Stone Brewing Co. Adds Tangerine Express IPA to Year-Round Lineup

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stonetangerineexpressbottle_editedStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) has officially expanded their Year-Round portfolio with the release of Stone Tangerine Express IPA.

The idea for Stone Tangerine Express IPA originally came about when Steve Gonzalez, Stone Brewing’s Senior Manager of Small Batch Brewing & Innovation, and Jake Karley, Director of Beverages & Special Projects at P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant, were tasked to create an original beer to feature at the 2016 Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia.  What they came up with was a golden India Pale Ale brewed with eight hop varietals, pureed tangerines, and whole pineapples.  Their creation proved to be a “bright, juicy and tropical” drinking experience where “neither the hops nor the fruit dominate, yet together they create several complex fruit layers, which can only be achieved by brewing with the entire fruit.”  The beer, now known as Stone Tangerine Express IPA, was such a success that Stone Brewing made the very easy decision to add it to their line of Year-Round Releases.

“Together they landed on a beer that is really hoppy but at the same time has incredible fruit flavor, which was achieved by using high-quality, whole fruit,” said Jeremy Moynier, Senior Innovation Brewing Manager. “When I tasted it with our co-founder, Greg Koch, and other members of our leadership and sales team, we loved it so much so that we went back to San Diego to hatch the plan for a future nationwide release. Greg was particularly adamant that this beer should be in our year-round lineup and personally championed it through the process. I love that it’s a great hoppy beer but has just the right amount of fresh fruit with a complex, pithy quality to balance it out.”

Stone Tangerine Express IPA was officially sent into distribution the week of Monday, January 30.  You can expect to find this new Year-Round in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area.  It has been widely speculated that fruited American India Pale Ales will grow tremendously in popularity during 2017, and it sounds like Stone Tangerine Express IPA will be a welcomed addition to the mix.  If you are one of the many craft beer fans that have been enjoying this trend, keep Stone Brewing’s newest Year-Round in mind while on your next beer run.  Prost!

Vital Information for Stone Tangerine Express IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round, launching January 30, 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.7%
IBUs – 75
Hops – Chinook, Magnum, Centennial, Citra, Sterling, Mosaic, Azacca & Simcoe
Added Ingredients – Tangerines & pineapples
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

Dogfish Head Releases Beer To Drink Music To ’17 to Recognize Record Store Day

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dfhbtdmt17bottleAs a celebration of analog music and off-centered beer, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware) has officially announced the limited release of Beer To Drink Music To ’17 Tropical Blonde.

To properly commemorate the 10th anniversary of Record Store Day, Dogfish Head is treating craft beer and music fans to the “melodic inspired” Beer To Drink Music To ’17, a tropical American Blonde Ale brewed with hibiscus flowers and kiwi juice.  This harmonious combination creates a pinkish-red brew that boasts “strong citrus fruit aromas, hints of grapefruit and floral notes, with a crisp, dry finish.”

Since this offering is meant to be enjoyed with music, Dogfish Head has reunited with Sony Music Legacy Recordings to compile Music To Drink Beer To, Vol. 3 – tracklist coming soon –  as the perfect complement to this beer.  This vinyl compilation will be released at participating stores on Record Store Day – April 22, 2017.

“I fell in love with music at the same time I fell in love with beer, and in an increasingly digital age, vinyl records provide a deep, tangible connection to music that reverberates with craft beer fans,” says Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head founder and president.  Good tunes and great beer are at the heart of Dogfish as Sam composed a musically inspired series of brews with artists like Miles Davis, Deltron 3030, The Grateful Dead, Pearl Jam and Guided by Voices.  “Our brewery has been obsessed with music since the day we opened,” says Calagione.   “And we have enjoyed every opportunity to weave together the art of brewing with our love of music, as often and meaningfully as we can.”

Beyond Beer To Drink Music To ’17 Tropical Blonde, Dogfish Head will be partnering once again with Crosley Radio – architect of the iconic turntable – to promote Record Store Day with a 29-city tour.  The “Dogfish Head x Crosley Cruiser” will be a two-month long tour of “independent record stores and beer bars, sharing the love of vinyl, analog music and delicious craft brews.”  This nomadic event will begin in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, March 3, and ends in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Record Store Day, Saturday, April 22.  The full lineup of cities is as follows: Louisville, Kentucky;  Nashville, Tennessee; Indianapolis, Indiana;  Chicago, Illinois; Madison, Wisconsin; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Detroit, Michigan; Columbus, Ohio; Cincinnati, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; State College, Pennsylvania; Buffalo, New York; Syracuse, New York; Wakefield, Rhode Island; Somerville, Massachusetts;  Allston, Massachusetts; Boston, Massachusetts; New York, New York; Mamaroneck, New York; Long Island City, New York; Washington, D.C.; Fairfax, Virginia; Baltimore, Maryland; Milton, Delaware; Newark, Delaware; Wilmington, Delaware; Westmont, New Jersey; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Beer To Drink Music To ’17 was officially sent into distribution on February 1 and will be hanging around through May.  You can expect to find this limited release available in 12 oz. bottles at craft beer-friendly, music-lovin’ establishments in Florida and throughout the rest of Dogfish Head’s 31 state distribution network.  A word of warning – All of Dogfish Head’s previous music-themed releases have proven to be widely popular and disappeared quickly from store shelves once released.  With that said, be sure to secure your stash while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for Beer To Drink Music To ’17 from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Release – Limited, February through May 2017
Style – American Blonde Ale
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 30
Added Ingredients – Hibiscus flowers & kiwi juice
Availability – 12 oz. bottles
Recommended Glassware – Shaped pint
Recommended Pairing – Music to Drink Beer To 3rd Edition
Beer Finder (a.k.a. FishFinder) – https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/fishfinder

 

 

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Second Self Beer Company to Introduce A.T.aLe as Next Year-Round

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ssbclogoSecond Self Beer Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that they will officially add A.T.aLe to the brewery’s Year-Round lineup beginning in March.

Brewed as a liquid ode to their hometown, A.T.aLe is a “CRISP, CLEAN, REFRESHING” American Pale Ale that comes in at a quaffable 5.7% ABV and 42 IBUs.  Simple and straightforward, A.T.aLe is meant to be an easy-drinking Atlanta Ale that “is the beer you want to drink when you just want to drink a beer.”

Craft beer fans in Atlanta will get a sneak preview of A.T.aLe when Second Self cheers on the Atlanta Falcons at their “Big Super Sport + Potluck Party” on Sunday, February 5 at 6:30 p.m. (click here for more details).  If you cannot make the party, this new Year-Round offering will officially launch in March.  Once released, you will be able to find A.T.aLe in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Second Self Beer Company’s distribution area of Georgia and Alabama.  Be sure to check this one out when these beautifully designed cans (pictured above) start hitting shelves in a just a matter weeks.  Prost!

Vital Information for A.T.aLe from Second Self Beer Company

Release – Year-Round, launching March 2017
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 5.7%
IBUs – 42
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Suggested Food Pairings – Smoked wings, oysters, street tacos, & tomme cheese

Blackhook Porter Makes Seasonal Return for Redhook Brewery

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beer_blackhookRedhook Brewery (Seattle, Washington) has announced that Blackhook Porter is officially back on shelves and taps as the brewery’s Spring Seasonal.

First brewed 34 years ago as the second beer released by the brewery, Blackhook Porter “remains a staple in the Redhook portfolio because it has a rich, malty backbone of roasted chocolate malts and Apollo hops.”  This classic recipe produces a London-style Porter (5.2% ABV) that displays aromas of toasted, chocolate malts and has a flavor profile boasting notes of toasted grain, chocolate, caramel, “a hit of bitterness and a resiny, spicy finish.”

“Blackhook is a cool part of our history and before we brought it into our seasonal lineup last spring, it was one of the most requested beers by Redhook beer drinkers,” Redhook Innovation Brewer Nick Crandall said. “The beer is definitely a standard in our lineup but it’s also a great beer to experiment with. I’ve been playing with different versions like coffee and coca nib, vanilla and chocolate that we’ll be tapping throughout the spring.”

Craft beer fans will also be able to experience variants of Blackhook Porter in 2017.  The brewery has been experimenting with coffee beans, cocoa nibs, vanilla, and chocolate to create “these and other specialty renditions [that] will be available on tap at Redhook’s Woodinville pub and at select bar and restaurant locations in Seattle beginning in February.”

The iconic Blackhook Porter is currently available now and will be hanging around through April of 2017.  You can find this offering in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida and throughout Redhook’s vast distribution area.  If you would like to enjoy a taste of our country’s brewing history, keep Blackhook Porter in mind the next time you hit the bar or bottle shop.  Prost!

Vital Information for Blackhook Porter from Redhook Brewery

Release – Spring Seasonal, January to April 2017
Style – English-style Porter
ABV – 5.2%
IBUs – 36
Malts – Pale, Munich, C-80, Chocolate, & Carafa Special III
Hops – Apollo
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://redhook.com/beer-finder

American Kölsch Launches as Newest Year-Round from Boulevard Brewing Co.

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bbcamkolschcanBoulevard Brewing Company (Kansas City, Missouri) has officially added American Kölsch to the brewery’s lineup of Year-Round beers.

When the brewery decided it was time to produce a new Year-Round brew, Boulevard Brewing Company found inspiration in the Kölsch – “the traditional German ale from the city of Cologne (or Köln).”  For their take on the style, American Kölsch has a bready malt foundation (European Pilsner & Malted Wheat) that “is punctuated by subtle notes of spice and mint from Saaz and Saphir hops.”  Weighing in at a sessionable 4.6% ABV, this refreshing golden ale “delivers a honeyed malt sweetness that gives way to a crisp, clean finish and a touch of lingering hop flavor.”

“In a craft beer world bursting with bold, intense, high alcohol offerings, sometimes you just want an approachable, comforting, easy-drinking beer,” said Boulevard brewmaster Steven Pauwels. “We tested American Kolsch last summer in our new Beer Hall. Based on the reviews, we’re confident it will become a new staple.”

Boulevard Brewing will officially begin the launch of American Kölsch in the Kansas City area on January 30 (click here to see those events).  Shortly after the hometown launch, this new Year-Round offering will then be distributed in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft to craft beer bars, restaurants and retailers in Alabama, Florida and throughout the entirety of Boulevard’s 37-state region.  This just might become your new daily drinker or lawnmower beer, so be sure to give American Kölsch a try once it hits your area.  Prost!

Vital Information for American Kölsch from Boulevard Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round, launches late January/early February 2017
Style – Kölsch
ABV – 4.6%
Malts – Pilsner & Wheat
Hops –  Saaz & Saphir
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://boulevard.com/beers/beer-finder/

 

Due South Brewing Co. Releases Hopicana Rye IPA as Spring Seasonal

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hopicanaDue South Brewing Co. (Boynton Beach, Florida) has announced that Hopicana Rye IPA will return as the brewery’s Spring Seasonal release beginning on Wednesday, February 1.

Each year, the folks at Due South Brewing Co. welcome the coming spring by brewing up a batch of Hopicana, a Rye India Pale Ale that is brewed with honey and oranges.  To capture the full essence of spring in each pour of Hopicana, brewers hand-zest a serious amount of Florida oranges – “80 pounds are used in the 500 gallon batch” – and source local honey “from an apiary in Loxahatchee” to act as the perfect complementary ingredients to the beer’s peppery Rye malt.  This combination produces a refreshing, copper-yellow colored beer that is “full of bright orange sweetness and pithy bitter orange character.”

 “The use of honey and oranges in Hopicana creates an incredibly juicy beer that’s full of great tropical hop character,” says Doug Fairall, Due South Brewing Co.’s Brand and Marketing Manager. “It’s a beer we get asked about often.”

Hopicana officially releases on February 1 and will be distributed to craft beer establishments “across South Florida.”  You can pick up this Seasonal offering either in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans or on draft.  This brew will only be available for a few months, so get your fill while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for Hopicana Rye IPA from Due South Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, February 1, 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale/Rye Beer
ABV – 7.1%
IBUs – 56
Added Ingredients – Florida oranges & local honey
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – South Florida

Brewery Ommegang Introduces Siren’s Song

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ommegang_secondary_logo_greyscaleBrewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York) has officially announced the release of Siren’s Song Dark Ale as their newest Limited Edition offering.

“Named for the enchanting melodies that fabled sirens used to lure in weary sailors,” the Siren’s Song of Brewery Ommegang takes the form of an enchanting Belgian-style Dark Ale brewed with figs and raisins.  This offering begins with a base of Belgian candi syrup, Noble hop varieties, and Pilsner, Midnight Wheat and Soft Red Wheat malts. Figs and raisins were then incorporated in the brewing process for added complexity and to “represent cargo lost to the sea because of the bewitching sirens’ songs.” With dark fruit and roasted malt aromas, this mahogany colored ale boasts a flavor that “begins with sweetness and caramel notes and finishes smooth with lingering hints of caramelized sugar and balanced bitterness.”

