasted coffee note that is definitely motivated to quickly stake claim to this beer.  Proving to have floral and lightly fruity characteristics, the chosen coffee beans complement the hops with ease and actually accentuate their notes of fresh citrus fruits.  A touch of light caramel sweetness from the malts finishes off the experience and adds further cohesion to the profile.

Taste:  Things flip flop a bit here as the hops take the lead in flavor.  The base Imperial IPA’s hop notes of grapefruit, tangerine and passion fruit lay down a wonderfully juicy foundation.  Just as some herbal hop notes begin to reveal themselves, they are quickly overtaken by the rising coffee tones.  The coffee is easily identified by its roasted character and soft bitterness, but it then delights and surprises the palate with those floral and fruit notes found in the nose.  Translating as flavors of citrus, stone fruit and berries, these fruit notes fuse easily with the fruitiness of the hops to create a seamless and mighty tasty experience with each sip.

Mouthfeel:  This beer is medium bodied with a somewhat assertive carbonation level.  This combo keeps things refreshing and easy drinking, but the beer does retain a bit of stickiness on the palate.  The tongue is entertained by a hearty helping of hoppy bitterness and a touch of sweetness.  For an Imperial IPA, the 7.5% ABV is incredibly reasonable and further reinforces the easy-drinking nature of the beer.  Aftertaste is made up of juicy hops notes and a bit of lingering coffee roast.

Final Thoughts:  Although I have had many previous experiences with beers that combine coffee and hops, I was honestly a bit wary of Coffee King of Hop because it is an Imperial India Pale Ale.  Although uniting coffee and hops definitely makes sense on paper (and a practice I am fully on board with), it just seems that it would translate better in styles like American Pale Ales and India Pale Ales that possess a little less aggressiveness in the hop department.  In this case . . . I must say I was totally wrong because Coffee King of Hop absolutely nailed it.  The base beer’s established hop presence works beautifully with the chosen coffee beans to create aromatic and flavor notes that are simply unmatched in my experience.  Factor in the lower ABV level and the beer’s overall drinkability, and all those worries surrounding an Imperial IPA have been washed away.  In conclusion, Coffee King of Hop is certainly a standout offering in the Four Kings IPA Pack as well as in the Coffee IPA trend in general.  If distribution in your area allows it, be sure to pick up a Four Kings IPA Pack and let us know which of these tasty brews establishes itself as your favorite.  Prost!

Sprecher Brewery Unveils Belgian Progression 4-Pack

Posted on by mashingin

belgium-progression-640x1024Sprecher Brewery (Glendale, Wisconsin) has officially announced the release of Belgian Progression, a new series of four Belgian Ales.

Belgian beer fans, you just got a serious hook up now that Sprecher has released their Belgian Progression series.  This variety pack is a true study of Belgian brewing by featuring each of the country’s traditional styles: Enkel (a.k.a. Belgian Single or Patersbier), Dubbel, Tripel and Quadrupel.  For the full rundown on Sprecher’s Belgian Progression, here are the descriptions for each beer featured in this 4-pack:

  • Belgian Enkel – “The lightest beer the Enkel, is medium bodied, delicately balanced with fruity esters, subtle spicy notes and a dry finish.” ABV – 5.3%
  • Belgian Dubbel – “Brewed with imported malts and Belgian candi sugar, the Dubbel is replete with big, Belgian fruit flavors (raisins, plum), a smooth cereal character and lovely mouthfeel.” ABV – 6.5%
  • Belgian Tripel – “A delicious yet strong Belgian-style ale characterized by fruity esters, flavors of banana, apples, light grain and herbal notes.”  ABV – not listed in press release
  • Belgian Quad – “The Quad features a massive mouthful of malt goodness balanced by warming alcohol with a whisper of bitterness and playful spice; perfect for cooler weather or late evenings. Predominant flavors include caramelized sugar, toffee, dried fruits (fig, cherry, raisin, plum), molasses, light spice (clove, pepper, nutmeg) and a slight hint of citrus.” ABV – 10.5%

Although all of these beers can be enjoyed fresh, the Belgian Progression pack has several offerings that can benefit from aging.  While the Enkel should be consumed sooner rather than later, the “Dubbel, Tripel and Quad can be aged for six months or more.”

“These four beers represent a nice range of Belgian-style beers offering wide array of classic aromas, flavors and mouthfeel for the novice and the seasoned craft beer lover. For maximum enjoyment, I strongly recommend drinking the beers in the intended order.”

 

– Craig Burge, Sprecher Brewmaster

The beers of Belgian Progression will officially launch on Saturday, April 15 during a release party in Sprecher Brewery’s taproom.  After the party, you can look for these Belgian ales to be available in variety 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin and throughout the rest of the brewery’s distribution network.  If you are a lover of Belgian brews or just want to learn more about the storied history of Belgian brewing, the Belgian Progression 4-pack should prove to be an awesome pick-up for you.  Be sure to check it out soon.  Prost!