Guinness Releases Two Barrel-Aged Stouts for the Holidays

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Guinness Open Gate Brewery (Baltimore, Maryland), the U.S. outpost for Guinness & Co. (Dublin, Ireland), has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Edition Releases of Guinness Imperial Gingerbread Spiced Stout and Guinness Imperial Stout in early November 2020.

Fittingly announced by Guinness a few days ago on International Stout Day, The following two Stouts, both aged in Kentucky Bourbon barrels, are hitting U.S. beer shelves “just in time for the crisp late fall weather and the hopeful spirit of the holidays” (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

  • Guinness Imperial Gingerbread Spiced Stout Aged in Kentucky Bourbon Barrels – Represents the change of seasons, comforting warmth, and holiday nostalgia. This winter treat, with an 11% ABV, was brewed with allspice, ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg, then aged in bourbon barrels. Pair the stout this holiday season with roasted pork with fig, vanilla panna cotta, or crème brûlée.
  • Guinness Imperial Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels – Developed specifically with barrel-aging in mind, so it has a strong, robust body. This roasty beer also has a velvety mouthfeel, notes of chocolate, bourbon — not to mention hints of coconut and vanilla — and an oak finish. With a 10.3% ABV, the stout provides a rich pairing experience and is perfect for steak, rib roast with rosemary and garlic or chocolate desserts. The best way to enjoy these flavors and aromas is to sip each beer slowly and savor it at a leisurely pace – with respect to their double digit ABVs.

“Barrels have been a part of Guinness brewing history for centuries, so we’re excited to continue expanding on that tradition by becoming a center for the barrel-aging experience in the U.S.,” said Sean Brennan, Senior Brewer at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore. “It truly gives us the chance to create, experiment and discover. We brewed Imperial Gingerbread Spiced Stout to evoke the warm, rich flavors of holiday spices, while we knew Imperial Stout needed to be showcased on its own after it was originally brewed as part of the Stock Ale blend last year.”

Guinness Imperial Gingerbread Spiced Stout and Guinness Imperial Stout are rolling out now and will be available for a limited time during the holiday season. You can expect to find these Limited Release brews available in 4-packs of 11.2 oz. bottles at select beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of the brewery’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

New Realm Brewing Kicks Off 2020-21 Wooded Reserve Series with Rum Barrel-Aged Oaxaca Choca

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New Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Barbados Rum Barrel-Aged Oaxaca Choca Imperial Mexican Chocolate Stout on November 10, 2020.

The first of five releases in the brewery’s 2020-21 Wooded Reserve Series that “represents the true spirit of brewing exploration and harkens back to the original renaissance of beer spurred by the hardworking barrel makers,” Barbados Rum Barrel-Aged Oaxaca Choca takes the fan-favorite base beer – Oaxaca Choca, “an Imperial Stout reminiscent of Mexican-style hot chocolate, is loaded with cinnamon, vanilla, chili peppers and locally roasted cacao nibs” – and carefully ages it for six months in Barbados Rum barrels. Coming in at 10.8% ABV, Barbados Rum Barrel-Aged Oaxaca Choca “is creamy, full-bodied, with notes of cocoa, cinnamon, and raisin . . . [alongside] light burnt sugar notes provided by the rum barrels, while the oak is enhanced by the subtle vanilla in the beer.”

“Oaxaca Choca was developed by Mitch’s team in our inaugural year, a beautiful Imperial Mexican Chocolate Stout that is always one of our most sought-after annual releases,” said Bob Powers, Co-Founder and Chief Sales Marketing Officer for New Realm Brewing. “We decided to age it in rum barrels to up the ante even further – now the oak, coconut, vanilla, and molasses rum flavors from aging in the wood, complement the chocolate, vanilla, cinnamon, and chili pepper notes of the original beer.”

A very limited amount of Barbados Rum Barrel-Aged Oaxaca Choca will release on November 10 and will be available only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 500ml bottles and on draft at select independent package retailers located within New Realm’s distribution footprint in Georgia and Virginia. Prost!

Vital Information for Barbados Rum Barrel-Aged Oaxaca Choca from New Realm Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Wooded Reserve Series; November 10, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 10.8%
Added Ingredients – Chili peppers, cinnamon, vanilla, locally roasted cacao nibs & lactose sugar
Treatment – Aged six months is Barbados Rum barrels
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft
Distribution – Georgia & Virginia

Boulevard Brewing & 3 Floyds Collaborate on Deep Flux Barleywine

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Boulevard Brewing Co. (Kansas City, Missouri) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Deep Flux, a Pale Barleywine brewed in collaboration with 3 Floyds Brewing (Munster, Indiana), on November 9.

