LOKO Cuisine Launches 2019 Eggs & Kegs Series with Biscuits & Berliners at Late Start Brewing

Posted on by mashingin

BiscuitsBerliners3On Sunday, January 20 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine and Hey Giant! Little Biscuits will combine culinary talents at Late Start Brewing – located inside Pour House Tampa | 1208 E. Kennedy Suite 112 | Tampa, Florida – to host a special “Biscuits & Berliners” edition of Eggs & Kegs.

LOKO Cuisine’s Eggs & Kegs road trip continues into 2019 and the first stop of the year will be at Late Start Brewing for brunch over Biscuits & Berliners.  With Hey Giant! along for the ride with their famous little biscuits in hand, this collaborative brunch menu will consist of the following five self-serve, gravy-soaked courses:

BiscuitsBerliners2

Late Start Brewing will obviously be responsible for refreshments at this shindig, and they have gone all in by coming up with the following tap list of brunch-themed Berliners (and one Gose):

  • Orange Cream Mimosa Berliner Weisse
  • Bloody Mary Berliner Weisse 
  • Coffee, Cinnamon & Vanilla Berliner Weisse
  • Red Sangria Berliner Weisse
  • Tasty Tasty Yum Yum Raspberry Cacao Berliner Weisse
  • Strawberry Margarita Gose

If are not a big fan of Berliners or beer in general, worry not because wine, cider and mimosas will be flowing during this event as well.  For those in need of their morning dose of caffeine, Ginger Beard Coffee will also be pouring nitro-infused coffee and tea (for an additional cost) at its home base in the Pour House.

Tickets for Eggs & Kegs – Biscuits & Berliners are available now for $32.10 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the five-course brunch and one beer, cider, wine or mimosa. Physical tickets will not be issued, but your name will be added to a paid list once the purchase process is completed. FYI: Everyone in your party will have to check in under the purchaser’s name at the door.

Just like all LOKO Cuisine events, there is a limited amount of tickets available for this Biscuits & Berliners brunch.  Deep down . . . you know you need some biscuits and gravy in your life and you know that you do not want to miss this.  Treat yourself and lock down those tickets as soon as possible.  Prost!

 

 

 

Starr Hill Brewery Releases 2019 Product Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

StarrHillDeepFuzzEager to jump into their 20th year of craft brewing, Starr Hill Brewery (Charlottesville, Virginia) sent out a 2019 Product Calendar this week that outlines all the surprises they have planned for their fans in the coming year.

Just as we do with all posts on brewery calendars, we have published Starr Hill’s full 2019 Product Calendar below for you to fully absorb on your own.  With that said, there are quite a few details that we feel we should pass along before we turn you over to that document.  Brevity is our goal, so let’s knock it out:

  • Starr Hill will establish a rotating Sour Series in 2019.  This series will feature the following kettle-soured brews: Raspberry American Sour (April), Lime Gose (July), and Passion Fruit Gose (October).  A “bubbly” Guava Gose will also appear later in the winter.  All Sour Series offerings will be available on draft, in rotating seasonal 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, and in the “Say It Ain’t Sour” 12-pack of 12 oz. bottles that will also debut in April.
  • Hoppy Blonde Ale will launch in May as the brewery’s new Summer Seasonal, replacing The Hook Grapefruit Session IPA.  This easy-drinking Blonde Ale boasts an “emphatic hop aroma and flavor (and never-before-used hops).” A new, yet to be named Winter Seasonal will also turn up in November.
  • The All Access Series returns in 2019 with the following lineup of limited release brews: Kelis Milkshake IPA (January), New England IPA (April), Deep Fuzz Double IPA (July), and Little Red Roostarr Coffee Cream Stout (October).  All Access brews will have availability on draft and in 16 oz. cans in 2019.
  • The “Hopped As Hell” Variety 12-pack of 12 oz. bottles will surface in August to supply hopheads with the following four lupulin-laced brews: Shade, a hopped ale with the shadow of a Belgian Wit; Swim, a hazy, juicy wave of refreshment; AC, a breeze of an Amarillo Citra IPA; and Mountain Air, a West-Coast style, pinnacle of an imperial IPA.
  • To make room for the upcoming additions to the Starr Hill lineup, two year-round brands will be phased out in January 2019: Double Platinum Imperial IPA and Jomo Vienna Lager. These beers, beloved as they are by retail visitors, will still appear on rotation at Starr Hill’s Crozet and Roanoke tap rooms.

Okey dokey . . . that should wrap up everything that we wanted to cover, but there are still plenty of juicy little tidbits for you to find on the calendar below.  Give it a good look and get ready to celebrate two decades craft brewing with Starr Hill Brewery in 2019.  Prost!

Starr-Hill-Products-Calendar_2019-1
CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE 

 

 

Great Divide Brewing Co. Provides a Look at its 2019 Release Calendar

Posted on by mashingin

GreatDividelogoround.jpgNever one to shy away from beer calendar season, Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) has stepped forward this week to reveal a 2019 Release Calendar that boasts seven new beers along with updated packaging and formats.

Just as we typically do with all beer calendar-related posts, we have posted Great Divide Brewing Company’s full 2019 Release Calendar below for you to look over at your leisure.  With that said, we would be remiss if we did not quickly mention a few of the calendar’s highlights.  Let’s go ahead and get those out of the way:

  • Great Divide’s beloved Yeti Series will introduce two new variants in 2019: Chocolate Cherry Yeti (February) and S’more Yeti (October).
  • A limited release, one-off Anniversary Ale will surface in May 2019 to commemorate 25 years of brewing excellence at Great Divide.
  • A yet to be named, limited release Juicy Double IPA is scheduled to debut in October.
  • The Wood Werks Barrel Series will return in 2019 with the following releases: Saison in Red Wine Barrels (February), Belgian Dark Sour (May), and Old Fashioned (August).
  • 2019 will mark the first time that Great Divide produces 19.2 oz. cans. This format will launch with Denver Pale Ale and Heyday Modern IPA (pictured above).
  • In an effort to “move away from plastic rings”, the brewery’s Year-Round and Seasonal lineup will transition to 6-pack cardboard cartons.
  • Other format changes will include Strawberry Rhubarb Sour transitioning from 22 oz. bottles to 6-packs of 12 oz. cans in May and Hazy IPA will mark the debut of 4-packs of 16 oz. cans.

That’s all we have for you this time around, but there is still a good amount of info just waiting for you on the calendar below.  Be sure to give it a gander that way you are fully prepared for everything Great Divide Brewing Company has in store for you in 2019.  Prost!

GreatDivide2019Calendar
CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE

Highland Brewing Company Adds Starchaser White to Year-Round Lineup

Posted on by mashingin

Starchaser-Web-Render_2f738ceffacd75bb03d92ae127419836Highland Brewing Company (Asheville, North Carolina) has announced that Starchaser White will officially join its Year-Round portfolio on Friday, December 21.

Introduced earlier this year as a Seasonal offering that received much acclaim, Starchaser White is back to provide craft beer fans with the same “Belgian-inspired white ale . . . brewed with coriander, candied ginger, and grapefruit peel” on a Year-Round basis.  In an effort to keep things as local as possible, Highland Brewing is taking great care to source the ingredients for Starchaser from two other Asheville companies:

  • The wheat and rye used in the brewing of this beer will be sourced from Riverbend Malt House, a malt roaster located in Asheville that sources all their grain from local farmers.
  • The coriander for Starchaser will be acquired through Spicewalla, an Asheville-based spice wholesaler founded by James Beard-nominated chef Meherwan Irani.

Built for ultimate refreshment, Starchaser White comes in at an easy-drinking 4.8% ABV and 22 IBUs.

Highland Brewing will welcome back Starchaser White with a release party on December 21 and plans to send it out to distribution at or around that date.  You can expect to find this Year-Round offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Highland Brewing’s distribution footprint in the Southeast.  Prost!

Vital Information for Starchaser White from Highland Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round; December 21, 2018
Style – Witbier
ABV – 4.8%
IBUs – 22
Malts – 2-Row, Riverbend Flaked Wheat, Riverbend Malted Wheat, Flaked Oats & Riverbend Flaked Rye
Hops – Perle, Saphir & Hallertau Blanc
Added Ingredients – Grapefruit peel, candied ginger, & Spicewalla Brand coriander
Fun Fact #1 – Starchaser White was originally released in the summer of 2018 under the name “Stargazer White”.
Fun Fact #2 – On the decision to make Starchaser White a Year-Round offering: “Named the fourth best American wheat ale by Vine Pair Inc. in August 2018, and wildly popular in the Highland Tasting Room, the resounding acclaim for this beer made it an easy decision to upgrade the brew to be included in Highland’s year-round portfolio.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://highlandbrewing.com/beer (located at the bottom of the page)

 

Heavy Seas Beer Unveils 2019 Product Portfolio

Posted on by mashingin

45718056452_40d9331d94_zHeavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) has provided craft beer fans a look at the year ahead with the release of the brewery’s 2019 Product Portfolio.

Just as we do with all posts concerning release calendars, we have listed the entire Heavy Seas 2019 Product Portfolio below for you to peruse at your own pace.  With that said, there are few juicy details that we need to go over first.  We promise to be brief, so let’s go ahead and knock it out:

  • Heavy Seas will introduce three new Limited Release offerings in 2019: Citra Cannon IPA (February), Sun Burst Sour Ale (July), and Night Swell Dark IPA (October).
  • The brewery’s “Uncharted Waters” Series will get a new addition with the June release of Red Flag Barrel-aged Sour Ale. 
  • Three long-standing Uncharted Waters” offerings – Blackbeard’s Breakfast (February), Great’er Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale (September) and Siren Noire (November) – will be accompanied by draft-only variants in 2019:  Salted Caramel Blackbeard’s Breakfast, Great’er Pumpkin Latte and Coconut Siren Noire.
  • Heavy Seas will continue its tradition of releasing an Anniversary Ale at end of each year with the release of “24” in 2019.  “24” will be available on draft and in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans.  The style of “24” Anniversary Ale will be determined later in the year.
  • The Cannon Crew Sampler – available in both 12 oz. bottle and 12 oz. can formats – will be available Year-Round and contain all four Cannon Crew beers: Loose Cannon IPA, TropiCannon Citrus IPA, Double Cannon Double IPA, and AmeriCannon Pale Ale.  Due to this development, Double Cannon will now be available in 12 oz. cans in both the sampler pack and its own 6-packs.
  • The Heavy Seas small-batch beer program will continue to provide 16 oz. can releases along with draft availability in 2019.  These limited release beers will continue to be available throughout the year exclusively in the Heavy Seas Taproom at the brewery in Baltimore, Maryland. Each beer style will not be announced until closer to its release date.

Alright . . . that’s everything that we wanted to gloss over, but there is still plenty to discover in portfolio below.  Give it a good look and start getting excited about all the new Heavy Seas brews headed your way in 2019.  Prost!

2019 Product Portfolio for Heavy Seas Beer

Year-Round

  • Loose Cannon IPA
  • TropiCannon Citrus IPA
  • Double Cannon Double IPA
  • AmeriCannon Double Dry-Hopped American Pale Ale
  • Pounder Pilsner
  • Peg Leg Imperial Stout
  • Gold Ale – draft only
  • Powder Monkey Pale Ale (draft only)
  • Cutlass Vienna-Style Lager (draft only)

Limited Release

  • February | Citra Cannon IPA 
  • April | Smooth Sail Wheat Ale 
  • April | Smooth Sail Mixed Berry (draft only)
  • July | Sun Burst Sour Ale
  • October | Night Swell Dark IPA 
  • December | 24 Anniversary (Style TBD) 

“Uncharted Waters” Series

  • February | Blackbeard’s Breakfast Imperial Coffee Porter Aged in Bourbon Barrels 
  • February | Salted Caramel Blackbeard’s Breakfast (draft only)
  • June | Red Flag Barrel-aged Sour Ale 
  • September | Great’er Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale Aged in Bourbon Barrels
  • September | Great’er Pumpkin Latte (draft only)
  • November | Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout Aged in Bourbon Barrels
  • November | Coconut Siren Noire (draft only)

Samplers (Year-Round)

  • Cannon Crew Bottle Sampler
  • Cannon Crew Can Sampler

Samplers (Limited Release)

  • April | Summer of the Pirate Can Sampler: Smooth Sail, TropiCannon, Loose Cannon 
  • August | Drink Like a Pirate Can Sampler: Sun Burst, TropiCannon, Loose Cannon

J. Wakefield Brewing Set to Release The Adjunctron Project

Posted on by mashingin

JWakeLogoJ. Wakefield Brewing (Miami, Florida) has officially announced that it will release The Adjunctron Project, the brewery’s “first-ever adjunct set”, at some point during the week of December 10, 2018. **UPDATE** J.Wakefield  announced today that it will release The Adjunctron Project in its tap room on Thursday, December 13 between the hours of 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. **UPDATE**

Consisting of six parts when intact, The Adjunctron Project consists of a Barrel-aged Imperial Stout that is released alongside five different adjunct-laced variants of itself: Coffee, Vanilla, Coconut, Cocoa Nibs and Cinnamon.  Each offering in The Adjunctron Project weighs in at a formidable 14% ABV.

“We’ve never released a set like this. The different versions really give the drinker a sense of how the right adjuncts can enhance the flavor profile of an individual beer. We think it makes a great holiday gift for craft beer lovers. It’s certainly something we’d love to receive,” explained Maria Cabre, head brewer and director of brewery operations.

The Adjunctron Project will be “available via flash release, sometime this week.” **UPDATE** The flash release for The Adjunctron Project will take place in J. Wakefield’s tap room on Thursday, December 13 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.  **UPDATE**  The set of six 500ml bottles will be available for $150 each and there will be a limit of one set per person.  If you wish to get your hands on The Adjunctron Project, the folks at J. Wakefield Brewing recommend that you follow their Instagram account closely for the official release announcement.  Prost!

North Coast Brewing Releases Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XXI and Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve

Posted on by mashingin

Old Stock Cellar ReserveNorth Coast Brewing Co. (Fort Bragg, California) has officially announced the nationwide Limited Release of two barrel-aged fan favorites, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XXI and Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve.

An elevated take on a legendary Year-Round offering from North Coast Brewing Co., Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XXI began life as Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout and was then aged in bourbon barrels so that it could pick up the “complex and deep flavor that is celebrated by fans and critics alike.”  Known for its “notable mix of rich flavors and warming finish”, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XXI is at its best when shared and sipped.

Releasing alongside Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XXI, the latest batch of Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve is Old Stock Ale – a beer “known for its high gravity and generous hopping rate, which makes it a perfect brew for an aged release” – that has been carefully aged in rye whiskey and wheat whiskey barrels.  This treatment yields a sensory experience featuring “layers of intense flavor unique to this take on the Old Stock Ale.”

“We’re thrilled with this year’s Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin and Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve releases,” said North Coast Brewing Company Brewmaster, Patrick Broderick. “Both releases are an amplified take on two of our classic beers. The richness of these aged brews will make them your go-to choices during the holiday season, and beyond.”

Arriving just in time for the holidays, Barrel-Aged Old Rasputin XXI and Old Stock Ale Cellar Reserve are hitting shelves now and will stick around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find both these Limited Release offerings available in 500ml bottles at select craft beer retailers located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of North Coast’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Tasting Notes: Nebraska Hoppy Saison from Earth Eagle Brewings

Posted on by mashingin

EarthEagleNebraskaPour_editedFor this installment of Tasting Notes, we reminisce on a recent vacation by getting into a can of Nebraska Hoppy Saison from Earth Eagle Brewings (Portsmouth, New Hampshire).

Proudly wearing a name inspired by an iconic Bruce Springsteen album and “the state of many farmhouses”, Nebraska is a Saison that has been “lusciously hopped” with Motueka and Mosaic hops.  Coming in at an easy-drinking 6.2% ABV, Nebraska was brewed by Earth Eagle to give “all those other farmhousey brews a run for their money!”

Nebraska is occasionally available in Earth Eagle’s taproom on draft and in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans.

Now that we have properly gone over the brewery’s brief description of this beer, let’s experience Nebraska by way of New Hampshire with some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Nebraska Hoppy Saison from Earth Eagle Brewings

Appearance: A gentle pour produces a Saison that is a deep yellow-orange in color and capped with just over two fingers of rocky, winter white foam.  When held to direct light, the yellows burst with radiance while a rich orange tone holds its ground at the core of the glass.  The beer is slightly cloudy but is still able to display a steady carbonation presence working about within.  A picture-perfect representation of the style’s unmistakable level of head retention, the foam barely falls at all and absolutely coats the glass with chunky streaks of lace.

Aroma:  The Saison yeast strikes first with beautiful notes of pepper, clove and subtle mustiness.  The featured hops lend delicate notes of grapefruit, lemon zest, mango and stone fruit.  Bready malts eventually surface with a touch of sweetness, but they are no match for that gorgeous yeast character.

Taste: The bready malts set the stage here before those trademark Saison notes steal the show with peppery spice, a nice earthiness and grassiness, subtle clove, and musty tones that mimic wet hay and an attic during a humid summer.  The hops have a bit more power here and brighten the profile with tones of grapefruit and tropical fruits, but notes of mango and stone fruit (mostly unripe peach and dried apricot) actually lend some support to that musty yeast quality as well.  A gentle floral tone rounds everything off and closes out the profile.

Mouthfeel: Medium in body with a medium carbonation level, this beer casually slips across the palate and finishes nice and dry.  The hops outwork the malts a bit, but they avoid taking the spotlight from the all-important Saison yeast character.  At 6.4% ABV, this beer does bring a light building heat in the throat, but it is not at all out of hand. The aftertaste leaves behind just a grace of yeast esters that easily entices the drinker to take another sip.

Final Thoughts: After landing in Manchester, New Hampshire and starting our vacation by road-tripping to Portland, Maine, we asked every brewer, bartender and server that we ran across along the way the same question: “What is the one brewery around here that we have to check out?”  The first answer out of everyone’s mouth was Earth Eagle Brewings.

That level of endorsement says a lot, but a beer like Nebraska says even more about Earth Eagle and quickly validates those ardent recommendations.  We say that because this is a wonderfully executed, classic take on the Saison style, and that is no small feat.  Yes, we are aware that Nebraska is listed as a not-so-traditional “Hoppy Saison”, but those carefully selected Motueka and Mosaic hops were deployed to balance and actually accentuate the elegant and dynamic nature of the chosen strain of Saison yeast.  The hops add some charm, but they know their place and never overwhelm. It is incredibly apparent that the brewers at Earth Eagle set out to make Nebraska shine bright as a real Saison capable of capturing the attention and imagination of European brewers dedicated to this style, and they clearly pulled it off in our estimation.

All in all, we can confirm that Nebraska is a truly special beer and Earth Eagle Brewings is a truly special brewery.  Be sure to check them out if you ever find yourself anywhere within driving distance of Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Seriously.  Do it.  Prost!

Maui Brewing and Smog City Brewing Collaborate on Star Maps Kolsch

Posted on by mashingin

MauiSmogMaui Brewing Company (Kihei, Hawaii) has officially announced that it will release Star Maps Kolsch, a Limited Release collaboration with Smog City Brewing Co. (Torrance, California), during the month of December 2018.

Named in reference to the fact that “the independent breweries [Maui Brewing and Smog City Brewing] are connected by the stars and the Pacific Ocean, as well as . . . the tourist maps of the stars in the City of Angels”, Star Maps is a Kolsch-style Ale that adds a tropical burst of starfruit from Ono Organic Farms to a base recipe that already has Huell Melon, Motueka, and Calypso hops [offering] notes of citrus, apple, and melon, while the Pilsner, Wheat, and Vienna malts provide light malt character with citrus and fruit esters.”  Star Maps comes in at a light and refreshing 6.1% ABV and 35 IBUs.

“Los Angeles will always have a special place in my heart. It is where I became a brewer, learning from some of the most passionate and talented people in our industry. The craft beer landscape in LA has grown dramatically since I moved away, so I was super stoked to be able to collaborate with my dear friends from one of the city’s first breweries, Smog City Brewing. It has been heartbreaking to see the fires in Malibu and surrounding areas devastate some of my old stomping grounds. Team MBC sends all of our Aloha to everyone affected from this massive disaster, and our gratitude to the heroes on the ground. Cheers to them – they deserve some beers!”

 

– Matt Ponichtera, Brewer at Maui Brewing Company

Star Maps Kolsch is rolling out now at all Maui Brewing locations – Kihei, Lahaina, and Waikiki – and is scheduled to hit distribution any day now.  You can expect to find this Specialty Release available as long as supplies last in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Hawaii, California and a “few” other markets found within Maui Brewing’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Star Maps Kolsch from Maui Brewing Company & Smog City Brewing Co.

Release – Specialty/Limited, December 2018
Style – Kolsch 
ABV – 6.1%
IBUs – 35
Hops – Huell Melon, Motueka & Calypso
Malts – Pilsner, Wheat & Vienna
Added Ingredients – Starfruit from Ono Organic Farms
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://mauibrewingco.com/find-our-beer/

 

Rogue Ales Kicks Off 2019 with Return of Straight Outta Newport . . . Oregon DIPA

Posted on by mashingin

RogueSTONO4packRogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) has officially announced that its fan-favorite Straight Outta Newport . . . Oregon Double IPA, a liquid celebration of the Oregon Coast, will return in January 2019.

Back for a second year in a row, Straight Outta Newport . . . Oregon is a “huge” West Coast India Pale Ale that squeezes “intense notes of tropical fruit and citrus” from the featured Citra, Mosaic and Comet hops.  Clocking in at an “uncompromising” 8.7% ABV and 73 IBUs, Straight Outta Newport is sure “to satisfy the thirstiest hop heads” out there.

“This is our biggest and boldest IPA packed with ridiculous amounts of Citra, Mosaic and Comet hops,” says Innovation Brewer Michael King. “The beer upends expectations for double IPAs—it has huge hop character and flavor but is surprisingly easy to drink.”

Straight Outta Newport . . . Oregon releases in January 2019 and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution territory.  Prost!

Vital Information for Straight Outta Newport . . . Oregon from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited, January 2019
Style – Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8.7%
IBUs – 73
Hops – Citra, Mosaic, Comet, Hallertau & Magnum
Malts – Rogue Farms Dare, Pilsner, Goldpils Vienna & Dextrapils
Fun Fact – On the label artwork: “Straight Outta Newport’s label art pays homage to Newport’s iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge and the Rogue brewers who collaborated on crafting this beer. ‘By looking at the Straight Outta Newport can, you can see exactly what matters to us: our coastal roots and the brewers who create the incredible beers we drink,’ says Rogue General Manager Dharma Tamm.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://finder.rogue.com/