Rodenbach Alexander Now Available Year-Round

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RodenbachAlexanderbottleBrouwerij RODENBACH (Roeselare, Belgium) has announced that it is officially reclassifying RODENBACH Alexander as a Year-Round offering that will have availability on draft and in new-look 4-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles.

First brewed in 1986 to commemorate Alexander Rodenbach’s 200th birthday, RODENBACH Alexander is a Flanders-style Red Ale comprised of “a blend of 2/3rd aged RODENBACH (2-year matured beer from oak standing Foeders) and 1/3rd young ale, then macerated with sour cherries.” After production of Alexander was ceased in 1999, constant consumer demand forced RODENBACH to resurrect this iconic brew in 2016 as an annually released, limited edition beer packaged in large format bottles.  Alexander has since firmly established itself as one the brewery’s most sought after beers, and now RODENBACH has decided to give their fans the option to enjoy this beautiful beer as a full-time, Year-Round offering.

“The consumer demand and interest for this beer has been outstanding since we re-launched it two years ago, with many stories of consumers traveling far distances to get their hands on a single bottle,” said David van Wees, founder of Latis Imports, U.S. Importer for RODENBACH Brewery. “It’s an exceptional beer that deserves to be enjoyed year-round and we’re excited that more consumers will have the opportunity to enjoy a beer that pays homage to one of the brewery’s original founding members.”

RODENBACH Alexander will officially begin its Year-Round status in June 2018.  Once this happens, you can expect to find this world-class offering available in 4-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $14.99) and on draft at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida and all other areas of the United States that normally see RODENBACH beers on shelves and taps.  Prost!

Vital Information for RODENBACH Alexander from Brouwerij RODENBACH

Release – Year-Round beginning June 2018
Style – Flanders-style Red Ale
ABV – 5.6%
Treatment – “Blend of 2/3rd aged RODENBACH (2-year matured beer from oak standing Foeders) and 1/3rd young ale, then macerated with sour cherries”
Fun Fact – On the beer’s history: “Originally brewed in 1986 to commemorate the 200th birthday of one of the brewery’s founding members – Alexander Rodenbach. Despite being blind at the age of eleven, Alexander Rodenbach ran the brewery starting in 1821 and went on to become a member of parliament, which he served for 36 years. Following the 1999 release, the brewery stopped production of RODENBACH Alexander. It became highly celebrated and in demand since being released annually in limited edition large format bottles beginning in 2016.”
Availability – 4-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles & draft

San Franpsycho IPA Makes Seasonal Debut for Anchor Brewing

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SanFranpsycho_detailAnchor Brewing (San Francisco, California) has officially released San Franpsycho IPA as the brewery’s newest Spring/Summer Seasonal offering.

Brewed in collaboration with the community-based clothing and lifestyle brand of the same name, San Franpsycho is a “delicious, balanced and easy-drinking” India Pale Ale that is meant to “[celebrate] the city and culture of San Francisco.”  With the help of a public vote on various batches, the crew at Anchor Brewing developed this version of San Franpsycho IPA with an inventive recipe that incorporates “a mixed culture of yeast to create a unique and fruity estery nose.”  Peach and apricot puree was then added “during the secondary fermentation, giving the beer a pleasant hint of sweetness and abundantly fruity aromas of peach, apricot, and pineapple with a bit of funky dank.” With all of this resting on a base of 2-Row Pale, Red Wheat and Acidulated malt, the completed San Franpsycho IPA (6.3% ABV) “pours a hazy golden straw color” and boasts a “slightly sweet taste, with a mild Belgian complexity from the yeast and a finish of fruity hops.”

“San Francisco is a special little city on the edge of the universe,” said Anchor Brewmaster Scott Ungermann, “and at the same time, what happens here is amplified by the tech industry that reverberates around the world. This city is a launching point for so many things, and a place where people come to seek their own way. San Franpsycho IPA is a celebration of that pioneering spirit for everyone to enjoy.”

San Franpsycho IPA is rolling out now and will be available through September 2018.  You can expect to find this Seasonal Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of Anchor Brewing’s nationwide distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for San Franpsycho IPA from Anchor Brewing 

Release – Seasonal, April – September 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.3%
Hops – Apollo; dry-hopped with “a blend of aromatic & tropical North American hops”
Malts – 2-Row Pale, Red Wheat & Acidulated
Added Ingredients – Peach & apricot puree
Suggested Food Pairings – “Ceviche, avocado toast and peach cobbler”
Fun Fact – On the beer’s name and label artwork: “The name San Franpsycho IPA speaks to San Francisco, but specifically to Ocean Beach and the Outer Sunset neighborhood. The label design is a classic view from the Noriega hilltop looking down to the Outer Sunset and Ocean Beach.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.anchorbrewing.com/connect/beer_finder

Tasting Notes: Coastline Lager from Due South Brewing Co.

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DueSouthCoastlinePour600For this week’s Tasting Notes, we seek out a quiet, relaxing patch of sand so that we can properly enjoy some Coastline Lager from Due South Brewing Co. (Boynton Beach, Florida).

Back in March of this year, veteran owned and operated Due South Brewing Co. announced that it would transition all of its packaged beer to 16 oz. cans.  This move includes all Year-Round offerings that were previously sold in 12 oz. packaging and is being appropriately spearheaded by the emergence of Coastline Lager.  Descriptions are brief when it comes to this new Year-Round offering as the brewery quickly sums Coastline (4% ABV) up as a “crisp and delicious [American-style lager], expertly brewed for wherever your adventure takes you.”  Coastline Lager is available now in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located throughout Due South’s distribution footprint in Western Florida.

Now that we have those pertinent details out of the way, I do believe it is time to crack these cans, put our toes in the sand and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Coastline Lager from Due South Brewing Co.

Appearance: Coastline fills the glass with a pale, straw yellow-colored brew that is capped with a little over a finger of airy white foam.  Held to direct light, the yellows take on a slightly golden hue, but those straw tones hold most of their ground.  The beer is pristine in clarity and shows a fervid carbonation presence streaming upward in countless uniform lines.  Despite the zealous nature of those bubbles, the head quickly falls to a bubbly ring that occasionally leaves thin threads of lace behind on the glass.

Aroma:  As is the case with most lagers of this kind, the aromatics are light and unobtrusive but still have the ability to make an impact.  A clean grain presence leads the way here with earthy and lightly sweet notes.  The yeast contributes just a touch of fruitiness, and the hops close out the profile with some faint grassy and citrusy tones.

Taste:  Just like in the nose, the first thing to surface is a lightly sweet, reserved grain presence.  The hops are a bit more confident here, pushing forward to balance this thing beautifully with floral and grassy tones that are held up by a light but refreshing lemon and lime presence.  These notes are all distinguishable but remain light enough to quickly cancel each other out in anticipation of the next sip.

Mouthfeel: Light in body with a bright carbonation, this lager is crisp and refreshing.  It is wonderfully balanced on the palate and cleans up nice and quickly.  The 4% ABV is completely hidden, keeping things smooth and easy-drinking.  Aftertaste is a light grain sweetness with a twist of lime.

Final Thoughts:  All in all, this glass holds a clean, crisp lager that wants nothing more than to be just that . . . a lager.  Make no mistake, that statement is not at all calling this beer boring. It is wonderfully executed, but it is a beer that you do not have to think about in those moments when all you want is something cold, refreshing and flavorful.  Coastline Lager is that go-to brew that you can crush on the daily after work, the gym, yard work, a hike, while on the beach . . .  and the list goes on.  Not only that, but it also has gateway potential for those occasions when you have to entertain non-craft drinkers.  It allows you to appease the masses without funding the big boys that mass-produce American Lagers.  Coastline Lager is 16 ounces of easy-drinking, thirst-quenching canned convenience.  When you boil it all down, that is typically what most of us are after when we reach for a lager anyway.  Its simplicity is its allure, and we dig that.  Be sure to give it a shot the next time you get that itch for a lager.  Prost!

 

Hi-Wire Brewing Revives Tropical Fruit Golden Ale

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hi-wire-brewing.pngHi-Wire Brewing (Asheville, North Carolina) recently announced that it is adding to its High Gravity 4-pack series with April release of Tropical Fruit Golden Ale.

Arriving as the year’s second offering in Hi-Wire’s newly established High Gravity 4-pack series, Tropical Fruit Golden Ale – originally released in 2015 as a “one-time release” – is an American-style Golden Strong Ale that incorporates the use of “fresh fruit to complement the tropical flavors and aromas present in Citra hops.”  To get the most out of the featured fruits, the brewers at Hi-Wire added “guava, papaya, and mango . . . during secondary fermentation to create a dank, tropical fruit-forward profile.”  Although this “high octane beer” clocks in at 11.3% ABV, Tropical Fruit Golden Ale remains “deceptively drinkable” as the “big fruit flavors . . . mask the heat of this dank & sticky beer.”

