Heavy Seas Beer to Release Blackbeard’s Breakfast in New Packaging Format

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39582363490_f508c1dd8f_b_editedHeavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) has announced that Blackbeard’s Breakfast will soon begin its annual, limited release with a new look in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles.

Returning as a fan-favorite from Heavy Seas Beer’s Uncharted Waters Series, Blackbeard’s Breakfast is an Imperial Porter that starts with a base of English malts and hops and is then dosed with Dark Sumatra coffee from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company.  Once the brewing is all said and done, Blackbeard’s Breakfast is sent to rest in bourbon barrels so that it can pick up just the right amount of oak, vanilla and bourbon.  Weighing in at an imposing 10% ABV, the finished Blackbeard’s Breakfast offers a slow-sipping experience that “will please coffee and beer connoisseurs alike.”

To mix things up a bit in 2018, the folks at Heavy Seas made the decision to transition the packaging for all Uncharted Waters offerings to 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles.  Blackbeard’s Breakfast and all other beers in this series will no longer be available in 22 oz. bottles.

Blackbeard’s Breakfast is scheduled to officially release at some point in late April or early May 2018 and will be available as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of Heavy Seas Beer’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Blackbeard’s Breakfast from Heavy Seas Beer

Release – Limited/Uncharted Waters Series, late April/early May 2018
Style – Imperial Porter
ABV – 10%
IBUs – 40
Malts – UK Pale, UK Amber, Vienna, Light Crystal, Dark Crystal, Chocolate Malt & Black Malt
Hops – Target & East Kent Goldings
Added Ingredients – Dark Sumatra coffee from Chesapeake Bay Roasting Company
Treatment – Aged in bourbon barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://hsbeer.com/beerfinder

Rogue Ales & Brew Dr. Kombucha Collaborate to Release Kulture Clash

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RogueKulturebottle_editedRogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) has announced that it recently partnered up with Townshend’s Brew Dr. Kombucha (Portland, Oregon) to create Kulture Clash, a Limited Release Blonde Ale blended with kombucha tea.

Coming together as a beautiful collision of two brews, Kulture Clash combines “the unique tangy flavors of a custom-brewed kombucha” from Brew Dr. Kombucha with an Imperial Blonde Ale that the crew at Rogue Ales “specifically brewed to complement it.”  This union results in aromatic “bursts of bright citrus” and a flavor profile that sees “spice notes from the imperial blonde ale transform into notes of black tea from the kombucha.”  Clocking in at 6.9% ABV, Kulture Clash promises to be “a flavorful, invigorating balance of blonde and bold that both kombucha and beer drinkers will enjoy.”

“Kulture Clash is perfect for drinking in spring—the flavors pleasantly collide, oscillating from beer-forward to kombucha-forward and back again,” said Rogue Brewmaster John Maier. “It’s a great tasting beer, easy to pair with food and ideal for sharing.”

Kulture Clash is hitting shelves now with plans to stick around through June 2018.  You can find this Limited Release offering available in painted 750ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon, and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Kulture Clash from Rogue Ales

Release – Limited, April – June 2018
Style – Imperial Blonde Ale
ABV – 6.9%
Added Ingredients – A custom-brewed kombucha from Townshend’s Brew Dr. Kombucha
Fun Fact – On the label artwork: “When we opened our first tea shop in Portland, Ore., we had a friend paint an animal tea party scene to display by the front door of the teahouse,” said Townshend’s founder and CEO Matt Thomas. “One of those animals was a contented-looking sloth, slowly stirring his cup of chai with his pinky claw. He captured the ideal embodiment of what tea (and Townshend’s) is about: taking your time and enjoying each moment. When we started Brew Dr. Kombucha, we snuck Otis Sisgood (a play on, oh this is good) on the label of every bottle, but this is the first time he’s been anywhere major. We’re excited that he’s getting a chance to be front and center and share his story.”
Availability – 750ml bottles
Beer Finder – https://finder.rogue.com/

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Full Sail Brewing Co. Adds Sesión Negra to Its Session Line

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Sesion_Negra_POURSHOT_2017_WebFull Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) has officially released Sesión Negra Mexican Style Lager as the newest Core offering to join its Session family of beers.

