Firestone Walker Celebrates Another Year with Release of XXIV Anniversary Ale

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Firestone Walker Brewing Company (Paso Robles, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of XXIV Anniversary Ale, a masterfully blended Barrel-aged Strong Ale, in November 2020.

Blended with the help of Paso Robles winemakers (wineries include Denner, Halter Ranch, Herman Story, Ledge, Linne Calodo, Lone Madrone, Tablas Creek, Thacher, TH Estate Wines and Saxum) who participated in a remote blending experience due to all the challenges presented by 2020, XXIV Anniversary Ale is a Strong Ale comprised of the following “six distinct ales aged primarily in bourbon barrels, with a small portion aged in tequila barrels”:

  • Velvet Merkin – Milk Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels (27%)
  • Stickee Monkee – Central Coastal Quad aged in Bourbon Barrels (26%)
  • Parabola – Russian Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels (16%)
  • Smoked Imperial Walkers Reserve – Robust Porter brewed with beechwood smoked malt & aged in Bourbon Barrels (16%)
  • Bravo – Imperial Brown Ale aged in Bourbon Barrels (11%)
  • Tequila Barrel Helldorado – Blonde Barleywine aged in Tequila Barrels (4%)

“When I pour this in the glass, I have to smile knowing this is created with only traditional brewing ingredients, oak barrels, and time; and yet there is a distinct aroma of caramel pecan pie and the comforting taste of smores just off the fire. Toasty marshmallow, dark chocolate covered pralines, a dash of coconut and a hint of dark cherry. There is magic in the glass beyond beer. I will let you pour and discover the rest.”
– Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster

“XXIV is not only special because of the unique beers blended into it—it also represents a time when the world came to an abrupt stop, challenging us to innovate and evolve, which has always been a part of the success of our barrel program,” said Firestone Walker’s Quality Manager Amy Crook, who coordinated the remote blending experience along with Barrel Program Manager Eric Ponce.

 XXIV Anniversary Ale is rolling out now and will hang around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in North Carolina, Texas, California and throughout the rest of Firestone Walker’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for XXIV Anniversary Ale from Firestone Walker Brewing Company

Release – Limited; November 2020
Style – Strong Ale (blended)
ABV – 11.3%
IBUs – 29
Fun Fact – On the blending process behind XXIV Anniversary Ale: “Each year, the winemakers break into teams; create their own preferred blends from several barrel-aged component ales; then vote as a group on the winning blend—which then becomes the next Anniversary Ale. . . The winning blend—the basis for XXIV—was ultimately created by Winemaker Kevin Sass at Halter Ranch.”
Availability – 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.firestonebeer.com/find-beer/

DuClaw Brewing Co. Begins Limited Release of Hop Tarts DIPA

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DuClaw Brewing Co. (Baltimore, Maryland) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Hop Tarts, a Wild Berry Double IPA, in early November 2020.

Here to bring some childhood breakfast nostalgia to your IPA experience, Hop Tarts is a Double India Pale Ale that gets a “slight berry essence achieved by adding raspberries, blueberries and strawberries during fermentation (a majority which ferments out of the beer during this process).” Fruity but not heavily fruited, Hop Tarts (8% ABV) gets a good deal of its fruitiness from a juicy hop bill comprised of Lotus, Mosaic, Amarillo – Fruit Punch, Enigma and Chinook hops.

Hop Tarts is scheduled to debut in early November and will hang around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 16 oz. cans at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of DuClaw’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Hop Tarts from DuClaw Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; November 2020
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8%
IBUs – 60
Featured Hops – Lotus, Mosaic, Amarillo – Fruit Punch, Enigma & Chinook
Malts – Pilsner, Vienna, Carapils & Biscuit
Added Ingredients – Raspberries, blueberries & strawberries
Availability – 16 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://duclaw.com/beer-finder/

Anchor Brewing’s Christmas Ale Returns for 46th Release

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Anchor Brewing Company (San Francisco, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of its 2020 Christmas Ale in early November.

Back for the 46th year in a row but the “the first release by newly appointed Anchor Brewmaster, Tom Riley,” 2020 Christmas Ale is a Spiced Brown Ale “layered with classic holiday flavors of chocolate, toasted marshmallows and graham crackers.” Coming in at 7% ABV (the highest of any previous Christmas Ale release), 2020 Christmas Ale remains “easy-drinking and approachable for everyone at a holiday gathering or virtual event.”

“In such a challenging year, we wanted our Christmas Ale to be a moment of joy during the holiday season,” says Anchor Brewmaster Tom Riley.  “With a one-of-a-kind label, the highest ABV in history, and a balanced, holiday-inspired flavor profile, we believe that this year’s Christmas Ale stands in a category of its own.  Our Christmas Ale fans will be thrilled with year’s offering and first-timers will be in for a special treat.”

2020 Christmas Ale will officially release in early November and is scheduled to hang around through January 2021 (while supplies last). You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, gold-foiled 50.7 oz. magnum bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of Anchor Brewing’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for 2020 Christmas Ale from Anchor Brewing Company

Release – Limited; November 2020 – January 2021
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 7%
Malts – “Top Secret”
Hops – “Top Secret”
Fun Fact – “Each year a new symbolic hand-drawn tree is chosen for the Christmas Ale label. This year’s label features The Three Graces; three iconic towering sequoias from the Mariposa Grove in California’s Yosemite National Park. This is only the second time in its 46-year history that multiple trees are shown together on the label, a fitting statement to symbolize togetherness and hope in a year when so much time has been spent apart. The Three Graces represent radiance, joy, and flowering – characteristics that we can all hold near during this unprecedented time.”
Suggested Pairings – “Ideal dessert pairings are crème brulee, molten lava cake, pumpkin pie and more. Suggested savory pairings are turkey and a rack of lamb.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 50.7 oz. magnum bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.anchorbrewing.com/connect/beer_finder

Paulaner Pils Returns to the U.S.

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Paulaner USA (White Plains, New York), the U.S. importer of the legendary Paulaner Brauerei (Munich, Germany) portfolio, has officially announced that Paulaner Pils will return to the United States in November 2020.

A recipe that has been refined by Paulaner since the mid-1800s, Paulaner Pils is a German-style Pilsner that “features a brilliant bright yellow color, floral hop aromas and a pleasant dry finish.” Coming in at a sessionable 4.9% ABV, Paulaner Pils is “a beer of formidable cleanliness and sophistication that delivers a clean, crisp taste.”

“We are excited to bring back our Paulaner Pils to the U.S. market,” says Steve Hauser, CEO of Paulaner USA. “Over the past few years there has been an increase in demand for sessionable products as an alternative to the fuller, IPA beers. Paulaner, being a German leader in easy-to-drink beers for centuries, has responded to this consumer trend with the reintroduction of our delicious Paulaner Pils to the U.S. market. 

“At Paulaner, we enjoy catering to our consumers who know beer and appreciate our brand’s history. Since 1634, Paulaner has been dedicated to the art of brewing and we strictly follow the Reinheitsgebot, Germany’s beer purity law. To this day, we continue to stay true to our mastered brewing techniques and only use select, high-quality ingredients for the utmost taste and quality. Given this, we are delighted to bring back our beloved classic German Pilsner to our U.S. customers.”

Paulaner Pils is scheduled to hit the U.S. in November 2020 with availability in 4-packs of 16.9 oz. cans. You can expect to find this Year-Round offering at fine beer retailers located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Paulaner USA’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Paulaner Pils from Paulaner Brauerei

Release – Year-Round; launching November 2020
Style – German-style Pilsner
ABV – 4.9%
Fun Fact – “Consumers can . . . enjoy [Paulaner Pils] in its characteristic slender stemmed glass resembling a champagne flute. The tall and slender shape shows beautifully the bright golden color and absolute clarity of the beer. As the glass is only slightly tapered, the carbonization is perfectly visible. The glass gets wider to the top, ensuring the beer keeps its nice white head. The narrow rim guarantees that the delicate floral hop notes are perceived perfectly.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16.9 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://paulanerhpusa.com/beer-finder/paulaner-beer-finder/

Schlafly Beer Introduces Wintry Haze IPA as Newest Seasonal

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Schlafly Beer (St. Louis, Missouri) has officially announced that it will begin the Seasonal Release of Wintry Haze IPA in late October 2020.

Originally a draft-only brewer’s trial turned brewpub favorite, Wintry Haze is a Hazy/Juicy India Pale Ale that “[blends] malt, wheat, and oats with pounds of Idaho 7, Strata, and Sabro hops.” Coming in at 6% ABV, Wintry Haze is a “a great winter seasonal addition . . . [that] embraces the haze and packs a massive wave of juicy hop flavor through a double dry-hopping process.”

“The winter season usually ushers in stouts and higher ABV winter warmer beers. The Wintry Haze IPA is a nice alternative to the typical winter offerings. The bold IPA is full of hoppy flavor with a smooth mouthfeel that’s as hazy as a winter whiteout.”
– Stephen Hale, Founding Brewer at Schlafly Beer

Wintry Haze IPA is rolling out now and is scheduled to hang around for a limited time during the winter months. You can expect to find this new Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Missouri, Tennessee and throughout the rest of Schlafly’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Wintry Haze IPA from Schlafly Beer

Release – Limited/Seasonal; launching late October 2020
Style – Hazy/Juicy India Pale Ale
ABV – 6%
IBUs – 15
Featured Hops – Idaho 7, Strata & Sabro
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.schlafly.com/beer-finder/

Burial Beer Co. Set to Release The Only Trail From Nowhere

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Burial Beer Co. (Asheville, North Carolina) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Bottle Release of The Only Trail From Nowhere, a trail mix-inspired Imperial Stout, at noon on Wednesday, October 28.

Meant to capture Burial’s “vision of the perfect trail companion,” The Only Trail From Nowhere is an Imperial Stout “made with Forestry Camp roasted Pecans, Peanuts, Cashews and Hazelnuts, alongside accompanying doses of dried wild Thai bananas and big fancy shredded coconut.” Coming in at substantial 15% ABV, The Only Trail From Nowhere supplies notes of “some crumbled German chocolate cake, fluffernutter cliff bars dipped in cashew butter and a sip of hazelnut macchiato with coconut milk cream.”

The Only Trail From Nowhere – available in 500ml bottles for $20 each – will be available for online presale for pickup at Burial Beer Co.’s Asheville taproom and Raleigh taproom at noon on October 28 (proxies are welcome). If any bottles survive the presale, the brewery will release those in their online shop for nationwide shipping on October 29 at noon. The Only Trail From Nowhere will not see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for The Only Trail From Nowhere from Burial Beer Co.

Release – Limited; October 28, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 15%
Added Ingredients – Roasted pecans, peanuts, cashews & hazelnuts, and dried wild Thai bananas & shredded coconut
Availability – 500ml bottles ($20 each)
Distribution – None. Brewery only

Hidden Springs Ale Works Releases The Devil In Time for Halloween

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Hidden Springs Ale Works (Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will continue its Tarot Series with the Limited Bottle Release of The Devil at 3 p.m. on Thursday, October 29.

Representative of the seductive power of “the material world and physical pleasures” and Hidden Springs finally giving in to “the tempting magic that is pumpkin,” The Devil is an Imperial Stout that mimics the experience of a “decadent, indulgent pumpkin cheesecake.” Arriving at the most appropriate of times, The Devil is “sinfully delightful when enjoyed under the full moon on All Hallows’ Eve.”

The Devil will release exclusively in the Taproom at Hidden Springs Ale Works (1631 N. Franklin St. | Tampa, Florida) at 3 p.m. on October 29. This Limited Release will NOT be available on the brewery’s website for pre-order. The Devil will cost $25 per 22 oz. bottles (limit of 2 bottles per person) and “when they’re gone, they’re gone.” Prost!

Vital Information for The Devil from Hidden Springs Ale Works

Release – Limited/Tarot Series; October 29, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – ???
Availability – 22 oz. bottle ($25 each)
Bottle Limit – 2 bottles per person
Distribution – None. Brewery only

Anderson Valley Brewing Co. Goes Big with Limited Release of Huge Arker

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Anderson Valley Brewing Company (Boonville, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Huge Arker, a massive Barrel-aged Imperial Stout, in late October 2020.

Back in a new-and-improved, super-sized form for 2020, Huge Arker is a blend of Bourbon barrel-aged Imperial Stouts “aged for a minimum of 12 months in oak.” Weighing in at a colossal 15.5% ABV, this “surprisingly drinkable” iteration of Huge Arker is perfect for “fall weather, the nuances of the 2020 holiday season, and prospective forced social events with occasional relatives.”

“It’s actually illegal in seven states,” remarked President Kevin McGee. “We looked it up.” A perennial favorite limited-release of the brewery, the current class of Huge Arker is “the Hugest Arker ever.” “Huge Arker now has more Arker than ever before” McGee continued. “So much Huge. The Hugeriest.”

Huge Arker is rolling out now and will be hanging around only as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Florida, California and throughout the rest of Anderson Valley’s nationwide distribution network (where it is legal, of course). Prost!

Vital Information for Huge Arker from Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Barrel Series; late October 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 15.5%
IBUs – 88
Malts – Pale Two-Row, Special B, Midnight Wheat & Chocolate
Hops – Northern Brewer
Suggested Pairings – “Oysters, braised short ribs, dark chocolate truffles, Gorgonzola, Aged Cheddar”
Recommended Glassware – Tulip or snifter
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://avbc.com/find-our-beer/

Highland Brewing Celebrates Winter with Return of Cold Mountain

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Highland Brewing (Asheville, North Carolina) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Cold Mountain, the brewery’s fan-favorite Spiced Winter Ale, during the weekend of Friday, November 6 through Sunday, November 8.

Returning once again to give beer lovers a “taste of the holidays in the Blue Ridge Mountains,” Cold Mountain is a Winter Warmer filled with “notes of vanilla, hazelnut, dark fruit, and cinnamon.” Coming in at 5.9% ABV, Cold Mountain is a full-flavored offering that you can easily enjoy all holiday season long.

“We started receiving messages in May asking about the dates for the Cold Mountain release,” said Nikki Mitchell, Highland’s Hospitality Director. “While this will not be the typical Cold Mountain experience, we are doing our best to make Cold Mountain magic.” Mitchell continued, “Our property will have themed spaces to encourage guests to spread out. Safety for our guests and staff is key. We have table seating in all venues. Guests must wear a mask any time they are not seated.”

The 2020 batch of Cold Mountain will debut at Highland Brewing with a ticketed weekend of socially distanced festivities spanning from November 6 to November 8. Pre-ordering of special Cold Mountain Beer Packs will continue at the brewery through November 14 and full distribution of Cold Mountain is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 15. You can expect to find Cold Mountain available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Highland Brewing’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Cold Mountain from Highland Brewing

Release – Limited; November 6, 2020
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 5.9%
IBUs – 28
Malts – 2-Row, Pilsen, Vienna, Chocolate, Wheat, Caramel 40 & Caramel 60
Hops – Cascade & Mount Hood
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft

Schlafly Coffee Stout Makes Seasonal Return in 16 oz. Cans

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Schlafly Beer (St. Louis, Missouri) has officially announced that it will begin the Seasonal Release of Coffee Stout, the brewery’s fan-favorite winter brew, in late October 2020.

Back for another Seasonal run and now available in 16 oz. cans, Coffee Stout is an English-style Stout that features French roast coffee beans from local St. Louis roaster, Kaldi’s Coffee. Coming in at 5.7% ABV, Coffee Stout possesses “earthy aromas of roasted barley and coffee to balance the stout’s sweetness.”

“Coffee Stout is one of our beers rooted in history and connection to the St. Louis community. It is very exciting to offer the beloved beer in cans this year. In our early beginnings, the staff of Kaldi’s Coffee would come to the Schlafly Tap Room and order a shot of espresso to accompany their pint of Oatmeal Stout. It didn’t take long for us to realize that coffee and stout were a match made in heaven,” says Founding Brewer Stephen Hale. “With rich flavor and silky character, this full-bodied beer is great to enjoy around a campfire or at a socially distanced gathering.”

Coffee Stout is rolling out now and will hang around throughout the winter months. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 12-packs of 16 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Missouri, Tennessee and throughout the rest of Schlafly’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Coffee Stout from Schlafly Beer

Release – Seasonal; returning late October 2020
Style – English-style Stout
ABV – 5.7%
IBUs – 30
Added Ingredients – French Roast Coffee from Kaldi’s Coffee
Fun Fact – “Schlafly’s Coffee Stout showcases a 25-year partnership with local St. Louis roaster, Kaldi’s Coffee. The brewery creates a cold toddy to extract the best qualities from Kaldi’s premium French roast beans before blending it with the stout to create a smooth, slightly sweet beer with notes of roasted barley, chocolate and coffee.”
Availability – 12-packs of 16 oz. cans, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.schlafly.com/beer-finder/