Big Storm Brewing Co.(Clearwater, Florida) will be celebrating four years of brewing on July 30 by tapping Four Year Storm Imperial Stout at anniversary parties held at both taproom locations (Pasco taproom- 2330 Success Dr., Odessa, Florida. Pinellas taproom – 12707 49th Street N, Clearwater, Florida)
To celebrate four great years in the brewing industry, the folks at Big Storm brewed up a big ol’ Imperial Stout as the perfect offering to raise in celebration of such a milestone. Four Year Storm is an Imperial Stout that “has an unbelievably full but smooth mouthfeel with flavors of espresso beans and molasses with chocolate undertones… [finishing] sweet with a slight booziness” This brew weighs in at 9.1% ABV and 60 IBUs.
In addition to enjoying pours of Four Year Storm Imperial Stout, the first 100 Anniversary Party attendees at each taproom will also receive a special cupcake that has been made with Big Storm beer. Attendees will also enjoy $1 off every beer purchased throughout the day, and 6-packs to take home are buy one, get one free. The party starts at 11 a.m. at both taprooms, so make those plans now to attend if you are free and in the Tampa Bay area on Saturday. Prost!
Bell’s Brewery (Comstock, Michigan) has recently announced that Bell’s Octoberfest Beer will be returning to bottles in 2016.
After a five year break, Bell’s Brewery is officially reviving Bell’s Octoberfest Beer as a packaged offering this year. This Märzenbier comes in at 5.5% ABV and is described by the brewery as having “a light, dry toasted malt note without too much sweetness.” This lager has achieved its popularity with Bell’s fans due to its smooth character and easy drinking nature.
“Octoberfest is a brewery and a fan favorite, one that we get a lot of questions about,” said Bell’s Vice President Laura Bell. “This is the year we can finally say yes, Octoberfest is coming back in bottles. It has been too long, it’s a perfect way to welcome cooler weather.”
6-packs and 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles of Bell’s Octoberfest Beer will begin shipping in August. Look for this one on shelves at craft beer friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida and throughout all states within the Bell’s Brewery distribution footprint. Prost!
Vital Information on Bell’s Octoberfest from Bell’s Brewery
ABV – 5.5% Style – Märzenbier/Oktoberfest Lager Original Gravity – 1.06 Shelf Life – 90 Days Packaging – limited offering on draught, 12 oz. 6-packs, 12 oz. 12-packs
Release – August to October
Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) announced this week that they will release Pale Joe as a limited offering beginning in September.
Pale Joe is a unique twist on the Pale Ale style thanks to the addition of coffee during the brewing process. Instead of using the more traditionally employed Brown Ale or Porter/Stout base for a coffee beer, the brewers at Founders decided to go with the Pale Ale style this time around to create a “golden ale [featuring] notes of gently roasted, fruit-forward coffee.” This 5.4% ABV ale gets its coffee boost thanks to “a special blend of high-end Ethiopian coffee expertly roasted by… Ferris Coffee and Nut.” The final product comes together to create a satisfying iced coffee experience in a craft beer package.
“Pale Joe came out of my current infatuation with pale, sessionable beers,” says our Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki, “Being the ArtPrize beer, I wanted to play with expectations so I experimented with adding coffee to a lighter, pale ale. Turns out, using gently-roasted, fruit-forward coffee adds a nice roasty flavor that does not complete with the malts in the beer.”
In addition to being a fun new release, Pale Joe is also the fourth beer brewed by Founders to benefit ArtPrize, “an international art competition [promoting] critical dialogue and collaboration through new, creative ideas among a large and diverse population of people.” ( Inspired Artist Black IPA, Mosaic Promiseand Spectra Trifecta were the previous three ArtPrize releases from the brewery). All employees at Founders Brewing Co. were given the opportunity to submit their artistic portfolio for the chance to create the label for Pale Joe. Aaron Rossell, Lead Cellar Operator and Kendall College of Art & Design graduate, earned the honor of illustrating the label artwork thanks to his “striking character illustrations and unexpected use of color.”
September 13 will mark the official release of Pale Joe on draft and in 12 oz. bottles in Michigan, Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Ohio, New Jersey, New York City and Boston, Massachusetts with limited availability on draft only in all other markets within the Founders Brewing distribution footprint (this includes Alabama and Florida). Mark those calendars and be sure to get your Pale Joe fix when you see it. Prost!
The ears of the craft beer community have perked up once again as MillerCoors announces this week that they have acquired a majority stake in Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia).
MillerCoors has confirmed that Tenth and Blake, the company’s “craft beer and import division” that carries such brands as Blue Moon and Leinenkugel, has acquired a majority stake in Terrapin Beer Co. for a yet to be disclosed sum. Tenth and Blake had already acquired a minority stake in Terrapin back in 2012, and this most recent purchase only confirms that their relationship has been quite successful since.
“The team at Terrapin is so passionate and committed to brewing such terrific beers that we are thrilled to welcome them deeper into the Tenth and Blake family,” said Scott Whitley, president and CEO of Tenth and Blake. “As owners, our job is to work collaboratively with their team to support their continued success with their innovative, award-winning beers that complement our portfolio perfectly.”
