Stone Brewing Releases 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA

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22Anni_22ozBottle_Mockup.pngStone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially announced that it is celebrating its birthday with the Special Release of Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA.

Not only has Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA arrived to celebrate 22 years of brewing craft beer at Stone Brewing, but it is also here as the brewery’s first anniversary beer to serve as the winner of the Stone Spotlight Series, “the annual competition that pits Stone’s brewers against one another in friendly rivalry.” Developed by “Stone Brewing Team members Jose Flores, a production brewer, and Jason Smith, who focuses on small batch brewing”, Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA is a proud, “NO HAZE” Double India Pale Ale that utilizes an “arsenal of anti-haze techniques” and a recipe that showcases a “solid malt background . . . complemented with complex hop fruit flavors of cherries, apricot, melon and citrus.”  This approach results in a Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA that is “full bodied with a short, clean and dry finish of ample bitterness and a slight warming from its elevated [9.1%] ABV.”

Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA is available now and has plans to hang around into the month of November 2018.  You can find this Special Release offering available in 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA from Stone Brewing

Release – Limited/Special, August – November 2018
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 9.1%
IBUs – 81
Featured Hops – Columbus, Denali, Hopsteiner #06297, Galaxy, Citra & Amarillo
Availability – 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

 

 

Tasting Notes: À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison from Unibroue

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UnibroueMegadethPourFor this installment of Tasting Notes, we somehow get the opportunity to combine our love for thrash metal and Saisons thanks to the Megadeth-inspired À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue (Chambly, Québec).

Named after the fourth track on Megadeth’s 1994 Youthanasia album, À Tout le Monde – translating from French to mean “To All the World” or “To Everyone” – was first released in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between Unibroue Brewmaster Jerry Vietz and Dave Mustaine, lead vocalist and founder of the iconic Thrash Metal band Megadeth.  Legends of their respective professions, these two men put their collective creativity to work and brewed a Belgian-style Golden Saison that was dry-hopped to produce hoppy, spicy notes. The finished beer weighs in at an easy drinking 4.5% ABV to provide fans with “a clean, fresh taste and a crisp dry finish inviting you to take another sip.”

À Tout le Monde is available year-round in 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles and on draft.  You can find this Classic offering at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution area in the U.S. and Canada.

Alright, kiddos, “fasten up your head belts” because it is time to crack open this bottle, see how loud this stereo can get, and find out if it is possible to headbang our way through these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue

Appearance:  This Saison presents itself as a lemony yellow in color that has some deeper gold tones residing at its center.  When held to direct light, the color intensifies and brightens to become more of a sunshiny yellow. The beer has a touch of cloudiness to it, but tight streams of carbonation can still be observed as they steadily course throughout.  A well-mannered pour produced over two fingers of fluffy, bright white foam that confidently built well over the brim of the glass.  Head retention is good, but the top cap eventually falls to a lasting half finger that drops gobs of lace down on the glass after each sip.

Aroma:  Bright hops spring out of the glass with citrus notes of orange peel, lemon and grapefruit along with just a grace of tropical pineapple.  The yeast quickly takes over with a good mix of earthiness and spice.  The malts quietly support everything from underneath and close out the aromatics with a soft layer of breadiness.

Taste:  Saison yeast takes lead here by throwing down a complex spice character that holds notes of green peppercorn, floral and citrusy coriander, and lemongrass.  This transitions into a gentle earthiness and grassiness that act as the perfect introduction to a hop presence that is rockin’ notes of orange zest, sweet grapefruit and a nondescript tropical fruitiness.  The flavor profile closes with a well-rounded, gently sweet biscuity malt tone that fades softly into the finish.

Mouthfeel:  Medium in body with a milder than expected carbonation level, this Saison has a light, airy texture and casually dries out to offer an incredibly easy drinking experience.  This thing runs the bases on the palate, allowing you to enjoy sweet, bitter and spice sensations.  The 4.5% ABV is ridiculously and awesomely low, further adding to this beer’s quenching ability and refreshment level. Aftertaste is minimal, but there are touches of spicy yeast notes left behind at times.

Final Thoughts:  Everything about À Tout le Monde is beautifully composed and on point.  It is dry-hopped just enough to keep the attention of the hop-obsessed American drinker, but the yeast character still remains big enough to satisfy those who claim allegiance to the Saison/Farmhouse Ale. The flavors and aromatics are just as pronounced as those you would find in a much bigger example of the style, but that low ABV elevates this Saison to an otherworldly, easy drinking height that firmly secures this beer’s status as a daily drinker.  To put it simply, À Tout le Monde just rocks . . . and it needs to find its way into your fridge if it has not already.  Prost!

Allagash Brewing’s Farm to Face Returns, This Time with Full Distribution

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Farm-to-Face-1Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine) has officially announced that Farm to Face, a sour peach beer, will experience full distribution for the first time when it makes a limited-time return this month.

Meant to mimic the experience of “biting into a juicy, yet tart, peach”, Farm to Face is a medium-bodied Pale Ale that is “fermented for ten months in stainless tanks with house yeast.”  The beer is then inoculated with Pediococcus and Lactobacillus at the same time that it is introduced to a serious amount of peaches – “In fact, for every gallon of beer, three pounds of fresh peaches—from Applecrest Farm Orchards in New Hampshire—are added.” This lengthy process ultimately yields a 6.1% ABV Farm to Face that offers “aromas of peach, graham cracker, and green apple” alongside “a lingering peach finish.”

“Because we make a point of using fresh local fruit, many of our beers are really beholden to the weather,” said Jason Perkins, brewmaster at Allagash. “In 2016, the peach crop was wiped out in New England by uncharacteristically warm February weather. So we couldn’t brew any Farm to Face for 2017. We’re happy to say the 2017 peach crop was great—we received 9,000 lbs. That haul allowed us to brew enough beer for our whole distribution footprint.”

Farm to Face officially started shipping out on August 6, 2018 and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 375ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Georgia, Maine and throughout the rest of Allagash Brewing’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Farm to Face from Allagash Brewing Company

Release – Limited, August 2018
Style – American Wild Ale
ABV – 6.1%
Grains – Allagash 2-row Malted Barley Blend, Victory Malt, Carapils & Flaked Oats
Hops – Northern Brewer & Glacier
Added Ingredients – Peaches from New Hampshire’s Applecrest Farm Orchards
Availability – 375ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.allagash.com/locator/

 

21st Amendment & Fieldwork Brewing Co. Collaborate, Come Up With A Terrible Idea

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21aATerribleIdeaCan21st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA, a new collaboration with their friends at Fieldwork Brewing Co. (Berkeley, California), on August 18.

Dedicated to the idea that “with every bad decision there is a risk and sometimes an incredible reward”, A Terrible Idea is a joint effort by 21st Amendment and Fieldwork Brewing Co. to create what they call a “California New England Style Hazy IPA”.  Brewed with a massive amount of Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops and fermented with an ale yeast from Vermont, A Terrible Idea (6.8% ABV) ultimately comes together to supply its drinker with “a floral, dank and piney hop aroma . . . delicate malt clouds, . . . a juicy mouthfeel and notes of peach, orange, mango and pineapple.”

“We used four pounds of hops per barrel in the dry hop alone, which is twice our typical rate for most of our 21A beers,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of 21st Amendment. “At one point I remember asking Barry and Alex if adding this many hops was a terrible idea and they just shrugged their shoulders and added more.”

 

“The Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops in this beer were all I heard about for days and days. They couldn’t get enough,” said Nico Freccia, Co-Founder of 21st Amendment. “But we also used a Vermont ale yeast, so that makes A Terrible Idea a ‘California New England Style Hazy IPA’ (new category?) that is in a league of its own.”

A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA will make its official debut on Saturday, August 18 at 21st Amendment’s AugustFest, and will enter distribution at or around that date.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Florida, Georgia, California and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA from 21st Amendment Brewery & Fieldwork Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, mid-August 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale (Hazy/New England-style)
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 55
Featured Hops – Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot & Calypso
Fun Fact – On the packaging artwork: “While we understand that the #HazeCraze will peak your interest, we know the packaging for this beer will surely keep your attention. All four panels of the six-pack carrier tell a hilarious tale of five knuckle draggers who weren’t afraid to ignore popular opinion, follow their hearts and make an extraordinary beer. And in all honestly, we’re glad they did. In a succession of terrible ideas that haunt us all, was making this beer one of them? We stand behind the claim: absolutely not!”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://21st-amendment.com/find-some/

Great Divide Brewing Co.’s Hoss Returns for Oktoberfest Season

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2017 Hoss can SB mockupGreat Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) has officially announced that Hoss Oktoberfest Lager will return this month for a brief Seasonal run.

Inspired by the Märzen lagers of Germany, Hoss Oktoberfest Lager retains the style’s “rich, layered malt notes, with hints of cherry and dark fruits,” but adds its own personality with a “unique addition of rye [imparting] an earthy, spicy character.” Coming in at 6.2% ABV, Hoss offers a “crisp and dry experience” and “its brilliant red-orange color is a toast to the sunsets that make the perfect backdrop for this beer.”

Hoss is rolling out now and will stick around through September 2018.  You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Great Divide’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Hoss Oktoberfest Lager from Great Divide Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, August – September 2018
Style – Oktoberfest/Märzen
ABV – 6.2%
Suggested Food Pairings – “Veal bratwurst, barbeque chicken, carnitas (pork) tacos, Camembert cheese, German chocolate cake”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://greatdivide.com/beer-finder/

 

New Realm Brewing Expands Distribution to Virginia

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hoptropolis-ipaNew Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that it has partnered with Hoffman Beverage so that it can soon begin distributing its lineup of craft beers in the state of Virginia.

When news broke that New Realm Brewing Company had secured a second location in the former Green Flash facility in Virginia Beach, everyone knew it was just a matter of time before the brewery’s tasty beers would start flowing in establishments local to that area.  Well, that facility may not be open to the public yet, but beer is being brewed and it is now ready for distribution in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

“The Hampton Roads area of Virginia has many quality beer distribution options,” says Bob Powers, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at New Realm. “We have chosen to work with Hoffman Beverage due to their incredible passion for craft beer, our aligned strategy of brand building, and their experience with many other small, independent craft breweries.”

New Realm will officially launch distribution in Virginia with the following core beers (descriptions sourced from the brewery’s website):

  • Hoplandia IPA – A New Realm-style IPA. Dense with sought-after hops and lush with a heavenly hit of citrus.  ABV – 7.3%
  • Hoptropolis IPA – Set your clocks to island time. This beauty is drenched in tropical flavors of peach, pear and pineapple.  ABV – 6.5%
  • Euphonia Pilsner – A true brewer’s beer. Hop bursted with prolific hop aromatics and heightened levels of refreshment.  ABV – 5%
  • Kikimora Imperial IPA – A dank IPA. Pronounced with peachy, floral, light citrus complexities and a strong, dry finish to the palate.  ABV – 8.5%

In addition to core offerings, New Realm Brewing will also treat consumers in Virginia to “select brews from [its] limited release, small-batch specialty beers, starting with Lemon Pucker Berliner Weisse and Belga Rose Belgian Hibiscus Ale (available soon), followed by additional releases in late 2018.”

With the help of Hoffman Beverage, the New Realm beers listed above “will be available on draft at craft-focused bars, restaurants and retailers” located in the Southside area of Virginia’s Hampton Roads.  The brewery plans to introduce packaged offerings in Virginia at the start of 2019.  New Realm Brewing Company offerings can also be found distributed in the state of Georgia.  Prost!

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Set for Limited Release of Common Things Saison

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CCBC_CommonThingsStillWeb-7176Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has announced that it will officially begin the Limited Release of Common Things – a Saison made with local honey – on Saturday, August 25.

Staying true to its commitment “to incorporate a local tie” in “each farmhouse style beer the brewery makes”, Creature Comforts Brewing Co. developed Common Things to be a mixed culture Saison that features honey from local bees.  With the recipe rounded out with Styrian Golding and aged Cascade hops, Common Things (6.2% ABV) was finished off by being “fermented in stainless steel before being packaged and refermented in bottles.”

“We’ve learned a lot about ways to use honey through previous projects and putting it in a light, tart, refreshing beer felt like the next progression,” said Wood Cellar and Specialty Brand Manager Blake Tyers. “We’re also excited to have another opportunity to showcase locally sourced ingredients in our beer.”

750ml bottles of Common Things will officially release in the Tasting Room at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. on August 25.  This Limited Release offering is not expected to see distribution.  Prost!

Vital Information for Common Things from Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; August 25, 2018
Style – Saison/Farmhouse Ale
ABV – 6.2%
Featured Hops – Styrian Golding & aged Cascade
Added Ingredients – Honey from local bees
Fun Fact #1 – On the honey: “The brewery worked with the University of Georgia’s Honey Bee Program to source the honey from local bees. Common Things serves as the third beer the brewery has made with honey.”
Fun Fact #2 – On the label artwork: “The label artwork was designed by Athens artist and Creature Comforts staff member Melissa Merrill.”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Distribution – None. Offered as a Tasting Room exclusive

Coppertail Brewing Co. Announces Plans for 4th Anniversary Celebration

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coppertaillogowhiteOn Saturday, August 18 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Coppertail Brewing Co. (Tampa, Florida) will celebrate another amazing year of growth by inviting the brewery’s fans to attend a 4th Anniversary Party that will feature over 40 taps of Coppertail offerings and guest beers.

Over the past year, Coppertail Brewing Co. has expanded distribution to now completely cover the state of Florida, earned several more medals for its beers at competitions held at both the state and national levels, and “was also recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of the fastest growing companies in Tampa.” This is all definitely cause for celebration, and the folks at the brewery will do just that with a 4th Anniversary Party on August 18.

“According to recent IRI syndicated data, we are the No. 1 selling craft brewery in Florida. Our sales are up 35% from this time last year. We are thankful to our fans and followers for continuing to support us and drink our beer.”

 

– Kent Bailey, Coppertail’s president

Instead of going with the strict Florida Weisse theme of years past, the folks at Coppertail have decided to mix things up a bit by having this year’s birthday party feature a vast array of beer styles from Coppertail and several guest breweries.  Due to this change and the fact that there are a couple ways to gain admission into this event, we should probably just go ahead and break this thing down to avoid any confusion.

The Basics

What – Coppertail Brewing Co.’s 4th Anniversary Party
When – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 18
Where – Coppertail Brewing Co. | 2601 E 2nd Ave. | Tampa, Florida

The Beer

To bring a bit of a variety to the experience, this year’s anniversary party will go well beyond just the Florida Weisse style.  There will be over 40 taps flowing with Coppertail offerings and a special lineup of beers from guest breweries.  At the time of this post, the brewery was still in the process of completing the event’s official tap list and list of guest breweries. We will post those lists here just as soon as they are made available. Stay tuned.

**UPDATE – 08.16.18** As promised, here’s the tentative tap list for Coppertail’s 4th Anniversary Party:

coppertail4thTaplist

**UPDATE 08.17.18** Coppertail has also added these foeder-aged and sour project beers to their tap list for Saturday (these are all Coppertail Brewing Co. beers):

  • Dragonfruit Foeder Beer
  • Muscadine Foeder Beer
  • Prickly Pear Foeder Beer
  • Plum & Mint Foeder Beer
  • Watermelon Foeder Beer
  • Cranberry & Cherry George
  • Tangerine & Strawberry Armagnac Barrel Aged Sour
  • Tart Cherry Burgundy Barrel Aged Brett Dubbel

Admission

There are two ways to gain entry into Coppertail’s 4th Anniversary Party:

  • General Admission – No ticket required.  This level is come as you are and pay as you go. General Admission grants you entry at 1 p.m.
  • VIP – Ticket required.  Tickets are $50 each plus fees and can be purchased by clicking here.  Ticket cost provides “partygoers with a commemorative glass, early entry to the event at noon, and access to a VIP area with food and complimentary beer for the duration of the event.”  Only 100 VIP tickets are available for this event.

Other Info

  • Food will be available for purchase during the event
  • Live musical entertainment will be provided by DieAlps! and Expert Timing

Alright . . . that should cover all the information that is currently available for Coppertail Brewing Co.’s 4th Anniversary Party, but more details are sure to surface as we get closer to the event date.  We will update this post with the finalized tap list, the list of guest brewers and any other random info just as soon as we get our hands on it, so stay tuned.

If you are in the area and free on August 18, be sure to head over to the edge of Ybor so that you can raise a glass with the Coppertail Brewing Co. crew to one hell of a year and the many more ahead of them. Prost!

 

Brewery Ommegang Introduces Fruittanomyces as New Limited Release

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OmmegangLogoCompleteBrewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York) has announced that Fruittanomyces, a dry-hopped Witbier brewed with tropical fruits and aged with Brettanomyces, is hitting shelves now as the brewery’s latest Limited Release.

To create this “funky, flavorful limited edition beer”, the brewers at Ommegang start with a Witbier base that is “brewed with malted and unmalted wheat and oat flakes and is spiced with sweet orange peel and coriander.”  This Witbier then takes an interesting turn off its classic path by being “fermented with mango, kiwi, and passion fruit juices and dry-hopped with Citra and Cascade hops before aging in the bottle with Brettanomyces.”  With all these steps completed, Fruittanomyces emerges with a complex aroma dominated by “tropical fruit and overripe funk” and “tart flavors of ripe pineapple, passion fruit and kumquat [leading] to subdued hints of lemony citrus.”  Coming in at just 5.3% ABV, Fruittanomyces offers an experience that is “effervescent and surprisingly refreshing with a lingering sweetness on the finish.”

Fruittanomyces is rolling out now and will be around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Edition beer available in 750ml bottles at craft beer-focused retailers located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Brewery Ommegang’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Fruittanomyces from Brewery Ommegang

Release – Limited, August 2018
Style – Witbier/American Wild Ale
ABV – 5.3%
Grains – Malted and Unmalted Wheat & Oat Flakes
Featured Hops – Citra & Cascade
Added Ingredients – Orange Peel, Coriander & Mango, Kiwi and Passion Fruit juices
Treatment – Bottle conditioned with Brettanomyces
Fun Fact – “As with all unpasteurized brett beers, Fruittanomyces is alive, and the flavor will develop over time. This beer is suitable to enjoy now or to be cellared.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “The tart acidity of Fruittanomyces works beautifully with buttery seafood such as lobster, sweet crab, or New England clam chowder. It also pairs well with a tart dessert such as lemon meringue pie.”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Beer Finder – http://ommegang.com/blog/beer-finder/

 

Avery Brewing Brings The Kaiser Out of Retirement for Oktoberfest

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WEB_Kaiser_Can_and_GlassAvery Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado) has officially announced that The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest Lager is returning for a limited time during the 2018 Oktoberfest season.

Retired back in 2016 to “make room for other big beers in Avery Brewing’s lineup”, The Kaiser is back to bestow its faithful fans with a “bold and brazen” Imperial Oktoberfest Lager that “weaves together rich, toasted Vienna and Munich malts with the floral spiciness of Hallertau and Bravo hops.”  Adorned with “a gorgeous deep copper sheen, massive malty backbone, and a dry finish . . ., this dictator demands a following through its deep dark malt bill, aromas of toast, nuts, and bread, all pulled together with a boisterous booziness.” Speaking of booziness . . . The Kaiser weighs in at an imposing 8% ABV, making it the same “mammoth . . . Oktoberfest Lager. . . that fans have grown to love” over the years.

“My favorite part of brewing Kaiser is the smell it creates in the brewhouse,” says Josh Rapp, Avery Brewing’s Brewhouse Manager. “It smells like we’re making candy around the brewery on Kaiser day and the dark red color of the wort reminds me of cherry juice!”

The Kaiser is rolling out now and plans to hang around through October 2018.  You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Avery Brewing Company’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for The Kaiser from Avery Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Seasonal, August – October 2018
Style – Oktoberfest
ABV – 8%
Malts – Dark Munich, Munich, Vienna, 2-Row & Aromatic
Hops – Hersbrucker & Bravo
Yeast – House Bohemian Lager Strain
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.averybrewing.com/brew-finder

The Kaiser