Mashing In

Good People Brewing Launches Denim Downhiller as New Winter Seasonal

Posted on October 23, 2017 by mashingin

Good People Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) has announced that Denim Downhiller Winter Ale will officially make its Seasonal debut on October 30.

When the time came for Good People Brewing to develop a new Winter Seasonal, they decided to draw inspiration from “those that buy milk and bread at the first sign of bad weather and scotchgard their jeans” (a.k.a. the “Southern Appalachia skier”). Clocking in at 5.3% ABV, Denim Downhiller is a “warm and toasty” Winter Ale that possesses “earthy and floral notes from Willamette and Mt. Hood hops.”

Denim Downhiller will officially release on October 30 and hang around through the winter months. Once released, you will be able to find this Seasonal offering available in 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located within Good People Brewing’s distribution reach in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Prost!

Vital Information for Denim Downhiller Winter Ale from Good People Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, launches on October 30, 2017
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 5.3%
Featured Hops – Willamette & Mt. Hood
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://goodpeoplebrewing.com/beerfinder.php

Tasting Notes: KÖLD SCHAUER from Sixpoint Brewery

Posted on October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 by mashingin

With sights set on ultimate refreshment, this week’s Tasting Notes has us getting into a KÖLD SCHAUER from Sixpoint Brewery (Brooklyn, New York).

The “shower beer” has officially gone mainstream, and Sixpoint Brewery is getting in on that action with the Limited Release of KÖLD SCHAUER. Intent on creating something “light, fresh, and clean”, they decided to go with a Kölsch that is light on bitterness (23 IBUs) but still has “a distinctive honeydew melon aroma from Huell Melon hops.” With “distinctive kölsch yeast [and] pilsner malts” supporting those juicy hop notes, the 4.9% ABV KÖLD SCHAUER shows absolutely “no shrinkage in the flavor department.” KÖLD SCHAUER is rolling out now, and this Limited Release is available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Sixpoint Brewery’s distribution footprint.

Alright, I guess it’s time to grab a towel, hit the showers and get into these Tasting Notes . . .

Tasting Notes for KÖLD SCHAUER from Sixpoint Brewery

Appearance: The pour produces a yellow-tinted, light orange colored brew capped with nearly two fingers of fluffy white foam. When held to direct light, yellow hues intensify and the color turns to more of a burnished gold. The beer is slightly hazy and displays a steady carbonation presence bouncing about within. Head retention is good, but it slowly falls to a rocky half finger that consistently notches the glass with lace after each draw.

Aroma: The aromatics begin with some lightly toasted grain notes and honey. That solid first wave of malty goodness is then gently overtaken by a clean floral and fruity breath of hops. That fruity quality opens further to close the profile with a light melon character.

Taste: Whoa . . . those Huell Melon hops really shine here as the flavor leads with a lovely and pronounced melon presence. That honeydew note is laced with a touch of citrus, a bit of grassiness, and some floral tones. All of that is supported by an ever-present undercurrent of toasted, biscuity grains and a dollop of honey. The balance is just beautiful, and it is all made possible thanks to a nondescript fruitiness coming from the Kölsch yeast. Fantastic. Truly fantastic.

Mouthfeel: Light in body with a bright, prickly carbonation. The balance is nearly spot on here, staying almost perfectly centered between malty and hoppy. Each sip dries out nicely, constantly begging for another. The ABV is completely hidden, further adding to the beer’s refreshing and easy-drinking ways. Aftertaste is minimal, but there is just a touch of residual fruitiness left behind.

Final Thoughts: As we all know, a shower beer must be light, crisp, clean and (above all else) refreshing. KÖLD SCHAUER hits all those marks with ease, and a great deal of this beer’s success comes from how Sixpoint handled the hops. They were somehow able to pull all the juicy, refreshing fruit flavor out of these Huell Melon hops but without making the beer overly bitter. They found a sweet spot that holds maximum hop flavor with minimum bitterness, and it is simply gorgeous when combined with those trademark Kölsch yeast and malt notes. All in all, this beer is everything I am looking for in Kölsch and it can join me in the shower anytime. Prost!

Green Flash Hop Head Red Makes Limited Return

Posted on October 20, 2017 by mashingin

Green Flash Brewing Co. (San Diego, California) recently announced that it is bringing back its classic Hop Head Red for a limited time, draft-only release.

The story of Hop Head Red began when it first debuted for Green Flash back in 2006, but its legend quickly grew as it “went on to win over a dozen awards including two silvers and a bronze at the Great American Beer Festival (2007, 2009, 2012 – in the Amber Ale category).” Sadly, Hop Head Red’s quality and achievements could not save it as the craft beer community evolved, and Green Flash had to make the difficult decision to retire the beer in 2014. Despite its absence, many Green Flash fans (myself included) clung to the memory of Hop Head Red and constantly requested a triumphant return for the beer. The brewery has heard these calls and has decided to treat us all to a little Hop Head Red revival.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this beer, Hop Head Red is a glorious “union of Red Ale and resinous IPA.” With “mountains of Nugget and Amarillo hops” piled upon “a rich, caramel malt base”, this 6.5% ABV Red IPA absolutely “[overtakes] the senses with an alluring floral hop aroma.”

