Beer News | Mashing In

Perrin Brewing Introduces Harden The Hop Up DIPA

Posted on April 3, 2019 by mashingin

Perrin Brewing Company (Comstock Park, Michigan) has officially announced that Harden The Hop Up, A Limited Release Double IPA, will begin hitting distribution in April.

Arriving as the latest release in Perrin’s new Side Hustle Series, Harden The Hop Up is a citrus-forward Double India Pale Ale “showcasing hop varietals from New Zealand and Australia” such as Galaxy (imparts juiciness) , Ella (adds “a floral nose and slight spice”) and Enigma hops (“heighten the flavors and aromas and add notes of pinot gris”). This “blend of rare hops” takes Harden The Hop Up (8.5% ABV) “to zesty heights of citrus perfection, highlighted with subtle stone fruit characteristics.”

Harden The Hop Up debuted in the Perrin Pub on March 28 and is scheduled to begin distribution in April 2019. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located within Perrin’s distribution footprint in Michigan only. Prost!

Vital Information for Harden The Hop Up Double IPA from Perrin Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Side Hustle Series, April 2019
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8.5%
Feature Hops – Galaxy, Ella & Enigma
Fun Fact – “Hop varietals from the Oceania geographic region, to which Australia and New Zealand belong, are highly sought after for their fruitiness and high alpha acid ratings.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Michigan only

Passion Fruit Kölsch ‘Up Next’ for New Belgium Brewing

Posted on April 3, 2019 by mashingin

New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, Colorado) has officially announced that Passion Fruit Kölsch is hitting shelves and taps now as the latest Limited Release in its Up Next Series.

Meant to be New Belgium’s “take on an American-style fruit beer”, Up Next Passion Fruit Kölsch is a refreshing Kölsch-style Ale brewed with passion fruit juice. “Bright, pale yellow” in color, this brew boasts “invigorating aromas of passion fruit, guava, and tropical punch” and loads of “tropical fruit flavors.” Medium in body and coming in a low 4.3% ABV, Passion Fruit Kölsch “is moderately sweet throughout, weaving in a slightly tart middle before finishing with a flash of bitterness.”

“Passion Fruit Kölsch is a crushable, refreshing fruit-forward beer ready for fun in the sun,” said Cody Reif, New Belgium Research & Development Brewer. “The big challenge was to strike a delicate balance between sweet tropical fruit flavors and traditional beer flavors. We wanted to create a beer still recognizable as a beer, but also with a very evident fruit character that even non-beer drinkers will love.”

Up Next Passion Fruit Kölsch is rolling out now and will be available 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 craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina and throughout the rest of New Belgium’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Up Next Passion Fruit Kölsch from New Belgium Brewing

Release – Limited/Up Next Series, late March/early April 2019
Style – Kölsch
ABV – 4.3%
IBUs – 13
Malts – Pale & Pilsner
Hops – Nugget, Azacca & Calypso
Special Ingredients – Passion Fruit Juice
Fun Fact – “The Up Next Series features new flavors rotating quarterly throughout 2019. Future offerings push the boundaries of traditional beer style definitions while giving micro and often regionalized beer trends national exposure. Limited only by the imagination of the brewing team, the Up Next Series intends to blend trending flavors with a hint of seasonality.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/finder/

Reformation Brewery Welcomes Spring with a New Batch of Nolan the Wanderer IPA

Posted on April 2, 2019 by mashingin

Reformation Brewery (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that its newest version of Nolan the Wanderer IPA will be available throughout the months of Spring 2019.

Officially the fourth release in Reformation’s rotating IPA series, Nolan the Wanderer (#004) is a “Golden Cashmere” India Pale Ale that is ” hazy, delicately sweet, with notes of silky mango & wisps of papaya, featuring generous Cashmere dry hop additions, a touch of oats, and Golden Promise heirloom malts.” Nolan the Wanderer IPA comes in at 7.2% ABV.

Nolan the Wanderer (#004) is available now and is scheduled to hang around through June 2019. You can expect to find this Rotating offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located within Reformation’s distribution footprint in Georgia and Tennessee. Prost!

Vital Information for Nolan the Wanderer IPA (#004) from Reformation Brewery

Release – Rotating Year-Round, March – June 2019
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 7.2%
Featured Hops – Cashmere
Fun Fact – On the Nolan the Wanderer IPA Series: “Always changing, the series seeks to explore trends with small batch, seasonal releases in the IPA style category and has three new releases scheduled for 2019.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia & Tennessee

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Introduces 95 Calorie Slightly Mighty IPA

Posted on April 2, 2019February 2, 2020 by mashingin

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware) has officially announced that Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA will launch on April 1.

“SLIGHT in cals and carbs with MIGHTY hop flavor”, Slightly Mighty is an American India Pale Ale that takes full advantage of the “culinary goodness” that is monk fruit – “an ancient Chinese delicacy that’s sweeter than sugar per ounce, so it amplifies the body and complexity in the beer, yet contains no calories.” Coming in at just “4% ABV, 95 calories, 3.6g carbs, 1g protein and 0g fat per 12 oz. serving”, the super light, crisp and refreshing Slightly Mighty is still able to produce big “tropical notes of pineapple, coconut, mango and citrus, all while delivering an aromatic hop awesomeness that makes it so drinkable.”

“We developed the recipe for Slightly Mighty using similar methods of molecular-level research and culinary inspiration as we did to make SeaQuench Ale* – the most objectively thirst-quenching beer ever made by Dogfish,” said Sam Calagione, founder and CEO of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery. “Whereas most IPAs start with a formidable malt bill to balance hoppy bitterness with malty sweetness, Slightly Mighty goes about it a different way – all through the magic of monk fruit. Most light beers are watery and lack body. In terms of body, with Slightly Mighty, the monk fruit essentially acts as the beer’s skeleton, on which mighty hop muscle and flavor can be built. It allows us to reduce the malt bill and avoid any unnecessary unfermentable sugars, and consequently deliver a beer that is lower in calories and carbs all while being balanced and offering the complexity of a world class IPA.”

Slightly Mighty will begin shipping to select markets (MA, DC, MD, DE, IL, IN, MN, SD, WI, VA, IA, KS, MO, NE, PA, WV, NJ, KY, OH, MI) on April 1, and “additional states will be added throughout the Summer with full distribution by this Fall.” Once fully released, you can expect to find this new Lo-Cal beer option available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Delaware and throughout the rest of Dogfish Head’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Slightly Mighty Lo-Cal IPA from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Release – April – December 2019
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 4%
IBUs – 30
Calories – 95
Carbs – 3.6g
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Select markets in April 2019. Full distribution by Fall 2019
Beer Finder – https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/fishfinder

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Sets Release Date for Five Year Anniversary Ale

Posted on April 1, 2019 by mashingin

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that its Five Year Anniversary celebration on Saturday, April 13 will also act as a bottle release for its Five Year Anniversary Ale.

Meticulously crafted to honor the five years of amazing Creature Comforts beers that came before it, Five Year Anniversary Ale is a “blended Strong Ale from the brewery’s whiskey barrel cellar. The average age
of the blend is 23 months in whiskey barrels.” Meant to be a slow-sipping celebratory offering, Five Year Anniversary Ale weighs in at 12.8% ABV.

“The last five years have been an unbelievable journey,” said CEO Chris Herron. “We’re immensely grateful for the support from our incredible community over the years, and to have the opportunity to continue pursuing our passion.”

750ml bottles of Five Year Anniversary Ale will be exclusively available for purchase at the Five Year Anniversary Party on April 13 in Creature Comfort’s Tasting Room in downtown Athens, Georgia. This extremely Limited Release offering is not expected to see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Five Year Anniversary Ale from Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; April 13, 2019
Style – Strong Ale
ABV – 12.8%
Treatment – Blended Strong Ale aged in whiskey barrels
Availability – 750 ml bottles
Distribution – None. Brewery-only release

New Holland Brewing Co. Releases Dragon’s Milk Reserve – Raspberry Hibiscus

Posted on April 1, 2019April 1, 2019 by mashingin

New Holland Brewing Co. (Holland, Michigan) has officially announced that Dragon’s Milk Reserve – Raspberry Hibiscus is rolling out now as the newest installment in the brewery’s fan-favorite Dragon’s Milk Reserve series.

Arriving as the latest innovative variant of the legendary Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel-aged Stout, Dragon’s Milk Reserve – Raspberry Hibiscus features a “refreshing blend of real raspberry & hibiscus.” This added element of “fruity tartness . . . enhances the underlying flavors of bourbon, vanilla, and roasted malt character.” Weighing in at a monstrous 11% ABV, Dragon’s Milk Reserve – Raspberry Hibiscus promises to be “one of the most balanced and exciting entries in the Reserve series to date.”

Dragon’s Milk Reserve – Raspberry Hibiscus made its debut in late March 2019 and will hang around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located throughout New Holland’s nationwide distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for Dragon’s Milk Reserve – Raspberry Hibiscus from New Holland Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Dragon’s Milk Reserve, launching late March 2019
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 11%
Added Ingredients – Real raspberry & hibiscus
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://newhollandbrew.com/beer-finder/

Reformation Brewery Revives Wilder Tart Fruited Ale

Posted on March 29, 2019 by mashingin

Reformation Brewery (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that the Limited Release of Wilder, a “sweet, purple and tart” Fruited Ale, will begin on March 29.

Crafted to embody the “sweet beast in every beer lover”, Wilder (7% ABV) is a “heavily fruited ale . . . dripping with wild amounts of cranberry, blackberry, blackcurrant and ginger.” Thanks to “ongoing research and development” at Reformation’s recently-opened Woodstock location, Tyler Bohn, a cellarman at the brewery, is “credited with bringing [Wilder’s] recipe back from the archives.”

“Wilder was a happy accident when we made it years ago, and remained one of our customer’s most requested products,” said CEO and co-founder, Spencer Nix. “This beer is one of those legends around the brewhouse, and we now have the tools and talent to live up to it. Tyler was able to dial this one in with a few small test batches. We’re proud to have such a dedicated, passionate team of brewers behind the beer we bring to our community.”

Wilder is set to debut in Reformation’s Woodstock taproom on March 29 and distribution is scheduled to follow shortly after the on-site release. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer establishments located within Reformation’s distribution footprint in Georgia and Tennessee. Prost!

Vital Information for Wilder from Reformation Brewery

Release – Limited; March 29, 2019
Style – Fruit Beer
ABV – 7%
Featured Ingredients – Cranberry, blackberry, blackcurrant & ginger
Fun Fact – On the label artwork for Wilder: “Designed by local Woodstock artists, Madison and Dustin Beaulieu, the husband and wife team collaborated on the art for the beer’s label, which features the brewery’s vintage, tap-ready Airstream trailer and a collection of awe inspired beasts attracted to the purple liquid at hand.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “Mild creamy cheeses, fruit pies, vanilla ice cream”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia & Tennessee

Red Hare Brewing Expands Distribution to Central Florida

Posted on March 29, 2019March 29, 2019 by mashingin

Red Hare Brewing Company (Marietta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will immediately begin distributing in the Central Florida counties of Flagler, Volusia, Brevard, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Orange and Lake.

Established in Marietta, Georgia in 2011, Red Hare Brewing Company is an independent microbrewery that has since grown to add a second location in Shallotte, North Carolina. With a strong portfolio consisting of six Year-Round brews and an array of Seasonal and Red Hare Reserve offerings, Red Hare has gone on to earn several awards and accolades including the distinction of being named the fourth best brewery at the 2016 U.S. Open Beer Championship. This steady level of growth and success has allowed the brewery to expand its distribution footprint to include Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and now Central Florida.

Thanks to a freshly inked agreement with Sunshine State Distributing, Red Hare Brewing will now be treating beer lovers in Central Florida to the following offerings (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s website):

Grapefruit SPF 50/50 – A light, refreshing blend of Gangway IPA and our house brewed sparkling grapefruit soda. Sweet grapefruit zest mingles perfectly with citrusy hop notes, making this the perfect can to take with you everywhere this summer. ABV – 4.2% IBUs – 38
Tangerine SPF 50/50 – You don’t have to rub a lamp to make all your wishes come true, just grab the Tangerine SPF 50/50. Native to Tangier, the tangerine is a small, citrus fruit which we’ve turned into a soda and blended with our Gangway IPA. The Tangerine SPF 50/50 is the beer you want for riding on a camel to the nearest oasis. When you can’t think straight and everything is a mirage, grab a few of these babies and get ready for magic carpet ride fit for a Moroccan sheikh. ABV – 4.2% IBUs – 26
Rewired IPA – West Coast meets East with this crisp and clean, tropical, stone fruit, and slightly dank IPA. ABV – 6.5% IBUs – 44
Soft J IPA – Soft J IPA starts off with a super fruity nose, which is matched with a hazy pour. It hits your tongue with blasts of orange and tangerine, while a delicate bitterness carries through to the finish. This soft, creamy, y-uicy IPA is proof that words, beer, anything can start with a Soft J…and by way, no fruit was harmed in the making of this beer. ABV – 6.8%
Gem City Classic – A craft light lager brewed to drink easy and finish clean. Hallertauer Mittelfrüh and Citra hops compliment the crisp quality of the beer with fragrant aromas but no overpowering bitterness. At 4.2% ABV and just 140 calories per can, Gem City Classic is the perfect beer to throw back while watching the game. ABV – 4.2% IBUs – 15.9

“We’re very excited to partner with the entire team at Red Hare Brewing Company. Their well-rounded team has built Red Hare into one of the top selling breweries in the Southeast, and we couldn’t be more pleased to work with them to bring their quality craft brands to the Florida market. Their high quality craft beers and refreshing SPF Radler brands are a welcome addition to Florida, and we feel the consumers in the state will be as excited to get these beers in their hands as we are.”

– Joe Martin, Sunshine State Director of Sales and Marketing

Red Hare officially launched distribution in Central Florida in late March 2019. You can expect to find the offerings mentioned above at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Flagler, Volusia, Brevard, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Orange and Lake counties. Prost!

Mango Crush Sour Ale Joins Southern Tier Brewing Co.’s Seasonal Lineup

Posted on March 28, 2019 by mashingin

Southern Tier Brewing Company (Lakewood, New York) has officially launched Mango Crush, a Session Sour Ale, as its newest Seasonal offering.

Created to embody the “fun of the summer season”, Mango Crush is a sessionable American Sour Ale “brewed with the perfect balance of mango puree and rich milk sugar.” Coming in at a highly drinkable 4% ABV, Mango Crush “provides a refreshingly smooth drinking experience” that can be enjoyed throughout the warm weather months.

Mango Crush is rolling out now and will hang around through the months of spring and summer. You can expect to find this new Seasonal available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and throughout the rest of Southern Tier’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Mango Crush from Southern Tier Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal (Spring/Summer), launching late March/early April 2019
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 4%
Featured Hops – Azacca
Added Ingredients – Mango puree & milk sugar
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.stbcbeer.com/find-beer/

New Realm Brewing Launches Sour Series with Release of Lime of the Party Gose

Posted on March 28, 2019 by mashingin

New Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that Lime of the Party, a Key Lime Gose, will release in April as the first canned offering to come out of the brewery’s Sour Series.

Here to make it so “Key Lime Pie lovers can . . . have their pie and drink it too”, Lime of the Party is a kettle soured Gose-style Ale that received an addition of “Fresh Key Lime juice from Florida . . . during the fermentation process.” Guaranteed to be “pure tart deliciousness on draft or in a can”, Lime of the Party comes in at an easy-drinking 4% ABV.

“Key Lime Pie is one of my personal favorites,” said Mitch Steele Co-Founder and Brewmaster of New Realm Brewing. “We found a supplier of really fantastic Key Lime Juice and after bringing in a sample, we knew it was the way to go for our first major Gose release. It truly is like enjoying Key Lime Pie in a glass.”

Lime of the Party officially releases in April 2019 and will stick around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Special Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located within New Realm’s distribution footprint in Georgia and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Prost!

Vital Information for Lime of the Party from New Realm Brewing Company

Release – Special/The Sour Series, April 2019
Style – Gose
ABV – 4%
IBUs – 7
Added Ingredients – Fresh Key lime juice & salt
Fun Fact – Lime of the Party “started out as a limited, draft only release at the brewery taproom and select bars and restaurants in fall 2018, but its popularity earned it a new life in 2019.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia and the Hampton Roads area of Virginia