Beer News | Mashing In

LOKO Cuisine Sets the Table for Marshal Zhukov’s Barrel-Aged Eggs & Kegs at Cigar City Brewing

Posted on July 23, 2018 by mashingin

On Sunday, August 19 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine will once again take over The Fermentorium at Cigar City Brewing (Tampa, Florida) to host Marshal Zhukov’s Barrel-Aged Eggs & Kegs, an annual celebration of the brewery’s fan-favorite Russian Imperial Stout.

Cigar City Brewing may have moved the official release date for Marshal Zhukov’s Imperial Stout to November but that is not going to stop LOKO Cuisine from honoring this highly-decorated offering one last time in August. With the atmosphere properly set with the “obligatory hardcore Red Army choir anthems”, Marshal Zhukov’s Barrel-Aged Eggs & Kegs will feature the following four-course, Russian-style brunch menu:

Since the 2018 edition of Marshal Zhukov’s will not be available at the time of this event, the good folks at Cigar City Brewing will be pulling the following two brews from their cellar to serve as the perfect pairings for this “hearty brunch fit for a general”:

All attendees will receive one beer ticket “good for any pint or snifter of equal value.” If you would like a beverage other than beer, Ginger Beard Coffee will also be on-site with nitro-infused coffee and tea on tap (coffee & tea not included in ticket cost).

Tickets for Marshal Zhukov’s Barrel-Aged Eggs & Kegs are available now for $32.10 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the four-course brunch and one pour of beer (pint or snifter of equal value). Physical tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to a paid list once the purchase process is completed. FYI: Everyone in your party will have to check in under the purchaser’s name at the door.

This event will sell out. It always does. You want to be in attendance. Now that you are armed with this knowledge, just go ahead and secure your tickets now to avoid missing out on the delicious food, decadent beers and ridiculously good times that will be shared at this year’s Marshal Zhukov’s Barrel-Aged Eggs & Kegs. Prost!

Cascade Brewing Releases 2017 Vintage of Kriek

Posted on July 20, 2018 by mashingin

Cascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon) has announced that it will officially begin the release of its Kriek 2017 project on Friday, July 20.

Twice named the “Top Sour Beer in America” by the New York Times, Cascade Kriek “is a blend of sour red ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 17 months with more than 16,000 lbs. of fresh Bing and sour pie cherries.” This treatment results in a 7.7% ABV American Sour Ale that offers “complex flavors of cherries, roast malts, oak and spice.”

“This year’s project is highlighted by a deep rich color brought on by the roughly 1.3 million wonderfully decadent Bing and sour pie cherries we brought in last summer. Word around the cellar is that this is the best version of Kriek we’ve made to date!”

– Tim Larrance, Cascade VP of Sales and Marketing

Kriek 2017 will hit Cascade’s two Portland pubs – Cascade Brewing Barrel House and The Lodge at Cascade Brewing – on July 20 and will enter distribution shortly thereafter. You can expect to find this Tier One offering available in 500ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Cascade Brewing’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Kriek 2017 from Cascade Brewing

Release – Limited/Tier One; July 20, 2018
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 7.7%
Treatment – “A blend of sour red ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 17 months with more than 16,000 lbs. of fresh Bing and sour pie cherries”
Fun Fact – One the new bottle size: “This marks the second 500ml launch for Cascade Northwest Sour Ales; the brewery introduced the new format with the release of its Apricot 2017 last month. The brewery switched from 750ml bottles to the new size to enable first-time consumers to purchase its barrel aged sour beers in a format that works for them, while allowing long-standing customers to purchase its beers in more locations.”
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft
Distribution – http://www.cascadebrewing.com/wholesalers/

Shebeen Brewing Company Expands Distribution to Florida

Posted on July 19, 2018July 19, 2018 by mashingin

Shebeen Brewing Company (Wolcott, Connecticut) has officially announced that it has partnered with Vintage Distributors LLC so that it can begin distribution in Northwest Florida.

