Beer | Mashing In

Swamp Head Brewery Announces Plans to Release Three Limited Brews

Posted on December 13, 2016 by mashingin

Swamp Head Brewery (Gainesville, Florida) recently announced that they will package and release the following three limited offerings during the months of December 2016 and January 2017: 10-10-10 Imperial India Pale Ale, Scieanhops Imperial Red Ale and Hoggetowne Irish Red Ale.

On Tuesday, December 13, 10-10-10 Imperial India Pale Ale will begin a very brief and limited release. Fully embracing the idea of excess, Swamp Head brewers “use massive quantities of the finest European barley malts and American hops to produce a wonderfully malty beer with outrageous hop expression.” The result is a 10% ABV, 110 IBU brew that is “truly fertilizer for the hop lover’s soul.” 10-10-10 Imperial IPA officially releases in 750 ml bottles and on draft at a brewery launch party on December 13 at 4 p.m. (click here for full details). An incredibly small amount of bottles and kegs will then enter the brewery’s distribution area in Florida shortly thereafter. 10-10-10 is released infrequently and is seemingly “gone in a flash” whenever available, so be sure to secure your bottles if you can.

Named after the Redfish (a.k.a. Sciaenops Ocellatus), Scieanhops Imperial Red Ale is an annually-released Celebration Ale made “to meet craft beer anglers’ thirst for a hearty red ale with a feast of hop flavor and aroma.” This goal is achieved by brewing an Imperial Red Ale laden with five hops and eight malts. Although the finished beer produces “a gigantic floral, citrus and tropical fruit hop aroma and flavor,” balance is achieved thanks to a “generous malt sweetness.” Scieanhops will officially release on Tuesday, January 10 with availability on draft and (for the first time) in 12 oz. cans. 4-packs of 12 oz. cans will be available exclusively at Swamp Head’s tasting room, The Wetlands.

Originally brewed as a collaboration with the Hogtown Brewers – Gainesville’s American Homebrewers Association recognized homebrew club – to serve at the Hoggetowne Medieval Faire, Hoggetowne Irish Red has now established itself as “the proud pint at St. Patrick’s Day celebrations all around Florida.” Brewed with only the best English hops and malts, this traditional Irish Red Ale is subdued in hop presence to allow a “clean caramel malt flavor and hint of roasted grain” the chance to shine. This easy drinkin’ brew clocks in at 5.5% ABV and 32 IBUs. The 2017 release of Hoggetowne Irish Red will officially begin on Tuesday, January 10, and you can expect to find this limited offering available in 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer bars, restaurants and retailers found within the brewery’s distribution footprint.

The release dates for 10-10-10 Imperial India Pale Ale, Scieanhops Imperial Red Ale and Hoggetowne Irish Red will be here before you know it, so go ahead a make a note now to ensure that you do not miss out on these limited brews from Swamp Head. Prost!

Vital Information for 10-10-10 Imperial India Pale Ale from Swamp Head Brewery

Release – Limited/Spasmodic Series, releases December 13
Style – Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV – 10%
IBUs – 110
Hops – Columbus, Cascade Centennial, Amarillo & Simcoe
Malts – Marris Otter & Munich
Availability – Draft & 750ml bottles (limited distribution)

Vital Information for Scieanhops Imperial Red Ale from Swamp Head Brewery

Release – Limited/Elusive Reclusive Series, releases January 10
Style – Imperial American Red Ale
ABV – 8.3%
IBUs – 65
Hops – Centennial, Columbus, Amarillo, Simcoe & Cascade
Malts – Pale Ale, Munich, Amber, Biscuit, Chocolate Wheat, Cara-Pils, Crystal & Flaked Oats
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans available at the brewery only & draft

Vital Information on Hoggetowne Irish Red from Swamp Head Brewery

Release – Seasonal/Migrational Series, available beginning January 10
Style – Irish Red Ale
ABV – 5.5%
IBUs – 32
Hops – Fuggle & East Kent Goldings
Malts – Pale Ale, Marris Otter, Crystal & Roasted Barley
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft

SweetWater Brewing Releases Festive Ale and Pulled Porter

Posted on December 12, 2016December 12, 2016 by mashingin

SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia) has officially announced the return of Festive Ale and Dank Tank Pulled Porter as the brewery’s latest limited release offerings.

Returning just in time to get SweetWater fans in the holiday spirit, the 2016 vintage of Festive Ale is back as the brewery’s answer to “Winter Coat Season.” This annual release is a spiced Strong Ale brewed with a recipe consisting of seven malts, three hops, cinnamon and mace. At 8.3% ABV, Festive Ale is more than willing and able “to keep you warm and toasted all winter long.” This offering is available now in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida and throughout the rest of SweetWater’s distribution footprint.

Pulled Porter has emerged once again from SweetWater’s Dank Tank, and it is now the first beer from this series to be offered in 16 oz. cans. For those of you who may have missed this beer’s debut last year, Pulled Porter is a bacon-infused Smoked Porter. The brewery pulled off this porcine delight by using malts smoked by Atlanta BBQ heroes the Fox Bros. These smoke-kissed malts take this chocolaty Porter to another level by adding a rich, savory quality to the brew. Pulled Porter is available now on draft and in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans at the brewery. This offering will officially enter distribution by mid-December, and you will find it wherever you normally see SweetWater Dank Tank offerings.

Although Festive Ale and Dank Tank Pulled Porter are hitting shelves and taps now, keep in mind that both offerings will only be available for a limited time. Get your fill while you can. Prost!

Vital Information for Festive Ale from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited Seasonal, December 2016
Style – Spiced Ale/Winter Warmer
ABV – 8.3%
Malts – 2 Row, Munich, 40L, 70/80, Carapils, Chocolate & Black
Hops – Centennial, US & UK Golding
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft

Vital Information for Dank Tank Pulled Porter from SweetWater Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Dank Tank Series. Available at brewery starting Friday, December 9. Distribution by mid-December 2016.
Style – Smoked Porter
ABV – 7.7%
IBUs – 27
Malts – 2-Row, Smoked 2-Row, Munich, Wheat, 70/80, Roasted Wheat, Midnight Wheat & Chocolate
Hops – Centennial, Golding, Willamette & Cascade
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and draft

Perrin Brewing Expands Distribution to Florida, Collaborates with Cigar City and Oskar Blues

Posted on December 12, 2016December 12, 2016 by mashingin

Perrin Brewing Company (Comstock Park, Michigan) recently announced that they will soon launch distribution in Florida with the limited release of a special collaboration brew.

Ever since the brewery officially partnered with Oskar Blues Brewery in early 2015, Perrin Brewing Company has experienced “exponential growth among packaged offerings, out-of-state distribution and an increase in barrel production.” Perrin estimates that they will have brewed over 26,000 barrels by the end of the year, “a 70% increase over 2015.” With Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing joining the ownership team earlier this year, Perrin Brewing has decided to expand their reach to Florida now that they have a good friend in the area.

Perrin Brewing will officially begin Florida distribution in February of 2017 with the launch of a special collaboration beer. On December 1, brewers from Oskar Blues and Cigar City visited Perrin to brew up “a one-time batch of an Imperial Oatmeal Stout, Triangulation.” Brewed with malts sourced from all over the world and a London ale yeast strain, Triangulation is a “a big bodied, robust Oatmeal Stout” that remains “rich but approachable.” To add a unique twist to the beer’s complexity, HBC 472 – an experimental hop – was used to lend the beer “vanilla, macaroon, and even barrel notes.” The finished Triangulation Imperial Oatmeal Stout weighs in at an impressive 9% ABV and 60 IBUs.

John Stewart, Director of Brewing Operations at Perrin Brewing stated, “This opportunity is a great privilege to deliberately push the boundaries with this collaboration brew by layering numerous specialty malts and a multitude of experimental hops from all over the world with the specific intention of creating a complex and nuanced twist on the style.”

