Beer | Mashing In

21st Amendment & Fieldwork Brewing Co. Collaborate, Come Up With A Terrible Idea

Posted on August 15, 2018August 15, 2018 by mashingin

21st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA, a new collaboration with their friends at Fieldwork Brewing Co. (Berkeley, California), on August 18.

Dedicated to the idea that “with every bad decision there is a risk and sometimes an incredible reward”, A Terrible Idea is a joint effort by 21st Amendment and Fieldwork Brewing Co. to create what they call a “California New England Style Hazy IPA”. Brewed with a massive amount of Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops and fermented with an ale yeast from Vermont, A Terrible Idea (6.8% ABV) ultimately comes together to supply its drinker with “a floral, dank and piney hop aroma . . . delicate malt clouds, . . . a juicy mouthfeel and notes of peach, orange, mango and pineapple.”

“We used four pounds of hops per barrel in the dry hop alone, which is twice our typical rate for most of our 21A beers,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of 21st Amendment. “At one point I remember asking Barry and Alex if adding this many hops was a terrible idea and they just shrugged their shoulders and added more.”

“The Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot and Calypso hops in this beer were all I heard about for days and days. They couldn’t get enough,” said Nico Freccia, Co-Founder of 21st Amendment. “But we also used a Vermont ale yeast, so that makes A Terrible Idea a ‘California New England Style Hazy IPA’ (new category?) that is in a league of its own.”

A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA will make its official debut on Saturday, August 18 at 21st Amendment’s AugustFest, and will enter distribution at or around that date. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Florida, Georgia, California and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for A Terrible Idea Hazy IPA from 21st Amendment Brewery & Fieldwork Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, mid-August 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale (Hazy/New England-style)
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 55
Featured Hops – Citra, Mosaic, Ekuanot & Calypso
Fun Fact – On the packaging artwork: “While we understand that the #HazeCraze will peak your interest, we know the packaging for this beer will surely keep your attention. All four panels of the six-pack carrier tell a hilarious tale of five knuckle draggers who weren’t afraid to ignore popular opinion, follow their hearts and make an extraordinary beer. And in all honestly, we’re glad they did. In a succession of terrible ideas that haunt us all, was making this beer one of them? We stand behind the claim: absolutely not!”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://21st-amendment.com/find-some/

Great Divide Brewing Co.’s Hoss Returns for Oktoberfest Season

Posted on August 15, 2018 by mashingin

Great Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) has officially announced that Hoss Oktoberfest Lager will return this month for a brief Seasonal run.

Inspired by the Märzen lagers of Germany, Hoss Oktoberfest Lager retains the style’s “rich, layered malt notes, with hints of cherry and dark fruits,” but adds its own personality with a “unique addition of rye [imparting] an earthy, spicy character.” Coming in at 6.2% ABV, Hoss offers a “crisp and dry experience” and “its brilliant red-orange color is a toast to the sunsets that make the perfect backdrop for this beer.”

Hoss is rolling out now and will stick around through September 2018. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Great Divide’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Hoss Oktoberfest Lager from Great Divide Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, August – September 2018
Style – Oktoberfest/Märzen
ABV – 6.2%
Suggested Food Pairings – “Veal bratwurst, barbeque chicken, carnitas (pork) tacos, Camembert cheese, German chocolate cake”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://greatdivide.com/beer-finder/

New Realm Brewing Expands Distribution to Virginia

Posted on August 14, 2018August 14, 2018 by mashingin

New Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has announced that it has partnered with Hoffman Beverage so that it can soon begin distributing its lineup of craft beers in the state of Virginia.

When news broke that New Realm Brewing Company had secured a second location in the former Green Flash facility in Virginia Beach, everyone knew it was just a matter of time before the brewery’s tasty beers would start flowing in establishments local to that area. Well, that facility may not be open to the public yet, but beer is being brewed and it is now ready for distribution in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.

“The Hampton Roads area of Virginia has many quality beer distribution options,” says Bob Powers, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at New Realm. “We have chosen to work with Hoffman Beverage due to their incredible passion for craft beer, our aligned strategy of brand building, and their experience with many other small, independent craft breweries.”

New Realm will officially launch distribution in Virginia with the following core beers (descriptions sourced from the brewery’s website):

Hoplandia IPA – A New Realm-style IPA. Dense with sought-after hops and lush with a heavenly hit of citrus. ABV – 7.3%
Hoptropolis IPA – Set your clocks to island time. This beauty is drenched in tropical flavors of peach, pear and pineapple. ABV – 6.5%
Euphonia Pilsner – A true brewer’s beer. Hop bursted with prolific hop aromatics and heightened levels of refreshment. ABV – 5%
Kikimora Imperial IPA – A dank IPA. Pronounced with peachy, floral, light citrus complexities and a strong, dry finish to the palate. ABV – 8.5%

In addition to core offerings, New Realm Brewing will also treat consumers in Virginia to “select brews from [its] limited release, small-batch specialty beers, starting with Lemon Pucker Berliner Weisse and Belga Rose Belgian Hibiscus Ale (available soon), followed by additional releases in late 2018.”

With the help of Hoffman Beverage, the New Realm beers listed above “will be available on draft at craft-focused bars, restaurants and retailers” located in the Southside area of Virginia’s Hampton Roads. The brewery plans to introduce packaged offerings in Virginia at the start of 2019. New Realm Brewing Company offerings can also be found distributed in the state of Georgia. Prost!

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. Set for Limited Release of Common Things Saison

Posted on August 14, 2018 by mashingin

Creature Comforts Brewing Co. (Athens, Georgia) has announced that it will officially begin the Limited Release of Common Things – a Saison made with local honey – on Saturday, August 25.

Staying true to its commitment “to incorporate a local tie” in “each farmhouse style beer the brewery makes”, Creature Comforts Brewing Co. developed Common Things to be a mixed culture Saison that features honey from local bees. With the recipe rounded out with Styrian Golding and aged Cascade hops, Common Things (6.2% ABV) was finished off by being “fermented in stainless steel before being packaged and refermented in bottles.”

“We’ve learned a lot about ways to use honey through previous projects and putting it in a light, tart, refreshing beer felt like the next progression,” said Wood Cellar and Specialty Brand Manager Blake Tyers. “We’re also excited to have another opportunity to showcase locally sourced ingredients in our beer.”

750ml bottles of Common Things will officially release in the Tasting Room at Creature Comforts Brewing Co. on August 25. This Limited Release offering is not expected to see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Common Things from Creature Comforts Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; August 25, 2018
Style – Saison/Farmhouse Ale
ABV – 6.2%
Featured Hops – Styrian Golding & aged Cascade
Added Ingredients – Honey from local bees
Fun Fact #1 – On the honey: “The brewery worked with the University of Georgia’s Honey Bee Program to source the honey from local bees. Common Things serves as the third beer the brewery has made with honey.”
Fun Fact #2 – On the label artwork: “The label artwork was designed by Athens artist and Creature Comforts staff member Melissa Merrill.”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Distribution – None. Offered as a Tasting Room exclusive

Coppertail Brewing Co. Announces Plans for 4th Anniversary Celebration

Posted on August 13, 2018August 17, 2018 by mashingin

On Saturday, August 18 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., Coppertail Brewing Co. (Tampa, Florida) will celebrate another amazing year of growth by inviting the brewery’s fans to attend a 4th Anniversary Party that will feature over 40 taps of Coppertail offerings and guest beers.

Over the past year, Coppertail Brewing Co. has expanded distribution to now completely cover the state of Florida, earned several more medals for its beers at competitions held at both the state and national levels, and “was also recognized by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as one of the fastest growing companies in Tampa.” This is all definitely cause for celebration, and the folks at the brewery will do just that with a 4th Anniversary Party on August 18.

“According to recent IRI syndicated data, we are the No. 1 selling craft brewery in Florida. Our sales are up 35% from this time last year. We are thankful to our fans and followers for continuing to support us and drink our beer.”

– Kent Bailey, Coppertail’s president

Instead of going with the strict Florida Weisse theme of years past, the folks at Coppertail have decided to mix things up a bit by having this year’s birthday party feature a vast array of beer styles from Coppertail and several guest breweries. Due to this change and the fact that there are a couple ways to gain admission into this event, we should probably just go ahead and break this thing down to avoid any confusion.

The Basics

What – Coppertail Brewing Co.’s 4th Anniversary Party
When – 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 18
Where – Coppertail Brewing Co. | 2601 E 2nd Ave. | Tampa, Florida

The Beer

To bring a bit of a variety to the experience, this year’s anniversary party will go well beyond just the Florida Weisse style. There will be over 40 taps flowing with Coppertail offerings and a special lineup of beers from guest breweries. At the time of this post, the brewery was still in the process of completing the event’s official tap list and list of guest breweries. We will post those lists here just as soon as they are made available. Stay tuned.

**UPDATE – 08.16.18** As promised, here’s the tentative tap list for Coppertail’s 4th Anniversary Party:

**UPDATE 08.17.18** Coppertail has also added these foeder-aged and sour project beers to their tap list for Saturday (these are all Coppertail Brewing Co. beers):

Dragonfruit Foeder Beer
Muscadine Foeder Beer
Prickly Pear Foeder Beer
Plum & Mint Foeder Beer
Watermelon Foeder Beer
Cranberry & Cherry George
Tangerine & Strawberry Armagnac Barrel Aged Sour
Tart Cherry Burgundy Barrel Aged Brett Dubbel

Admission

There are two ways to gain entry into Coppertail’s 4th Anniversary Party:

General Admission – No ticket required. This level is come as you are and pay as you go. General Admission grants you entry at 1 p.m.
VIP – Ticket required. Tickets are $50 each plus fees and can be purchased by clicking here. Ticket cost provides “partygoers with a commemorative glass, early entry to the event at noon, and access to a VIP area with food and complimentary beer for the duration of the event.” Only 100 VIP tickets are available for this event.

Other Info

Food will be available for purchase during the event
Live musical entertainment will be provided by DieAlps! and Expert Timing

Alright . . . that should cover all the information that is currently available for Coppertail Brewing Co.’s 4th Anniversary Party, but more details are sure to surface as we get closer to the event date. We will update this post with the finalized tap list, the list of guest brewers and any other random info just as soon as we get our hands on it, so stay tuned.

If you are in the area and free on August 18, be sure to head over to the edge of Ybor so that you can raise a glass with the Coppertail Brewing Co. crew to one hell of a year and the many more ahead of them. Prost!

Brewery Ommegang Introduces Fruittanomyces as New Limited Release

Posted on August 13, 2018 by mashingin

Brewery Ommegang (Cooperstown, New York) has announced that Fruittanomyces, a dry-hopped Witbier brewed with tropical fruits and aged with Brettanomyces, is hitting shelves now as the brewery’s latest Limited Release.

To create this “funky, flavorful limited edition beer”, the brewers at Ommegang start with a Witbier base that is “brewed with malted and unmalted wheat and oat flakes and is spiced with sweet orange peel and coriander.” This Witbier then takes an interesting turn off its classic path by being “fermented with mango, kiwi, and passion fruit juices and dry-hopped with Citra and Cascade hops before aging in the bottle with Brettanomyces.” With all these steps completed, Fruittanomyces emerges with a complex aroma dominated by “tropical fruit and overripe funk” and “tart flavors of ripe pineapple, passion fruit and kumquat [leading] to subdued hints of lemony citrus.” Coming in at just 5.3% ABV, Fruittanomyces offers an experience that is “effervescent and surprisingly refreshing with a lingering sweetness on the finish.”

Fruittanomyces is rolling out now and will be around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Edition beer available in 750ml bottles at craft beer-focused retailers located in Alabama, Florida, New York and throughout the rest of Brewery Ommegang’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Fruittanomyces from Brewery Ommegang

Release – Limited, August 2018
Style – Witbier/American Wild Ale
ABV – 5.3%
Grains – Malted and Unmalted Wheat & Oat Flakes
Featured Hops – Citra & Cascade
Added Ingredients – Orange Peel, Coriander & Mango, Kiwi and Passion Fruit juices
Treatment – Bottle conditioned with Brettanomyces
Fun Fact – “As with all unpasteurized brett beers, Fruittanomyces is alive, and the flavor will develop over time. This beer is suitable to enjoy now or to be cellared.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “The tart acidity of Fruittanomyces works beautifully with buttery seafood such as lobster, sweet crab, or New England clam chowder. It also pairs well with a tart dessert such as lemon meringue pie.”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Beer Finder – http://ommegang.com/blog/beer-finder/

Avery Brewing Brings The Kaiser Out of Retirement for Oktoberfest

Posted on August 10, 2018 by mashingin

Avery Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado) has officially announced that The Kaiser Imperial Oktoberfest Lager is returning for a limited time during the 2018 Oktoberfest season.

Retired back in 2016 to “make room for other big beers in Avery Brewing’s lineup”, The Kaiser is back to bestow its faithful fans with a “bold and brazen” Imperial Oktoberfest Lager that “weaves together rich, toasted Vienna and Munich malts with the floral spiciness of Hallertau and Bravo hops.” Adorned with “a gorgeous deep copper sheen, massive malty backbone, and a dry finish . . ., this dictator demands a following through its deep dark malt bill, aromas of toast, nuts, and bread, all pulled together with a boisterous booziness.” Speaking of booziness . . . The Kaiser weighs in at an imposing 8% ABV, making it the same “mammoth . . . Oktoberfest Lager. . . that fans have grown to love” over the years.

“My favorite part of brewing Kaiser is the smell it creates in the brewhouse,” says Josh Rapp, Avery Brewing’s Brewhouse Manager. “It smells like we’re making candy around the brewery on Kaiser day and the dark red color of the wort reminds me of cherry juice!”

The Kaiser is rolling out now and plans to hang around through October 2018. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Avery Brewing Company’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for The Kaiser from Avery Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Seasonal, August – October 2018
Style – Oktoberfest
ABV – 8%
Malts – Dark Munich, Munich, Vienna, 2-Row & Aromatic
Hops – Hersbrucker & Bravo
Yeast – House Bohemian Lager Strain
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.averybrewing.com/brew-finder

Cascade Brewing Set to Release Framblanc 2017

Posted on August 10, 2018 by mashingin

Cascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon) has officially announced that it will release its Framblanc 2017 project on Friday, August 17.

Fresh off a gold medal win in the “Wood + Barrel-aged Sour + Brett” category at the 2017 Oregon Beer Awards, Framblanc is back to supply sour beer fanatics with “a blend of sour blond ales aged for up to 14 months in oak wine barrels with more than 3,500 pounds of white raspberries.” This treatment results in an 8.4% ABV Framblanc that offers “fresh flavors of raspberries, green grapes, white peaches and pears.”

“The warm 2017 growing season produced beautifully ripened raspberries that contributed lots of fresh fruit flavor in this blend, making this project year one of the most expressive we’ve ever released,” explained Kevin Martin, Head of Brewing Operations for Cascade Brewing.

Framblanc 2017 will officially debut in Cascade Brewing’s two Portland-area pubs – Cascade Brewing Barrel House and The Lodge at Cascade Brewing – on August 17 and will enter distribution at or around that date. You can expect to find this Tier Two offering available in 500ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of the brewery’s national and worldwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Framblanc 2017 from Cascade Brewing

Release – Limited/Tier Two; August 17, 2018
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 8.4%
Treatment – Blend of sour blond ales aged for up to 14 months in oak wine barrels with more than 3,500 pounds of white raspberries
Fun Fact – “Framblanc is a tier two offering, with pricing based on the style of beer, the type of ingredients contained within, the time aged in the barrels, and types of barrels used.”
Availability – 500ml bottles & draft

Jester King Brewery Set to Release Blend 22 of Das Wunderkind! Saison

Posted on August 9, 2018 by mashingin

Jester King Brewery (Austin, Texas) has officially announced that it will release its latest blend of Das Wunderkind! Blended Saison on Friday, August 10.

Back for its 22nd blend, Das Wunderkind! is “a blended saison which is made by blending old, barrel aged beer with young, dry hopped farmhouse ale.” To set this year’s blend apart from previous releases, the brewery “decided to dry hop with Simcoe hops.” Das Wunderkind! comes in at 4.5% ABV.

Das Wunderkind! – Batch 22 will officially debut in Jester King’s Tasting Room at 4 p.m. on August 10 and will enter distribution shortly after that date. Once it is sent out into the wild, you can expect to find this Limited Release available in 750ml bottles at select craft beer retailers and bars located in Florida, Texas and throughout the rest of Jester King’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Das Wunderkind! – Blend 22 from Jester King Brewery

Release – Limited; August 10, 2018
Style – Saison
ABV – 4.5%
Treatment – A blend of “old, barrel aged beer with young, dry hopped farmhouse ale”
Featured Hops – Simcoe
Fun Fact – The story behind the name: “There are many among us who, in spite of their best efforts, just never quite fit in. It’s only a rare few, however, who, very early in life, develop the self-assurance and presence of mind to be neither conformists nor rebels, instead carving their own paths and following their own dreams, regardless of what anyone else might happen to think. Take flight, mein Wunderkind; don’t ever let gravity hold you back!”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Bottle Count – “around 5,400 bottles available”

Escape Brewing Company to Release Cans of No One Likes You & Scandalous DIPA

Posted on August 9, 2018 by mashingin

Escape Brewing Company (Trinity, Florida) has officially announced that it will host a special can release for No One Likes You Berliner Weisse and Scandalous Double IPA on Monday, August 13.

Well, a Monday afternoon in the middle of August just got a bit more interesting now that Escape Brewing Company has decided to liven things up with a double can release for the following Limited Release brews (beer descriptions sourced from the brewery’s website & social media):

No One Likes You – Berliner Weisse with Passion Fruit, Dragon Fruit, Oranges and Lemons. Collaboration we brewed last year with our friends from 7venth Sun Brewery. This beer was so good, we wanted to brew it again and release it in cans…So, we did. ABV – 3.9%
Scandalous Double India Pale Ale – scan·dal·ous | definition: causing general public outrage by a perceived offense against morality or law. | A big juicy Double IPA with loads of Citra and Simcoe hops for a dank, citrus hop bomb. ABV – 9%

Label artwork for No One Likes You and Scandalous Double IPA created by V. Steiner.

The beers above will officially release in Escape Brewing Company’s taproom at 4 p.m. on Monday, August 13. Both offerings will be available for purchase in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans. These Limited Release offerings are not expected to see distribution, so make sure you swing by Escape Brewing on August 13 if you wish to get your hands on No One Likes You and/or Scandalous DIPA. Prost!