SweetWater Brewing makes Hash Session year-round, releases Hash Brown as seasonal

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IMG_4578 (Large)SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) recently announced the return of two hop hash laden brews, Hash Session India Pale Ale and Hash Brown Hop Hash Infused India Brown Ale.

First up in this hop hash bonanza is Hash Session IPA.  This offering debuted in spring as a seasonal release, but massive popularity and rave reviews has SweetWater Brewing bringing it back as their newest year-round brew.  This 4.2% ABV, sessionable IPA has a light base of malts – Maris Otter, Pilsner, Wheat & Midnight Wheat – to allow the impressive hop bill – Bravo hops & Amarillo hop hash, then dry hopped with Ahtanum, El Dorado & Crystal – to have the full attention of your palate.  This hop treatment provides aromas and flavors of tropical citrus, light spice, floral goodness, and some “pear and watermelon characteristics.”

Hash Session IPA is available now in cans thanks to SweetWater’s Fall Variety Pack.  This offering will then become available throughout the brewery’s distribution area at the end of the month in the following packaging options: 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, (NEW!) 15-packs of 12 oz. cans, 12-pack of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.

Hash Brown Hop Hash Infused India Brown Ale returns as the fall installment of the Catch & Release Series, SweetWater Brewing’s lineup of fantastic seasonal brews.  This beer changes any impressions you had of the Brown Ale style by taking a chocolate and caramel malt base and then dosing it heavily with resiny, citrusy hops.  Aggressive hop qualities are balanced by the perfect level of malt sweetness to provide you with an absolutely amazing drinking experience.  Hash Brown weighs in at 6.2% ABV and 60 IBUs.

Hash Brown is also rolling out in cans now in the Fall Variety Pack with plenty more packaging options to follow by the end of August.  Look for this limited seasonal to be available in Alabama, Florida and throughout SweetWater’s distribution footprint in the following packages: 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft.  Hash Brown will be available through October.

Lovers of lupulin, you now have the information you need to get your hop hash fix.  Keep an eye on those craft beer shelves and taps to get your hands on some Hash Session IPA and Hash Brown beginning this month.  Prost!

Vital Information on Hash Session IPA from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Year-round starting in August
ABV – 4.2%
IBUs – 55
Hops – Bravo & Amarillo Hop Hash.  Dry Hop: Ahtanum, El Dorado & Crystal
Malts – Maris Otter, Pilsner, Wheat & Midnight Wheat
Packaging – 6 pack 12 oz bottles, 15 pack (new!) 12 oz cans, carton 12 oz bottles, in Fall Variety Packs, and on draft

Vital Information on Hash Brown Hop Hash Infused India Brown Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, August to October
ABV – 6.2%
IBUs – 60
Hops – Mandarina Bavaria, Bravo, Hop Hash, Simcoe & Centennial
Malts – 2-Row, Wheat, Pale Chocolate, Cara-Brown & Midnight Wheat
Packaging – 6 pack 12 oz bottles, case 12 oz bottles, 12 oz cans in Fall Variety Pack only, and on draft

 

Great Divide Brewing announces return of Samurai Rice Ale

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samuraicanGreat Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) announced this week that Samurai Rice Ale will make its triumphant return to the brewery’s portfolio beginning this month.

Back by popular demand, Great Divide Brewing Company has officially revived the previously retired, fan-favorite Samurai Rice Ale.  The difficult decision to honorably retire Samurai was made back in 2012 to make room for Colette Farmhouse Ale and Nomad Pilsner on the year-round brewing schedule. As the name so aptly implies, Samurai is an ale made with rice to create a “slightly fruity, crisp, refreshing element to this unfiltered ale, creating a light, easy-going beer suitable for the peaceful warrior.”  Not only is the noble Samurai coming out of retirement, but this 5.5% ABV ale is officially back as the brewery’s latest year-round offering.

Samurai Rice Ale is rolling out in cans in Colorado only right now, but this offering is available on draft throughout the brewery’s national distribution.  Six-packs of 12 oz. cans will make it to Alabama, Florida and the rest of Great Divide’s national distribution area by the start of 2017.  Be sure to revisit this beloved classic whenever and wherever you happen upon it.  Prost!

Vital Information on Samurai Rice Ale from Great Divide Brewing Company

Release – 12 oz. cans: now in Colorado, the rest of the country to follow at start of 2017. Draft: throughout the brewery’s distribution area now.  
Availability – Year-round
ABV – 5.5%
Words of Warning to the Gluten Intolerant – “Though it is a Rice Ale, it is not Gluten-Free. We still use barley in the recipe.”

The Unknown Brewing Co. set to release Bright Ass Tank Top Gose

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BrightAssLimesUnknownThe Unknown Brewing Co. (Charlotte, North Carolina) announced on Tuesday that they will soon be releasing Bright Ass Tank Top Rum Barrel-aged Key Lime Gose.

Bright Ass Tank Top starts with the wildly popular base of the Gose, a German style that is “generally light in color with a blend of barley and wheat and then lightly soured for a dry tart finish.”  This Gose was later introduced to some fresh key limes and fine sea salt, and then the beer took a three-month rest in 15-year-old Nicaraguan Rum barrels. 4.1% ABV + key limes + Rum barrel-aging = quite possibly the perfect beer to finish off the summer.

“When I smelled these barrels I instantly thought of relaxing on a beach in the sun with something refreshing and light, and I also thought about being a Pirate but sometimes my mind wanders,” said Head Brewer Brad Shell.

Bright Ass Tank Top will officially release in about two weeks with distribution in North Carolina, South Carolina and Atlanta, Georgia.  **UPDATE** Details on the official release have surfaced.  Bright Ass Tank Top will be available starting this weekend and will then see distribution beginning next week (Monday, September 5) **UPDATE** You can find this limited offering in 16 oz. 4-packs and limited draft.  Prost!

Vital Information on Bright Ass Tank Top from The Unknown Brewing Co.

Style – Gose, Aged 3 months in 15-year-old Rum Barrels
Release – limited: Taproom release weekend of September 3, Distribution beginning week of Monday, September 5
Packaging – 16 oz. 4-packs, limited draft
ABV – 4.1%

Stone Brewing marks 20th Anniversary with Citracado IPA

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citracado_hero_webTo recognize quite the milestone, Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) has announced the release of Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA this week.

With two decades of celebrated craft brewing experience in the books, the folks at Stone Brewing believe they have the perfect beer in Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA to mark such an occasion.  The name “Citracado” not only references the featured ingredients in this beer – Citra hops in the dry hop stage and native avocado flower honey -, but it also “pays homage to the [Citracado Parkway] on which the flagship brewery is located (“which itself is a tribute to the citrus and avocado agricultural history of the region”).  This unique recipe creates “dominant orange and floral aromatics that transcend into the overall flavor and are perfectly balanced by avocado flower honey and a strong malt backbone.”  Be sure to sip and savor this one because this bad boy comes in at a sizable 9% ABV.

“Thanks to the incredible support from our fans, we have been able to do what we do for the last 20 years while upholding our rugged independence and core company philosophies,” said Stone CEO & co-founder Greg Koch. “We’re excited to close in on two full decades of high-quality brewing, and Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA is our special way of saying thank you to all craft beer supporters. Cheers to what the future holds for true craft!”

As an added anniversary gift to their fans, Stone Brewing is also rebrewing Stone 5th Anniversary IPA, Stone 10th Anniversary IPA and Stone 15th Anniversary Escondidian Imperial Black IPA.  These landmark and fan-favorite IPAs will be available exclusively alongside Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA in the Stone Anniversary IPA Collection four-pack beginning the week of September 12.

Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA officially rolls out on August 8 in Alabama, Florida and throughout Stone Brewing Co.’s national distribution footprint.  This very limited offering will be available on draft and in 22 oz. bottles for the initial release and then again in the Stone Anniversary IPA Collection four-pack in September.  If you are a fan of amazing and innovative IPAs, you need to track down some Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA because these Anniversary IPAs rarely disappoint.  Prost!

Vital Information on Stone 20th Anniversary Citracado IPA from Stone Brewing Co.

Style – Double India Pale Ale
Release – August 8
Availability – Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft
ABV – 9%
IBUs – 80
Hops – Nugget, El Dorado, Centennial, and, of course, lots of Citra!
Distribution – AL, FL, AK, 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 and Puerto Rico

Heavy Seas Beer prepares for return of The Great’er Pumpkin

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HSBGreatERPumpBottleHeavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) announced this week that The Great’er Pumpkin Bourbon Barrel-aged Pumpkin Ale will return to shelves in September.

For the 2016 release of The Great’er Pumpkin, this offering returns to Heavy Seas Beer’s Uncharted Waters Series in all its beloved Barrel-aged Pumpkin Ale glory.  The Great’er Pumpkin presents itself as “a rich, deep burnished orange color” and is absolutely loaded with aromatic and flavor notes of “cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and clove . . . British crystal malt, brown sugar, and pumpkin.”  The Bourbon barrel-aging rounds off this 10% ABV ale with added “notes of oak, vanilla, and bourbon.”

This limited offering will become officially available in September and will hang around through October (while supplies last).  The Great’er Pumpkin will be found in 22 oz. bottles in Alabama, Florida and throughout the 17 state distribution area of Heavy Seas.  If Pumpkin Ales are your thing, this is one that should not be missed.  Prost!

Vital Information on The Great’er Pumpkin from Heavy Seas Beer

Style – Bourbon Barrel-aged Pumpkin Ale
Availability – Limited, 22 oz. bottles
ABV – 10%
IBUs – 20
Hops – Mt Hood
Malts – Pale, Wheat & Crystal
Distribution – AL, FL, CT, DC, DE, GA, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI & VA

Green Man Brewery releases seasonal Harvester Ale

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GreenManHarvesterbottleGreen Man Brewery (Asheville, North Carolina) recently announced the return of Harvester Ale as the brewery’s latest seasonal release.

To mark the impending arrival of autumn, Green Man Brewery is preparing its fan base for dropping temperatures with this year’s release of Harvester Ale.  This offering is the brewery’s “unique interpretation of the classic German Märzen.” With a base of caramel & toasted malts and a hop bill comprised of Magnum & Palisade hops, this recipe creates an amber colored ale that is “rustic and approachable” with lightly sweet notes balanced by just the right amount of those earthy and spicy hops.

Harvester Ale starts hitting shelves this month with availability in 12 oz. bottles.  Look for this one to turn up at craft beer-friendly establishments in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia.  Be sure to check it out when you see it.  Prost!

Vital Information for Harvester Ale from Green Man Brewery

Style – German Märzen
Release – August
Packaging – 12 oz. bottles
ABV – 6.0%
IBUs – 30
Distribution – Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee & Georgia

Fort Collins Brewery set to release Oktoberfest

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FTCollinsOFest2Fort Collins Brewery (Fort Collins, Colorado) recently announced that their 2016 release of Oktoberfest will start hitting shelves and taps on August 11.

Fresh off its gold medal win in the Dortmunder/German-Style Oktoberfest category at last year’s Great American Beer Festival, Fort Collins Brewery’s (FCB) Oktoberfest is ready to make its seasonal return for the third year in a row.  This offering was brewed to be a truly authentic Oktoberfest by utilizing only German ingredients and “a single decoction mash to achieve a super traditional malt profile.”  Oktoberfest weighs in at 6% ABV and sports ” a smooth balance of rich malts and noble hops that provide a delicate herbal and spicy bouquet of aromas.”  In addition to rocking that new gold medal hardware, this year’s release of Oktoberfest will also have some sweet new packaging thanks to being the first FCB Seasonal to become available in cans.

“We’ve had tremendous change this year with our recipes, artwork, and packaging,” said FCB and Modern Tavern Owner and General Manager Tina Peters. “With the release of Oktoberfest, we’re paying homage to our roots and our passion for brewing German styles.”

FCB Oktoberfest will become officially available in Florida and throughout the Fort Collins Brewery distribution area on Thursday, August 11.  Look for this one on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans. Prepare yourself because this is just the first of many Oktoberfest releases that I will be letting you know about over the next few weeks.  Prost!

Vital Information on Oktoberfest from Fort Collins Brewery

Availability – Seasonal, August 11 release
ABV – 6%
IBUs – 24
SRM – 7
Packaging – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & kegs

Tasting Notes: Sublime Citrus Wit from Starr Hill Brewery

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StarrHillSublimeTasting Notes is back in regular rotation and this week we are going to take a look at Sublime Citrus Wit from Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia).

Sublime Citrus Wit comes to us by way of Starr Hill Brewery’s new Heavy Rotation Series, a series that provides a fresh look at non-IPA styles by utilizing “really interesting new yeast strains, additives and processes.”  Sublime is rocking Belgian Witbier yeast, Saaz hops, and 2-Row & Wheat malts, but this brew gets its twist thanks to freshly zested lemons and limes.  To pair with this Witbier, Starr Hill also compiles a playlist to enjoy with this and all Heavy Rotation brews.  To access the playlist and more information on Sublime Citrus Wit, click here.  Sublime is available on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles now and will be hanging around through the month of August. Look for this one at select craft beer establishments in Alabama and throughout Starr Hill’s distribution footprint.  Now that we have those particulars covered, it is time to track down a bottle opener and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Sublime Citrus Wit from Starr Hill Brewery

Appearance: Sublime Citrus Wit pours a very pale, hay-like golden in color.  Held to the light, the yellow hues brighten and gain vibrancy to achieve an almost sunshine quality.  The body is lightly cloudy, but not by any means opaque.  A sizable and lively carbonation level is on display throughout the body.  The initial pour supplied almost a finger of loose, pristine white foam that falters quickly to the thinnest of rings.  That ring of head does what it can to leave what lace is possible, but it only provides minimal spotting.

Aroma: The Belgian Wit character is certainly present in the aromatics for sure.  The fruity and lightly spicy Belgian yeast kicks things off here.  Wheat maltiness lends some sweetness, but it is countered quickly by the unquestionably clear notes of real lemon and lime.  An earthy hop presence is muted and merely here to lend support and balance to that lemon-lime character.  This beer just billows a sense of refreshment.

Taste: The flavors first up to the plate are those incredibly pronounced qualities of lemon and lime.  The citrus is huge, but somehow not overwhelming every aspect of the flavor.  It is just clean, impossibly clear and distinct, and offers up just a touch of zing.  This shifts effortlessly into the Belgian Wit base of spice, coriander and Belgian yeast goodness.  In keeping with the idea of what one would expect from a “sessionable Witbier”, the malt sweetness and hop bitterness remains light and wonderfully on point.

Mouthfeel: This beer is very light in body with a crisp, bright carbonation level.  Coming in at just 4.7% ABV, any and all alcohol presence is seemingly nonexistent.  Ridiculously clean on the palate, Sublime dries out easily and almost immediately.  The aftertaste is all lemon and lime.

Final Thoughts: Could it be the best of both worlds here?  Sublime Citrus Wit has a firm foothold in the Belgian Wit style, but it absolutely has all the citrus (lemon and lime in this example) and refreshing qualities that are synonymous with American-made “session beers” these days.   It may not be the most dynamic beer that Starr Hill Brewery has released lately, but that is not saying it is without complexity.  With that said, a sessionable brew should focus more on drinkability and clean flavors over a crazy amount of complex qualities that aggressively challenge your senses.  A beer such as this one is all about sipping while relaxing after a day out in the summer’s heat.  If that is the goal, Sublime Citrus Wit certainly walks that walk with ease.  Overall, this is a fantastically presented beer and a great drinking experience.  Prost!

 

Pair O’ Dice Brewing to hold taproom release for The Great Nelson Motato

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PODLogoPair O’ Dice Brewing Company (4400 118th Avenue North, Suite 208, Clearwater, Florida) recently announced that they will be hosting a draft release for The Great Nelson Motato Double Pale Ale on Friday, August 5 at 4 p.m.

To mark the first beer release for Assistant Brewer Dominique Eva Erwin, Pair O’ Dice Brewing will be featuring The Great Nelson Motato Double Pale Ale on the taproom’s tap wall on Friday.  The name of this offering is an homage to The Great Mutato, the monster in Dominique’s favorite X-Files episode called The Post-Modern Prometheus (Season 5/Episode 5).  This Double Pale Ale weighs in at 7.4% ABV and was brewed with Nelson Sauvin and Motueka hops.  This hop treatment should yield an aromatic and flavor profile that is bursting with tropical fruits and a lovely complexity reminiscent of white wine grape notes.

While you explore all that The Great Nelson Motato has to offer, you can also enjoy a wonderful pairing of bratwurst from Brats Sensation (on-site at the taproom from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.).  The beer starts pouring at 4 p.m. on Friday, so get there early to sip on this special limited release from Dominique and Pair O’ Dice Brewing Company.  Prost!

Avondale Brewing to add Spring Street Saison to lineup of cans

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AvondaleSSScansAvondale Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) announced earlier this week that Spring Street Saison will soon be available in 12 oz. cans.

Coming in as the fourth beer to make it to cans from the brewery (joining Battlefield India Pale Ale, Mill City White Belgian Wit, and Vanillaphant Porter), Avondale Brewing’s flagship Spring Street Saison will soon be delighting craft beer fans with canned convenience.  This truly fantastic Saison is brewed with a “proprietary house yeast, a 4 malt blend and traditional Slovenian hops.”  Although it may come in at a sizeable 7.2% ABV, Spring Street Saison’s delightfully easy drinking ways will be welcomed in any cooler found at the lake, river or beach.

There is no word on the exact date these cans will hit shelves in Alabama, but you can still find Spring Street Saison in bottles and on draft until the official release of this new packaging option.  Once the information is released, I will update you with that info here.  Stay tuned.  Prost!

Vital Information on Spring Street Saison from Avondale Brewing Company

Style – Belgian-style Farmhouse Ale
Availability – Year-round
ABV – 7.2%
IBUs – 18