B. Nektar Begins Limited Release of Shadow Thicket Honey Wine

Posted on by mashingin

ShadowThickettB. Nektar (Ferndale, Michigan) has officially announced that it will introduce Shadow Thicket as its newest Limited Release offering in late January 2020.

Shadow Thicket is a Wildflower Honey Mead that features “bold, tart black currant [complemented] by ripe raspberry character and subtle honey bitterness.” Coming in at 14.3% ABV, Shadow Thicket is “full-bodied with bright acidity and mouth-watering sweet, tart finish.”

Shadow Thicket is available now in B. Nektar’s Taproom and is scheduled to enter distribution on February 1, 2020.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 375ml bottles and on draft at select mead-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of B. Nektar’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Shadow Thicket from B. Nektar

Release – Limited; late January/early February 2020
Style – Mead
ABV – 14.3%
Featured Ingredients – Wildflower honey, raspberry & black currant
Suggested Food Pairings – “Cheeses/Bread: Ruchese cheese like goat cheese, Serra da Estrella (sheep’s milk), a Cremoulin Boite, or Gorgonzola | Seafood/Meat: A rich smoked salmon dish, any red meat dishes, or dark meat poultry dishes. Thai or spicy entrees will pair amazingly with this mead | Pasta/Salads: Pairs well with creamy pasta dishes and Ceaser salads | Desserts: Chocolate anything! Cheesecakes”
Availability – 375ml bottles & draft
Mead Finder – http://www.bnektar.com/find-us/

 

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B. Nektar Adds New Wave Lemonade to Year-Round Lineup

Posted on by mashingin

BNektarlogoB. Nektar (Ferndale, Michigan) has officially announced that it will add New Wave Lemonade to its Year-Round portfolio in December 2019.

Following Punk Lemonade as B. Nektar’s latest lemonade-themed offering, New Wave Lemonade is a Mead made with blueberry and lemon.  Light magenta in appearance, New Wave Lemonade (6.4% ABV) is filled with “sweet blueberry and creamy honey followed by notes of blueberry skin and tart lemon.”

New Wave Lemonade will release in B. Nektar’s Taproom on December 14 and is scheduled to enter distribution shortly after the on-site release.  You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering available in 500ml bottles and on draft at mead-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of B. Nektar’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for New Wave Lemonade from B. Nektar

Release – Year-Round; launching December 2019
Style – Mead
ABV – 6.4%
Added Ingredients – Blueberry & lemon
Suggested Food Pairings – “Brie & goat cheese, chicken salad, pan-sauteed cod with dill, lemon basil pasta, cornbread or sausage stuffing, lemon pound cake, blueberry buckle.”
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft

TBBW 2019 Event: Hangover Day – Donuts & Dessert at 7venth Sun Brewery

Posted on by mashingin

7venthSunLogoBoth7venth Sun Brewery (Dunedin & Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will put the finishing touches on Tampa Bay Beer Week (TBBW) by hosting its 7th Annual Hangover Day: Donuts & Dessert on Sunday, March 10 at the brewery’s Tampa and Dunedin locations.

Organized to give Tampa Bay Beer Week attendees one last hurrah before they have to return to reality, 7venth Sun’s Hangover Day 2019 will end things on sweet note by taking on the theme of “Donuts and Dessert”.  Considering that this event is jam-packed with a plethora of donut and/or dessert-themed beers, guest brewers, and even a special bottle release, we think the best move here is to just break the whole thing down and give you all the details in a format that is both easy to read and navigate.  So . . . let’s get to it!

The Basics

What – Hangover Day 2019: Donuts & Dessert
When – Noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, March 10
Where – 7venth Sun Brewery – Tampa |6809 N Nebraska Ave | Tampa, Florida AND 7venth Sun Brewery – Dunedin | 1012 E Broadway Ave | Dunedin, Florida

Guest Breweries

It is not a proper Hangover Day unless you get to suffer/celebrate with your friends, so 7venth Sun has invited representatives from the following breweries to hangout during the event:

The Tap Lists

The Hangover Day tap lists at both 7venth Sun locations will be absolutely massive and loaded down with a ridiculous amount of rare, tasty treats from 7venth Sun and those guest breweries mentioned above.  Here’s how the tap lists are looking at this time (all beers are 7venth Sun offering unless otherwise indicated):

Beers Available at Both 7venth Sun Locations

  • Cigar City Brewing | Donut Hunahpu’s
  • My Everything – Berliner with Blueberry, Blackberry, Raspberry, Lactose & Vanilla
  • Infinity & Jelly Donuts Berliner – Raspberry, Donuts & Vanilla
  • After School Special – Rice Krispy Treat Berliner
  • Skittlez – Berliner with Skittles Candy
  • Strawberry Shortcake Berliner
  • D’Artagnan – Milk Stout with 3 Musketeers Candy
  • Blackberry Lime Puff Berliner
  • Sour Patch Adults – Berliner with Sour Patch Kids Candy
  • Sprinkelz Donut Imperial Sweet Stout
  • Eat Your Cocoa Nibs – Bourbon Barrel -aged Imperial Stout with Cacao and Toasted Coconut
  • Double Chocolate Chip Flapjack – Imperial Sweet Stout with Cacao, Maple, Vanilla, Lactose and aged on Cypress Wood
  • Loco for the Coco – Imperial Sweet Stout with Cacao, Toasted Coconut and Lactose
  • Pecan Cheesecake Berliner
  • Bun Bar Stout – Imperial Sweet Stout with Pecan, Vanilla & Maple
  • Public Love – Mango Key-Lime Pie Wheat
  • Carrot Cake Belgian Seasonal with Carrot Cake, Allspice, Nutmeg & Brown Sugar
  • Chocolate Covered Orange Milk Stout
  • Mole con Cacahuetes – Imperial Sweet Stout with Peanut, Cacao, Chilies, Allspice, Cinnamon & Lactose
  • Raspberry Pistachio Imperial Sweet Stout
  • Guava, Key-lime Pie Berliner
  • The Upside Down – Belgian Golden Ale with Pineapple, Cherry & Vanilla
  • Chocolate Covered Strawberry Berliner
  • Monkey Wrecked – Bananas Foster Berliner
  • XOXOXOXO – Tequila Barrel Aged Imperial Sweet Stout with Coffee and Vanilla. 

Beers Available at 7venth Sun’s Tampa Location Only 

  • Calusa Brewing | Rollin’ Out – Cinnamon Roll Imperial Sweet Stout (Collaboration with Hidden Springs Ale Works)
  • Free Will Brewing Co. | Chocolate Coconut Ralphius – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
  • Reve Brewing | What the French Toast – Imperial Stout with Coffee, Cinnamon, Maple & Vanilla
  • Central State Brewing | Raspberry – Raspberry Lactose Sour
  • Late Start Brewing | TBA
  • B. Nektar Meadery | Believe – Apple Mead with Orange Blossom Honey

Beers Available at 7venth Sun’s Dunedin Location Only

  • B. Nektar Meadery | Wildberry Pyment

 

Bottle Release

Hangover Day 2019 will also act as the bottle release for XOXOXOXO, a Tequila Barrel-aged Sweet Stout with Vanilla and Coffee.  Bottles of XOXOXOXO will be available for purchase at both 7venth Sun locations.  More info to come on pricing and bottle limits.

Alright, that should cover all the information currently available for Hangover Day 2019 at 7venth Sun Brewery.  If any more details surface before the event, we will be sure to update this post with that info just as soon as we get it.

If you are still in town on Sunday, be sure to swing by a 7venth Sun location and end your TBBW experience properly at Hangover Day.  This is a come as you are/pay-as-you-go event, so no tickets are needed to attend. All you need to bring is your ID, a way to pay for your beers, and the hangover that you will most definitely be nursing by Sunday.  See you all then. Prost!

 

 

B. Nektar Introduces American Gods Branded Line of Craft Beverages

Posted on by mashingin

ag-bottle-insta-fb-web-768x1147.jpgB. Nektar (Ferndale, Michigan) has officially announced plans to release a branded American Gods line of meads, ciders, and beers inspired by FremantleMedia North America’s TV series that airs in the United States on STARZ.

With the use of the American Gods series and Neil Gaiman’s award-winning novel of the same name as source material, the folks at B. Nektar are actively in recipe development stages and “the goal is to release the first of this [American Gods product] line in late 2018.” B. Nektar, a nationally recognized meadery, was tapped for this project in large part due to a sequence in the storyline that will have “three shots of mead . . . seal the bargain between Mr. Wednesday and Shadow Moon, drafting Shadow into Wednesday’s service.”  Wednesday goes on to describe mead as ““The drink of heroes. The drink of gods.”

Brad Dahlhofer, B. Nektar C.E.O. and Co-Founder said “I have always been a big fan of Neil Gaiman’s work. It’s surreal to be working on a product tied to one of his greatest literary accomplishments.”

 

“Creating a brand based on American Gods is something I no doubt would have done anyway,” said Brand Director and Co-founder, Kerri Dahlhofer. “But to be able to do it collaboratively and with license, allows the brand to be so much more than it would have otherwise. Artistically, the label is a complete embodiment of American Gods, contrasting the delicious product.”

Although recipes are still in development, B. Nektar did supply a sneak peek at the label for Believe in the press release.  Believe is described as a 5.6% ABV Mead made with orange blossom honey and fresh pressed Michigan Cider.  This offering is based on an ongoing theme in American Gods that reminds the viewer/reader that “All Gods need to be worshiped. The Old Gods need you to BELIEVE.”

Look for Believe and other American Gods branded offerings from B. Nektar to begin hitting shelves and taps later in the year.  Prost!

Craft Brewers Nationwide Collaborate on Epic Bottle Auction For ‘We Are Stoneman Douglas’ Charity Event

Posted on by mashingin

50 vintage and rare signed bottles from over two dozen breweries will auction online to raise funds for victims’ families and survivors of the tragic Parkland, FL shooting.

 

OAKLAND PARK, FL (April 5, 2018) – Following the horrific events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida this past February, brewers from across the country are coming together to offer assistance and support to those affected most. Over two dozen brewers nationwide have donated rare and vintage bottles of beer — many of which are signed by owners, founders, and head brewers from companies such as Stone Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, and more — in what has become an epic and unique lot of craft beer for the ages.

This lot is being auctioned online via the We Are Stoneman Douglas site (https://one.bidpal.net/wearemsd, click “Auction Items” on menu) with proceeds benefiting the Broward Education Foundation’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas fund. One hundred percent of all funds generated by this project will directly benefit the families of victims, survivors, and those affected by this tragedy. A second lot of signed barrel-aged and vintage beers from Funky Buddha Brewery, and a private dinner for 30, will also be auctioned.

This online auction (with over 50 other incredible auction items) is being organized by the Parkland Golf & Country Club located in Parkland, FL with assistance from Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, Florida. Individuals can bid on the online auctions through Sunday, April 8th. Due to regulations, these bottle lots will be available for local pickup only.

“This has been an amazing show of support and solidarity from brewers around the country, most of whom signed on and contributed unbelievable beers within minutes,” says Ryan Sentz, co-founder of Funky Buddha Brewery and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School graduate. “Although this tragedy was horrific beyond words, we can take heart in the incredible response from the community and others that shows we have the strength and bravery to rise above it and make a true difference in people’s lives.”
 
Bottles include (pictured above):
Funky Buddha Lot:
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**Editor’s Note: The writers at Mashing In typically prefer to write their own content, but we all decided it was best to immediately post this press release verbatim due to its important subject matter and the timely nature of this auction.**

B. Nektar Meadery Unveils 2018 Release Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

bnektarglassThis week’s resurgence of release calendars continues as B. Nektar Meadery (Ferndale, Michigan) makes its 2018 Product Release Calendar public.