A lot will remain the same at Terrapin Beer Co., but there will be the following changes and moves within management and leadership (credit for the following investigative work goes to the folks at Brewbound):
Terrapin Beer Co. C0-Founder John Cochran has decided to leave the company. CFO Frank Skorzewski will replace Cochran as President
Co-Founder Brian “Spike” Buckowski will remain with Terrapin as VP of Brewing Management
Dustin Watts will stay on as VP of Sales and Marketing
Terrapin’s VP of Operations Brian Hollinger will also be leaving the company to pursue another opportunity
With those changes noted, Tenth and Blake assures craft beer fans that Terrapin will act merely as a “business unit” of the company and “Terrapin’s management and team will continue to create, brew, package, ship and sell Terrapin’s acclaimed portfolio of brands.” It is also rumored that this move will allow Terrapin to expand their barrel-aging program and develop a Sour Ale program in the future. We will know for sure as time goes on and this transaction should finalize by the end of August 2016. Prost!
Angry Chair Brewing (6401 N. Florida Avenue, Tampa, Florida) recently announced that they will hold a bottle release event for their Imperial German Chocolate Cupcake Stout on Saturday, July 23.
To mark the first release of their Imperial German Chocolate Cupcake Stout, Angry Chair Brewing will host a launch/bottle release event at the brewery on Saturday. Bottles of this 10.6% ABV, dessert beer offering will be available for $20 each (bottle limit is yet to be determined). Cash is preferred at this event, but cards can be used if necessary. Rollin’ Zoinks! Food Truck will be on site to satisfy any munchie needs you may have during the event.
If you are a fan of sweeter Stouts, in the Tampa area and free on Saturday, it sounds like you should be marking your calendar right about now. Prost!
Avery Brewing Company (Boulder, Colorado) recently announced that El Gose German-style Sour Ale with Lime and Sea Salt Added is the latest offering to join the brewery’s year-round lineup.
El Gose is a new craft beer offering from Avery Brewing that has German and Mexican brewing styles and ingredients/garnishes fusing together effortlessly in each 12 oz. can. This brew starts with a base of a traditional German Gose, a salty & sour wheat beer, that then gets a Mexican Lager twist thanks to the addition of quality sea salt and lime juice. The finished beer comes in at 4.5% ABV and acts as a refreshing, go-to brew suitable for nearly every occasion.
Founder and CEO Adam Avery is excited to add an Avery twist to this traditional style by adding a twist of lime. “I love Mexican lagers with limes squeezed into them, and I wanted to make something similar that had more flavor and more mouthfeel. So this beer and its label are a fusion of a modern Mexican lager and a German ale from 500 years ago.”
Six-packs of 12 oz. cans and kegs of El Gose have started shipping out from the brewery this week and should be hitting craft beer shelves and taps any day now. Craft beer fans can find El Gose in Alabama, Florida and throughout Avery’s 35 state distribution footprint. Look for this brew on your next beer run to make these hot and humid days of summer a bit more tolerable. Prost!
Vital Information on El Gose from Avery Brewing Company
ABV – 4.5% Malts – Acidulated, Wheat, 2-Row Hops – Sterling Yeast – London Ale Descriptors – Citrusy, Sour, Sessionable
Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colorado) recently announced that Rye of the Prize Imperial Red Rye Ale is the latest summer release from the brewery.
Rye on the Prize is an Imperial Red Rye Ale that marks Left Hand’s “22 year commitment to keep their ‘eye on the prize’ – to brew great beer, stay independent and give back to the community.” You can expect this offering to be a medium-bodied, 8% Imperial Red Ale that boasts a hoppy punch and an earthy, spicy kick from the rye.
“In 1993 we set out to change the world with better beer. To keep our eye on the prize, Left Hand has chosen an independent path to build a stronger community—founded on the best beer we can make. Rye on the Prize has a bold, hopped up character inspired by our mission to do good by you, the beer drinker, and our community.” shares Eric Wallace, CEO and co-founder of Left Hand.
Rye on the Prize Imperial Red Rye Ale is a limited release that is available from July through September of this year. You can find this offering in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments in Alabama, Florida and throughout Left Hand Brewing Co.’s 36 state distribution footprint. Prost!
Vital Information on Rye on the Prize Imperial Red Rye Ale from Left Hand Brewing Co.
Availability – Limited release from July to September ABV – 8% Hops – CTZ, WP, Mt. Hood, Cascade Malts – 2-Row, Rye, Carrarye, Carrared, Melanodin Packaging – 22 oz. bombers, Kegs
Big Storm Brewing Company (Clearwater, Florida) recently announced the official release of Category 1-4 of their new Belgian-style Hurricane Season Series.
