Big Storm Brewing & William Dean Chocolates Collaborate on Unnamed Chocolate Beer

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image003Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) recently partnered with William Dean Chocolates (Belleair Bluffs, Florida) to brew a yet-to-be-named Chocolate Stout, and they are currently holding a contest to allow the public to name this very special beer.

Created to be a beautiful beer and chocolate pairing worthy of release on World Chocolate Day (Saturday, October 28), this new, Limited Release offering from Big Storm Brewing Co. was crafted with only the finest chocolates from William Dean Chocolates, “the company that made the chocolates featured in the movie Hunger Games.” Aptly described as a “Toffee Chocolate Stout”, this garnet-hued, deep black Stout possesses “flavors of sweet toffee and caramelized sugar [that] pair together with a hint of rich, indulgent chocolate.”

“Like most endeavors, it takes some time and experimentation to find the right balance between flavors like chocolate and beer,” said Head Brewer Joel Moore from Big Storm Brewery. “Sometimes the most fun and challenging part is finding the perfect recipe for a new crafted ale.”
“The subtle nuances of chocolate are exciting for me,” said Bill Brown, Founder of William Dean Chocolates. “While it took several attempts to get this chocolate stout just right, the final product is an excellent example of pairing great flavors together.”

The only thing that this Toffee Chocolate Stout is missing is a name, and you can help solve this problem by participating in the brewery’s naming contest.  This offering will officially be available in both Big Storm taprooms (Pasco and Pinellas) beginning on October 28, and fans are encouraged “to try the beer and get their creative juices flowing.”  Once you have decided on the perfect name for this beer, you can submit it directly to  namethebeer@bigstormbrewery.com.  The person who comes up with the winning name “will receive a private 8-person Big Storm Brewery tour, a tap handle for the new beer, a 20-piece box of William Dean chocolates and a supply of the new Big Storm-William Dean beer.”  Entrants must be 21 and up and names can be submitted until 10 a.m. on November 13.  The winner and beer name will be revealed at Big Storm Brewery in Clearwater on Thursday, November 16.

When you break it all down, you are basically being asked to try a decadent and delicious Stout for the chance to win a beer and chocolate-filled experience from Big Storm and William Dean Chocolates.  Talk about a big ask and some tough times, y’all. In all seriousness, be sure to swing by one of the Big Storm taprooms between October 28 and November 13 to try this exclusive Toffee Chocolate Stout and participate in the naming contest.  Prost!

 

Bell’s Brewery Unveils 2018 Release Calendar

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HopslamMiniKegRender‘Tis the season for brewery release calendars, and Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan) has come forward with a calendar that is absolutely loaded with good news for craft beer fans in 2018.

In keeping with our established approach to brewery release calendars, we have published Bell’s Brewery’s full 2018 Release Calendar below for you to go over at your own pace.  Bell’s does have quite a few new beers and packaging options planned for next year, so let’s quickly go over a few highlights before we turn you over to that calendar:

  • The Year-Round lineup will remain the same, but the packaging for Lager of the Lakes will transition to 6-packs of 12 oz. cans in 2018.  Lager of the Lakes bottles “will be officially retired as a packaging option. Lager cans will also start shipping in February.”
  • The Seasonal lineup remains mostly the same with the return of Oberon (late-March – August), Best Brown (September – October) and Winter White (November – January). Larry’s Latest Sour Ale (February – March) will be the only new Seasonal, and it will sub in for Smitten Golden Rye Ale (sorry, Smitten fans).  You can click here to read more about Larry’s Latest Sour Ale.
  • Hopslam Double IPA returns in January and will have availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 5L mini-kegs (that’s right, they are back!), and on draft.
  • To commemorate the 1988 debut of Cherry Stout and further celebrate being Michigan’s oldest craft brewery, Bell’s will release 30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve in May.  30th Anniversary Cherry Stout Reserve “will be a special version of one of Bell’s signature stouts made with cherry juice sourced from Michigan’s Traverse City region.”  More details to come.
  • Sparkleberry Ale, a Belgian-style Tripel brewed with raspberries, will see increased availability in 2018.  Look for it in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans in June.
  • Since Hell Hath No Fury – a Belgian-inspired Stout from the brewery’s Specialty line – was always meant to be a part of a trilogy, Bell’s Brewery is focused on finally establishing the “Hell Series” in 2018.  Road to Hell will be released first in July, followed by Hell Hath No Fury in September and then Sympathy for the Devil in November.  More details to come.
  • The Oracle Double India Pale Ale will return in 2018.  Look for it to hit in July with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.

