Craft Beer | Mashing In

Tasting Notes: Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co.

Posted on March 17, 2017 by mashingin

In celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, we decided to double down on Tasting Notes this week by getting festive with a little Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co. (Birmingham, Alabama).

At the start of February, we let you all know that Irish Stout was returning to shelves and taps as Cahaba Brewing Co.’s current Seasonal offering. To create their take on the Irish Dry Stout, Cahaba’s brewers crafted a recipe that boasts floral Horizon hops, fruity Irish yeast, and “unique influences of roasted barley and roasted malt.” Since the release of Irish Stout just so happens to coincide with the world’s greatest drinking holiday, this beer weighs in at just 4.4% ABV so that you can easily enjoy it all day long on St. Patrick’s Day. Irish Stout is currently available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer retailers, restaurants and bars located within Cahaba Brewing Co.’s distribution area in Alabama.

Speaking of St. Patrick’s Day . . . that’s today and that means it is Stout time. Let’s get into this can and some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co.

Appearance: Seemingly inky black in appearance, the introduction of direct light reveals that Irish Stout is actually an incredibly dark shade of brown. The body is opaque, but carbonation bubbles can be seen consistently lifting from the bottom of the glass. The pour produced nearly a finger of tan foam that eventually falls to a thin but lasting top cap. With the beer appearing to be slick on the glass, any lace that attempts to cling on eventually slips back down to rest once again in the top cap.

Aroma: Roasted malts dominate the aroma with an enjoyable sweet smokiness. A light earthy character from the hops casually settles in to work wonderfully with the roasted grain. The aroma closes out with a touch of cocoa and strikingly distinct notes of barley. Coyly seductive, this is an aroma that we easily fell in love with.

Taste: That closing note of barley in the aroma is the first to eagerly greet you in the flavor. Slightly sweet, toasted grains hit the palate and eventually develop comforting notes of smoke. Bittersweet dark chocolate and muted floral/earthy hop tones push forward to supply balance. The beer finishes with just a slight pop of nondescript dark fruit flavors.

Mouthfeel: Irish Stout is on the lightest side of medium in body with an energetic carbonation level. It may be lightly sweet on the palate for just half a moment, but the beer ultimately dries out quickly. ABV . . . what ABV? At just 4.4%, this Stout is ridiculously easy-drinking. The aftertaste is minimal, but there is a touch toasty, roasty malt left behind.

Final Thoughts: When it comes to being an Irish Dry Stout, Cahaba Brewing’s Irish Stout is all that it should be. Full-flavored but not cloying. Dynamic but not busy. Satisfying but still easy-drinking. Although we were thoroughly impressed by the entire experience, Irish Stout’s aroma and mouthfeel are simply on another level. The fact that they nailed these two categories shows that the brewers really took their time in developing a recipe that truly honors the style and the brewing traditions of Ireland. If you are celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Birmingham, do yourself (and all of us) a favor by skipping the green beer to celebrate in proper fashion with a tall pour of Irish Stout from Cahaba Brewing Co. Be safe out there and have an amazing St. Patrick’s weekend. Prost!

Mitch Steele’s New Atlanta Project to be Named New Realm Brewing Company

Posted on March 17, 2017March 17, 2017 by mashingin

Not too long ago, Mitch Steele, Carey Falcone and Bob Powers hit the craft beer community with news that they had partnered to open a new brewery in Atlanta, Georgia. Well, that project now has a name: New Realm Brewing Company.

Still very much in the planning and preparation stages, New Realm Brewing Company will soon break ground on a “20,000
square foot space located at 820 Ralph McGill Avenue in the growing Beltline area of Atlanta.” Once completed, the New Realm facility will consist of a production brewery, restaurant, rooftop bar and beer garden to provide “visitors a distinctive venue to enjoy craft beer and great artisanal foods in an inviting, unique and fun atmosphere.”

“We could not be more thrilled to announce our name, New Realm,” said Carey Falcone Co-Founder and CEO. “It has taken us quite a bit of time (over many beers, of course) to create our vision and land on the right name for our future brewery and restaurant. New Realm speaks to our desire to create a new realm in brewing and dining experiences, and to support an outstanding and dynamic local craft beer community.”

The idea of the space itself is enough to get excited about, but the real draw of New Realm Brewing Company will of course be the beer. With Brewmaster and COO Mitch Steele – former Brewmaster at Stone Brewing Co. and the man who literally wrote the book on American India Pale Ales – at the helm of brewing operations, craft beer fans can “count on IPAs being poured at New Realm as well as barrel‐aged beers and traditional lagers.”

If you would like to stay up-to-date on the progress at New Realm Brewing Company, you can follow the brewery directly through their social media accounts:

Of course, you can also check back here as we will most certainly be updating you with any and all information coming out of this exciting new project in Atlanta. Prost!

Mitch, Carey, Bob skyline.jpg — Left to right: Mitch Steele, Carey Falcone & Bob Powers taken on location at the future home of New Realm Brewing Company off of Atlanta’s Beltline. (photo credit: Sara Hanna Photography & New Realm Brewing Company)

Escape Brewing Company to Host Seeds of Hope Spring Beer Event

Posted on March 16, 2017April 22, 2017 by mashingin

On Saturday, April 22 at 7 p.m., Escape Brewing Company (9945 Trinity Blvd Suite 108, Trinity, Florida) will host their First Annual Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA Bottle Release and Spring Beer Event.

First brewed and released in 2016 to commemorate Escape Brewing Company’s 100th batch of beer, Batch 100 Imperial IPA is making a triumphant return this April under a new name: Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA. Since the first release of this beer was incredibly popular with fans of the brewery, it been has decided to make this year’s release of Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA a full-blown bottle release and Spring Beer Event featuring other rare beers from Escape Brewing and 12 other guest breweries. There are quite a few moving parts when it comes to this event, so let’s break it all down:

The Basics

What – Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA Bottle Release & Spring Beer Event
When – 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday April 22, 2017
Where – Escape Brewing Company Taproom – 9945 Trinity Blvd Suite 108, Trinity, Florida

The Bottle Release

Attendees of this event will have the option to purchase bottles of Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA for $10 per bottle. There is a four (4) bottle limit per guest and all bottles must be purchased with CASH ONLY. To prevent breakage, purchased bottles will be available for pick up after the event. There will be no growler fills available for Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA.

The Spring Beer Event

In addition to having Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA flowing on tap, this event will also feature a tap list boasting 18+ offerings from Escape Brewing Company and 12 more beers from local guest breweries. The list of featured beers and guest breweries is still in the works. We will update this area as soon as that information is released.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Seeds of Hope Bottle Release and Spring Beer Event are available now online and can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets for this event are available in the following tiers:

General Admission: $30 (plus fees) – Ticket cost provides you with a commemorative tasting glass, unlimited samples of 30+ beers flowing on tap, and the option to purchase up to four (4) bottles of Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA for $10 each (4 bottle limit per ticket holder)
VIP Ticket – $65 (plus fees) – Ticket cost includes four (4) bottles of Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA, early entrance into the event at 6 p.m., a commemorative tasting glass, and unlimited samples of 30+ beers flowing on tap. VIP Tickets will be limited to 75 tickets

There is a maximum purchase of two (2) tickets per transaction. Once purchased, you will not have a physical ticket. Your name will be added to the WILL CALL list and a proper ID matching the WILL CALL name will be needed to access the event.

Although this is a ticketed event, you do not need one to enjoy the beers pouring on draft during the event. You have the option to attend and pay per pour. Ticket holders, on the other hand, get to enjoy unlimited samples of all beers available on tap. So . . . it just makes sense to purchase a ticket.

Other Things to Consider

Parking – Although there is a parking lot at this location, parking is limited. The brewery urges that you carpool, use UBER, take a taxi, ride a bike, etc. so that any issues with parking can be avoided.
Food – Escape Brewing Company is working on possibly having a food truck on-site during this event. If that does not happen, Brick Oven Pizzeria is located next door to the brewery and is always a great option if you find yourself in need of some tasty eats.

