Craft Beer | Mashing In

Allagash Brewing Sets the Mood for Valentine’s Day with Release of I Believe in Love

Posted on February 10, 2020 by mashingin

Allagash Brewing Company (Portland, Maine) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of I Believe in Love in early February 2020.

Surfacing as the newest offering to come out Allagash Brewing’s wild beer cellars, I Believe in Love is a Sour Ale that blends a “tart ale from one of [the brewery’s] oak foudres with fresh raspberries and cranberries.” Coming in at 6% ABV, I Believe in Love is a “stunning ruby” in color, “robustly tart” and boasts a beguiling “fruit-filled flavor” that is sure to make a believer out of all of us.

I Believe in Love is scheduled to release in early February and will hang around for as long as supplies last. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 375ml bottles and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Georgia, Maine and throughout the rest of Allagash Brewing Company’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for I Believe in Love from Allagash Brewing Company

Release – Limited; early February 2020
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 6%
Malts – Local Vienna Malt, Local Oats, Local Pale Malt, Rye, White Wheat & Two-Row Base Blend
Hops – Hallertau
Treatment – Aged on raspberries & cranberries
Availability – 375ml bottles & draft
Beer Finder – http://www.allagash.com/locator/

Funky Buddha Brewery Kicks Off 2020 Mixology Series with Release of Paloma

Posted on February 10, 2020 by mashingin

Funky Buddha Brewery (Oakland Park, Florida) has officially announced that Paloma Tequila Barrel-aged Tart Ale will debut in mid-February as the brewery’s first Mixology Series release of 2020.

Inspired by the popular Mexican cocktail commonly made with tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda, Paloma is a Sour Ale “brewed with agave nectar, aged in reposado tequila barrels, and blended with grapefruit, lime juice, and Florida sea salt.” Coming in at a slow sipping 11% ABV, Paloma makes it as easy as possible for you to enjoy all the flavor and character of “Mexico’s most refreshing highball.”

Paloma released in the Tap Room at Funky Buddha Brewery on February 9 and is scheduled to enter distribution in mid-February. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, and throughout the rest of Funky Buddha’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Paloma from Funky Buddha Brewery

Release – Limited/Mixology Series; February – May 2020
Style – American Sour Ale
ABV – 11%
IBUs – 20
Added Ingredients – Agave nectar, lime juice, grapefruit & sea salt
Treatment – Aged in reposado tequila barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://funkybuddhabrewery.com/beer-finder

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Goes Year-Round with Barrel-aged Narwhal

Posted on February 7, 2020 by mashingin

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. (Chico, California) has officially announced that it will add the once-elusive Barrel-aged Narwhal Imperial Stout to its Year-Round portfolio in late January 2020.

Previously only available as an occasionally released rarity, Barrel-aged Narwhal takes Sierra Nevada’s fan-favorite Narwhal Imperial Stout and ages it for nearly a year in bourbon barrels. Once its rest is completed, Barrel-aged Narwhal “emerges anew: rich with notes of oak, vanilla and coconut layered onto the Stout’s malt flavors of dark chocolate and espresso.” Weighing in at a massive 11.9& ABV, Barrel-aged Narwhal is truly a “beast of a beer.”

Barrel-aged Narwhal officially achieved Year-Round status in late January 2020. You can expect to find this tasty brew available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at craft beer-focused establishments located in Alabama, Florida, California, North Carolina and throughout the rest of Sierra Nevada’s nationwide distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Barrel-aged Narwhal from Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Release – Year-Round; late January 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 11.9%
IBUs – 50
Malts – Two-row Pale, Caramelized malts, Chocolate, Carafa III, Honey & Roasted Barley
Hops – Challenger & Magnum
Treatment – Aged for nearly a year in Bourbon barrels
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://sierranevada.com/beer-locator/

Barrel-aged Narwhal from Sierra Nevada on Vimeo.

Coronado Brewing Sends Shaka Berry Pastry Stout Out for a Limited Release

Posted on February 7, 2020 by mashingin

Coronado Brewing Company (San Diego, California) has officially announced that it will begin the Limited Release of Shaka Berry Pastry Stout on Friday, February 7.

Arriving just in time to add a little sweetness to your Valentine’s Day, Shaka Berry Pastry Stout is an Imperial Milk Stout that “blends tart boysenberries and blackberries with rich cocoa and vanilla bean.” Coming in at 10.5 ABV, Shaka Berry comes together to be a decadent Pastry Stout that is carefully layered with “waves of flavor.”

“We wanted to have fun with a pastry stout that was big and decadent, but not barrel-aged,” says Mark Theisen, Head Brewer, Coronado Brewing Company. “We explored a lot of flavor profiles before landing where we did. The combo of chocolate and fruit work so well together and it really is the perfect beer to crack open for Valentine’s Day.”

“This beer is so big, that in order to hit our ABV goals, we did a double mash for each batch,” says Theisen. “We were basically using double the grist and doing a really long boil to hit our 10.5% ABV.” In addition to the imperial stout base, the brewers added cocoa powder, vanilla beans, lactose, and a blend of blackberries and boysenberries. “This was a challenging beer because we wanted the chocolate and fruit to be in harmony and not compete with each other,” says Theisen. “I get a lot of cocoa up front, then the berries hit you with a slight tartness that cuts through the sweetness of the rich stout base. In the end, its super complex but drinkable, and we encourage fans to enjoy it now!”

Shaka Berry Pastry Stout will debut at all three Coronado Brewing Company locations on February 7 and is scheduled to enter distribution the following week. You can expect to find this Limited Release offering available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-friendly establishments located in North Carolina, California and throughout the rest of Coronado Brewing Company’s distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for Shaka Berry Pastry Stout from Coronado Brewing Company

Release – Limited/Stout Series; February 7, 2020
Style – Imperial Milk Stout
ABV – 10.5%
Added Ingredients – Boysenberry, blackberry, vanilla, cocoa & lactose
Fun Fact – “Shaka Berry Pastry Stout is a limited release in [Coronado Brewing Company’s] new Stout Series, and the first time the company is releasing one of its high-octane stouts in a 16oz can format.”
Suggested Food Pairings – “Wood-Fired BBQ Ribs, Flat Iron Steak, Creme Brulee”
Availability – 4-packs of 16 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://coronadobrewing.com/brew-finder/

Hidden Springs Ale Works Revives In Between Dreams for Bottle Release

Posted on February 6, 2020 by mashingin

Hidden Springs Ale Works (Tampa, Florida) has officially announced that it will hold a Limited Bottle Release for the 2020 batch of In Between Dreams on Saturday, February 8.

Back to “take you on a journey into the depths of your deepest, darkest, most pastry sweet nightmares,” In Between Dreams is a Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with chocolate and hazelnut. Coming in at 12% ABV, In Between Dreams is guaranteed to make a lasting impression that will keep you up at night.

The bottle release for In Between Dreams will take place at Hidden Springs Ale Works (1631 N. Franklin St. | Tampa, Florida) at 11 a.m. on Saturday, February 8. 22 oz. bottles of In Between Dreams will cost $30 each and the brewery will announce the bottle limit 15 minutes prior to opening. Cash is preferred, but cards will be accepted.

A few things to keep in mind if you plan to attend this bottle release:

Parking is available up and down Franklin St. (before the I-275 overpass), on Henderson just west of Tampa, and on 7th Ave. There are also paid lots located across the street from the brewery and under the I-275 overpass. Hidden Springs Ale Works is not responsible for towed vehicles
Once you are in line, make sure that you hug the wall near the door on Henderson so that foot traffic will not be affected on the sidewalks
Above all, please be respectful of the brewery’s neighbors and be sure that you pick up after yourself

In Between Dreams will not see distribution and – just like its debut release in 2019 – is expected to draw a sellout crowd. If you wish to get lost in a bottle of In Between Dreams, make sure that you add this Saturday to your alarm clock schedule and are in line by the final head count. Good luck and sweet dreams. Prost!

Vital Information for In Between Dreams from Hidden Springs Ale Works

Release – Limited; February 8, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 12%
Added Ingredients – Chocolate & hazelnut
Treatment – Barrel-aged
Availability – 22 oz. bottles ($30 per bottle)
Distribution – None. Brewery-only release

HSAWInBetweenArt — Artwork for *In Between Dreams* created by Arielle Katarina Illustration

Big Storm Brewing Co. Sweetens Up Valentine’s Day with Limited Release of Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me

Posted on February 6, 2020 by mashingin

Big Storm Brewing Co. (Clearwater, Florida) has officially announced that it will recognize Valentine’s Day with a Limited Bottle Release featuring Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me Chocolate Cherry Imperial Stout on Saturday, February 8.

