Firestone Walker Introduces Chocolate Cherry Stout as New Seasonal

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Chocolate Cherry Stout in mid-October 2020.

Developed to be “a fresh new twist to [Firestone Walker’s] seasonal stout tradition,” Chocolate Cherry Stout is a fall-centric American Stout brewed with cherries and cocoa nibs. Coming in at an easy-drinking 5.5% ABV, Chocolate Cherry Stout is a “quintessential seasonal stout offering subtle cherry fruit and chocolate-cocoa flavors with dark-roasted malt complexity and a rich, velvety mouthfeel.”

“What sets this beer apart from our past stouts is the inclusion of cherries, which are added during the fermentation process,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It was a no-brainer as a next step for us, because who doesn’t like a dark chocolate and cherry flavor combo?

“I was weaned on Bell’s Cherry Stout back when I was a college student, and I still hold that beer up as the benchmark of this style,” Brynildson said. “Chocolate Cherry Stout draws inspiration from that beer while folding in some California soul.”

Chocolate Cherry Stout is rolling out now and will stick around for a limited time during the fall months. 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 North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Chocolate Cherry Stout from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Seasonal; mid-October 2020
Style – American Stout
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 27
Malts – Two Row, Roast Barley, Crystal Dark, Crystal 75, Cara Pils, Lactose & Carafa Type III
Hops – Tettnager
Added Ingredients – Cherries & cocoa nibs
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find-beer/

Flying Dog Brewery & University of Maryland Collaborate on 2020 Field Notes Pale Ale

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Flying Dog Brewery (Frederick, Maryland) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of 2020 Field Notes Pale Ale, a special collaboration project with the University of Maryland (UMD) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, in mid-October 2020.

The latest experimental offering to be “brewed using hops grown at UMD’s Western Maryland Research and Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland,” 2020 Field Notes is an American Pale Ale featuring Lyon, Glacier and Southern Cross hops that were “chosen after three rounds of blind sensory analysis on the hop varieties harvested by UMD this year.” Coming in at 5.6% ABV, 2020 Field Notes is a “crisp and delicious . . . pale ale with fruity and citrus hop notes dominating both the aroma and flavor profile.”

“There’s no better way to evaluate hops than putting them in a beer, which is exactly why experimental projects like Field Notes are vital to our work with the University of Maryland,” said James Maravetz, VP of Marketing, Flying Dog. “There are no pilot or test brews for this beer, it is a one-time shot to see what notes shine through.”

“Over the past five years we have battled various obstacles, both environmental and manmade, and it is evident that we can produce hops in Maryland,” said Bryan Butler, Extension Agent, UMD College of AGNR. “The question that remains however is, can a consistent, high quality, profitable crop be produced? We look forward to continuing our work to determine the ultimate answer to that question.”

2020 Field Notes is rolling out now and will be hanging around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Maryland only. Prost!

Vital Information for 2020 Field Notes from Flying Dog Brewery & University of Maryland

Release – Limited; mid-October 2020
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 5.6%
Featured Hops – Lyon, Glacier & Southern Cross hops grown at University of Maryland’s Western Maryland Research and Education Center
Fun Fact – “UMD and Maryland’s largest independent craft brewery have been growing hops in Maryland since the organizations’ partnership began in 2015. At that time, UMD’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources partnered with Flying Dog to study hop production in the State of Maryland. The goal of the study was to gather research and lay the groundwork for a commercially viable hop producing industry in Maryland that mirrors the success of hop growing ventures in the Pacific Northwest.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans
Distribution – Maryland only
Beer Finder – https://www.flyingdog.com/beer-finder/

Second Self Beer Co. Goes Barleywine Heavy to Celebrate 6th Anniversary

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Second Self Beer Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will commemorate its Sixth Anniversary with the Limited Release of Manic Pixie Dream Beer #2 and Malternate Universe during the week of Halloween from Wednesday, October 28 to Saturday, October 31.

Nothing says it is time to celebrate like breaking out a couple fine barleywines and Second Self Beer Co. is doing just that with the release of the following two anniversary offerings (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

  • Manic Pixie Dream Beer #2 – An American Barleywine aged in wet high rye bourbon barrels. It follows Second Self’s highly acclaimed Manic Pixie Dream Beer #1 in 2017, but it certainly deserves its own spotlight. With forward oak and spice nose and caramel and vanilla notes deriving from the malt and barrel used to brew it, Manic Pixie Dream Beer #2 is a slow-sipper that opens as it warms up. Hints of sweet, dark cherry lighten the overall body of the beer, creating a slightly boozy finish. ABV – 12%
  • Malternate Universe (9% ABV) – A Barleywine that pours a rich amber color with a nice tan head. Sweet aromas of caramel, brown sugar and English toffee give the decadent beer a full mouthfeel with tons of flavor. Tasting notes include fig, raisin and molasses. ABV – 9%

“A beer can only be a ‘Manic Pixie Dream Beer’ if it is truly an exception, and we’re confident this second version may just be the best beer we’ve released since Manic Pixie Dream Beer #1,” says Co-Founder and Beer Architect Jason Santamaria. “We’re proud to introduce our beer fans to Malternate Universe as well, and we’re looking forward to celebrating our anniversary over these two new launches with our Atlanta community.”

Manic Pixie Dream Beer #2 and Malternate Universe will be a part of a Double Release taking place at Second Self Beer Co.’s Westside Taproom from Wednesday, October 28 through Saturday, October 31, but you can go ahead pre-order your stash now by clicking here. Only 400 Anniversary Bundles – with Manic Pixie Dream Beer #2 packaged in 750ml bottles and Malternate Universe in 16 oz. cans – will be available for purchase during this release, so make sure that you secure your bundle as soon as possible. Prost!

Dogfish Head Launches Campfire Amplifier as Newest Seasonal Offering

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Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware) has officially announced that it will add Campfire Amplifier, a s’mores-inspired Milk Stout, to its Seasonal Art Series in early October 2020.

Crafted to properly capture the vibes of “cold nights around the campfire,” Campfire Amplifier is a Milk Stout “brewed with marshmallows, graham crackers, cocoa nibs, cinnamon, Madagascar vanilla beans and smoked malt.” With Campfire Amplifier (6.5% ABV) bringing the s’mores goodness this fall & winter, “the only thing missing is a tent, and a few fireside ghost stories.”

Campfire Amplifier is rolling out now and will be available through the end of 2020. You can expect to find this new Seasonal available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Delaware and throughout the rest of Dogfish Head’s distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for Campfire Amplifier from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Release – Seasonal/Art Series; October – December 2020
Style – Milk Stout
ABV – 6.5%
IBUs – 35
Added Ingredients – Marshmallows, graham crackers, cocoa nibs, cinnamon Madagascar vanilla beans & smoked malt
Fun Fact – “Campfire Amplifier’s packaging was dreamed up and designed by our 2021 Art Series Artist, Ryan Besch! Ryan has been designing notable gig posters and vinyl art for 20+ years, and his alternative comics-inspired approach pairs perfectly with our off-centered ales.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/fishfinder

New Realm Brewing Closes Out 2020 Monsters & Myths Series with El JuicyCabra DIPA

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New Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of El JuicyCabra, the fourth and final release of 2020 in the brewery’s Monsters and Myths Double IPA Series, on October 20.

Inspired by and named after “the insatiable folk legend” of El Chupacabra, El JuicyCabra is a “New England meets West Coast” Double India Pale Ale that has been “aggressively” dry-hopped with Amarillo, Mosaic and Calypso hops to create “intense tropical fruit, stone fruit, and citrus notes.” Clocking in at 9% ABV and 50 IBUs, El JuicyCabra comes together to be a “super juicy, yet clear, Double IPA.”

“What we tried to do with El JuicyCabra DIPA was combine the best of both worlds, the juiciness of a Hazy IPA, and the clarity of more traditional styles. The result is a tasty DIPA with tropical citrus and herbal hop character” said Mitch Steele, Co-Founder, and Brewmaster of New Realm Brewing.

“With our Monsters & Myths lineup, we created a series of Double IPAs that allowed us to include our award-winning Tyrannosaurus Flex DIPA from the year before. During concepting and brainstorming sessions, we agreed that the versatility to explore various folk legends and depict them in a silly and fun manner was the right direction. El JuicyCabra’s look was a challenge, but while exploring a YouTube rabbit hole on El Chupacabra, and some additional research, the light bulb went off,” said Erik Leach, Brand Marketing Coordinator of New Realm Brewing.

El JuicyCabra is scheduled to officially release at New Realm’s Atlanta and Virginia Beach locations on October 20 and distribution will begin at or around that date as well. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located within New Realm’s distribution footprint in Georgia and Virginia. Prost!