More information concerning the Seeds of Hope Imperial IPA Bottle Release & Spring Beer Event will be released soon, and we will of course update this post as soon as we receive any additional details. Stay tuned and make sure to purchase your tickets soon. Prost!

Tasting Notes: Grass Monkey from SweetWater Brewing Company

Posted on March 16, 2017March 16, 2017 by mashingin

Since spring is just around the corner, we welcome the season with a little Tasting Notes action focused on Grass Monkey from SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, Georgia).

Grass Monkey debuted back in February as SweetWater Brewing’s newest Catch n’ Release Seasonal. To make this offering an ideal option for spring weather drinking, Grass Monkey is an American Pale Wheat Ale that packs “a big citrus blast” thanks to being dosed with “a big stash of Lemondrop hops.” Lemongrass herbs were then added to the equation to give the beer “a refreshing twist and exotic aroma.” At just 5.4% ABV and 35 IBUs, this brew proves to be “extremely complex but very easy drinking.” Grass Monkey is a Seasonal release that will only be around until April. You can find this offering available in 12 oz. cans, 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of SweetWater Brewing Company’s distribution area. I do believe that covers all the necessary background information, so let’s pry off this cap and get to some Tasting Notes!

Tasting Notes for Grass Monkey from SweetWater Brewing Company

Appearance: Grass Monkey fills the glass as a bright golden colored brew that pulses with burnt orange hues at its center. Held to direct light, the golden yellows gain more vibrancy and softly glow. The body is lightly hazy, but a steady carbonation presence can still be seen coursing within. The pour produced nearly a full finger of tight white foam. Showing that it has an incredible level of retention, the head maintains its size throughout the experience despite leaving plenty of chunky strings of lace behind after each sip.

Aroma: Pure and unmistakable, wonderfully clean notes of lemon simply billow from the glass. We are talking the full fruit: zest, pith, meat and juice. Lemongrass is close behind with supporting citrus, grassy and herbaceous, tea-like qualities. The wheat is light in the aroma, but it is still present enough to lend some bready, grain sweetness.

Taste: Just as in the aroma, gorgeous notes of lemon lead the way here. With just the right amount of citric tartness, this lemon character translates as more of a fresh-squeezed lemonade that has been made with just a sprinkle of sugar and dash of lemon zest. Not too sweet, not too sour, not too bitter. . . just a chance to truly appreciate all of the refreshing qualities of the lemon. The lemongrass then supplies earthy, grassy and herbal aspects that further accentuate and complement the lemon. The flavor profile rounds off with just a touch of underlying pine and some light malt sweetness that reads as honey wheat bread.

Mouthfeel: This brew is light in body with a peppy carbonation presence. It is both lightly sweet and hoppy on the palate, but it each sip fades quickly and cleans up nicely. At 5.4% ABV, the alcohol plays no role here and keeps the experience wonderfully easy drinking and refreshing. The aftertaste is just a grace of lingering lemon.

Final Thoughts: Grass Monkey ultimately comes together as a fantastic warm weather brew that successfully uses the easy-drinking nature of the American Pale Wheat Ale to act as a vehicle for a truly hop-focused experience. The Lemondrop hops are beautifully showcased as the star, but this has been done in such a manner that they are not overly aggressive or bitter. Just as you feel the hops about to take firm hold of your palate, the wheat and subtle lemongrass notes intervene with a wisp of sweetness and some attention-grabbing complexity. Although the label reads “hoppy’, overt dankness was clearly not the intention. No . . . the intention here was to achieve optimum levels of refreshment while still respecting everything that these unique hops can offer a beer’s flavor and aroma. If that was the true endgame when SweetWater was brewing this beer, consider that mission accomplished. If you have not yet, make sure you pick up a sixer or order a pour of Grass Monkey before its Seasonal run comes to an end in April. Prost!

