Red Hills Brewing Company to Begin Distribution in Alabama

Posted on by mashingin

redhillsglasses_editedRed Hills Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) has officially signed with International Wines & Craft Beer and will begin distribution on Thursday, December 8.

When Red Hills Brewing first opened their doors earlier this fall, the brewery initially utilized a soft-opening style at launch by only having their beers available in the taproom.  This approach made it so the brewers could gauge demand and allowed everyone involved to get used to their new roles.  Confident that they have achieved these goals and can maintain consistency, Red Hills Brewing Company will now take the next natural step forward by beginning distribution in Alabama’s Jefferson and Shelby counties.

The brewery confirms that the following four offerings will begin distribution on draft on December 8:

  • Homewood Hefe – Year-round
  • A Pound a Brown British Style-Mild Ale – Year-round
  • Tribute Session IPA – Year-round
  • Caught in the Rye IPA – Seasonal

Although these are the only four offerings with confirmed availability at launch of distribution, the brewery does hint that “other offerings” may also turn up at your favorite craft beer spots.

Distribution of these kegs will officially begin on December 8 in Jefferson and Shelby counties, but Red Hills Brewing Company does plan to expand distribution into the rest of Alabama at a later date.  Birmingham’s International Wines & Craft Beer will handle all distribution responsibilities for Red Hills.  The distributor and brewery have several launch events planned throughout the distribution area during the week of December 19.  Keep an eye on International Wines & Craft Beer’s social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) for information concerning these events, and I will of course update this post with that info when it surfaces.  Wherever you happen to end up, just go ahead and make plans to give Red Hills Brewing a proper welcome to distribution at your favorite craft beer bar, restaurant or retailer in a couple weeks.  Prost!

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Bell’s Brewery Unveils 2017 Release Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

bellsglassWith the recent circulation of their official 2017 Beer Release Calendar, Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan) provides us all with a look into our craft beer future.

Instead of breaking down the full list of beer releases, this post is going to allow the calendar (available below) to greatly speak for itself.  With that said, we can quickly cover the following highlights:

  • Hopslam Double IPA Brewed with Honey will be released in January with availability in 12 oz. cans and draft.
  • Am I Right or Amarillo, an American India Pale Ale brewed with 100% Amarillo hops, will be available exclusively in Texas when Bell’s Brewery launches there in early March.
  • Oberon American Wheat Ale will officially release on March 27.  5L mini-kegs will ship out in May.  Oberon will be the only offering available in mini-kegs during the 2017 calendar year.
  • Originally released in 2014 as a part of the brewery’s seven-part Planets Series, Mars, The Bringer of War Double IPA will return in April 2017 as a limited Specialty release.
  • Pooltime Ale, a Belgian-inspired Wheat Ale brewed with Cherry Juice, will debut in 12 oz. cans and on draft in May.  **Note: Although the calendar reads “Pooltime Ale”, the website has a link available for Poolside Ale at this time.**
  • Hell Hath No Fury Belgian-inspired Dark Ale makes a much-anticipated return in September.
  • A yet-to-be-named “Specialty Stout” will debut in bottles in the fall.  More details to come on this one.

That should be just enough information to get you excited for the year ahead.  Take a look at the rest of calendar below and start making some mental notes for the many Bell’s Brewery-fueled beer runs that are sure to be in your future.  Prost!

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Bruery Terreux Introduces Frederick H. as Newest Year-Round Beer

Posted on by mashingin

fredbruerybottleOn Friday, December 2, Frederick H. Berlin-style Tart Wheat Beer officially began its public launch as the latest year-round offering available from Bruery Terreux (Anaheim, California).

With the introduction of Frederick H., Bruery Terreux – a boutique craft brewery and extension of The Bruery that specializes in farmhouse-style wild and sour ales – continues the gradual expansion of their year-round portfolio.  Named after Founder & CEO Patrick Rue’s grandfather, Frederick Hottenroth, Frederick H. arrives as “a tart, wheat-based beer 100% fermented in American-made oak foeders.”  These “massive oak foeders can each hold 250 BBLs (7750 gallons) of beer, which is continuously pulled out in small amounts as the tanks are topped off with fresh wort.”  This approach makes it so the brewers can create a “characterful sour beer that’s full of flavor and racy on the palate.”

“My grandfather was a brilliant inventor. He had a mind for innovation, for knowing the future. I remember him explaining global warming to me in the late ‘80s — and to be honest, we didn’t know what the hell he was talking about. Like Fred, Frederick H. is unique, inventive yet traditional,” shares Patrick Rue. “The fermentation is 100% in oak foeders with a special blend of brettanomyces and lactobacillus, giving Frederick H. a bright acidity and a tropical, fruity aroma and flavor. Each batch benefits from the contributions of previous batches, as it’s fermented and aged in a process resembling the solera method.”

Frederick H. joins Saison Rue Brettanomyces-fermented Rye Saison and Beret Sour Imperial Witbier aged in Oak Barrels with Raspberries as one of three year-round releases available in 2017.  The public release of Frederick H. began on December 2 at all Tasting Room locations for The Bruery and at TheBrueryStore.com.  With availability in 750ml bottles and on draft, this offering will then be sent out for national release later in December.  Look for this one to turn up at craft beer-friendly retailers, restaurants and bars located in Florida and throughout the rest of the distributed regions of Bruery Terreux.  Prost!

Vital Information for Frederick H. from Bruery Terreux

Release – Year-Round, launching December 2016
Style – Berliner Weisse-style Beer
ABV – 4.4%
IBUs – 2
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Distribution – FL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, GA, HI, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MN, NJ, NV, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, RI, TX, VT, VA, WA, WI
Fun Fact – Frederick H. marks the second beer from The Bruery to be named after Frederick Hottenroth.  Now retired, Hottenroth – actually named for both grandparents, Fred & Sarah Hottenroth – was an award-winning Berliner Weisse previously offered by the brewery.

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Red Hare Brewing Company Set to Launch Berry Belgian Waffle

Posted on by mashingin

berrybelgianwafflerhbcOn Saturday, December 3, Red Hare Brewing Company (Marietta, Georgia) will officially welcome Berry Belgian Waffle Belgian-style Ale to their Seasonal lineup.

Since the holiday season is a time meant for indulging in tasty, decadent treats, Red Hare Brewing Company has chosen “the most wonderful time of the year” to introduce Berry Belgian Waffle as their newest small-batch, Seasonal offering.  This release starts with a “malty waffle backbone” created with “copious amounts of Wheat, Victory Malt, CaraBelge Malt, and Belgian candied sugar.” Blueberries and Abbey Yeast round off the beer’s recipe to create a 7.9% ABV Belgian-style Pale Ale filled with delicious notes of berry, waffles and syrup.

The official release of Berry Belgian Waffle will begin at a brewery Launch Party on December 3 (click here for those event details).  6-packs of 12 oz. cans will find their way into distribution shortly thereafter. You will be able to find Berry Belgian Waffle at select “independent package stores, bars and restaurants” located in Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and throughout the rest of Red Hare Brewing’s distribution footprint.  The release of Berry Belgian Waffle is sure to get the attention of many craft beer fans out there, so secure your sixer before this one disappears from shelves.  Prost!

Vital Information for Berry Belgian Waffle from Red Hare Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Winter Seasonal, official launch on December 3, 2016
Style – Belgian-style Pale Ale
ABV – 7.9%
IBUs – 12
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans
Distribution – Alabama, Florida Panhandle, Georgia, South Carolina & Tennessee

 

The Pit Boss Triple IPA Returns for Pair O’ Dice Brewing

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podlogoPair O’ Dice Brewing Company (Clearwater, Florida) recently announced that The Pit Boss Triple IPA will make a limited return beginning on Friday, December 2.

Florida hop heads, take notice!  Pair O’ Dice Brewing has brewed up a new batch of The Pit Boss Triple IPA just for you.  With a hop bill comprised of Amarillo, Apollo, Chinook, Mosaic and Simcoe hops, this juicy Imperial India Pale Ale was brewed with “more than 4 pounds of hops per barrel.”  This heavy-handed punch of hops “delivers an enormous amount of citrus and tropical fruit aromas and flavors followed by some resinous, dank goodness.”  Not to be trifled with, The Pit Boss weighs in at an intimidating 11.5% ABV and 125 IBUs.

“I love IPAs and The Pit Boss Triple IPA is my masterpiece.” says Pair O’ Dice’s Head Brewer, Ken Rosenthal. “When I opened Pair O’ Dice Brewing 3 years ago, I was inspired to bring fresh, hoppy, west coast style IPAs to Florida. As new hops varieties become available and the IPA market changes I’ve taken inspiration from the northeast as well. The Pit Boss Triple IPA blends the clean, hoppy, light bodied west coast imperial IPA with the juicy and fruity IPAs of New England. There is a distinct citrus and tropical fruit profile that I love about this beer. It tastes like hop candy and it’s a delicious damn imperial IPA.”

Pair O’ Dice Brewing will officially release this batch of The Pit Boss Triple IPA at the brewery on Friday, December 2 at 4 p.m.  During this release event, The Pit Boss will be available for purchase in 4-packs of cans for $19.99 each (plus tax).  Cans will only be available at the brewery, but this offering will see limited distribution on draft at “select craft beer retailers in Florida starting Monday, December 5th.”  If hops are your thing, you better make plans now to get your fix with The Pit Boss Triple IPA and Pair O’ Dice Brewing Company.  Prost!

Vital Information for The Pit Boss Triple IPA from Pair O’ Dice Brewing Company

Release – Limited, cans on December 2 & draft on December 5
Style – Imperial IPA
ABV – 11.5%
IBUs – 125
Hops – Amarillo, Apollo, Chinook, Mosaic & Simcoe
Malts – 2-Row & Munich
Availability – 4-packs of cans (brewery only) & limited draft at select craft beer retailers in Florida

Stevens Point Brewery Introduces Snow Pilot Pistachio Nut Brown Ale as Winter Seasonal

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spsnowpilotbottleStevens Point Brewery (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) has officially announced the release of Point Snow Pilot Pistachio Nut Brown Ale as the brewery’s new Winter Seasonal.

As a bit of a different take on the winter seasonal, Stevens Point decided to provide their fans with the comfort and familiarity of a Nut Brown Ale.  To create Point Snow Pilot, brewers laid the foundation of this English-style Brown Ale with Victory malt, Caramel malt and Palisade hops.  When it came time for nut selection, the brewery chose crushed pistachios as a bit of twist to take this offering to full on Nut Brown status.  Although big in flavor, the very reasonable 6% ABV allows this beer to remain an easy-drinking option that you can revisit all winter long.

“When you want to highlight the nutty components of a beer’s flavor, you brew with a nutty malt like Victory,” Brewmaster Gabe Hopkins said. “The first thing you notice when you taste Snow Pilot is a caramel maltiness, followed by a very nice pistachio-flavored sweetness,” he explained. “Snow Pilot has a very distinct, well-defined pistachio flavor and nutty aroma that shows itself more and more as the beer warms in the glass. “The ideal serving temperature for Snow Pilot, Hopkins noted, is around 44 to 48 degrees. “Snow Pilot is a very sessionable, easy-to-drink brown ale just right for colder weather,” he said.

Available now through the end of January 2017, Point Snow Pilot Pistachio Nut Brown Ale can be found in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 6-packs & 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles, in the Winter Wonderland variety 12-pack, and on draft.  If this brew has piqued your interest, you can expect this one to turn up at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama and throughout the full Stevens Point distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Snow Pilot Pistachio Nut Brown Ale from Stevens Point Brewery

Release – Seasonal, November 2016 through January 31, 2017
Style – English Brown Ale
ABV – 6%
IBUs – 16
Malts – Victory & Caramel
Hops – Palisade
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 6-packs & 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles, in the Winter Wonderland variety 12-pack, & on draft
Beer Finder – http://www.pointbeer.com/find-brews/

M.I.A. Beer Company Expands Distribution to Ohio

Posted on by mashingin

mialogoM.I.A. Beer Company (Doral, Florida) has partnered with Cavalier Distributing to begin distribution of their offerings in Ohio on Monday, December 5.

When they first opened for business in 2015, the owners of M.I.A. Beer Company – Johann Beckford, Eddie Leon, and Kevin Smith – wanted to create a craft beer experience greatly inspired by South Florida’s tropical environment and local pop culture.  They did just that by infusing the unique vibe of Miami into their lineup of quality craft beers and the brewery’s overall culture.  This approach has proven to be a formula for success and M.I.A. Beer Company is now ready to expand distribution to Ohio, their first market outside of Florida.

The expansion to Ohio will officially begin on December 5, and M.I.A. will launch in that market with the following offerings:

  • Miami Weiss Hefeweizen – This traditional German-Style Hefeweizen is brewed with wheat, barley, & sweet orange peel. This unfiltered hefe produces vanilla, banana & bubblegum esters.  ABV – 6%  IBUs – 10
  • Mega Mix Pale Ale – A West-Coast style light bodied pale ale with a Megamix of Mosaic, Galaxy and Citra late addition and dry hops. Hugely aromatic and mildly bitter.  ABV – 6%  IBUs – 50
  • Tourist Trappe Belgian Tripel – This tripel is brewed with blond malts and a touch of candy sugar. It’s fermented with Belgian Abby yeast strain that imparts fruity and spicy yet soft, well rounded esters. This low hopped brew is easy on the palate, but deceptively strong.  ABV – 10%  IBUs – 35

In addition to the three beers listed above, M.I.A. will also treat the Ohio craft beer community to “seasonal and limited releases as they are available.”

“M.I.A. is excited to bring our line of Miami-inspired beers to Ohio. We have many Ohio vacationers who have discovered us, and now, they can enjoy a little taste of vacation at home,” said Eddie Leon, Co-Owner of M.I.A. Beer Company.

The brews of M.I.A. Beer Company will be available in 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments in “the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Oxford markets.”  The Ohio branch of Cavalier Distributing will handle all distribution responsibilities for M.I.A. in those areas. A taste of Florida can certainly go a long way during an Ohio winter, so keep an eye out for these beers when they start hitting shelves and taps on Monday.  Prost!

Sprecher Brewery Releases Winter Lager as Limited Edition Seasonal

Posted on by mashingin

sprecherwinteraleSprecher Brewery (Glendale, Wisconsin) has officially sent Winter Lager out to distribution as a limited Seasonal offering.

First brewed in 1985, Sprecher Brewery’s Winter Lager has been a dependable liquid refuge from the cold for over three decades now.  This award-winning Munich Dunkel (Dark) Lager is deep mahogony in color and boasts notes of coffee, nuts, dark roast and spice. At 5.75% ABV, Winter Lager will provide you with the perfect amount of comforting warmth to battle anything that winter can throw at you.

“Winter Lager is our version of a classic Bavarian style lager. One of the original beers we brewed back in 1985, it is still among my favorites. If you want to experience some Wisconsin gemütlichkeit try this beer with cheese, sausage and big soft pretzels,” said Randy Sprecher, CEO and founder of Sprecher Brewing Company.

Winter Lager is available now as a limited edition Seasonal release and will be available while supplies last.  This offering can be found in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer retailers in Alabama, Florida, and the rest of Sprecher’s distribution area.  If you are as big a fan of traditional German beer styles as I am, the word to keep in mind here is “limited”.  Get this one while you can.  Prost!

Vital Information for Winter Lager from Sprecher Brewery

Release – Limited Seasonal, beginning late November 2016
Style – Munich Dunkel Lager
Year First Brewed – 1985
ABV – 5.75%
Malts – Black Patent, Caramel, Chocolate & Pale
Hops – Cascade, Chinook, Mt. Hood & Tettnanger
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft

Second Self Beer Company to Begin Distribution in Alabama

Posted on by mashingin

ssbclogoSecond Self Beer Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially signed with Pinnacle Imports and will begin distribution in Alabama on Thursday, December 1.

Established with the mission “to brew exceptionally high-quality beer made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that vary with the seasons,” Second Self Beer Company launched in Atlanta during the fall of 2014.  Since that date, the brewery has grown steadily, earned a solid reputation and created a loyal following by simply staying true to their five core values: Local, Flavor, Community, Sustainable and People.  Their sustained success has finally made it possible for the brewery to expand their reach outside of the state of Georgia, and Second Self Beer Company has chosen the neighboring craft beer community of Alabama as their first step toward distribution expansion.

When the brewery launches in Alabama on December 1, Second Self Beer Company will offer the following five offerings (all pictured above):

Year-Round Beers

  • Citrus IPA: a year-round IPA that packs a citrus punch yet isn’t overly bitter. It’s made with citrusy hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Citra & just a touch of lemon, orange & grapefruit peel to enhance the citrus aroma without any bitterness. The beer is then dry-hopped with more Amarillo & Citra hops for the added hoppy, citrus punch. The aroma is sweet, yet the taste is dry with a robust IPA finish.  Suggested parings: pan-roasted trout, mussels, artichokes, potato soup & gruyere cheese. ABV – 6.2%  IBUs – 50
  • Red Hop Rye: a Red IPA with an abundance of hoppy citrus aromas from dry-hopping. Spicy rye mixed with hops & balanced by a malty backbone from American caramel & honey malts.  Suggested pairings: BBQ, steak, burgers, brats, cheddar cheese & spicy foods.  ABV – 7.3%  IBUs – 69
  • Thai Wheat:  a year-round American Wheat. This spicy beer is as exotic as the country that inspired it, with fresh lemongrass & ginger for a refreshing aroma & taste.  Suggested pairings: fish, chicken, pork loin, grilled vegetables, sushi & Asian cuisine.  ABV – 5.1%  IBUs – 18

Seasonal Releases

  • Maverick & Gose: a fresh take on a traditional Gose with the addition of coriander. Dry-hopped with fruity Wakatu hops to balance out a slightly tart & salty nature.  Suggested pairings: grilled grouper, oysters, guacamole, pineapple & beach volleyball.  ABV – 4.4%  IBUs – 8
  • Molé Porter: a chocolate porter with extra spices reminiscent of Second Self Co-founder Jason Santamaria’s family recipe for Oaxacan sauce. This robust porter is packed with flavor to warm you up this winter.  Suggested pairings: pork or beef tacos, stews & chilis, gruyere cheese & chocolate desserts.  ABV – 6.5%  IBUs – 27

The five beers listed above will be available in 12 oz. cans and on draft at “bars, restaurants, and shops throughout Birmingham, Montgomery, Auburn and surrounding counties.”  All distribution responsibilities will be handled by Bessemer’s Pinnacle Imports.  Details concerning official launch parties should emerge soon, and I’ll update you here once I have that information.  Until then, just swing by your favorite, local craft beer establishment on Thursday to sample these brews and give Second Self Beer Company a proper welcome to the Alabama beer scene.  Prost!

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Full Sail Brewing Observes the Winter Solstice with Shortest Day CDA

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2016-shortest-day-cda-252x577In recognition of the year’s shortest day and longest night, Full Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) has officially released Shortest Day Cascadian Dark Ale as their latest limited release offering.

As the winter solstice looms over us, Full Sail Brewing has brewed up Shortest Day Cascadian Dark Ale (CDA) to be as dark as the long nights of winter seem.  Arriving as the latest offering to come out of the brewery’s Brewmaster Reserve, this CDA – a style also known as the Black India Pale Ale – has been brewed with a recipe boasting three malts (2-Row Pale, Crystal, and de-husked Chocolate malts) and three varietals of tropical and citrus hops (Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra hops).  These ingredients come together to create a beer that “pours a deep dark black with a lacy tan head, with aromas of dark roasty malt and hints of tropical and citrus fruit.”  Quick to make an impression with the craft beer community, Shortest Day CDA has already won a gold medal at this year’s Great International Beer & Cider Competition.

“Shortest Day CDA offers bold flavor with excellent balance,” says Full Sail Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson. “De-husked chocolate malt imparts dark chocolate flavor while crystal adds depth and complexity. Generous additions of Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra hops lend flavors of fruit and sweet floral notes.”

Brewed in small batches, Shortest Day CDA is a limited release offering available from November 2016 through February 2017.  You can find this beer in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments in Florida and throughout the rest of Full Sail’s distribution network.  Get your bottles when you can so that you may properly enjoy a long, winter’s night with a Shortest Day CDA in hand.  Prost!

Vital Information for Shortest Day Cascadian Dark Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Brewmaster Reserve Series, November 2016 through February 2017
Style – Cascadian Dark Ale/Black India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.6%
IBUs – 57
Malts – 2-Row Pale, Crystal & de-husked Chocolate 
Hops – Mosaic, Simcoe & Citra
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/
Fun Fact – The hand-drawn artwork by Portland-based TWEEQiM creativeLab’s MiQ Willmott on all of Full Sail’s recently rebranded packaging pays homage to Hood River’s water sources, bounty of fresh ingredients, and of course, the award-winning taste in each and every bottle. Shortest Day CDA’s label design does all this and more. Willmott’s meticulous design features the Green Man—known in lore as the mascot of the winter solstice—fashioned from hops, celebrating the darkness of night and rebirth, as days begin getting longer again. “The Green Man’s crescent-moon smile reflects on the river,” says Willmott. “And the white stars represent the ‘winter circle,’ the phenomenon of stars that appear only on the winter solstice. Even the Big Dipper gets a cameo.”