Hop Head Red will officially return in late-October with availability on draft only. You can expect to find this Limited offering on tap at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia, and throughout the rest of Green Flash’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Hop Head Red from Green Flash Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, late-October 2017
Style – Red India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.5%
Featured Hops – Amarillo & Nugget
Availability – Draft only
Beer Finder – http://www.greenflashbrew.com/find-beer/

Dust Bunny Hazy IPA Makes Seasonal Debut for Monday Night Brewing

Posted on October 19, 2017October 19, 2017 by mashingin

Monday Night Brewing (Atlanta, Georgia) recently announced that Dust Bunny Hazy IPA will soon be hitting shelves and taps as the brewery’s newest Seasonal.

Sauntering in as the first Seasonal to rock the brewery’s new look packaging, Dust Bunny is Monday Night Brewing’s take on the trendy East Coast IPA. Thanks to a heavy dose of wheat and a hop bill bursting with Comet, Ekuanot, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria hops, this hazy India Pale Ale “is packed with aromatics of orange and lemon dripping with honey.” With notes of peach turning up in the flavor department, this “soft yet bright” bodied, juicy brew comes together to be “an all-around refreshing IPA.”

Dust Bunny Hazy IPA is currently available on draft at Monday Night’s Midtown location and will officially hit distribution on Monday, October 23. Once released, you can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama and Georgia. Prost!

Vital Information for Dust Bunny Hazy IPA from Monday Night Brewing

Release – Seasonal, arriving late-October 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 60
Hops – Comet, Ekuanot, Citra & Mandarina Bavaria
Malts – Flaked Wheat, 2-row, Munich & Carapils
Suggested Food Pairings – “Roasted chicken, spicy foods, strong cheeses”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft

Due South Brewing Co. Set for Limited Release of Nun With A Chainsaw IPA

Posted on October 19, 2017 by mashingin

On Friday, October 20 at noon, Due South Brewing Co. (Boynton Beach, Florida) will begin the limited release of Nun with a Chainsaw IPA in the brewery’s taproom.

Arriving as Due South Brewing Co.’s first release to be packaged in 16 oz. cans, Nun with a Chainsaw is an American India Pale Ale that received a healthy late addition of and “copious dry hopping” with Amarillo, Azacca and Idaho 7 hops. This “extremely potent arsenal of hops” yields a 7% ABV IPA that promises to be “a hop-lovers dream of tropical and piney aromas and flavors.”

At this point, some of you may be thinking, “That’s all well and good, but what’s up with name?” Well, here’s the brewery with the backstory on Nun with a Chainsaw:

“When Irma blew through South Florida, one nun in Miami made it her mission to clear debris,” Doug Fairall, Due South Brewing’s Brand Manager said. “This is our tribute to those who had to – and continue to – do what’s necessary in the face of adversity.”

Nun with a Chainsaw IPA will officially release in Due South Brewing Co.’s taproom on Friday, October 20 at noon. This Limited Release offering will be available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, and there will not be a case limit. Nun with a Chainsaw IPA is a taproom-only release and is not expected to see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Nun with a Chainsaw IPA from Due South Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Taproom-Only; October 20, 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 7%
Featured Hops – Amarillo, Azacca & Idaho 7
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans
Limit – No case limit

Jester King Brewery Introduces No Whalez Here

Posted on October 18, 2017October 18, 2017 by mashingin

23908616778_ae5f6a3abd_z — Image Credit: jstuffings

Jester King Brewery (Austin, Texas) announced today that it will officially begin the release of No Whalez Here Farmhouse Witbier on Friday, October 20.

No Whalez Here is a Farmhouse-style Witbier that was “brewed on June 12, 2017 with Hill Country well water, White Horn pilsner malt from Blacklands, malted wheat, raw wheat, flaked wheat, Carafoam malt, rolled oats,” and an undisclosed hop bill. To give the beer a distinctive Witbier essence, the brewers went local by adding “Texas coriander, house-dried Texas tangerines, and hand-harvested lavender from the flower beds in front of the brewery.” This brew was then finished off by being “fermented in a horizontal stainless steel tank with [a] mixed culture of brewers yeast, native yeast, and native bacteria.”

No Whalez Here will officially debut in Jester King’s Tasting Room on Friday, October 20 at 4 p.m. The brewery has about 2,300 bottles of this offering available, and it is expected that “a portion of the batch” will be distributed. If you live in an area that typically sees Jester King offerings on shelves (looking at you, Florida), keep an eye out for this one to possibly turn up at your favorite craft beer spot. Prost!

Vital Information for No Whalez Here from Jester King Brewery

Release – Limited, launches October 20, 2017
Style – Farmhouse Ale/Witbier
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 31
Grains – White Horn Pilsner Malt from Blacklands, Malted Wheat, Raw Wheat, Flaked Wheat, Carafoam Malt & Rolled Oats
Added Ingredients – Texas coriander, Texas tangerines & Texas lavender
Fermentation – Mixed culture of brewers yeast, native yeast & native bacteria
Availability – 750ml bottles
Bottle Count – 2,300 bottles (+/-)

Coppertail Brewing Co. Provides a Peek at Its 2018 Release Calendar

Posted on October 18, 2017 by mashingin

With its sights set firmly on the year ahead, Coppertail Brewing Co. (Tampa, Florida) has officially unveiled its 2018 Distribution Release Calendar.

Just as we did with last year’s batch of calendars, we have posted Coppertail Brewing Co.’s full 2018 Release Calendar below for you to look over at your leisure. With that said, there are a few highlights and format changes to go over before we turn you loose:

Coppertail Brewing’s Seasonals will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and include offerings such as Septima Saison and Seasonal Relief Baltic Porter.
The Florida Weisse Series returns in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and will feature releases such as BOMP Berliner Weisse (Blood Orange, Mango, Passion Fruit), Blackberry Cucumber Berliner Weisse and Guava Pastelitos Berliner Weisse.
2018 will see three Limited Release Series offerings in 750ml bottles: Captain Jack’s Stone Crab Stout (January – March), The Realist Tart Pale Ale (June – August), and Cryptid Imperial Stout (October – December).
The Alpha Hunt Series of India Pale Ales will return in 2018 with 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles. Although we do not have a name for one of the three releases, we do know that Kiko Santiago India Pale Ale and Sorcha O’Sullivan India Pale Ale will be back next year. Sorcha O’Sullivan is actually making its 2017 debut right now, and this IPA sources “big citrus and tropical fruit notes” from Idaho 7, Medusa and Citra hops.
Keep in mind that the document below is actually just Coppertail’s distribution calendar for packaged beer in 2018. That is why there is no mention of draft availability and why a beer or two may be missing from the list. For instance, the not listed but wildly popular Brew’s Banner Double IPA will see a tasting room-only release in March 2018.

Alrighty . . . that’s pretty much everything we wanted to go over, but there are still quite a few gems left for you to discover on the calendar. Give it a good look and start getting amped for another great year of brews from Coppertail Brewing Co. Prost!

Brewery Ommegang Celebrates 20 Years with Release of 20th Anniversary Ale

Posted on October 17, 2017 by mashingin

Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York) recently announced that it is celebrating two decades of brewing with the limited release of 20th Anniversary Ale.

Ever since it was founded in 1997, Brewery Ommegang has been brewing with the goal of creating “beautiful, imaginative Belgian-style ales blended with a touch of American innovation.” Staying true to the brewing philosophy that got them here, Ommegang’s brewers are marking their twenty-year milestone with 20th Anniversary Ale, a classic Belgian-style brew that has been given an “American twist” of bourbon barrel aging.

The base beer for this offering is a Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale that has been built with four malts (Munich, Special B, Cara-Vienne, and Blackprinz), a “balanced hopping” with Spalter Select and Styrian Golding hops, and an addition of Belgian candi sugar. Once the beer finished fermentation, it was then “aged for more than five months” in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels. This all results in a rich, full-bodied 20th Anniversary Ale that is “mildly sweet” in flavor “with notes of caramel and molasses mingling with hints of bourbon and oak.”

“Twenty years ago, our founders built Brewery Ommegang with a simple purpose: to use Belgian-inspired brewing to elevate the entire conversation about craft beer in this country,” remarks our president, Doug Campbell. “Today, two decades later, with the release of this beer, we honor their legacy while at the very same time we continue to pursue it every day.”

20th Anniversary Ale is hitting shelves now and will hang around while supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 750ml bottles at select beer establishments located in Florida, Georgia, New York and throughout the rest of Brewery Ommegang’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for 20th Anniversary Ale from Brewery Ommegang

Release – Limited, October 2017
Style – Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale
ABV – 11.5%
Malts – Munich, Special B, Cara-Vienne & Blackprinz
Hops – Spalter Select & Styrian Golding
Added Ingredients – Belgian Candi Sugar
Treatment – Aged for “more than five months” in Buffalo Trace bourbon barrels
Suggested Food Pairings – “Dark roasted meats, rich creamy cheeses, Belgian chocolate are excellent pairing options, or enjoy this beer as a dessert all on its own.”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Beer Finder – http://ommegang.com/blog/beer-finder/

Good People Brewing Company Acquires Avondale Brewing Company

Posted on October 17, 2017 by mashingin

Good People Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) has officially announced that it has purchased Avondale Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) and its assets from Avondale Holdings, a subsidiary of Orchestra Partners.

Although the financial terms have not been disclosed, the deal is done and the folks behind Good People Brewing Company will now be the new managers of Avondale Brewing Company. Good People Brewing, Alabama’s oldest and largest brewery, assures that it “will continue to build upon the already established success of the Avondale brand.” This basically means that Avondale Brewing’s name, location and staff will remain the same. If events or musical performances were previously scheduled by Avondale Brewing, they will still take place.

Good People Brewing Company’s overall intention with this transaction is “to combine the strengths of both organizations. By combining forces and becoming more collaborative, the local beer community will see more quality offerings and innovative brews.”

“We’ve always really admired Avondale Brewing Company and what it has done for Birmingham and the culture of this city,” said Michael Sellers, co-owner and founder of Good People Brewing Company. “We look forward to continuing to brew great beer in the city of Birmingham and bring that beer across the Southeast. We wish the Lake brothers the best of luck on their new ventures.”

Founded in 2011 by Coby and Hunter Lake, Avondale Brewing Company is known for a sizable portfolio of Year-Round and Seasonal craft brews, experimental offerings that are served in The Sour Room, and an outdoor music/event venue that has “hosted such acts ranging from The Wailers to Gov’t Mule to Yelawolf.” Avondale Brewing “produces 6,000 barrels per year.”

If you would like more up-to-date information on both of these breweries as this situation develops, the new management team suggests that you “‘like’ Good People Brewing and Avondale Brewing on Facebook or follow on Twitter or Instagram at @GPBrewing and @AvondaleBrewing.” Prost!

Funky Buddha Brewery and CORE Provide Hurricane Relief with Florida Rebuilds Ale

Posted on October 16, 2017October 16, 2017 by mashingin

Funky Buddha Brewery (Oakland Park, Florida) has announced that it has partnered with Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE) to release Florida Rebuilds Ale as a means of raising funds and awareness for Florida Keys-based families in the service industry that were affected by Hurricane Irma.

It is pretty safe to assume that the majority of our population is aware of the devastation that Hurricane Irma brought to the Florida peninsula last month, but what many may forget is the long-term effects this storm will have on “those families whose breadwinners work in the service industry” in that area. Although the Florida Keys are beginning to reopen for business, the truth is that “countless restaurants, bars, resorts, and hotels will be impacted by the loss of tourism dollars brought on” by the very idea of the storm and its damage. Those lost tourism dollars will result in financial difficulties for the multitude of service industry workers in the Keys, but there is still hope to be found in this seemingly hopeless situation. That hope comes from CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees), a 501c3 organization that “grants support to children of food and beverage service professionals navigating life-altering circumstances.”

Funky Buddha Brewery has officially partnered with CORE to raise much needed funds and awareness for this organization’s mission. The brewery is doing its part by releasing Florida Rebuilds Ale, a sessionable Blonde Ale that is Citra-hopped and brewed with “key lime juice as an ode to the resilient spirit of the Keys . . . Funds generated by the Florida Rebuilds beer and program will go exclusively towards Hurricane Irma victims and their children struggling with expenses such as food, rent, utilities, medical bills, and more, all with zero administrative costs. Constellation Brands, Inc. which acquired Funky Buddha Brewery in August of this year, has pledged to match up to $50,000 in funds raised through the Florida Rebuilds program.”

“We’ve been incredibly encouraged by the many amazing hurricane relief efforts going on right now across the state, and knew from the get go that we wanted to participate in a unique and meaningful way,” says KC Sentz, Funky Buddha Brewery’s General Manager and Co-Founder. “In working with CORE, we feel like we can make a significant impact in the lives of folks who are still reeling from Irma and may be for some time to come.”

Florida Rebuilds Ale debuted in Funky Buddha Brewery’s Tap Room over the weekend, and “Funky Buddha and Brown Distributing of West Palm Beach will release draft kegs of the beer for sale to retailers throughout Southeast and Southwest Florida, Tampa, and the Florida Keys” beginning the week of Monday, October 16. “Each company will donate 100% of its sales of the beer directly to CORE. In addition, Funky Buddha will donate 100% of sales of Florida Rebuilds sold in its tap room starting on October 13th, and engage in a statewide effort to raise awareness and funds for CORE.” If you would like to support this program by enjoying a tall pour of Florida Rebuilds Ale, you can click here to view a complete list of bars and restaurants pouring this charitable brew (the list will be updated as more establishments join the Florida Rebuilds program). “Here’s to rebuilding Florida, one pint at a time.” Prost!

News & Perspectives on Beer and its Culture

Year: 2017