Beer | Mashing In

Weihenstephan and Sierra Nevada Collaborate To Create Braupakt

Posted on March 21, 2018 by mashingin

Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan (Freising, Germany) has officially announced plans to introduce U.S. beer drinkers to Braupakt, a limited edition Hefeweissbier brewed in collaboration with Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California), in April 2018.

In what is being referred to as a “dream-team partnership”, representatives from Weihenstephan and Sierra Nevada “spent the better part of 2017 on recipe development” so that the highly-anticipated Braupakt would properly represent both breweries’ reputations for “establishing brewing standards for their respective styles and . . . renowned . . . contributions to contemporary brewing techniques.” They achieved this by creating a “fruity-hoppy” Hefeweizen “brewed with the Hallertauer Tradition hop and refined with American West Coast Amarillo and Chinook hops.” New and old-world traditions unite to yield a Braupakt (6% ABV) that is “naturally cloudy . . . and smells of peach, apricot and citrus fruits with a fine banana yeast note as well as a refreshing grapefruit note from the Chinook hops.” Those aromas carry over into the flavor and showcase “the fruity peach and apricot taste of the Amarillo hops . . . complemented by the mild sweetness of the used caramel malt.”

“This is the first time Sierra Nevada chose to partner with a long-established brewery,” noted Tobias Zollo, brewmaster at Weihenstephan. “Both breweries had something to glean and gain from the other. We came in with high standards for the Hefeweissbier style. Sierra Nevada, who is world-renowned for the Pale Ale style, came in with the discerning palettes for fruity and aromatic-bodied beers. With Braupakt, we were able to exceed the expectations of both breweries.”

The U.S. release of Braupakt will officially begin in April. You can expect to find this Limited Edition beer available in 6-packs of 0.33l (or 11.2 oz.) bottles at fine beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Weihenstephan’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Braupakt from Bavarian State Brewery Weihenstephan & Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Collaboration, April 2018
Style – Hefeweizen
ABV – 6%
IBUs – 35
Malts – Wheat, Light and Dark Barley, & Caramel
Hops – Hallertauer Tradition, Amarillo & Chinook
Suggested Food Pairings – “Fits exotic and spicy-hot dishes with fish, meat and seafood.”
Fun Fact – On the beer’s name: “Braupakt (literally translated; Brewery Pact) merges “old world” purity standards and brewing methodologies with “new world” innovation and hop flavors. The name plays on America’s “bro pact” vernacular for fraternal allegiances and the label features the imperial Bavarian bear sporting a “hang loose” gesture.”
Availability – 6-packs of 0.33l bottles
Beer Finder – https://www.weihenstephaner.com/product-finder/

Riegele Craft Brewery Expands U.S. Distribution into Michigan & Tennessee

Posted on March 21, 2018 by mashingin

Brauhaus Riegele (Augsburg, Germany) and its U.S. importer, LuXe Brands, have officially announced that they are actively launching distribution in Michigan and Tennessee.

Continuing to build upon its 632-year-old legacy as a European craft brewer, Brauhaus Riegele (a.k.a. Riegele Craft Brewery and pronounced “Rig-ula”) is expanding its reach in the U.S. by entering into “an agreement with Imperial Beverage for Michigan, with an initial focus on Detroit and Ann Arbor; and with Lipman Brothers in Nashville for statewide distribution in Tennessee.” With the help of these distributors, Brauhaus Riegele will enter these markets with the following award-winning beers:

Commerzienrat Riegele Privat – From Germany’s most awarded brewery comes Riegele’s most awarded beer, Privat. Winner of the “Beer of the Decade,” “Beer of the Year,” World Beer Cup,” 9-time DLG Gold and the 6-Time European Gold Star, Privat sets the benchmark for craft festival lagers. Crisp, elegant, and complex in character, Privat is perfectly balanced with a clean and remarkably smooth finish thanks to the Riegele husk separation process. ABV – 5.2%
Augustus 8 – Augustus 8 owes its fruity flavor and 8 percent alcohol content to the Riegele 2-mash brewing process, with a mixture of unique fermented yeast, Pilsner wheat, and Munich malts. ABV – 8%
Speziator Dunkel – The dark counterpart to Speziator Hell. Also brewed by Bavarian monks over 300 years ago, Doppelbock Dark is distinguished by its dark but fiery color, elevated alcohol content, and velvety mouthfeel. As a European Gold Star winner, Speziator Dunkel sets the standard for imperial dark lagers. ABV – 7.5%
Michaeli (Limited Release) – Sparkling at first sip, velvet in texture and fruity in the finish. Truly for those special highpoints in life. ABV – 6%

The beers above are rolling out in Michigan now and will become available in Tennessee at the start of Q2/April 2018. You can expect to find these offerings at select craft beer establishments that typically carry fine imported beers. You can also find Riegele products in Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, New York and Massachusetts. Prost!

Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Adds Orange Show to Year-Round Portfolio

Posted on March 20, 2018March 20, 2018 by mashingin

Saint Arnold Brewing Company (Houston, Texas) has officially announced that Orange Show, a Blonde Ale with real blood oranges, is launching this week as the brewery’s newest Year-Round offering.

“Named after the famed folk art monument in Houston’s East End neighborhood”, Orange Show (5.3% ABV) is an American Blonde Ale hopped with Centennial and Citra hops and made “with 2,220 pounds of real blood orange purée per batch, or roughly a half-pound of purée per gallon.” This massive fruit addition combines with the citrusy hops to create “a balanced, light bodied beer” bursting with “sweet and slightly tart flavors.”

“The Orange Show is a Houston institution and one of the things that makes Houston really cool,” said Lennie Ambrose, Chief Marketing Officer for Saint Arnold Brewing Co. “We’ve had a partnership with the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art for decades, so naming a beer after a Houston landmark just made sense.”

“Orange Show marries our passion for beer with our mission to build community,” said Brock Wagner, Founder and Brewer for Saint Arnold. “A portion of the proceeds from this beer will be donated to the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art to promote arts education in Houston.”

Orange Show is rolling out now with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. You can find this new Year-Round brew at craft beer-friendly establishments located within Saint Arnold’s distribution footprint in Texas and Louisiana. Prost!

Vital Information for Orange Show from Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round, debuts late March 2018
Style – American Blonde Ale
ABV – 5.3%
IBUs – 23
Featured Hops – Centennial & Citra
Added Ingredients – 2,220 pounds of real blood orange purée per batch
Fun Fact – The story behind the name: “The Orange Show Monument is a 3,000 square-foot structure designed by the late Jefferson Davis McKissack, a Houston postal worker. He built it as a tribute to his favorite fruit and it is viewed as one of the most important folk art environments in the country. In 2015, Saint Arnold debuted the popular Art Car IPA, named after the famous parade organized by the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, so paying homage to the Orange Show Monument for the newest year-round beer was a ‘no-brainer’ for Texas’ oldest craft brewery located in Houston.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Texas & Louisiana

LOKO Cuisine to host Stanger Things Easter Brunch at 7venth Sun Brewery

Posted on March 20, 2018 by mashingin

On Sunday, April 1 at 11 a.m., LOKO Cuisine and 7venth Sun Brewery – Tampa (6809 N Nebraska Ave | Tampa, Florida) will team up to turn your Easter feast upside down with a special Stanger Things Brunch event.

In recognition of the “first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox” (a.k.a. Easter and April Fool’s Day), LOKO Cuisine will set up shop at 7venth Sun Brewery’s Tampa location to serve the following “4-course menu inspired by characters, predatory creatures and alternative dimensions from the science-fiction horror series Stranger Things”:

Since this event is also a play on the name of one of 7venth Sun’s co-founders, Justin Stange, the brewery will be offering his Stange Beer “along with The Pineapple Upside Down Kolsch and D’Artagnan 3 Musketeers Milk Stout” as perfect pairing options for the menu listed above. One pint or snifter of equal value is included in the cost of the meal, but you will have the option to purchase additional pours à la carte if you wish to do so.

In addition to the beer and brunch pairing, Lowry Parcade will also be on-site with some retro arcade games and the event’s ambiance will be properly set with a soundtrack of killer 80’s tunes. Nitro infused cold brew coffee options from Ginger Beard Coffee will also be available for an additional cost.

Tickets for the Stanger Things Brunch are available now for $32.10 each, and you can purchase yours by clicking here. Ticket cost includes the four-course brunch and one pour of beer (pint or snifter of equal value). 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.

Fair Warning: LOKO Cuisine events tend to sell out quickly. If you are free on April 1 and wish to relive the awesomeness that was the 80’s while you get your grub on, be sure to lock down your tickets for the Stanger Things Brunch as soon as possible. Prost!

Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout Debuts for Stone Brewing

Posted on March 19, 2018 by mashingin

Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially launched Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout as its newest Special Release offering.