Tropical Fruit Golden Ale is rolling out now and will be available as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located within Hi-Wire Brewing’s distribution footprint in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ohio.  Prost!

Vital Information for Tropical Fruit Golden Ale from Hi-Wire Brewing

Release – Seasonal/High Gravity Series, April 2018
Style – American Golden Strong Ale
ABV – 11.3%
Featured Hops – Citra
Added Ingredients – Guava, Papaya & Mango
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Distribution – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia & Ohio

Oskar Blues Brewery Brings FUGLI IPA Back for the Summer

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FUGLIIPAcan_editedOskar Blues Brewery (Longmont, Colorado) has officially announced that FUGLI Yuzu & Ugli Fruit IPA is heading out to craft beer shelves and taps to serve as the brewery’s Summer Seasonal.

Originally inspired by a collaboration Oskar Blues brewed with Japan’s Yo-Ho Brewing Company, FUGLI IPA is a “citrusy, fresh and aromatic” India Pale Ale that is packing an interesting mix of Japanese Yuzu, Jamaican Ugli Fruit, and Rangpur from Bangladesh.  Since these are not typical household fruits for most, here is a quick breakdown on these ingredients (descriptions sourced from the press release):

  • Yuzu is an exotic, tangy yet rough-looking lemon from Japan.
  • Living up to its name, the Ugli Fruit is a Jamaican form of tangelo, a cross between grapefruit, orange and tangerine.
  • Rangpur is a lemon and mandarin orange hybrid with a strong lemon-lime flavor.

These exotic citrus fruits blend seamlessly with the “blueberry, tangerine notes of Mosaic” hops to yield a “fuggin’ crushable” FUGLI IPA (5.8% ABV, 60 IBUs) that is the perfect pairing “for your favorite backyard grillin’, park-chillin’, frisbee-flingin’, beer-drinkin’ season.”

“FUGLI is a beer-drinker’s fruited IPA,” explained Kenny Jackson, the Head Brewer at Oskar Blues’ Longmont brewery. “It’s foremost an IPA, with the complexity of the mosaic hops really coming through. Combined with the fruit infusion and a simple malt bill, this beer is balanced and drinkable.”

FUGLI IPA will officially release on April 13 with plans to hang around through August 2018.  You can find this Seasonal brew available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas and throughout the rest of Oskar Blues Brewery’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for FUGLI IPA from Oskar Blues Brewery

Release – Seasonal, April – August 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 5.8%
IBUs – 60
Featured Hops – Mosaic
Added Ingredients – Yuzu, Ugli Fruit & Rangpur 
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.oskarblues.com/beerfinder/

OBFugli

Heavy Seas Beer to Release Blackbeard’s Breakfast in New Packaging Format

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39582363490_f508c1dd8f_b_editedHeavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) has announced that Blackbeard’s Breakfast will soon begin its annual, limited release with a new look in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles.

Returning as a fan-favorite from Heavy Seas Beer’s Uncharted Waters Series, Blackbeard’s Breakfast is an Imperial Porter that starts with a base of English malts and hops and is then dosed with Dark Sumatra coffee from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company.  Once the brewing is all said and done, Blackbeard’s Breakfast is sent to rest in bourbon barrels so that it can pick up just the right amount of oak, vanilla and bourbon.  Weighing in at an imposing 10% ABV, the finished Blackbeard’s Breakfast offers a slow-sipping experience that “will please coffee and beer connoisseurs alike.”

To mix things up a bit in 2018, the folks at Heavy Seas made the decision to transition the packaging for all Uncharted Waters offerings to 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles.  Blackbeard’s Breakfast and all other beers in this series will no longer be available in 22 oz. bottles.

Blackbeard’s Breakfast is scheduled to officially release at some point in late April or early May 2018 and will be available as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of Heavy Seas Beer’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Blackbeard’s Breakfast from Heavy Seas Beer

Release – Limited/Uncharted Waters Series, late April/early May 2018
Style – Imperial Porter
ABV – 10%
IBUs – 40
Malts – UK Pale, UK Amber, Vienna, Light Crystal, Dark Crystal, Chocolate Malt & Black Malt
Hops – Target & East Kent Goldings
Added Ingredients – Dark Sumatra coffee from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company
Treatment – Aged in bourbon barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://hsbeer.com/beerfinder

Whiskey Business Tasting Event Returns to Orlando for Fourth Year

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WhiskeyBiz_editedOn Friday, April 27 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Orlando Weekly will host the 4th Annual Whiskey Business, Orlando’s premiere whiskey and bourbon tasting event, at the historic Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House (126 W Church St, Orlando, Florida).