Inspired by a tour the 3 Floyds crew took of Boulevard Brewing Co.’s barrel facility which serendipitously included a break “next to a collection of rye whiskey and Madeira wine casks,” Deep Flux is a “unique, pale” Barleywine filled with aromas of brown sugar, oak, and dark stone fruit that then went on to spend “100% of its [aging] process in wood barrels” (60% in rye whiskey barrels and 40% in Madeira wine casks). Weighing in at a massive 14.3% ABV, Deep Flux is “a big and boisterous barleywine with resplendent flavors of rye, Madeira, and oak lurking in the barrels.”

Deep Flux is scheduled to hit the Greater Kansas City area on November 9 and expanded distribution will follow shortly after that date. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles at craft beer-friendly establishments in select areas located within Boulevard’s distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for Deep Flux from Boulevard Brewing Co. & 3 Floyds Brewing

Release – Limited/Smokestack Series; November 9, 2020
Style – Barleywine
ABV – 14.3%
IBUs – 20
Malts – Pale, Pilsner, Vienna, Flaked Oats & Malted Rye
Hops – Magnum & Chinook
Treatment – Aged 60% in rye whiskey barrels & 40% in Madeira wine casks
Suggested Pairings – “Stilton grilled cheese, Crema Catalana, bold cigars”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles
Beer Finder – https://www.boulevard.com/finder/

Flying Dog Brewery Embraces the Flavors of Fall with Release of Apple Pie Blonde Ale

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Flying Dog Brewery (Frederick, Maryland) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Apple Pie Blonde Ale, the brewery’s final Brewhouse Rarities Release of 2020, on Friday, November 6.

Conceptualized and “pitched by a fall-loving, plaid-clad employee as part of [Flying Dog’s] Brewhouse Rarities program,” Apple Pie is an American Blonde Ale that – instead of artificial flavors – uses “real apples and specialty ingredients like vanilla, nutmeg and cardamom to achieve an authentic [apple pie] flavor profile.” Coming in at 7.2% ABV, Apple Pie Blonde Ale “tastes like it came straight out of Grandma’s kitchen.”

“The flavors in this seasonal specialty are perfectly balanced to fool your tongue into believing it’s the real thing,” said James Maravetz, VP of Marketing at Flying Dog Brewery. “Apples are such a quintessential fall flavor, and now you can have all of the crisp, apple flavor you love without paying to spend hours picking your own.”

Apple Pie Blonde Ale is scheduled to hit distribution on November 6 and will stick around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina and throughout the rest of Flying Dog’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Apple Pie Blonde Ale from Flying Dog Brewery

Release – Limited/Brewhouse Rarities; November 6, 2020
Style – American Blonde Ale
ABV – 7.2%
Added Ingredients – Apples, vanilla, nutmeg & cardamom
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.flyingdog.com/beer-finder/

Portland Cider Co.’s Crangerine Returns for a Limited Time

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Portland Cider Company (Clackamas, Oregon) has officially announced that it will begin the Small Batch Series Release of Crangerine in early November 2020.

Originally introduced in 2019 to launch Portland Cider Company’s Small Batch Series, Crangerine is a Hard Cider that “highlights tart and juicy tangerines complemented by fruity Oregon-grown cranberries.” Coming in at 5.1% ABV, Crangerine is “a playful spin on a fall classic, adding bright citrus for those who like something unexpected.”

“We love the tartness of this cider and how the citrus zest of the tangerines interacts with the fruitiness of the rich red cranberries,” said Lynda Parrish, Portland Cider Co. co-owner. “This cider is perfect for the holiday season—it works well with food pairings, especially the traditional Thanksgiving Dinner, and makes a delicious cranberry cider cocktail as well.”

Crangerine is rolling out now and will hang around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 19.2 oz. “proper pint” cans and on draft at Portland Cider Company’s two taprooms and at select cider-friendly establishments located in Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, and Northern California. Prost!

Vital Information for Crangerine from Portland Cider Company

Release – Limited/Small Batch Series; November 2020
Style – Hard Cider
ABV – 5.1%
Ingredients – Oregon Cranberries, NW Tangerines, Fuji Apples, Pink Lady Apples, Gala Apples, Honeycrisp Apples & Golden Delicious Apples
Fun Fact – “Crangerine is . . . Portland Cider Co.’s first product to feature a bright and colorful refreshed design. The shrink sleeves allow the company to create more complex package designs with realistic details; in this case, the tangerines and cranberries appear as if they could be picked right off the can. The company plans on a subtle refresh for each of its year-round cider packages as they release.”
Suggested Pairings – “Roasted turkey, brie, pumpkin pie, honey baked ham, mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables”
Availability – 19.2 oz. cans & draft
Cider Finder – https://www.portlandcider.com/cider-finder

Rogue Breaks Out the Peppermint Bark for 2020 Santa’s Private Reserve

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Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of the 2020 edition of its Santa’s Private Reserve, a Peppermint Bark Milk Stout, in November.

Brewed to be the “full package and . . . to brighten up even the worst days of winter,” this year’s Santa’s Private Reserve is a Milk Stout that has been dosed with “refreshing peppermint and velvety dark chocolate [to] taste like the holidays in a glass.” Coming in at 8.34% ABV, Santa’s Private Reserve is a “rich and warm stout [that] is a confectioner’s dream and a must for any holiday celebration.”

“Santa’s vision for this year’s Private Reserve came to him in the candy cane forest where he was busy harvesting peppermint bark to make one of his favorite treats,” says Rogue Brewmaster, Joel Shields. “He called us and ecstatically blurted out, ‘Peppermint bark milk stout!’ We knew exactly what he meant and got right to work brewing up our 2020 Santa’s Private Reserve. Santa was elated with the results, and we think you will be too.”

“I always look forward to my annual trip to Newport, Oregon to brew our annual Santa’s Private Reserve,” says Santa Claus. “This year’s Peppermint Bark Milk Stout is a real treat that pairs perfectly with my favorite sugar cookies.”

The 2020 installment of Santa’s Private Reserve is rolling out this month and is scheduled to hang around through December. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 750ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for 2020 Santa’s Private Reserve from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited; November – December 2020
Style – Milk Stout
ABV – 8.34%
IBUs – 26
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://finder.rogue.com/

Firestone Walker Celebrates Another Year with Release of XXIV Anniversary Ale

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of XXIV Anniversary Ale, a masterfully blended Barrel-aged Strong Ale, in November 2020.

Blended with the help of Paso Robles winemakers (wineries include Denner, Halter Ranch, Herman Story, Ledge, Linne Calodo, Lone Madrone, Tablas Creek, Thacher, TH Estate Wines and Saxum) who participated in a remote blending experience due to all the challenges presented by 2020, XXIV Anniversary Ale is a Strong Ale comprised of the following “six distinct ales aged primarily in bourbon barrels, with a small portion aged in tequila barrels”:

  • Velvet Merkin – Milk Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels (27%)
  • Stickee Monkee – Central Coastal Quad aged in Bourbon Barrels (26%)
  • Parabola – Russian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels (16%)
  • Smoked Imperial Walkers Reserve – Robust Porter brewed with beechwood smoked malt & aged in Bourbon Barrels (16%)
  • Bravo – Imperial Brown Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels (11%)
  • Tequila Barrel Helldorado – Blonde Barleywine aged in Tequila Barrels (4%)

“When I pour this in the glass, I have to smile knowing this is created with only traditional brewing ingredients, oak barrels, and time; and yet there is a distinct aroma of caramel pecan pie and the comforting taste of smores just off the fire. Toasty marshmallow, dark chocolate covered pralines, a dash of coconut and a hint of dark cherry. There is magic in the glass beyond beer. I will let you pour and discover the rest.”
– Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster

“XXIV is not only special because of the unique beers blended into it—it also represents a time when the world came to an abrupt stop, challenging us to innovate and evolve, which has always been a part of the success of our barrel program,” said Firestone Walker’s Quality Manager Amy Crook, who coordinated the remote blending experience along with Barrel Program Manager Eric Ponce.

 XXIV Anniversary Ale is rolling out now and will hang around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for XXIV Anniversary Ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Limited; November 2020
Style – Strong Ale (blended)
ABV – 11.3%
IBUs – 29
Fun Fact – On the blending process behind XXIV Anniversary Ale: “Each year, the winemakers break into teams; create their own preferred blends from several barrel-aged component ales; then vote as a group on the winning blend—which then becomes the next Anniversary Ale. . . The winning blend—the basis for XXIV—was ultimately created by Winemaker Kevin Sass at Halter Ranch.”
Availability – 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find-beer/

DuClaw Brewing Co. Begins Limited Release of Hop Tarts DIPA

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DuClaw Brewing Co. (Baltimore, Maryland) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Hop Tarts, a Wild Berry Double IPA, in early November 2020.

Here to bring some childhood breakfast nostalgia to your IPA experience, Hop Tarts is a Double India Pale Ale that gets a “slight berry essence achieved by adding raspberries, blueberries and strawberries during fermentation (a majority which ferments out of the beer during this process).” Fruity but not heavily fruited, Hop Tarts (8% ABV) gets a good deal of its fruitiness from a juicy hop bill comprised of Lotus, Mosaic, Amarillo – Fruit Punch, Enigma and Chinook hops.

Hop Tarts is scheduled to debut in early November and will hang around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 16 oz. cans at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of DuClaw’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Hop Tarts from DuClaw Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; November 2020
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8%
IBUs – 60
Featured Hops – Lotus, Mosaic, Amarillo – Fruit Punch, Enigma & Chinook
Malts – Pilsner, Vienna, Carapils & Biscuit
Added Ingredients – Raspberries, blueberries & strawberries
Availability – 16 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://duclaw.com/beer-finder/

Anchor Brewing’s Christmas Ale Returns for 46th Release

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Anchor Brewing Company (San Francisco, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of its 2020 Christmas Ale in early November.

Back for the 46th year in a row but the “the first release by newly appointed Anchor Brewmaster, Tom Riley,” 2020 Christmas Ale is a Spiced Brown Ale “layered with classic holiday flavors of chocolate, toasted marshmallows and graham crackers.” Coming in at 7% ABV (the highest of any previous Christmas Ale release), 2020 Christmas Ale remains “easy-drinking and approachable for everyone at a holiday gathering or virtual event.”

“In such a challenging year, we wanted our Christmas Ale to be a moment of joy during the holiday season,” says Anchor Brewmaster Tom Riley.  “With a one-of-a-kind label, the highest ABV in history, and a balanced, holiday-inspired flavor profile, we believe that this year’s Christmas Ale stands in a category of its own.  Our Christmas Ale fans will be thrilled with year’s offering and first-timers will be in for a special treat.”

2020 Christmas Ale will officially release in early November and is scheduled to hang around through January 2021 (while supplies last). You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, gold-foiled 50.7 oz. magnum bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of Anchor Brewing’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for 2020 Christmas Ale from Anchor Brewing Company

Release – Limited; November 2020 – January 2021
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 7%
Malts – “Top Secret”
Hops – “Top Secret”
Fun Fact – “Each year a new symbolic hand-drawn tree is chosen for the Christmas Ale label. This year’s label features The Three Graces; three iconic towering sequoias from the Mariposa Grove in California’s Yosemite National Park. This is only the second time in its 46-year history that multiple trees are shown together on the label, a fitting statement to symbolize togetherness and hope in a year when so much time has been spent apart. The Three Graces represent radiance, joy, and flowering – characteristics that we can all hold near during this unprecedented time.”
Suggested Pairings – “Ideal dessert pairings are crème brulee, molten lava cake, pumpkin pie and more. Suggested savory pairings are turkey and a rack of lamb.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 50.7 oz. magnum bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.anchorbrewing.com/connect/beer_finder

Paulaner Pils Returns to the U.S.

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Paulaner USA (White Plains, New York), the U.S. importer of the legendary Paulaner Brauerei (Munich, Germany) portfolio, has officially announced that Paulaner Pils will return to the United States in November 2020.

A recipe that has been refined by Paulaner since the mid-1800s, Paulaner Pils is a German-style Pilsner that “features a brilliant bright yellow color, floral hop aromas and a pleasant dry finish.” Coming in at a sessionable 4.9% ABV, Paulaner Pils is “a beer of formidable cleanliness and sophistication that delivers a clean, crisp taste.”

“We are excited to bring back our Paulaner Pils to the U.S. market,” says Steve Hauser, CEO of Paulaner USA. “Over the past few years there has been an increase in demand for sessionable products as an alternative to the fuller, IPA beers. Paulaner, being a German leader in easy-to-drink beers for centuries, has responded to this consumer trend with the reintroduction of our delicious Paulaner Pils to the U.S. market. 

“At Paulaner, we enjoy catering to our consumers who know beer and appreciate our brand’s history. Since 1634, Paulaner has been dedicated to the art of brewing and we strictly follow the Reinheitsgebot, Germany’s beer purity law. To this day, we continue to stay true to our mastered brewing techniques and only use select, high-quality ingredients for the utmost taste and quality. Given this, we are delighted to bring back our beloved classic German Pilsner to our U.S. customers.”

Paulaner Pils is scheduled to hit the U.S. in November 2020 with availability in 4-packs of 16.9 oz. cans. You can expect to find this Year-Round offering at fine beer retailers located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Paulaner USA’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Paulaner Pils from Paulaner Brauerei

Release – Year-Round; launching November 2020
Style – German-style Pilsner
ABV – 4.9%
Fun Fact – “Consumers can . . . enjoy [Paulaner Pils] in its characteristic slender stemmed glass resembling a champagne flute. The tall and slender shape shows beautifully the bright golden color and absolute clarity of the beer. As the glass is only slightly tapered, the carbonization is perfectly visible. The glass gets wider to the top, ensuring the beer keeps its nice white head. The narrow rim guarantees that the delicate floral hop notes are perceived perfectly.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16.9 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://paulanerhpusa.com/beer-finder/paulaner-beer-finder/