Established in 2012 by Founder and Master Brewer Rich Visco, Shebeen Brewing Company – “Shebeen or Sibin is Irish Gaelic for illegal brewhouse or better known in the States as a Speakeasy” – has since made a name for itself by being “on the cutting edge of experimenting and creating all sorts of fun concoctions from a Cucumber Wasabi to New England IPA’s.” After five years of steady growth, Shebeen Brewing is currently undergoing a brewery expansion that includes the addition of new equipment and a recent territory expansion that will now extend their reach to Northwest Florida.

“Shebeen Brewing Company is very excited to partner with Vintage Distributors LLC” said CEO Richard Visco. “We are proud to have our brand among the remarkable products available in their portfolio.”

With Vintage Distributors LLC handling all distribution responsibilities, Shebeen Brewing Company offerings will soon be available in the Destin area and throughout Northwest Florida. Shebeen beers will have availability in 16 oz. cans and on draft, but the press release did not mention the names of the offerings that will be available at launch. If any more details concerning Shebeen Brewing Company’s Florida launch surface in the near future, we will be sure to update you with that information here. Prost!

Stone Brewing Celebrates Comic Book Fandom with Release of 2018 Farking Wheaton w00tstout

Posted on July 19, 2018 by mashingin

Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially announced the release of this year’s edition of Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout, a nerd-fueled collaboration from Drew Curtis of Fark.com, Wil Wheaton, and Greg Koch of Stone Brewing.

Somewhat inspired by the Kentucky Derby Pie that was created in Drew Curtis’ home state, Drew Curtis / Wil Wheaton / Greg Koch Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout is an Imperial Stout that has been brewed with wheat (a nod to actor and web celebrity Wil Wheaton), rye and pecans, and “partially aged in bourbon barrels for an intense thunderclap of unique flavors and aromas.” Weighing in at 11.5% ABV, Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout ultimately comes together to be “an amazingly delicious massive Russian Imperial Stout” that is a true celebration of “the nerd [that lives] in all of us.”

Arriving just in time for the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con, Drew Curtis / Wil Wheaton / Greg Koch Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout officially started rolling out on July 9 and will hang around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Drew Curtis / Wil Wheaton / Greg Koch Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout from Stone Brewing

Release – Limited/Stone Collaborations; July 9, 2018
Style – Imperial Stout
Featured Hops – English Target
Special Ingredients – Pecans, Wheat & Flaked Rye
Treatment – Partially aged in Bourbon barrels
Fun Fact – On this year’s label artwork: “Front and center this year is the result of Wil’s creative machinations taking the art direction duties with world-renowned fantasy artist Joe Jusko representing our gargoyle’s triumph over the evils in the world of beer.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

Brewery Ommegang Adds Mother of Dragons to Game of Thrones Royal Reserve Collection

Posted on July 17, 2018July 17, 2018 by mashingin

Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York) and HBO Licensing & Retail have officially announced plans to unleash Mother of Dragons, a blend of Smoked Porter and Belgian Kriek, on September 28 as the third offering in their collaborative Royal Reserve Collection inspired by the award-winning drama Game of Thrones.

Created to honor Daenerys Targaryen and her motivation to take “what is hers with fire and blood”, Mother of Dragons blends Smoked Porter with Kriek to embody “the smoke and fire that Daenerys has unleashed on her opponents.” This dynamic combination produces “a deep ruby-tinted mahogany” colored brew that offers “aromas of chocolate covered cherries . . . subtle smoke and roasted malt.” This carries over into the flavor profile with “tart cherry up front leading to a center palate of semi-sweet chocolate then resolving to subtle smoke and mild sweetness.” Mother of Dragons comes in at 6.5% ABV and offers a “luxuriously creamy and full” mouthfeel.