Good People Brewing Company Releases Hitchhiker IPA as Spring Seasonal

Posted on March 15, 2017 by mashingin

Good People Brewing Company (Birmingham, Alabama) recently announced that Hitchhiker IPA has officially returned to shelves and taps for the spring.

Brewed each spring as a more West Coast representation of the style than Good People Brewing’s American IPA, Hitchhiker IPA boasts a more tropical fruit character by displaying notes of pineapple, grapefruit, orange and tangerine. Relying on a sturdy, caramel malt backbone, this 7.8% ABV, 100+ IBU India Pale Ale passes through each year as “a rejuvenating option whatever the weather brings.”

Hitchhiker IPA is officially available now and will be hanging around through the spring months (while supplies last). Look for this Seasonal offering to be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer retailers, bars and restaurants in Alabama and throughout the rest of Good People Brewing’s distribution area. Official Hitchhiker IPA Release Events started late last week and will be going on through the month of March at select craft beer establishments. Click here to check out the full list of scheduled events.

Just as its name implies, the fan-favorite Hitchhiker IPA will be moving on before you know it. Make sure that this is the one Hitchhiker that you pick up and enjoy your time together while you can. Prost!

Vital Information for Hitchhiker IPA from Good People Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, beginning March 2017
Style – American IPA (West Coast-style)
ABV – 7.8%
IBUs – 100+
Hops – Cascade, Columbus & Simcoe
Malts – 2-Row, Carapils & Crystal
Yeast – California Ale
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.goodpeoplebrewing.com/beerfinder.php

GUBNA Imperial IPA Makes Annual Return for Oskar Blues Brewery

Posted on March 15, 2017 by mashingin

Oskar Blues Brewery (Longmont, Colorado) has officially announced that this year’s release of GUBNA Imperial IPA will not only be rocking its annual change in hop bill, but it’s availability has also been shifted to draft-only for national distribution.

Ever-evolving as a disestablishmentarian representation of dankness, GUBNA Imperial IPA reinvents itself by annually changing its hop bill in an effort to showcase only “the best and brightest of these powerful flowers.” For this year’s release, sensory panels from all three Oskar Blues breweries – Longmont, Colorado; Brevard, North Carolina; and Austin, Texas – worked “with hop growers to seek out the most potent, unique and mind-bending hop varietals of the season.” After much deliberation, this “eccentric fellowship of deranged brewers” hand-selected a blend of Azacca, Crystal and Sterling hops to sit on the beer’s signature base of Munich, North American Pale, and Rye malts. This combination results in a 100 IBU, 10% ABV Imperial India Pale Ale that entices its drinker with “big zesty lime and orange flavors, with a spicy/herbal sweet aroma and all the dank . . . [expected] from the intense hop load.”

“The traditional hops beat out some newer, experimental varietals this year, which surprised many of us here at OB,” said Tim Matthews, Head of Brewing Operations. “But the hops just spoke to the nearly 100 employees that participated in GUBNA hop selection and we must obey the rub.”

“In an effort to preserve GUBNA’s finest quality, the freshness of its hops,” the 2017 release of GUBNA Imperial IPA will only be available as a draft-only offering across the country. 12 oz. cans of GUBNA will only be available for to-go purchase at Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel Taproom locations in Colorado and North Carolina. While supplies last, you can expect to find GUBNA Imperial IPA pouring from March to May at craft beer establishments in Alabama, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina, Texas and throughout the rest of Oskar Blues Brewery’s national distribution footprint. Each year’s release of GUBNA proves to be a unique experience and rarely lasts long, so make sure that you order up a pour the next time you spot it on a tap list. Prost!