To pay respect to the Belgian breweries that have inspired so many brewers in America and throughout the world, Big Storm Brewing has created a Belgian-themed series. This series is released during the Atlantic Hurricane Season, and each ale has been “named for the different levels defined by the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed.” Just as hurricanes get a higher category ranking as they grow stronger, each beer in the Big Storm Hurricane Series also gets a higher designation as the ABV rises. For the full rundown on these beers, here are their official descriptions from the brewery:
Category 1, Belgian Single – A silver medalist at the 2016 Best Florida Beer awards, the Belgian Single is the first in the Big Storm “Hurricane Series.” It is pale yellow in color and pours a billowy white head. This award-winning ale is well carbonated with fruity and spicy Belgian yeast character and a floral hop aroma. ABV – 6% IBUs – 15
Category 2, Belgian Dubbel – The second installment of the Big Storm “Hurricane Series,” the Dubbel features a deep reddish amber to copper in color with rich malty flavor. This best seller presents dark or dried fruit esters reminiscent of raisin, plum and dates. The dense creamy off-white head sits atop a clear and complex sweet malt flavor that generally finishes moderately dry. ABV – 6.6% IBUs – 18
Category 3, Belgian Tripel – Category 3 has a higher alcohol content and features a yellow to deep golden color, with a creamy white head. Citrusy esters are present with a slight note of banana, as the beer laces the glass. The Tripel has become a fan favorite due to the somewhat spicy, dry, ale with a firm malt flavor and higher hop bitterness. ABV – 9.2% IBUs – 38
Category 4, Belgian Quadrupel – Characterized by the reddish amber in color, the distinctive nature of this ale is a rich malty presence and the intense dark fruit esters of raisin, plum, and dates. The complex malt flavors and yeast esters leaves the drinker with a warm satisfying experience. ABV – 10.6% IBUs – 25
Big Storm is in the process of brewing Category 5, a “Belgian Quintupel”, and it will be released later in the summer.
Look for Category 1-4 of the Hurricane Series to be available now at select craft beer-friendly establishments within Big Storm Brewing Company’s distribution footprint in Florida. Prost!
Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales (Milton, Delaware) recently released Flesh & Blood India Pale Ale as their newest limited offering.
The brewers at Dogfish Head developed Flesh & Blood IPA to be quite the citrus-laden experience. Real lemon flesh, blood orange juice, orange peel and lemon peel were all used in the brewing process. To complement and accentuate those citrus notes, a mix of Warrior, Centennial, and a “rare experimental hop” was employed in the recipe. The finished beer presents an “explosive, zesty fruitiness and subtle dry tartness of citrus to deliver a highly quaffable ale that’s incredibly unique and lovely to down the whole year round.”
Flesh & Blood IPA is available now as a limited offering packaged in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft. You can find this brew in Florida and in several other select markets throughout Dogfish Head’s distribution footprint (click here to track some down). Prost!
Vital information on Flesh & Blood IPA from Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales
ABV – 7.5% IBUs – 45 Availability – limited release found in AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI
Stone Brewing Co. (Escondido, California) has announced that the Drew Curtis / Wil Wheaton / Greg Koch Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout is slated for limited release this week.
That’s right, ladies and gentlemen! This wildly popular, geek-fest of a beer experience has returned for another year (**Disclaimer** That sentence was typed by a geek who is stupidly excited with each year’s release of this beer). The 2016 version of Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout is the collaborative brainchild of “Stone CEO & self-proclaimed beer geek Greg Koch, Fark.com creator & craft beer-loving Drew Curtis, and web celeb & actor Wil Wheaton.” This year’s release is a revival of the 2013 recipe of a 13% ABV Imperial Stout brewed with wheat, rye and pecans and then partially aged in Kentucky bourbon barrels. This combo creates a massive sensory profile boasting aromatic and flavor notes of “cocoa, coffee, licorice, oak, nuts, vanilla and, of course, bourbon.” Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout was then finished off by being packaged in bottles sporting some awesome label artwork created by Amanda Conner, “a famed illustrator celebrated for her characters Vampirella, Power Girl, Silk Spectre and Harley Quinn and comics ‘Gatecrasher’ and ‘Gargoyles’.”
“Each edition of Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout has been a little different, whether it’s adding an ingredient, featuring a new collaborator or bringing in a new comic book artist to design the bottle label,” said Greg Koch. “Hardcore beer fans really loved our 2013 Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout recipe, so in honor of those beer geeks, we’re going back to a good thing. This time the bottle art features Wil, Drew and me in some…well…very clever characterizations.”
Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout is a very limited release available now in 22 oz. bottles and on draft. You can track this one down at select retailers in Alabama, Florida and other select markets throughout Stone Brewing’s national distribution footprint. This brew can be enjoyed fresh or aged, so be sure to be sure choose your approach to this one wisely . . . or just grab a couple bottles when see it. Prost!
Vital Information on Drew Curtis / Wil Wheaton / Greg Koch Stone Farking Wheaton w00tstout from Stone Brewing Co.
ABV – 13% IBUs – 65 Hops – English Target Packaging – Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning July 11 National Distribution – AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA and Puerto Rico
Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) will be celebrating four years of brewing on July 30 by tapping Four Year Storm Imperial Stout at anniversary parties held at both taproom locations (Pasco taproom- 2330 Success Dr., Odessa, Florida. Pinellas taproom – 12707 49th Street N, Clearwater, Florida)
The ears of the craft beer community have perked up once again as 