“Mother of Dragons represents in beer one of our favorite characters from Game of Thrones. Daenerys’s ascent from obscurity has been one of the most inspiring storylines of the show, and we’re thrilled to release a blend that embodies the character traits that have underpinned that rise,” said Doug Campbell, Brewery Ommegang president.

Mother of Dragons officially enters distribution on September 28 and will be available as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 750ml bottles and on draft at select beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Brewery Ommegang’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Mother of Dragons from Brewery Ommegang

Release – Limited/Game of Thrones Royal Reserve Collection; September 28, 2018
Style – Blend of Smoked Porter & Kriek
ABV – 6.5%
Fun Fact – On this beer series: “The Royal Reserve Collection features four brand new beers in the brewery’s Game of Thrones-inspired series with HBO. All of the beers will be available on draft and in 750ml bottles. The series began in April with Hand of the Queen, a barleywine, and was followed in June by Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, a sour blonde blend. Following the release of Mother of Dragons, the final beer will be announced later this year.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “Pairs well with smoked gouda and charcuterie, braised meats, and rich desserts like flourless chocolate cake and cherry cheese cake”
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://ommegang.com/blog/beer-finder/

Allagash Brewing Sends Two Lights Out to Shine for the Summer

Posted on July 17, 2018 by mashingin

Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine) has officially released Two Lights, “a beer that’s part lager, part bubbly champagne”, as its latest summer-themed Limited Release offering.

Born from Mariah Nelson’s – a member of Allagash’s administrative team – idea to brew a beer that merges the worlds of “cool lager” and “bubbly wine spritzer”, Two Lights is a beer-wine hybrid that is dosed with “the juice of freshly pressed sauvignon blanc grapes in the whirlpool” and then fermented with “both lager and champagne yeast for a tart, crisp, and dry profile.” This ultimately results in a bright, easy-drinking Two Lights (6.7% ABV) that “has the subtle fruit profile of a lager and the snappy spritz of a freshly picked grape.”

“I submitted this idea to our pilot team hoping to create a beer that shared some of my favorite characteristics of champagne,” said Mariah Nelson, the Allagash employee behind Two Lights. “And to be honest, I just wanted a beer I could drink—instead of a wine spritzer—while mowing the lawn.”

“This beer is a perfect example of how we innovate at the brewery,” said Rob Tod, founder of Allagash. “Any employee can submit a beer idea to our pilot system. When that pilot gets enough support from employees and customers, it has the potential to go to our full distribution, just like Two Lights.”

Two Lights is rolling out now and will be available for a limited time. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Georgia, Maine and throughout the rest of Allagash Brewing Company’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Two Lights from Allagash Brewing Company

Release – Limited, July 2018
Style – Beer-Wine Hybrid
ABV – 6.7%
Malts – 2-Row Malted Barley Blend, Oat Malt & Rolled Oats
Hops – Amarillo, Simcoe & Nelson Sauvin
Yeast – Lager Yeast & Champagne Yeast
Added Ingredients – Sauvignon Blanc Must
Fun Fact – On the beer’s name: “The beer’s name has its origins in Maine. Two Lights state park is a Maine landmark located right on the coast of Cape Elizabeth.”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Distribution – Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, California, Maryland, Virginia, DC, Chicagoland & Philadelphia
Beer Finder – https://www.allagash.com/locator/

Tasting Notes: Super Cluster from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Posted on July 16, 2018November 14, 2018 by mashingin

LagunitasSuperClusterPour — *Both photos above are the property of Mashing In/Guillermo Woolfolk*

For this edition of Tasting Notes, we start the week with a Citra-saturated siesta made possible by a pour of Super Cluster from Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California).

Described as a “galactic blast from the glass”, Super Cluster is an “out-of-this-world” Pale Ale brewed with “2-Row Malted Barley, a helluva lotta hops – Citra, Citra, Citra, and some more Citra, . . . and . . . dry-hopped . . . with 100% Citra.” Clocking in at 8% ABV and 60 IBUs, Super Cluster promises to be a “Citra supernova in the sky, jettisoning lupulin lusciousness through the cosmos and across the universe of your palate.”

Super Cluster is out now and will be available through September. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, California, Illinois, Washington and throughout the rest of Lagunitas Brewing Company’s distribution area.

Now that we have gone over the necessary background information, let’s bear witness to the Super Cluster by giving it the Tasting Notes treatment!

Tasting Notes for Super Cluster from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Appearance: Super Cluster presents itself as an orange-tinted, deep golden colored brew that has right at a finger of luscious, bright white foam sitting on top. Held to direct light, the color holds while taking on a bit of a glow. The beer is pristine in clarity and displays a highly active carbonation level coursing within. Retention is good, but the lacing has a tough time taking hold due to how slick the beer is on the glass.

Aroma: Sticky, tropical hop goodness just billows from the glass as big waves of grapefruit collide with passionfruit and musky lychee. Lemon and lime add some brightness to the hops while a bit of mango imparts a rounding touch of sweetness that helps point out the modest malt presence. The profile closes with a dank hop character that is both resiny and floral.

Taste: As expected, this beauty is all Citra hops . . . but they kind of creep up on you by opening oh-so softly with sweet tones of melon, lychee and mango. That reserved introduction proves to be short-lived as sharp notes of grapefruit zest, pith and juice lash out and grab hold of the taste buds. The citrus presence builds from there with a twist of lime and what can only be described as the sensation of chewing on the peel of a clementine. To properly put the Lagunitas stamp on the experience, it closes with a super green, uber dank hop quality.

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a medium carbonation level, Super Cluster is sticky on the palate, allowing its drinker to fully experience those Citra hop oils. Mostly bitter with a finessed touch of sweetness for balance, this beer actually dries out pretty quickly – semi-dry overall – and entices you to take sip after sip. That 8% ABV is stealthy, but a building warmth in the throat eventually forces you to throttle down from gulp to sip mode. The aftertaste is all grapefruit.

Final Thoughts: You want Citra hops in all their tropical, citrusy glory? Well, that is exactly what Super Cluster delivers. If you could not already recognize the presence of Citra hops in other beers, spend a little time with this offering and you definitely will moving forward because it is so Citra-centric that it will ingrain that hop profile into your sensory memory. Despite coming across as hoppy AF, this monster somehow steers clear of becoming overwhelming or a chore to drink. Super Cluster remains incredibly enjoyable and easy-drinking . . . so much so there is no wondering why Lagunitas only packaged this Limited Release in 12-packs. It is truly one of the most proper Citra fixes you can get right now, and those 12 bottles will be gone in no time. If you have a love for hops, you need this beer in your fridge. Go get you some. Prost!

Starr Hill Brewery Introduces Jam Pack Variety Pack of 16 oz. Cans

Posted on July 16, 2018 by mashingin

Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia) has officially announced the Seasonal release of Jam Pack, a summer-themed mixed variety pack that contains 16 oz. cans of Front Row Golden Ale, Grateful Pale Ale, The Love Wheat Beer and Northern Lights IPA.

Here to satisfy summer-induced thirst in a big way, the Jam Pack Can Variety Pack takes four of Starr Hill’s “most crushable flagship beers”, gives them the long-awaited upgrade to 16 oz. cans, and puts them in one convenient package. The featured beers are as follows (descriptions sourced from the brewery’s website):

