Funky Buddha Brewery Celebrates the ’72 Dolphins with Release of Undefeated Saison

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fbundefeatedbannerOn Tuesday, November 1 at 7 p.m., Funky Buddha Brewery (1201 NE 38th Street, Oakland Park, Florida) will host a special bottle release of Undefeated Saison and pop a few bottles in honor of the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

**First, a little disclaimer action from the brewery: “this beer is not affiliated with any sports team – it’s just a salute from some lifelong fans.”**

Now that all NFL teams officially have a number other than zero in the loss column, Funky Buddha Brewery is ready to release Undefeated Saison for the third year.  This offering was created to pay homage to the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only team in NFL history to finish the year with a flawless record.  As each year’s final undefeated team inevitably suffers its first loss, it is said that members of the 1972 squad raise a glass of Champagne in recognition of their achievement continuing its unmatched status. To keep with the theme of this tradition, the brewers at Funky Buddha brewed this French Countryside-style Ale with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grape must and bottle-conditioned it with Champagne yeast to create a high level of carbonation. “Characterized by a light body, peppery flavor, and dry finish,” Undefeated Saison is a craft beer offering that truly drinks like a Champagne.

“There’s long been a South Florida urban legend that after the last undefeated pro football team loses each year, members of the 1972 ‘Fins all raise a glass of Champagne in unison,” says Ryan Sentz, co-owner and head brewer at Funky Buddha Brewery. “We made Undefeated Saison thinking how awesome it would be if, instead of Champagne, those teammates could toast their victory with this beer instead.”

Less than 3000 Champagne-style, 750 ml bottles of Undefeated Saison have been produced, and the only way to get your hands on one is at the brewery’s bottle release event on Tuesday, November 1.  Bottles officially go on sale at 7 p.m., and fans can purchase up to four (4) bottles for the price of $14 each.  Undefeated Saison will also be available on draft during the event and will be tapped at 5 p.m.  This is a fantastic way for any craft beer-lovin’ Dolphins fan to celebrate the historical significance of the perfection achieved by this team, so be sure to head over to Funky Buddha Brewery on Tuesday to grab a bottle for yourself or as a gift for the die-hard ‘Fins fan in your life.  Also, if you happen to be a member of this legendary 1972 team and show up at the event, your bottle is said to be on the house.  Prost!

Vital Information on Undefeated Saison from Funky Buddha Brewery

Release – Limited, bottle release event at the brewery on November 1, 2016
Style – Saison/Farmhouse Ale
ABV – a very fitting 7.2% 
IBUs – 20
Availability – 750 ml bottles & draft

SweetWater Brewing Launches Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit as New Seasonal

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swsqueezesixerSweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) officially announced this week that Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit will be released as the brewery’s newest Winter Seasonal beginning on Tuesday, November 1.

Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit arrives as the latest addition to SweetWater Brewing’s Catch n’ Release Series, their lineup of seasonal brews.  Due to the recent spike in popularity of fruited IPAs across the country and the success of SweetWater’s summer release of Goin’ Coastal IPA with Pineapple, the brewery decided to revisit this idea with “the seasonally appropriate update of grapefruit.” Just as the name suggests, this winter offering is a juicy India Pale Ale boasting “five tropical hop additions and dosed with a shot of . . . grapefruit.”  Squeeze Box finishes bright and crisp, and weighs in at 6.1% ABV and 45 IBUs.

Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit officially releases on November 1 and will be available through January.  This brew will be available in 12 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, in the Winter Variety Mixed 12-Pack of cans and bottles, and on draft.  You will be able to find Squeeze Box at your favorite craft beer locations in Alabama, Florida and throughout SweetWater Brewing’s distribution area.  This offering is sure to fly off of shelves all season long, so be sure to secure your stash when you can to get your winter hop fix.  Prost!

Vital Information for Squeeze Box IPA with Grapefruit from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Winter Seasonal/Catch n’ Release Series, November 2016 through January 2017
Style – India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.1%
IBUs – 45
Malts – 2-Row, Munich, Wheat, 70/80 & Midnight Wheat
Hops – Chinook, Cascade, Columbus, Simcoe, Goldings & Centennial
swwinterAvailability – 12 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, in The Winter Variety Mixed 12-Pack of 12 oz. cans and bottles, & draft
Fun Fact – Speaking of that Winter Variety Mixed 12-pack, the 12 oz. bottle version will also include the previously retired LowRYEder Rye IPA.  In celebration of the brewery’s upcoming 20th Anniversary, fans of the brewery voted to bring LowRYEder back as a limited, seasonal release.  This Rye IPA is crisp and smooth, with spicy rye and hop bitterness that earned it a gold medal at the Great American Beer Festival. LowRYEder is available only in the Winter Variety Pack of 12 oz. bottles and on tap at the brewery.