B. Nektar’s full 2018 Release Calendar is available below and it is absolutely loaded with tasty Core, Seasonal, Limited and Extra Limited Meads and Ciders.  You are free to look it over at your own pace, but here’s a brief overview if you are interested:

  • B. Nektar’s Seasonal Lineup in 2018 will bookend with The Dude’s Rug (January – March, September – December) as Kill All the Golfers (March – September) will fill the gap in the middle
  •  Limited Releases will include Death Unicorn (February), Slice of Life (April), Stupid Man Suit (June), and Black Fang (September)
  • Extra Limited offerings will be released by quarter and include the following: Wildberry Pyment, Grape Mead with Blueberry, Blackberry & Raspberry (1st Quarter); Episode 13 – 2 Year Reserve, Honey Wine aged in Bourbon Barrels (2nd Quarter); Tequila Barrel Aged Pineapple Mead (3rd Quarter); and The Cyser of the Lambs, Apple Honey Wine aged in Chianti barrels (4th Quarter)

That should gloss over a good portion of B. Nektar’s 2018 lineup, but you can still find descriptions, packaging info, and details on Core Releases in the calendar below.  Be sure to check it out so that you can get yourself a proper B. Nektar fix over the next 12 months.  Prost!

2018ReleaseScheduleQuarterly-2-1

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B. Nektar Marks 10th Anniversary with Release of Wildberry Pyment

Posted on by mashingin

BNektarWBP_editedB. Nektar Meadery (Ferndale, Michigan) has announced that Wildberry Pyment has officially returned for a limited time in celebration of the meadery’s 10th Anniversary.

To recognize a decade of success in the craft mead and cider game, the folks at B. Nektar have decided to “throwback to [their] first years in business and revive an original fan favorite” simply known as Wildberry Pyment.  This 15% ABV Mead is “fermented with orange blossom honey and grape juice with natural wild berry flavors added.” This results in a dark plum-colored Wildberry Pyment that supplies an experience of “jammy red wine with notes of plum, strawberry, blackberry and blueberry up front.”  A “subtle honey character” then moves in to support these notes with “hints of orange zest [and] a light spicy clove character.”

Wildberry Pyment is officially available now and will be hanging around as long as supplies last through the first quarter of 2018.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 750ml bottles and on draft at select retailers, bars and restaurants located in the following states: Florida, Georgia, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia & Wisconsin.  Prost!

Wildberry Pyment from B. Nektar Meadery

Release – Limited, 1st Quarter of 2018
Style – Mead (Pyment)
ABV – 15%
Essential Ingredients – Orange blossom honey, Shiraz grape juice, wild berry juice blend (blueberry, strawberry, blackberry)
Suggested Food Pairings – “Dark chocolate, fresh goat cheese and honey, baked brie, blueberry coffee cake”
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Distribution – Florida, Georgia, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia & Wisconsin

 

 

Field Trip: Cavalier Distributing Trade Show – Tampa

Posted on by mashingin

Just a few weeks ago, Cavalier Distributing (Lakeland, Florida) held a fantastic and informative trade show at The Vault, a beautiful venue located in the heart of Tampa’s Downtown Arts District.  Cavalier used this industry-only event as an opportunity to introduce the area’s restaurants, bars, retailers, and media members to their vast portfolio of fine craft beers, meads, ciders and spirits.  The best way to capture all that this event had to offer was through a visual medium, so check out the photos below (click to enlarge) so that you too can get the inside scoop on the exciting beverages headed our way this year from Cavalier Distributing.  Prost!

Constructed in 1923 as The Exchange National Bank, The Vault is now a unique and versatile venue located in the heart of Tampa’s Downtown Arts District.
Driftwood Brewery (Victoria, British Columbia) was on hand to showcase their Fat Tug IPA, an intense Northwest-style India Pale Ale brewed with the hop aficionado in mind.
New to the area, Forbidden Root sampled their line of botanical-themed offerings: Sublime Ginger, Money on My Rind, & Wildflower Pale Ale (WPA).
Blavod, the original Black Vodka, was on hand to create beautiful and inventive cocktails for attendees.
M.I.A. Beer Company (Doral, Florida) brought their core lineup along with several small-batch and limited brews.
View of a happy crowd from above.
Duclaw Brewing Co. (Baltimore, Maryland) treated the crowd to tastes of decadent ales like Sweet Baby Jesus! Chocolate Peanut Butter Porter and Dirty Little Freak Coconut Caramel Chocolate Brown Ale.
The beautiful Farmhouse Ales of Blackberry Farm Brewery (Walland, Tennessee) were in attendance.
The folks at B. Nektar (Ferndale, Michigan) were nice enough to share bottles of Episode 13 Mead Aged in Bourbon Barrels alongside several other beautiful meads.
Crafted Artisan Meadery (Akron, Ohio) dazzled taste buds with Jinja Dragon, a Honey Wine dosed with “generous additions of hibiscus and ginger with a touch of black peppercorn.”
Harris Meadery (Orange Park, Florida) absolutely nailed their Key Lime Pie Mead.
We can’t think of anything more awesome than a bandolier of Underberg.
The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery (Farmville, North Carolina), the Dark Beer Specialist, poured up their classic Milk Stout alongside Hoppy Bunny American Black Ale.
Maeloc Hard Cider, a cidery from Galicia, Spain, will soon be hitting the area with their line of delicious ciders.
Town Branch Distillery, an extension of Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. (Lexington, Kentucky) sampled their line of spirits: Town Branch Bourbon (pictured), Pearse Lyons Reserve, and Town Branch Rye.
Shmaltz Brewing Company (Clifton Park, New York) discussed and shared their Year-Round brews with attendees.
Maui Brewing Co. (Kihei, Hawaii) brought the Aloha spirit to the trade show.
Good times were found throughout the event.
Key West Distilling (Key West, Florida) broke out a full array of rums along with their Spyglass Vodka.
Nothing but quality on ice here, but the Grevensteiner from C. & A. Veltins was a delightful treat.
The eye-catching can artwork of Central 28 Beer Company (DeBary, Florida).
Original Sin (New York, New York) Extra Dry and Elderberry Cider.
New Planet Brewery (Boulder, Colorado) supplied some gluten-free goodies.
Beyond their delicious brews, Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) came to the trade show prepared with a full-sized skeleton and hook for their display.
Alltech Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co. (Lexington, Kentucky) also shared their wildly popular Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale.
Two Brothers Artisan Brewing (Chicago, Illinois) Pinball Juicy Hop Pale Ale and In the Flesh American Sour Ale Brewed with Real Peaches.

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B. Nektar to release The Mutant Zombie Killer Zombie Manhattan Project Thingy

Posted on by mashingin

bnektarMutantB. Nektar (Ferndale, Michigan) recently announced that they will release The Mutant Zombie Killer Zombie Manhattan Project Thingy this week.

In what could be the longest and most fantastic beverage name of the year so far, B. Nektar is unleashing a mutant creation on the mead-loving masses.  The Mutant Zombie Killer Zombie Manhattan Project Thingy is a result of an “Uh-Oh” where brewers “accidentally blended a few hundred gallons of Zombie Killer [Cherry Hard Cider] into one of the two tanks that contained Zombies Take Manhattan“, an Apple Mead with cherry added aged in Rye Whiskey barrels.  After discovering that this mistake turned out to be quite tasty, it was then decided that B. Nektar fans should be allowed to experience the result of this happy accident.

The Mutant Zombie Killer Zombie Manhattan Project Thingy officially releases in the B. Nektar taproom on Saturday, July 30, and then a limited amount of 500ml bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs will make it out to select markets within the meadery’s distribution footprint.  According to the B. Nektar – South Facebook account, bottles will be hitting the Florida market very soon.  Make sure to snag a bottle if and when you see it because this offering is sure to move quickly off of shelves once they hit.  Prost!