Allagash Brewing Sends Pick Your Own Out for Wide Distribution

Posted on by mashingin

AllagashPYOpourAllagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine) has officially announced that Pick Your Own, a Limited Release mixed berry Sour Red Ale, is available now for the first time in all of the brewery’s areas of distribution.

Previously only released as an ultra-limited, taproom-only offering from Allagash Brewing, Pick Your Own (6.4% ABV) is a Belgian-style Sour Red Ale that is aged for three months on the following fruits sourced from local farmers:

  • Strawberries and Cherries from Doles Orchard in Limington, Maine
  • Blueberries from Tavern Hill Farms in Windham, Maine
  • Raspberries from Goss Berry Farm in Mechanic Falls, Maine

This treatment produces a “vibrant ruby red” brew that boasts an “aroma of ripe berries and vanilla”, a berry dominated flavor, and a dry finish that offers “notes of bread crust and a distinctly tart juiciness.”

“It’s an honor and a pleasure to work closely with local family farmers. Our relationships also help boost the quality of our beer,” said Jason Perkins, brewmaster at Allagash. “They let us know when their crop is at the peak of freshness, and we brew our beers accordingly. That way, we get fruit into a beer hours after it has been picked.”

Pick Your Own is available now for a limited time in 375ml bottles and on draft.  You can expect this Limited Release to turn up at select craft beer establishments located in Georgia, Maine, and throughout the rest of Allagash Brewing’s distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Pick Your Own from Allagash Brewing Company

Release – Limited, June 2018
Style – American Sour/Wild Ale
ABV – 6.4%
Grains – Allagash 2-Row Malted Barley Blend, Special B, Munich Malt & Raw Wheat
Hops – Hallertau
Added Ingredients – Fresh Local Raspberries, Cherries, Strawberries, and Blueberries
Availability – 375ml bottles & draft
Distribution – Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, California, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Chicagoland, & Philadelphia
Beer Finder – https://www.allagash.com/locator/

Arkane Aleworks to Host Terrible 2 Year Anniversary Party

Posted on by mashingin

Arkaneglass_edited.jpgFrom noon to midnight on Saturday, June 30, Arkane Aleworks (Largo, Florida) will throw what they are lovingly calling a Terrible 2 Year Anniversary Party that will feature over 50 different beers.

To properly celebrate two successful years of independent craft brewing, the folks at Arkane Aleworks are going big by assembling one hell of tap list to treat their fans to at their Terrible 2 Year Anniversary throwdown.  With over 50 different featured brews and plenty of other details to cover, we are just going to break this event’s info down for ease of use and navigation.  Let’s get at it:

The Basics

What – Arkane Aleworks Terrible 2 Year Anniversary
When – Saturday, June 30 from noon to midnight
Where – Arkane Aleworks |2480 E Bay Dr #23 | Largo, Florida

The Beer

The folks at the brewery plan to rotate out over 50 different Arkane Aleworks beers during this event.  The full tap list has not yet been released, but Arkane has revealed the following list of teasers:

  • Imaginary Butterflies – Mango Key Lime Pie Florida Weisse
  • Grandma Fingers Cobbler’s Knob – Blueberry Cobbler Sour
  • Hop Tart – Sour IPA
  • Passion Fruit Hop Tart – Sour IPA with Passion Fruit
  • Can’t Elope – Cantaloupe Florida Weisse
  • Tropical Insurrection – Guava Strawberry Sour
  • Fruited Hostility – Peach Strawberry Sour
  • Chocolate Starscream – Blackberry Raspberry Dark Sour with Pinellas Chocolate Company Cocoa Nibs
  • Coffee Starscream – Blackberry Raspberry Dark Sour with coffee from Buddy Brew Coffee
  • Gimme Swelter – Mango Habanero Florida Weisse
  • Lime-on Meringue – Vanilla Lime FL Weisse
  • Beetlejuice – Black Currant Sour with Spices and Beets
  • Humpty Plumpty – Plum Florida Weisse with Cinnamon
  • Transatlantic Shenanigans – Boysenberry Coriander Florida Weisse collaboration with Galway Bay Brewery
  • Carpet Rye’d – Rye Gose
  • Cherry Poppa – Cherry Limeade Sour
  • Mezkin Blackbird – Blackberry Sage Gose

As mentioned above, this is not the complete tap list.  Arkane Aleworks promises that a wide array of additional sours, collaboration beers, IPAs, Imperial Stouts and a few light beers will be added to the rotation during the party.  We will be sure to update you here just as soon as the brewery reveals more details concerning the tap list.  Stay tuned.

How It Will Work

  • This is a pay as you go event. There will be no admission fee.
  • You will have to purchase Arkane Aleworks (AA) tokens to purchase beer.
  • AA tokens will be available for $3 each or seven (7) tokens for $20
  • One AA Token = a half pour  |  Two AA Tokens = a full pour (in most cases)
  • Tokens will be available at the bar register for credit card and cash purchases.  Tokens will also be available outside the front door for cash only.

Other Info

  • The party will take place in the tasting room and beer garden at Arkane Aleworks
  • This event is rain or shine
  • There will be food available for purchase in the beer garden during the event.  Details coming soon.

That should just about cover all the information currently available for the Terrible 2 Year Anniversary, but Arkane Aleworks is sure to release more details as the event date draws closer.  We will update this post with any additional info just as soon as we get our hands on it.

If you are in the area and free on June 30, be sure to head over to Largo so that you can raise a glass with the Arkane Aleworks crew to two amazing years and the many more ahead of them.  Prost!

Maui Brewing & Austin Beerworks Collaborate on Fancy Footwork Lager

Posted on by mashingin

Fancy-Footwork-IconMaui Brewing Company (Kihei, Hawaii) has officially announced the Limited Release of Fancy Footwork Lager, a new collaboration with fellow independent brewery Austin Beerworks (Austin, Texas).

Born from a recipe that exemplifies Austin Beerworks and Maui Brewing’s shared “passion for the art . . .  and . . .  intense desire for quality”, Fancy Footwork (5.2% ABV) is a hoppy Session Lager brewed with “Chinook, Loral, and Citra Cryo hops, as well as Azacca hops which were donated by Roy Farms.”  This results in a pale golden Lager that is “clean, crisp, and fruity with aromas of lemon citrus, floral and pine.”

“When we first discussed what we wanted to brew for our collaboration, Will, from Austin, and I quickly found common ground on what beers we love to drink,” states Kim Brisson-Lutz, Maui Brewing Company’s Brewmaster. “We knew we wanted to create a beer that would be sessionable, clean, and hoppy. In a matter of minutes, we had a base recipe figured out; and with our brewing/dancing boots on, we created Fancy Footwork. Austin Beerworks is an amazing brewery and has been a leader in the Texas craft brew scene. We are thrilled to release this beer together!”

Fancy Footwork Lager officially debuted in Maui Brewing’s Kihei location on June 8 and will enter distribution any day now.  You can expect to find this Limited Release available in 4-packs of 12 oz. cans at select craft beer retailers located “in limited markets where Maui Brewing Company can be found.”  Prost!

Vital Information for Fancy Footwork Lager from Maui Brewing Company & Austin Beerworks

Release – Limited/Collaboration, June 2018
Style – Hoppy Session Lager
ABV – 5.2%
IBUs – 40
Hops – Citra Cryo hops, Loral, Chinook & Azacca
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://mauibrewingco.com/find-our-beer/

 

North Coast Brewing Co. to Offer Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse as Summer Seasonal

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logo-w-taglineNorth Coast Brewing Co. (Fort Bragg, California) has officially announced that Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse will serve as the summer edition of the brewery’s ever-changing, limited release “Berlin White Beer”.