Moving in as the successor to the fan-favorite Stone Imperial Russian Stout that was developed in 2000 and discontinued in 2016, Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout has arrived with an upgraded recipe that boasts “the careful addition of Belma hops and flaked oats.” Although the beer retains the original recipe’s old-world nature by pouring “jet-black with a fluffy chocolate head and [tasting] of deeply dark fruit flavors with rich chocolate and coffee overtones”, the added flaked oats enhance the beer’s “long-lasting smooth and silky finish” while the new-world Belma hops “[intensify] its berry flavors and aroma while subtly introducing a juicy melon undertone.” In an impressive show of force, Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout flexes its power with a 10.6% ABV and 65 IBUs.

“Our most devout fans don’t surrender quietly when we discontinue beers or skip Stone Special Release favorites,” said Jeremy Moynier, Stone Brewing senior manager of brewing & innovation, and nearly 14-year Stone veteran. “We always tell them they may see it again and in this case, the one year hiatus was well worth the wait. The additional hops and flaked oats add a new layer of complexity and mouthfeel that truly enhance an already remarkable beer.”

Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout is available now and has plans to remain on shelves and taps into the month of July 2018. You can expect to find this Special Release available in 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Stone Totalitarian Imperial Russian Stout from Stone Brewing

Release – Special Release, mid-March through early July 2018
Style – Russian Imperial Stout
ABV – 10.6%
IBUs – 65
Featured Hops – Magnum & Belma
Fun Fact – On the style’s history at Stone Brewing: “When the densely dark Stone Imperial Russian Stout was still in its infancy, the style wasn’t recognized by the US Government’s agency regulating brewery labels. They thought it implied that the beer was brewed in Russia rather than being an historic English style that had originally been brewed for the Russian court. We had three options:
1. Name the beer simply Stone Imperial Stout
2. Name the beer Stone Imperial Russian-Style Stout
3. Fight back
The team embarked on a three-year naming battle before finally earning the style’s full recognition for Stone and all fellow US brewers. Stone Imperial Russian Stout was born as obstinate as it returns.”
Availability – 22 oz. bottles, 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

North Coast Brewing Co.’s 2018 Old Stock Ale Hits Shelves

Posted on March 19, 2018 by mashingin

North Coast Brewing Co. (Fort Bragg, California) has officially announced the release of the 2018 vintage of its long-standing and highly regarded Old Stock Ale.

Originally brewed in 2000, the Old Stock Ale program was established by North Coast Brewing as an attempt to revive a style at a time “when the last of the classic English old ales had nearly disappeared from the market.” Meant to celebrate both the brewing and aging traditions of Old Ales, Old Stock Ale has been “well-designed . . . with an original gravity of over 1.100 and a generous hopping rate” so that the beer will “round out and mellow with age.” Officially arriving as this brew’s 19th vintage, 2018 Old Stock Ale (12% ABV, 34 IBUs) stays true to its English roots by being brewed with “classic Maris Otter malt and Fuggles and East Kent Goldings hops, all imported from England.”

2018 Old Stock Ale is officially on shelves now and will hang around through the rest of the year. You can expect to find this vintage ale available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles at fine craft beer retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of North Coast’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for 2018 Old Stock Ale from North Coast Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round/Vintage, 2018 batch arrives March 2018
Style – Old Ale
ABV – 12%
IBUs – 34
Featured Malts – Maris Otter
Featured Hops – Fuggles & East Kent Goldings
Suggested Food Pairings – “[North Coast recommends] tasting a young Old Stock with a pairing of Parmigiano-Reggiano or a classic English Cheddar like the Lincolnshire Poacher, Montgomery Cheddar or Keen’s Cheddar. Older vintages that have been cellared pair well with classic blue cheeses like an English Stilton or a Spanish Valdeon.”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles
Beer Finder – https://northcoastbrewing.com/beers/beer-locator/

Tasting Notes: Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Posted on March 16, 2018 by mashingin

In order to get a head start on St. Patty’s Day weekend, we are shutting down the office early and getting into some Tasting Notes on the infamous Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company (Petaluma, California).

Brewed in “remembrance of the 2005 St. Patrick’s Day Massacre and in commemoration of the 20-day suspension that followed” (click here to get more info on that event and an explanation of the featured photo above), Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale is Lagunitas Brewing Company’s “especially bitter” response to the ABC’s claim that the brewery was operating a “Disorderly House” on that fateful day. Best described as an American Strong Ale, Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale is a “malty and rich beer with a snappy hop finish [that] truly defies style…Imperial Mild?…Uber ESB?” Who knows?! What we do know – besides the fact that this beer’s name is incredibly long – is that Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale clocks in at an unruly 9.6% ABV and 66.6 IBUs and cannot possibly be held accountable for its actions. Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale is available now as a Limited Release offering, and you can track it down in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Illinois and throughout the rest of Lagunitas Brewing Company’s vast distribution area.