Vital Information for El JuicyCabra from New Realm Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Monsters & Myths Series; October 20, 2020
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 9%
IBUs – 50
Featured Hops – Amarillo, Mosaic & Calypso
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia & Virginia
Beer Finder – https://newrealmbrewing.com/beer-finder/

Off Color Brewing Brings the Nostalgia with Release of Beer for Pizza

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Off Color Brewing (Chicago, Illinois) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Beer for Pizza, a Cola-inspired Ale, in October 2020.

Modeled after the unofficial official soda pop pairing for pizza parties everywhere, Beer for Pizza is an Herb/Spice Beer featuring “sweet crystal malts, Belgian dark candi syrup, and vanilla balanced with acidity from lime juice and citric acid” and dosed with a “flavor addition . . . inspired by the secret ‘Seven X’ blend of citrus, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a juicy, yet spicy-sweet botanical kick.” Beer for Pizza (4.5% ABV) is finished with the addition of “kola [which] provides a slight caffeine boost while a crisp carbonation enhances the mouthfeel.”

Beer for Pizza is available now at both Off Color Brewing locations and is entering distribution now. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Chicagoland and throughout the rest of Off Color’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Beer for Pizza from Off Color Brewing

Release – Limited; launching October 2020
Style – Herb/Spice Beer
ABV – 4.5%
IBUs – 3
Malts – Vienna & Crystal
Hops – Nugget
Secret Ingredients – Dark Candi Syrup, Kola Nut, Lime Juice, Vanilla, Lemon Zest, Orange Zest, Orange Blossom, Cinnamon, Coriander, Nutmeg & Citric Acid
Fun Fact – “Caffeine (and the name) of Cola was originally provided by the kola nut, native to the rainforests of Africa. This caffeine rich nut was chewed as a pick me up and was a common ingredient in old-timey tonics including a now world famous tonic that included extract from the coca plant. Kola nuts are no longer used in modern colas and instead are replaced with caffeine extract, but Beer for Pizza uses the kola nut as its source for a mild caffeine kick.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans



Rogue Spirits Introduces Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule as Newest Canned Cocktail

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Rogue Spirits (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced that it will add Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule to its lineup of Sparkling Craft Cocktails in mid-October 2020.

Arriving just in time for the holiday season, Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule (7.5% ABV) is a Sparkling Craft Cocktail that uses Rogue Spirits Whiskey – “a blend of 4 to 6 year old Rogue Whiskey that was distilled and aged at the Rogue Spirits distillery in Newport, Oregon” – as the base spirit “while ginger and lemon provide a refreshing balance of citrus and spice.” Like all of Rogue’s Canned Craft Cocktails, Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule is “made with Rogue Spirits and 100% natural ingredients, [and offers an] authentic, gluten-free, bar quality recipe in the convenience of a can.”

“Released just in time for the holiday season, our Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule is made for those special occasions when you want to spend less time making drinks and more time celebrating with the ones you love,” says Hagen Moore, VP of Marketing & Creative. “Dressed for a holiday party, the shiny copper packaging evokes a feeling of celebration from the outside in. On the palate, the warming ginger and lemon flavor provide a refreshing balance of citrus and spice. These are sure to be a welcome addition at any holiday gathering.”

Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule is rolling out now and will be available Year-Round alongside Rogue’s other Sparkling Craft Cocktails: Cranberry Elderflower Vodka Soda, Cucumber Lime Gin Fizz, Grapefruit Vodka Soda and Ginger Lime Vodka Mule. You can expect to find Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule available in 4-packs of 12 oz. slim cans at craft spirits-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Ginger Lemon Whiskey Mule from Rogue Spirits

Release – Year-Round; launching October 2020
Style – Canned Sparkling Craft Cocktail
ABV – 7.5%
Ingredients – Rogue Spirits Whiskey, Ginger, Lemon, Simple Syrup & Sparkling Water
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans
Beer/Cocktail Finder – https://finder.rogue.com/

Odd Breed Wild Ales Set for Extra Special Release of Harmonic Oscillator

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Odd Breed Wild Ales (Pompano Beach, Florida) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Harmonic Oscillator, a Double Barrel-aged Imperial Wild Ale, on Saturday, October 17.