Created to be the “slightly darker cousin to Sesión Cerveza“, Sesión Negra is a Mexican-style Dark Lager that has “a toasty sweetness, copper color and the kind of malty aroma you expect from a Mexican lager.”  Weighing in at just 5% ABV and 20 IBUs, Sesión Negra rocks a “crisp, easy-drinking vibe” that is meant to “put a smile on your face.”

“Sesión Negra is a clean, refreshing, easy-drinking Mexican lager with a hint of caramel,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Greg Doss. “It’s not a porter, and it’s very different from Session Dark.” 

Sesión Negra is rolling out now with availability in 6-packs and 12-packs of 11 oz. bottles and on draft.  You can find this new Year-Round offering at beer establishments located in Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Full Sail Brewing Co.’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Sesión Negra from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round, launching April 2018
Style – Dunkel Lager
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 20
Fun Fact – On the Session Brand: “When Full Sail launched the Session brand 12 years ago, it quickly became the hottest new craft-beer brand on the market, which has since brought home more than 100 medals, including 58 golds. Session’s not a micro, a macro, or an import, but in a way it’s a little bit of each. You see, virtually everyone who likes beer likes Session. It’s a brand that’s accessible without being ordinary. Totally drinkable, but never at the expense of character.”
Availability – 6-packs and 12-packs of 11 oz. bottles & on draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/

Stevens Point Brewery Launches Milkshake Malt Porter as New Year-Round Offering

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PointMilkshakecanStevens Point Brewery (Stevens Point, Wisconsin) has announced that Milkshake Malt Porter has officially been added to the brewery’s Year-Round portfolio.

Arriving in April to fill the “sweet spot” in Stevens Point Brewery’s Year-Round lineup, Milkshake Malt Porter is an American Robust Porter that has a base of Chocolate, Dark Munich and Wheat malts balanced by just the right amount of Topaz and Tettnang hops.  Finished with a “healthy dose of brewers’ lactose and some cocoa”, Milkshake Malt Porter (5.5% ABV) comes together to provide an indulgent, malt-forward experience that is “dark, creamy and chocolatey with a sweet finish.”

“Porter is a classic beer style. We saw a great opportunity to showcase our brewing expertise and please Point’s loyal fans,” said Julie Birrenkott, Marketing Manager at Stevens Point Brewery. “Milkshake Malt Porter is a welcome addition to the Point portfolio, and we think porter fans will agree.”

Milkshake Malt Porter is rolling out now with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft.  You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin and throughout the rest Stevens Point Brewery’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Milkshake Malt Porter from Stevens Point Brewery

Release – Year-Round, launching April 2018
Style – American Robust Porter
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 5
Malts – Chocolate, Dark Munich & Wheat
Hops – Topaz & Tettnang 
Added Ingredients – Lactose & Cocoa
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 6-packs & 12-packs of 12 oz. cans, & on draft
Beer Finder – http://www.pointbeer.com/find-brews/

 

Great Divide Introduces Heyday Modern IPA as Newest Year-Round

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HEYDAY2_2017_Front_HRGreat Divide Brewing Company (Denver, Colorado) has officially announced that Heyday Modern IPA will join the brewery’s iconic Year-Round lineup in May.

Developed over the last year or so to be “an IPA for the modern Bold Character”, Heyday Modern IPA (5.8% ABV) combines Great Divide’s reputation for making beautiful West Coast and classic India Pale Ales with the techniques used in today’s popular Hazy/New England-style IPAs.  This marriage of approaches results in a “Modern” representation of the style “shining with notes of tropical fruit, berry, and melon . . . complemented with a crisp malt character for an approachable IPA fit for any occasion.”

“The intention was to use newer techniques developed for hazy IPAs to accentuate the light, tropical character associated with the style, but marry the quality and consistency that we are known for,” said Brandon Jacobs, brewing manager at Great Divide. “The end result is a drinkable beer that does not fit into the hazy, New-England, West-Coast, or classic styles but offers something fresh, bright, and full of flavor. It’s a Modern IPA.”