Vital Information for GUBNA Imperial IPA from Oskar Blues Brewery

Release – Limited, March to May 2017
Style – American Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV – 10%
IBUs – 100
Hops – Azacca, Crystal & Sterling
Malts – Munich, North American Pale & Rye
Availability – Draft-only nationally; 12 oz. cans available for to-go purchase only in the Colorado and North Carolina Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel taprooms
Beer Finder – https://www.oskarblues.com/beerFinder

Sprecher Brewing Co. Unveils New-Look Packaging for Year-Round Beers

Posted on March 15, 2017 by mashingin

Sprecher Brewing Co. (Glendale, Wisconsin) recently announced that the packaging for their lineup of Year-Round brews has underwent a full redesign.

In early 2016, Sprecher Brewing began to hint that change was imminent when they released that year’s winter Seasonal. No longer wearing the name Winter Brew and the “familiar shiny label bearing a coat of arms”, Winter Lager hit shelves with updated packaging depicting Old Man Winter with a “more contemporary art reflecting the season, the style and . . . a visual reference to the company’s founder, Randy Sprecher.” While the beer on the inside of the bottle remained the same, the new artwork proved to be more engaging and eye-catching when displayed in a cooler or on a shelf. After the changes in artwork for Winter Lager – and the Seasonals that followed – received plenty of positive feedback, it was then decided to complete the transition by redesigning all packaging for the brewery’s Year-Round brews to also portray new images that “share humor, a reference to the particular beer style, and yes, a character resembling Randy Sprecher.” The affected Year-Round brews are as follows:

Abbey Triple
Black Bavarian Style Lager
Hefe Weiss
India Pale Ale
Special Amber Vienna-style Lager

The decision for this redesign is best summed up in the following quote from Sprecher president Jeff Hamilton:

“We feel the new designs better represent our beers and our company. Because of the Germanic look of our old packaging, too often people unfamiliar with the brand mistakenly assume Sprecher is a German brewery, or a brewery that has been around for generations. We wanted people to get Sprecher, to know at first glance that while we make superior versions of traditional European styles and we have fun doing it, our company is neither old world nor old school. Customers can continue to expect flavorful beers brewed to the highest standards. That will never change.”
– Jeff Hamilton, President of Sprecher Brewing Co.

The freshly updated look for Sprecher’s Year-Round beers is expected to begin hitting shelves in Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin and throughout the rest of the brewery’s distribution network by mid-March. While on your next beer run, be on the lookout for this new-look packaging and pick up a sixer or two to revisit the tasty offerings of Sprecher Brewing Co. Prost!

New Belgium Brewing Introduces Juicy Watermelon Lime Ale

Posted on March 14, 2017March 14, 2017 by mashingin

New Belgium Brewing Company (Fort Collins, Colorado) has officially announced the release of Juicy Watermelon Lime Ale as the brewery’s new spring-summer Seasonal.

Developed to be “the perfect option for beating back the summer heat,” Juicy Watermelon Lime Ale is hitting shelves and taps now as the latest Seasonal release from New Belgium. This new offering has been brewed with watermelon and lime peel to provide an experience boasting “a bright fruity flavor and a thirst-quenching finish.” At just 5% ABV and 7 IBUs, Juicy Watermelon Lime Ale is the “approachable, fruit-infused ale” we will all be in need of as the seasons shift and the temperatures begin to get out of hand.

“A great summer beer is one that not only satisfies your taste buds but also offers a bit of refreshment,” said Bryan Simpson, PR Director for New Belgium Brewing. “The combination of watermelon and lime plays perfectly together, making it ideal for the warmer days ahead.”

Juicy Watermelon Lime Ale is available now and will be hanging around through the month of July. This Seasonal release will be available in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of New Belgium’s vast distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Juicy Watermelon Lime Ale from New Belgium Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal, March to July 2017
Style – Fruit Ale
ABV – 5%
IBUs – 7
Malts – Pale & Caramel 80
Hops – Nugget
Yeast – Ale yeast
Added Ingredients – Watermelon & lime peel
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles, 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.newbelgium.com/Beer/finder

21st Amendment Brewery Releases Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die IPA as New Year-Round

Posted on March 14, 2017 by mashingin

21st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) recently announced that Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die IPA has officially joined the brewery’s lineup of Year-Round offerings.

Brewed as a variant of 21st Amendment’s original West Coast-style India Pale Ale known as Brew Free! or Die IPA, Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die raises the refreshment level with an “infusion of real blood orange puree” and a hefty, citrus-laden dry hop consisting of “two pounds per barrel of . . . Citra, Mosaic and Chinook.” With these recipe tweaks, this new brew comes together as a 7% ABV offering that “showcases the perfect marriage of fruit and IPA proving once more that sometimes, real fruit just makes things better.”

“We’ve been developing this recipe for almost a year,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, 21A Brewmaster and Co-Founder. “Blood oranges were a totally new ingredient for us, and it was a lot of fun to play around with different approaches of where to add it into the process, and how much.”

“We want craft beer drinkers to understand that while this is a new and totally different beer, it has a great lineage, but when you crack open that can and get that first whiff of blood orange and hops… Oh man, it’s a thing of beauty,” added O’Sullivan.

Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die IPA is officially rolling out this month in Florida, California and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s distribution markets. Look for this new offering in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans or on draft the next time you are in search of an easy drinking, citrusy IPA. Prost!

Vital Information for Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die IPA from 21st Amendment Brewery

Release – Year-Round, launching March 2017
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 7%
IBUs – 70
Hops – Centennial, Citra, Mosaic, & Chinook
Malts – Two-Row Pale, Munich & Caramalt
Yeast – Top Fermenting Ale Yeast
Added Ingredients – 100% fresh blood orange puree
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – FL, CA, OR, WA, AK, ID, MN, OH, MA, NY, IL, NJ, DC, NV, DE, MD, VT, RI, PA, NH, ME, VA, GA, SC & NC
Beer Finder – http://21st-amendment.com/find-some/

The Australian Brewery Launches Distribution in the United States

Posted on March 13, 2017March 13, 2017 by mashingin

Australian Brewery (Sydney, Australia) has announced that they have begun distribution in the United States with three of their craft beer offerings: Australian Pale Ale, New World Pilsner and Saison D’Heretique.

“The iconic Aussie craft beer producers at the multi-award winning Australian Brewery” are proud to announce that they have officially launched in the United States to properly introduce the American craft beer community to the culture and flavors of Australia. By avoiding the use of additives or preservatives, “the kings of the Southern Hemisphere craft beer movement at Australian Brewery . . . [produce] fine tasting, crisp and refreshing brews for both the seasoned beer connoisseur and occasional beer drinkers alike.”

For the initial launch, Australian Brewery will enter the American market with the following three offerings:

Australian Pale Ale – Inspired by the Australian pacific pale ale style, this cloudy pale beer is to be admired before immersing yourself in the rich aromas of citrus and passionfruit that only galaxy hops can give. This characteristically cloudy Australian ale is crisp and refreshing, full of truly distinctive aromas that make for a perfect mix of flavour and drinkability. ABV – 4.8% IBUs – 26
New World Pilsner – Australian Brewery’s New World Pilsner has a German feel with an Aussie spin. Taking the palest of Australian malts and combining them with powerful perfumed new world hops, Australian Brewery has produced a Pilsner that is simply refreshing. With crisp and bitter characteristics, the New World Pilsner will leave you wanting more long after that last drop strikes your palate. ABV – 4.8% IBUs – 36
Saison D’Heretique – This is a saintly saison, lovingly crafted with both French & Belgian yeasts generating a delicate and light beer that packs a hefty punch of white pepper, clove and citrus on the palate with licorice, clove, citrus and pepper on the aroma. ABV – 6.2% IBUs – 30

The three beers above are available now at craft beer establishments throughout the U.S. on draft and in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans (suggested retail price of $13 to $16 per 6-pack). If these offerings from Australian Brewery have piqued your interest but you are unable the find them, the brewery suggests that you politely ask the folks at your favorite craft beer retail shop or bar to begin carrying Saison D’Heretique, Pale Ale and New World Pilsner. Prost!