Sprecher Brewing Company Gives New Life to Malt Duck

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Sprecher Brewing Company (Glendale, Wisconsin) recently announced that the storied brew known as Malt Duck is making a comeback this fall.

If you do not recognize the name or are too young to remember, Malt Duck was a very popular adult beverage during the ’70s and ’80s.  Sadly, this libation disappeared from store shelves in the 1990’s, but it does not seem to have been from a lack of interest or devotion from this beverage’s fans.  Since it was discontinued, there have been countless blogs, Facebook groups and chat rooms dedicated to sharing fond memories of Malt Duck and calling for its revival.  That call has now officially been answered.

The folks at Sprecher Brewing did some research and found that the trademark for Malt Duck had been abandoned.  They scooped up the mark, and quickly got to work developing an updated “version of Malt Duck that would pay homage to its past while appealing to contemporary taste preferences.”  Craig Burge, Brewmaster at Sprecher Brewing Company, developed a recipe that requires no added sugar thanks to the use of Concord grapes.  Weighing in at an easy drinking 5.9% ABV, this blend of premium beer and Concord grapes was such a hit with focus groups that Sprecher is more than confident moving forward with production and distribution.

Malt Duck Premium Beer with Concord Grapes is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles.  Distribution of this offering is currently limited to stores and bars in Wisconsin, but select, other states within Sprecher Brewing Company’s distribution area will see roll-outs in the future.  If you happen upon this offering at your favorite beer store, pick up a sixer to wax nostalgic or just make some new memories with the now revamped Malt Duck.  Prost!

 

Tasting Notes: A Beer Pairing with the Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods

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nealbros_200For a little change of pace, this week’s Tasting Notes gets its snack on with a special beer pairing featuring the delicious Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods (Toronto, Ontario).

I was recently approached by representatives from Neal Brothers Foods to see if I would be willing to provide them with some input on possible beer pairings for their line of “Extremely Tasty” Kettle Chips.  The more I looked over their available flavors – Maple Bacon, Montreal Steak Spice, Pink Himalayan Salt, & Spicy Srirachup -, the more excited I got about this possibly becoming a fun new project to be featured as a Tasting Notes segment.  I pitched my idea to them, and the good folks at Neal Brothers gave me the go-ahead.

Before this delicious, snack-filled pairing can commence, we first need to cover some particulars on Neal Brothers Foods.  Peter and Chris Neal started Neal Brothers Foods in 1988 by making croutons out of their mother’s home in Aurora, Ontario, and the croutons proved to be a huge hit with locals. The company quickly outgrew their headquarters in mom’s kitchen, and Neal Brothers Foods moved to Toronto, Ontario to create a variety of delicious products. With a dedication to the freshest ingredients, Neal Brothers offers products made from “organic ingredients to help sustain our environment and keep us healthy and chemical free,” and they are also firm believers in the Fair Trade movement.  This commitment to creating “great tasting, ‘better for you’ snacks” has made it possible for Neal Brothers to steadily grow.  One of their most popular offerings are these “all natural, non-GMO, kettle-cooked chips.”  Thanks to an exclusive partnership created with Whole Foods Market, Neal Brothers Kettle Chips are now available in the United States.

Now that we have all of that covered, let’s get our sip and chip on with a little Tasting Notes Beer Pairing featuring the Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods!

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Pink Himalayan Salt Kettle Chips with Longboard Island Lager from Kona Brewing Co.

  • The Pairing – Since the flavor of these Pink Himalayan Salt Kettle Chips is going to be pretty straight forward, I wanted to keep the pairing simple by going with a highly drinkable lager like Longboard Island Lager from Kona Brewing Co.   The chips really showcase the potato by highlighting its earthy, hearty and lightly sweet qualities.  Combine this with a salt character that is incredibly spot on – not too heavy, but not too light – and you now have a chip that kind of forces your hand to return to the bag for another.  The idea here may be simple on paper, but these chips pack quite a bit of flavor and are mighty tasty.
    Pair this experience up with Longboard Island Lager, and the earthy grain and gently sweet notes of the pale malts easily lift that potato flavor to another level.  The lightly spicy, floral and citrusy hop tones push forward to work with and add complexity to the saltiness.  On the other side of the card, the chips improve the overall drinking experience by coaxing out a nice lemon zest note hiding within the beer.  Simultaneously, the beer clears out the saltiness of the chips while that saltiness resets the palate for another sip.  The goal here was to create an easy pairing to enjoy while you sit down to watch the game on the couch.  Mission accomplished.
  • Paring Alternatives – Staying with the idea of keeping it simple, I would stick with Lagers and lighter, easy drinking Ales to pair with these Pink Himalayan Salt Kettle Chips.  Since it is Fest season, you could skip the pretzels and pair these chips with a Festbier like the 2016 Oktoberfest Festival Lager collaboration from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. and Mahrs Bräu.  Looking for something more accessible (on multiple levels)?  Well, you could always go with a good, mass-produced Pilsner like Miller High Life.  In more of an Ale mood?  Go with a Blonde Ale like American Blonde from Cahaba Brewing Co. or a classic American Amber Ale such as Gaelic Ale from Highland Brewing Company. If you want to amp up this salty experience, you could always go with a briny Gose like Troublesome from Off Color Brewing. Also, if you are hosting a beer tasting, a big ol’ bowl of these chips will act as the perfect palate cleanser between brews.

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Maple Bacon Kettle Chips with Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale from Starr Hill Brewery

  • The Pairing – Breakfast, anyone?  These Maple Bacon Kettle Chips hit the palate with a luxurious maple syrup flavor at first bite.  When I say maple syrup, I mean seriously good maple syrup.  You know . . . that maple syrup you see at the store, question the price, finally try it, and never go back to the cheap stuff again.  That kind of maple syrup.  As this flavor seduces the taste buds, things somehow get better as a smoky bacon note slow-rolls into the picture.  After a couple chips, you could swear that you just wolfed down a whole plate of bacon.  This bag is insanely difficult to put down . . . but we must to take a sip of Last Leaf Maple Brown Ale from Starr Hill Brewery.
    This English-style Brown Ale – like most English-style brews – is reserved.  Its aromatic and flavor profile is light in sweetness, light in hop presence, and smoothly teases your palate with soft tones of vanilla and maple.  Now . . . pop one of those chips in your mouth.  WHOLE. NEW. WORLD.  The maple notes now absolutely explode from the beer, making you question if someone shuffled in a new beer when you were not looking.  The sweetness is still contained, but the experience is increased tenfold.  The malty aspects of the beer then go to work on that bacon to pull out even more smoky pork goodness from the chips.  This combination conjures up the image of sitting down to an awesome breakfast where warm maple syrup wanders from my pancakes to not only the bacon on the plate . . . but also to my hash browns.  And I am not mad at it.
  • Pairing Alternatives – If you are not within Starr Hill Brewery’s distribution area, just seek out a good, locally available English-style Brown Ale like Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale or a more malt-forward American representation like Hazelnut Brown Nectar from Rogue Ales.  We can progressively step things up in intensity and sweetness by venturing into the world of Scotch Ales by pairing these Maple Bacon Kettle Chips with Old Chub Scotch Ale from Oskar Blues Brewery.  If you would like to bring out more bacon notes, go with a Smoked Beer like Smoked Porter from Alaskan Brewing Co. or a more traditional Rauchbier from Schlenkerla.  For a decadent, over-the-top breakfast experience, pick up some Breakfast Stout from Founders Brewing Co. and thank me later.  Cider fans, just about any Apple Cider you can come up with will also work wonders with these kettle chips.

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Spicy Srirachup Kettle Chips with Oatsmobile Ale from Bell’s Brewery

  • The Pairing – If you are anything like me, you cannot think of a better condiment for just about anything than the perfect mixture of Sriracha and good ketchup.  So, I was obviously stoked to see these chips as an available option from Neal Brothers Foods.  As I greedily consume these Spicy Srirachup Kettle Chips, I am constantly reminded of the act of dipping really good, spiced fries (think curly fries from Arby’s) into that sweet heat concoction comprised of Sriracha and ketchup.  Seriously, it is spot on and I cannot describe them any better.
    Now, we must introduce the beer.  For those of you who may be unfamiliar with this offering, Bell’s Brewery Oatsmobile Ale is a Session Pale Ale brewed with oats.  The addition of those oats adds a creamy texture to the more expected pale malt and bright hoppy characteristics of the American Pale Ale.  That velvety texture makes you take more notice of the beer’s malt sweetness, and this works with the chips by bringing out the sweet tomato character of the ketchup.  The tropical hop notes then sync up with the chilies of the Sriracha, making you experience more than just heat.  Those hops force the chilies to bloom and expose their fruity and vegetal flavors.  That texture then reveals that it can pull double duty by making you believe that you have a much larger beer here to tackle the huge flavor of these chips, but still remains light enough on its feet to keep you sipping without the worry of getting weighed down throughout the experience.  This Oatsmobile Ale and Spicy Srirachup Kettle Chip combo just might be a perfect pairing.
  • Pairing Alternatives – If you are a fan of all things spicy, you are going to get a progressively more intense experience the hoppier you go with the pairing.  If you want to stay light but go a step further than a Pale Ale, a Session IPA like Stone Go To IPA from Stone Brewing Co. will do some good things here.  You can go full on IPA with a brew like Jai Alai® India Pale Ale from Cigar City Brewing or step it up big time with a Double IPA such as Snake Handler Double India Pale Ale from Good People Brewing Company.  Feeling adventurous? Pour up a Chili Beer such as Dia de los Serranos Double Stout from Green Flash Brewing Co. or Ghost Face Killah from Twisted Pine Brewing Company.  For those who may want to quell the heat and bring out more of the sweetness from the ketchup, you won’t go wrong in pairing these chips with a fine American Porter like Edmund Fitzgerald Porter from Great Lakes Brewing Co.

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Tasting Notes Pairing: Neal Brothers Montreal Steak Spice Kettle Chips with Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.

  • The Pairing – As I open up this bag of Montreal Steak Spice Kettle Chips and take big whiff of the exquisite aroma billowing forth, I cannot believe that this is the first time I have realized that Montreal steak spice is basically pastrami curing spice (some quick Googling proved my suspicions correct).  It is kind of crazy to think that it ultimately took a bag of chips for me to put this together, but the aromas and flavors in these chips are so pronounced and blatant that they make it unmistakable.  Garlic, chili flake and dill really pop in these chips, and a little coriander and mustard lingers in the background.  The hearty, meaty potato acts as a perfect replacement for the steak and provides a solid foundation beneath all of this savory spice.
    Since these chips are so big in flavor and incredibly complex, they need a beer dynamic enough to stand up to them.  My mind immediately went to Saison and one of the best out there is Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale from Boulevard Brewing Co.  This beer has a beautiful peppery quality that is immediately at home with the garlic, mustard and potato notes in these chips.  The citrusy and floral hop tones then mingle with the chili and dill, making them even more pronounced.  The coriander in the chips then kicks in to intensify the earthy qualities of the Saison.  Finally, the beer’s effervescence easily cleans the palate after each sip is complete, allowing you to fully experience every aspect of this combo with each chip and sip.  Absolutely lovely.  If you have been looking for a way to get high-class with beer and snack chips, you just found it.
  • Pairing Alternatives – A wide variety of easy-drinking lagers will work incredibly well with these chips, but I’m going to stick with suggesting more complex brews to pair here.  Additional Saisons such as Saison Dupont from La Brasserie Dupont and Hennepin from Brewery Ommegang will act as fantastic stand-ins for Tank 7.  A Belgian-style Tripel would work as well, and I would go with La Fin du Monde from Unibroue or Tripel Karmeliet from Brouwerij Bosteels.  If mind-blowing complexity is your intention, snack on these chips while sipping a Sour Ale such as Oro de Calabaza from Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales or Duchesse de Bourgogne from Brouwerij Verhaeghe.

The Wrap-Up – I cannot possibly relay to you how impressed I am with these ridiculously tasty Kettle Chips from Neal Brothers Foods.  They are not just fantastic chips, but they are truly incredibly good food.  As far as snacks go, they can curb some cravings and still remain pretty good for you thanks to their natural, non-GMO recipes.  It is obvious that no corners were cut in the creation of these Kettle Chips, and not one flavor was dumbed down for the sake of wide market appeal.  It is this component of huge flavors that makes these chips a perfect snack to be enjoyed alone or accompanied by a variety of fine beers.  The next time you need chips for a get-together you are hosting, be sure to swing by Whole Foods Market and delight your guests with the Kettle Chips of Neal Brothers Foods.  Prost!

 

Goose Island Beer Co. Releases 2016 Vintage of Madame Rose

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madamroseheldGoose Island Beer Co. (Chicago, Illinois) recently announced that Madame Rose Belgian-style Wild Ale has officially returned to shelves for a limited time.

Affectionately dubbed one of the “Sour Sisters” (see video below), Madame Rose Belgian-style Wild Ale makes its annual return officially as an offering in Goose Island’s Vintage Series.  After a lengthy period aging on cherries in wine barrels and fermenting with wild yeast, this Wild Ale’s base of a Belgian-style Brown Ale takes on a crimson hue while gaining a beautiful level of tartness.  Madame Rose displays “layers of malty complexity, sour cherry, spice and wood notes,” making it the perfect offering to suggest to “Bordeaux enthusiasts and beer drinkers fond of Belgian Kriek and Flanders Brown Ales.”

Madame Rose Belgian-style Wild Ale can be found now and will be available through the month of November (while supplies last).  765 ml bottles of this limited release offering can be found at fine beer establishments in Florida and throughout Goose Island Beer Co.’s distribution area (sadly, this does not include Alabama because current laws prohibit the sale of beer in containers larger than 75o ml).  If you are a fan of Wild/Sour Ales, Madame Rose is certainly a must try. Get your hands on some while you can. Prost!

Vital Information on Madame Rose Belgian-style Wild Ale from Goose Island Beer Co.

Release – Limited/Vintage Series, available late October through November
Style – Wild Ale
ABV – 6.7%
IBUs – 25
Malts –  2-Row, Carapils, Chocolate, Special B & Wheat
Hops – Pilgrim
Treatment – Aged on cherries in wine barrels
Availability – 765 ml bottles

Highland Brewing to celebrate 20th Anniversary of Cold Mountain Winter Ale

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unnamed-12Highland Brewing Company (Asheville, North Carolina) has announced that Cold Mountain Winter Ale will make its annual return on November 10, and the brewery will be celebrating this beer’s 20th Anniversary with the one-time release of Imperial Cold Mountain.

Earlier this year, members of the Highland Brewing Company team were summoned in to work on a Sunday morning and were given a list of very important instructions to follow: “Don’t eat breakfast or drink coffee before arriving, and IF you brush your teeth, make it at least an hour before you arrive.”  This is the moment that they knew they had been selected as a part of the sensory panel for the 20th Anniversary release of Cold Mountain Winter Ale, and they were suddenly stoked to “sacrifice” that Sunday.  When they arrived, this group was greeted by Brewmaster Hollie Stephenson and Sensory Scientist Anna Sauls who had already been hard at work preparing “a variety of spice additions scaled down for sampling.”  After a series of tastings followed by meticulous evaluation and a long discussion, the brewers finally had a recipe and could move forward in brewing this incredibly special batch of Cold Mountain Winter Ale.

First brewed under the name Holiday Ale in 1996, Cold Mountain Winter Ale is Asheville’s oldest seasonal craft beer release.  With the intention of keeping this long-running offering fresh, each year’s version of Cold Mountain is dosed with a different mix of various spices to provide the drinker a fun, new aromatic and flavor experience with every release.  Although each vintage has its surprises, you can always count on this brew to be “typically malty in body, lightly hopped” and filled with notes of “the best vanilla, hazelnut, and other flavors.”  The finished beer weighs in at 5.2% ABV and 28 IBUs.

Product PhotographyConsidering this is a huge milestone for Cold Mountain Winter Ale, you just know that the folks at Highland Brewing have created something extra special to celebrate this beer’s 20th Anniversary.  That creation is Imperial Cold Mountain, a special release that is “the Cold Mountain you know and love, but bigger.”  Imperial Cold Mountain is a bit more “chocolate-forward, with hints of fruits and nuts, and a touch more warmth at 8% alcohol by volume.”  This “one-time special brew” will be packaged in 1 liter bottles, 22 oz. bottles and on draft.  Bottles can only be purchased at the brewery for a limited time.

As far as the regular Cold Mountain Winter Ale goes, it will become officially available beginning on Thursday, November 10 at 4 p.m. at a special launch event to be held at the brewery.  22 oz. bottles, 1 liter bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles and kegs of this elusive brew will then be released to distribution on Monday, November 14.  Look for Cold Mountain Winter Ale on shelves and taps at select craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida and throughout Highland Brewing’s full distribution footprint.  This beer disappears with a quickness each and every year, so be sure to secure your bottles when you see them.  Prost!

Vital Information for Cold Mountain Winter Ale from Highland Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Seasonal, officially releasing on November 10, 2016
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 5.2%
IBUs – 28
Malts – 2-Row Brewers Malt, Pilsen, Vienna, Chocolate, Wheat, Caramel 40 & Caramel 60
Hops – Cascade & Mount Hood
Availability – 22 oz. bottles, 1 liter bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.highlandbrewing.com/beer-finder/

 

Yellow Snow IPA from Rogue Ales Returns in Cans for 2016

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yellow_snow_canRogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) recently announced that Yellow Snow India Pale Ale will be available in cans for the first time in its long history when this Winter Seasonal officially releases on November 1.

Originally released in 2002 in celebration of the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Yellow Snow IPA is Rogue’s hop-filled “tribute to winter sports everywhere—downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross country, ice hockey, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and even curling.”  Brewed with hops and barley grown at Rogue Farms, this offering is pale golden in color and “features a hoppy, tropical-fruit-forward aroma complemented by a medium body and hoppyness mid-palate.”

“The new cans of Yellow Snow IPA are portable and lightweight,” says Rogue President Brett Joyce. “The only thing we want heavy this winter is the snowfall.” 

Yellow Snow IPA will officially release on November 1 and will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, 64 oz. growlers and on draft.  This offering will be found on the shelves and taps of select craft beer establishments within the expansive distribution area of Rogue Ales.  Yellow Snow IPA will only be hanging around during late fall and through the winter months, so be sure to keep an eye out for this one to satisfy any cold-weather IPA cravings you may encounter.  Prost!

Vital Information for Yellow Snow IPA from Rogue Ales

Release – Seasonal, official release of November 1
Style – India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.5%
IBUs – 82
Malts – CaraFoam, Melanoidin, 2-Row & Rogue Farms Dare™ & Risk™ 
Hops – Amarillo
Yeast – Pacman
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 22 oz. bottles, & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.rogue.com/finder/

 

Unibroue and Megadeth Brew Up À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Collaboration

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web_355Unibroue (Chambly, Québec) recently announced that they have partnered with Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine to brew and release À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale.

Unibroue Brewmaster Jerry Vietz created À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale as a symbol of friendship and as a gift to recognize the 55th birthday of Dave Mustaine, lead vocalist and founder of the iconic Thrash Metal band Megadeth and lover of finely crafted beers.  Legends of their respective professions, these two men put their collective creativity to work and brewed a Belgian-style Golden Saison that was dry-hopped to produce hoppy, spicy notes.  The finished beer weighs in at an easy drinking 4.5% ABV to provide fans with “a clean, fresh taste and a crisp dry finish inviting you to take another sip.”

À TOUT LE MONDE – translating from French to mean “To All the World” or “To Everyone” – was named after the fourth track on Megadeth’s 1994 Youthanasia album.  The song proved to be one of the band’s “biggest hits in Quebec.”  The beer’s name also “recalls the consonance of Unibroue’s flagship beer, La Fin du Monde.”

“At Unibroue, we appreciate flavour – and we know Megadeth is anything but boring,” explains Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster at Unibroue. “To Megadeth’s delight and that of their fans and connoisseurs, we’re offering an uncompromising beer with rich hoppy aromas, created according to Dave’s personal tastes.”

 

“Our shared passion for excellence produced a one-of-a-kind saison beer,” added Dave Mustaine, Megadeth’s lead vocalist and founder. “I’m thrilled to present this new beer to my fans, and everyone who loves good beers with character.”

À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale is officially available now as Unibroue’s newest offering released in their Classics Series.  This offering can be found in 750 ml bottles in Quebec and in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles at fine craft beer retailers in Alabama, Florida and throughout Unibroue’s full 48 state distribution area.  I can say without hesitation that Unibroue makes nothing but amazing beer, so be sure to grab a 4-pack of À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale, crank up the stereo and allow your taste buds to rock out with this new offering.  Prost!

**Personal Note – This just might be the coolest craft beer news I have had the chance to cover over the last seven years.  I have been a huge Megadeth fan since my middle school years and I can often be found rockin’ to the band’s music while I work (As a matter of fact, “À Tout Le Monde”, “High Speed Dirt” & “Holy Wars” provided the soundtrack for this post).  I have long said that a bucket list item of mine has been to sit down with Dave Mustaine for a drink, but I can absolutely settle for the ability to now sip on a beer inspired by his work and created with his input.  Ok . . . that concludes my giddy, fan-boy moment.**

Vital Information on À TOUT LE MONDE Saison Ale from Unibroue

Release – Classics Series, late October 2016
Style – Belgian-style Saison
ABV – 4.5%
IBUs – 22
Aroma –  Hoppy with tropical fruit and citrus notes
Flavor – Delicately spiced. Citrusy and slightly tart with hints of tropical fruit such as mango and lychee
Glassware – Flute or Tulip
Availability – Quebec (750 ml bottles & draft) and 48 US States (4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft)

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Stone Brewing Co. 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA Released as Final Beer in Encore Series

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emperialipalogoStone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) recently announced that they are wrapping up their 20th Anniversary Encore Series with the re-release of Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA this month.

First brewed and released in 2010, the inspiration for Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA was found after Stone Brewing President & co-founder Steve Wagner took a research trip to England in 2009.  While there, Wagner familiarized himself with the “confusing and often contradictory history of IPAs” and returned with the idea of putting this newfound knowledge to work in the brewery’s upcoming anniversary beer.

To start, Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA was brewed using only British malts, hops and yeast.  In an attempt to further pay respect to the birthplace of the IPA, “even the water was adjusted with mineral salts to more accurately reflect the renowned brewing water chemistry of Burton-on-Trent.” With all of that said, Stone Brewing – being who they are – could not contain themselves and finished the recipe off with a little San Diego flair by adding an “aggressive dose of hops.”  All of this culminates in a beer that is “powerfully spicy with an earthy aroma” and has a “malt sweetness and a light biscuit flavor making a brief appearance before a long, complex and decisively bitter finish.” With this level of attention to detail and craftsmanship, it is no surprise that the initial release was incredibly well regarded by fans of the brewery and that made it an easy decision for Stone Brewing to re-release Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA to close out the 20th Anniversary Encore Series.

“That trip to England was inspiring to say the least,” said Stone Brewing President & co-founder, Steve Wagner. “At the time, we were researching IPAs and we poured over 150-year-old brewer’s logs handwritten in ink. We were inspired to come home and try our hand at the most authentic British IPA we could possibly brew in the US. To re-release this beer is a trip back in time to one of the most inspiring times in my brewing history.”

20th Anniversary Encore Series: Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA is available now as a limited release offering.  You can find this beer in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida and throughout Stone Brewing’s national distribution footprint.  This is your last opportunity to raise a glass of a 20th Anniversary Encore Series offering in celebration of Stone Brewing Co.’s two decades of unwavering dedication and unmeasurable contribution to craft brewing, so be sure to grab yourself a bottle of 20th Anniversary Encore Series: Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA on your next beer run.  Prost!

Vital Information for 20th Anniversary Encore Series: Stone 14th Anniversary Emperial IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, 20th Anniversary Encore Series; official release date of October 17
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8.9%
IBUs – 100
Hops –  UK Target, Boadicea & East Kent Golding
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI and Puerto Rico
Official Hashtag – #StoneEncore 
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com

 

Tasting Notes: Partner Ships Rye Wit from Heavy Seas Beer & Terrapin Beer Co.

Posted on by mashingin

hsbtbcryewitlabelThis segment of Tasting Notes continues the collaboration theme by taking a look at the Partner Ships Rye Wit collaboration from Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) and Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia).

Not only is Rye Wit the current installment in The Partner Ships Series, a lineup of limited releases from Heavy Seas Beer “produced in collaboration with other regionally and nationally recognized brewers in the spirit of friendship, creativity, and adventure,” but it might also be one of the most stealthily clever beer names of the year. How so?  Well . . . Rye Wit sounds a little like “pirate”, an obvious part of the Heavy Seas schtick; it is a homophone for “wry wit”; and it has been said that pirates can indeed have a wry wit.  Savvy?

Alright, let’s move beyond the word play and get back on track with information on this beer.  For this release, Heavy Seas Beer collaborated with the brewers at Terrapin Beer Co. on a recipe that combines the proficiencies for which each brewery is known: the barrel-aging practices of Heavy Seas and Terrapin’s love/obsession with rye.   They ultimately decided to brew up a Witbier boasting the distinct characteristics of rye malts, and then aged it for sixteen weeks in Chardonnay barrels.  Once completed, the 6% ABV Partner Ships Rye Wit was packaged in 22 oz. bottles and released as a limited offering available within the distribution area of Heavy Seas.  This offering is nearing the end of its availability to make room for the next release within the Partner Ships series (click here to read up on that one), but you still stand a pretty good chance of coming across a bottle or two at your favorite craft beer retailer.  That should just about cover the particulars, so let’s put this sweet Witbier glass to some good use and get to the Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Partner Ships Rye Wit from Heavy Seas Beer and Terrapin Beer Co.

Appearance: Rye Wit flows into the glass to produce a body that is a sunburst orange in color.  When held to direct light, golds radiate near the top and bottom of the glass while the orange center deepens and intensifies.  The body has a good amount of haze and cloudiness to it, but a lazy carbonation presence can be seen meandering about in the form of bubbles that intermittently surface.  The pour generated 3+ fingers of fluffy, snow-white foam.  Head retention is quite good, eventually falling slowly to a lasting finger of a top cap.  This foam displays an other-worldly level of stick, leaving globs of pillow-like lace all over the glass.  Spot on, textbook example of what a Witbier should look like.

Aroma:  An alluring white wine character greets the nose to start.  A fruity sweetness presents itself in the form of Chardonnay grapes and melon, and the barrel lends a touch of creamy vanilla as well.  While savoring this quality, the spicy rye begins to gently bloom.  Wheat then lends an earthy grain note and a touch of banana that mingles easily with light, citrusy hop tones.  One word comes to mind here: Exquisite.

Taste: Rye is so unmistakable as an ingredient, so it is no surprise that it hits the taste buds first.  With that said, those spicy, black pepper tones are tempered as a gentle grain sweetness builds and the banana-like qualities of the wheat come forward.  Also, a touch of coriander arrives to complement the rye even further.  The hops then slide into the frame to provide balance with notes of orange, lemon and peach.  The Chardonnay barrels then embrace the entire experience by rounding and smoothing it all out with a snappy white grape character, a bit of tropical fruit, some earthiness, and the faintest of vanilla sweetness.  This may seem like a lot to take in – and it is -, but it all coalesces with an impeccable level of balance that allows you to fully enjoy and distinguish every aspect of this beer’s flavor.  Incredibly impressive.

Mouthfeel:  Rye Wit is medium in body with a medium level of carbonation.  This brew is crisp and dry, so much so that it further reminds the drinker of a tannin-like, white wine experience.  Aspects of sweetness, bitterness and spice are all allowed to play on the palate, but all of this cleans up and out with remarkable quickness.  At just 6% ABV, the alcohol presence is incredibly light to non-existent.  Delicate Chardonnay notes linger as the only trace of an aftertaste.

Final Thoughts: Like I mentioned above, we all know that Terrapin Beer Co. is a huge fan of using rye as an ingredient in their beers.  Knowing this and seeing that this beer’s name starts with “Rye”, I was initially a bit worried that Partner Ships Rye Wit might take the gracefully nuanced Witbier style to a level of spice overload that just translates as a brutish rye bomb.  The reality is that I was unfairly pessimistic because the intricate level of balance achieved by Heavy Seas and Terrapin in the creation of this beer is simply stunning.  Sure, that spicy rye is showcased, but it is done in such a way that it is reserved and knows its place.  Notes of citrusy hops, a sweet and earthy wheat presence, and sophisticated fruity and vanilla tones from the Chardonnay barrels interlace with the rye to create an elaborate experience that is completely devoid of any aggression or harshness.  Each corner of this beer is softly rounded, allowing every quality of Rye Wit to glide and dance freely across the palate.  This beer is ridiculously complex, but it has been presented in a manner that is approachable and familiar.  Oh, and if you have been looking for that perfect offering to introduce the white wine drinker in your life to world of craft beer, this is it right here.  Prost!