Beer News | Mashing In

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Goes Year-Round with Automatic Pale Ale

Posted on May 5, 2020 by mashingin

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that Automatic Pale Ale will join its Year-Round lineup on Wednesday, May 6.

Previously only available as a warm weather Seasonal release, Automatic is a “hazy and straw colored” American Pale Ale that uses a “mix of Mosaic and Crystal hops . . . to create a delicate balance and give the beer an aroma that features a complex array of berry, citrus, herbal, and pine notes.” Coming in at 5.5% ABV, Automatic has a “nicely balanced and moderately bitter finish.”

“Our purpose at Creature Comforts is to create opportunities for human connection, and we aspire to support that purpose through our year-round beers by having a portfolio that offers something for everyone,” said CEO Chris Herron. “We’re thrilled to begin offering Automatic year-round and believe it serves as a perfect complement to our existing, diverse lineup of year-round beers.”

Automatic Pale Ale will officially return on May 6 with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. You can expect to find this Year-Round offering at craft beer-focused establishments located within Creature Comforts Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint in Georgia. Prost!

Vital Information for Automatic Pale Ale from Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round; returning May 6, 2020
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 5.5%
Featured Hops – Mosaic & Crystal
Fun Fact #1 – On the label artwork: “Once again, we collaborated with a local artist to design the can label. Athens’ painter, Michelle Fontaine was inspired by 1950s American popular culture as well as the origin of our facility – a former 1940s Chevy dealership and later the Snow Tire Company. The label she designed for Automatic has a classic automotive theme.”
Fun Fact #2 – “The name Automatic is a nod to the community in which we are located – Athens, GA. It’s a reference to the slogan of a local restaurant, Weaver D’s that inspired one of REM’s most prolific albums – Automatic for the People.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia

Boulevard Brewing Co. Introduces Unfiltered Wheat Mixed Pack

Posted on May 4, 2020 by mashingin

Boulevard Brewing Co. (Kansas City Missouri) has officially announced that it will launch the Unfiltered Wheat Mixed Pack, a Variety 12-pack of 12 oz. cans that includes the brewery’s best-selling Unfiltered Wheat Beer and two new variants, on Monday, May 4.

Developed to highlight the versatility and overall natural citrusy flavor of Boulevard’s long-standing Unfiltered Wheat Beer (a.k.a. “the most approachable craft beer known to humankind”), the Unfiltered Wheat Mixed Pack is bringing supreme refreshment to summer with the original beer and “two fun new twists on . . . Unfiltered Wheat Beer: Unfiltered Grapefruit Wheat and Unfiltered Kiwi Wheat. The descriptions for each beer featured in the Unfiltered Wheat Mixed Pack are as follows (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s website and blog):

Unfiltered Wheat Beer – A lively, refreshing ale with a natural citrusy flavor and distinctive cloudy appearance. This easy drinking American-style wheat beer has become our most popular offering, and the best-selling craft beer in the Midwest. ABV – 4.4% IBUs – 14
Unfiltered Grapefruit Wheat – Takes the lemon note of the original and adds a layer of refreshing grapefruit, bringing the whole citrus grove to your taste buds. Bright and refreshing with a subtle tartness, this variant is a citrus lover’s dream. Perfect for poolside adventures, late night fire pits and breakfast. ABV – 4.4% IBUs – 14
Unfiltered Kiwi Wheat – Channeling tropical beach vibes, the Unfiltered Kiwi Wheat bursts with the fruity sweet flavor of kiwi. This tangy and flavorful take on the original explodes with juicy flavor and aroma. Pour in a glass, add a cocktail umbrella and enjoy! ABV – 4.4% IBUs – 14

Each Unfiltered Wheat Mixed Pack includes six cans of the original Unfiltered Wheat Beer, three cans of Unfiltered Grapefruit Wheat and three cans of Unfiltered Kiwi Wheat.

The Unfiltered Wheat Mixed Pack will debut in the Greater Kansas City area on May 4 and expanded distribution is expected to follow shortly after that date. You can expect to find this Variety 12-pack of 12 oz. cans at select craft beer-friendly retailers located within Boulevard Brewing Co.’s distribution area (click here to access the brewery’s Beer Finder). Prost!

Straight to Ale Unleashes Gorillanaut Imperial IPA For a Limited Time

Posted on May 4, 2020 by mashingin

Straight to Ale (Huntsville, Alabama) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of the legendary Gorillanaut Imperial IPA on Monday, May 4.

Returning in 2020 as a part of Straight to Ale’s IPA 4-Pack Series, Gorillanaut is an Imperial India Pale Ale brewed with an “obscene amount of hops” to create “a supernova of citrusy hop aroma and flavor up front with a sweet malty backbone.” Boasting a 10.1% ABV and IBUs that “are off the charts,” Gorillanaut is “an aggressive yet well-balanced beer.”

The 2020 batch of Gorillanaut will hit Straight to Ale’s taproom at noon on May 4 and is scheduled to hang around through August. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans at the brewery and select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Straight to Ale’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Gorillanaut from Straight to Ale

Release – Limited/IPA 4-Pack Series; May – August 2020
Style – Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV – 10.1%
IBUs – ???
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans
Distribution – Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee & Louisiana

Yazoo Brewing Company Begins Limited Release of Never Say Never Again Sour Ale

Posted on May 1, 2020May 1, 2020 by mashingin

Yazoo Brewing Company (Madison, Tennessee) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Never Say Never Again, the latest Sour Ale project from the brewery’s Embrace the Funk program, on May 1.

Crafted to be the long-awaited sequel project to the “challenging” 2015 release that Embrace the Funk brewers expected to never make again (cleverly named Never Again at the time), Never Say Never Again is a sour Belgian Strong Dark Ale “aged in Sherry casks before a double barrel extended rest in Port, Bourbon, Merlot and [Tennessee] Whiskey barrels.” Never Say Never Again is best enjoyed at 55°F.

“Many of you know the crazy story behind what became ‘Never Again’ in 2015. It still remains one of the most asked questions ‘Will you or can you make that beer again?’ I usually answered with ‘Well we did put Never Again on the label.’ But a good challenge is fun. So in 2017 I set out to attempt a sequel version of the final beer (minus the leaky barrels, pallets falling over etc…). Double barrel aging everything before this final blend sure brought back some memories! I believe I was able to capture the overall character of the original in this batch.”

– Brandon Jones, Head Funkmaster & Brewer for Yazoo’s Embrace the Funk program

Never Say Never Again is scheduled to officially release at Yazoo Brewing Company on Friday, May 1. This Limited Release offering is available as long as supplies last in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and in a ~~Special Limited Edition Package (includes a 4-pack of Never Say Never Again and one 12 oz. bottle of the original Never Again)~~ **UPDATE 4 p.m. 05.01.2020** Special Limited Edition Packages are SOLD OUT**UPDATE 4 p.m. 05.01.2020** for local delivery and curbside pickup at the brewery (click here to place your order online). Prost!

Portland Cider Co. Begins Packaging Kinda Dry in 6-packs of 12 oz. Cans

Posted on May 1, 2020 by mashingin

Portland Cider Company (Clackamas, Oregon) has officially announced that its best-selling Kinda Dry Hard Apple Cider is now available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans.

Brewed as an “ideal representation of Portland Cider Co.’s mission to handcraft cider in the English tradition featuring 100% Northwest apples,” Kinda Dry is a Hard Apple Cider featuring “fresh pressed juice from a blend of Northwest-grown culinary apples––including Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Jonagold, Golden Delicious, and more––carefully fermented with a yeast to preserve the subtle characteristics.” Coming in at an easy drinking 6.9% ABV, Kinda Dry is “just off-dry and lightly carbonated with a lingering fresh finish.”

“Having our flagship Kinda Dry available in six-pack cans has been long overdue. This was the cider that my husband Jeff and I originally made at home for ourselves and is ultimately the reason why Portland Cider came into being.”

– Lynda Parrish, Co-owner of Portland Cider

Kinda Dry is available now in 6-packs 12 oz. cans along with its previous availability in 19.2 oz. “proper pint” cans and on draft. You can expect to find this Year-Round offering at Portland Cider Company’s two taprooms – Clackamas Pub & Cidery and Portland Cider House (click here to place an online order for curbside pickup) – and at cider-friendly establishments located within the cidery’s distribution footprint in Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, and Northern California. Prost!

Vital Information for Kinda Dry from Portland Cider Company

Release – Year-Round; 6-packs of 12 oz. cans launch late April 2020
Style – Hard Apple Cider
ABV – 6.9%
Calories – 151 (per 12 oz. serving)
Carbs – 4 grams (per 12 oz. serving)
Ingredients – Gala apples, Honeycrisp apples, Pink Lady apples, Granny Smith apples, Jonagold apples & Golden Delicious apples
Fun Fact – “The company’s best-selling product and winner of multiple gold medals, Kinda Dry is an ode to the heritage of Portland Cider Co. co-owner Lynda Parrish and her home of Somerset, England.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “Pulled pork, bratwurst, Italian sausage”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz. cans & draft
Cider Finder – https://www.portlandcider.com/cider-finder

Cascade Brewing Celebrates Cinco de Mayo with Limited Release of Pineapple Retreat

Posted on April 30, 2020 by mashingin

Cascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Pineapple Retreat, a special draft only small blend, at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.

Arriving just in time to add a little flavor to your Cinco de Mayo celebrations, Pineapple Retreat “features sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 20 months then fermented with fresh organic pineapple and infused with habanero pepper and cilantro.” Meant to capture the experience of a “fresh pineapple salsa,” Pineapple Retreat “combines fruity and herbal flavors with a lively acidity and just a touch of heat.”

Since this is a draft only release, Pineapple Retreat will be available as a beer to-go option in 16 oz. crowler cans at Cascade’s two Portland pubs – Cascade Brewing Barrel House (click here to pre-order for local delivery or pickup at the Barrel House) and Lodge at Cascade Brewing (pickup only at the Lodge) – at 3 p.m. on April 30. This Limited Release offering will also see limited distribution in kegs to select craft beer-focused establishments located within Cascade Brewing’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Pineapple Retreat from Cascade Brewing

Release – Limited; April 30, 2020
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – ???
Treatment – Sour Blond Ales aged in oak wine barrels for up to 20 months then fermented with fresh organic pineapple & infused with habanero pepper & cilantro
Fun Fact – “Cascade was pleased to source the fresh pineapple used in this beer from Imperfect Foods, an online grocer committed to eliminating food waste and building a better food system for everyone. According to Imperfect Foods, an estimated 40% of all food goes uneaten, and 33% of food that’s grown is either unharvested or left behind in the fields because the growers suspect it might not meet the specifications of their buyers.”
COVID-19 Info – During the COVID-19 shutdown, Cascade Brewing is offering beer to go––including Pineapple Retreat in 16-ounce crowler cans––via home delivery and curbside pickup. Customers can place an order for beer and limited food at CascadeBrewing.shop, with curbside pickup at the Barrel House at 939 SE Belmont St. every Thursday through Sunday from 3pm to 7pm. Home delivery orders of beer only are delivered every Thursday. At the Lodge at Cascade Brewing at 7424 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy., beer and limited food is available for pickup every Tuesday through Saturday from 3pm to 8pm; view the menu at LodgeAtCascade.com.
Availability – Draft only; available in 16 oz. crowlers at Cascade Brewing locations
Distribution – Limited

Great Divide Brewing Co. Brings the Summer Vibes with Release of Margarita Gose

Posted on April 30, 2020 by mashingin

Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) has officially announced that it will introduce Margarita Gose as its latest Tank Farm Series release in May 2020.

Brewed to “[capture] the vibe of a poolside cabana,” Margarita Gose is a “traditional sour German ale . . . partially aged in tequila barrels and enhanced with lime puree, makrut lime leaf and Himalayan pink salt.” Coming in at 5.8% ABV, Margarita Gose is ” tart and dry with an abundance of citrus notes.”

Margarita Gose will debut in early May and is scheduled to hang around through July 2020. You can expect to find this new Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Great Divide’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Margarita Gose from Great Divide Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Tank Farm Series; May – July 2020
Style – Gose
ABV – 5.8%
Added Ingredients – Lime puree, makrut lime leaf & Himalayan pink salt
Treatment – Partially aged in tequila barrels
Suggested Food Pairings – “Sinaloa-style chili lime marinated shrimp; avocado corn salad; grilled queijo de coalho; passion fruit mousse”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://greatdivide.com/beer-finder/

Terrapin Beer Co. Adds Cryosphere IPA to IPA Survival Kit Variety Pack

Posted on April 29, 2020 by mashingin

Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that the newly released Cryosphere IPA will join Hopsecutioner IPA, Luau Krunkles IPA and RecreationAle LoCal IPA in the newest installment of the brewery’s IPA Survival Kit Variety 12-pack.

The culmination of an experiment with a new “state-of-the-art hop product,” Cryosphere is an India Pale Ale brewed and dry-hopped with three varietals of Cryo Hops – Azacca Cryo, Simcoe Cryo and Centennial Cryo. Coming in at 5.5% ABV and 46 IBUs, Cryosphere IPA “packs in huge amounts of hop flavor and aroma while minimizing bitterness.”

To ensure that all your hop needs are completely satisfied, Cryosphere IPA will be joined by the following three IPAs in the newly revamped IPA Survival Kit (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s website):

Hopsecutioner IPA – Light copper in color, this IPA has an aroma of fresh pine and citrus. A strong malt backbone provides balance to an assertive hop bitterness. ABV – 7.3% IBUs – 60
Luau Krunkles IPA – Tropical aromas of passionfruit, orange and guava dominate the nose while a big juicy hop flavor and smooth bitterness complement the balance of the beer. ABV – 6.5% IBUs – 50
RecreationAle LoCal IPA – Specially formulated to accompany you on all of your adventures. Packing in just 99 calories so it won’t weigh you down, this full-flavored “LoCal” IPA will keep your feet moving on the trail of life. ABV – 4.2% IBUs – 30

**The IPA Survival Kit will include three 12 oz. cans of each of the four featured IPAs**

The latest edition of Terrapin’s IPA Survival Kit is rolling out now and will be available for a limited time. You can expect to find this Variety 12-pack of 12 oz. cans available at select craft beer-friendly retailers located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of Terrapin Beer Co.’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Cryosphere IPA from Terrapin Beer Co.

Release – Limited/Special; launching late April 2020
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 46
Hops – Falconer’s Flight pellets, Azacca Cryo, Simcoe Cryo & Centennial Cryo
Malts – 2-Row, Malted Wheat, Flaked Oats, CaraPilsner & CaraMalt
Availability – 12 oz. cans available exclusively in the IPA Survival Kit Variety 12-Pack
Beer Finder – https://www.terrapinbeer.com/beer-finder

Escape Brewing Set for Double Can Release of Five Flags Pilsner & All Together IPA

Posted on April 29, 2020 by mashingin

Escape Brewing Company (Trinity, Florida) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Can Releases of Five Flags Pilsner, a returning favorite, and All Together Hazy IPA, a special collaboration project coordinated by Other Half Brewing (Brooklyn, New York), at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.

To make sure that they close out a tumultuous April on a high note, the folks at Escape Brewing Company are hooking up their fans by releasing cans of a classic go-to brew and a new offering that has a fantastic cause. The descriptions for each beer are as follows (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s newsletter and social media accounts):

Five Flags Pilsner – This beloved classic is finally back in 4-packs and ready to go home with you! Enjoy this light and crisp pilsner on the porch or on the couch while binge watching Netflix. It’s perfect anytime, anywhere…in the house. ABV – 5%
All Together Hazy IPA – A 6.5% Hazy/Juicy India Pale Ale hopped with Citra, Mosaic, Simcoe and Cascade.
All Together is a Worldwide, open-ended beer collaboration created by Other Half Brewing Company to raise support for the industry we all know and love. It’s an effort to raise awareness and provide relief, even in the smallest way, to those who are struggling.
Escape Brewing Company has decided to use a portion of the proceeds to support the amazing peeps in our local community that have had their lives turned upside down by this unprecedented event. We will be purchasing food from two locally owned independent restaurants, Craft Street Kitchen Trinity and The Stadium. We will be delivering this food to our local first responders in the coming weeks.
In addition to supporting our local first responders, we will be using a portion of the proceeds to purchase gift cards from another local owned independent restaurant The Little Lamb and will distribute to hospitality workers in our local community.

Five Flags Pilsner and All Together Hazy IPA will be available for pickup in the Taproom at Escape Brewing Company beginning at 3 p.m. on April 30. Both of these Limited Release offerings will be available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans as long as supplies last. Five Flags and All Together are both taproom exclusive releases and will not see distribution. Prost!

TrimTab Brewing Begins Limited Release of Seeds of Society DDH DIPA

Posted on April 28, 2020April 28, 2020 by mashingin

TrimTab Brewing (Birmingham, Alabama) has officially announced that Seeds of Society, a Limited Release Double Dry-hopped DIPA, is available now for pickup at the brewery.

Dropping as TrimTab’s newest release in its Light Visions Collection of small-batch Hazy and New England IPAs, Seeds of Society is a Double Dry-hopped, Hazy Double India Pale Ale crafted with Spelt, Wheat, HBC 692 and Centennial Hops. Seeds of Society comes in at 8.5% ABV and is ridiculously “fresh off the line.”

“Plant the seed of positivity into your mind, nourish it daily with love, and happiness will flower, as fear begins to die.”

– Leon Edwards

Seeds of Society officially debuted on April 27 and is available for a limited time for pickup at the Tasting Gallery at TrimTab Brewing (click here to place your order online). This Limited Release offering is available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans for the cost of $16 each. There is no word at this time if Seeds of Society will see distribution, but previous Light Visions releases have hit retailers in the past. Prost!

Vital Information for Seeds of Society from TrimTab Brewing

Release – Limited/Light Visions Collection; April 27, 2020
Style – Hazy/Juicy Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8.5%
Featured Ingredients – Spelt, Wheat, HBC 692 hops & Centennial hops
COVID-19 Info – The Tasting Gallery at TrimTab Brewing is currently closed, but the brewery is filling orders for pickup. You can place an order online by clicking here.
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans