Left Hand Brewing Reveals 2021 Beer Lineup

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Beer calendar season is finally starting to pick up steam and this week we are here to give you a look at the 2021 Beer Lineup from Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colorado).

As is the case with all brewery calendars around here, we have posted Left Hand’s full 2021 Beer Lineup below for you to look over at your leisure. That said, there are quite a few new and returning beers that we would like to bring to your attention first . . . so, let’s get at it (descriptions sourced from the brewery’s press release):

  • St. Vrain Tripel (9.3% ABV), one of Left Hand’s most critically acclaimed brews, will join the brewery’s Year Round lineup in March 2021. The last release of their Belgian-Style Golden Ale was rated the #1 American Tripel in a blind tasting by Paste Magazine. Named after the river that winds alongside the brewery, St. Vrain is designed to pay homage to classic Belgian Tripels while adding a uniquely local twist. Colorado barley creates a subtle malt sweetness, and American hops bring rich herbal and floral aromatics, both perfectly complimenting the warm spice and fruit character of the Belgian yeast.
  • Set to debut in Summer 2021, Wook Bait brings a new hop-forward addition to Left Hand’s year-round portfolio. A kaleidoscope of bright citrus and tropical fruit from Lotus, Galaxy, Cascade, and Azacca hops, Wook Bait is inspired by the rich music culture of Colorado.
  • Bittersweet Nitro Imperial Coffee Milk Stout will make its long-awaited return at the end of 2020/beginning of 2021. A special blend of dark roast coffee weaves rich berry notes with spicy undertones into the 8.9% Imperial Milk Stout. Bittersweet Nitro is the single most requested archive beer from Left Hand, inspiring a social media campaign by fans for the brewery to re-release the brand. Their request has been answered with bold new artwork and new packaging. 
  • The brewery’s Limited Nitro Series will see the addition of Key Lime Pie Nitro, a 7.3% sour ale with lactose and lime, vanilla and cinnamon, in May. Super smooth and silky, the beer is modeled after the citrusy, velvety dessert. Tartness and baking spice combine with a creamy Nitro mouthfeel, each sip mimicking a spoonful of Key Lime Pie.
  • Black Forest Nitro is set for a Seasonal Release in Q4 2021. Real cherries and chocolate combine with a rich roasted malt backbone, reminiscent of a Black Forest cake.
  • The brewery’s standard CO2 Seasonal lineup will include the following newbies: Found Fortune Double IPA in January, Moscow Mule Pale Ale in the spring, and S’mores Milk Stout in late fall.
    Found Fortune showcases El Dorado hops, inspiring its name. The 8.7% Double IPA is dry-hopped with El Dorado, Galaxy, and Citra, resulting in a wealth of candied orange, juicy tropical fruits, and notes of fresh-squeezed grapefruit. Moscow Mule Pale Ale is light and effervescent at 5.5% with a refreshing burst of lime and a spicy ginger kick, delivering the vibrant flavors of the classic cocktail with the body and hop benefits you can only experience in a beer. Due to its success as a “Crazy Limited” Test Kitchen Beer in their Can Mixed Packs, Left Hand is now offering this beer as a stand-alone. The announcement of S’mores Milk Stout heralds Left Hand’s first new Milk Stout variant planned for 2021. Their classic recipe meets your favorite campfire treat in this Milk Stout with marshmallows and spices hitting shelves late fall.

Alright, that should just about cover all the beers that piqued our interest, but there are quite a few more exciting releases left for you to discover on the calendar below. Check it out and get prepared for all the tasty goodness that Left Hand Brewing Co. will be sending your way in 2021. Prost!

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Firestone Walker Adds to Propagator Series With Release of Latest Crafted Thru Hops Mixed Pack

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of its newest Crafted Thru Hops Mixed Pack, an IPA-centric mixed 12-pack of 12 oz. cans that includes Comet – a brand new Propagator Series offering, in late December 2020.

Back again to supply you with all the hoppy goodness you could possibly want in a 12-pack, this edition of the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed 12-pack includes the following three Firestone Walker favorites while also being the only way to get your hands on cans of the latest Propagator Series release, Comet Single Hop Hazy IPA (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

  • Propagator Series – Comet Single Hop Hazy IPA – Comet is a classic yet largely overlooked American-grown hop variety that has become a favorite of the Firestone Walker brewing team—inspiring them to create this single-hop hazy IPA that offers a bright floral citrus fruit character with hints of coconut. “During selection in Yakima Valley, we walked through a Comet hop yard and were struck by how good it looked on the bine with these big, gnarly green cones,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “Rubbing some fresh-picked hops in the field convinced us that it was worth following up, and we fell in love with the results once we started brewing with it.” ABV – 5.6%
  • Mind Haze IPA – From the coast of California comes Mind Haze, a free-spirited beer made to elevate your perceptions—juicy, fresh and loaded with an imaginative array of tropical hop flavors. This is a hazy IPA done the Firestone way. Mind Haze is ultimately a beer that breaks the mold with explosive hop aromas, a luscious texture and enduring freshness. ABV – 6.2%
  • Double Jack Double IPA – Famed as one of the craft world’s trailblazing double IPAs, Double Jack is back by popular demand as a limited seasonal release. In the words of Brewmaster Matt Brynildson, “We stayed very true to the original recipe and the spirit of a legendary West Coast double IPA.” The result is a massively hopped yet improbably balanced double IPA—and an enduring throwback to the freewheeling origins of the West Coast style. ABV – 9.5%
  • Union Jack IPA – Huge flavor that packs a punch. This is Union Jack—an icon of the West Coast IPA style, for those who like their beer loud and proud. Union Jack is the IPA that helped blaze the trail for the revolutionary West Coast style. Named for the British Lion who co­founded the brewery, Union Jack is intensely hoppy yet eminently drinkable from start to finish. A fad-proof IPA for any hop head. ABV – 7%

This installment of the Crafted Thru Hops Mixed Pack is rolling out now and will only be available for a limited time. You can expect to find this Limited Release at craft beer-friendly retailers located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Yazoo Brewing Company Brings the Funk to Winter with Release of Saison D’Hiver

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Yazoo Brewing Company (Madison, Tennessee) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Saison D’Hiver, the brewery’s latest Embrace the Funk project, on Saturday, December 19.

Carefully crafted to honor winter, Saison D’Hiver – meaning “the Season of Winter”) is a Dark Saison “brewed with Vienna, dark wheat, roasted barley, special b malt and dark invert Candi syrup.” The beer went on to be “fermented with multiple Belgian and French yeast strains on dried black currants” and then bottled with brettanomyces. Coming in at 9.2% ABV, Saison D’Hiver is a holiday treat that can be enjoyed fresh or aged.

Saison D’Hiver will officially release at Yazoo Brewing Company on December 19 but you can go ahead a pre-order your bottles now by clicking here. With only a limited amount of 500ml bottles available for $13 each, Saison D’Hiver is a brewery only release that will not see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Saison D’Hiver from Yazoo Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Embrace The Funk Series; December 19, 2020
Style – Saison
ABV – 9.2%
Featured Ingredients – Vienna malt, dark wheat, roasted barley, special b malt & dark invert Candi syrup
Treatment – Fermented with multiple Belgian & French yeast strains on dried black currants, bottled with brettanomyces
Availability – 500ml bottles
Distribution – None. Brewery only

Swamp Head Brewery Brings Holiday Joy With Release of Cuddly Like a Cactus & Ambrosia Salad

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Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, Florida) has officially announced that it will begin the Drive-Thru Limited Release of Cuddly Like a Cactus Sour NEIPA and Ambrosia Salad Milkshake IPA at 2 p.m. on Thursday, December 17.

Here to bring some holiday cheer to the swamp, the following two Limited Release IPAs are next up in Swamp Head Brewery’s string of holiday-themed Can Releases (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s social media posts):

  • Cuddly As a Cactus – A kettle-soured New England-style IPA fermented with Prickly Pear. Contains lactose. ABV – 6.5%
  • Ambrosia Salad – A Milkshake IPA based on the highly-polarizing and sometimes confusing Southern holiday dish. Made with Marshmallow, Luxardo Maraschino Cherries, Pineapple, Mandarin Orange, and Coconut; contains lactose. ABV – 7.6% ABV

Cuddly As a Cactus and Ambrosia Salad are scheduled to release at Swamp Head Brewery at 2 p.m. on December 17 and will hang around only as long as supplies last. Both of these Limited Releases will be available 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and you can arrange your order for same-day pickup by clicking here. Cuddly As a Cactus and Ambrosia Salad are both brewery-only releases and will not see distribution. Prost!

DuClaw Brewing Co. Begins Limited Release of Call Me Maurice

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DuClaw Brewing Co. (Baltimore, Maryland) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Call Me Maurice Hopped Sour in mid-December 2020.

Named after everyone’s favorite lyrics from “The Joker” by The Steve Miller Band, Call Me Maurice is a Hopped Sour Ale with peaches, apricots and lactose added. Coming in at 7.1% ABV, Call Me Maurice will make sure all the Space Cowboys out there “end up a grinner.”

Call Me Maurice is rolling out now and will be available as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of DuClaw’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Call Me Maurice from DuClaw Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; mid-December 2020
Style – Sour Ale
ABV – 7.1%
IBUs – 12
Hops – Bravo & Amarillo
Malts – Pilsner, Unmalted Wheat & Flaked Oats
Added Ingredients – Peaches, apricots & lactose
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://duclaw.com/beer-finder/

Founders Brewing Co. Unveils 2021 Brand Calendar

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It’s back! Beer calendar season is upon us one again and this year we are kicking things off with a look at the official 2021 Brand Calendar from Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan).

In keeping with our approach in previous years when it comes to release calendars, we have posted Founders Brewing Co.’s full 2021 Brand Calendar below for you to peruse at your own pace. With that said, we would like to point out a few highlights before we turn you over to that document:

  • After a successful debut as a Limited Release in 2020, 4 Giants IPA – “a mashup of four of [the brewery’s] favorite imperial IPA recipes” – will return in March 2021 as a Year-Round offering. 4 Giants IPA will be available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.
  • The 2021 Barrel-Aged Series will open with the March release of Panther Cub, a Robust Porter “aged in the finest bourbon barrels available along with a kiss of maple syrup and vanilla extract. The aroma of maple and vanilla combine with a surprisingly deep character to make this rare creature one to gaze upon fondly.”
  • In April 2021, Founders will launch the Bottle Shop Series, a series created as a tribute to the early days of craft; when beer enthusiasts sought out innovation through big flavor, in-your-face complexity and revered quality above all else. This series will kick off with the release of Nemesis, a barleywine-style ale brewed with roasted malts and no shortage of hops for a pleasantly bitter, booming flavor (11.2% ABV). It will hit shelves across the country in 4-packs of 12oz bottles in April.
  • Más Agave Clásica Lime (10% ABV), Más Agave Clásica Grapefruit (9.7% ABV), and a yet-to-be-announced Más Agave Clásica variant will be released in May 2021 as a part of the Barrel-Aged Series lineup. All three Más Agave Clásica brands will be available nationwide in 4-packs of 12oz bottles and on draft.
  • Beginning in Spring 2021, Founders will roll out Más Agave Premium Hard Seltzer nationwide. The premium hard seltzer is currently available in ten markets (MI, IL, AZ, TX, FL, PA, NJ, MA, CO and Las Vegas, NV). Más Agave Premium Hard Seltzer is available in 6-pack cans in two flavors: strawberry and lime. It is also available in a variety 15-pack which includes lime, strawberry and grapefruit flavors.

“Shaking things up a bit is somewhat of the norm at Founders,” said Co-Founder and President Dave Engbers. “It’s not just taking the path less chosen – it’s bushwhacking a new trail altogether. This years’ brand calendar has us exploring multiple new styles, revisiting some of our favorite beers from the past, highlighting those who truly helped define our industry and jumping headfirst into the hard seltzer category – approaching it all with the fury only craft brewers like us know by highlighting real fruit flavor and quality above all else. It’s going to be a great year.”

Alrighty . . . that should cover everything we wanted to point out, but there is still plenty for you to discover on the calendar below. Give it a look and get ready for another fun year of beer with Founders Brewing Co. in 2021. Prost!

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Burial Beer Co. & Tripping Animals Collaborate on Awakened Into the Depths of the Neverending

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Burial Beer Co. (Asheville, North Carolina) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Bottle Release of Awakened Into the Depths of the Neverending, Burial’s first collaboration project with Tripping Animals Brewing (Doral, Florida), on Wednesday, December 16.

Created to be a “deviation from boring linear stout,” Awakened Into the Depths of the Neverending is an Imperial Stout “loaded . . . with massive doses of Tahitian vanilla bean, toasted coconut and lactose to forge a super marshmallowy coconut cream base and accented it with dab of fresh Meyers lemon zest, Spicewalla Vietnamese Cinnamon and sea salt.” Weighing in at 14% ABV, Awakened Into the Depths of the Neverending offers notes of “Kahlua dipped macaroons, toasted mallow squares, and freshly baked coconut cream pie drizzled with lemon glaze.”