Heyday Modern IPA will officially launch in May 2018, and you can expect to find this new Year-Round available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Great Divide’s nationwide distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Heyday Modern IPA from Great Divide Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round, launching May 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 5.8%
Suggested Food Pairings – “Carne Asada fajitas with mango salsa, Farmhouse Cheddar, ginger spice cake with cream cheese frosting”
Fun Fact – On the name of the beer: “To me, having a Heyday means having the time of your life, and virtually any setting is made better with a great beer,” said Brian Dunn, founder of Great Divide. “We have a culture of enjoyment at Great Divide, whether that is great food or outdoor activities, we all have a passion for something. I can see all of us at Great Divide enjoying a Heyday Modern IPA with whatever it is that makes us happy.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://greatdivide.com/beer-finder/

Cascade Brewing & Upland Brewing Develop Pearpawsterous Collaboration

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Cascade-Brewing_Pearpawsterous (Crop)Cascade Brewing (Portland, Oregon) recently announced that Pearpawsterous, a new collaboration project with Upland Brewing Co. (Bloomington, Indiana), has officially been released as the brewery’s latest Tier One offering.

To bring the Pearpawsterous project to life, both Cascade Brewing and Upland Brewing had to brew their own version of a beer that showcases “regional ingredients sourced from each brewery’s home state – Oregon-grown pears and Indiana-grown paw paws.”  For those of unfamiliar with Upland’s fruit contribution, a “Paw paw fruit has a sweet, custard-like flavor somewhat similar to banana, mango, and cantaloupe.”  Cascade’s version of this collaboration went on to layer these fruits “over a base of sour wheat ales aged for up to 12 months in oak barrels.”  This process ultimately produced a fruit-forward American Sour Ale that comes in 7.1% ABV.

Cascade’s version of Pearpawsterous is available now for a limited time in 750ml bottles and on draft.  If you are interested in giving this one a try, you can find this Tier One offering at both the brewery’s Portland-area pubs and through select Cascade distributors.  Prost!

Vital Information for Pearpawsterous (Cascade Version) from Cascade Brewing & Upland Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Tier One; April 6, 2018
Style – American Wild Ale
ABV – 7.1%
Treatment – “Oregon-grown pears and Indiana-grown paw paws layered over a base of sour wheat ales aged for up to 12 months in oak barrels”
Color – Hazy pale-gold with a white head
Nose – Fresh pears, mangos, bananas, guavas
Body – Medium bodied, high effervescence, light sweetness, bright acidity
Flavor – Pears, pawpaws, papaya, tropical fruit
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Fun Fact – Concerning Cascade Brewing’s new labels: “Pearpawsterous is a Tier One offering; Cascade’s bottles have distinct label styles for each of the three Cascade Brewing pricing tiers, with each label within the tier utilizing distinctive colors to clearly differentiate each beer. The tiers differ by the style of beer used in the product, the type ingredients contained within, the time aged in the barrels and types of barrels used.”

Jester King Brewery Releases Latest Batch of Provenance Lemon & Lime

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39455468440_5ed2c99b22_kJester King Brewery (Austin, Texas) has officially announced that it will begin the release of Provenance Lemon & Lime – Batch 5 on Friday, April 6.

Originally brewed on January 31 and February 1 of 2018, this batch of Provenance Lemon & Lime boasts a recipe that includes the use of “150 pounds of Texas Valley lemons from Hernandez Farms in Weslaco, TX and 150 pounds of limes from G and S Groves in McAllen, TX.”  Both the zest and juice of these lemons and limes were “added during primary fermentation and allowed to ferment in . . . stainless steel tanks with [Jester King’s] mixed culture of yeast and bacteria.”  Sitting at just 5.6% ABV and utterly saturated with “the vibrant flavors of the lemon and lime”, Provenance Lemon & Lime is now ready to serve as “an uplifting beer perfect for summertime.”

Batch 5 of Provenance Lemon & Lime will initially release in Jester King’s Tasting Room on April 6, and the brewery does “anticipate distribution of this beer” to follow shortly thereafter.  If this Limited Release offering enters full distribution, you can expect to find it available in 750ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Florida, Texas and throughout the rest of Jester King’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Provenance Lemon & Lime from Jester King Brewery

Release – Limited, Batch 5 releases April 6, 2018
Style – Farmhouse Ale
ABV – 5.6%
IBUs – 34.5
Ingredients – “Texas Hill Country Well Water, Malted Barley, Malted Wheat, Lemon, Lime, Hops, Mixed Culture of Brewers Yeast and Native Yeast and Bacteria”
Availability – 750ml bottles

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Stone Brewing Expands its Exploration of Hops with Release of VirtuALE IPA

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Virtuale_22ozBottle_MockupStone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially announced the release of Stone VirtuALE IPA as an unexpected addition to their 2018 lineup of Special Releases.

Inspired by the literary works of Ernest Cline and meant to serve as “the latest liquid exploration into the world of experimental hop technology”, Stone VirtuALE IPA positions Stone Brewing as “the first to put to use INCOGNITO™, a brand new proprietary technique for processing hops.”  This new process yields “Citra and Mosaic extracts [that highlight] different qualities of the otherwise familiar hops” to give Stone VirtuALE IPA mind-expanding aromatic notes of “berries, resin, floral, orange blossom, grape and grapefruit.”  The experience goes on to showcase “flavors of berry upon grapefruit and hibiscus . . . complemented by a light hint of honey.”  Weighing in at 7.7% ABV and 72 IBUs, Stone VirtuALE IPA comes together to be an American India Pale Ale “with West Coast bitter roots and a dank hop kick that finishes surprisingly tropical.”

“We were fortunate to be asked by one of our hop suppliers, John I. Haas, to participate in an early trial using this new hop product,” said Jeremy Moynier, Stone Brewing senior innovation brewing manager. “We have worked with different people in the industry doing hop trials for several years at Stone. We have played with some hop extracts as well, which can add an exciting dimension to our innovation process. We’ve tested some of these in combination with other hops and in this case, we combined hop pellets with hops from the INCOGNITO™ process. The final beer is definitely unique, adding another dimension to this really cool IPA.”

Stone VirtuALE IPA is available now and will hang around as long as supplies last.  You can expect to find this Special Release available in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Florida, California, Virginia and in other select states found within Stone Brewing’s distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Stone VirtuALE IPA from Stone Brewing

Release – Limited/Special, late March/April 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 7.7%
IBUs – 72
Featured Hops – Magnum, Citra & Mosaic
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Distribution – FL, AZ, AK, CA, CO, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL IN, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, NC, NE, NJ NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, TX, VA, VT, WA and WI
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

Tasting Notes: Wild Ones from Red Cypress Brewery

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RedCypressWildOnesPour1000For this edition of Tasting Notes, we journey into the untamed areas of the craft beer landscape to hunt down a pour of Wild Ones American Wild Ale from Red Cypress Brewery (Winter Springs, Florida).

Originally released by Red Cypress Brewery on December 2 of 2017, Wild Ones is an American Wild Ale that has been “oak fermented and aged . . . for 14 months.”  That lengthy aging process and the use of Brettanomyces yeast ultimately allows Wild Ones (7% ABV) to emerge from its rest with “a big nose of earthy funk and fruit and tastes slightly tart with a white wine oakiness followed by a dry body.”

Wild Ones was released in limited quantities at the tail end of last year, but a quick internet search shows that 500ml bottles of this Limited Release might still be available in Red Cypress Brewery’s taproom and at select craft beer establishments located in and around the Winter Springs/Orlando area.

Alright . . . now that we are all caught up on the back story of this quiet release, let’s crack open a bottle and subject this Wild Ale to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Wild Ones from Red Cypress Brewery

Appearance:  Wild Ones presents itself as a bright lemon yellow in color and is wearing over two fingers of tight, white foam that builds and reaches well above the brim of the glass.  When hit by direct light, this beer absolutely glows as it takes on a shimmering gold tone.  The beer has a soft cloudiness to it, but it remains clear enough for us to observe an insane amount of exuberant carbonation bubbles darting about within.  Head retention is spectacular, eventually reducing down to a chunky finger that lays wide sheets of lace down on the glass.

Aroma: Brett notes just permeates the air with earthy, funky goodness that translates as damp hay, barnyard, musty wood in the attic, leather and touch of pepper.  A gentle sweetness then rises in form of a vinous, white wine character.  The grains hold it all together by adding both earthiness and sweetness.  Gorgeous.

Taste:  The flavors do not deviate far from the aromas as barnyard funk and earthiness once again take lead with some wet hay, grassiness, oak, fresh leather, and a dash of black pepper.  A pop of fruit then surfaces in the form of ripe pear, lychee, and a sweet, semi-dry Gewürztraminer grape/wine character.  A gentle tartness creeps in for just a moment, but it is quickly held in check by a lightly sweet grain character.

Mouthfeel: Light side of medium in body with an effervescent carbonation level, this beer is bright, crisp and refreshing.  It is mostly funky, earthy and lightly sweet on the palate, but there is a slight tartness that carries throughout to balance and dry this thing out.  Although it weighs in at a respectable 7% ABV, there is absolutely no hint of alcohol to found in this beer.  The aftertaste is all white wine and oak.

Final Thoughts:  This lovely beer can be summed up in just three words: Pure Brett Bliss.  Wild Ones is exactly what I – Guillermo, self-proclaimed Brettanomyces fanatic – look for in a Brett beer.  Earthy, barnyard funk is here to carry nearly the entire experience, but it still remains elegantly composed and beautifully executed thanks to its slight tartness and spot on level of sweetness.  Even with all those dynamic flavors and aromas, this beer’s balance keeps the experience refreshing, approachable and damn near gulp-inducing.  It is just so ridiculously good, and it is clearly one of the finest beers to hit our tasting table this year.  If you see it, get it.  Prost!

**Side Note – Wild Ones can also serve well as a gateway beer for wine drinkers. If you have a buddy that enjoys delicate white wines and vehemently claims that he/she just does not enjoy the taste of “beer”, pour them a glass of Wild Ones and watch his/her mind explode.**

 

Craft Brewers Nationwide Collaborate on Epic Bottle Auction For ‘We Are Stoneman Douglas’ Charity Event

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50 vintage and rare signed bottles from over two dozen breweries will auction online to raise funds for victims’ families and survivors of the tragic Parkland, FL shooting.

 

OAKLAND PARK, FL (April 5, 2018) – Following the horrific events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida this past February, brewers from across the country are coming together to offer assistance and support to those affected most. Over two dozen brewers nationwide have donated rare and vintage bottles of beer — many of which are signed by owners, founders, and head brewers from companies such as Stone Brewing, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, and more — in what has become an epic and unique lot of craft beer for the ages.

This lot is being auctioned online via the We Are Stoneman Douglas site (https://one.bidpal.net/wearemsd, click “Auction Items” on menu) with proceeds benefiting the Broward Education Foundation’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas fund. One hundred percent of all funds generated by this project will directly benefit the families of victims, survivors, and those affected by this tragedy. A second lot of signed barrel-aged and vintage beers from Funky Buddha Brewery, and a private dinner for 30, will also be auctioned.

This online auction (with over 50 other incredible auction items) is being organized by the Parkland Golf & Country Club located in Parkland, FL with assistance from Funky Buddha Brewery in Oakland Park, Florida. Individuals can bid on the online auctions through Sunday, April 8th. Due to regulations, these bottle lots will be available for local pickup only.

“This has been an amazing show of support and solidarity from brewers around the country, most of whom signed on and contributed unbelievable beers within minutes,” says Ryan Sentz, co-founder of Funky Buddha Brewery and Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School graduate. “Although this tragedy was horrific beyond words, we can take heart in the incredible response from the community and others that shows we have the strength and bravery to rise above it and make a true difference in people’s lives.”
 
Bottles include (pictured above):
Funky Buddha Lot:
buddhabottlesweb

**Editor’s Note: The writers at Mashing In typically prefer to write their own content, but we all decided it was best to immediately post this press release verbatim due to its important subject matter and the timely nature of this auction.**