“With seven year-rounds, four seasonals and more than a dozen specialties, it’s going to be another amazing year of Bell’s beer,” Laura Bell, CEO of Bell’s Brewery, said.

“We will continue to push the boundaries and celebrate what makes Bell’s unique and innovative,” she said.  “As with this year’s release calendar, we still reserve the right to announce a few surprises here and there,” she hinted.

That should cover everything that we wanted to go over, but a quick look at the calendar below will show you that there are still quite a few exciting brews left for you to discover on your own.  Be sure to check it out so that you will be fully prepared for the stellar year of craft beer ahead from Bell’s Brewery. Prost!

Bells2018

Ciderboys Introduces Zen Berry as New Limited Release

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CiderboysZenBottleCiderboys Cider Co. (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) recently announced that Zen Berry Apple Boysenberry Hard Cider has officially hit the market as the cidery’s latest Limited Release offering.

The folks at Ciderboys created Zen Berry by combining “the sweetness of apple cider with the fruity tartness of boysenberry, a hybrid of raspberry, European blackberry, and American dewberry first developed in California in the 1920s.”  With the help of those boysenberries, Zen Berry (5% ABV) comes together to be a deep maroon Hard Cider that is “[swirled] with handpicked apples to form a quenchable yin-yang” between sweet and tart.

“Ciderboys fans enjoyed two limited-release flavors last year, Blackberry Wild last fall as well as Royal Blueberry, and they were very popular. Limited release Ciders are a great way to showcase Ciderboys’ innovation and craftsmanship,” said Julie Birrenkott, Ciderboys’ Marketing Manager.

“We offered Zen Berry on tap at the Point Brewery Pointoberfest on September 16 and the response was incredible,” she added. “If you like hard cider, you are going to love Ciderboys Zen Berry.”

Zen Berry is out now and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can find this Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at cider-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin and throughout the rest of Ciderboys’ 33-state distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Zen Berry Apple Boysenberry Hard Cider from Ciderboys Cider Co.

Release – Limited, October 2017
Style – Hard Apple Cider
ABV – 5%
Featured Ingredient – Boysenberries
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Cider Locator – http://www.ciderboys.com/cider-locator/

Rekorderlig Brings its Spiced Apple Hard Cider Stateside

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rekorderligSAHC2_editedRekorderlig Cider (Vimmerby, Sweden) recently announced that their Seasonal Spiced Apple Hard Cider is hitting shelves now in select markets within the United States.

Meant to capture the “beautifully Swedish” flavors of fall, Rekorderlig Spiced Hard Apple Cider “is an aromatic blend of European apples infused with cinnamon and vanilla.”  Since it is well known that fall weather can turn on a dime, this Spiced Hard Apple Cider (4.5% ABV) is a versatile offering that “can be enjoyed hot with a slice of orange or cold over ice.”

Spiced Apple Hard Cider is out now and “available throughout the winter months” in 16.9 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $4.99 each).  This Rekorderlig Seasonal offering will see limited U.S. distribution to cider-focused establishments found in Florida, Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.  Prost!

Vital Information for Spiced Apple Hard Cider from Rekorderlig Cider

Release – Seasonal, available October 2017 through the winter months
Style – Hard Apple Cider
ABV – 4.5%
Added Ingredients – Cinnamon & vanilla
Availability – 16.9 oz. bottles
U.S. Distribution – AK, AZ, CA, CT, FL, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA & RI

Dogfish Head’s Pennsylvania Tuxedo Pale Ale Makes Limited Return

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woolrich-photo-shoot-oct-2016-31Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware) recently announced that it has teamed up once again with their friends at Woolrich for the limited release of Pennsylvania Tuxedo Pale Ale.

Brewed as a special collaboration between Dogfish Head and family-run outdoor clothing company Woolrich, Pennsylvania Tuxedo is a spruce tip infused American Pale Ale that “pays homage to the red and black flannel-suited hunters and gatherers who dwell deep in the backcountry of the wintertime-frigid, north-central PA.” The spruce tips, sourced from the “the forests outside the Woolrich factory”, provide “resinous conifer notes” that work beautifully alongside Pennsylvania Tuxedo’s “grassy citrus” hop notes and “dry, yet doughy malt backbone.”

“Pennsylvania Tuxedo smells like Paul Bunyan’s cologne and tastes like tongue-kissing Mother Nature, and it’s a labor of love that we hope you’ll share with friends this winter.”

 

–  Sam Calagione, Founder & CEO of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Pennsylvania Tuxedo officially released on October 20 and is available for a limited time in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.  Look for this Limited Release to be on shelves and taps in Alabama, Florida, Delaware and throughout the rest of Dogfish Head’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Pennsylvania Tuxedo from Dogfish Head Craft Brewery

Release – Limited, late-October 2017
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 8.5%
IBUs – 50
Added Ingredients – Fresh green spruce tips
Recommended Glassware – IPA glass
Suggested Food Pairings – “Jarlsberg or sharp cheddar chesses; Smoked salmon, smoked meats, wild game, big crusty breads”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.dogfish.com/brewery/fishfinder

Deep State Baltic Porter Surfaces as Latest Catawba Brewing Limited Release

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unnamed (63)Catawba Brewing Co. (Morganton, North Carolina) has announced that it will officially begin the limited release of Deep State Baltic Porter on Friday, November 3.

Originally brewed as Catawba Brewing’s Passport Beer #32, Deep State was developed as a closed-door experiment focused on the traditional Baltic Porter.  This offering stays true to style by employing bottom fermentation with lager yeast, but the brewery did add its own tweak by having the beer come in on the “more sessionable end of the ABV range for the style at 7.2 percent.” Those lucky enough to get their hands on Deep State will experience a “dangerously drinkable dark lager . . . layered with rich malt, toffee, dark fruits, and a hint of roast.”

Deep State Baltic Porter launches on November 3 and will be available as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering at select beer establishments located in Alabama, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Catawba Brewing Co.’s 5-state distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Deep State Baltic Porter from Catawba Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; November 3, 2017
Style – Baltic Porter
ABV – 7.2%
IBUs – 33
Malts – Pale, Munich II, Vienna, Crystal & Chocolate
Hops – Magnum & Hallertau Mittlefrüh
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://catawbabrewing.com/beer-finder

Good People Brewing Launches Denim Downhiller as New Winter Seasonal

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GPDenimCan_editedGood People Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) has announced that Denim Downhiller Winter Ale will officially make its Seasonal debut on October 30.

When the time came for Good People Brewing to develop a new Winter Seasonal, they decided to draw inspiration from “those that buy milk and bread at the first sign of bad weather and scotchgard their jeans” (a.k.a. the “Southern Appalachia skier”).  Clocking in at 5.3% ABV, Denim Downhiller is a “warm and toasty” Winter Ale that possesses “earthy and floral notes from Willamette and Mt. Hood hops.”

Denim Downhiller will officially release on October 30 and hang around through the winter months.  Once released, you will be able to find this Seasonal offering available in 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located within Good People Brewing’s distribution reach in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle.  Prost!

Vital Information for Denim Downhiller Winter Ale from Good People Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, launches on October 30, 2017
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 5.3%
Featured Hops – Willamette & Mt. Hood
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://goodpeoplebrewing.com/beerfinder.php

Tasting Notes: KÖLD SCHAUER from Sixpoint Brewery

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Koldshowerpour1000With sights set on ultimate refreshment, this week’s Tasting Notes has us getting into a KÖLD SCHAUER from Sixpoint Brewery (Brooklyn, New York).

The “shower beer” has officially gone mainstream, and Sixpoint Brewery is getting in on that action with the Limited Release of KÖLD SCHAUER.  Intent on creating something “light, fresh, and clean”, they decided to go with a Kölsch that is light on bitterness (23 IBUs) but still has “a distinctive honeydew melon aroma from Huell Melon hops.”  With “distinctive kölsch yeast [and] pilsner malts” supporting those juicy hop notes, the 4.9% ABV KÖLD SCHAUER shows absolutely “no shrinkage in the flavor department.”  KÖLD SCHAUER is rolling out now, and this Limited Release is available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Sixpoint Brewery’s distribution footprint.

Alright, I guess it’s time to grab a towel, hit the showers and get into these Tasting Notes . . .

Tasting Notes for KÖLD SCHAUER from Sixpoint Brewery

Appearance:  The pour produces a yellow-tinted, light orange colored brew capped with nearly two fingers of fluffy white foam.  When held to direct light, yellow hues intensify and the color turns to more of a burnished gold.  The beer is slightly hazy and displays a steady carbonation presence bouncing about within.  Head retention is good, but it slowly falls to a rocky half finger that consistently notches the glass with lace after each draw.

Aroma: The aromatics begin with some lightly toasted grain notes and honey.  That solid first wave of malty goodness is then gently overtaken by a clean floral and fruity breath of hops.  That fruity quality opens further to close the profile with a light melon character.

Taste:  Whoa . . . those Huell Melon hops really shine here as the flavor leads with a lovely and pronounced melon presence.  That honeydew note is laced with a touch of citrus, a bit of grassiness, and some floral tones.  All of that is supported by an ever-present undercurrent of toasted, biscuity grains and a dollop of honey.  The balance is just beautiful, and it is all made possible thanks to a nondescript fruitiness coming from the Kölsch yeast.  Fantastic.  Truly fantastic.

Mouthfeel: Light in body with a bright, prickly carbonation.  The balance is nearly spot on here, staying almost perfectly centered between malty and hoppy.  Each sip dries out nicely, constantly begging for another.  The ABV is completely hidden, further adding to the beer’s refreshing and easy-drinking ways.  Aftertaste is minimal, but there is just a touch of residual fruitiness left behind.

Final Thoughts: As we all know, a shower beer must be light, crisp, clean and (above all else) refreshing.   KÖLD SCHAUER hits all those marks with ease, and a great deal of this beer’s success comes from how Sixpoint handled the hops.  They were somehow able to pull all the juicy, refreshing fruit flavor out of these Huell Melon hops but without making the beer overly bitter.  They found a sweet spot that holds maximum hop flavor with minimum bitterness, and it is simply gorgeous when combined with those trademark Kölsch yeast and malt notes.  All in all, this beer is everything I am looking for in Kölsch and it can join me in the shower anytime.  Prost!

Green Flash Hop Head Red Makes Limited Return

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hopheadredpourshotGreen Flash Brewing Co. (San Diego, California) recently announced that it is bringing back its classic Hop Head Red for a limited time, draft-only release.

The story of Hop Head Red began when it first debuted for Green Flash back in 2006, but its legend quickly grew as it “went on to win over a dozen awards including two silvers and a bronze at the Great American Beer Festival (2007, 2009, 2012 – in the Amber Ale category).”  Sadly, Hop Head Red’s quality and achievements could not save it as the craft beer community evolved, and Green Flash had to make the difficult decision to retire the beer in 2014.  Despite its absence, many Green Flash fans (myself included) clung to the memory of Hop Head Red and constantly requested a triumphant return for the beer.  The brewery has heard these calls and has decided to treat us all to a little Hop Head Red revival.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this beer, Hop Head Red is a glorious “union of Red Ale and resinous IPA.”  With “mountains of Nugget and Amarillo hops” piled upon “a rich, caramel malt base”, this 6.5% ABV Red IPA absolutely “[overtakes] the senses with an alluring floral hop aroma.”

Hop Head Red will officially return in late-October with availability on draft only.  You can expect to find this Limited offering on tap at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia, and throughout the rest of Green Flash’s nationwide distribution network.  Prost!

Vital Information for Hop Head Red from Green Flash Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, late-October 2017
Style – Red India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.5%
Featured Hops – Amarillo & Nugget 
Availability – Draft only
Beer Finder – http://www.greenflashbrew.com/find-beer/

Dust Bunny Hazy IPA Makes Seasonal Debut for Monday Night Brewing

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MondayNightDustBunnyMonday Night Brewing (Atlanta, Georgia) recently announced that Dust Bunny Hazy IPA will soon be hitting shelves and taps as the brewery’s newest Seasonal.

Sauntering in as the first Seasonal to rock the brewery’s new look packaging, Dust Bunny is Monday Night Brewing’s take on the trendy East Coast IPA.  Thanks to a heavy dose of wheat and a hop bill bursting with Comet, Ekuanot, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria hops, this hazy India Pale Ale “is packed with aromatics of orange and lemon dripping with honey.”  With notes of peach turning up in the flavor department, this “soft yet bright” bodied, juicy brew comes together to be “an all-around refreshing IPA.”

Dust Bunny Hazy IPA is currently available on draft at Monday Night’s Midtown location and will officially hit distribution on Monday, October 23.  Once released, you can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama and Georgia.  Prost!

Vital Information for Dust Bunny Hazy IPA from Monday Night Brewing

Release – Seasonal, arriving late-October 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 60
Hops – Comet, Ekuanot, Citra & Mandarina Bavaria
Malts – Flaked Wheat, 2-row, Munich & Carapils
Suggested Food Pairings – “Roasted chicken, spicy foods, strong cheeses”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft