Beer | Mashing In

Biscayne Bay Brewing Company Expands Distribution in Florida

Posted on March 28, 2018 by mashingin

Biscayne Bay Brewing Company (Miami, Florida) has announced that it has officially expanded its distribution area in Florida to reach down into Key West and extend all the way up the state’s east coast to Indian River County.

When it launched distribution of its beer in kegs in 2014, Biscayne Bay Brewing Company intended to stay hyper-focused on the bars, restaurants and hotels located throughout the Greater Miami community of South Florida. Once beer lovers were able to experience these delicious beverages around town, the brewery ran into an issue as it was bombarded with requests from all over “regarding where these tasty brews could be purchased.” In response to these requests that continued to pile up over time, the good people behind Biscayne Bay decided to adjust their approach by investing in equipment so that they could begin bottling some of their fan-favorite offerings. This move will now give “the brewery the chance to expand its product’s reach to other restaurants and hotels that do not have draft systems and to fans of Biscayne Bay Brewing all across South Florida.”

“From the day we began brewing in September 2014 we have been looking forward to this moment, when we can share our delicious hand-crafted beers with the entire South Florida Community via bottles. This is a big milestone for us, but we continue to push forward and innovate the process as well as seek opportunities to expand our operation so we can offer our beers to the entire state of Florida and beyond.”

– Jose Mallea, President of Biscayne Bay Brewing Company

Biscayne Bay will launch its expanded distribution with the following core offerings packaged in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles (descriptions sourced from the brewery’s website):

Kapitan’s Kolsch – Crisp and light bodied German style lager continues an easy drinking tradition.
Miami Pale Ale – Brewed in the tradition of a European-style Pale Ale, the Scotch malt foundation lays the groundwork for its unique flavor and character. A heavy dry hopping lends aroma and flavor to this beer, but keeps the bitterness factor low.
Siren’s Saison – Our combination of Pilsner, Pale and Wheat malts along with French hops and an authentic Belgian yeast creates a beer with a distinguished taste, a generous bitterness and a nice balance between body and bite. Unfiltered to keep its character intact.

These Biscayne Bay 6-packs are rolling out now and you will be able to find them at the brewery, different Publix locations from Indian River County to Key West, and at select Total Wine & Spirits, Safeway, Whole Foods and Milam’s Market locations in the Doral/Miami area. Prost!

New Belgium Launches The Hemperor HPA as Newest Year-Round

Posted on March 28, 2018 by mashingin

New Belgium Brewing Company (Ft. Collins, Colorado) has officially introduced The Hemperor HPA, a hemp-infused IPA, as the latest addition to its Year-Round portfolio.

With a mission to revitalize the use of hemp in America and bring attention to the restrictive regulatory process surrounding its use, New Belgium has developed The Hemperor HPA as an American India Pale Ale that “offers a mystical marriage of hops and hemp that fills the senses with a ground-breaking blend of herbal olfactory like no other beer on the market.” Since “federal law prohibits brewers from using hemp leaf and flower”, The Hemperor “is brewed with hemp hearts (the meat of the seed, minus the shell) and dry-hopped with Simcoe and experimental HBC 522 hops to create a dank, pungent hop aroma balanced by a sweet, mildly bitter finish.” The Hemperor HPA weighs in at 7% ABV and 55 IBUs and “contains no THC or CBD.”

“Let’s face it, brewers have been trying to get cannabis-like aromas from hops for years, but it’s always missing a certain something,” said Ross Koenigs, New Belgium’s Research and Development Brewer. “The Hemperor HPA is possibly the first beer to deliver meaningful hemp flavors and aromas.”

“This beer has been over two years in the making, most of the time spent learning and reacting to laws that really suppress this crop’s usage,” Koenigs said of the beer that is currently banned in Kansas. “Flavor-wise, this isn’t the beer we wanted to make, but due to misinformed laws governing the use of industrial hemp, we had to take a creative and long-winding road to get to this point. We’re happy with where we landed, and we’ll be working to change federal regulation so that one day we can brew The Hemperor HPA with hemp flowers and leaves as we originally envisioned.”

