Craft Beer | Mashing In

New Belgium Brewing Adds Sour IPA to Year-Round Lineup

Posted on March 19, 2020 by mashingin

New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, Colorado) has officially announced that Sour IPA, the “first nationally released IPA of its kind,” will be joining its Year-Round portfolio in March 2020.

The result of “over a decade of experimenting with hops and sours” at New Belgium Brewing, Sour IPA is a “fruit-forward” Hazy India Pale Ale dry-hopped with Citra and Amarillo hops and then blended with “20% wood-aged golden sour.” Just like the “crucially placed bridle point” balances a kite, Sour IPA (7% ABV) “balances acidity and hops with delicate perfection.”

“Perfecting the balance of hops and acidity is very difficult and we’ve been doing it for over 10 years now. We’re experts in this space,” said Lauren Limbach, Wood Cellar Director and Blender for New Belgium Brewing. “Sour IPA is another example of approaching IPA through an artisanal lens to create a completely unique experience for the craft beer drinker.”

Sour IPA is rolling out now with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans (suggested retail price of $10.99) and on draft. You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado, North Carolina and throughout the rest of New Belgium’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Sour IPA from New Belgium Brewing

Release – Year-Round; launching March 2020
Style – Hazy IPA blended with Wood Aged Golden Sour
ABV – 7%
Featured Hops – Citra & Amarillo
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.newbelgium.com/beer/finder/

Schlafly Beer Focuses on Hops with Release of Hoptic Visions Sampler Pack

Posted on March 18, 2020 by mashingin

Schlafly Beer (St. Louis, Missouri) has officially announced that it will release Hoptic Visions, a hop-centric Mixed 12-pack of 12 oz. bottles, in mid-March 2020.

Carefully curated with the intention to show that a beer does not necessarily have to be an IPA to be “hoppy,” the Hoptic Visions Sampler Pack includes the following three “hop-forward favorites from Schlafly’s portfolio as well as a new experimental brew,” Hazy Pineapple IPA (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

India Pale Ale – With a lower ABV than traditional IPAs, Schlafly’s year-round take on the style offers a sessional beer for both hopheads and newcomers alike. The Schlafly IPA features a hop blend to enhance tropical flavors and subtle notes of citrus. ABV – 5%
Hoppy Wheat Ale – Wheat brings a touch of haze with a hint of sweetness and combines with Mosaic and Amarillo hops that lend to abundant citrus flavor and aroma. ABV – 5%
India Pale Lager – Just because it’s a lager doesn’t mean it can’t feature strong hop flavors. Dry-hopped with Citra hops, India Pale Lager offers a crisp finish and a kick of tropical character. ABV – 5.5%
Hazy Pineapple IPA – This IPA is a trifecta of haze, hope and fruit. Pounds of experimental hops and pineapple refract off one another to create a juicy and golden brew with a long-lasting finish. ABV – 4.5%

**The Hoptic Visions Sampler Pack includes 3 12 oz. bottles of each beer listed above**

“The sampler pack showcases the versatility of hop-forward beers,” explains Schlafly’s Founding Brewer Stephen Hale. “Many think just of IPAs when it comes to hoppy beers, but we wanted to showcase how hops can enhance different styles as well as add different flavor profiles. These beers highlight everything from fruity and juicy hops to our sessionable IPA.”

The Hoptic Visions Sampler Pack is rolling out now and will be available as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this special Mixed 12-Pack at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Missouri, Tennessee and throughout the rest of Schlafly’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Stone Brewing Begins Nationwide Release of Peak Conditions Hazy Double IPA

Posted on March 18, 2020March 18, 2020 by mashingin

Stone Brewing (Escondido, California) has officially announced that its newest Special Release, Stone Peak Conditions Hazy Double IPA, will be available nationwide beginning in mid-March 2020.

Drawing inspiration from Stone///Fear.Movie.Lions Double IPA, Stone Tangerine Express IPA and Stone Notorious P.O.G. Berliner Weisse, Stone Peak Conditions is a Hazy Double India Pale Ale that features West Coast hops, East Coast haze, and “real fruit additions” of passion fruit, orange and guava juice. Coming in at 8.1% ABV and 55 IBUs, Stone Peak Conditions is a “ridiculously tasty double IPA [that combines] influences from across the country into one of the most flavorful beers [Stone Brewing has] ever released.”

Stone Peak Conditions Hazy Double IPA is rolling out across the country now and will be available for a limited time. You can expect to find this new Special Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, Virginia and throughout the rest of Stone Brewing’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Stone Peak Conditions Hazy Double IPA from Stone Brewing

Release – Limited/Special; March 2020
Style – Hazy Double India Pale Ale
ABV – 8.1%
IBUs – 55
Featured Hops – Loral & Mosaic
Added Ingredients – Passionfruit, orange & guava
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://find.stonebrewing.com/#ready

Dixie Brewing Company Introduces New Voodoo Expansion Series

Posted on March 17, 2020 by mashingin

Dixie Brewing Company | Dixie Beer (New Orleans, Louisiana) has officially announced that it will launch its new Voodoo expansion series, including Crimson Voodoo, Voodoo Queen and Voodoo Doll, in March 2020.

Building off the success of Dixie Beer’s long-standing Blackened Voodoo Lager, the newly-introduced offerings in the Voodoo Series are “made with New Orleans in mind and [are] the first craft [beers] brewed in the new state-of-the-art 85,000 sq. ft., 100-barrel brewhouse located in New Orleans.” The newest Voodoo Series offerings are as follows (descriptions sourced directly from the brewery’s press release):

Crimson Voodoo | Raspberry White Ale– A 5.2% ABV fruited White Ale, uses tart, fresh raspberries and a clean hop profile to balance the sweet and spicy orange peel and coriander aromas. Best paired with boiled crawfish, chargrilled oysters and Muffulettas.
“Since opening our doors to our brand new taproom in January 2020, Crimson Voodoo has been one of our best sellers on draft and we expect it to continue to lead the way as we go into the warmer spring and summer months,” said Birch.
Voodoo Queen | Hazy IPA – A 6.8% ABV packs a serious punch. Voodoo Queen’s appearance is hazy and gold, and brewed with Citra hops. All hail the Voodoo Queen! The preferred food pairings are beef brisket and fried chicken.
Voodoo Doll | Lil’ IPA – A 4.7% ABV Hazy Lil’ IPA gives off a juicy grapefruit and lemon drop candy aroma brewed with Simcoe hops and has a pale yellow color that is best paired with pepperoni pizza, a bacon cheeseburger or buffalo chicken wings.

“The inspiration behind the Voodoo Series came from our consumers,” said Dixie Beer General Manager Jim Birch. “Our consumers are looking for hazy and higher ABV IPA’s, and simultaneously the same at low-ABV levels. New Orleans is a culinary city with its own flavors and taste buds and we wanted our beers to speak to that. Dixie’s Blackened Voodoo was the first to market in 1990 and we see a ton of opportunity with this name that we created.”

Available Year-Round in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, each offering listed above is available now in Louisiana and is scheduled to enter wider distribution in mid-March 2020. Crimson Voodoo, Voodoo Queen and Voodoo Doll will also join Blackened Voodoo in the Dixie Voodoo Variety 12-pack of 12 oz. cans. You can expect to find all of these offerings at craft beer-friendly establishments located within Dixie Beer’s distribution footprint in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Prost!

Left Hand Brewing Co. Plans to Open New Location in Denver’s Curtis Park Neighborhood

Posted on March 17, 2020 by mashingin

Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, Colorado) has officially announced that it plans to open its second location later this summer in Denver, Colorado’s Curtis Park neighborhood at 2403 Champa Street.

With construction and redesign set to begin in March 2020, Left Hand’s new outpost will take over a space that was originally built in 1934 to serve as “Denver’s second-oldest commercial printer, the Golden Bell Press, and most recently [housed] Liberati Restaurant, which recently closed.” Once construction is completed, this 12,000 square foot facility “will feature a seven-barrel pilot brewery, 50 tap handles, full food menu, live music, a large outdoor patio, ample parking, and private event space for up to 300 people.” To set the vibe and overall atmosphere of this location, Left Hand’s Denver taproom will also “include big screen TVs with local sports packaging, bar games like shuffleboard, pool and foosball, and community-based activities.”

When it comes to the beer lineup at this new facility, the 50 taps will largely feature the brewery’s “current Nitro, Year-Round and Seasonal offerings as well as pilot beers made on site that will be exclusively available at Left Hand Curtis Park.” This new location will also feature “non-beer beverages including hard kombucha, hard seltzer, and Present CBD-Infused Sparkling Water.”

“We’ve been considering opening a second location in Denver for a long time but have been waiting to find the right spot. We found it,” said Eric Wallace, President and Co-Founder of Left Hand Brewing. “The amenities this location offers are really unparalleled in this area. We are slightly off the beaten path but within blocks of the RiNo Art District and Rockies Field.”

Left Hand Brewing Co. hopes to open its Denver location at some point this summer. The brewery will release further information regarding “its grand opening date, hours of operation, and employment information . . . in the coming weeks.” Prost!

Founders Brewing Co. Launches Brewed for MI Series with Release of Red’s Rye IPA

Posted on March 16, 2020 by mashingin

Founders Brewing Co. (Grand Rapids, Michigan) has officially announced that it will introduce Brewed for MI, a new series of Limited Release offerings available exclusively in Michigan, with the mid-March release of Red’s Rye IPA.

Brewed for MI is a Michigan-exclusive series that will consist of three different beer releases in 2020. To go a step further than just being a chance to treat Michigan beer lovers to a special beer of their own, each Brewed for Mi release also “aims to raise awareness for Michigan-based non-profits through” the Big Pitcher, Founders Brewing Co.’s “corporate giving platform designed to give back to the causes that mean the most to the brewery. All causes Founders supports fall under three categories: Social Justice, Environment and Arts & Culture and range from local, MI-based organizations to those that operate on a national-level.” Red’s Rye IPA “intends to raise awareness for MI-based organizations that fall under the Arts & Culture category.”

A longtime favorite in the brewery’s “Grand Rapids taproom by employees and fans alike,” Red’s Rye IPA is an India Pale Ale “brewed with an abundance of Amarillo hops that impart intense grapefruit aromatics while the addition of rye malt lends a spicy, crisp finish.” Boasting a “serious hop bitterness,” Red’s Rye IPA comes in at 70 IBUs and 6.6% ABV.

“We’re excited to release Red’s Rye IPA in package outside of our taproom for the first time in years,” said Co-Founder and President, Dave Engbers. “There’s a reason Red’s Rye IPA is consistently the #1 selling beer in the Grand Rapids taproom month after month – it’s a well-balanced, flavorful IPA that celebrates the delicious citrus characteristics of the Amarillo hop. We’re thrilled to put this product in a can for the first time in the name of supporting the artistic community throughout the state of Michigan.”

Red’s Rye IPA hit Founders Brewing Co.’s two taproom locations last week – Grand Rapids taproom on March 11 and Detroit taproom on March 12 – and distribution is scheduled to begin in mid-March 2020. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Michigan only. Prost!

Vital Information for Red’s Rye IPA from Founders Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Brewed for MI Series; mid-March 2020
Style – American India Pale Ale/Rye Beer
ABV – 6.6%
IBUs – 70
Featured Hops – Amarillo
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – Michigan only

Heavy Seas Beer Expands Joose Cannon Series with Taproom Exclusive Release of Key Lime Pie IPA

Posted on March 16, 2020March 16, 2020 by mashingin

Heavy Seas Beer (Baltimore, Maryland) has officially announced that it will soon hold a Limited Release for Joose Cannon: Key Lime Pie IPA. The exact release date for this offering is currently undetermined due to concerns regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Dropping as the third release in Heavy Seas Beer’s Joose Cannon Series of “hazier, juicer” takes on the brewery’s flagship Loose Cannon IPA, Joose Cannon: Key Lime Pie IPA is a Hazy/Juicy India Pale Ale brewed with “key lime for zest and lactose for creaminess” to mimic the “sweet and tart flavors of key lime pie.” Coming in at 7.25% ABV, Joose Cannon: Key Lime Pie IPA is “a little slice of sunshine on a rainy, spring day.”

“The third beer in our Joose Cannon series is a take on one of my favorite desserts,” says Heavy Seas Brewmaster, Christopher Leonard. “Key lime pie has that indulgent, satisfying quality while still being refreshing and fun. We’ve used Lotus and Citra hops, along with lactose, twelve gallons of fresh key lime juice, and yes, graham crackers in the mash. Hopefully folks will find the beer as refreshing, satisfying and fun as I find the pie!”

Since Heavy Seas Beer has temporarily closed its taproom in the interest of public safety as we all deal with this Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the previously set release date for Joose Cannon: Key Lime Pie IPA has been postponed indefinitely. We will be sure to update you here once Heavy Seas sets a new release date.

Joose Cannon: Key Lime Pie IPA will be available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft as long as supplies last. This Limited Release offering is a taproom exclusive release and will not see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Joose Cannon: Key Lime Pie IPA from Heavy Seas Beer

Release – Limited/Joose Cannon Series
Style – Hazy/Juicy India Pale Ale
ABV – 7.25%
Featured Hops – Lotus & Citra
Added Ingredients – Key lime juice, lactose & graham crackers
Fun Fact – “The Joose Cannon: Key Lime Pie label artwork was designed by local Baltimore artist, Chris Gipple, of Nightshift Creative, who also designed Heavy Seas’ 24 Anniversary beer label this past December. All the taproom exclusive beer labels will be designed by Chris in 2020.”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Distribution – None. Taproom only release

Yuengling Introduces FLIGHT as ‘The Next Generation of Light Beer’

Posted on March 13, 2020 by mashingin

D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. (Pottsville, Pennsylvania) has officially announced that it will add FLIGHT, an upscale light beer with only 95 calories, to its Year-Round portfolio in March 2020.

Developed with the intention to “[redefine] what consumers deserve in an upscale light beer,” FLIGHT is a Light Lager meticulously crafted with Yuengling’s “190 years of brewing expertise.” Coming in at just 4.5% ABV, 95 calories and 2.6 grams of carbs, FLIGHT is “a crisp, easy-to-drink beer that will complement the brewery’s existing portfolio of brands.”

“Recognizing an opportunity in the light beer category, we have been working to deliver an upscale refreshment brand that fits within the active lifestyles of today’s consumers,” said Jennifer Yuengling, Vice President of Operations and 6th generation family member, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. “Our family brewing business was built on providing consumers with a high-quality, great-tasting drinking experience for social occasions. We have spent more than a year perfecting FLIGHT by Yuengling, taking the taste of this light beer to new heights, and can’t wait for our fans and light beer drinkers to try it.”

FLIGHT is rolling out now with availability in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles, and draft availability will hit select markets in the second half of 2020. You can expect to find this new Year-Round offering at beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Pennsylvania and throughout the rest of Yuengling’s 22-state distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for FLIGHT from D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.

Release – Year-Round; launching late February 2020
Style – American Light Lager
ABV – 4.2%
Calories – 95
Carbs – 2.6 grams
Fun Fact #1 – “The FLIGHT brand name is a unique take on light beer, with a nod to D.G. Yuengling & Son’s iconic eagle logo. The brand’s modern packaging design and sleek wing logo is a contemporary take on the brewery’s traditional eagle logo and is a tribute to D.G. Yuengling’s original Eagle Brewery built in 1829.”
Fun Fact #2 – “FLIGHT will be supported by the fully integrated Raise the Bar^TM campaign which is built off the brewery’s foundation of hard work, passion and pride. The campaign will encourage consumers to strive to be the best versions of themselves and continue to push themselves in their lives. These qualities are exemplified by Yuengling’s newest brand ambassadors Rose Lavelle, American professional soccer star, and Lauren Alaina, award-winning country singer, songwriter and actress. Rose and Lauren embody the spirit and passion of ‘Raising the Bar,’ with their drive to pursue their own standards of success and personal growth, whether it’s on the field or on the stage. As FLIGHT brand ambassadors, Rose and Lauren will represent the brand via personal appearances and performances, fan meet & greets, special promotions and sweepstakes, and prominent roles in the new multichannel advertising campaign.”
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles & 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles (draft will launch during the second half of 2020)
Beer Finder – https://www.yuengling.com/find-our-beer/

DuClaw Brewing Co. & Wockenfuss Candies Collaborate on The PastryArchy Carmallow

Posted on March 13, 2020 by mashingin

DuClaw Brewing Co. (Baltimore, Maryland) has officially announced that it will release The PastryArchy Carmallow, a Limited Release Imperial Stout brewed in collaboration with Baltimore’s 104-year-old Wockenfuss Candies, in late March 2020.

Crafted to emulate the decadent experience of enjoying a famous caramel-dipped marshmallow (a.k.a. Carmallow) from Wockenfuss Candies, The PastryArchy Carmallow is a Pastry Stout brewed with “one hundred pounds each of marshmallows and Wockenfuss caramel.” Weighing in at 8.5% ABV, The PastryArchy Carmallow is rounded off with “roasty notes of toffee & honey.”

“Our team is really excited about this partnership,” said Greg Butler, candy manufacturing manager at Wockenfuss. “There are a lot of similarities between candy-making and brewing, and we learned that through this process. It’ll be fun to taste the final result.”

The PastryArchy Carmallow is scheduled to release in late March, just in time for Easter. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Maryland and throughout the rest of DuClaw Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for The PastryArchy Carmallow from DuClaw Brewing Co. & Wockenfuss Candies

Release – Limited/The PastryArchy Series; late March 2020
Style -Imperial Stout/Pastry Stout
ABV – 8.5%
Added Ingredients – 100 pounds each of marshmallows & Wockenfuss caramel
Fun Fact – “The DuClaw team visited Wockenfuss to see how the Carmallows are made, including the making of their house-made caramel, and hand-dipping the candies. The Wockenfuss team visited DuClaw for a brew day, and helped to add their ingredients into the beer.”
Availability – 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://duclaw.com/beer-finder/

Avery Brewing Co. Looks Toward Summer with Limited Release of Paws & Claws IPA

Posted on March 12, 2020 by mashingin

Avery Brewing Co. (Boulder, Colorado) has officially announced that it will introduce Paws & Claws IPA in late March as the brewery’s new summer Limited Release.

Developed to “highlight the beauty of both West Coast and East Coast IPAs in one argument-crushing beer,” Paws & Claws is a style-defying India Pale Ale that uses new school dry hopping techniques to achieve a “genuine and juicy haze, while Simcoe, Centennial, Chinook, and Cascade hops deliver the piney hop flavor and aroma of your favorite West Coast IPA.” Coming in at 7.5% ABV and 50 IBUs, Paws & Claws IPA boasts “the zip of west coast hops and the more tropical and melon notes of hazy IPAs.”

“We’re constantly told to pick a side,” says founder Adam Avery. “But we think that’s dumb. Instead of feeding the hazy vs. clarity war, we created Paws & Claws IPA to bring people together.”

Paws & Claws IPA will debut in late March and is scheduled to hang around through the summer months of 2020. You can expect to find this new Limited Release available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in Alabama, Florida, Colorado and throughout the rest of Avery Brewing Co.’s distribution territory. Prost!

Vital Information for Paws & Claws IPA from Avery Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal/Limited; launching late March 2020
Style – West Coast/East Coast Hybrid India Pale Ale
ABV – 7.5%
IBUs – 50
Hops – Apollo, Simcoe, Centennial & Chinook; Dry-hopped with Simcoe, Centennial, Cascade & Chinook
Malts – Oats, 2-Row & Wheat
Yeast – House yeast strain
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.averybrewing.com/brew-finder