Here to hit summer with “a Pan-American take” on a classic German style, Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse – or “Berlin White Beer” – ” is infused with the juices of California peaches and Ecuadorian passion fruit, resulting in a slightly sweet, slightly sour brew.”  Weighing in at a low 4.1% ABV, Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse promises to be “an ideal session beer for hot afternoons, weekend BBQs, or even as a refreshing substitute to a brunch-hour mimosa.”

“The tartness of a Berliner Weisse beer, tempered with sweet peach and tropical passion fruit, makes our Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse a refreshing summer quencher,” said Brewmaster Chuck Martins.

Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse is rolling out now and will be available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 22 oz. bottles and on draft during the summer months (as long as supplies last).  You can expect to find this new Limited/Seasonal offering at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California and throughout the rest of North Coast Brewing’s nationwide distribution area.  Prost!

Vital Information for Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse from North Coast Brewing Co.

Release – Summer Seasonal/Limited, launching June 2018
Style – Berliner Weisse
ABV – 4.1%
IBUs – 0
Added Ingredients – California peaches & passion fruit from Ecuador
Fun Fact – On the brewery’s commitment to Non-GMO Verified beers: “North Coast Brewing’s core beer brands are already Non-GMO Project Verified via a rigorous, third-party review process that ensures none of the ingredients or processing aids used in the brewing process have been contaminated by or commingled with GMO ingredients or products.
For 2018, the seasonal Berliner Weisses, including this release of the Passion Fruit-Peach Berliner Weisse, have been added to the list of Non-GMO Verified beers as part of the Brewery’s ongoing commitment to high quality and transparency in craft beer production.”
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://northcoastbrewing.com/beers/beer-locator/

Tasting Notes: Blue BBLS (2018) from Bruery Terreux

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BlueBBBLSWith another long and heavy week nearing its end, Tasting Notes has us shutting down the office early with small pours of one big ol’ beer: Blue BBLs (2018) from Bruery Terreux (Orange County, California).

Officially released back in January as a Society offering from Bruery Terreux, Blue BBLs (2018) – the “BBLs” is a notation for “barrel,” a unit of measurement equal to 31 gallons – is “a special blend of . . . bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with . . . bourbon barrel-aged sour stout, plus an addition of juicy blueberries.”  This careful blend offers a complex experience that has “the acidity from the sour stout seamlessly [balancing] the sweet malt character of the imperial stout, and the tannins from the berries [amplifying] the fruity character.”  Blue BBLs (2018) weighs in at a massive 16.5% ABV.

Alrighty . . . that should adequately cover everyone’s need for background info, so let’s not waste any more time and get to scribblin’ down these Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Blue BBLS (2018) from Bruery Terreux 

Appearance: Blue BBLS pours a cola-like dark brown to black in color and builds just under half a finger of slightly purple tinted, tan-colored foam.  The beer is completely opaque, but a healthy amount of the tiniest of bubbles can be seen breaking the surface of the pour.  The head dissipates nearly immediately, leaving behind just a brushstroke of airy foam to linger in the center of the glass.  There is no lacing to report.

Aroma: Lovely oak greets the nose first with a pronounced woody character that offers a touch of vanilla as well. The blueberries take over from there with a fruity burst that is both tart and sweet.  Roasted grains, a bit of coffee, and a splash of bourbon sneaks in at the end of the profile to smooth it all out.

Taste:  The flavor profile begins with an interesting mix of blueberries that are both sweet and tart and a complementary presence that reads as a vinous, red wine-like note.  The bourbon barrel then makes itself known by offering tones of vanilla, charred wood, brown sugar and booze.  The blueberries and barrel then collide to produce complex notes of leather and tobacco.  The Imperial Stout character is the last to step forward and rounds off any rough edges with a nice level of roast, dark chocolate and toffee.

Mouthfeel:  On the lighter side of full-bodied with a moderate carbonation, this stout comes across as slick and a little thin (in a good way).  Although the beer works the palate heavily with tart, sour and sweet flavors, it dries out beautifully like a fine red wine.  As expected, the 16.5% ABV brings some heat that starts in the throat and carries down into the belly.  Aftertaste is all booze-soaked blueberries.