The Hemperor HPA will initially roll out on draft on April 2 and 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles will follow on May 21. Once fully released, you can expect to find this new Year-Round at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina and throughout the rest of New Belgium’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for The Hemperor HPA from New Belgium Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round, launching April 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 7%
IBUs – 55
Malts – Pale, White Wheat & Midnight Wheat
Hops – Nugget, Cascade, HBC 522 & Simcoe
Added Ingredients – Hemp hearts & natural flavor
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles (May 2018) & draft (April 2018)
Beer Finder – https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/finder
Fun Fact – Concerning the use of hemp and The Hemperor’s mission: “The restrictive regulatory process around brewing The Hemperor HPA gives New Belgium the opportunity and platform to raise awareness around the social, environmental and economic benefits of industrial hemp. Beer drinkers will be encouraged to learn more and take action at www.thehemperor.com. New Belgium is also partnering with GCH Inc, the company founded by Willie Nelson and family to build brands inspired by his journey as an artist and advocate, in supporting the national campaign, Hemp 4 Victory, www.H4V75.com. One dollar from every barrel of The Hemperor HPA sold will be donated to Hemp 4 Victory in support of its mission to raise awareness and promote pro-hemp bills in the House & Senate.”

Dark Swan Makes Limited Return for Lagunitas Brewing Company

Posted on March 27, 2018March 27, 2018 by mashingin

Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California) has announced that Dark Swan Sour Ale is officially back on shelves and taps for a limited time.

Sauntering in as the latest release from Lagunitas Brewing Company’s One Hitter Series, Dark Swan is a “deep and rich purple” American Sour Ale that gets its color from Petite Syrah grapes added during fermentation. Finished off with “the signature Lagunitas treatment with a healthy dose of experimental dry hops”, Dark Swan (8.5% ABV) is released into the wild as a unique hybrid ale that promises to be “smooth, slightly sour, and superbly strange.”

“Observers of yestercentury once denied the existence of the Dark Swan as obstinately as flat-earthers once denied the shape of our spherical home. They insisted the species was confined to a singular snowy hue. But there is a fragile futility to such narrowness of thought. The broader of mind understood that light and dark must forever compliment each other as eternal counterpoints. And just as Aristotle convinced us of our circularity, so adventuring ornithologists eventually contradicted the misconception of the monochrome swan, astonishing the world and casting light upon the Dark. This beer may well do the same…”

Dark Swan is available now and will hang around as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this “HIIIIGHLY Limited” offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida, California, Illinois and throughout the rest of Lagunitas Brewing Company’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Dark Swan Sour Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Release – Limited/One Hitter Series, March – April 2018
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 8.5%
IBUs – 22.6
Featured Hops – Pekko, Centennial & HBC 344
Added Ingredients – Petite Syrah grapes
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://lagunitas.com/beer-finder

Proof Brewing Co. to Relocate & Expand After Acquiring Former Coca-Cola Facility

Posted on March 27, 2018 by mashingin

Proof Brewing Co. (Tallahassee, Florida) has officially announced that it will enter the next phase of its growth and expansion by beginning renovations on a former Coca-Cola Bottling Company building located at 1320 South Monroe Street in Tallahassee, Florida.

When it began production in 2012, Proof Brewing Co. encountered high demand from the beer drinking masses in Florida right out of the gate. As a result, the brewery has since “experienced explosive growth, doubling production each year with 6,000 barrels produced in 2017.” Although this level of growth is a fantastic problem to have, the folks at the brewery quickly realized that they needed to address the fact that they were outgrowing their current facility. After weighing their options and commencing a search for a location that made sense for the brewery and their community, the Proof Brewing Co. crew is happy to report that they have remedied their situation with the recent acquisition of the “34,000 square-foot former Coca-Cola Bottling Company building . . . centrally located near the redevelopment of South Monroe and the downtown district and walking distance to beautiful Cascades Park.”

“This will be a year of growth and development for Proof Brewing Company. We are proud of our growth in Tallahassee and we’re thrilled to reinvest back into the community that has been so supportive of us. It will be an amazing experience to revitalize a historical building near the flourishing downtown district of Tallahassee on South Monroe. Reintroducing manufacturing jobs to this district to serve the Tallahassee community will be a very exciting journey,”

– Byron & Angela Burroughs, Proof Brewing Company’s founders

With an improvement/investment budget set at $5 million, Proof Brewing Co. will begin renovations on the new facility in March and has tentatively scheduled to be completed by the winter of 2018. These renovations will provide the brewery with the following upgrades and opportunities:

The renovation and expansion will allow Proof Brewing Co. to increase production to over 15,000 barrels within the first two years, and the facility’s potential production capacity will increase to 30,000 barrels with additional room to grow.
The expansion will feature efficiency upgrades, a quality control lab, and additional fermentation capacity.
The larger building and additional fermentation capacity will enable the brew staff to expand production of Proof Brewing Co.’s core lineup of bold and flavorful beers.
The new facility will also allow for the addition of more packaged brands in cans, in addition to their wildly popular Eightfive-0 American Pale Ale and Mango Wit Belgian-Style Wit.
An expanded tasting room experience will feature Proof Brewing Co.’s year-round beers on draft in addition to seasonal and pilot batch beer. Guests can enjoy beers on-site while relaxing in the family friendly tasting room and play outdoor games in the beer garden. Plans are also in place to add a kitchen and private event space.
There will also be an on-site retail store where fans can purchase merchandise and packaged beer. Growlers and crowlers will be filled at the tasting room bar.
Proof Brewing Co. currently employs thirty staff members between the tasting room, the production facility and administration. This number will increase as the new facility will require additional employees and support staff as new markets are reached throughout the state of Florida and beyond.
The Tallahassee-Leon County Office of Economic Vitality (OEV) projects that this project will have a $23 million total economic impact on the community with a total of 102 jobs.

Proof Brewing Co.’s current brewery and taproom – located at 644 McDonnell Drive | Tallahassee, Florida – will continue normal operations until renovations on the new facility are completed. Be sure to swing by the original location to support Proof Brewing Co. during this transition and stay tuned for more information concerning the grand opening of the brewery’s future site later in the year. Prost!

Barrel Runner Slated to Join Founders Brewing Co.’s Barrel-Aged Series in June

Posted on March 26, 2018May 22, 2018 by mashingin

Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) recently provided a little teaser to inform fans that Barrel Runner Rum Barrel-aged Imperial IPA will officially release in June as the fourth offering in the brewery’s 2018 Barrel-Aged Series.

Proving that “inspiration . . . for barrel-aged beers can come from the most unexpected places”, Barrel Runner began life as a Mosaic-hopped Imperial India Pale Ale and was then aged in select rum barrels. The sweet and spicy barrel character melds with those fruity hops to produce a “sweet and hoppy, rich and bright” offering that “will make you believe you’re in the tropics.”

“I drink tiki cocktails probably more than I should and looked to them for inspiration when creating Barrel Runer,” said Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. “You get a lot of bright, tropical character from the abundance of Mosaic hops plus a nice kick of oak and rum from the barrels. Add a tiny umbrella and you got yourself a beer perfect for enjoying poolside.”

Preceded by the upcoming releases of KBS (March 30), Backwoods Bastard (available Year-Round beginning in April) and Dankwood (April), Barrel Runner will arrive as the year’s fourth release in the brewery’s Barrel-Aged Series. Two yet-to-be-named offerings will follow Barrel Runner to complete the 2018 Barrel-Aged Series lineup.

Barrel Runner will officially release in June and has plans to hang around through August or as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles (SRP $14.99), 750ml bottles (SRP $11.99) and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Founders Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Barrel Runner from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Barrel-Aged Series, June – August 2018
Style – Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV – 11.1%
Featured Hops – Mosaic
Treatment – Aged in rum barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 750ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/beer/find-our-beer/

Bell’s Oberon Ale Returns for the Summer

Posted on March 26, 2018 by mashingin

Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan) has announced that its wildly-popular Oberon Ale will officially begin its Seasonal return on Monday, March 26.

Meant to embody all that is summer, Oberon is a ridiculously refreshing American Wheat Ale fermented with the brewery’s “signature house ale yeast, mixing a spicy hop character with mildly fruity aromas” (all present without the use of any spices or fruit in the recipe). Proudly boasting “the color and scent of a sunny afternoon”, Oberon Ale (5.8% ABV) is rounded off with a “smooth mouthfeel” provided by its wheat malts.

Oberon Ale officially releases on March 26 and will be available through August 2018. You can expect to find this Seasonal brew in 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans, 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, 5L mini-kegs (coming later this spring), and on draft at craft beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of Bell’s Brewery’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Oberon Ale from Bell’s Brewery

Release – Seasonal, late March – August 2018
Style – American Wheat Ale
ABV – 5.8%
Suggested Food Pairings – “Savory: Ham, duck, sushi, salads, fennel, basil, onions, pickles, tomato, mozzarella, young cheddar; Sweet: Berries, watermelon, peaches, oranges; The Eccentric Way: Orange flan”
Recommended Glassware – Spiegelau American Wheat Beer Glass or Traditional Wheat Beer Glass
Availability – 6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans, 4-packs of 16 oz. cans, 5L mini-kegs & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.bellsbeer.com/beer-finder

Tasting Notes: Cold Brew 2.0 from Rogue Ales

Posted on March 23, 2018March 23, 2018 by mashingin

This week’s Tasting Notes satisfies our mid-day cravings for both coffee and beer with a look at Cold Brew 2.0 from Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon).

Developed to be a bit of an unconventional union of coffee and a lighter beer style, Rogue’s Cold Brew 2.0 is a Seasonal Blonde Ale that “explores the intricacies of coffee aromatics and delicate malt notes.” Beer and coffee fans alike can expect Cold Brew 2.0 (5.6% ABV) to supply them with an enjoyable experience that “opens with a big hit of coffee aroma and flavor” – thanks to the recipe’s use of Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee – and closes with the subtle “nuances of the hops and malts.” This Seasonal offering is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft, and you can find it through June 2018 at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Oregon and throughout the rest of Rogue’s nationwide distribution area.

Now that all the pertinent details are out of the way, let’s take a little coffee break and get into these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Cold Brew 2.0 from Rogue Ales

Appearance – The look is that of a straight-up Blonde Ale. It pours a pale golden in color and wears a solid finger of creamy, bright white foam. When held to direct light, the gold gains some intensity and picks up a more vibrant honey-like appearance. The body is clear and displays an exuberant carbonation presence coursing within. The head falls quickly to a thin cap that leaves behind pencil-thin streaks of lace on the glass.

Aroma – The nose is greeted by a pronounced note of lightly roasted coffee and bittersweet chocolate. A sugary cream presence builds and comes across as a bit of a marshmallow note. All of this is supported by a soft maltiness that is most notably characterized as toasty cereal grains.

Taste – This brew hits the palate with a heavy dose of cold brew coffee and a touch of cream. Lightly sweet notes of vanilla and cocoa support the coffee before the experience settles into a full-on Blonde/Cream Ale mode filled with clean malts and balancing hops.

Mouthfeel – Light in body with a medium carbonation, Cold Brew 2.0 still has an impressively sneaky weight to it. The beer puts those taste buds to work by playing with a soft roastiness, a pleasant level of sweetness, and a gently contrasting bitterness. All in all, it is nicely balanced and does not overly exhaust any side of palate. ABV is light (as expected) and keeps things easy drinking and refreshing. Aftertaste is just a bit of toasted grain and cream.

Final Thoughts – This beer definitely plays with your mind’s expectations as the look and feel are all Blonde Ale while the aromas and flavors possess characteristics that you would expect more from a Porter or a more playful Brown Ale. That said, the cold brew coffee note is spot on and runs this show. This dynamic coffee presence rides upon a light Blonde Ale experience to mimic the satisfying nature of an iced or cold brewed coffee. Rogue Ales absolutely accomplished their mission here by creating an easy-drinking and refreshing coffee beer, and Cold Brew 2.0 can proudly sit alongside Rogue’s Cold Brew IPA as shining examples of successfully innovative and unexpected approaches to using coffee as an ingredient in the brewing process. Be sure to get your hands on a pour of Cold Brew 2.0 before its Seasonal Release comes to an end. Prost!

Tropical Lover Set to Debut as SweetWater Brewing’s New Summer Seasonal

Posted on March 23, 2018 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will launch Tropical Lover, a Berliner Weisse with mango, passion fruit and guava, in early April as the brewery’s newest Seasonal offering.

Born from the mind of Nick Burgoyne, Lead Brewer on SweetWater’s Woodlands Project, and inspired by “his love for 80s pop rock”, Tropical Lover is a “refreshing, approachable” Berliner Weisse that features “additions of mango, guava and passion fruit working together to provide a clean, crisp finish.” Weighing in at just 4.5% ABV, Tropical Lover promises to be your “easy-to-love summer fling.”

“I developed this liquid because selfishly I wanted a beer that is refreshing and low ABV, but also had interesting characteristics and delicious flavors,” says Nick Burgoyne, lead brewer for SweetWater’s Woodlands Project barrel aging facility. “When we put test batches on tap at the Woodlands and in our main taproom, people kept commenting on how drinkable and refreshing it was; they loved the tropical flavors. I imagine Tropical Lover will be a hit with folks hanging out on the water all summer, kicking back with a few daytime drinks.”

Tropical Lover will officially release in early April with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. Starting in May, Tropical Lover will also have availability in the “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 pack of 12 oz. cans and the “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 Pack of 12 oz. bottles. You can expect to find this new Seasonal offering at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Tropical Lover from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal (Summer) – launching early April 2018
Style – Berliner Weisse
ABV – 4.5%
Malts – 2-Row & Wheat
Hops – Centennial
Yeast – House English Ale
Added Ingredients – Mango, passion fruit & guava
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 pack of 12 oz. cans (May 2018), “Protect Natural Habitats” Variety 12 Pack of 12 oz. bottles (May 2018) & draft
Beer Finder – http://sweetwaterbrew.com/find-sweetwater/

Tampa’s Brews With Attitude Beer Fest Returns for 8th Year

Posted on March 22, 2018 by mashingin

On Tuesday, April 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Pepin Distributing Company will welcome Tampa’s beer community to TPepin’s Hospitality Centre for the 8th Annual Brews With Attitude Beer Fest.

Promising to be “bigger and better than ever”, Brews With Attitude is returning for its eighth year of celebrating Pepin Distributing Company’s fine portfolio of craft, import and specialty beer offerings. Since this event boasts a spread of over 200 beers and ciders, a convoy of food trucks and various other activities to enjoy, there is a good amount of information for us to go over. What do you say we break it all down?

The Basics

What – Brews With Attitude Beer Fest 2018
When – Tuesday, April 3 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where – TPepin’s Hospitality Centre | 4121 N. 50th Street | Tampa, Florida

What to Expect

Guests will be able to sample over 200 Craft Brands from over 50 breweries. This will include one-off releases from select participating breweries. Beer/Brewery List Coming Soon!
Tampa’s finest food trucks will be on-site to satisfy any food cravings you may encounter during the festival
Live musical entertainment will be supplied by the Dave Valliere Group
A variety of hand-rolled cigars will be available for purchase as well

Ticket Info

Tickets for Brews With Attitude are available now for $40 each and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes a commemorative tasting glass, the ability to sample over 200 beers, and access to live entertainment. Food, non-alcoholic beverages and cigars will be available for an additional cost. If the event does not sell out in advance, tickets will be available for purchase – with either cash or credit – at the door on the day of the event.

Alright, that should just about cover all the information currently available for the upcoming Brews With Attitude Beer Fest. With that said, the folks at Pepin Distributing Company have promised to send us an update in the coming days, and we will pass that information along just as soon as we have it. Stay tuned.

If you are free on April 3 and looking to sample some tasty beverages, just go ahead and block out that date on your calendar now, get your friends together, lock down some tickets and meet us at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre so that we can all raise a glass together at Brews With Attitude 2018. Prost!

Yuengling Launches Golden Pilsner as First New Core Product in 17 Years

Posted on March 22, 2018 by mashingin

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. (Pottsville, Pennsylvania) has officially announced that Yuengling Golden Pilsner will join its iconic core product portfolio in April 2018.

Arriving as the first new Year-Round beer to debut for Yuengling in 17 years and the “first for [the] sixth generation of brewers at America’s Oldest Brewery®”, Golden Pilsner has been developed with an “all malt” – no adjuncts added – recipe that “combines pale and specialty malts, and Hallertau and Saaz hops, to create a bold, noble hop flavored brew with a smooth, clean finish.” Weighing in at a light and refreshing 4.7% ABV and 135 calories, Yuengling Golden Pilsner strives to supply beer drinkers with a “New Standard in Refreshment”.

“Yuengling Golden Pilsner is our unique interpretation of a refreshing pilsner, with all of the qualities consumers have come to expect from Yuengling in a beer that is highly sessionable and full of flavor,” said Jen Yuengling, 6th generation brewer, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. “We continue to listen to our fans and we saw an opportunity to deliver a new Yuengling beer that complements our core portfolio of iconic beers including Traditional Lager, Light Lager, and Black & Tan.”

With availability in 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans and on draft, Yuengling Golden Pilsner will begin a limited rollout in the following select markets on April 1: Cleveland, Ohio; Harrisburg and Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania; Atlanta, Georgia; the Virginia Beach area; Rhode Island; and the Tampa, Fort Myers and Orlando areas of Florida. Golden Pilsner is scheduled to expand its availability throughout Florida and Georgia in April and May, and it will ultimately reach full distribution across Yuengling’s entire 22-state footprint by the end of 2018. Prost!

Vital Information for Yuengling Golden Pilsner from D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.

Release – Core/Year-Round, limited rollout begins April 1, 2018
Style – Pilsner
ABV – 4.7%
Featured Hops – Hallertau & Saaz
Availability – 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.yuengling.com/find-our-beer/