Holiday shopping days are drying up fast, but you still have the chance to hook up the beer fan in your life with a sweet TrailKeg growler system.
We all know that growlers are awesome because they provide us with the option to enjoy fresh draft beer in the comfort of our own homes. The only issue: that freshness is quickly compromised in traditional growlers the moment you unscrew the cap for your first pour. CO2 escapes, oxygen gets in, the beer goes flat, and its flavor could be altered.
The remedy: TrailKeg, “a vacuum-insulated CO2 pressurized beer growler that keeps . . . drinks cold for 24 hours and perfectly carbonated for weeks.” Designed to be a multipurpose device, the TrailKeg can be used as a stand-alone tap system or – with available upgrades – it can “[interface] with industry standard equipment that many beer lovers already own, such as Kegerators, beer taps, gas systems, and more.” Its convenience goes well beyond that as its “virtually indestructible” stainless steel construction and vacuum insulation allow you to pour perfectly “cold and carbonated” beers while “tailgating, enjoying a weekend outdoors, or enjoying a cold one on the back porch with a group of friends.” Whether you are at home or out on an adventure, TrailKeg’s versatile capabilities easily make it the growler that you need to have at your side.
Rogue Ales (Newport, Oregon) recently announced that it will introduce Straight Outta Newport in January as a new Limited Release offering.
Inspired to brew a beer that embodies the spirit of the Oregon Coast, the brewers at Rogue Ales developed Straight Outta Newport to be a “uniquely West Coast” style India Pale Ale featuring Citra, Mosaic and Comet hops. Clocking in at 8.7% ABV and 73 IBUs, Straight Outta Newport supplies “a bold and flavorful profile, bursting with aromas of grapefruit, tangerine and orange, fruity hop notes and a juicy finish.”
“We’re Oregon Coast through and through,” said Rogue President Brett Joyce. “We wanted to pay homage to our hometown with a world-class beer that dared to push the limits.”
Straight Outta Newport will officially arrive in January 2018 with plans to hang around throughout that month. You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select locations found within Rogue’s distribution area. Prost!
Vital Information for Straight Outta Newport from Rogue Ales
Release – Limited, January 2018 Style – Double India Pale Ale ABV – 8.7% IBUs – 73 Malts – Munich, Weyermann Pils, Gold Pils Vienna & DextraPils Hops – Mosaic, Citra, Comet & Hallertau Magnum Yeast – Pacman Added Ingredients – Belgian Candi Sugar Fun Fact – “Straight Outta Newport’s label art is also a nod to Rogue’s seaside hometown, with an image of the iconic Yaquina Bay Bridge as well as the Rogue brewers who collaborated on crafting the one-of-a-kind beer.” Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft Beer Finder – https://www.rogue.com/finder/
Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) recently announced that it will close out the year by releasing five limited beers from its Small Batch Series.
Firmly believing that the holidays are the perfect time to share some amazing beers with friends and family, the folks at Stone Brewing are breaking out the good stuff this month by releasing five barrel-aged offerings from their Small Batch Series. These offerings include “long-time fan favorites” such as Stone Imperial Russian Stout and Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Black IPAthat have been given “new depth, character and complexity, thanks to the attention of Stone’s talented small batch brewers.” This current barrage of Small Batch releases includes the following five beers (descriptions provided by Stone Brewing):
Dogfish Head / Victory / Stone Saison du BUFF aged in Red & White Wine Barrels – Cherry and tropical fruit-like flavors and aromatics come from the addition of three strains of Brettanomyces. Oak notes and tannin add body and mouthfeel. While herbal components of the beer are toned down after extensive barrel aging, the aftertaste offers a classic funk complexity. 9.3% ABV
2016 Xocoveza Charred: Stone Xocoveza mocha stout aged in bourbon barrels – Time spent in bourbon barrels gave the base stout beer additional layers of caramel-like and vanilla flavors. Charred oak and toffee engulfs the palate on the first sip. Combined with fresh spices, lingering pasilla pepper and soft oak flavors persist through an exceptionally long finish in this intensely rich and satisfying beer. 9.6% ABV
2017 Fyodor: 2016 Stone Imperial Russian Stout aged in bourbon barrels – This beer boasts rich coffee alongside bitter and milk chocolate flavors. Dark charred oak, rich vanilla and caramel from the bourbon barrels elevate and further enhance the ultra-intense taste of the original beer. 13.5% ABV
“I love experiencing how our brewers can transform a beer that I know so well into something completely new,” said Greg Koch, Stone Brewing executive chairman & co-founder. “They’ve taken painstaking efforts to procure the best barrels and have taken immaculate care of these rarities, some aging for almost a full year. The outcome will, no doubt, amaze whether you choose to drink them now or cellar them.”
The five beers above are available “throughout the month of December and into the New Year” (while supplies last). You can find these Small Batch offerings available in 500ml bottles at select craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia, and “nearly” throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution area. Prost!
Green Flash Brewing Co. (San Diego, California) has officially announced that CaCow Milk Stout is available now as a draft-only, Winter Seasonal offering.
Originally dreamed up by Green Flash’s “Virginia Beach employees as a part of [their] Genius Lab pilot brewing program”, CaCow Milk Stout is headed for the big time now that it has been green-lit for nationwide release. This is not at all surprising when you consider the fact that this delectable, full-bodied Milk Stout “was inspired by the flavors of chocolate milk, with lactose added to provide its creamy consistency.” Weighing in at 6.3% ABV, the “luscious and limited” CaCow Milk Stout “offers chocolate sweetness, balanced by bold coffee notes.”
CaCow Milk Stout is currently available for a limited time as a draft-only offering. You can expect to find this new Winter Seasonal pouring at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Green Flash Brewing Co.’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!
Vital Information for CaCow Milk Stout from Green Flash Brewing Co.
Great Divide Brewing Co. (Denver, Colorado) just added some intrigue to the year ahead with the publication of a 2018 Release Calendar that brings news of seven new beers.
Another day means another beer calendar, and we have Great Divide Brewing Co.’s full 2018 Release Calendar available below. You can jump straight to it, or bear with us while we quickly highlight those seven new brews. It’s totally your call . . .
2018 will see the introduction of Great Divide’s Wood Werks series, a new lineup of limited-edition barrel-aged and sour beers. The series will launch in February with Belgian-style Sour, a “Belgian-style tripel that was artfully soured for 15 months in red wine barrels and aged on plums.” Belgian-style Sour will be followed by Flemish Sour Brown with Strawberries in May, and Barrel Aged Brown Rye Ale in August.
Car Camper Gose will roll out in April as the brewery’s new Summer Seasonal. This refreshing little number is a German-style Sour brewed with guava & passionfruit.
Vanilla Oak Aged Yeti will arrive in May as the newest addition to the Yeti Clan. This oak-aged Imperial Stout has “sweet vanilla tones [that] meld into the oak characteristics . . . A pairing fit for a beast, the vanilla and oak are uplifted by the bold and roasty character we all know and love from [Yeti Imperial Stout].”
Back by popular demand, Rumble Oak Aged IPA will return as a part of the Tank Farm series in 2018. It will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft from May through September.
Beginning in May, Great Divide will add Heyday Modern IPA to its Year-Round portfolio. “What’s a Modern IPA you ask? Well, [Great Divide] brewed this beer in response to the shift in taste profile preferences of the modern IPA drinker. It’s slightly hazy (but not a hazy IPA) with abundant hop flavor and aroma of tropical fruit, berry, and melon. This contemporary IPA brings the multifaceted hop profile to the forefront without the expected bitterness and with a lighter body. It’s not “New England” or “hazy” or “west coast” or “English-style”, or “classic”, and it’s definitely not [Titan India Pale Ale]. It’s a modern IPA. Balanced and approachable, Heyday IPA is brewed for the modern Bold Character.”
That covers the new offerings, but there is still plenty to see on the calendar below. Give it a good look so that you can be properly prepared for the Great Divide awesomeness headed your way in 2018. Prost!
For this week’s edition of Tasting Notes, we somehow stumble upon the opportunity to preview the soon-to-be widely released New England IPA from Samuel Adams (Boston, Massachusetts).
Since Samuel Adams is truly synonymous with the region of New England, it only makes sense for them to get in on craft beer’s recent IPA haze craze by brewing their own New England IPA. Staying true to the more classic representations of the style (think Heady Topper from The Alchemist), the Samuel AdamsNew England IPA showcases an “opaque, hazy appearance”, a fruity hop presence with minimal bitterness, and a “juicy, luscious mouthfeel.”
Please, do not be confused by the blank sample cans we received. Packaging is in place (see promo image at the top of this post, credit: Samuel Adams), and this new Year-Round offering is currently experiencing a gradual rollout in Boston and select cities/states. New England IPA will eventually see nationwide distribution after the New Year with availability in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft.
That should just about cover all of the background information on Samuel Adams New England IPA, so let’s get into some Tasting Notes to see what this new brew is all about.
Tasting Notes for New England IPA from Samuel Adams
Appearance – This brew is a sunburst orange in color that has some darker amber tones residing within the center of the pour. When held to direct light, the oranges and yellows brighten at the edges while that amber core actually holds and deepens. The beer has a good amount of haze to it, and a steady carbonation level can just barely be seen coursing within. The pour built a lush two fingers of eggshell white foam. Retention is pretty fantastic, falling ever so slowly to a creamy, lasting finger that sheets the glass with wide sweeping patterns of lace.
Aroma – Very nice here with intensely juicy citrus and tropical fruit notes filling the air. We are talking about massive amounts of pineapple, grapefruit, tangerine and passionfruit. These fruity tones dominate the profile, but a bit of grassy and earthy character can be found underneath.
Taste – The flavor nearly mirrors the nose as an ample tropical fruit presence bursts with notes of passionfruit, pineapple, grapefruit, orange, papaya and berry. A faint pine and earthy quality does eventually move in alongside a guava-like note that is further supported by a trace of non-descript malt sweetness. This thing is basically a liquid fruit bowl.
Mouthfeel – Residing a touch on the heavier side of medium in body with a medium carbonation level, this beer is creamy and smooth in texture. It dries out quickly, causing any hint of hop bitterness to dissipate immediately. Its 6.8% ABV is not at all noticeable, keeping the experience refreshing and easy drinking. The aftertaste leaves behind faint traces of pineapple and sweet citrus.
Final Thoughts – In a craft beer world gone hazy, this New England IPA from Samuel Adams certainly holds its own. The mouthfeel is right, bitterness is minimal, the aromatics and flavors are juicy as hell, and it is definitely pretty to look at it. By definition, this is absolutely a NE-style IPA/Hazy IPA and should be taken seriously as such. Like all Samuel Adams beers, this offering benefits from a respected lineage that unquestionably puts quality at the forefront. That being the case, New England IPA gets some serious bonus points when you consider the fact that is about to become the most solid, consistent and easily attainable Hazy IPA on the market. Seriously, keep an eye out for this one when it makes its full nationwide release at the start of 2018. Prost!
Abita Brewing Company (Abita Springs, Louisiana) has officially announced that it will recognize New Orleans’ Tricentennial celebration with the limited-time release of Maison Blanc.
Brewed to honor the 300th birthday of New Orleans, Maison Blanc is Abita’s attempt “to capture the diverse history and culture of this great city” in a glass. Meant to cater to the tastes of both beer and wine drinkers, this special White Ale (or “House White”) has been brewed with malted barley, wheat and Sauvignon blanc grapes. This elegant recipe results in a 6.5% ABV Maison Blanc that is characterized by “the mild, dry flavor you seek in your favorite house white wine, with the delicious crisp characteristics of Sauvignon blanc grapes.”
“When you think of New Orleans, it’s all about the food, culture and lifestyle that makes the city such a unique and special place,” said David Blossman, President of Abita. “The Tricentennial gave us a great opportunity to celebrate all of this, and we hope everyone will join the Abita family in enjoying Maison Blanc, while commemorating the culture and history that has made New Orleans the amazing place it is for the last 300 years.”
Maison Blanc officially debuts this week and will hang around through April of 2018. This Limited Release offering will see distribution exclusively in Louisiana with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles. Prost!
Vital Information for Maison Blanc from Abita Brewing Company
Release – Limited, mid-December 2017 through April 2018 Style – White Ale ABV – 6.5% Malts – Pilsner & Wheat Hops – Hallertau Blanc Added Ingredients – Sauvignon blanc grapes Suggested Glassware – Flute, goblet or tulip Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles Distribution – Available exclusively in Louisiana
If you are looking for the perfect stocking stuffer for the beer aficionado in your life, for the love of all that is good do not waste your money on some gimmicky, novelty “beer-related” item you found on some display in some department store. Instead, spend your hard-earned cash on something that they will actually use. Something functional. Perhaps something like one of these awesome bottle openers:
Short for “Grabopener”, the GrOpener is an aluminum bottle opener designed to use the “motion and force from the act of grabbing the bottle to also remove the cap.” Beyond its universal design (that also “accommodates amputees, stroke victims and others who may only have full use of one hand”), the GrOpener “keeps caps flat, . . . leverages pull tabs on cans, and [has a] magnet [that allows] it to stow on your beer fridge.” One of the contributors here at Mashing In is an avid bottle cap collector, and the GrOpener gets daily use in our office because each cap remains in pristine condition after removal. For that reason, we can confirm that this item is an awesome opener that is built for function while still having great aesthetics.
“Made from precision-crafted stainless steel and coated with a smooth finish”, the Go-Comb Bottle Opener fits easily in your wallet or bag, keeps you looking good, and conveniently opens your beer. What else could you ask for? In case you were wondering, the comb has a fine-tooth design that “works best in short hair and beards.”
A lot of cyclists these days like to finish off a long ride with a refreshing beverage, and the Road Popper makes it so those folks can avoid having to stash an opener somewhere in their cycling shorts. 3-D printed in bronze-infused stainless steel and available in a variety of finishes, this opener is designed “to fasten discreetly to the rails on the underside of” a conventional bike saddle. It can easily open any bottle cap, but you really shouldn’t drink and bike. So, let’s be sure to only open beers with the Road Popper when the ride is officially done.
We all know things can get a little crazy out there in The Wastes. For instance, say you just got out of a harrowing battle with a frickin’ Deathclaw that came out of nowhere. Despite being wildly unprepared for that moment (both emotionally and in your inventory), you somehow triumphed. Moments like these call for a beer, and nothing will widen a victory smile more than prying that cap off with this gorgeous, wall-mounted Nuka Cola opener. If you have no idea what we are talking about, please excuse our nerdery. Just trust that Fallout fans will love this opener.
The Dilemma: a beer drinker really wants to get into a big ol’ bottle of delicious barrel-aged goodness, but is trying to avoid crushing 22 ounces of high ABV beer in one sitting on his/her own. How can one possibly sip on this brew responsibly without being wasteful?
The Answer: The Hermetus. This item will not only allow you to open that bottle, but it also gives you the ability to “simply seal your bottle by sliding the product on the brim of the glass, keeping the carbon dioxide and freshness inside.” Drink what you want, save the rest for later. It’s perfect.
Just as it does each year, Brasserie St-Feuillien (Le Roeulx, Belgium) is celebrating the Holiday Season with the Limited Release of its Cuvée de Noël.
Crafted to embody the holiday spirit, Cuvée de Noël is a “dark brown, rich and full-bodied” Belgian Strong Dark Ale that is meant to be “[savored] and [shared] with friends.” At 9% ABV, this warming, Seasonal offering showcases aromatics enhanced by herbs and spices and a “full-bodied . . . smoothness that is the result of the synergy of caramelized malts, carefully controlled fermentation and long cold storage.” To round off the entire experience, a “very subtle” bitter note emerges as “the dominant flavor in this harmonious ale [to strike] a perfect balance between all the different ingredients.”
Cuvée de Noël is pouring now and will be available throughout the 2017 Holiday Season. If you are in the United States and wish to seek out this special Holiday Ale, you can find this Limited release available as a draft-only offering at fine beer establishments located throughout the country. Cuvée de Noël can also be found internationally (excluding the US) in 33ml bottles, 750ml bottles, 1.5L bottles and on draft. Prost!
Vital Information for Cuvée de Noël from Brasserie St-Feuillien
Release – Limited/Seasonal, Holiday Season 2017 Style – Belgian Strong Dark Ale ABV – 9% Added Ingredients – Herbs & spices reminiscent of the holidays Availability – Draft-only in the United States. International availability includes 33ml bottles, 750ml bottles, 1.5L bottles & draft
26° Brewing Co. (Pompano Beach, Florida) recently announced that it has officially partnered with Sunshine State Distributing to extend the brewery’s reach to six Central Florida counties: Orange, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Lake, and Seminole.
Focused on making “world-class, craftsmen-inspired beers that are rich in artisan traditions while celebrating life and love in South Florida”, high school friends Greg Lieberman and Yonathan Ghersi first opened the doors at 26° Brewing Co. in September of 2015. As local craft beer lovers embraced their passion and offerings, the brewery’s distribution area has steadily grown over time “to cover all of South Florida, extending as far north as Pasco and Indian River counties.” Confident that their success in those areas is a sign to continue distribution expansion, the folks at 26° Brewing Co. have now joined forces with Sunshine State Distributing so that they can share their beers with those in Orlando and the counties of Central Florida.
“All the feedback we got about Sunshine State Distributing was really good.” said Greg Lieberman, Co-founder of 26° Brewing Co. “And when we met them, we realized that we share the same philosophies about craft beer. We knew that we would be well-represented by the team there. They’re craft people, like us.”
With the help of Sunshine State Distributing, 26° Brewing Co. will enter Central Florida this December with Core offerings that include Jared’s Batch Amber Ale (6.3% ABV), Captain Ron Hefeweizen (5.6% ABV), IPA1A American IPA (6.4% ABV), Tri-County Common Lager (5.5% ABV) and Ziko’s Rage Imperial Stout (8.2% ABV). You can expect to find these offerings available in cans and/or on draft at fine craft beer establishments located in Orange, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Lake, and Seminole counties. Prost!
Holiday shopping days are drying up fast, but you still have the chance to hook up the beer fan in your life with a sweet TrailKeg growler system.
Just as it does each year, 
Mashing In 