Beer News | Mashing In

Left Hand Brewing Announces 2017 Beer Release Calendar

Posted on December 28, 2016 by mashingin

Eager to hit the ground running in January, Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colorado) has supplied us all with a look at a 2017 Beer Release Calendar filled with new beers and plenty of surprises.

When it comes to the recent rush of 2017 release calendars, odds are that you know the drill by now. We will post the full Left Hand Brewing Co. Release Calendar below for you to look over at your leisure, but we would certainly be remiss if we did not go over a few of the brewery’s new releases first:

Left Hand will add a new Seasonal Series, Les Quatre Saisons (or The Four Seasons). Available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, this series will consist of four Saisons “featuring native Colorado ingredients like; wildflower honey, chokecherries, juniper berries and regional grains.” Saison au Miel – brewed with wildflower honey – will arrive in March of 2017 as the first quarterly release.
The brewery will offer several Seasonal brews exclusively in cans during 2017. These will include “the popular summer favorite – Good Juju Pale Ale with fresh juiced ginger, and new brands Well Played Red IPA with experimental hops and Study Abroad Belgian Single.”
Several Perennial beers from Left Hand will also be offered in can packaging in 2017: Extrovert American IPA, Introvert Session IPA, Polestar Pilsner, and Sawtooth Ale.
Travelin’ Light Kolsch will join the brewery’s Perennial lineup in early spring of 2017. This offering will be in cans as well.
Left Hand’s lauded Nitro Series will see the addition of Braveheart Nitro, a Scottish Ale seasonal – available May through July – in partnership with the Wallace family clan. Hard Wired Nitro Coffee Porter, Bittersweet Nitro Imperial Milk Stout, and Wake Up Dead Nitro Imperial Stout will all return as seasonal and limited Nitro Series releases in 2017.
The brewery’s Big Mo 22 oz. Series of higher gravity big beers “will also feature new limited releases including A Blessing & A Curse Double IPA, Season of Insanity Strong Dark Ale, and the return of St. Vrain Tripel.”

Alright, that should gloss over the highlights for you. Check out the full 2017 Release Calendar below and prepare yourself for another great year of brews from Left Hand Brewing Co. Prost!

2017-beer-lineup-final — Click here to enlarge the image.

Shiner Beer Releases Cold-Brew Coffee Ale as Latest Birthday Beer

Posted on December 28, 2016 by mashingin

To celebrate the brewery’s 108th birthday, Shiner Beer/Spoetzl Brewery (Shiner, Texas) recently collaborated with Chameleon Cold-Brew (Austin, Texas) to create Cold-Brew Coffee Ale.

Although Shiner Beer has been brewing beer at Spoetzl Brewery since 1909, the brewery has never taken on a coffee-infused beer of any type. Now that they have reached their 108th birthday, Shiner has decided it is high time to remedy this situation. To get their first Coffee Ale just right, the brewery combined “dark-roasted specialty malt and hops with Chameleon’s consciously sourced coffee beans (and plenty of their beloved cold-brew coffee).” This collaborative effort resulted in a 5% ABV Ale that’s “sure to wake up your tastebuds.”

Shiner Cold-Brew Coffee Ale is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans and on draft. This limited release brew can be found throughout the 2016/2017 winter season at better beer establishments found in Alabama, Florida and throughout Shiner Beer’s extensive distribution footprint. Get your pour of Cold-Brew Coffee Ale while you can and be sure to take a moment to raise that glass in recognition of 108 years of brewing tradition at Shiner Beer. Prost!

Vital Information for Cold-Brew Coffee Ale from Shiner Beer and Chameleon Cold-Brew

Release – Limited/Birthday Beer, available late December 2016 through winter
Style – Undisclosed American Ale
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 15
Added Ingredients – Coffee beans & cold-brew coffee from Chameleon Cold-Brew
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.shiner.com/find

Release Cancelled Back Forty Beer Plans Inauguration Day Release of Mandarin Chief

Posted on December 27, 2016January 20, 2017 by mashingin

Back Forty Beer Company (Gadsden, Alabama) recently announced that they ~~will officially release Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA on Friday, January 20~~.

**UPDATE 1.20.17** Back Forty has made the following announcement concerning the cancellation of the release of Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA:

“MANDARIN CHIEF UPDATE (hint: its not ready): It turns out that #makingcraftbeergreatagain takes a lot of time and attention to detail. So we have to let you guys know that The Mandarin Chief will not be available tomorrow (January 20) night for our inauguration party. But because you guys have been asking here’s what we will do. For the next 24 hours…anyone who buys one of our limited edition The Mandarin Chief t shirts (either here in person or online) will receive a limited time voucher for a chance to purchase the first run of The Mandarin Chief here at Back Forty. For more details email brad@backfortybeer.com. Cheers!” **UPDATE 1.20.17**

In an effort to make craft beer great again, Back Forty Beer Company will recognize Inauguration Day 2017 with the debut of Mandarin Chief. Brewed with mandarin oranges, this Imperial Black India Pale Ale has come forward to be “a brand new beer for a brave new world.” Weighing in at a YUGE 11% ABV and 70 IBUs, Mandarin Chief has unabashedly declared itself the perfect beer choice for either celebrating or condemning the swearing in of the 45th President of the United States.

“If our calculations are correct this is going to be the most terrific beer ever served, trust us, people that know beer, and we’ve talked to the top people, they love this beer.”

– Back Forty Beer Company

Mandarin Chief absolutely has a plan in place for its launch, but the exact details of that plan have yet to be released. What we do know is that Back Forty will hold a release event/Inauguration Day Watch Party for Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA beginning at 8 a.m. on January 20, 2017. “Initially available in the Tap Room only”, this offering will be available on draft and in 12 oz. cans. The “initially” portion of that quote leads us to believe this brew will eventually see some sort of distribution, but that’s totally up to the Mandarin Chief. We will absolutely provide you with updates on this release once that information becomes available. Stay tuned, Murica. Prost!

Vital Information for Mandarin Chief Imperial Black IPA from Back Forty Beer Company

Release – Limited, Tap Room Release on January 20, 2017
Style – Imperial Black India Pale Ale/Cascadian Dark Ale
ABV – 11%
IBUs – 70
Added Ingredients – Mandarin oranges
Availability – Draft & 12 oz. cans (Tap Room only initially)
Official Twitter Account – @MandarinChief
Schwag Alert! – The brewery has Mandarin Chief t-shirts currently available for purchase on their website (click here to check them out)

Holiday Gift Idea: Last-Minute Beer Gift Packs

Posted on December 23, 2016 by mashingin

As the holiday season nears its culmination, many of us may still be scrambling to track down a few last-minute gifts. If a beer lover remains on your list, we have you covered with a few beer gift packs that can be easily acquired at your local bottle shop or liquor store.

For the Belgian Beer Fan: St. Bernardus Gift Set

This beautiful gift set includes a stunning chalice glass and the following four, quintessential Belgian brews from the highly regarded Brouwerij St. Bernardus of Watou:

**Note: There is another gift set available out there consisting of two glasses and a six-pack containing just the St. Bernardus Prior 8, St. Bernardus Tripel, & St. Bernardus Abt 12.**

If the target of this gift pack has been extra good this year, you could also consider rounding off the set by including a 750ml bottle of St. Bernardus Christmas Ale.

For the German Purist: The Ultimate Bavarian Gift Pack from Weihenstephaner

Since I fall into this category, I would be absolutely elated to receive this gift pack each and every year. This set includes a branded Weizen glass and four of the following eight beer offerings from “The World’s Oldest Brewery”, Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan:

**Note: The four beers in each gift pack are clearly marked on the top of the box.**

For the Craft Beer Newcomer: Spiegelau Craft Beer Tasting Kit & Hand-Selected Mix Pack

The Craft Beer Tasting Kit from Spiegelau may be a bit harder to track down, but a lot of fine craft beer stores are carrying them these days. This gift set consists of three glasses that were meticulously crafted to improve the experience of certain beer styles. The Craft Beer Tasting Kit includes the following three specialty glasses:

The Spiegelau IPA Glass
The Spiegelau Witbier/American Wheat Glass
The Spiegelau Stout Glass

**Note: You might also find a new Craft Beer Tasting Kit from Spiegelau containing a fourth glass, The Spiegelau Barrel Aged Glass. Either set would make an amazing gift.**

Complete this gift with a mixed six-pack of beers to go into these glasses, and you will probably earn the title of “Coolest Gift Giver Ever” from the recipient.

That’s just a handful of ideas that will make just about any beer drinker happy. If you cannot track these down, most beer stores typically have a wide selection of other gift sets during the holiday season. If not, just talk to the beer specialist at the bottle shop to come up with a few bottles that match the taste and personality of your target. Go the thoughtful route and you can never go wrong. Happy holidays to all! Prost!

Tasting Notes: Selene Saison from Victory Brewing Company

Posted on December 22, 2016December 22, 2016 by mashingin

This week’s Tasting Notes journeys into the dark side of Saisons with a look at Selene Saison from Victory Brewing Company (Downingtown, Pennsylvania).

Created as the sister beer to Helios Belgian Farmhouse Ale from Victory Brewing, Selene Saison is a dark example of the style filled with notes of “chocolate and clove funk, while rye blends with herbal and spicy whole flower East Kent Goldings hops to produce a smooth finish.” In order to add even more dynamic depth to the brew, fermentation was achieved with Blaugies and two strains of the wild Brettanomyces yeast. Selene Saison was released back in the fall as a limited offering available in 750ml bottles and on draft. Although it has been several months since this beer made its debut, there is always a chance of stumbling across a few bottles sitting on shelves throughout Victory Brewing’s 35 state distribution area. With those particulars now covered, it is time to pop this cork and get into some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Selene Saison from Victory Brewing Company

Appearance: Selene presents herself as an incredibly dark brown, seemingly black color. Held to direct light, the deep brown hues gain strength and push through with more force at the top and bottom of the glass. Although opaque, a lively carbonation can be seen coursing at the edges. A gentle pour resulted in two, fast building fingers of dark tan head that proves to have wonderful retention. The foam has a good amount of stick to it and sheets the glass with lace.

Aroma: Clove and barnyard funk pleasantly greet the nose first. Dark fruits, black cherry, banana and freshly cut grain rise gently and mingle nicely with the funk. Complexity abounds as rich leather, spicy rye and earthy hops round off the aroma. Everything here is enticing and fresh. A good descriptor of these aromatics is comforting . . . soothing even.

Taste: When it comes to flavor, Selene proves to be a different, but equally beautiful creature. The solid malt profile establishes itself first with notes of fresh grain, earthy rye and dark chocolate. The earthiness of the rye provides a smooth transition to the musty funk character – tobacco, wet wood, and barnyard – of the yeast. Clove steadily emerges alongside spicy and herbal hop tones to finish off each sip.

Mouthfeel: This Saison is medium bodied with a medium to high carbonation level. This allows the beer to have a slightly creamy texture while still drinking like a much lighter brew. The ABV is light in presence and only displays a soft tinge of heat at times. The beer dries out slowly and nicely. The remaining aftertaste is nothing but the beautiful funk supplied by the yeast strains.

Final Thoughts: Selene Saison is powerful and striking right from the pour. The aroma is a wonderful balance of pronounced intensity and inviting comfort. Just as each inhale makes you feel like you have this brew figured out, the flavors have their own direction and unique characteristics. This being the case, somehow everything still manages to come together into an alluringly cohesive experience. Although the choice to take on a dark Saison adds some complications to many purists of the style, Selene shows off just enough Saison character to keep everyone happy. That said, this stunner’s overall intention is to break the mold by teasing the drinker with a ridiculous amount of unexpected twists and turns. Mesmerizing. Tantalizing. Gorgeously executed. Prost!

Good People Brewing Expands Distribution to Georgia

Posted on December 22, 2016 by mashingin

Good People Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) has officially signed with United Distributors and will launch distribution in Georgia on Monday, January 23.

Since first opening their doors in 2008, the folks behind Good People Brewing Company have endured “thousands of hours, hundreds of hiccups, [and] two abandoned day jobs” in order to turn a dream into reality. With a portfolio boasting beers such as Snake Handler Double IPA, Coffee Oatmeal Stout and El Gordo Una Stout Imperial, the hard work ultimately paid off as the brewery steadily grew to become what is now Alabama’s oldest and largest brewery. Although they have established themselves as a standard of excellence for craft beer in Alabama, Good People has earned the respect of the craft beer community by never forgetting their struggle and humble beginnings. Lately, their success has led to their beers becoming available in five states outside of Alabama, “with four of them happening in 2016 alone.” This trend will continue into the New Year as Georgia will become Good People’s sixth out-of-state expansion beginning the third week of January 2017.

“We’re finally headed to Georgia!” says Michael Sellers, co-owner and co-founder of Good People Brewing Company. “This has been a long time coming. After 9 years of business and honing our craft, we now have the opportunity to come to Georgia.”

On Monday, January 23, Good People Brewing Company will begin a steady roll-out in Georgia by initially entering Atlanta with a series of launch events and promotions. With United Distributors handling all distribution responsibilities, the brewery will enter the market with several of their craft beer offerings. For updates on events and what beers to expect at launch, “like” Good People Brewing Co. on Facebook or follow on Twitter or Instagram at @GPBrewing. Until then, Georgia beer fans just need to settle in and prepare for the awesome that Good People is about to send their way. Prost!

Big Storm Brewing Co. Taps Reindeer Games Series of Winter Ales

Posted on December 21, 2016 by mashingin

As the holiday season gets into full swing, Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has announced the debut of their limited, draft-only Reindeer Games Series of Winter Ales.

Previously, Big Storm Brewing Co. has been well represented in the Winter Ale department by Dunder & Blixem Ale, a complex and spicy Winter Ale that was awarded a silver medal at the 2014 Florida Beer Championships. Dunder & Blixem Ale is here to stay, but the brewery has decided to give the rest of Santa’s reindeer some love this year by creating the following four Winter Ale variants to comprise the aptly named Reindeer Games Series:

Dasher & Dancer – Cocoa & Orange Zest Winter Ale
Prancer & Vixen – Carmel Hazelnut Praline Winter Ale
Comet & Cupid – Maple & Cinnamon Winter Ale
Rudolph – Cranberry and Cherry Winter Ale

**Video about the Reindeer Games Series available below**

The four Reindeer Games variants were officially released on Tuesday, December 20. These limited, draft-only brews are available exclusively at Big Storm Taproom locations (Pasco – 2330 Success Dr. Odessa, Florida; & Pinellas – 12707 49th Street N, Clearwater, Florida) while supplies last. Dunder & Blixem Ale is a Forecast Series release available now in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft throughout Big Storm’s distribution area. If you happen to be in the Tampa area during the holidays, be sure to swing by a Big Storm Brewing Co. location to get in on some Reindeer Games. Prost!

Vital Information on Dunder & Blixem Ale from Big Storm Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Forecast Series, available now
Style – Winter Warmer
ABV – 8.8%
IBUs – 35
Food Pairings – Grilled lamb, prosciutto with figs & blue cheese, & pecan pie
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder (a.k.a. Storm Tracker) – https://www.bigstormbrewery.com/beer-finder/

UPDATED – Dogfish Head to Expand Distribution to Alabama and Four Other States in 2017

Posted on December 21, 2016March 6, 2017 by mashingin

Dogfish Head Craft Brewery (Milton, Delaware) recently announced plans to extend their reach over the next year by adding Alabama, Minnesota, Missouri, New Mexico and West Virginia to the brewery’s distribution footprint.

Through the wonderment and beauty of fine craft beer, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery has been “dedicated to bringing off-centered goodness to off-centered people” for over 21 years now. The brewery has earned a highly-respected reputation for creating experimental and sometimes extreme takes on classic styles, but the elevated ABV levels for several of their offerings had many beer fans in Alabama fearful that Dogfish Head may never enter the Heart of Dixie. The Alabama craft beer community can now put those worries to rest because the brewery has officially declared that 2017 is the year.

Dogfish Head has already started their 2017 distribution expansion by rolling out a little early in New Mexico. At launch, the brewery is leading with “a full line-up of iconic, fan-favorite brews, including 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, SeaQuench Ale, Flesh & Blood IPA, Namaste White, Indian Brown, Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Midas Touch, and seasonal releases. Limited quantities of specialty beers and occasional rarities will also be available throughout the year.” Craft beer lovers in Alabama, Minnesota, Missouri and West Virginia can expect the same treatment whenever the brewery announces launch dates in those states. Due to the state’s ABV cap on beer, Alabama can expect to see a slightly abridged version of the Dogfish Head portfolio of brews.

**UPDATE – 3.6.2017** Beginning March 6, Dogfish Head’s full portfolio of beers will arrive in Alabama via a trio of wholesalers: Gulf Distributing, Supreme Beverage Company and Premium Beverage.

“The craft beer scene is taking off in the southeast and there are a ton of beer lovers throughout the state,” Dogfish Head CEO and founder Sam Calagione said in a press release. “We have our new canning line pumping out beer and enough brewing capacity to ensure we can keep retailers well stocked with our off-centered, well-differentiated family of beers and are ecstatic that Dogfish Head fans hailing from Alabama can finally enjoy their favorite brews in their home state.”

Confirmed Alabama Launch Events

Tuesday, March 7 at 4 p.m.: The Nook (3305 Bob Wallace Ave SW, Huntsville) – Dogfish Head Tap Takeover featuring 90 Minute IPA, 60 Minute IPA, Flesh and Blood IPA, Palo Santo Marron, & Midas Touch
Tuesday, March 7 at 5 p.m.: Wish You Were Beer, Campus No. 805 (2500 Clinton Ave W, Huntsville) – Dogfish Head Launch Event featuring 90 Minute, 60 Minute, Palo Santo Marron, Burton Baton, Namaste, Beer to Drink Music To, Indian Brown Ale, and more on tap and available in bottles and cans to go
Wednesday, March 8 at 5 p.m.: The J. Clyde (1312 Cobb Lane, Birmingham) – Dogfish Head Launch Party
Wednesday, March 8 at 5 p.m.: Hop City Birmingham (2924 3rd Ave S, Birmingham) – Dogfish Head Beer Release and Sampling
Wednesday, March 8 at 6 p.m.: The Beer Hog (112 Bowling Lane, Pelham) – Dogfish Head Tap Takeover featuring 60 Minute IPA, 90 Minute IPA, Beer To Drink Music To, Flesh and Blood IPA, Namaste White, Burton Baton, Midas Touch & Palo Santo Marron

We will update the list above with more events as soon we hear about them. **UPDATE – 3.6.2017**

Once Dogfish Head Craft Brewery is ready to launch in Alabama, we will be sure to update you with available beers, launch events, and any other pertinent information at that time. Stay tuned and start getting excited. Prost!

Starr Hill Brewery Releases 2017 Lineup Calendar

Posted on December 21, 2016 by mashingin

Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia) offers the craft beer community a glimpse into the future with the official release of the brewery’s 2017 Lineup Calendar.

Just as we’ve done with previous posts concerning brewery release calendars, we are going to post Starr Hill Brewery’s 2017 Lineup below so that you can check it out on your own. Before we do so, Starr Hill is going big once again this year and we need to cover a few highlights first:

The brewery’s All Access Series will see three new additions: Double Bass Double Chocolate Stout (January), brewed with generous cocoa additions for a mocha aroma with a bittersweet chocolate and dark fruit finish; Hop Buzz Coffee IPA (April), dry-hopped with whole coffee beans for a roasty aroma with subtle coffee flavor and citrus hops on the finish; & Resinate Imperial Red IPA (July), brewed with specialty malts for a ruby-red hue and firm maltiness, with American hops imparting citrus aroma and flavor.
Starr Hill’s Heavy Rotation Series will also feature three new brews: Warehouse Pils (March), a German Pilsner dry-hopped with German hops, golden in color with a mildly floral flavor and a crisp malt finish; Festie Oktoberfest Lager (September), a smooth and malty tribute to the great German Märzen, makes its awaited return to 6-packs for the first time in over four years; & Two-Tone Vanilla Porter (December), melds the aroma and flavor of real vanilla beans with the sweetness of chocolate, malt and subtle caramel notes.
The draft-only Debut Series will be rocking four new offerings: Scotch Ale (January), characterized by its huge malty nose and features a full, sweet palate with very little hop bitterness; Denali Double IPA (April), highlights the fruity aroma of Denali hops; Farmhouse IPA (July), blends American hops with spicy notes from the French yeast; & Russian Imperial Stout (October), for the holidays with special ingredients to be announced.
Arriving in February, the Spring Tour Variety Pack will be the first seasonal variety 12-pack of bottles released by the brewery in 2017. It will feature Grateful Pale Ale, Reviver Red IPA, The Love Wheat Beer, & Warehouse Pils.

Check out the rest of the 2017 releases on the calendar available below, and settle in for another great year of craft beer from Starr Hill Brewery. Prost!

Founders Brewing Co. Adds Barrel-Aged Series, Releases 2017 Availability Calendar

Posted on December 20, 2016 by mashingin

With the recent release of the brewery’s upcoming Availability Calendar, Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has revealed their plan to add the Barrel-Aged Series to an already lengthy list of exciting offerings and changes headed our way in 2017.

In recognition and anticipation of the brewery’s 20th Anniversary in 2017, the folks at Founder Brewing have decided to celebrate by expanding their “famed and highly-regarded barrel-aging program.” With a ridiculously solid foundation provided by the fan-favorite releases of KBS and Backwoods Bastard, the new Barrel-Aged series will also introduce the craft beer community to four additional barrel-aged brews.

The first release in the 2017 Barrel-Aged Series – and the newest barrel-aged brew from Founders – will be Frootwood. To create this offering, brewers take a “a crisp, light-bodied cherry ale” and age it in “oak barrels that have held both bourbon and maple syrup” to impart “notes of warm vanilla and earthy sweetness.” Full of depth and complexity thanks to the wood treatment, Frootwood displays tones of “tart cherry while the maple imposes a velvety texture that lingers for not a moment too long.” Frootwood Cherry Ale aged in Maple Syrup Bourbon Barrels will officially release in the Founders Brewing Co. taproom on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. This beer will then see a staggered release during the months of January and February in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of the Founders distribution area. Frootwood will be available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles (suggested retail price of $14.99) and in single 750ml bottles (suggested retail price of $11.99). Information on the three remaining new beers in the Barrel-Aged Series has not yet been made available, but those details will be released as the year goes on.

As far as the rest of the 2017 Availability Calendar goes, we will post it below and allow it to speak for itself. Before we do so, let’s just cover a few highlights first:

The brewery’s Seasonal Series – Azacca IPA, PC Pils, & Mosaic Promise – will have availability in both 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and 15-packs of 12 oz. cans in 2017.
Beginning in early 2017, All Day IPA will be available in 19.2 oz. cans.
Since Founders Brewing Co. is constantly experimenting and adding new offerings to their portfolio, the brewery has made the difficult decision to retire Pale Ale and Devil Dancer to make room in their brewing schedule.

Alright, that about covers it. Check out the full 2017 Availability Calendar below and prepare yourself for the amazing year of beers ahead from Founders Brewing Co. Prost!