Beer News | Mashing In

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Set to Release Blends 1 & 2 of Concurrence Imperial Stout

Posted on July 10, 2019 by mashingin

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that it will introduce Concurrence, a series of Barrel-aged Imperial Stouts, by releasing Blend 1 and Blend 2 on Saturday, July 20.

Created to allow the Creature Comforts crew the opportunity to “[explore] the depths of strong ale”, the Concurrence Series “is a changing expression of stout, time, and spirits barrels.” Each release will establish its own unique identity “through blending and the introduction of various ingredients.”

The Concurrence Series will launch with the Limited Release of the following two Imperial Stouts (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

Concurrence Blend 1 – A Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with vanilla beans. This blend is made up of four different bourbon barrels chosen specifically for this particular beer. Creature Comforts used beautiful whole Ugandan vanilla beans at a rate of 4 pounds per bourbon barrel. ABV – 13.7%
Concurrence Blend 2 – An Imperial Stout aged in Rye Whiskey barrels with coffee and cinnamon added. After aging nineteen months in the barrels, the brewery added coffee and cinnamon to the blend. Creature Comforts worked with local 1000 Faces Coffee to source Agua Limpa coffee, a nutty, chocolatey, and rich coffee from Brazil to accent the flavors of this particular beer. ABV – 12.1%

Concurrence Blend 1 and Concurrence Blend 2 will debut in the Tasting Room at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. on July 20. This Limited Release offering will be available in 750ml bottles ($34.99 per bottle) and on draft during the release event. If you wish to secure your bottles in advance, you can make those arrangements on CraftCellr beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 13. Bottle limits will be set at two (2) bottles of each beer per person on CraftCellr and four (4) bottles of each beer per person day of the release event. Concurrence Blend 1 and 2 are both taproom exclusives that will not see distribution. Prost!

Lagunitas Brewing Company Hits Summer with A Little Sumpin’ Hazy

Posted on July 9, 2019 by mashingin

Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of A Little Sumpin’ Hazy in July.

Developed to be an “au naturel” take on the “classic wheatly-esque-ish-ness . . . you know and love” from A Little Sumpin’ Sumpin’, A Little Sumpin’ Hazy is a “juicy” and “catty” brew that has underwent a “special dry-hopping of Cashmere, Citra & Mosaic on a bed of Centennial and Chinook.” Built upon a solid base of “shlarfy” grains, A Little Sumpin’ Hazy (7.2% ABV) is guaranteed to have an eye-catching haze that will work beautifully with your favorite Instagram filters.

A Little Sumpin’ Hazy is rolling out now with plans to stick around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, California, Illinois, Washington and throughout the rest of Lagunitas Brewing Company’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for A Little Sumpin’ Hazy from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Release – Limited; launching July 2019
Style – Hazy/Juicy India Pale Ale
ABV – 7.2%
IBUs – 30
Featured Hops – Cashmere, Citra, Mosaic, Centennial & Chinook
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://lagunitas.com/beer-finder

Iron Fist Brewing Continues Small Batch Series with July Release of Catalina’s Revenge APA

Posted on July 9, 2019 by mashingin

Iron Fist Brewing Company (Vista, California) has officially announced that Catalina’s Revenge, a West Coast-style American Pale Ale, will surface on July 12 as the brewery’s sixth Small Batch Experiment release of 2019.

Designed to be Iron Fist’s “homage to a California classic”, Catalina’s Revenge is a West Coast Pale Ale “brewed with crystal dark malts, Magnum for bittering and Citra for aroma and whirlpool.” To fully embrace that OG West Coast-style, this Pale Ale was “brewed using the traditional infusion method” and “was not dry hopped.” Still “hop-forward” by nature, Catalina’s Revenge (6.9% ABV, 45 IBUs) sources an enhanced hop aroma through several additions of Citra hops at “different intervals” while the beer’s “bitterness [is] balanced with malty caramel undertones.”

“It really goes to bat for team Pale Ale rather than team IPA.” says Tom Garcia, Brewmaster at Iron Fist Brewing Company. “A great summer beer and it was a great opportunity to use Citra Hops in a slightly malty beer to create a unique flavor profile. Sometimes you just need to make beer flavored beer. Straight to the point, hops, water, barley, yeast. We are very excited to make a classic pale ale with a few new interpretations. Cheers to real beer.”

Catalina’s Revenge will officially debut on Friday, July 12 in Iron Fist Brewing Company’s Vista and Barrio Logan taprooms. This Limited Release offering will be available in limited-edition 12 oz. cans and on draft. Like all Small Batch Experiments, Catalina’s Revenge is a taproom exclusive that will not see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Catalina’s Revenge from Iron Fist Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Small Batch Experiments Series; July 2019
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 6.9%
IBUs – 45
Hops – Magnum & Citra
Fun Fact – On the Small Batch Experiments Series: “This category serves as the brewer’s experimental playground; a space that allows the brewmaster to test out new techniques and flavor combinations that continue to push boundaries and get a little weird. With a new beer released monthly, each will be available exclusively in limited release draft exclusively at Iron Fist Taprooms, Petco and selected events with a limited release of 500 cans for take away customers.”
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – None. Available exclusively in Iron Fist’s Vista and Barrio Logan taprooms

Great Divide Brewing Company Adds Lager to its Year-Round Lineup

Posted on July 8, 2019July 8, 2019 by mashingin

Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) has officially announced that it is celebrating summer with the release of its newest Year-Round offering, Great Divide Lager.

Meant to be an “uncomplicated beer fit for any occasion”, Great Divide Lager is an American Lager that features “a blend of noble and new world hops along with German malts and a traditional Lager yeast.” Weighing in at a light 4.2% ABV, Great Divide Lager is a “crisp, refreshing and easy drinking beer that is meant to be enjoyed repeatedly.”

“Great Divide has long been known for its big, bold beers,” explained Bill Bertsch, Sr. Director of Brewery Operations, “but Lager shows the range of our brewing team. They have created a crisp, clean, refreshing beer that has quickly become a favorite around the brewery.”

“We’re excited to roll Great Divide Lager out across our entire distribution footprint,” continued Bertsch. “This beer will provide a lighter complement to our already stellar lineup of core, seasonal and Tank Farm beers.”

Great Divide Lager was officially introduced on June 22 at Great Divide’s 25th Anniversary Party and is actively hitting distribution now. You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Great Divide’s distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for Great Divide Lager from Great Divide Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round; launching late June/early July 2019
Style – American Lager
ABV – 4.2%
Fun Fact – On the label artwork: “The can design is simple and harkens back to those easy-drinking lagers generations of beer drinkers have enjoyed over the years.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://greatdivide.com/beer-finder/

Stone Brewing Goes Nationwide with Latest Release of Notorious P.O.G. Berliner Weisse

Posted on July 8, 2019 by mashingin

Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially announced that its fan-favorite Stone Notorious P.O.G. Berliner Weisse will return for a nationwide Limited Release during the week of July 8, 2019.

Originally brewed in 2016 at the Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens – Liberty Station as a collaboration beer with actor, comedian and native Hawaiian Jonah Ray, Stone Notorious P.O.G. is a Berliner Weisse-style Ale that is meant to capture Ray’s childhood memories of POG Juice – a juice blend consisting of (P)assion Fruit, (O)range and (G)uava. Brewed with those same fruits, Stone Notorious P.O.G. Berliner Weisse (4.7% ABV) “effortlessly rides its effervescence of tart orange citrus and tropicality with sip-it-like-its-Sunday ease. It’s tart, refreshing, citrusy and spectacular.”

“I love my hops in beer, but I also appreciate brewing and enjoying a wide range of beer styles,” said Kris Ketcham, Stone Brewing Senior Manager of Brewing & Innovation who collaborated alongside Jonah Ray on the first brew. “Clearly our fans also appreciate the exploration of other styles, beers that rise to other occasions, and the occasional beer that wows us at the most unexpected time. We originally set out to brew a POG IPA but I’d been exploring with the Berliner Weisse style and knew it would highlight those fruit flavors best. I never would have imagined the following this beer has created, and I’m continually impressed by our fans’ appreciation for a beer that’s balanced, flavorful and intriguing – no matter the style.”

Stone Notorious P.O.G. Berliner Weisse is scheduled to officially release during the week of July 8 and will hang around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz. cans, 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Stone Notorious P.O.G. Berliner Weisse from Stone Brewing

Release – Limited/Special; July 8, 2019
Style – Berliner Weisse
ABV – 4.7%
IBUs – 7
Added Ingredients – Passion fruit, orange & guava
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 19.2 oz. cans, 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

Cascade Brewing Releases Coastal Gose to Raise Funds for the Surfrider Foundation

Posted on July 3, 2019 by mashingin

Cascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon) has officially announced that Coastal Gose, a new Limited Release offering brewed to benefit the Surfrider Foundation, will begin hitting shelves and taps on July 6.

Developed to raise funds and awareness for the Surfrider Foundation so that it can continue its mission to “passionately protect our playground – the ocean, waves, and beaches – that provide us so much enjoyment”, Coastal Gose is Cascade Brewing’s “interpretation of the historic Gose beer featuring sour wheat ales aged in oak barrels with ground coriander seed and sea salt harvested from Oregon’s coastal waters.” Refreshing and easy drinking, Coastal Gose (7.3% ABV) truly is a beach-themed beer.

“Few places embody the wild spirit of the Pacific Northwest like the Oregon Coast,” said Kevin Martin, Cascade Brewing Director of Brewery Operations. “To help protect this venerated landscape, we partnered with the Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and created Coastal Gose. We’re committed to donating a portion of the profits from each bottle of Coastal Gose sold to help the Surfrider Foundation protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves and beaches––one beer at a time.”

Coastal Gose will debut at the Trashy Beach Bash on July 6 at the Barrel House location of Cascade Brewing and distribution is scheduled to begin shortly after the on-site release. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 500ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Cascade Brewing’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Coastal Gose from Cascade Brewing

Release – Limited; launching July 6, 2019
Style – Gose
ABV – 7.3%
Treatment – Sour wheat ales aged in oak barrels with ground coriander seed and sea salt harvested from Oregon’s coastal waters
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft

Jester King Brewery Introduces Mr. Mingo Hibiscus Saison

Posted on July 3, 2019July 3, 2019 by mashingin

unnamed - 2019-07-03T122328.527 — *All images featured in this post are the property of Granger Coats*

Jester King Brewery (Austin, Texas) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Mr. Mingo Hibiscus Saison on Thursday, July 4.

Born from the inspiration to “make a simple beer with a subtle adjunct”, Mr. Mingo is “a simple saison with barley and wheat from Blacklands Malt and raw Texas Hill Country water” sourced from the brewery’s on-site well. The beer was then introduced to roselle hibiscus flowers “at the end of the boil and then later dry hopped with more. In total, [Jester King] used around 1 pound of hibiscus per barrel.”

Mr. Mingo will officially release at 4 p.m. on July 4 at the Tasting Room & Kitchen at Jester King Brewery and distribution is expected to follow shortly after the on-site release. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 750ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Texas and throughout the rest of Jester King’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Mr. Mingo Hibiscus Saison from Jester King Brewery

Release – Limited; launching July 4, 2019
Style – Saison/Farmhouse Ale
ABV – 5.9%
Added Ingredients – Roselle hibiscus flowers
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Bottle Count – (+/-) 4,500

Brew Bus Brewing Celebrates 4th Anniversary of Jug & Bottle Dept. with Birthday Spankins

Posted on July 2, 2019 by mashingin

Brew Bus Brewing (Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Birthday Spankins, a Strawberry Milkshake IPA brewed in collaboration with Jug & Bottle Dept. to celebrate the bottle shop’s 4th Anniversary, on July 2.

Designed to bring plenty of attention to the fact that Jug & Bottle Dept. – the premier bottle shop in Seminole Heights – is turning “4ish” on July 6, Birthday Spankins is a Strawberry Milkshake India Pale Ale brewed with lactose, vanilla, strawberry puree, and Sabro and Belma hops. Coming in at 6.5% ABV, this “lactose-filled celebration” is sure to be one “wild and bumpy ride.”

Birthday Spankins will debut at Jug & Bottle Dept. and the Tasting Room at Brew Bus Brewing on July 2 and has plans to stick around only as long as supplies last. This Limited Release offering is available for purchase in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans. Jug & Bottle Dept. will officially celebrate its fourth birthday at its Ampersandiversary 4 on Saturday, July 6. Prost!

Vital Information for Birthday Spankins from Brew Bus Brewing and Jug & Bottle Dept.

Release – Limited; July 2, 2019
Style – Milkshake India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.5%
Featured Hops – Sabro & Belma
Added Ingredients – Strawberry puree, vanilla & lactose
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans
Distribution – None. Only available at Brew Bus Brewing and Jug & Bottle Dept.

Brewers Association Declares July 3 ‘National Independent Beer Run Day’

Posted on July 2, 2019 by mashingin

The Brewers Association (Boulder, Colorado) – the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers – has officially announced that July 3, 2019 will serve as the first ever National Independent Beer Run Day, an initiative that reminds you to “seek the independent craft brewer seal and purchase craft beers produced by small and independent breweries for [your] Independence Day festivities.”

Since there is still a good deal of confusion concerning beer brand ownership in the marketplace, National Independent Beer Run Day has surfaced as an extension of the Brewers Association’s “Seek the Seal” campaign that brings attention to a “certified mark [that gives] beer lovers an easy way to identify independent craft beer.” Seeking the seal is especially important on Independence Day because “the week leading up to July 4 has been [craft beer’s] highest single sales week of the year for each of the last five years.” Sourced from an IRI scan, this data further “suggests sales that week are 35 percent higher than a typical week. More than half (53 percent) of beer lovers indicated that independent ownership is important when purchasing a beer.” (Source: Sterling Rice Group AAU January 2019)

“Craft beer serves as the anchor for so many Independence Day celebrations. Our libations and the liberation we’re celebrating should go hand in hand. As you plan for this Fourth of July, think independent and drink independent,” said Julia Herz, craft beer program director, Brewers Association. “In preparation for the country’s favorite summer holiday, make sure your beer run includes independent craft beer.”

The Brewers Association will promote National Independent Beer Run Day with a series of videos available on YouTube, audio spots and summer-themed sponsored playlists on Pandora Radio, an event page on Facebook, and “a world record attempt at the longest cheers ever, toasting all 7,300 small and independent U.S. craft breweries.” Go ahead and check out these promotional assets, but – above all – be sure that you support National Independent Beer Run Day by picking up some truly independent craft beer for Independence Day. Prost!

Unibroue Brings Éphémère Cassis Back for the Summer

Posted on July 1, 2019 by mashingin

Unibroue (Chambly, Québec) has officially announced that Éphémère Cassis will return to American shelves and taps during the summer of 2019.

Returning to the United States for the first time since 2011, Éphémère Cassis – a.k.a. Black Currant Éphémère – is a Belgian-style White Ale that “pours a pale red hue with pinkish highlights, slightly cloudy with a finely laced light pink head.” Effervescent in nature, this Éphémère variant boasts “pleasant aromas of black currant enhanced by notes of citrus and spice with a light, flowery bouquet.” Weighing in at an easy drinking 5.5% ABV, Éphémère Cassis is “guaranteed to refresh and revitalize the senses and is perfect for the summer season.”

Éphémère Cassis is rolling out now and will stick around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in a seasonal variety 6-pack and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of Unibroue’s distribution footprint in the United States. Prost!

Vital Information for Éphémère Cassis from Unibroue

Release – Limited/Seasonal; arriving late June/early July 2019
Style – Belgian-style White Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 8.5
Tasting Notes – “Upon first sip, the palate is met with refreshingly crisp acidity, sumptuous black currant flavor, delicately sweet and balanced astringency with hints of grape, lemon zest and tea. A study in pleasing contradictions, Éphémère Cassis is rich in flavor and color yet not too heavy, dancing a perfect middle-ground in texture; refreshingly bitter yet gently sweet, and piquantly carbonated while retaining a body worthy of exploration. Each sip finishes cleanly on the palate, beckoning for the next.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “Goat cheese or aged cheddar, fruit salad, mango salsa, light pastas, smoked salmon, duck, roast lamb, dark chocolate, cheesecake or tiramisu.”
Recommended Glassware – Flute or Tulip
Availability – Featured in a seasonal variety 6-pack & on draft
Beer Finder – http://www.unibrouefinder.com/#