Final Thoughts: Blue BBLS is a gorgeously composed Sour Stout and the source of its beauty is found in its layers.  The aromas and flavors both hold three distinct layers: a Sour Ale heavily laced with blueberries, bourbon barrel character, and straight up Imperial Stout.  Sure, those tannic blueberry and red wine qualities are assertive and the first thing to grab your attention, but everything ultimately settles down and smooths out as the layers of Stout and Bourbon establish themselves.  Each layer works so well on its own only because they all work so well together.  This harmonious level of balance (found in the blend, flavors, aromas, etc.) acts as the keystone that locks the entire experience together.  All in all, Blue BBLs is a dynamic and delicately complex offering that truly must be experienced to be fully understood.  If you ever cross paths with this beer out in the wild, do whatever it takes to ensure that you walk away with a pour.  You certainly will not regret it.  Prost!

 

Atlantic Beach Brewing Company to Launch Distribution in Central Florida

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ABBCCans_editedAtlantic Beach Brewing Company (Atlantic Beach, Florida) has officially announced that it has partnered with Sunshine State Distributing so that the brewery can begin distribution of its core line of craft beers in six counties of Central Florida: Orange, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Lake, and Seminole.

Founded in 2016 by twin brothers Chuck and Spencer Horn and Spencer’s wife, Linda, Atlantic Beach Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery committed to “pursue [a] passion for quality craft beer at the beach to please casual drinkers and beer enthusiasts alike.”  Atlantic Beach Brewing began canning at its North Florida facility in March 2018 and is now fully prepared to share its offerings with beer lovers in Central Florida.

Atlantic Beach Brewing Company will launch distribution in Central Florida with the following core beers (descriptions sourced from the brewery’s website):

  • Duality India Pale Ale – Duality is our flagship IPA and boasts full flavor and aroma. With a modest ABV, this IPA will be calling you back again and again to enjoy this impressive, full-rounded brew. The hops used to make this gem of AB include: Citra, Chinook, Centennial, Simcoe and Cascade. Showcasing a high – hop flavor, Duality boasts a fruity, spicy, tropical fruit, berry and melon combination forming a true winner! Duality was literally born around the kitchen table and matured into the IPA it is today. The name brings all of us back to the beginning of this journey as we worked two jobs, relied on our twin sibling for support and knew two (okay, three, thanks Rory) heads were better than one in this creation of awesomeness! ABV – 6.3%  IBUS – 70.4
  • Mayport Red Ale – Mayport Red is a shout-out for our friends to the north at Naval Station Mayport! Okay, they’re not that far north, but they sure love the RED, white and blue. This all-American Red is an approachable, smooth ale that malt-heads and hop heads will equally love. The Centennial hops boast a grapefruit flavor while the Chinook hops gives it a piney note. The combination is priceless! With its smooth, rounded-out finish, this Red salutes our neighbors in Mayport with appreciation and gratitude.  ABV – 5%  IBUs – 41.4
  • Two Minutes Session IPA – You may be back in Two Minutes for another pint as you enjoy this all-day, crushable IPA. Its low ABV has a burst of Citra Hops which gives this low – bitter IPA a fruity and spicy flavor. With a complex aroma of citrus, tropical, floral, berry, melon and pine, you will be happily satisfied. Its namesake are twins and co-owners of Atlantic Beach Brewing Company. Spencer is a whole Two Minutes older than his brother, Chuck. Spencer may be the older brother, but hey buddy…it’s only Two Minutes! ABV – 4.4%  IBUs – 20.7

With the help of Sunshine State Distributing, Atlantic Beach Brewing Company is scheduled to roll out in Central Florida by the end of June 2018.  You can expect to find Atlantic Beach Brewing’s beers available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Orange, Osceola, Polk, Brevard, Lake, and Seminole counties.  Prost!

Societe & Stone Brewing Stress Freshness with Draft-Only Release of The Skedaddler IPA

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SkedaddlerIPA_TaphandleStone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially announced the nationwide release of Societe / Stone The Skedaddler IPA, a draft-only collaboration with Societe Brewing Company (San Diego, California) that represents both breweries’ commitment to freshness and independence.

On a mission to prove that “draft is the ultimate experience when it comes to hop-driven beers”, Stone Brewing’s Senior Innovation Brewing Manager Jeremy Moynier reached out to the folks at Societe Brewing Company – another of “San Diego’s foremost IPA cult favorites” – to see if they would be interested in “brewing a collaboration beer that would be shipped across the country exclusively in kegs.”  They jumped at the chance and representatives from Stone and Societe “started down the long, temperature-controlled road” to brew Societe / Stone The Skedaddler IPA (7% ABV). Boasting a hop bill that features varietals from all over the world, this “massively hopped” West Coast IPA “is full-bodied yet dry on the finish, with vibrant citrus, stone fruit and tropical flavors on the palate; just what a craft-beer fan would expect from two companies renowned for their IPA prowess.”

“We consider Stone trailblazers of the craft-beer revolution. Their vision was so in line with ours that, in the early days of Societe, we reached out to them and they were kind enough to provide some useful advice that helped shape our company,” says Societe co-founder Doug Constantiner. “It was such an honor for Stone to ask us to brew a collaboration beer with them.”

 

“Independence is always in our battle cry, each year we release a draft-only beer in the summer months that reinforces our steadfast commitment,” said Stone CEO Dominic Engels. “Societe is the perfect partner for this occasion. The team maintains incredible allegiance to its fans and its dedication to delivering only the freshest beers. Like us, they’ll never sacrifice quality. Independence is our mutual guarantee to fans that these moral beliefs will never be compromised.”

Kegs of Societe / Stone The Skedaddler IPA are rolling out across the country this week and will hang around until the 4th of July holiday.  You can expect to find this Special Release pouring on draft at craft beer-focused bars, restaurants and growler/crowler stations located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution footprint.  Prost!

Vital Information for Societe / Stone The Skedaddler IPA from Stone Brewing & Societe Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Special, June 2 – July 4, 2018
Style – India Pale Ale (West Coast style)
ABV – 7%
IBUs – 70
Featured Hops – Mosaic®, Idaho 7, Galaxy, Citra, Magnum, Mosaic, Ella & Southern Cross
Social Media Tag –  #SkedaddlerIPA
Availability – Draft Only
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

 

TrimTab Brewing Schedules Release of Breakfast Hero Imperial Doughnut Stout

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trimtabbfastheroposter.jpgOn Friday, June 8 at 3 p.m., TrimTab Brewing (Birmingham, Alabama) will hold a special release for Breakfast Hero Imperial Doughnut Stout, a pastry-laden collaboration with HERO Doughnuts.

To bring a legit “Pastry Stout” to The Magic City, the brewers at TrimTab lay the foundation for Breakfast Hero by adding “loads of delicious doughnuts” from HERO Doughnuts to a mash already packed with “multiple base malts, chocolate malt, [and] plenty of oats.” The level of decadent indulgence just goes up from there as they then max out their “fermentor . . . with an extremely generous amount of Vermont maple syrup, a pound of Madagascar vanilla beans, and Freshly Roasted Brazilian coffee beans from [their] pals down the street at SEEDS Coffee Co. to tie this imperial stout together in perfect breakfast harmony.”  Weighing in at a sizable 8.5% ABV, Breakfast Hero comes together to offer “notes of syrupy covered pancakes, melty bakers chocolate, subtle vanilla cream, and roasty hazelnut coffee.”

Breakfast Hero Imperial Doughnut Stout will officially release at 3 p.m. on June 8 in the Tasting Gallery at TrimTab Brewing.  This Limited Release will be available in 16 oz. cans and will most assuredly disappear with a quickness. If you wish to get your hands on this tasty treat, make sure that you adjust your schedule accordingly on Friday.  Prost!