Returning as a barrel-aged variant in 2020 to make your Valentine’s Day extra special, this year’s batch of Lie To Me is an Imperial Stout layered with notes of dark chocolate and cherry and then aged in bourbon vanilla barrels. This added step produces an experience that “boasts smooth and decadent dark chocolate cherry and subtle vanilla notes with hints of oak and bourbon.” Coming in at a warming 9.8% ABV, the full-bodied Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me is best enjoyed when shared “with someone you love – or someone who just really loves beer.”

Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me will officially release at 11 a.m. on February 8 at Big Storm’s Pasco, Pinellas and Cape Coral locations. This Limited Release offering will be available as long as supplies last in 750ml bottles and on draft during this release. Big Storm will also have a limited amount of vintage bottles of 2018 and 2019 Lie To Me available for purchase during this event (quantities are limited). Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me is a brewery-only release and is not expected to see distribution. Prost!

Vital Information for Bourbon Vanilla Lie To Me from Big Storm Brewing Co.

Release – Limited; February 8, 2020
Style – Imperial Stout
ABV – 9.8%
Featured Ingredients – Dark chocolate & cherry
Treatment – Aged in bourbon vanilla barrels
Availability – 750ml bottles & draft
Distribution – None. Brewery only

Proof Brewing Co. Sets Date for 2020 Anniversary Celebration

Posted on February 5, 2020 by mashingin

Proof Brewing Co. (1320 South Monroe Street | Tallahassee, Florida) has officially announced that it will celebrate its first full year of brewing and pouring beer at its beautiful 1320 South Monroe location by hosting its 2020 Anniversary Celebration at the brewery from 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, February 8.

There is no better way to celebrate a brewery anniversary than by tapping an abundance of exciting Limited Release beers, and Proof Brewing is doing just that by featuring over 30 beers on tap on February 8. To give you an idea of what to expect, here is a sneak preview of the 2020 Anniversary Celebration taplist:

Whoa Thunderson – Imperial Stout Aged on Maple Syrup, Waffles, & Pecans 13.20%
Lights Out – Imperial Stout Aged On Coconut, Vanilla, Chocolate, & Marshmellow 12.5%
Emerge With Grace – Berliner Weisse with Lactose, Raspberry, Macadamia, & Vanilla
White Oak Dragon Fruit Kissing Giants – Gose with Dragon Fruit & Aged on White Oak Spirals 4.5%
Orange Creamsicle OutWit – Wheat Ale 6%
Lemon Bar Kissing Giants – Gose 4.5%
Oreo Creatures In the Dark – Sweet Stout 7.8%
Green Coffee La La Land – American IPA aged on Green Coffee 7%
Chocolate Peanut Butter Creatures In the Dark – Sweet Stout 7.8%
Carrot Cake Litany of Angels – Belgian Strong Ale 9%
Coconut Macadamia BBA Glass Emperor – Barrel-aged Imperial Stout with Toasted Coconut & Macadamia 12.4%
Boston Crème Pie Mango Wit – Mango Wheat Ale 5.7%
Rolling Heads – Hazy IPA with Cryo Idaho 7, Cryo Lemondrop, & Mosaic hops 7.1%
Coffee Coconut Ghost Totem – Robust Porter 6.5%
Blood Orange Rolling Heads – Hazy IPA with Blood Orange 7.1%
FourFour8 – Hazy Pale Ale 4.5%
Falling Upwards – Hazy IPA with Sabro hops
Featherweight – Low-calorie IPA 4%
Devil Dodger – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Sweet Stout Aged on Coconut, Ancho Chilies, & Chocolate 8%
Hot Cocoa Royal Bloodline – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout aged on Chocolate, Vanilla & Marshmallows 12.5%
Edgefire – Imperial Stout with Chocolate, Marshmallows, and Graham Crackers 13%
Coffee Marshmallow BBA Glass Emperor – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout aged on Single Origin Coffee & Marshmallows 11%
Heath Bar Ghost Totem – Robust Porter With Toffee and Chocolate 6.5%
Peach Apricot Evil Kiss – Fruited Berliner 4.5%

The beery goodness does not stop there as Proof Brewing Co. also plans to open up its cellar for a Vintage Bottle Release featuring the following beers (quantities will be limited, and bottles will be sold on a first come, first served basis at open):

Devil Dodger – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Sweet Stout Aged on Coconut, Ancho Chilies, & Chocolate
Rum Barrel-aged Hooligans Keeper – Rum Barrel-aged “Wee Heavy” Scotch Ale
Bourbon Barrel-aged Hooligan Keeper – Bourbon Barrel-aged “Wee Heavy” Scotch Ale
Red Wine Barrel-aged Litany of Angels – Red Wine Barrel-aged Belgian Strong Ale
Coffee Vanilla Bourbon Barrel-aged Royal Bloodline – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
Coffee Vanilla Hazelnut Bourbon Barrel-aged Glass Emperor – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
`16 Bourbon Barrel-aged Glass Emperor – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
`17 Bourbon Barrel-aged Glass Emperor – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
`18 Bourbon Barrel-aged Glass Emperor – Bourbon Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
`17 Royal Bloodline – Imperial Stout
`18 Royal Bloodline – Imperial Stout

To set the vibe and round out these festivities, the 2020 Anniversary Celebration will also feature live music from local acts – Adam & the Testifiers from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Trial By Stone from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. – and Proper, The Brewpub at Proof Brewing Co, will be “serving up delicious, elevated pub food” to satisfy all your grubbin’ needs.

“It’s hard to believe it’s been a whole year at our new location, let alone brewing since 2012,” said Byron Burroughs, Owner of Proof Brewing Co. “We felt a celebration party should be in order and hope the public will come out and enjoy local live music, amazing beers, and good times!”

The 2020 Anniversary Party at Proof Brewing Co. is a free-to-attend, pay-as-you-go event that is open to the public. The brewery is selling an Anniversary Passport in its online store for $15 (click here to purchase, quantities are limited) and that gets you a commemorative taster glass (pictured below) and three 5 oz. fills of any beer on the menu. The Anniversary Passport is not required, but it is highly recommended that you purchase one if you wish to get your hands on the commemorative glassware.

That just about covers all the information currently available on Proof Brewing Co.’s 2020 Anniversary Celebration. If any more details surface before the event, we will be sure to update you with that info here.

As you can tell from the taplist and details listed above, you are going to be hard-pressed to find a better beer event in Florida this weekend than what is going to go down at Proof Brewing Co.’s 2020 Anniversary Celebration on Saturday. If you are free and anywhere within driving distance to Tallahassee, go ahead and rally your beer drinking crew now so that you all can raise a glass with the folks at Proof Brewing Co. to the last year and the many more ahead. Prost!

Terrapin Beer Co. Gives ReCreationAle a Low-Calorie Makeover

Posted on February 5, 2020 by mashingin

Terrapin Beer Co. (Athens, Georgia) has officially announced that it will release a newly reformulated, low-calorie version of RecreationAle in late February 2020.

Lightened up a bit in appearance, calories and carbs so that Terrapin Beer Co. can join in on the low-calorie movement that is currently taking the beer community by storm, the new RecreationAle is a low-calorie Session India Pale Ale that “still packs in all the *dry hop* flavor and aroma of the original RecreationAle.” Weighing in at just 99 calories and 3.9 grams of carbs per 12 oz. serving, RecreationAle LoCal IPA is the perfect brew to “enjoy after a day on the trail.”

The new RecreationAle will debut in Terrapin’s Athens and Atlanta brewery locations on February 19 and will enter full distribution shortly after that date. You can expect to find this Year-Round offering available in 12-packs of 16 oz. cans, on draft, and in the brewery’s IPA Survival Kit Variety 12-pack of 12 oz. cans at craft beer-friendly retailers, bars and restaurants located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and throughout the rest of Terrapin Beer Co.’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for RecreationAle LoCal IPA from Terrapin Beer Co.

Release – Year-Round; low-calorie version launches late February 2020
Style – Session India Pale Ale
ABV – ???
Calories – 99 (per 12 oz. serving)
Carbs – 3.9 grams (per 12 oz. serving)
Availability – 12-packs of 16 oz. cans, draft & in the IPA Survival Kit Variety 12-pack of 12 oz. cans
Beer Finder – https://www.terrapinbeer.com/beer-finder

New Holland Brewing Co. Caters to Active Lifestyles with Launch of Lightpoint Functional White Ale

Posted on February 4, 2020 by mashingin

New Holland Brewing Company (Holland, Michigan) has officially introduced Lightpoint Functional White Ale as the newest offering to join the brewery’s Year-Round lineup.

Developed to serve as New Holland’s first “active pursuits” beer, Lightpoint is a White Ale featuring coconut water, orange peel and raw honey. Weighing in at just 3.7% ABV, 86 calories and 2 grams of carbs per 12 oz. serving, Lightpoint Functional White Ale is “designed to be enjoyed with friends and community, shared after a hike, bike, run, ski or yoga session and bring a more satisfying and flavorful approach to the apres experience, without the added calories, ABV or carbohydrates.”

“We all look forward to the light point in our day or in our workout,” said Adam Dickerson, New Holland Brand Manager. “Here in West Michigan, the sunset over Lake Michigan symbolizes that moment of rest. After a day of hard work or a lakeshore run, the setting sun provides us with a beautiful moment to breathe it in and re-energize. That’s our Lightpoint.”

Jason Salas, Brewery Operations Manager, said, “We pride ourselves on creating what we deem to be the best tasting craft beer available, from seasonal flavors, to our flagship products. Lightpoint is an exciting next step for the brand, showcasing our desire to ensure that our best moments, with friends and family in the outdoors, are supported by the finest beverage possible, made from premium, delicious ingredients, and pristine Lake Michigan water.”

Lightpoint Functional White Ale is available now at New Holland Brewing’s Tasting Room locations in Michigan and will enter full distribution in March 2020. Once fully released, you will be able to find this new Year-Round offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft in Alabama, Florida, Michigan and throughout the rest of New Holland’s 43-state distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information Lightpoint Functional White Ale from New Holland Brewing Company

Release – Year-Round; distribution begins in March 2020
Style – White Ale
ABV – 3.7%
Calories – 86 (per 12 oz. serving)
Carbs – 2 grams (per 12 oz. serving)
Featured Ingredients – Coconut water, orange peel & raw honey
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans, 12-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.newhollandbrew.com/find-our-beer/

21st Amendment Brewery Honors Peet’s Coffee with Release of 1966 Coffee IPA

Posted on February 4, 2020 by mashingin

21st Amendment Brewery (San Leandro, California) has officially announced that it has released 1966 Coffee IPA, a special collaboration project with Peet’s Coffee, as its first Insurrection Series offering of 2020.

Brewed to recognize the year when “Alfred Peet opened his coffeebar at the corner of Walnut and Vine in Berkeley and changed the way Americans, and the world, thought about coffee,” 1966 Coffee IPA (6.8% ABV) is a West Coast-style India Pale Ale featuring “aromas of fruity blueberries and bright citrus notes from Columbus, Citra, Amarillo, and Centennial hops.” To cover the coffee side of this IPA, Ethiopian Super Natural Coffee from Peet’s Coffee was “incorporated several ways in the brew, including ‘dry-hopping’ with whole beans,” to provide “[accents] of rich coffee . . . balanced with malt structure and defined bitterness all giving this West Coast IPA a phenomenal flavor profile.”

“Rather than the traditional dark beer with coffee, we wanted to have fun with the melding of hops and coffee, paying attention to the coffee varietal and manipulating the roast level to nudge the subtle flavors from the bean for an incredibly unique IPA,” says Shaun O’Sullivan (Co-Founder and Brewmaster, 21st Amendment). “Working closely with Peet’s Roastmaster, Doug Welsh, we settled in on Peet’s Ethiopian Super Natural with its lemon, bergamot, and blueberry characteristics perfectly complementing the hop flavors.”

“Don’t expect dark roast,” said Doug Welsh (Roastmaster, Peet’s Coffee). “We iterated every roast style imaginable, with a target profile of maltiness – matching the beer – a kaleidoscope of floral aromatics and the piquant acidity and glacé citron of exceptional Ethiopia. Hops, meet your coffee cousin.”

1966 Coffee IPA is rolling out now and will hang around for a limited time. You can expect to find this new Limited Release offering available in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans and on draft at select craft beer-focused establishments located in Florida, California and throughout the rest of 21st Amendment’s 28 state distribution footprint. Prost!

Vital Information for 1966 Coffee IPA from 21st Amendment Brewery & Peet’s Coffee

Release – Limited/Insurrection Series; launching late January 2020
Style – American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.8%
IBUs – 50
Hops – Flavor hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Citra & Centennial | Dry hops: Amarillo & Centennial
Malts – Pale Malt, Munich Light & White Wheat
Added Ingredients – Ethiopian Super Natural whole coffee beans from Peet’s Coffee
Availability – 6-packs of 12 oz. cans & draft
Beer Finder – https://www.21st-amendment.com/find-some