Front Row Golden Ale – This light and refreshing beer is the perfect balance of hop bitterness and a honey-like malt body. Lightly hopped with Cascade, the Honey malt and oats bring a bit of sweetness for a smooth mouthfeel and clean finish. ABV – 4.9% IBUs – 20
Grateful Pale Ale – A fresh spin on the American Pale Ale. This remastered recipe gives Grateful a fruitier hop aroma, more citrus hop flavor and a smoother, fuller body. ABV – 4.7% IBUs – 45
The Love Wheat Beer – The Love is an unfiltered wheat beer, also known as a Hefeweizen. It is distinguished by its extremely light body and fruity aroma, finished with spicy notes. ABV – 5.1% IBUs – 9
Northern Lights IPA – A newly enhanced version of a classic American-style India Pale Ale, Northern Lights is characterized by its full-flavored bitterness and poignant citrus-floral aroma. A perfect blend of barley and hops makes this a very balanced IPA. ABV – 6.2% IBUs – 55

The Jam Pack is available now and will be around throughout the rest of the summer. You can find this Variety Pack of 16 oz. cans at select craft beer retailers located in Alabama, Virginia and throughout the rest of Starr Hill’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Maui Brewing Company Puts Lilikoi Saison in Cans for the First Time

Posted on July 13, 2018 by mashingin

Maui Brewing Company (Kihei, Hawaii) has officially announced that Lilikoi Saison will be available in cans for a limited time beginning on Monday, July 16.

With a name derived from the Hawaiian word for the yellow passionfruit, Lilikoi is a tart Saison “brewed with Pilsner, Wheat, Flaked Oats, and Golden Naked Oats malt and local lilikoi.” Clocking in at an easy-drinking 5.5% ABV and 15 IBUs, Lilikoi Saison offers a refreshingly tropical drinking experience that also holds a “pleasant acidity.”

“The Lilikoi Saison is a refreshing and tart beer thanks to the contribution of tropical flavors from ripe lilikoi and a charismatic fermentation. It pours golden with a haze that filters the bright light of a sunny day.”

– Greg Knox, Maui Brewing Company’s QA/QC Manager

Previously only available on draft, Lilikoi Saison will be quenching thirsts during the summer of 2018 in a far more accessible format: 6-packs of 12 oz. cans. Cans of Lilikoi Saison will debut at Maui Brewing’s Kihei location on July 16 and will enter distribution shortly after that date. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Hawaii and “in most markets where Maui Brewing Company craft beer can be found.” Prost!

Vital Information for Lilikoi Saison from Maui Brewing Company

Release – Limited, cans debut July 16, 2018
Style – Saison
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 15
Malts – Pilsner, Wheat, Flaked Oats & Golden Naked Oats
Featured Hops – Amarillo
Added Ingredients – Passionfruit
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://mauibrewingco.com/find-our-beer/

Jolly Pumpkin Collaborates with La Sirène Brewing on Costa dei Villa Saison

Posted on July 13, 2018 by mashingin

Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales (Dexter, Michigan) has officially announced the Limited Release of Costa dei Villa, a Sour Hoppy Session Saison brewed in collaboration with Australia’s La Sirène Brewing.

When Costa from La Sirène Brewing turned up at the brewery for a little collaboration session, the folks at Jolly Pumpkin put his talents as a self-proclaimed “Farmhouse Free Styler” to work in the creation of Costa dei Villa. Brewed with four different hop varieties, this Sour Hoppy Session Saison boasts “a light tart body, . . . mild bitterness, . . . aromas of citrus, kumquat and soft wheat” and a flavor profile that offers “notes of grapefruit pith, a touch of Meyer lemon, and Jolly funk.” With a reduced ABV of 4.6%, the “extremely quaffable” Costa dei Villa promises to be “the perfect beer for gathering the cobbers and sparking up the barbie!”

Costa dei Villa is available now and will hang around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 750ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Jolly Pumpkin’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Costa dei Villa from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales & La Sirène Brewing

Release – Limited, late-June/July 2018
Style – Saison
ABV – 4.6%
IBUs – 25
Malts – Pilsner Malt, Pale Malt, Raw Wheat, Flaked Oats, & Vienna Malt
Hops – MI Cascade, Crystal, Galaxy, Vanguard & MI Chinook
Treatment – Aged in oak for 5 months
Availability – 750ml bottles