Mashing In

Cascade Brewing & Mikkeller Collaborate on Bean-to-Barrel Triple

Posted on May 7, 2019 by mashingin

Cascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon) has officially announced that it will release Bean-to-Barrel Triple, a Limited Release collaboration with Mikkeller (Copenhagen, Denmark), on May 10.

Meant to celebrate the “‘bean-to-bar’ chocolate-making method” of Bean Geeks Craft Chocolate in Copenhagen, Bean-to-Barrel “features a blend of barrel and foudre aged sour triple ales with toasted Oregon and French oak and a late infusion of cocoa nibs sourced from Bean Geeks.” Coming in at 9.4% ABV, Bean-to-Barrel Triple supplies its drinker with “aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla and toasted oak sugars combined with the light pear and citrus fruit notes of the sour triple.”

“We’ve had the great privilege to work with many amazing, cutting edge breweries on collaborative efforts in the past. Needless to say we jumped at the opportunity to work with Mikkeller, long considered to be an innovative force that pushes the boundaries of existing beer styles with intense flavor and ingredient combinations,” explained Norm Stokes, Cascade Brewing Cellar Manager. “Bean-to-Barrel Triple was born of this collaboration, and it was a memorable experience to work together to come up with a beer that incorporates the complexity of Oregon oak with the rich flavor of cocoa nibs sourced from Bean Geeks chocolate.”

Bean-to-Barrel Triple will officially debut in Cascade’s two Portland pubs on May 10 and is expected to enter distribution at or around that date as well. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 500ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Cascade Brewing’s distribution area. Bean-to-Barrel will also make its European debut on draft on May 10 at the Mikkeller Beer Celebration Copenhagen (MBCC) in Denmark. Prost!

Vital Information for Bean-to-Barrel Triple from Cascade Brewing & Mikkeller

Release – Limited; May 10, 2019
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 9.4%
Treatment – “A blend of barrel and foudre aged sour triple ales with toasted Oregon and French oak and a late infusion of cocoa nibs sourced from Bean Geeks Craft Chocolate in Copenhagen”
Fun Fact – On the collaboration: “The collaboration was conceived during a visit by Mikkeller in September 2018; Norm Stokes, Cascade Brewing Cellar Manager, and Kevin Martin, Cascade Brewing Director of Operations, met with Keith Shore, Jacob Gram Alsing, and Mikkel Borg Bjergsø of Mikkeller. Blended from triples aged on oak since 2017.”
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft

mikkeler 2 — *The creative team – representatives from both Cascade Brewing and Mikkeller – responsible for Bean-to-Barrel Triple. Photo Credit: Cascade Brewing*

Garage Brewing Co. Wins Three Medals at San Diego International Beer Competition

Posted on May 6, 2019June 6, 2019 by mashingin

Garage Brewing Co. (Temecula, California) has proudly announced that three of its craft beer offering have been awarded medals at the 2019 San Diego International Beer Competition.

Fresh off a six medal showing at the Los Angeles International Beer Competition, Garage Brewing Co. has now been notified that it will walk away from the San Diego International Beer Competition with the following three medals:

Gold Medal – Tangerine Deuce Coupe DIPA
Silver Medal – Hatch Chile IPA
Bronze Medal – Spiced Coconut Porter

“Our purpose is to make delicious beers of excellent quality and winning a medal(s) in such fierce competition, is awesome – mission accomplished.”

– Lou Kashmere, Garage Brewing Co’s Founder and CEO

Judging for the 2019 San Diego International Beer Competition took place on Friday, April 12 and Saturday, April 13. This year’s competition consisted of “nearly 1,500 entries from 260 breweries spanning the globe, competing in 57 style categories.” The submitted beers were “evaluated by select industry professionals and judges certified by the Beer Judge Certification Program in a closed, blind event.”

**UPDATE 5.20.19** The good news just keeps rolling in now that Garage Brewing Co. has also been awarded the following medals from the NorCal Brew Competition:

Gold Medal – Rancho Lager
Silver Medal – Classic Lager
Silver Medal – Toasted Marshmallow Milk Stout
Silver Medal – Sweet Orange Wit
Silver Medal – Garage Light Lager
Silver Medal – Naughty Scot
Honorable Mention – Blackcurrant Gose

These medals join the six medals Garage Brewing Co. recently earned at this year’s Los Angeles International Beer Competition and three at the San Diego International Beer Competition. Prost! **UPDATE 5.20.19**

Boulder Beer Co. Adds Perilous Prickly Pear Wheat to Seasonal Lineup

Posted on May 6, 2019 by mashingin

Boulder Beer Company (Boulder, Colorado) has officially announced that Perilous Prickly Pear Wheat will make its Seasonal debut in mid-May 2019.

Designed to be a “dangerously playful” option for summertime drinking, Perilous is a rose-colored American Wheat Ale “infused with the juice of the prickly pear cactus, imparting a light tart flavor and an uplifting finish.” Weighing in at just 5.1% ABV, the “light bodied and effervescent” Perilous is sure to get “your mouth watering at first glance.”

Perilous Prickly Pear Wheat will officially launch on May 10 with a release party at The Pub at Boulder Beer Company and distribution is expected to follow shortly after the on-site release. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Florida, Georgia, Colorado and throughout the rest of Boulder Beer Company’s distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for Perilous Prickly Pear Wheat from Boulder Beer Company

Release – Seasonal, May – September 2019
Style – American Wheat Ale
ABV – 5.1%
IBUs – 12
Malts – Pale Malt, Wheat Malt & Honey Malt
Hops – Tettnang
Added Ingredients – Prickly Pear Cactus Juice
Fun Fact – On the can design: “The colorful can illustration, created by Moxie Sozo in Boulder, Colorado, depicts a southwest scene of a cluster of prickly pear cacti in bloom, nestled in the midst of several sharp, spikey creatures. A desert wasp, a scorpion, a lizard, and even a cleverly hidden boot spur all pose a perilous situation and threaten the airy balloons floating overhead. The can design fits within Boulder Beer’s refreshed branding they launched last summer with new packaging designs for all of their beers and company logo.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://boulderbeer.com/beer-finder

Tasting Notes – Cider Edition: Pineapple Rosé from Portland Cider Company

Posted on May 3, 2019 by mashingin

For this special edition of Tasting Notes, we ride a refreshing, tropical wave into the weekend thanks to a few cans of Pineapple Rosé from Portland Cider Company (Clackamas, Oregon).

Crafted to give cider fans the opportunity to “rosé all day” this summer, Pineapple Rosé is a Hard Cider “bursting with fresh juicy pineapples” and rocking “a pretty in pink hue from a splash of Northwest-grown blueberries.” This refreshing combo produces a “fruity, tropical cider [that comes] in at 5.2% ABV and, much like the rosé wine it’s modeled after, is versatile with a variety of foods.”

Pineapple Rosé is available now and scheduled to hang around through August 2019. You can expect to find this new Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz cans, and on draft at cider-friendly establishments located within Portland Cider Company’s distribution footprint in Oregon and Washington.

Now that we are all a bit more familiar with this cider’s background information, let’s crack open a can or two, raise a glass to the weekend and get into these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Pineapple Rosé from Portland Cider Company

Appearance: Pineapple Rosé pours a peach-hued, light pink in color and is capped with a 1/4 finger of quickly dissolving fizzy bubbles. When held to direct light, the peach color deepens and gains vibrancy, creating a natural sepia tone. The cider is absolutely pristine in clarity and displays a highly energetic carbonation presence coursing within.

Aroma: The top-billed pineapple opens the aromatic profile with a gentle breeze of tropical fruitiness. The apples then settle in to support with a clean, semi-sweet cider character. The profile closes with a musty, vinous note – which has to be the added blueberries – that does a fantastic job of selling the Rosé wine-like experience beyond just a pink appearance.

Taste: The apples really assert themselves at the jump, setting a solid and balanced cider base. The pineapple is subtle, rising out of the apple’s sweetness to add a bit of a tropical tanginess and sweetness. This tropical quality is furthered by a welcomed grace of banana esters from the yeast. The blueberries are quite muted here, but they do add just a touch of balancing tartness at the finish.

Mouthfeel: On the lighter side of medium in body with a spritzy carbonation level, this cider comes across as super light and easy-drinking. On the palate, its lightly sweet, tangy and tart character finds an elegant balance, allowing it to finish nice and dry. At just 5.2%, the ABV is well hidden and does not surface at all in the profile. Fittingly, the aftertaste is all apple and pineapple.

Final Thoughts: Beautifully composed, Pineapple Rosé is one of the few mock Rosé offerings that we have encountered that actually lives up to its inspiration. Sure, just like the wine, it has a soft pink color and is incredibly approachable, easy-drinking and refreshing. It then goes a step further by playing with the wine’s sweet and dry characteristics and even somehow mimics vinous notes in the aroma to create a complete package that is ridiculously fresh and natural. The overall experience basically reads as though you are chasing a bite of an apple slice soaked in pineapple juice with a sip of a drier Rosé to lift and cut that sweetness. It is just gorgeous.

All in all, Pineapple Rosé is a stellar summertime sipper that will fit in perfectly at the brunch table or at the poolside. If you happen to run across it this summer, be sure to check out this tasty Seasonal cider while you have the chance. Prost!

Paulaner Brewery Adds 16.9 oz. Cans to its U.S. Portfolio

Posted on May 3, 2019 by mashingin

Paulaner USA (White Plains, New York), the U.S. importer of the legendary Paulaner Brewery portfolio and other premium beverage alcohol brands, has officially announced that it will launch 16.9 oz. cans of Paulaner Hefe-Weizen and Paulaner Original Munich Lager in the U.S. market in Spring 2019.

In an attempt to satisfy “growing consumer demand for packages that meet their unique and constantly evolving occasion expectations”, Paulaner Brewery has decided to innovate and adjust by placing two of its iconic offerings – Paulaner Hefe-Weizen and Paulaner Original Munich Lager – in “lightweight, easy to carry” 16.9 oz. cans that are “BPA free, unbreakable and designed to protect the flavor of the beer . . . from the negative effects of UV light and oxygen.” Since both offerings “strictly adhere to Germany’s Beer Purity Law, also known as the Reinheitsgebot”, this new packaging option is ideal for “preserving the authentic taste in the outdoors” and “[protecting] the standards by which all other beers are judged.”

If you happen to be unfamiliar with these classic brews, here are the full descriptions for Paulaner Hefe-Weizen and Paulaner Original Munich Lager (descriptions sourced directly from Paulaner USA’s press release):

Paulaner Hefe-Weizen – The #1 selling wheat beer in Germany, and a favorite around the world. This traditional unfiltered Hefe-Weizen is naturally cloudy and silky gold under a really strong head of foam. At first mouthful, some will detect a hint of banana aroma. Fine palates perceive trace of mango and pineapple and the balance between sweet and bitter. Overall, beer connoisseurs appreciate the incomparable flavor of Paulaner Hefe-Weizen for its perfectly balanced mix of aromas and refreshing taste. It’s a superb biergarten or outdoor drinking bier. ABV – 5.5%
Paulaner Original Munich Lager – A true classic with its clear and bright gold sparkling hue, crowned by a pure white head. A beer which always goes down smoothly: mild, elegant malts, with a hint of sweetness and a soft hint of hops in the back note. This Munich beer is ideal to accompany spare ribs and spicy dishes. ABV – 4.9%

“We are thrilled to launch our products in cans as we continue to find ways to satisfy the needs of our consumers and allow them to enjoy our product without comprising flavor. What’s more, with the product now available in cans is current and prospective Paulaner fans can now drink a real Bavarian brew in places that may restrict glass bottles. This includes venues like concerts, golf courses, beaches or even biergartens, to name a few.

The combination of our outstanding beer in a high quality can provides the best of both worlds to consumers. The cans perfectly reflect our traditional heritage to appeal to both long-time Paulaner fans as well as a whole new generation. They also are environmentally friendly and easier to recycle than glass, a consideration that is more important today than ever.”

– Steve Hauser, President/CEO of Paulaner USA

16.9 oz. cans of Paulaner Hefe-Weizen and Paulaner Original Munich Lager are rolling out now and will have Year-Round availability. You can expect to find both of these offerings – with additional availability in bottles and on draft – at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Paulaner USA’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

American Homebrewers Association Celebrates National Homebrew Day with AHA Big Brew

Posted on May 2, 2019May 2, 2019 by mashingin

The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) will celebrate National Homebrew Day by partnering with over 300 breweries, homebrew shops, and beer clubs around the world on Saturday, May 4 for the 22^nd annual celebration of Big Brew.

Recognized as being “the largest annual gathering of homebrewers with an anticipated attendance of over 5,000 people” in 2019, the AHA Big Brew event gives homebrewers – of any skill set – from all over the country and world the chance to get together with other homebrewers in their area to network and brew a beer. The official Big Brew recipes for 2019 are the TransAtlantic Blonde Ale from Simple Homebrewing (the upcoming Brewers Publications title) and Battlecow Galacticose New England IPA from Providence Brewing Company.

Although each Big Brew location (click here to view the interactive map and find a site in your area) will have a unique schedule of activities throughout the day, it is guaranteed that all official locations “will feature brewing demonstrations, and opportunities to learn about the greatest hobby in the world – homebrewing!” The event will also feature a simultaneous, worldwide toast to homebrewing at 1 p.m. ET.

The craft beer movement as we know it today would not have been possible without the dedicated and curious homebrewers that eventually took a dream and a hobby to the next level by opening a brewery. The craft that is homebrewing and those devoted to it deserve our respect and should be celebrated. Whether you are an avid homebrewer or a just a craft beer lover that is interested in learning more about the hobby, make sure that you do what you can to attend an official Big Brew event or a locally organized backyard party to brew up one (or both) of the featured Big Brew beers and raise a glass to art of homebrewing on Saturday, May 4. Prost!

Terrapin Beer Co. & Miller High Life Collaborate on Hoppin’ Bubbly Brut IPA

Posted on May 2, 2019 by mashingin

Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that the Special Release of Hoppin’ Bubbly, a Brut IPA brewed in collaboration with Miller High Life (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), will begin in select markets in May 2019.

One evening while the crew at Terrapin Beer Co. was kicking around ideas for their next Collaboration project, a member of the team light-heartedly mentioned who better to brew a Brut IPA – a new style of India Pale Ale “known for [its] dry finish, and champagne-like effervescence – with than ‘The Champagne of Beers’, Miller High Life? After a few phone calls, that suggestion made in joking became a reality and Hoppin’ Bubbly was born.

Hoppin’ Bubbly is a Brut IPA that features “the classic malt bill from ‘The Champagne of Beers'” and a hop bill boasting four varietals – Cascade, Amarillo, Citra and Mosaic – that reflects “Terrapin’s affinity for IPAs.” Thanks to “innovative brewing and dry hopping techniques”, Hoppin’ Bubbly (6.5% ABV, 26 IBUs) offers its drinker “a crisp, bone-dry finish and an aromatic hop profile.”

Hoppin’ Bubbly officially debuted in Terrapin’s Tasting Room in Athens, Georgia on May 1 and distribution is expected to follow shortly after the on-site release. Available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft, this Limited Release offering will only be distributed in Georgia and Wisconsin, the home states of both breweries, for the time being. If Terrapin decides to expand distribution of Hoppin’ Bubbly, we will be sure to update this post with that information just as soon as we get it. Prost!

Vital Information for Hoppin’ Bubbly Brut IPA from Terrapin Beer Co. & Miller High Life

Release – Special/Limited, May 2019
Style – Brut India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.5%
IBUs – 26
Malts – Moravian, Flaked Corn & Flaked Rye
Hops – Cascade, Amarillo, Citra & Mosaic
Suggested Food Pairings – “Blue Cheese or Sharp Cheddar. Sausage, Tenderloin, or Terrine”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia & Wisconsin only
Beer Finder – https://terrapinbeer.com/beer-finder/

Lagunitas Brewing Company Introduces Lagur Summer Lager

Posted on May 2, 2019 by mashingin

Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California) has officially announced that Lagur, a Limited Release Summer Lager, is releasing now and will be available throughout the months of Summer 2019.

Designed to be a go-to “libation for lazing away the Spring and Summer days”, Lagur is a Summer-themed Lager filled with “some super-special Loral 291 hops, giving it a floral and herbal zing.” Coming in at an easy-drinking 5% ABV and 30 IBUs, Lagur promises to be a “light and crispy” option that will be “perfect wherever beer goes, whenever beer goes!”

Lagur is rolling out now and will stick around through September 2019. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Illinois, Washington and throughout the rest of Lagunitas Brewing Company’s vast distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Lagur from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Release – Limited, late April – September 2019
Style – Undisclosed Lager style
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 30
Featured Hops – Loral 291
Availability – 12-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://lagunitas.com/beer-finder

Iron Fist Brewing Enters May with Small Batch Release of Sol del Barrio Mexican Lager

Posted on May 1, 2019 by mashingin

Iron Fist Brewing Company (Vista, California) has officially announced that it will recognize Cinco de Mayo with the fourth release in its Small Batch Experiments Series, Sol del Barrio Mexican Lager.

Inspired by a Tom Garcia’s – Brewmaster at Iron Fist – recent “beer exploration trip to Tijuana, Mexico”, Sol del Barrio is a Mexican-style Lager that takes its “cue from [Mexico’s] European side of influence . . . and casts aside any preconceptions of a pale liquid and slice of lime.” To prove that it is “truly a testament to the diversity of Mexican Lagers”, Sol del Barrio (5.5% ABV) “pours clear and copper with a touch of red hue” and offers its drinker “a touch of malty sweetness, followed by a pleasant breadyness and a low bitter finish with Nobel hop overtones.”

“Mexican Lagers all really had such variation. The color, the flavor, it seemed there were lots of perspectives and strands forming the idea of Mexican Lager. We could get beers ranging from pale straw to deep amber in color with flavor profiles ranging from a classic pilsner to a bold, malty full bodied lager.

Family, friends, food, and a few delicious Mexican Lagers meant all was well in the world. I can still remember eating Nopales (cactus) and fish tacos, something I try to replicate as often as possible at home in California. Our Mexican lager is basically a tribute to the beautiful beers being made just south of the border. I’m very excited to have brewed a 12oz vacation! Now all I need is a plate of tacos.”

– Tom Garcia, Brewmaster at Iron Fist Brewing Company, reflecting on his trip Tijuana, Mexico and the inspiration behind Sol del Barrio

A sneak peek of Sol del Barrio will take place at the Padres Beerfest at Petco Park on May 3. The official draft release of Sol del Barrio will begin on Saturday, May 4 and a limited-edition run of 500 12 oz. cans “will be announced shortly thereafter, via Iron Fist’s social media channels.” This Small Batch offering will be available “exclusively in Iron Fist’s Vista and Barrio Logan taprooms, with a small amount pouring at the Iron Fist SuperCart at Petco Park.” Prost!

Vital Information for Sol del Barrio from Iron Fist Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Small Batch Experiments Series, May 2019
Style – Mexican-style Lager
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 22
Fun Fact – On the brewing history of Mexico: “After the Mexican War of Independence ended in 1821, German and Austrian immigrants, then from the Austro-Hungarian Empire allegedly began emigrating in droves to what is today Texas, but was then Mexico, bringing with them a rich old European tradition of brewing, unknown to Mexico. While the history of Mexican Lager has meandered since, this older European influence brought with it techniques that still survive in small, independent amounts today.”
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – None. Available exclusively in Iron Fist’s Vista and Barrio Logan taprooms

LOKO Cuisine & Crooked Thumb Brewery Team Up to Host Stuck On You Eggs & Kegs Brunch

Posted on May 1, 2019 by mashingin

On Sunday, May 19 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine will steer its Eggs & Kegs road trip out to Crooked Thumb Brewery (Safety Harbor, Florida) to host a Mexican-style brunch event that that they are calling Stuck On You.

Since May tends to be a month when folks indulge a bit more in Mexican-style cuisine and beer styles, LOKO Cuisine has decided to run with that theme by throwing a brunch-time fiesta at Crooked Thumb Brewery. This special Eggs & Kegs event will feature the following four-course brunch (served buffet-style):

For the “kegs” portion of this brunch, Crooked Thumb will be tapping a special keg of Sneaky Peach, a margarita-inspired Floridaweisse with peach and basil. If you happen to be in the mood for a more brunch-focused beverage, the brewery will also be serving its take on the beer-mosa and Michelada.

In addition to the tasty eats and refreshing brews, this Eggs & Kegs event will also act as a pop-up shop featuring succulent and cactus arrangements from the crew at Stuck On You (the honored namesake of the event). Acho Brother will also be on-site to set the atmosphere with “his smooth acoustic Latin folk melodies.”

Tickets for Stuck On You: Eggs & Kegs are available now for $32.55 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the four-course brunch and one cerveza, beer-mosa or Michelada. Physical tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to a paid list once the purchase process is completed. FYI: Everyone in your party will have to check in under the purchaser’s name at the door.

If you have been looking for the perfect excuse to feast and fiesta this month, you are going to find it at Stuck On You: Eggs & Kegs at Crooked Thumb Brewery on May 19. Just be sure to touch base with your brunch crew now and lock down those tickets soon because LOKO Cuisine events tend to sell out. Prost!