“Belgian-style dark ales are a treat to drink,” says Innovation Manager Justin Forsythe, who developed the recipe. “Sirens’ Song is brewed with dark Belgian candi syrup to impart decadent notes of dark fruit and burnt sugar, and also brewed with raisins and figs in order to compliment the rich, fruity character of this dark ale. It’s a wonderful wintertime treat, or a beer to age for years to come.”

Siren’s Song has officially started shipping out to Florida and the rest of Brewery Ommegang’s distribution area.  This offering will be available for a limited time in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.  If you are a lover of fine Belgian-style beers, follow the Siren’s Song to your favorite craft beer establishment and give this one a try while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for Siren’s Song from Brewery Ommegang

Release – Limited Edition Series, debuts late January 2017
Style – Belgian Strong Dark Ale
ABV – 9%
Malts – Pilsner, Midnight Wheat & Soft Red Wheat
Hops – Noble varieties
Added Ingredients – Belgian candi syrup, figs & raisins
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Distribution – FL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, PR, SC, SD, TN, VA, VI, VT, WA
Beer Finder – http://ommegang.com/blog/beer-finder/
Suggested Food Pairings – Grilled meats & BBQ, smoked salmon or trout, & rich cheeses like blue cheese & cheddar

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales to Once Again Release Sobrehumano Palena`ole

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jpsobrehumano_editedJolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales (Dexter, Michigan) has proudly announced that Sobrehumano Palena`ole will officially return as a limited release beginning on Monday, February 6.

Originally released in the summer of 2012 as a collaboration beer with Maui Brewing Co. (Kihei, Hawaii), Sobrehumano Palena`ole quickly became an instant classic within the craft beer community and has since been one of Jolly Pumpkin’s “most asked about beers.”  The reason behind this beer’s success can be found in its recipe and inspiration:

“Sobrehumano Palena`ole bridges the divide between Dexter and Maui, 4391 miles to be exact, combining fruit from each region, cherries and passion fruit, in a 6% ABV red ale before aging in oak for ten months.”

Although Sobrehumano Palena`ole retains the soul of its original release, this batch was aged in a slightly different manner.  Due to the limitations of their previous facility, Jolly Pumpkin was forced to create the 2012 release in “10 barrel batches followed by rigorous blending.”  This time around, their brewers were able to employ the use of “foeder aging of larger batches, allowing the return of this long gone favorite.”

Sobrehumano Palena`ole is available now at all Jolly Pumpkin locations.  750ml bottles of this limited release will then enter distribution beginning on February 6.  You can expect to find this special offering available at select craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida, and “throughout the entire Jolly Pumpkin network, from Michigan to Maui.”  If you are interested in securing a bottle of Sobrehumano Palena`ole, be sure to keep a watchful eye on your area bottle shops at the beginning of February because this beer will most certainly move with a quickness once released.  Prost!

Vital Information for Sobrehumano Palena`ole from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

Release – Limited, officially hits distribution on February 6, 2017
Style – American Wild/Sour Ale
ABV – 6%
Treatment – Aged in oak for 10 months
Added Ingredients – Cherries & passion fruit
Availability – 750ml bottles

Tasting Notes: Warm Up Winter Ale from Starr Hill Brewery

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warmupTasting Notes closes out the week by seeking comfort in a tall glass of Warm Up Winter Ale from Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia).

Warm Up Winter Ale has arrived as the latest release in Starr Hill’s Heavy Rotation Series, a lineup of “fresh styles . . . [that] rotates four times a year and is available in six-packs and on draft.”  For this release, the brewery crafted a smooth Winter Warmer that has been “spiced with cinnamon, cocoa, nutmeg and vanilla.” Weighing in at just 6.1% ABV, this Dark Ale proves to be a “fine pairing for fireside sipping.”  Warm Up Winter Ale is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.  This limited release offering can be found at craft beer-friendly restaurants, bars and retailers in Alabama and throughout the rest of Starr Hill Brewery’s distribution area.

Like all releases in the Heavy Rotation Series, Warm Up Winter Ale is meant to be enjoyed while listening to some great tunes.  Starr Hill Brewery has curated the perfect Spotify playlist to pair with this offering, and you can check it out by clicking here.

Alright, let’s adjust the volume to the appropriate level and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Warm Up Winter Ale from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance: Warm Up pours a striking, red-hued brown in color.  Held to direct light, the reds greatly intensify with glowing garnet tones.  Although it is on the darker side, the beer is clear and displays a dutiful carbonation presence.  The pour produced a solid finger of tan colored foam.  Retention is good, maintaining a half finger cap that lays down spotty lacing on the glass.  An absolutely beautiful beer to look upon.

Aroma: Mmmm, spiced cookie goodness resides within.  Notes of allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon and clove eagerly greet the nose first.  Brown sugar and bready grain then arrive with subtle tones of chocolate and vanilla.  Packed with aromatics, this beer promises that a comforting, warming experience lies ahead.

Taste: The flavor experience begins with a gentle burst of soothing nutmeg and cinnamon. Clove, almonds, light ginger, a touch of citrus and some floral hop notes then begin to develop.  Vanilla adds a bit of a cream-like quality and rich cocoa amps up the level of decadence.  Although this may sound busy, the holiday spices are nicely tempered to keep each sip an absolute pleasure.

Mouthfeel:  This brew falls on the lighter side of medium in body with a moderate carbonation.  It avoids being too heavy on the palate, but still has enough weight to properly carry all of its flavors.  At 6.1% ABV, there is no trace of heat to be found whatsoever.  The aftertaste leaves behind some lingering notes of holiday spice and vanilla.

Final Thoughts: As soon as I first stuck my nose in this glass, Warm Up Winter Ale instantly conjured up childhood memories of getting into a tin of Lebkuchen, a traditional German holiday treat typically given as a gift during Christmas.  Wonderfully aromatic, these confections are basically large, holiday spiced cookies that are often coated with a vanilla or chocolate shell.  They are a perfect balance of sweet and spice that is unmistakable and incredibly nostalgic.  That said, nearly every aspect of these treats can be found in this offering from Starr Hill.  The common pitfall for spiced Winter Warmers is that they can easily result in an intense, overly spiced experience.  This is not the case with Warm Up Winter Ale at all.  Like the Lebkuchen, this offering gives you just enough of these delightful spices and then washes them away with the subtly employed sweetness of vanilla and cocoa.  Every aspect of the beer works in harmony to keep you coming back for another sip.  This is exactly what I seek in a Winter Warmer of this ilk.  If you enjoy Holiday Ales, this is a lighter example that is absolutely worth seeking out.  Prost!

Avery Brewing Company Plans to Release Apricot Sour in February

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averylogoAvery Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado) has announced that Apricot Sour will become the newest offering to join the brewery’s Botanicals & Barrels Series.

To become a part of Avery Brewing Company’s Botanicals & Barrels family of beers, the offering must meet the following criteria:

  • It must be aged in barrels for at least three months
  • It must consist of just one ingredient outside of the standard grain, hops, yeast, and water recipe

With the addition of fruit and a substantial aging period in oak barrels, Apricot Sour easily meets these requirements to result in “a bright and tangy Sour Ale that artfully highlights juicy apricots and barrel-aged tartness.”  The 7.3% ABV Apricot Sour joins Raspberry Sour, Vanilla Bean Stout, and Tangerine Quad as the fourth release in this popular, new series from Avery Brewing.

“The interesting thing about our Botanicals & Barrels series is that as beautiful and simple as the final beer is, it is the culmination of an insanely complex and intricate process”, says Travis Rupp, Avery’s Research and Development Manager and Beer Archaeologist.

“As the second sour of the series, it is brewed with the same bacterial and yeast cocktail as Raspberry Sour”, says Special Project Brewer Leigh Audin, “however the result is a more lactic beer with minimal malt character and a ton of apricot”.

Apricot Sour will first launch on draft in Avery Brewing Company’s Taproom on Monday, January 30.  This offering will then be sent out into distribution in 22 oz. bottles and on draft beginning early February.  You can expect to find this offering on shelves and taps at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Avery Brewing’s distribution area.  If you happen to miss the first wave of Apricot Sour at your favorite craft beer spot, worry not because all releases in the Botanicals & Barrels Series are available year-round.  With time, we are all guaranteed a shot at trying this new Sour Ale from Avery Brewing Company.  Prost!

Vital Information for Apricot Sour from Avery Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round/Botanicals & Barrels Series, launches February 2017
Style – American Wild/Sour Ale
ABV – 7.3%
Yeast and Bacteria – Saccharomyces yeast, Brettanomyces yeast, Lactobacillus & Pediococcus
Treatment – Aged in oak barrels
Added Ingredients – Apricots
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.averybrewing.com/brew-finder