Now that we have covered the background on this subject, let’s dig deep and crack the case on this Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale with some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale from Lagunitas Brewing Company

Appearance: This brew presents itself as a dark amber in color with just a slight orange hue to it. When held to direct light, that orange tone gains intensity and the liquid takes on more of a bright, shining copper appearance. The beer is impeccably clear and displays a bountiful carbonation presence dedicated in its mission to feed the perfect finger of frothy white foam resting above. Head retention is quite good, and that foam provides a huge amount of lace that utterly coats the Mason Jar-style glass by the end of the experience.

Aroma: Pine confidently steps forward first and fills the nose with resiny hop goodness. This eventually takes a gentle turn to the floral before a countering presence of caramel and grain settles in. Not to be outdone, the hops surface one last time with a parting pop of citrus zest.

Taste: The script flips in this arena as the flavors lead with a soothing presence of caramel and toffee. To keep things from getting overly sweet, the hops follow closely behind with a resinous pine note that is accompanied by grassy and floral tones. A fruit-filled character then surfaces in the form of tropical mango, candied orange and a bit of grapefruit zest. Still, even as all these hop notes gain momentum, there remains a composed layer of sweet grain and malt interwoven throughout to keep the bitterness in check. Really nicely done here.

Mouthfeel: With a spot-on medium body and a moderate carbonation level, this beer has a creamy feel and a somewhat long finish that leaves behind notes of orange and grapefruit zest. Although it puts in some serious work on both the bitter and sweet sides of palate, this beer’s level of balance is simply stunning. Combine that with an ABV that translates much lighter than its 9.6%, and you are left with a big ol’ brew that is dangerously drinkable.

Final Thoughts: This may be another beer that steps outside the norm to defy style guidelines, but somehow it is blatantly obvious that Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale nailed the brewery’s intentions and expectations. We say that because every aspect of this beer is synced up. Its look is absolutely gorgeous and coyly lures you in for sip after sip. The aromatics and flavors have achieved a brilliant level of balance. The feel is so damn smooth and has just enough weight to properly carry the experience. And then there’s that hidden ABV . . . We wracked our brains but could not come up with another beer that exceeds 9% ABV and drinks this easy and refreshing.

All in all, we had a hard time deciding whether this beer was more dumbfounding or sensical, and then it hit us. Not only does this beer properly commemorate a moment in the history of Lagunitas, but it also lives up to its name (especially the “Undercover Investigation” portion) by being a well-orchestrated, sneaky brew that will get you into trouble if you let it. It warns you to proceed with caution while still encouraging you to enjoy the hell out of every moment spent with an Undercover Investigation Shut-Down Ale in your hand. If a beer could be a maniacal genius, it would be this one. Be sure to check it out. Prost!

I Want It Now! Tropical Gose Makes Limited Return for Funky Buddha Brewery

Posted on March 16, 2018 by mashingin

Funky Buddha Brewery (Oakland Park, Florida) has officially announced that it will release I Want It Now! Tropical Gose on Sunday, March 18 as the latest offering from the brewery’s Little Buddha Small Batch Series.

Originally created in 2013 to be “a super juicy ‘snozzberry gose'”, I Want It Now! has since morphed a bit to become a “tasty and tart gose . . . brewed with real mango and passion fruit juices.” Finished off with a dose of kettle salts to lend “a refreshing, complex quality to this tart concoction”, I Want It Now! (5% ABV) comes together to be a thirst-quenching “easy drinker with just enough tropical fruit to tame its tart nature.”

I Want It Now! will initially release in Funky Buddha’s Tap Room at 11:30 a.m. on March 18 and distribution will follow shortly thereafter. Once in distribution, you will be able to find this Little Buddha Small Batch offering available in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select beer-friendly establishments located in Florida and throughout the rest of Funky Buddha’s steadily expanding distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for I Want It Now! Tropical Gose from Funky Buddha Brewery

Release – Limited/Little Buddha Small Batch Series; March 18, 2018
Style – Gose
ABV – 5%
Added Ingredients – Kettle salts, mango & passion fruit juices
Suggested Food Pairings – “Seared duck breast with grilled peach chutney, micro arugula, chili oil, birdseye chili, peach nectar, and duck fat”
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://funkybuddhabrewery.com/beer-finder

Terrapin Beer Co. Adds T-Time Berliner Weisse to Seasonal Lineup

Posted on March 15, 2018 by mashingin

Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia) has announced that T-Time Berliner Weisse will officially return on Saturday, March 17 as the brewery’s new Spring/Summer Seasonal.

Originally released last year in a more limited quantity as a Special Release, T-Time is back as a refreshing Seasonal that beer fans can enjoy during the spring and into the summer months. Brewed with Maya Tea and lemon, T-Time (4% ABV) is a “tart and thirst-quenching” Berliner Weisse that is meant to be a “summertime refresher [that will] get you back into the swing of things both on and off the course.”

“The addition of two new brewing vessels to our Rolec Brewhouse has allowed Terrapin to increase the production of kettle soured beer, such as T-Time and our year-round Good to Gose.”

– Jack Albanese, Director of Operations at Terrapin Beer Co.

T-Time Berliner Weisse will officially release in the Tasting Room at Terrapin Beer Co. on March 17 and will enter distribution shortly thereafter. You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of Terrapin’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for T-Time Berliner Weisse from Terrapin Beer Co.

Release – Seasonal, mid-March and into Summer 2018
Style – Berliner Weisse
ABV – 4%
IBUs – 5
Malts – Pilsner, Malted Wheat, Torrified Wheat & Acidulated
Hops – Vanguard
Suggested Food Pairings – “Chevre & Havarti, or a Turkey Club Sandwich with a side of chips”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://terrapinbeer.com/beer-finder/

New Realm Brewing Company Set to Release Cans into Distribution

Posted on March 15, 2018March 15, 2018 by mashingin

New Realm Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced that it will begin distribution of its first two canned offerings, Hoplandia IPA and Euphonia Pilsner, in early April.

Since first opening their doors in January, the folks at New Realm Brewing have spent the last few months getting fully acquainted with their equipment and honing their approach to the day-to-day workflow in both the brewery and restaurant sides of their beautiful facility located on Atlanta’s Beltline. Confident that they have locked all that down, they are now ready for the next natural step: canning some beer for distribution in the Atlanta area.

The first two canned offerings will be Hoplandia IPA and Euphonia Pilsner, and their official brewery descriptions are as follows:

Hoplandia IPA – Budding with sought-after hops and a heavenly hit of citrus and peach, Hoplandia is no ordinary IPA. It’s not confined to the style of the West Coast, East Coast or whatever coast. This lush IPA is something sublimely different and now in cans, more Atlantans will be able to experience Hoplandia for themselves. ABV – 7.3% IBUs – 75
Euphonia Pilsner – Inspired by a utopian kingdom of musical perfection, Euphonia Pilsner is a true brewer’s beer. Rocking a hallmark blend of smooth floral hops and classic German malts, this beer masters the desired sessionable balance of crisp refreshment and floral hop flavor. ABV – 5% IBUs – 30

“This is a super exciting time for us at New Realm Brewing. Not only has it been a phenomenal year opening our facility but now to be releasing our original IPA and Pilsner to market in cans, it’s just so cool,” said Mitch Steele, Brewmaster and co-founder of New Realm Brewing. “Hoplandia is for those that crave piney, citrusy hop flavors and Euphonia Pilsner, our refreshing, easy sipping pils has been a favorite amongst our brewers and guests at our bar.”

Hoplandia IPA and Euphonia Pilsner will become available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans in early April, and you will be able to find these packaged Mainstay offerings in the brewery and at craft beer-friendly establishments located throughout New Realm’s localized distribution footprint in the Atlanta area. If you are eager to try Hoplandia IPA and Euphonia Pilsner before they hit shelves next month, you can always swing by New Realm Brewing and enjoy them on draft. Prost!

Vital Information for Hoplandia IPA from New Realm Brewing Company

Release – Mainstay/Year-Round, cans release April 2018
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 7.3%
IBUs – 75
Hops – Warrior, Simcoe & Centennial
Malts – Pale, Pilsner & Crystal
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia only (Atlanta area)

Vital Information for Euphonia Pilsner from New Realm Brewing Company

Release – Mainstay/Year-Round, cans release April 2018
Style – Pilsner
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 30
Hops – Hersbrucker, Huell Melon, Saphir & Sterling
Malts – German Pilsner
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia only (Atlanta area)