Awakened Into the Depths of the Neverending – packaged in 500ml bottles for $19 each – will be available for online presale for pickup at Burial Beer Co.’s Asheville taproom and Raleigh taproom at noon on December 16 (proxies are welcome). If any bottles survive the presale, the brewery will release those in their online shop for nationwide shipping on December 17 at noon. Awakened Into the Depths of the Neverending will not see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Awakened Into the Depths of the Neverending from Burial Beer Co. & Tripping Animals Brewing

Release – Limited; December 16, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 14%
Added Ingredients – Toasted Coconut, Meyer Lemon Zest, Tahitian Vanilla Bean, Cinnamon, Sea Salt & Lactose
Availability – 500ml bottles ($19 each)
Distribution – None. Brewery only

Double Branch Artisanal Ales Strikes Gold at 2020 U.S. Open Beer Championship

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Double Branch Artisanal Ales (Wesley Chapel, Florida) was recently notified that its Purple Floors & Dinosaurs Double IPA earned a gold medal at the 2020 U.S. Open Beer Championship.

After establishing itself just five months ago as Wesley Chapel’s first craft brewery, Double Branch Artisanal Ales has earned another distinction by winning a gold medal in the New England/Juicy DIPA category at this year’s U.S. Open Beer Championship for its Purple Floors & Dinosaurs. Named after the brewery’s quirky purple floors and now extinct green walls (a name that also took home second place in the contest’s Top 10 Favorite Beer Names), Purple Floors & Dinosaurs is a Hazy/Juicy Double India Pale Ale triple dry-hopped with Idaho 7, Simcoe and El Dorado Hops. Coming in at a sneaky 9% ABV, Purple Floors & Dinosaurs boasts a pronounced pineapple aroma alongside a flavor profile packed with dank, tropical and citrus notes.

If you would like to get yourself a taste of the award-winning Purple Floors & Dinosaurs, you can do so by visiting Double Branch Artisanal Ales (5956 Wesley Grove Blvd | Wesley Chapel, Florida). This Limited Release is available exclusively at the brewery in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft as long supplies last. Prost!

Vital Information for Purple Floors & Dinosaurs from Double Branch Artisanal Ales

Release – Limited
Style – Hazy/Juicy Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 9%
Featured Hops – Idaho 7, Simcoe & El Dorado
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – None. Brewery only

Wild Leap Brew Co. Closes Out 2020 With Release of Alpha Abstraction – Vol. 15

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Wild Leap Brew Co. (LaGrange, Georgia) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Alpha Abstraction – Vol. 15 on Monday, December 14.

The latest release in Wild Leap’s experimental Double IPA Series that “explores hop varieties and features a varied hop profile in each volume,” Alpha Abstraction – Vol. 15 is a Hazy/Juicy Double India Pale Ale double dry-hopped with El Dorado and Idaho 7 hops. Coming in at 8% ABV, Alpha Abstraction – Vol. 15 supplies its drinker with plenty of “dank tropical, mango and caramel notes.”

“Similarly to Vol. 10, Vol. 15 features a hop combination of select lots chosen for their supreme juicy and dank qualities,” explains Wild Leap’s Chief Brewing Officer, Chris Elliott. “The result is a wonderfully bright and clean tropical aroma and flavor.”

“We’ve used El Dorado and Idaho 7 hops before in smaller batch beers, but it wasn’t until Hop Harvest this year that we tested two very unique lots of each variety,” says Elliott. “The El Dorado is very dank tropical and the Idaho 7 has huge mango and caramel notes. We knew this balance was uniquely perfect, so we secured enough of each lot for this very special volume of Alpha.”

Alpha Abstraction – Vol. 15 releases today (December 14) and will be available only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located within Wild Leap’s distribution footprint in Georgia. Prost!

Vital Information for Alpha Abstraction – Vol. 15 from Wild Leap Brew Co.

Release – Limited/Alpha Abstraction Series; December 14, 2020
Style – Hazy/Juicy Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8%
IBUs – 44
Featured Hops – El Dorado & Idaho 7
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.wildleap.com/beer-finder/

Creature Comforts Brewing Co.’s Koko Buni Returns for the Winter

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Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that Koko Buni Milk Porter will return for a Seasonal Release in late November/early December 2020.

Back yet again to celebrate Porter/Stout Season, Koko Buni is a Milk Porter brewed with toasted coconut, an Ethiopian coffee blend from 1000 Faces Coffee, Ecuadorian cocoa nibs from Condor Chocolates, and Haitian cocoa nibs from Ethereal Confections. Coming in at 6.5% ABV, Koko Buni is packed with “flavors [that] are rich, velvety and balanced.”

Koko Buni is rolling out now and is scheduled to hang around through January 2021. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located within Creature Comforts Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint in Georgia. Prost!

Vital Information for Koko Buni from Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal; November 2020 – January 2021
Style – Milk Porter
ABV – 6.5%
Added Ingredients – Toasted coconut, cocoa nibs & coffee
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia