Coppertail Brewing to celebrate 2nd Anniversary with Florida Weisse Party

Posted on by mashingin

coppertaillogowhiteOn Saturday, August 27 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Coppertail Brewing Co. (2601 E 2nd Ave, Tampa, Florida) will be celebrating their 2nd Anniversary with a Florida Weisse Party featuring over 30 Berliner Weisse offerings.

Established with a “desire to bring more quality, Florida-brewed beer to the thirsty masses,” Coppertail Brewing Co. has done just that for the last two years.  Not only have they developed quite the following on the local level, but they have also earned a great reputation with craft beer fans throughout the country.  To celebrate this ongoing success, Coppertail will be throwing a Florida Weisse Party.  The taplist has recently been released, and it features the following 30+ Berliner Weisse offerings from Coppertail and a few guest breweries as well:

Berliner Weisse Lineup from Coppertail Brewing Co.

  • Whoops (Cranberry, Hibiscus)
  • Purple Drink (Blueberry, Blackberry, Tart Cherry)
  • Pie ‘Til You Die (Mango, vanilla, Coconut, Lime)
  • Heavy Petals (Rose Hips, Hibiscus)
  • Pinky Swear (Raspberry, Lemon)
  • Slappy (Grapefruit, Dragonfruit, Strawberry)
  • Wally Rancher (Watermelon)
  • Obey Your Thirst (Lemon, Lime)
  • Cinchona (Lemon, Cinchona wood, Hibiscus)
  • Slam Piece (Cucumber)
  • Mango Grenade (Mango)
  • Guava Pasteles (Guava, Vanilla, Raspberry)
  • Kick Me Bear (Prickly Pear)
  • Pastey (Tamarind)
  • Blueberry in an Elevator (Blueberry)
  • Concentrate (Orange)
  • Chop (Apricot, Lime)
  • Whoski? (Coffee)
  • Relish (Cranberry, Orange)
  • Oh Schnap! (Peach)
  • Rickey (Cherry, Lime)
  • Spritzer (Lime, Vanilla)
  • Julius (Orange, Vanilla)
  • See See Bee (Cranberry, Cherry, Blueberry)
  • Puff (Dragonfruit)
  • Feelings (Passionfruit, Hibiscus)

Berliner Weisse Lineup from Guest Breweries

  • 7venth Sun Brewery – Score with the Cheerleaders (Strawberry, Orange, Lemon Berliner)
  • 7venth Sun Brewery – Everybody in the Pool (Mango, Pineapple, Lime Berliner)
  • Hidden Springs Ale Works – Lunch Box Hero (Fruit Cup Berliner)
  • Green Bench Brewing Co. – Berliner Weisse
  • Green Bench Brewing Co. – Kumquat Berliner Weisse
  • Green Bench Brewing Co. – Plum Berliner Weisse
  • Angry Chair Brewing – When in Doubt Sour Ale
  • M.I.A. Beer Company– Chango (Mango Pepper Berliner)
  • M.I.A. Beer Company – Babalu (Carrot, Ginger Berliner)
  • M.I.A. Beer Company – Regrasa a Mi (Guava, Hibiscus Berliner)
  • Cigar City Brewing – Strawberry Margarita Gose
  • Cigar City Cider and Mead – Strawberry Vanilla Cider
  • Six Ten Brewing – Blackberry Florida Weisse

**Please note that not all beers will be tapped at once**

Admission into the Florida Weisse Party is free, and beers are $5 per pour (bring cash to help lines move quickly).  Beers will be served in plastic cups, but you also have the option to purchase a limited Florida Weisse glass to use during the event (while supplies last).  In addition to the plethora of Berliners on tap, Coppertail also mentions that there will be “food and a special bottle release.”

If you are free on Saturday and in the Tampa area, you should plan to drop in and explore the Berliner Weisse style at this very special event.  I leave you with this one pro-tip: make sure to drink plenty of water and pack some antacids.  With that many tart/sour ales, you are going to need them.  Prost!

Pints for Prostates Partners with Over 40 Breweries on Crowns for a Cure

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pints4prostateslogoPints for Prostates recently announced that they have joined forces with over 4o craft breweries across the country to raise awareness about men’s health issues with a program called Crowns for a Cure.

For those of you who are unaware of this organization, Pints for Prostates is a 501(c)3 non-profit charity and funds raised by the group go towards its awareness mission and help to fund the education and support programs of the Us TOO International Prostate Cancer Education and Support Network, and free prostates cancer screening programs provided by the Prostate Conditions Education Council.  Crowns for a Cure will allow Pints for Prostates to expand their reach and raise even more awareness through the distribution of 1.6 million bottle caps, known in the brewing industry as “crowns”, to the participating breweries (click here to view the full list of breweries). These breweries will then use and display these caps on their packaged offerings distributed in September, which is National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.  The caps are adorned with the Pints for Prostates logo on the outside and “messages under the caps designed to encourage men to learn more about the importance of regular health screenings.”

“We are partnering with some great breweries to put a reminder in the hands of men to take charge of their health,” said Rick Lyke, a prostate cancer survivor who started Pints for Prostates in 2008 after successful treatment for the disease. “After a successful trial of the program in 2015, we know these bottle caps will start thousands of conversations and encourage guys to talk with their doctors about scheduling health screenings.”

Craft beer lovers who spot these crowns in September are asked to “help spread the word by tagging photos on social media with #CrownsforaCure and @pints4prostates, along with the brewery name and location where the bottle caps were found.”  Homebrewers can also get in on the action by ordering their own caps from Northern Brewer.

As a man who was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year, I am very much aware of the need for regular health screenings and have been heavily involved in raising awareness for men’s health concerns since.  Crowns for a Cure is going to be an amazing program that is sure to make a huge impact next month.  I greatly encourage all craft beer fans to get involved, spread the word on social media, and schedule a visit to the doctor to stay on top of your health.  Prost!

Still Unapologetic IPA Returns as Part of Stone Brewing Encore Series

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2016_EncoreUnapologetic_Hero_WebStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) announced this week that Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA is the latest offering in their 20th Anniversary Encore Series.

The 20th Anniversary Encore series is a chance for the folks at Stone Brewing to revive some fan-favorite one-offs that they have brewed over the last two decades, and Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Unapologetic IPA was absolutely a hit with hopheads when it was originally released in 2014.  This collaboration once again reunites Heretic Brewing Company owner and Brewmaster Jamil Zainasheff and Beachwood Brewing Brewmaster and co-owner Julian Shrago with the Stone Brewing team to brew a new version of the 2014 release.

“Our brewing team had a great time collaborating with Jamil and Julian to create this recipe,” said Jeremy Moynier, senior innovation program manager. “It instantly became a fan favorite, so we were thrilled for the opportunity to bring this back under our Stone 20th Anniversary Encore Series. Given how tasty this beer was the first time around, we decided to keep most of it the same save for incorporating some different hop varietals to up the hop intensity.”

In keeping with the collaborators’ “affection for over-the-top, hoppy beers,” Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA starts with Chinook and Magnum hops early in the brewing process to impart “earthy, piney and resiny overtones.”   Azacca and Motueka are utilized as late kettle additions and in the dry-hop stage to add “prevalent citrusy and berry aromatics that transcend into the overall flavor.”  Idaho 7, a new hop varietal, also makes an appearance in this brew to contribute herbal and tropical fruit notes.  Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA comes together as an 8.8% ABV Double IPA boasting a “myriad of aromas and flavors that flourish against the mild body provided by the malt bill.”

Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA has officially headed out to Alabama, Florida and other select markets within Stone Brewing’s distribution area.  Look for this limited offering to turn up at craft beer-friendly establishments in 22 oz. bottles and on draft.  This beer is meant to be consumed as soon as possible, so grab a bottle when you see it and enjoy immediately.  Prost!

Vital Information on Beachwood / Heretic / Stone Still Unapologetic IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, available beginning August 22
ABV – 8.8%
IBUs – 85
Hops – Chinook, Magnum, Idaho 7, Motueka & Azacca
Packaging – 22 oz. bottles & draft
National Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT and WA

 

Smoke on the Porter Next Up in Side Project Series from Terrapin Beer

Posted on by mashingin

terrapinlogoTerrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia) recently confirmed that Smoke on the Porter will be the brewery’s 28th installment in their Side Project Series.

Smoke on the Porter is coming to beer fans by way of Terrapin’s Side Project, a series that acts as a creative playground where brewers are free to explore their imagination with different styles, ingredients and brewing processes.  This offering is an 8.5% ABV Baltic Porter brewed with beechwood smoked malt and then aged in French oak.  This brew comes together to display notes of “chocolate, oak, vanilla, dark fruit and caramel.”  For the full rundown on Smoke on the Porter, the label description reads as follows:

Like music to your ears, “Smoke on the Porter” is that song you just can’t seem to get out of your head.  Brewed with beechwood smoked malt and aged on French Oak, this old world lager will keep you humming that familiar tune.

It appears that Smoke on the Porter will follow in the footsteps of Side Project Volume 27 – Hi-10 Mango Habanero Double IPA by being available in 12 oz. cans.  You can look for Smoke on the Porter to begin hitting shelves and taps in Alabama, Florida and throughout Terrapin Beer Co.’s distribution area in October.  Once official release details are finalized, I’ll update that information here.  Prost!

Vital Information on Smoke on the Porter from Terrapin Beer Co.

Release – Limited, available beginning October 2016
Style – Baltic Porter
ABV – 8.5%
IBUs – 30
Packaging – 12 oz. cans
Fun Fact – It probably goes without saying, but Smoke on the Porter is an homage to Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water”

Left Hand Brewing’s Oktoberfest makes Seasonal Return

Posted on by mashingin

oktoberfest1Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colorado) recently announced that their Oktoberfest Märzen Lager will be returning to shelves and taps later this week.

In a season that is inundated with Pumpkin Beers these days, Left Hand Brewing Co. goes in a different direction by embracing the rich heritage of the Festbier.  To keep their Oktoberfest true to tradition, the folks at the brewery begin brewing this Märzen Lager in late spring to allow a “full two months for the beer to reach lagered perfection.”  Not cutting any corners, they also employ “a traditional yet time intensive decoction mash process, a multi-step mash,” during the brewing process.  This level of dedication and attention to detail yields a drinking experience with a “toasty sweetness of the malt up front while the noble pedigree hops allow for a dry crisp finish at 6.6% ABV.”

Oktoberfest officially releases in the brewery taproom on August 26 and the rest of Left Hand Brewing’s 37 state distribution footprint follows shortly thereafter.  Look for this offering to be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments where you normally find Left Hand offerings.  If you find yourself craving a fine Märzen a time or two this fall, be sure to keep Left Hand Brewing’s Oktoberfest on your short list of beers to give a shot.  Prost!

Vital Information on Oktoberfest Märzen Lager from Left Hand Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, available beginning August 26
Style – Märzen Lager
ABV – 6.6%
IBUs – 24
Malts – Munich & Pilsner
Hops – CTZ & Hallertau Mittelfrüh
Packaging – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft

Starr Hill Brewery releases Fall Tour Variety Pack

Posted on by mashingin

Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia) announced this week that their Fall Tour Variety Pack has officially hit shelves.

Autumn is fast approaching and Starr Hill Brewery is doing its part to welcome the season with the release of the Fall Tour Variety Pack.  Not only does this mixed 12-pack contain the long-standing brewery standouts of Northern Lights India Pale Ale and Whiter Shade White India Pale Ale, but it is also rocking the following two new releases:

  • IMG_2406-768x512Basketcase American Helles Lager – This “American twist on a clean German Helles” Lager comes to us by way of the brewery’s Heavy Rotation Series, a series that provides a fresh look at non-IPA styles by utilizing “really interesting new yeast strains, additives and processes.” This offering comes together as a 5.4% ABV, full-bodied lager boasting bready malts and a punch of Cascade hops.  In addition to the Fall Tour Variety Pack, Basketcase is also available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.  Like all Heavy Rotation offerings, you can pair Basketcase “with a custom playlist on Spotify, showcasing a history of punk rock songs from the past 50 years” (click here to give it a listen).
  • Last-Leaf-Syrup-Pour-768x618Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale – Stepping in as the replacement for Boxcarr Pumpkin Porter, Last Leaf is Starr Hill Brewery’s latest Seasonal brew.  This English-style Brown Ale is brewed with four malts (2-Row, Crystal, Munich & Golden Oats), English East Kent Golding hops, and Virginia maple syrup.  This dose of syrupy goodness lends Last Leaf rich maple aromas and vanilla notes that lead “into a rich and smooth body with malty character.”  At 6.1% ABV, this brew has both the drinkability and comforting warmth you seek out when the temperatures begin to dip.  Like Basketcase American Helles, Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale is also available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.

“We always enjoy finding new styles and techniques to showcase local ingredients,” says Starr Hill’s Brewmaster, Robbie O’Cain. “Last year we brewed a similar recipe with our limited-release Debut Series that was very well-received, so we’re really excited to share Last Leaf with more beer lovers looking for a seasonal alternative to the many pumpkin-focused offerings of the fall.”

The Fall Tour Variety Pack is a mixed 12-pack that contains three bottles of each offering mentioned above.  Look for this mixed pack in Alabama and throughout Starr Hill Brewery’s distribution area now to get a jump on fall with these tasty brews. Prost!

SweetWater Brewing Opens Polls on Beer Revival Voting Campaign

Posted on by mashingin

sweetwaterdyeWith your help and votes, SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) is planning on bringing back a previously retired offering for a limited time.

Over the years, the folks at SweetWater have had to make some tough decisions when it comes to their brewing schedule.  A good number of fan-favorite offerings had to be put into early retirement in order to make room for exciting new brews.  Well, now is your chance to bring one of those beers back temporarily by letting your voice be heard in the brewery’s Beer Revival Vote.  Your candidates for revival are as follows:

  • ESB – A cutting edge English Style Bitter with a mellow hop finish. Experience this medium bodied ale with its complex combination of six malts balanced by four hop varieties. ABV: 5.6%
  • Exodus Porter – First brewed on Bob Marley’s birthday, this Legend-ary porter initially delivers distinct irie hop notes which transcend into rich waves of chocolate malt, creating a multidimensional taste experience. ABV: 6.2%
  • Hummer – An arousing White Ale brewed with Coriander and orange peel. ABV: 5.1%
  • LowRYEder IPA – A flame throwin IPA ignited by a 25% shot of rye malt and capped with a booty hoppin blast of Mt Hood and Centennial hops that makes this IPA bounce. ABV: 6.2%
  • Motorboat – Our Titillating version of an ESBBBBBBBBB! These babies are built for speed and comfort. Hit the throttle and dive in with your eyes wide open. ABV: 5.6%

Now that you have been reacquainted with your options, click here to cast your vote. Be sure to make your voice heard as soon as possible, and we will be reliving some SweetWater memories in no time.  Prost!

Tasting Notes: Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc from Schlafly Beer

Posted on by mashingin

hoptrialfinalThis week’s edition of Tasting Notes focuses on the fundamentals with a peek into the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack from Schlafly Beer (St. Louis, Missouri).

Schlafly Beer recently got back to the basics by creating and releasing the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack, a variety of four beers showcasing a Single Malt and Single Hop (SMaSH).  The focus of this pack is to take a look at unique hop varieties from four different hop growing regions: Bramling Cross of England, Enigma of Australia, Eureka! of the United States, and Hallertau Blanc of Germany.  This approach truly highlights everything these hops have to offer, and it allows the brewery to test out these varieties before they utilize them in future releases.  The Hop Trial SMaSH Pack contains three bottles of each beer and was released last month to select retailers within Schlafly’s distribution area.

For the sake of my liver and a reduced word count, this post will concentrate on just one of the variations available in the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack.  Since my heritage makes me a sucker for anything German, let’s jot down some Tasting Notes on Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc.

Tasting Notes on Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc from Schlafly Beer

Appearance: Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc absolutely lives up to the name of its Golden Ale style by pouring up a shimmering golden with just a touch of more defined orange hues pushing through.  Held to the light, the yellows brighten a bit but the overall color remains consistent regardless of light intensity.  The body has a touch of haze to it, but that dissipates quickly as the beer warms and reveals a clean, clear appearance.  The carbonation is moderate, displaying uniform lines of bubbles that industriously course their way to the head.  The pour produced over a finger of chunky foam that is perfectly white.  The head has great retention, falling incredibly slowly during the drink to eventually settle in as a half finger that lasts for the rest of the experience.  Lines of lace are left at times, but a good portion tends to slip slowly back down the glass to return to the top cap.

Aroma:  I am more than happy to find that this beer owns the overall intention of the SMaSH Pack by truly being an in depth look at the Hallertau Blanc variety.  The aroma begins with a big floral bouquet that is fresh, clean and an easy reminder of a spring day’s splendor.  A wisp of tropical and citrus fruits resides in the background only to be overtaken by an elegant white wine grape character ( lightly fruity, wonderfully earthy grape must aroma). The malt presence is light, providing balance with an almost wildflower honey-like quality.  I cannot express how truly delightful this aromatic experience is.

Taste:  The flavor leads off with that grape character, translating as a chardonnay note.  There is then an easy transition to floral and grassy tones that are accompanied by just a grace of grapefruit and lemon zestiness.  The hops are definitely pronounced, but they are in no way aggressively overbearing or ridiculously dank.  This is thanks to a beautiful balance achieved by the light, sweet and biscuity malts.  The malt presence is clean and stealthy to allow those hop notes to take center stage.  The proper adjective to use here is elegant.

Mouthfeel:  This brew is on the lighter side of medium in body with a lively carbonation level.  The carb level mimics the prickliness of some white wines, and that even more so brings the beer together by creating cohesion between the aromatic and flavor profiles and the mouthfeel.  The ABV is light and does not really make its presence known at all.  Aftertaste is all floral hop notes.

Final Thoughts:  Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc is simply a wonderful experience overall and it easily achieves the goals for which this series was created.  The base Golden Ale is a perfect canvas that allows this beautiful hop to exhibit those absolutely stunning floral and white wine notes unique to the Hallertau Blanc variety.  This hop has so much to offer countless styles, and I now know that because the treatment of this variety in this offering makes me feel like I truly learned something from a beer.  Incredibly well done and high praise to Schlafly for the achievement earned in the creation of Hop Trial – Hallertau Blanc and the Hop Trial SMaSH Pack as a whole.  Prost!

 

Lazy Magnolia Brewing Takes on a Fresh Look in Packaging

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unnamed (4)Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company (Kiln, Mississippi) recently announced that their flagship beers will soon be adorned with updated and modernized packaging artwork.

The packing department at Lazy Magnolia has received a sweet new toy as the installation of a state-of-the-art packaging line was just completed.  This new equipment was an investment made to give the brewery’s customers an improved experience with their “packaged beers by providing a fresh-from-the-tank flavor and aroma many months after packaging.”

unnamed (3)The folks at the brewery have decided that the perfect pairing for this new equipment is some newly designed labels and packaging.  This new look will roll-out over the next year and will be featured on Lazy Magnolia’s flagship offerings: Southern Pecan, Southern Hops’pitality IPA, and Jeff Stout (formerly Jefferson Stout).  Although the labels will still feature the signature brewery logo, the redesigned look will allow their fans to “have an easier time finding Lazy Magnolia beers among the growing selection of craft in the marketplace.”  The new look will begin with these labels and newly designed 6-pack carriers will follow shortly after.

“The craft beer market has seen unprecedented growth in the last 18 months.  Our graphics, now nearly a decade old, were created in a time before craft breweries and craft beer was popular.    The breweries that have opened in the last year have built on the successes of the pioneers.  This is an opportunity to bring our image into alignment with the modern craft beer market,” says Michelle Robinson, Marketing and PR Director.

An added piece of good news to tag onto this post is that Fleur De Wheat will now be available year-round as part of Lazy Magnolia’s Welcome to the Porch Series.  Look for this offering and the new-look packaging wherever you normally find Lazy Magnolia products.  Prost!

Anchor Brewing Introduces Dry-Hopped Steam Beer

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Anchor-Dry-Hopped-Steam-Product-ImageAnchor Brewing Co. (San Francisco, California) recently announced that Anchor Dry-Hopped Steam Beer™ is headed to shelves and taps for a limited time beginning next month.

It may be a new take on the iconic Anchor Steam® Beer – the original California Common -, but the limited release of Anchor Dry-Hopped Steam Beer™ plans to make a name for itself with its own special recipe.  Dry-hopped with a blend of new and traditional hops, this new offering has “distinct aromas of citrus and stone fruit, and a lingering, bitter hop finish.”  Balanced by a light malt sweetness that is reminiscent of the original Anchor Steam®,  Anchor Dry-Hopped Steam Beer™ presents itself as a “brilliant amber in color with a tight, tan head” that is “moderately full in body, smooth and velvety.”

“Anchor Dry-Hopped Steam Beer is both a historical nod to our roots and a cutting edge, modern beer,” said Brewmaster Scott Ungermann. “We took our most popular, classic beer and gave it a contemporary twist by introducing a lighter body and an elevated, dynamic hop profile using new and classic hop varieties. The result is a California Common with a unique hop bitterness balanced by a light malty sweetness.”

Anchor Dry-Hopped Steam Beer™ will be available for a limited time in Alabama, Florida and throughout Anchor Brewing’s distribution area from September to December 2016.  Look for it at select craft beer-friendly establishments in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draught.  Prost!

Vital Information on Anchor Dry-Hopped Steam Beer™ from Anchor Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, September to December 2016
ABV – 5.4%
Malts – Blend of 2-Row Pale & Caramel
Hops – Northern Brewer; Dry-hopped with Cascade & Experimental No. 484
Packaging – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draught
Background on the Style – “California Commons are a unique American style of beer created by fermenting lager yeast at warmer temperatures similar to ales. This creates a hybrid between the two beer styles, though lager yeast is always used. Anchor Steam® Beer (4.9% ABV) is the original California Common made in San Francisco since 1896.”