LOKO Cuisine to Host Classic Arcade Brunch at Lowry Parcade

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lokocuisinelogoOn Sunday, September 30 at 11:30 a.m., LOKO Cuisine will head over to Lowry Parcade & Tavern (1213 W Waters Ave | Tampa, Florida) to fuel the beer-loving gamer’s heart and soul with a Classic Arcade Brunch.

Set in Lowry Parcade’s magical atmosphere which offers an amazing craft beer bar in a space that also houses an arcade filled with old school 80’s and 90’s video games, pinball, pool, Bubble Hockey and even Skee-Ball, LOKO Cuisine’s Classic Arcade Brunch will treat attendees to a three-course, buffet-style spread filled with the following elevated riffs on classic arcade/gaming grub:

LOKOLowryMenu

To make sure that you do not go thirsty during this event, all attendees will receive one beer ticket “good for any pint or snifter of equal value.”  Additional beers can be purchased for an additional cost throughout the event.

Tickets for the Classic Arcade Brunch are available now for $32.10 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the three-course brunch, one pour of beer (pint or snifter of equal value), and four (4) game tokens. 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 are free on September 30 and looking to enjoy some good times and tasty eats, go ahead and coordinate with your brunch/gaming buddies and lock down some tickets as soon as possible to ensure that you do not miss out on this Classic Arcade Brunch from LOKO Cuisine.  Prost!

 

Monday Night Brewing Releases Mischief Mangaged with Peaches

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MNBMischiefManagedMonday Night Brewing (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced the limited release of Mischief Managed with Peaches, the newest project to come out the brewery’s Garage program.

Back for its second installment, Mischief Managed is Monday Night’s wine barrel-fermented Berliner Weisse series that mixes it up from release to release with new fruit additions.  This batch features “a classically Georgia ingredient” – peaches from Jaemor Farms in North Georgia.  After being introduced to “a whopping 75 pounds [of peaches] per barrel”, this release of Mischief Managed has come together to supply its drinker with “a clean, refreshing sour ale perfect for summer.”

“This Berliner Weisse recipe lends itself so well to fruit, and we really like to play with the recipe,” said brewmaster Peter Kiley. “The first batch with raspberries worked well, so it made total sense to try this batch with fresh peaches. They’re in season right now, and we were able to find a local farmer to work with, which is amazing.”

Mischief Managed with Peaches officially debuted at Monday Night’s Garage location on August 18 and will enter distribution the week of August 20.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 500ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located within Monday Night’s distribution footprint in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee.  Prost!

Vital Information for Mischief Managed with Peaches from Monday Night Brewing

Release – Limited; August 18, 2018
Style – Berliner Weisse
ABV – ???
Added Ingredients – Peaches from North Georgia’s Jaemor Farms
Fun Fact – Background on the Mischief Managed Series: “The Mischief Managed series is about taking a base beer – in this case a wine barrel-fermented Berliner Weisse – and then doing something ‘mischievous’ to it such as adding a fresh fruit. Because the base beer is so delicate, the ‘mischief’ will always have to be ‘managed’ to keep flavors balanced and under control.”
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft
Distribution – Alabama, Georgia & Tennessee 

Big Storm Brewing Co. Adds Ice Cream & Coffee to Clearwater Location

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Big Storm Strawberry Sundae
The Big Storm Creamery’s Strawberry Sundae. Photo Credit – Big Storm Brewing Co.

Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has announced that it is now serving coffee and handmade ice cream out of a walk-up window located at 12707 49th St. N. next to the brewery’s taproom in Clearwater.

It is quite obvious that the craft beer community in the Tampa area has fully embraced the idea of pastry/dessert beers no matter the temperature or time of year, so it only seems reasonable that these same folks might wish to enjoy some actual dessert alongside their favorite brew.  Recognizing this as a fun, new opportunity for their team, Big Storm Brewing Co. has decided to run with this idea by opening the Big Storm Creamery.

This new ice cream shop features the following 18 indulgent flavors of handmade ice cream and Italian ice: Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee, Pistachio, Toasted Coconut, Mint Chip, Birthday Cake, Superman, Brownie Fudge, Cookie Dough, Strawberry, Butter Pecan (sugar free), Salted Caramel Pretzel, Gator Tracks, Cyclone, Black Raspberry (sugar free), Mango (Italian Ice) and Lemon (Italian Ice).  Going well beyond just ice cream, the Big Storm Creamery also offers specialty items such as shakes, iced coffees, traditional root beer floats made with Big Storm’s craft root beer, and Big Storm Nitro Coffee Floats made with Big Storm’s cold brew (coffee) and coffee ice cream.

“As a team, we are always looking to expand our creativity and venture into new, exciting products,” said Big Storm partner L.J. Govoni. “Ice cream gives us the opportunity to continue this push. In the near future, we expect to sell beer-inspired small-batch desserts in a manner similar to a ‘Bomber Release’ event; when the ice cream is gone, it’s gone and may never return. Our Executive Chef, Gerry Malynowsky, and Head Brewer, Joel Moore, have been hard at work formulating products such as Tropic Pressure and Oats in Hose inspired alcohol-free ice creams and we are very excited.”

The Big Storm Creamery officially opened last week with the walk-up window keeping the following hours: Monday – Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Be sure to check out this unique addition to Big Storm Brewing Co. the next time you find yourself out in Clearwater.  Prost!

 

 

Thru the Haze IPA Set to Debut for Bear Republic Brewing Co.

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Thru-the-Haze-Tap_Handle_Digital_Label_2018webBear Republic Brewing Co. (Cloverdale, California) has announced that it will officially launch Thru the Haze India Pale Ale during the week of August 20, 2018.

Developed from “a half decade of research” on the wildly popular IPA sub-style that originated on the East Coast, Thru the Haze is a “Hazy IPA built in the style of Bear Republic ales without hop-centric bitterness.”  Thanks to a hop bill loaded with Vic Secret, Citra and Hallertau Blanc hops, Thru the Haze (6.4% ABV, 30 IBUs) has “grapefruit and tropical fruit aromas set the stage for a huge citrus explosion of flavor on your taste buds, without all the bitterness.”

“Overall it’s more juicy, less bitter and bracing,” declared Bear Republic Brewing Co. Master Brewer Peter Kruger. “There’s a tangerine and strong melon character to it with a hint of concord grape. Compared to traditional American IPAs, Thru the Haze is more approachable with a wider range of flavor compared to west coast style ales. For this beer, we’ve added hops later in the brewing process, giving you the aroma of hops along with a fuller mouth feel.”

Thru the Haze will make its debut at Bear Republic’s Healdsburg and Rohnert Park brewpub locations during the week of August 20. This Limited Release will enter distribution at that time as well.  You can expect to find Thru the Haze IPA available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Florida, California and throughout the rest of Bear Republic’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Thru the Haze IPA from Bear Republic Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; August 20, 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale (Hazy/New England-style)
ABV – 6.4%
IBUs – 30
Hops – Vic Secret, Citra & Hallertau Blanc
Malts – 2-row, Pilsner & Wheat
Yeast – Barbarian
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://bearrepublic.com/bear-tracker/

Stone Brewing Releases 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA

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22Anni_22ozBottle_Mockup.pngStone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially announced that it is celebrating its birthday with the Special Release of Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA.

Not only has Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA arrived to celebrate 22 years of brewing craft beer at Stone Brewing, but it is also here as the brewery’s first anniversary beer to serve as the winner of the Stone Spotlight Series, “the annual competition that pits Stone’s brewers against one another in friendly rivalry.” Developed by “Stone Brewing Team members Jose Flores, a production brewer, and Jason Smith, who focuses on small batch brewing”, Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA is a proud, “NO HAZE” Double India Pale Ale that utilizes an “arsenal of anti-haze techniques” and a recipe that showcases a “solid malt background . . . complemented with complex hop fruit flavors of cherries, apricot, melon and citrus.”  This approach results in a Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA that is “full bodied with a short, clean and dry finish of ample bitterness and a slight warming from its elevated [9.1%] ABV.”

Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA is available now and has plans to hang around into the month of November 2018.  You can find this Special Release offering available in 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Stone 22nd Anniversary Anni-Matter Double IPA from Stone Brewing

Release – Limited/Special, August – November 2018
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 9.1%
IBUs – 81
Featured Hops – Columbus, Denali, Hopsteiner #06297, Galaxy, Citra & Amarillo
Availability – 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

 

 

Tasting Notes: À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison from Unibroue

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UnibroueMegadethPourFor this installment of Tasting Notes, we somehow get the opportunity to combine our love for thrash metal and Saisons thanks to the Megadeth-inspired À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue (Chambly, Québec).

Named after the fourth track on Megadeth’s 1994 Youthanasia album, À Tout le Monde – translating from French to mean “To All the World” or “To Everyone” – was first released in 2016 as a symbol of friendship between Unibroue Brewmaster Jerry Vietz and Dave Mustaine, lead vocalist and founder of the iconic Thrash Metal band Megadeth.  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 is available year-round in 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles and on draft.  You can find this Classic offering at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution area in the U.S. and Canada.

Alright, kiddos, “fasten up your head belts” because it is time to crack open this bottle, see how loud this stereo can get, and find out if it is possible to headbang our way through these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for À Tout le Monde Belgian Style Saison Ale from Unibroue

Appearance:  This Saison presents itself as a lemony yellow in color that has some deeper gold tones residing at its center.  When held to direct light, the color intensifies and brightens to become more of a sunshiny yellow. The beer has a touch of cloudiness to it, but tight streams of carbonation can still be observed as they steadily course throughout.  A well-mannered pour produced over two fingers of fluffy, bright white foam that confidently built well over the brim of the glass.  Head retention is good, but the top cap eventually falls to a lasting half finger that drops gobs of lace down on the glass after each sip.

Aroma:  Bright hops spring out of the glass with citrus notes of orange peel, lemon and grapefruit along with just a grace of tropical pineapple.  The yeast quickly takes over with a good mix of earthiness and spice.  The malts quietly support everything from underneath and close out the aromatics with a soft layer of breadiness.

Taste:  Saison yeast takes lead here by throwing down a complex spice character that holds notes of green peppercorn, floral and citrusy coriander, and lemongrass.  This transitions into a gentle earthiness and grassiness that act as the perfect introduction to a hop presence that is rockin’ notes of orange zest, sweet grapefruit and a nondescript tropical fruitiness.  The flavor profile closes with a well-rounded, gently sweet biscuity malt tone that fades softly into the finish.

Mouthfeel:  Medium in body with a milder than expected carbonation level, this Saison has a light, airy texture and casually dries out to offer an incredibly easy drinking experience.  This thing runs the bases on the palate, allowing you to enjoy sweet, bitter and spice sensations.  The 4.5% ABV is ridiculously and awesomely low, further adding to this beer’s quenching ability and refreshment level. Aftertaste is minimal, but there are touches of spicy yeast notes left behind at times.

Final Thoughts:  Everything about À Tout le Monde is beautifully composed and on point.  It is dry-hopped just enough to keep the attention of the hop-obsessed American drinker, but the yeast character still remains big enough to satisfy those who claim allegiance to the Saison/Farmhouse Ale. The flavors and aromatics are just as pronounced as those you would find in a much bigger example of the style, but that low ABV elevates this Saison to an otherworldly, easy drinking height that firmly secures this beer’s status as a daily drinker.  To put it simply, À Tout le Monde just rocks . . . and it needs to find its way into your fridge if it has not already.  Prost!

Allagash Brewing’s Farm to Face Returns, This Time with Full Distribution

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Farm-to-Face-1Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine) has officially announced that Farm to Face, a sour peach beer, will experience full distribution for the first time when it makes a limited-time return this month.

Meant to mimic the experience of “biting into a juicy, yet tart, peach”, Farm to Face is a medium-bodied Pale Ale that is “fermented for ten months in stainless tanks with house yeast.”  The beer is then inoculated with Pediococcus and Lactobacillus at the same time that it is introduced to a serious amount of peaches – “In fact, for every gallon of beer, three pounds of fresh peaches—from Applecrest Farm Orchards in New Hampshire—are added.” This lengthy process ultimately yields a 6.1% ABV Farm to Face that offers “aromas of peach, graham cracker, and green apple” alongside “a lingering peach finish.”

“Because we make a point of using fresh local fruit, many of our beers are really beholden to the weather,” said Jason Perkins, brewmaster at Allagash. “In 2016, the peach crop was wiped out in New England by uncharacteristically warm February weather. So we couldn’t brew any Farm to Face for 2017. We’re happy to say the 2017 peach crop was great—we received 9,000 lbs. That haul allowed us to brew enough beer for our whole distribution footprint.”

Farm to Face officially started shipping out on August 6, 2018 and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 375ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Georgia, Maine and throughout the rest of Allagash Brewing’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Farm to Face from Allagash Brewing Company

Release – Limited, August 2018
Style – American Wild Ale
ABV – 6.1%
Grains – Allagash 2-row Malted Barley Blend, Victory Malt, Carapils & Flaked Oats
Hops – Northern Brewer & Glacier
Added Ingredients – Peaches from New Hampshire’s Applecrest Farm Orchards
Availability – 375ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.allagash.com/locator/

 

21st Amendment & Fieldwork Brewing Co. Collaborate, Come Up With A Terrible Idea

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21aATerribleIdeaCan21st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA, a new collaboration with their friends at Fieldwork Brewing Co. (Berkeley, California), on August 18.

Dedicated to the idea that “with every bad decision there is a risk and sometimes an incredible reward”, A Terrible Idea is a joint effort by 21st Amendment and Fieldwork Brewing Co. to create what they call a “California New England Style Hazy IPA”.  Brewed with a massive amount of Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops and fermented with an ale yeast from Vermont, A Terrible Idea (6.8% ABV) ultimately comes together to supply its drinker with “a floral, dank and piney hop aroma . . . delicate malt clouds, . . . a juicy mouthfeel and notes of peach, orange, mango and pineapple.”