Back for its fourth year, Whiskey Business is a unique event that allows whiskey fans the opportunity to sample a “variety of whiskeys, Scotches, ryes and bourbons” in one unforgettable evening.  As attendees roam the beautiful Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House, they will experience this stellar lineup of whiskeys while also enjoying a spread of little bites from local restaurants, a captivating burlesque show, musical entertainment, and so much more.  This event certainly has a little bit of everything, so let’s break it all down to ensure that we cover all that Whiskey Business has to offer.

The Basics

What – Orlando Weekly’s 4th Annual Whiskey Business
When – Friday, April 27 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where – Cheyenne Saloon and Opera House | 126 W Church Street | Orlando, Florida

The Whiskey

It kind of goes without saying that the centerpiece of Whiskey Business is the whiskey, and the following distilleries/brands will be on site pouring samples of their fine libations during the event:

Beyond just the whiskey samples, brands from around the world will serve up whiskey cocktails while brand ambassadors and distillers present themed and interactive stations, ranging from flavor pairings to recipe creation, to distilling demos and Q&A sessions.

The Food

To satisfy any grubbin’ needs you may encounter during the event, the following establishments will be in the house to serve up sample-sized “little bites” to attendees:

The Entertainment

Blue-La-La’s Ladies of the Peek-A-Boo Lounge will be in attendance to entertain guests with a burlesque show.  Musical entertainment will be provided by DJ BMF and Phat n Jazzy.

The Cause

A portion of the proceeds raised at Whiskey Business will go to benefit The Barber Fund, a small, grassroots 501(c)3 organization established in 2014 with a mission to HELP THOSE LIVING WITH CANCER.

“The Barber Fund is proud to have helped men, women and children with cancers varying from Ovarian Cancer, another Sinonasal Carcinoma (very rare), Colon, Lymphoma and Neuroblastoma. We have paid mortgages, power bills, medical bills, phone bills, purchased groceries, chaperoned appointments, helped care for animals and so much more.”

Ticket Information

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by clicking here.  Tickets are available in the following tiers:

  • General Admission: $45 each before fees – Includes unlimited whiskey samples, access to the live entertainment, “little bite” dishes from the hottest local restaurants, and craft beer options.
  • VIP Admission: $75 each before fees – Includes early entry at 6 p.m., access to a private VIP area with private bar, a VIP gift, VIP lanyard, unlimited whiskey samples, access to the live entertainment, “little bite” dishes from the hottest local restaurants, and craft beer options.
  • Designated Driver: $20 each before fees – Must be 21 or older to attend and obviously does not include any access to alcoholic beverages

The ticket prices above are listed as “Early Bird” prices, so be sure to secure your tickets as soon as possible to take advantage of this reduced cost.

Alright that should just about cover all the information that is currently available for this year’s Whiskey Business. If any additional details surface before the event, we will be sure to update you with that information here.

If you are free and going to be in the Orlando area on April 27, just go ahead and get your friends together, lock down some tickets, and support The Barber Fund’s incredibly worthy cause by having an amazing time at Whiskey Business.  Make it happen.  Prost!

WhiskeyBiz2

 

 

Rogue Ales & Brew Dr. Kombucha Collaborate to Release Kulture Clash

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RogueKulturebottle_editedRogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) has announced that it recently partnered up with Townshend’s Brew Dr. Kombucha (Portland, Oregon) to create Kulture Clash, a Limited Release Blonde Ale blended with kombucha tea.

Coming together as a beautiful collision of two brews, Kulture Clash combines “the unique tangy flavors of a custom-brewed kombucha” from Brew Dr. Kombucha with an Imperial Blonde Ale that the crew at Rogue Ales “specifically brewed to complement it.”  This union results in aromatic “bursts of bright citrus” and a flavor profile that sees “spice notes from the imperial blonde ale transform into notes of black tea from the kombucha.”  Clocking in at 6.9% ABV, Kulture Clash promises to be “a flavorful, invigorating balance of blonde and bold that both kombucha and beer drinkers will enjoy.”

“Kulture Clash is perfect for drinking in spring—the flavors pleasantly collide, oscillating from beer-forward to kombucha-forward and back again,” said Rogue Brewmaster John Maier. “It’s a great tasting beer, easy to pair with food and ideal for sharing.”

Kulture Clash is hitting shelves now with plans to stick around through June 2018.  You can find this Limited Release offering available in painted 750ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon, and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Kulture Clash from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited, April – June 2018
Style – Imperial Blonde Ale
ABV – 6.9%
Added Ingredients – A custom-brewed kombucha from Townshend’s Brew Dr. Kombucha
Fun Fact – On the label artwork: “When we opened our first tea shop in Portland, Ore., we had a friend paint an animal tea party scene to display by the front door of the teahouse,” said Townshend’s founder and CEO Matt Thomas. “One of those animals was a contented-looking sloth, slowly stirring his cup of chai with his pinky claw. He captured the ideal embodiment of what tea (and Townshend’s) is about: taking your time and enjoying each moment. When we started Brew Dr. Kombucha, we snuck Otis Sisgood (a play on, oh this is good) on the label of every bottle, but this is the first time he’s been anywhere major. We’re excited that he’s getting a chance to be front and center and share his story.”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Beer Finder – https://finder.rogue.com/

RogueKulturetree

 

Full Sail Brewing Co. Adds Sesión Negra to Its Session Line

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Sesion_Negra_POURSHOT_2017_WebFull Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) has officially released Sesión Negra Mexican Style Lager as the newest Core offering to join its Session family of beers.

Created to be the “slightly darker cousin to Sesión Cerveza“, Sesión Negra is a Mexican-style Dark Lager that has “a toasty sweetness, copper color and the kind of malty aroma you expect from a Mexican lager.”  Weighing in at just 5% ABV and 20 IBUs, Sesión Negra rocks a “crisp, easy-drinking vibe” that is meant to “put a smile on your face.”

“Sesión Negra is a clean, refreshing, easy-drinking Mexican lager with a hint of caramel,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Greg Doss. “It’s not a porter, and it’s very different from Session Dark.” 

Sesión Negra is rolling out now with availability in 6-packs and 12-packs of 11 oz. bottles and on draft.  You can find this new Year-Round offering at beer establishments located in Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Full Sail Brewing Co.’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Sesión Negra from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round, launching April 2018
Style – Dunkel Lager
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 20
Fun Fact – On the Session Brand: “When Full Sail launched the Session brand 12 years ago, it quickly became the hottest new craft-beer brand on the market, which has since brought home more than 100 medals, including 58 golds. Session’s not a micro, a macro, or an import, but in a way it’s a little bit of each. You see, virtually everyone who likes beer likes Session. It’s a brand that’s accessible without being ordinary. Totally drinkable, but never at the expense of character.”
Availability – 6-packs and 12-packs of 11 oz. bottles & on draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/

Stevens Point Brewery Launches Milkshake Malt Porter as New Year-Round Offering

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PointMilkshakecanStevens Point Brewery (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) has announced that Milkshake Malt Porter has officially been added to the brewery’s Year-Round portfolio.

Arriving in April to fill the “sweet spot” in Stevens Point Brewery’s Year-Round lineup, Milkshake Malt Porter is an American Robust Porter that has a base of Chocolate, Dark Munich and Wheat malts balanced by just the right amount of Topaz and Tettnang hops.  Finished with a “healthy dose of brewers’ lactose and some cocoa”, Milkshake Malt Porter (5.5% ABV) comes together to provide an indulgent, malt-forward experience that is “dark, creamy and chocolatey with a sweet finish.”

“Porter is a classic beer style. We saw a great opportunity to showcase our brewing expertise and please Point’s loyal fans,” said Julie Birrenkott, Marketing Manager at Stevens Point Brewery. “Milkshake Malt Porter is a welcome addition to the Point portfolio, and we think porter fans will agree.”

Milkshake Malt Porter is rolling out now with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft.  You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin and throughout the rest Stevens Point Brewery’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Milkshake Malt Porter from Stevens Point Brewery

Release – Year-Round, launching April 2018
Style – American Robust Porter
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 5
Malts – Chocolate, Dark Munich & Wheat
Hops – Topaz & Tettnang 
Added Ingredients – Lactose & Cocoa
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs & 12-packs of 12 oz. cans, & on draft
Beer Finder – http://www.pointbeer.com/find-brews/