Beer News | Mashing In

Chill Pils Joins Straight to Ale’s Core Lineup

Posted on March 5, 2019March 5, 2019 by mashingin

Straight to Ale (Huntsville, Alabama) has officially announced that Chill Pils will launch on March 9 as the brewery’s newest Year-Round offering.

Crafted by the brewers at Straight to Ale to be their “take on the most popular beer style in the world”, Chill Pils is a “refreshingly crisp and easy to drink” Czech-style Pilsner that is “perfect for any weather.” Coming in at just 4.5% ABV and 8 IBUs, Chill Pils can be easily enjoyed “while camping, tailgating, barbecuing, or paired with any of your favorite foods.”

Straight to Ale will host a Release Party for Chill Pils on March 9 and has scheduled a series of launch events that will take place across the state of Alabama during the month of March (list of events available below). You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 15-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and throughout the rest of Straight to Ale’s seven state distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Chill Pils from Straight to Ale

Release – Year-Round, launching March 9, 2019
Style – Czech-style Pilsner
ABV – 4.5%
IBUs – 8
Fun Fact – On the Czech-style Pilsner: “Originally brewed in the city of Pilsen in 1842, this style was widely imitated and now makes up 90% of the beer consumed around the world.”
Suggested Food Pairings – Salads, salmon| From Ale’s Kitchen: Club Caesar Salad
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 15-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Alabama, Florida (Panhandle), Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina & Tennessee

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Expands Distribution to Coastal Georgia

Posted on March 4, 2019March 4, 2019 by mashingin

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that it will expand its distribution footprint to include the Savannah and coastal Georgia markets in early March 2019.

Now that the 2018 expansion to its new Southern Mill location has been completed and raised the brewery’s capacity to 70,000 barrels, Creature Comforts Brewing Co. has been steadily extending its distribution reach beyond its original footprint that only included Athens, Atlanta and surrounding cities in Georgia. This distribution expansion began in November 2018 with the addition of the Augusta and Columbus markets, and now the brewery is ready to send some beers down to Savannah and the coastal Georgia area.

“It’s exciting that our beer will be available throughout Georgia for the first time. We are always grateful when we get the opportunity to use our beer to create enjoyable experiences and positively impact communities within our home state.”

– Chris Herron, Co-founder and CEO of Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

With the help of Savannah Distributing, Creature Comforts will enter the Savannah and coastal Georgia markets in early March 2019 and “plans to distribute statewide by early June 2019.” Prost!

Más Agave Tequila Barrel-aged Lime Gose Next Up in Founders Brewing Co.’s Barrel-Aged Series

Posted on March 4, 2019 by mashingin

Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) recently sent out a teaser to inform their fans that Más Agave, an Imperial Lime Gose-style Ale brewed with agave and aged in tequila barrels, is scheduled for a limited release in May 2019.

Serving as the third release of 2019 in Founder’s Barrel-Aged Series (preceded by Backwoods Bastard and KBS), Más Agave is a margarita-inspired Imperial Gose “brewed with agave, lime and sea salt and then aged . . . in tequila barrels for just the right amount of kick.” Although its ABV has yet to be determined, the folks at Founders promise that Más Agave will be “a party in a bottle.”

Más Agave will officially release in May 2019 and will hang around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release brew available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Más Agave from Founders Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Barrel-Aged Series, May 2019
Style – Gose
ABV – TBD
Added Ingredients – Agave, lime & sea salt
Treatment – Aged in tequila barrels
Fun Fact – “The label art was largely inspired by Day of the Dead imagery, specifically the elaborate altars built to honor deceased loved ones. Marigolds play heavily in the altars as it is said that the scent attracts the spirits. Upon the altar, spirits will find their favorite things including liquor, pan de muerto (a sweet, egg cake), family photos and other offerings. The monarch butterfly is representative of the travel ancestors make to reach their loved ones during the holiday.”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/beer/find-our-beer/

TBBW 2019 Event: Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie Bottle Release at Hidden Springs Ale Works

Posted on March 1, 2019March 4, 2020 by mashingin

This post covers the 2019 release of Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie. Click here if you are looking for information regarding the 2020 release.

On Thursday, March 7 at 9 a.m., Hidden Springs Ale Works (Tampa, Florida) will hit Tampa Bay Beer Week with a bottle release of the highly-coveted Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie Imperial Stout.

