Beer News | Mashing In

Highland Brewing Unveils Refreshed Look

Posted on February 19, 2018February 19, 2018 by mashingin

Highland Brewing (Asheville, North Carolina) announced today that it has officially launched a complete rebrand that includes a new logo, new-look packaging for all beers, an updated website, and a soon-to-be fully updated taproom aesthetic.

After spending the last few years refreshing their beer portfolio so that it is more aligned with the tastes of today’s craft beer drinker, the folks at Highland Brewing began to realize that the brewery’s look and imagery no longer matched their updated brews and vibe. After much deliberation and extensive research and development work with the Austin, Texas firm Helms Workshop, the tough decision was made to rebrand and move on from the bagpipe-toting Scotsman who has served as the company’s iconic logo since 1994.

All “marketing, labeling, point of sale, packaging and merchandise” will still wear the Highland Brewing name, but these items will now sport a logo that consists a highly-stylized “H” set within a pioneer’s compass that is surrounded by “the clear messaging that Highland remains Asheville’s first craft beer.” The Blue Ridge Mountains are now artfully depicted on all packaging, and the “Highland” name will continue to honor the area’s Scots-Irish heritage and the brewery’s setting “on high land – in the mountains and on a hilltop.”

“Highland Brewing has been a pioneer in beer since my father founded the company in 1994,” said Leah Wong Ashburn, President of Highland Brewing. “Over two decades, we led with beer, and in recent years, we developed our beer portfolio significantly with fresh new styles and our innovative spirit is firing. The result of the changes was that our beer and our brand were sharing different messages. I love that we are now aligning the message.

What that means is we focused on the four things we know to be true about ourselves: authenticity, sense of place, consistently excellent beer and an inventive spirit.”

Fully committed to this rebrand, Highland Brewing will be closing its doors on February 19 so that it can update its taproom to match the rebrand. After a four-day renovation, the taproom will officially reopen on February 23 with a launch celebration that will show off the new branding/packaging and “feature new small batch beers, including Highland’s very first Brett brew, as well as throw-back favorites including Little Hump, Razor Wit, and Vintage 20th Anniversary Scotch Ale. The event will also boast live music, new merchandise available for purchase, and popular food trucks. The launch celebration is free and open to the public.

For those of you that do not live within driving distance of Highland Brewing, the rebrand will reach you any day now as the new-look 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans and tap handles hit craft beer establishments located within the brewery’s distribution footprint. Just be sure to keep these changes in mind the next time you are out looking for your favorite Highland brew. Prost!

Catawba Brewing to Re-Release Evening Joe Coffee Blonde Ale

Posted on February 19, 2018 by mashingin

Catawba Brewing Co. (Morganton, North Carolina) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Evening Joe Coffee Blonde Ale on Friday, March 23.

After winning the People’s Choice Award for Catawba Brewing’s 2017 Passport Program, Passport Beer #16: Coffee Blonde will return in March under the name Evening Joe. To create this fan-favorite Limited Release, the brewers at Catawba blend a light and crisp Cream Ale with cold-brewed Arabica coffee and natural vanilla flavor. This lovely combination results in a “liquid paradox [that looks] like your evening pint but drinks like your morning cup.” Evening Joe clocks in at 5.7% ABV and 25 IBUs.

Evening Joe is scheduled to officially release on March 23 and will hang around through April. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Catawba Brewing Co.’s five state distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Evening Joe Coffee Blonde Ale from Catawba Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; March 23, 2017
Style – Blonde Ale
ABV – 5.7%
IBUs – 25
Malts – 2-Row Pale & Vienna
Hops – Magnum & Cascade
Added Ingredients – Arabica coffee, natural vanilla flavor & lactose sugar
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama & Georgia
Beer Finder – http://catawbabrewing.com/beer-finder

Tasting Notes: Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) from Rogue Ales

Posted on February 16, 2018 by mashingin

After barreling through another awesome week of beer news, we close it out in proper fashion by jotting down some Tasting Notes on Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) from Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon).

Just last week, we hit you with the news that Rogue Ales had officially begun the limited release of its Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018). If you happened to miss that post, Rolling Thunder can basically be summed up as a massive Imperial Stout “brewed with ingredients grown at Rogue Farms, and then ocean aged for nine months in barrels made by hand at Rogue’s Rolling Thunder Barrel Works.” The house-made Dead Guy Whiskey that once filled those barrels lends notes of whiskey and vanilla to complement the base beer’s dark roasted malts while raspberries – the special ingredient for 2018 – provide a unique thread of lightly tart sweetness.

Rolling Thunder is available now for a limited time in 16.9 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located throughout Rogue’s nationwide distribution footprint.

That should just about catch everyone up on this release, so let’s keep this thing rollin’ and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) from Rogue Ales

Appearance: From a bottle hand-numbered as Barrel #4 of 17 & Bottle #249 of 413, Rolling Thunder pours an inky black in color and has just over a finger of creamy, chocolate milk colored foam resting on top. The beer is completely opaque and remains so when held directly against a light source. Head retention is good, but the foam does eventually fall to a thin but lasting top cap. The beer itself does leave a yellow-tinged slick on the glass after each sip, but some spots of lace are just stubborn enough to grab hold sporadically throughout the experience.

Aroma: The aromatics begin with a defined sherry presence that is loaded with nutty and sweet dark fruit character. This elegant note gracefully transitions into a subtle raspberry tone that is quickly overtaken by a closing barrage of roasted malts, bittersweet chocolate, vanilla and oak.

Taste: The barrel grabs your attention first here with a big ol’ pop of vanilla and oaky whiskey. This shifts into those sweet sherry notes of dark fruit (fig mostly) and molasses. The raspberries are slightly jammy and pull double duty by bringing both complementary sweetness and a contrasting dose of tartness. Those bright raspberries refresh the palate just as the beer stoutly settles in with satisfying, decadent notes of caramel, brown sugar, roasted grains, dark chocolate, and fudge studded with pecans.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a moderate carbonation level, this enormous Imperial Stout has a chewy, viscous feel to it. The beer takes its time on the palate, allowing the flavors to linger and fully develop at their own pace. Sitting at 14.4%, the ABV certainly has a presence that establishes a building warmth in the throat and belly. The aftertaste is all vanilla, chocolate and booze-soaked oak.

Final Thoughts: From the first sip, it is quite evident that Rogue built this year’s Rolling Thunder to come out swingin’ and clear a place for itself among the highest echelon of barrel-aged Imperial Stouts. It achieves this with an artful composition that sandwiches that raspberry addition between oaky whiskey notes and the base stout’s chocolaty, roasty goodness. Simply put, this Imperial Stout is pretty much a whiskey-infused raspberry truffle . . . and it is heavenly.

Over the last 30 years, Rogue has amassed a long list of beers that have become standards in the industry, and we confidently predict that this year’s version will add Rolling Thunder to that list. Yeah . . . it is that good, and you need to get your hands on a bottle or pour of Rolling Thunder Imperial Stout (2018) before this Limited Release dries up. Make it happen. Prost!

Maui Brewing and Crooked Stave Collaborate on Two Tickets to Paradise

Posted on February 16, 2018 by mashingin

Maui Brewing Company (Kihei, Hawaii) has officially announced the limited release of Two Tickets to Paradise, a Tropical Saison brewed in collaboration with Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project (Denver, Colorado).

Not too long ago, members of the Crooked Stave brewing team agreed to take the arduous journey over to Hawaii so that they could collaborate with Maui Brewing on a beer that utilized the two breweries’ “like-minded, innovative, and independent” approaches to local ingredients and sour beer techniques. Their combined efforts resulted in Two Tickets to Paradise, a tart, tropical Saison brewed with hibiscus and locally sourced limes. Bright pink in color, the “super refreshing and crushable” Two Tickets to Paradise (4.8% ABV) is described as “having a very vibrant acidity from the hibiscus and lime.”

“We decided to brew a Saison that blended our love for sour fermentation and the use of local ingredients,” said Maui Brewing Company’s Brewmaster, Kim Brisson-Lutz. “We enjoy collaborating with breweries that are innovative and independent. We are huge fans of Crooked Stave and the beer they produce.”

Two Tickets to Paradise officially debuted in Maui Brewing’s new full-service restaurant and tasting room in Kihei on February 14 and will enter distribution any day now. You can expect to find this new Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Florida, Hawaii, Colorado and throughout the rest of Maui Brewing Company’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Two Tickets to Paradise from Maui Brewing Company & Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project

Release – Limited, mid-February 2018
Style – Saison
ABV – 4.8%
IBUs – 20
Malts – Pilsner, Wheat, Flaked & Golden Naked Oats
Hops – Motueka, Huell Melon & Mandarina
Added Ingredients – Hibiscus & lime
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://mauibrewingco.com/find-our-beer/

Hi-Wire Brewing to Release 2018 Collaboration Mixed 12-Pack

Posted on February 15, 2018 by mashingin

Hi-Wire Brewing (Asheville, North Carolina) has announced that it will officially release its 2018 Collaboration Mixed 12-Pack with Against The Grain Brewery (Louisville, Kentucky), Blackberry Farm Brewery (Walland, Tennessee) and Trophy Brewing Co. (Raleigh, North Carolina) in mid-February.

In the spirit of sharing their “craft with respected peers in the Southeast”, the folks at Hi-Wire Brewing recently brought in “longtime [friends] and connections” from Against the Grain, Blackberry Farm and Trophy Brewing Co. so that they could develop some creative offerings to be featured in the 2018 version of their annually released Collaboration Mixed 12-pack. This year’s featured collaboration beers are as follows (descriptions provided by Hi-Wire Brewing):

Against the Grain Brewery – Dark Coffee Lager: “We took special care to let the beautiful fruit notes from naturally processed Ethiopian coffee via Dynamite Roasting sing in this collaboration with our buddies from Against The Grain Brewery in Louisville, Kentucky. Aromatic notes of fresh ground coffee beans, hazelnut, cherry, and new leather meld perfectly with a soothing dark malt sweetness and hints of fresh baked bread with a clean, crisp finish.” (5.5% ABV)
Blackberry Farm Brewery – A Wee Bit More Hops Tropical Saison: “In our collaboration with Blackberry Farm Brewery we decided to celebrate Blackberry Farm’s world class house Saison yeast strain by pairing it with a plethora of tropically aggressive American hops, including a mid fermentation hop addition for added depth. Azacca, El Dorado, and Mosaic shine with magnificent aromas of mango, papaya, juicy fruit, and white grape while a slight bitterness and dry finish preps the palette for another sip.” (6.2% ABV)
Trophy Brewing Co. – Double Dry-Hopped IPA: “It’s no secret Trophy Brewing makes some of the best IPAs in the country. So after very little deliberation, we decided to brew the hoppiest beer Hi-Wire has ever created at 3.5 lbs per barrel. Starting with Simcoe and Centennial in the whirlpool before mid-fermentation and dry-hop additions of El Dorado and Simcoe, this hazy gold monstrosity screams of green mango, huge citrus, and piney resin with a slight sweetness on the finish. This one is for the truest of hop fiends.” (7% ABV)

To complete this mixed 12-pack, Hi-Wire has also included three of its flagship brews: Hi-Pitch Mosaic IPA, Lo-Pitch Juicy IPA, and Hi-Wire Gose. Each Mixed 12-pack will contain two 12 oz. bottles/cans of each of the six beers mentioned above.

According to Hi-Wire’s Release Calendar, the 2018 Collaboration Mixed 12-pack is slated for release on February 16 and will be around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release mixed pack at select craft beer retailers located within Hi-Wire Brewing’s distribution footprint in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and Ohio. Prost!

Three Taverns Craft Brewery to Offer Lord Grey in Cans

Posted on February 15, 2018 by mashingin

Three Taverns Craft Brewery (Decatur, Georgia) has announced that Lord Grey Sour Ale will officially hit cans for the first time in mid-February.

Arriving as the latest can offering from Three Taverns’ Sour Asylum Series, Lord Grey was actually conceptualized with the help of the folks at The Porter Beer Bar who “suggested the addition of tea leaves in a sour beer.” That idea stuck with the brewers at Three Taverns and they eventually developed a recipe for a “refreshingly balanced 5% sour ale with Earl Grey tea.” All those who sit down with a pour of Lord Grey will be treated to a “crisp and mildly tart” experience where “herbal flavors abound up front with a subtle bergamot orange in the background.”

“We can’t wait to get this beer into people’s hands, it’s been a favorite of our staff and the folks in The Parlour for quite some time. The can art really conveys the full experience we were going for with this beer and to see it all come together has been a really fun experience.”

– Brian Purcell, Founder and CEO of Three Taverns Craft Brewery

Cans of Lord Grey will debut at Three Taverns Craft Brewery on February 16 and enter distribution during the week of February 19. You can expect to find this Sour Asylum offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Georgia. Prost!

Vital Information for Lord Grey from Three Taverns Craft Brewery

Release – Sour Asylum Series, cans launch mid-February 2018
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 5%
Added Ingredients – Earl Grey tea
Recommended Glassware – Teku glass
Fun Fact – Lord Grey joins Rapturous and Enchantress as the third Sour Asylum Series offering to see availability in cans
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.threetavernsbrewery.com/find-our-beer/

Tennessee Brew Works Set for Seasonal Return of Wildwood Flower

Posted on February 14, 2018 by mashingin

Tennessee Brew Works (Nashville, Tennessee) has announced that Wildwood Flower Honey Blonde Ale will officially begin its Seasonal release on February 16.

Meant to ease beer fans into the warmth and renewal of spring, Wildwood Flower is a Belgian-style Blonde Ale “derived from a classic Belgian Abbey yeast; accentuated by a floral, aromatic hop profile and commingled with a blend of the locally sourced Wildflower and Sourwood honeys.” When all is brewed and done, those beautiful ingredients produce a “sophisticated” and refreshing experience that comes in at 6.8% ABV and 22 IBUs.

Wildwood Flower will officially release in the Tennessee Brew Works Taproom on February 16 and will hit distribution shortly thereafter. You can expect to find this Seasonal release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located within the brewery’s distribution footprint in North Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. Prost!

Vital Information for Wildwood Flower from Tennessee Brew Works

Release – Seasonal, arrives mid-February 2018
Style – Blonde Ale
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 22
Added Ingredients – A blend of Wildflower and Sourwood honeys sourced from Del Rio, Tennessee’s Strange Honey Farm
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Distribution – Alabama, Tennessee & Kentucky
Fun Fact – On the label artwork: “Wildwood Flower Ale showcases one of Tennessee Brew Work’s original employees, Director of Sales, Danielle Daniel. A native Tennessean, Danielle was born in Cottontown and raised in Hendersonville. Danielle worked at renowned Nashville beer spots such as the Flying Saucer and Frugal MacDoogal, where she discovered her love for craft beer and became determined to work in the industry. In 2013, she met Tennessee Brew Works founder, Christian Spears, at the Flying Saucer while the brewery was still being built. Danielle’s driving influences of wanting to work within a local community, explore Nashville’s ever-expanding scenes, and produce distinct and delicious beer led her to Tennessee Brew Works. Her business savvy and dedication to the industry quickly set her apart, and Danielle became one of the first members of the Tennessee Brew Works family.”

TrimTab Brewing Plans Small Batch Can Release of Chocolate Churro Milk Stout

Posted on February 14, 2018February 14, 2018 by mashingin

On Friday, February 16 at 3 p.m., TrimTab Brewing (Birmingham, Alabama) will release Chocolate Churro Milk Stout as the 8th installment in its tasting room-exclusive Gallery Series.

Established expressly for R&D reasons and to gain feedback from their fans, TrimTab Brewing’s Gallery Series is a small batch series comprised of the brewery’s most artful and experimental recipes. The first Stout to hit this series of very limited releases is Gallery Series #008 – Chocolate Churro Milk Stout, a decadent dessert beer brewed with chocolate malts, cinnamon sticks and pure liquid cacao. Although big on flavor, Chocolate Churro Milk Stout clocks in at a reasonable 6.9% ABV.

Gallery Series #008 – Chocolate Churro Milk Stout will officially release in TrimTab Brewing’s Tasting Gallery at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 16. This Small Batch offering will be available exclusively at the brewery in 12 oz. cans and on draft. If Chocolate Churro Milk Stout has piqued your interest, be sure to hit the brewery early on Friday because releases from TrimTab’s Gallery Series have a habit of disappearing with a quickness. Prost!

Vital Information for Gallery Series #008 – Chocolate Churro Milk Stout from TrimTab Brewing

Release – Gallery Series/Taproom-only; 3 p.m. on February 16
Style – Milk Stout
ABV – 6.9%
IBUs – 17
Added Ingredients – Cinnamon sticks & pure liquid cacao
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Event Location – TrimTab Brewing | 2721 5th Ave S |Birmingham, Alabama 35233

North Coast Brewing Adds Beachmaster Imperial IPA to Seasonal Lineup

Posted on February 13, 2018February 28, 2018 by mashingin

North Coast Brewing Co. (Fort Bragg, California) has officially released Beachmaster Imperial IPA as the brewery’s newest Seasonal offering.

Created as a “tribute and companion” to North Coast Brewing Co.’s flagship Red Seal Ale, Beachmaster Imperial IPA continues the seal theme by honoring “the mighty Northern Elephant Seals that frequent [the] coast from Mexico to Alaska.” Weighing in at a substantial 9% ABV and 100 IBUs (practically double the size of Red Seal), the massive Beachmaster promises to be a high quality, finely crafted Imperial India Pale Ale that will fit in easily with North Coast’s “lively array of iconic beers.”

Beachmaster Imperial IPA is officially available now in 12 oz. bottles and on draft. You can expect to find this new Seasonal offering at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of North Coast Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Beachmaster Imperial IPA from North Coast Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, launching February 2018
Style – Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV – 9%
IBUs – 100
Fun Fact – On the label artwork: “Artist Mike Patrick, whose work has appeared on several of our labels including Red Seal Ale, Old No. 38 Stout, and North Coast Steller IPA, created the bull Elephant Seal illustration.”
Availability – 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://northcoastbrewing.com/beers/beer-locator/

The Bruery and Top Chef Brooke Williamson Collaborate on Girl Grey

Posted on February 13, 2018 by mashingin

BrueryGirlGreyChef — *Photo Credit – The Bruery*

The Bruery (Orange County, California) recently announced the release of Girl Grey Belgian-style Ale, a new Seasonal offering brewed in collaboration with Chef Brooke Williamson, the most-recent winner on Bravo’s “Top Chef” Season 14.

To further build upon their reputation “for pushing the boundaries on what can be achieved with flavors in beer”, the folks at The Bruery extended an invitation to Chef Brook Williamson to help them brew “a unique ale that would not only intrigue craft beer drinkers throughout the country, but also introduce a new generation of beer drinkers to cutting-edge flavors and new styles of beer.” After some brainstorming, this talented brew team decided to create a Belgian-style Ale “brewed with lactose, almonds, earl grey tea and natural flavors.” Graciously offering an experience filled with “creamy, floral notes of earl grey tea”, Girl Grey (8.5% ABV) comes together to be “a complex yet delicate ale . . . perfect for a new generation of beer lovers.”

“Being a chef, first and foremost, I felt like my ultimate goal with creating the perfect collaboration beer was to balance the important uniqueness in flavor profile, while remaining food-friendly. This beer to me does just that,” said Chef Brooke Williamson. “It’s a perfect blend of creamy richness and complex floral notes, making for a wide variety of food pairing options. I’m inclined to go tart and sweet, like biscuits with lemon curd, or banana cream pie, but at the same time, it’s versatile and subtle enough to work with spiced mole chicken and toasted almond rice. It really is the perfect food beer.”

Girl Grey will officially release to the public on February 14 with the intention to hang around for a limited time. You can expect to find this Seasonal release available in 750ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants located in Florida, Georgia, California, Washington D.C. and throughout the rest of The Bruery’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Girl Grey from The Bruery

Release – Seasonal/Limited, mid-February 2018
Style – Belgian-style Strong Pale Ale
ABV – 8.5%
Added Ingredients – Lactose, almonds, Earl Grey tea & natural flavors
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.thebruery.com/find/
Fun Fact – About Chef Brooke Williamson: “Officially beginning her career at the young age of 17, Williamson was the youngest chef to ever cook at the James Beard House, and was recently a winner on Bravo’s “Top Chef” in March 2017. Williamson is the Co-Owner and Co-Chef, along with husband Nick Roberts, of Hudson House in Redondo Beach, The Tripel and Playa Provisions in Playa del Rey, the culinary retail boutique Tripli-Kit, Da Kikokiko in Playa Vista, and Small Batch, an artisanal ice cream shop, in Mar Vista, CA.”