What could be Odd Breed’s “most decadent, opulent beer” to date, Harmonic Oscillator is an Imperial Wild Ale that was “first aged in California Sauvignon Blanc barrels, then conditioned on apricots before finishing in French Sauternes barrels.” Clocking in at 15% ABV and served still, Harmonic Oscillator has “lively aromatics of French Sauternes, Sauvignon Blanc grapes, and fresh apricot” and boasts a “moderate acidity [that] cuts through the sweetness and lends the perception of a lighter mouthfeel to this full-bodied beer, making it incredibly drinkable despite its alcoholic strength.”

If you are unfamiliar with Sauternes, Odd Breed provided the following background information on this rare libation:

“Sauternes is a type of French wine produced in a region south of Bordeaux with white grapes subjected to Botyritis. Botyritis is a type of fungus that results in grapes that become somewhat raisined after periods of high humidity and then dry conditions with ample sun. Sauternes is a protected appellation, and Sauternes can only be made in a particular region of France with Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Semillon, and Muscadelle grapes. Botyritis infection, also known as noble rot, is unpredictable, and the production of Sauternes is reliant on very particular growing conditions. As such, the production of Sauternes is limited, output is uncertain, and production costs are very high. The commercial endeavor of producing Sauternes is especially risky, and there are years when Sauternes cannot be produced because of unfavorable weather. 

“Sauternes is a relatively strong and sweet wine made with grapes that have inherent tartness. By law, Sauternes must be at least 13% ABV, and must finish sweet with unfermented residual sugars. The use of botyrized, concentrated grapes produces an intense, full-bodied wine with very unique flavors akin to stone fruit preserves mixed with gooseberries. The aroma of Sauternes is very distinct and unlike any other wine.”

Harmonic Oscillator will release at Odd Breed Wild Ales on Saturday, October 17 and will hang around only as long as supplies last. Harmonic Oscillator will be available exclusively at the brewery in 375ml bottles. Prost!

Vital Information for Harmonic Oscillator from Odd Breed Wild Ales

Release – Limited; October 17, 2020
Style – American Wild Ale
ABV – 15%
Treatment – First aged in California Sauvignon Blanc barrels, conditioned on apricots, finished in French Sauternes barrels. Aged for over 2 year total
Availability – 375ml bottles
Distribution – None. Brewery only

TrimTab Brewing & Hidden Springs Ale Works Collaborate on Glow Up! Sour Ale

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TrimTab Brewing (Birmingham, Alabama) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Glow Up!, a Sour Ale brewed in collaboration with Hidden Springs Ale Works (Tampa, Florida), on Tuesday, October 13.

Inspired by the Hummingbird Cake, Glow Up! is a Pastry Sour that has been dosed with additions of banana, pineapple, nut flour, cinnamon and milk sugar. Coming in at 6% ABV, Glow Up! is a decadent tropical treat that is both a little tart and a little sweet.

Glow Up! – available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft – will debut in the Tasting Gallery at TrimTab Brewing on October 13 and will hang around only as long as supplies last. There is no word at this time as to whether or not this Limited Release will see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Glow Up! from TrimTab Brewing & Hidden Springs Ale Works

Release – Limited; October 13, 2020
Style – Pastry Sour Ale
ABV – 6%
Added Ingredients – Banana, pineapple, nut flour, cinnamon & milk sugar
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft

Burial Beer Co. Revives the Empire of Eternal Nothingness for Limited Release

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Burial Beer Co. (Asheville, North Carolina) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Bottle Release for Empire of Eternal Nothingness, “one of [the brewery’s] finest Imperial Stouts,” at noon on Wednesday, October 14.

Crafted to be an “amalgamation of [Burial’s] first year of hypothesizing, stumbling and eventually achieving,” Empire of Eternal Nothingness takes the brewery’s “6 hour stout base” and ages it “upon a double dipping of select French Broad Chocolate cocoa nibs, Madagascar vanilla bean, and the heaviest dose of macaroon coconut ever to touch [the brewery’s] steel.” Weighing in at a massive 15% ABV, Empire of Eternal Nothingness comes across as “gooey coconut clusters, topped with molten mounds bars, and shoved into the center of a German chocolate cake soaked in rummy goodness.”

Empire of Eternal Nothingness – available 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 October 14 (proxies are welcome). If any bottles survive the presale, the brewery will release those in their online shop for nationwide shipping on October 15 at noon. Empire of Eternal Nothingness will not see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Empire of Eternal Nothingness from Burial Beer Co.

Release – Limited; October 14, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 15%
Added Ingredients – Cocoa nibs from French Broad Chocolate, Madagascar vanilla bean & macaroon coconut
Availability – 500ml bottles
Distribution – None. Brewery locations only via online presale