Far more menacing than its name would lead you to believe, Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie is a Bourbon and Rye Whiskey barrel-aged Imperial Stout that has embraced the unholy alliance that is peanut butter and marshmallow. Weighing in at sinister 13% ABV, Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie will have you succumbing to the darkness in no time.

The Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie bottle release will take place at Hidden Springs Ale Works (1631 N. Franklin St. | Tampa, Florida) at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 7. Bottles will be $30 each and the brewery will announce the bottle limit 15 minutes before opening. Cash is preferred, but cards will be accepted.

A couple things to keep in mind if you plan to attend this bottle release:

Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie will only be available in bottles, no draft
Once doors open at 9 a.m., the Hidden Springs Tasting Room will stay open for service
Parking – Remember to park in Hidden Springs’ lot directly across the street, or on the street up and down Franklin, on Henderson just west of Tampa, or on 7th Ave.
Once you are in line, make sure that you hug the wall so that foot traffic will not be affected on the sidewalks
Above all, please be respectful of the brewery’s neighbors. This is a weekday release and local businesses will be open

Since this is Tampa Bay Beer Week and there will be no shortage of stout-lovin’ beer enthusiasts in town, Double Barrel Fluffer Nutter Black Aggie is guaranteed to sell out rather quickly. If you are hoping to land a bottle, just make sure that you get to Hidden Springs good and early on March 7 and hope that the beer gods shine on you when the official head count is conducted. Best of luck out there. Prost!

Funky Buddha Brewery Launches Mixology Series with Release of Manhattan Double Rye Ale

Posted on March 1, 2019 by mashingin

Funky Buddha Brewery (Oakland Park, Florida) has officially announced that Manhattan Double Rye Ale, the inaugural release in the brewery’s Mixology Series, will begin hitting craft beer shelves at taps at the end of February 2019.

Newly established this year, The Mixology Series is a lineup of Limited Release beers that have all been “inspired by classic cocktails” and “formulated with alternate fermentables, aged in wine or spirit barrels, and imbued with natural ingredients.” The Mixology Series will feature four releases in 2019: Manhattan Double Rye Ale (February – May), Margarita Gose (May – August), White Sangria Saison (August – October), and Zombie Ale (October – January).

Arriving as the first release in the Mixology Series, Manhattan Double Rye Ale is a blend of Double Rye Ale aged in High West Distillery rye barrels and a Belgian Tripel aged in wine barrels that was then “infused with herbs & botanicals.” Meant to mimic the classic rye whiskey cocktail of the same name, each sip of Manhattan Double Rye Ale (12.7% ABV) will make sure that “your taste buds are sent into a reminiscent spiral of whiskey and vermouth flavors.”

Manhattan Double Rye Ale made its official debut at Funky Buddha on February 27 and is scheduled to hang around through May 2019. 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 the state of Florida. Prost!

Vital Information for Manhattan Double Rye Ale from Funky Buddha Brewery

Release – Limited/Mixology Series, late February/early March – May 2019
Style – Double/Imperial Rye Ale
ABV – 12.7%
IBUs – 15
Treatment – Blend of Double Rye Ale aged in High West Distillery rye barrels and Belgian Tripel aged in wine barrels infused with herbs & botanicals
Suggested Food Pairings – “Braised asso buco, roasted duck, citrus baked salmon, soufflé a l’orange, Cuban Havana cigars”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://funkybuddhabrewery.com/beer-finder

Tasting Notes: Outta Line IPA from Rogue Ales

Posted on February 28, 2019 by mashingin

For this installment of Tasting Notes, we continue to steer our recent IPA-fueled adventure westward as we get into a pour of Outta Line IPA from Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon).

Brewed to be a celebration of “those who have the courage to do their own thing”, Outta Line is a West Coast-style India Pale Ale “that opens with tangerine and mango, balanced by malt sweetness and a crisp hop bite.” Clocking in at 6.9% ABV and 66 IBUs, Outta Line is a perfect go-to beer “for those who live outside the lines.”

Outta Line IPA is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution area.

Ok . . . now that we are all caught up on this brew’s background info, what do say we get a little Outta Line in some Tasting Notes?

Tasting Notes for Outta Line IPA from Rogue Ales

Appearance: Outta Line is a deep, honey-like orange in color with bright yellow hues bursting at its sides and capped with two fingers of slightly off-white foam. When held to direct light, the orange hues brighten and the yellows radiate with vibrancy. The beer is pristine in clarity and displays a steady carbonation presence streaming within. Head retention is decent, falling to a fine ring that scatters foamy patterns of sticky lace across the glass throughout the experience.

Aroma: Coy at the start, the hop presence builds slowly with notes of mango, orange, peach, blueberry and grapefruit. The hops gain confidence and open further to reveal a soft pine note, a firm floral character, and a super enticing presence of spicy dankness. The malts hang back here, lurking in the background with notes of caramel and lightly toasted grain. The aromatics close with a gentle waft of alcohol. Nicely reserved but filled with complexity.

Taste: Tangerine peel gets the flavor profile off to a tangy, hoppy citrus start. The fruitiness then blooms to offer tropical notes of mango, pineapple and grapefruit. The hop presence then shifts as resinous pine and straight dank herb settle in to create that classic, in-your-face West Coast-style goodness. The malts sneak in near the end to lend a touch of balance with some lightly sweet, crackery and earthy (wet grain) tones.

Mouthfeel: On the heavier side of medium in body with a medium carbonation level, this IPA has a soft, silken texture but still dries out nicely. It leans to the hoppy/bitter side, but that is kept in check with a stealthy and balancing malt presence. Only really present in the aroma at times, the ABV is well tempered and gives off very little heat. Pine resin and citrus zest are left behind in the aftertaste.

Final Thoughts: Outta Line is a solid nod back to the good ol’ days when West Coast IPAs ruled the craft beer scene, but it is one that is still willing to adopt an aspect or two of the IPA trends of today. Sure . . . it has a good deal of that resiny, ultra-dank hop bite, but the hops’ juicy characteristics get equal billing, the IBUs feel as though they have been dialed down a bit, and the bitterness does not come close to approaching anything that hit during the IBU wars of yore. Is that a bad thing? No. This West Coast IPA avoids shock value and palate wrecking so that it can embrace supreme drinkability while still holding on to a satisfying amount of hop flavor, aroma and bitterness. It aims to reach daily drinker/go-to status, and it hits that mark squarely. Be sure to grab a sixer of Outta Line IPA the next time you find yourself roaming the beer aisle in search of something new and incredibly easy-drinking. Prost!

New Realm Brewing Goes Year-Round with Hazy Like A Fox IPA

Posted on February 28, 2019 by mashingin

New Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will release Hazy Like A Fox IPA, the newest beer to join the brewery’s portfolio of Mainstays, in cans for the first time on March 4.

Originally developed as “the first hazy IPA brewed on-site at New Realm’s Atlanta Innovation Brewery”, Hazy Like A Fox is a New England-style IPA that “features a blend of pale malt, oats, wheat, flaked barley and milk sugar for a pillowy soft mouthfeel.” Things then get nice and juicy thanks to “a double dry hop [that creates] waves of pineapple and tangerine aromatics that complement soft, juicy orange and tangerine notes which delight the palate.” Pale gold in color and rocking “an opaque haze”, Hazy Like A Fox IPA (6.5% ABV and 50 IBUs) is sure to make you “crazy for hazy.”

“This is a double dry hopped beer,” said Mitch Steel Co-Founder and Brewmaster of New Realm Brewing. “We did the first dry hop early in the fermentation process which resulted in some great flavor changes by our yeast interacting with the hops to provide an intense orange juice flavor. We have already heard from our beer fans how much they enjoy Hazy Like A Fox and I believe that new fans will love it too.”

Cans of Hazy Like A Fox IPA will debut in New Realm’s to-go cooler on March 4 and are scheduled to enter distribution at or around that date as well. You can expect to find this new Mainstay offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located within New Realm’s distribution footprint in Georgia and the Hampton Roads area in Virginia. Prost!

Vital Information for Hazy Like A Fox IPA from New Realm Brewing Company

Release – Mainstay/Year-Round, cans launch March 4, 2019
Style – New England-style India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.5%
IBUs – 50
Hops – Citra, Mosaic, Azacca & El Dorado
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia & the Hampton Roads area in Virginia

Victory Brewing Company Introduces No Brainer IPA

Posted on February 28, 2019 by mashingin

Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, Pennsylvania) has officially launched No Brainer IPA as the latest addition to its Year-Round portfolio.

Developed to “take guessing out of the equation” when it comes to your IPA selection, No Brainer (6.8% ABV) is an American India Pale Ale that utilizes Victory’s “proprietary HopVic technology” to fully harness the big aromas and flavors found within American hops. This technique allows “fruity and citrusy hops [to lead] the way in this go-to, everyday IPA with notes of tangerine and mandarin orange combining with real hop flavor to make No Brainer an easy choice.”

No Brainer IPA is rolling out now with Year-Round availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. You can expect to find this new IPA at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and throughout the rest of Victory Brewing Company’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for No Brainer IPA from Victory Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round, launching late February 2019
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.8%
Hops – Mandarina, Citra, Centennial & Azacca
Malts – Pilsner & CaraPils
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.victorybeer.com/beerfinder/

Brewery Ommegang Celebrates Return of Game of Thrones with Release of For The Throne

Posted on February 27, 2019 by mashingin

Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York) and HBO Licensing & Retail have officially announced that For The Throne, a co-fermented Strong Golden Ale, will launch nationwide at the start of April, just in time for the long-awaited return of Game of Thrones.

Arriving as the latest offering to come out of the “multi-year, multi-beer partnership” between Ommegang and HBO, For The Throne is a Strong Golden Ale that has been “co-fermented with pinot grigio and viognier grape juices and then bottle conditioned with Champagne yeast.” This complex recipe allows “aromas of honeysuckle and toasted grain [to mingle] with notes of pear and apricot” while “flavors of sweet malt and honeydew lead to a quaffable body.” Coming in at an “elevated”, sip-worthy 9.5% ABV, For The Throne is an ale that is truly “fit for royalty.”

“Winter is here, the wall has fallen, and the final battle for Westeros is underway. With this offering, we have bent the traditional boundaries of beer-making, co-fermenting traditional ingredients with juices normally destined for fine wines, going to great lengths to create a truly unique, special beer,” says Brewery Ommegang president Doug Campbell. “This style of beer, often called a ‘oenobeer,’ is a rapidly expanding area of study for us. For The Throne is our first of co-fermentation beer of 2019, and the only one we’ve launched under the Game of Thrones banner.”

For The Throne will debut at Brewery Ommegang on March 8 and is scheduled to enter full distribution at the beginning of April 2019. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 750ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Ommegang’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for For The Throne from Brewery Ommegang

Release – Limited/Game of Thrones Series, April 2019
Style – Strong Golden Ale
ABV – 9.5%
IBUs – 30
Malts – Pilsner & CaraPils
Hops – Bravo & Saaz
Yeast – “Ommegang’s house yeast is used in primary fermentation and Champagne yeast in bottle conditioning”
Added Ingredients – Dextrose, and Pinot Grigio & Viognier grape juices
Suggested Food Pairings – “All manner of cheeses, whole roasted poultry and smoked fish, and for dessert, macerated berries and fresh whipped cream”
Recommended Glassware – Chalice
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.ommegang.com/beer-finder/

TBBW 2019 Event: Tampa Bay Beer Week Bottle Releases at Cigar City Brewing

Posted on February 27, 2019 by mashingin

Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will hold five days of bottle releases – Sunday, March 3 through Thursday, March 7 – during Tampa Bay Beer Week (TBBW) 2019.

Last year, Cigar City surprised its fans during TBBW with a series of bottle releases that they called a Barrel-Aged Countdown to Hunahpu’s Day 2018. Since those releases proved to be an incredible success, the brewery has decided to break out five more tempting barrel-aged brews – all Stouts this time around – for TBBW 2019. The schedule/lineup for this year’s releases is as follows:

Bottle Release Schedule

Sunday, March 3 – Manson Lamps. | Bourbon Barrel-aged Sweet Stout with Coconut
Monday, March 4 – Tip Top Cafe. | Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Mostra Coffee
Tuesday, March 5 – Yes, Always. | Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
Wednesday, March 6 – Emotional Support Duck. | Brandy Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Peanuts, Raspberries, and Blackberries
Thursday, March 7 – The Smiling Nut. | Rye Whiskey Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Pistachios and Vanilla

Each beer will release on its respective date at 11 a.m. in Cigar City’s Tasting Room (3924 W. Spruce St | Tampa, Florida) for the price of $19.50 each. There are currently no bottle limits in place, but it is possible that this could change based on each day’s turnout. You best believe that these barrel-aged goodies will sell out quickly, so make sure that you get to Cigar City Brewing as close to opening as possible for each release. Prost!