“We used four pounds of hops per barrel in the dry hop alone, which is twice our typical rate for most of our 21A beers,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of 21st Amendment. “At one point I remember asking Barry and Alex if adding this many hops was a terrible idea and they just shrugged their shoulders and added more.”

 

“The Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops in this beer were all I heard about for days and days. They couldn’t get enough,” said Nico Freccia, Co-Founder of 21st Amendment. “But we also used a Vermont ale yeast, so that makes A Terrible Idea a ‘California New England Style Hazy IPA’ (new category?) that is in a league of its own.”

A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA will make its official debut on Saturday, August 18 at 21st Amendment’s AugustFest, and will enter distribution at or around that date.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Florida, Georgia, California and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA from 21st Amendment Brewery & Fieldwork Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, mid-August 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale (Hazy/New England-style)
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 55
Featured Hops – Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot & Calypso
Fun Fact – On the packaging artwork: “While we understand that the #HazeCraze will peak your interest, we know the packaging for this beer will surely keep your attention. All four panels of the six-pack carrier tell a hilarious tale of five knuckle draggers who weren’t afraid to ignore popular opinion, follow their hearts and make an extraordinary beer. And in all honestly, we’re glad they did. In a succession of terrible ideas that haunt us all, was making this beer one of them? We stand behind the claim: absolutely not!”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://21st-amendment.com/find-some/

Great Divide Brewing Co.’s Hoss Returns for Oktoberfest Season

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2017 Hoss can SB mockupGreat Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) has officially announced that Hoss Oktoberfest Lager will return this month for a brief Seasonal run.

Inspired by the Märzen lagers of Germany, Hoss Oktoberfest Lager retains the style’s “rich, layered malt notes, with hints of cherry and dark fruits,” but adds its own personality with a “unique addition of rye [imparting] an earthy, spicy character.” Coming in at 6.2% ABV, Hoss offers a “crisp and dry experience” and “its brilliant red-orange color is a toast to the sunsets that make the perfect backdrop for this beer.”

Hoss is rolling out now and will stick around through September 2018.  You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Great Divide’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Hoss Oktoberfest Lager from Great Divide Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, August – September 2018
Style – Oktoberfest/Märzen
ABV – 6.2%
Suggested Food Pairings – “Veal bratwurst, barbeque chicken, carnitas (pork) tacos, Camembert cheese, German chocolate cake”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://greatdivide.com/beer-finder/

 

New Realm Brewing Expands Distribution to Virginia

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hoptropolis-ipaNew Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that it has partnered with Hoffman Beverage so that it can soon begin distributing its lineup of craft beers in the state of Virginia.

When news broke that New Realm Brewing Company had secured a second location in the former Green Flash facility in Virginia Beach, everyone knew it was just a matter of time before the brewery’s tasty beers would start flowing in establishments local to that area.  Well, that facility may not be open to the public yet, but beer is being brewed and it is now ready for distribution in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

“The Hampton Roads area of Virginia has many quality beer distribution options,” says Bob Powers, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at New Realm. “We have chosen to work with Hoffman Beverage due to their incredible passion for craft beer, our aligned strategy of brand building, and their experience with many other small, independent craft breweries.”

New Realm will officially launch distribution in Virginia with the following core beers (descriptions sourced from the brewery’s website):

  • Hoplandia IPA – A New Realm-style IPA. Dense with sought-after hops and lush with a heavenly hit of citrus.  ABV – 7.3%
  • Hoptropolis IPA – Set your clocks to island time. This beauty is drenched in tropical flavors of peach, pear and pineapple.  ABV – 6.5%
  • Euphonia Pilsner – A true brewer’s beer. Hop bursted with prolific hop aromatics and heightened levels of refreshment.  ABV – 5%
  • Kikimora Imperial IPA – A dank IPA. Pronounced with peachy, floral, light citrus complexities and a strong, dry finish to the palate.  ABV – 8.5%

In addition to core offerings, New Realm Brewing will also treat consumers in Virginia to “select brews from [its] limited release, small-batch specialty beers, starting with Lemon Pucker Berliner Weisse and Belga Rose Belgian Hibiscus Ale (available soon), followed by additional releases in late 2018.”

With the help of Hoffman Beverage, the New Realm beers listed above “will be available on draft at craft-focused bars, restaurants and retailers” located in the Southside area of Virginia’s Hampton Roads.  The brewery plans to introduce packaged offerings in Virginia at the start of 2019.  New Realm Brewing Company offerings can also be found distributed in the state of Georgia.  Prost!