Triangulation Imperial Oatmeal Stout will officially release in February of 2017 when Perrin Brewing Company launches in the Florida market. This limited release offering will be available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles in the brewery’s Florida and Michigan markets only. Details about the other Perrin offerings that will be available at launch are coming soon.

Information concerning official Florida launch events for Perrin Brewing should begin to surface soon. To ensure that we are all able to raise a glass of Triangulation in celebration of the brewery’s arrival in the Sunshine State, we will update this post with those details once we have them. Stay tuned. Prost!

Full Sail Brewing Releases Session Fest as a Holiday Seasonal

Posted on December 9, 2016December 9, 2016 by mashingin

Full Sail Brewing Company (Hood River, Oregon) recently released Session Fest Czech-style Strong Lager as a special holiday offering from their Session brand.

Created as a much different take on the Holiday Ale/Winter Warmer, the annual favorite, gold medal-winning Session Fest officially returns as a pretty unique, lager option during the holiday season. Drawing inspiration from Czech brewing styles, the brewers at Full Sail created Session Fest as a Polotmavé – a Strong Lager style that means “‘light dark or semi-dark.” A recipe boasting four malts and two hop varietals yields a lager that “has a medium-to-full body, balancing candy caramel and full malt flavors that are underscored by a spicy hoppiness that provides a nice perfume with citrus and pine overtones and a long clean finish.” The finished Session Fest weighs in at 6.2% ABV and 26 IBUs.

“When we decided to brew a special Session for the holidays, we knew right away what color it had to be: Red (and full-bodied),” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “Next, we considered what kind of head it should have. Bright white was the obvious answer. And as for the label? Gotta be green, right? So there you have it. A Session all decked out for holidays, ready to spread joy and cheer. Happy Holidays to one and all! And have a good Session.”

Session Fest is available now as a seasonal release that will hang around through December. You can find this offering in 12-packs of stubby 11 oz. bottles and on draft in Florida and throughout the rest of Full Sail Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint. This brew will not be out for much longer, so keep an eye out for this one on your next beer run. Prost!

Vital Information for Session Fest from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, December 2016
Style – Czech-style Strong Lager (Polotmavé)
ABV – 6.2%
IBUs – 26
Malts – 2 Row Pale, Munich, Caramel & Wheat
Hops – Glacier & Cascade
Availability – 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/
Fun Fact – About the Session brand: “When Full Sail launched the Session brand over 10 years ago, it quickly became the hottest new craft-beer brand on the market, which has since brought home 100 medals, including 40 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.”

HE’BREW Beer Offers Up Four Limited Offerings during Chanukah

Posted on December 9, 2016 by mashingin

To properly celebrate 20 years in the craft brewing industry, Shmaltz Brewing Company/HE’BREW Beer (Clifton Park, New York) is going big with the release of four limited offerings during the 2016 Chanukah season: Chanukah, Hanukkah…Pass the Beer; Genesis 20:20; Jewbelation 20; and Shtick in a Box Holiday Variety 12-Pack.

Fittingly brewed with 8 malts and 8 hops, Chanukah, Hanukkah…Pass the Beer returns as “The Official Chosen Beer Of This Holiday Season” and kicks off this brew-filled Chanukah celebration. Cocoa nibs were added to this bounty of malts and hops to create a Golden Strong Ale filled with notes of “honey, chocolate, . . . biscuit and toast with light peach, . . . and a hint of vanilla on the finish.” At 8% ABV, Chanukah, Hanukkah…Pass the Beer has just the right amount of season appropriate warmth. This offering is available now in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft throughout the distribution area of Shmaltz Brewing.

The giving spirit of HE’BREW Beer continues with the release of Genesis 20:20, a tart Barleywine-style Ale that has been aged in Rye Whiskey and Bourbon barrels for 10 months. This lengthy process produces a beer that is mahogany in color with “aromas of currant, raisin, and toffee waft[ing] from the heavenly concoction, leaning towards port, sherry or cognac.” Once it hits the palate, the drinker is greeted by “pronounced flavors of dark chocolate and heavy fruits — figs, dates, and ripe plum.” Genesis 20:20 is a complex brew meant to be sipped and shared with friends/family at the various gatherings of the holiday season. You can find this limited offering in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments within the brewery’s distribution area.

Next, we have the biggest gift brewed up by the folks at Shmaltz Brewing, Jewbelation 20. Arriving as “the 13th version of its acclaimed seasonal Anniversary offering,” the brewery has crafted Jewbelation 20 to essentially be a “triple brown ale.” Whatever you want to call it, the base of this massive Dark American Strong Ale was created with a gargantuan malt bill (10 malts) “overflow[ing] with dark fruits — bing cherry, raisins, currants, and figs.” This deep, rich fruit quality then shifts to “pronounced notes of pumpernickel and dark chocolate, coffee roast and cherry wood [that] dance with pounds and pounds of hops (10 hops) leading with citrus and stone fruit up front melding into a grassy earthiness on the finish.” Did I mention this beer was big? 16.8% ABV big to be exact, so be sure to open this one with the intention of sharing. You can find Jewbelation 20 in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select bars, restaurants and retailers that typically see limited release offerings from Shmaltz Brewing (well, at least in markets where that 16.8% ABV is legal).

If you are the kind of man/woman who prefers to keep your options open, HE’BREW Beer has you covered as well with the release of their Shtick in a Box Holiday Variety 12-Pack. To start, this mixed pack contains three Shmaltz favorites, all World Beer Championship Gold Medal winners: Hop Manna IPA, Messiah Nut Brown Ale and Slingshot American Craft Lager. To keep things festive, this box also contains the gift of the 2016 version of Chanukah, Hanukkah…Pass the Beer. Pick up the Shtick in a Box Holiday Variety 12-Pack as a gift for the craft beer lover in your life or simply as your contribution to the holiday dinner. Either way, you really cannot go wrong. The limited release Shtick in a Box Holiday Variety 12-Pack is available now at select craft beer retailers located in the nearly 40 state distribution area of Shmaltz.

If you were finding it difficult to figure out the perfect beers to bring along to that holiday party, dinner, gathering, etc., you can pretty much thank Shmaltz Brewing Company/HE’BREW Beer for single-handedly solving that problem by supplying the options above. All of these offerings are available now, so all you have to do is swing by local beer shop to lock down your holiday supply. Prost!

Founders Brewing Co. to Release All Day IPA in 19.2 oz. Cans

Posted on December 8, 2016December 8, 2016 by mashingin

Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has officially announced that All Day IPA Session Ale will be available in 19.2 oz. cans beginning in early 2017.

In an effort to supply you with another convenient option to get your easy-drinking hop fix, Founders Brewing Co. will start packaging All Day IPA in 19.2 oz. cans in 2017. Considering the fact that All Day IPA has acted as a bit of a catalyst for the emergence of the Session IPA over the last few years, the decision to expand the packaging format for this offering was an easy one to make. If hop lovers cannot seem to get enough of this balanced, low alcohol India Pale Ale that boasts a “complex array of malts, grains and hops,” why not provide them with a larger, single-serve container to enjoy on the beach, at the river or after a hike?

The 19.2 oz. cans of All Day IPA will roll out in early 2017 and will be available at convenience stores, ballparks, arenas, and various other craft beer-friendly establishments found throughout the distribution area of Founders Brewing Co. All Day IPA will continue to be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 15-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft. I am sure these new 19.2 oz. cans cannot get here soon enough for many of you, and I totally understand. Just remain patient and keep an eye out for these to drop early next year. Prost!

Vital Information for All Day IPA from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round
Style – India Pale Ale (Session)
ABV – 4.7%
IBUs – 42
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 15-packs of 12 oz. cans and draft. 19.2 oz. cans available in early 2017.
Beer Finder – https://foundersbrewing.com/find-our-beer/

Big Storm Brewing Bottles Lay Me Down Barleywine Ale

Posted on December 8, 2016 by mashingin

Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) recently announced that Lay Me Down Barrel-aged Barleywine Ale is currently available for purchase in 22 oz. bottles at both of the brewery’s Taproom locations.

Just in time for the holidays, Big Storm Brewing has released the perfect offering to bring along to one – or all – of the many holiday meals in your near future. Lay Me Down is a medium bodied Barleywine-style Ale that has been aged in American Oak Bourbon Barrels. With a subtle bourbon warmth and “notes of vanilla, almond, brown sugar and toffee,” this 9.5% ABV ale will make the perfect accompaniment to just about anything found on the dessert table . . . especially that pecan pie.

Lay Me Down Barleywine Ale has been packaged in 22 oz. bottles that are available for purchase in either of Big Storm’s Taprooms (Pinellas – 12707 49th Street N, Clearwater, Florida; Pasco – 2330 Success Drive, Odessa, Florida). Considering the widespread popularity of Bourbon Barrel-aged offerings these days, you should probably expect Lay Me Down to disappear with a quickness. Get your bottles while you can. Prost!

Vital Information for Lay Me Down Barleywine Ale from Big Storm Brewing Co.

Release – Limited, December 2016
Style – Winter Warmer/Barleywine-style Ale
ABV – 9.5%
Treatment – Aged in American oak Bourbon barrels
Availability – 22 oz. bottles available for purchase in the brewery’s Pinellas (12707 49th Street N, Clearwater, FL) and Pasco (2330 Success Drive, Odessa, FL) Taprooms

Starr Hill Brewery IPA JamBEERee Festival to Return in 2017

Posted on December 8, 2016 by mashingin

Starr Hill Brewery (Crozet, Virginia) has officially announced that they will once again host the IPA JamBEERee Festival at Hangar Park (5391 Three Notch’d Road, Crozet, Virginia) on Saturday, May 6, 2017.

Returning as “Virginia’s largest craft beer festival celebrating local India Pale Ales,” the IPA JamBEERee Festival is back with the intention to blow the minds of hopheads throughout the Southeast. This lupulin-focused festival will “showcase a wide variety of Virginia breweries pouring their hoppiest styles and the release of several rare and exclusive offerings from Starr Hill, along with some additional non-IPA options.”

“The opportunity for experimentation within the IPA style is truly remarkable, and it’s always fun to brew with new ingredients and techniques,” said Robbie O’Cain, Starr Hill’s Brewmaster. “IPA JamBEERee is unique in the way it showcases the best Virginia-made IPAs from craft brewers and homebrewers alike.”

Since Starr Hill’s identity is firmly linked to the area’s vibrant music scene, the festival will be soundtracked by a lineup of live, local music. Beyond the hoppy brews and live entertainment, this event will also feature food trucks and recreational games. Proceeds from the IPA JamBEERee Festival will go to benefit a local non-profit organization.

Details on participating breweries, performers and tickets will be revealed in early February on JamBEERee.com, and I will of course hit you with an updated post at that time. Stay tuned, save the date, and start making some plans. Prost!

Heavy Seas Beer Reveals 2017 Portfolio

Posted on December 7, 2016December 7, 2016 by mashingin

Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) has announced the brewery’s plans, additions and changes scheduled for their 2017 release calendar.

We are once again going to allow the portfolio to speak for itself (available below), but we can quickly go over a few of the surprises Heavy Seas Beer has planned for us all in 2017:

TropiCannon Citrus IPA has been added to the brewery’s Year Round line-up.
Cutlass Vienna Lager and Gold Ale officially return as packaged, Year Round offerings.
The Alpha Effect Hazy IPA debuts in March as a limited release, Seasonal offering.
The Uncharted Series of barrel-aged brews gains the addition of an annual Anniversary Ale simply named “22” (style still to be determined).
The Boatload IPA Sampler, available year-round, will be rockin’ a constantly evolving IPA dubbed Single Cannon – a single hop IPA that will see its hop variety “change several times during the year.”

“We’ve spent a lot of time and effort every year tweaking the product portfolio,” says Heavy Seas Founder, Hugh Sisson. “2017 will see the return of local favorites Gold Ale and Cutlass Lager, as well as a few new offerings to keep us on our toes. It’s a challenge, but this is part of the excitement of being in this industry today.”

There is still quite a bit of information to check out below, so I’ll let you get to that. Enjoy, jot down a few notes if necessary, and properly prepare yourself for another jam-packed year from Heavy Seas in 2017. Prost!

Year Round Offerings Available in 2017

Loose Cannon IPA
Double Cannon Double IPA
TropiCannon Citrus IPA
CrossBones Session IPA
Gold Ale
Cutlass Vienna Lager
Powder Monkey Pale Ale
Pounder Pilsner
Peg Leg Imperial Stout

Limited Release Seasonals Available in 2017

March 2017 – The Alpha Effect Hazy IPA
May 2017 – Smooth Sail Summer Ale
August 2017 – Treasure Fest Oktoberfest Lager
November 2017** – Winter Storm Imperial ESB (**Note: Although November is pictured, the press release has this offering listed as an October release.**)

2017 Line-up of Uncharted Waters Barrel-Aged Releases

January 2017 – Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout aged in bourbon barrels
June 2017 – Blackbeard’s Breakfast Imperial Coffee Porter aged in bourbon barrels
September 2017 – Great’er Pumpkin Imperial Pumpkin Ale aged in bourbon barrels
December 2017 – Heavy Seas “22” Style TBD

2017 ‘Partner Ships’ Collaboration Series

February 2017 – UNION Craft Brewing Olde Ale
July 2017 – Cigar City Brewing Style TBD
November 2017 – MadTree Brewing Company Style TBD

2017 Sampler Packs (available year-round)

Boatload IPA Sampler
Sunken Sampler

Maui Brewing Co. Releases POG IPA as Latest Limited Release

Posted on December 7, 2016 by mashingin

Maui Brewing Company (Kihei, Hawaii) has officially released POG IPA as a new, Limited Release offering.

Staying true to their “fiercely local” mission and commitment to avoid extracts and artificial flavors, the brewers at Maui Brewing Company have created POG IPA with the use of locally-grown (P)assion fruit, (O)range, and (G)uava. To complement these beautiful fruits, a hefty dose of Horizon, El Dorado and Enigma hops were employed to provide this India Pale Ale with a “clean bitterness . . ., tropical juicy aromatics and a slight citrus bite on the finish.” At 7.1% ABV and 58 IBUs, POG IPA remains a quenching, tropical experience.

“Earlier this spring, when Brewmaster Jesse Houck informed me that we would put POG IPA into cans at the end of the year, I was super stoked. Sourcing enough of the three fruit varieties is the biggest challenge. On top of that, guava has a really short shelf life once picked. It really makes brewing this beer exciting, because all of a sudden when the farmer has the yield we need, it’s GO time!”

– Matt Ponichtera, Brewing Supervisor at Maui Brewing Company

POG IPA was officially released in Maui Brewing’s Kihei Tasting Room and Lahaina Brewpub on Friday, December 2. With availability in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft, this Limited Release offering is shipping out now to Florida and all other “markets where Maui Brewing Company craft beer can be found.” This one will only be around for a limited time, so get you some while you can. Prost!

Vital Information for POG IPA from Maui Brewing Company

Release – Limited, December 2016
Style – India Pale Ale
ABV – 7.1%
IBUs – 58
Hops – Horizon, El Dorado & Enigma
Fruit Additions – passion fruit, orange & guava (POG)
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://mauibrewingco.com/find-our-beer/