Vital Information for Breakfast Hero Imperial Doughnut Stout from TrimTab Brewing

Release – Limited; June 8, 2018
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 8.5%
IBUs – 35
Added Ingredients – Doughnuts from HERO Doughnuts, Vermont maple syrup, Madagascar vanilla beans, roasted Brazilian coffee beans from Seeds Coffee Co.
Availability – 16 oz. cans
Distribution – Brewery Release; there is no word on whether this offering will see distribution

 

Weyerbacher Brewing’s Brewmaster Moves On to Join Free Will Brewing Co.

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FreeWillBrewingWeyerbacher Brewing (Easton, Pennsylvania) announced this week that Chris Wilson will be leaving his position as Brewmaster to assume the role of Chief Production Officer at Free Will Brewing Co. (Perkasie, Pennsylvania).

Freshly armed with a degree from the Master Brewers Program at UC Davis, Chris Wilson joined Weyerbacher Brewing in 2004.  He quickly worked his way up the brewing ranks at Weyerbacher and proved to be “instrumental in helping them grow into a regional craft brewery.”  It is because of Wilson’s “vision, extensive knowledge of the industry and creativity” that Weyerbacher was able to create award-winning beers such as Sunday Morning Stout, Imperial Pumpkin Ale and Riserva.

“Weyerbacher has allowed me to grow as a brewer and as a manager,” Chris Wilson stated when asked to reflect on his time at Weyerbacher.

 

“Chris has been a valuable team member and a great asset to Weyerbacher. While
we’re definitely sorry to see him go, we’re excited for him as he looks forward to this
next chapter,” said Josh Lampe, Chief Operating Officer of Weyerbacher.

As far as Wilson’s new gig goes, Free Will Brewing Co. is described as an independently owned production brewery with taproom “based in Perkasie, PA producing craft ales, lagers and an extensive portfolio of sour/wild ales.”  Free Will’s offerings are currently distributed in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, New York, Massachusetts and Washington, D.C.

Chris Wilson will steadily transition out of his position at Weyerbacher Brewing to step into his new role at Free Will Brewing Co. Weyerbacher will have members of its current “brewing and production teams . . . collectively fill the void left by Wilson’s departure.”

As we wrap this post up, the team here at Mashing In just wanted to take a moment to personally wish Weyerbacher, Chris Wilson and Free Will Brewing Co. good luck and continued success as you all enter this new chapter in your histories.  We are greatly looking forward to seeing where these new paths take you into the future. Prost!

 

 

Hospitali-Tea Makes Seasonal Return for The Unknown Brewing Co.

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UnknownHospitaliTeaThe Unknown Brewing Co. (Charlotte, North Carolina) has officially announced that it will begin the Seasonal release of Hospitali-Tea Southern Amber Ale on Thursday, June 7.

Recently named “one of the best tea beers in the country” by CraftBeer.com, Hospitali-Tea is a summer-themed Amber Ale that The Unknown Brewing Co. brews with real black tea leaves and sweet orange blossom honey.  This refreshing combination supplies you with “everything you would expect from a delicious amber and then at the end, you will notice a slight hint of tea…not overpowering, but enough to keep wanting another sip.”

“Made with black tea leaves and orange blossom honey, The Unknown Brewing Co.’s Hospitali-Tea is as refreshing as sweet tea on a hot day in the South. Lemon-flavored hops add to that freshness and aroma, along with the sweet tea.”

 

– CraftBeer.com

Hospitali-Tea will officially release in The Unknown Brewing Co.’s Taproom on June 7 and will enter distribution shortly thereafter.  You can expect to find this Seasonal offering available in 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused retailers, bars and restaurants located within the brewery’s distribution footprint in Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.  Prost!

Vital Information for Hospitali-Tea Southern Amber Ale from The Unknown Brewing Co.

Release – Summer Seasonal, launching early June 2018
Style – Amber Ale
ABV – 5.4%
Added Ingredients – Black tea leaves & orange blossom honey
Availability – 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Georgia, North Carolina & South Carolina