Full Sail Brewing Co. | Mashing In

Full Sail Brewing Co. Enters Summer with Release of Session Watermelon Wheat Ale

Posted on May 18, 2017May 18, 2017 by mashingin

Full Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) has officially introduced Session Watermelon Wheat Ale as a spring to summer Seasonal release from the brewery’s Session brand.

To allow the noble watermelon a reprieve from the business ends of sledgehammers, Full Sail Brewing is giving this tasty melon the respect it deserves by infusing it into “a crisp, refreshing beer that smells and tastes like a slice of summer.” Session Watermelon Wheat Ale begins with a malt base of 2-row Northwest Pale, Malted Wheat, and Unmalted Wheat that is then balanced by additions of Hallertauer and Crystal hops. The resulting American Wheat Ale is then supplied with “a hint of fresh watermelon flavor” to create “a refreshing brew for the blue-sky days of spring and summer drinking.”

“Spring is here, with summer soon to follow,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “While the availability of beer knows no season, watermelon of course is another thing. Beer and watermelon, two quintessential summer pleasures, are paired here in Session Watermelon Wheat.”

Session Watermelon Wheat Ale is available now and will be hanging around through the month of August. This Seasonal release can be found in 12-packs of 11 oz. bottles, the summer edition of Session Mashup variety 12-packs, and on draft at craft beer-friendly establishments located in Florida, Georgia, Oregon and throughout the rest of Full Sail’s distribution area. Prost!

Vital Information for Session Watermelon Wheat Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, May through August 2017
Style – American Wheat Ale
ABV – 5.4%
IBUs – 23
Malts – 2-row Northwest Pale, Malted Wheat & Unmalted Wheat
Hops – Hallertauer & Crystal
Added Ingredients – Watermelon
Availability – 12-packs of 11 oz. bottles, Session Mashup variety 12-pack (summer edition) & draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/

Full Sail Brewing Co. Set for Limited Release of Kentucky Cream Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale

Posted on May 11, 2017May 11, 2017 by mashingin

Full Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) recently announced that they will recognize American Craft Beer Week (May 15 – 21) with the limited release of Kentucky Cream Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale.

To create this homage to the classic flavors and ingredients of American bourbon, the brewers at Full Sail brewed the base beer for Kentucky Cream Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale back in February of 2016. This special brew was then aged for over a year in Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, and Old Forester barrels so that it may soak up as much oak and bourbon character as possible. This all results in a unique, 10% ABV Pale Ale that is packed with “aromas of ripe cherries, vanilla and tobacco leaf and oak that lead to flavors of caramel, honey and dried fruit.”

“We looked to bourbon, the whiskey that made Kentucky famous, for this latest barrel aged release,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “Deconstructing this American classic, the grains most often used for bourbon (in this case corn, barley, and rye) were incorporated into a pale ale, racked post-ferment into bourbon barrels, and left to rest for one year.”

Kentucky Cream Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale is an extremely limited release that will become available “this May just in time for American Craft Beer Week.” This offering will be available in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Florida, Oregon and within the rest of Full Sail Brewing Co.’s distribution area. The limited quantity of Kentucky Cream Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale is sure to disappear with a quickness, so be sure to snag your bottle or pour if you find yourself lucky enough to happen upon it. Prost!

Vital Information for Kentucky Cream Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Barrel Aged Series, mid-May 2017
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 10%
IBUs – 40
Treatment – Aged for over a year in Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Woodford Reserve Double Oaked Bourbon, & Old Forester barrels
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/

Full Sail Brewing Co. Adds OPA to Brewmaster Reserve Series

Posted on April 10, 2017 by mashingin

Full Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) has officially released OPA – Oatmeal Pale Ale as the newest installment in the brewery’s Brewmaster Reserve series.

The Brewmaster Reserve, a series that allows Full Sail Brewing’s “brewmasters to put their creativity, innovation and passion into small, limited-release beers”, has now set its sights on warm weather drinking with the release of OPA. Thanks to a good amount of Mosaic and Simcoe hops, this Oatmeal Pale Ale promises to be “high on hop aromatics . . . and packed with tropical fruit aromas.” The malt bill then reinforces these notes with a balancing sweetness level and a silken texture supplied by the oats. At 6.6% ABV and 32 IBUs, OPA is a refreshing offering that can be enjoyed on its own or with a “diverse range of foods.”

“OPA is a brew staff favorite,” says Full Sail Brewing Supervisor Greg Doss. “The vision for this beer was to marry the silky mouthfeel provided by oats with aromas from tropical hop varietals. A healthy portion of oats along with pale and crystal malts create a balanced base which is nicely complemented by Mosaic and Simcoe hops. Modest bitterness and a smooth body make this a very drinkable beer.”

OPA is available now and will be around throughout the month of August. This limited release can be found in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments located in Florida, Oregon, and throughout the rest of Full Sail’s distribution network. Be sure to check this one out while you can. Prost!

Vital Information for OPA – Oatmeal Pale Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Brewmaster Reserve, late-March to August 2017
Style – American Pale Ale
ABV – 6.6%
IBUs – 32
Malts – Pale, Crystal & Oats
Featured Hops – Mosaic & Simcoe
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/
Suggested Food Pairings – “OPA pairs well with a diverse range of foods. OPA’s hop level, along with the tropical fruit finish, will pair very well with any spicy or curry dish. Its light body and quick finish will pair nicely with light dishes such as grilled whitefish or Caesar salad, but it’s bold enough to stand with a cheeseburger and fries.” Mild cheeses like Bulgarian feta, Swiss, Monterey, and triple crème brie would be a great accompaniment to OPA as well.”

Full Sail Brewing Co. Introduces Session Black Cherry Black Lager

Posted on February 3, 2017 by mashingin

Full Sail Brewing Company (Hood River, Oregon) recently expanded their Session Series with the Seasonal release of Session Black Cherry Black Lager.

The folks at Full Sail Brewing decided to enter 2017 by providing lager lovers with a fun, new twist on their Session Black Lager. Just as the name implies, Session Black Cherry Black Lager is basically Session Black Lager’s recipe infused “with a dash of dark cherry flavor.” With this simple tweak, the beer takes on a new identity as a garnet colored lager boasting “aromas of cocoa and cherry with a subtle floral essence . . . [and] a full palate of bittersweet chocolate and sweet cherry taste.” Just like the original, the 5.4% ABV Session Black Cherry Black Lager is “still short, dark and drinkable.”

“This new Session is Session Black with a cherry on top – actually, it’s more like a cherry cordial without the brandy,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “The aroma and flavor of cherry complements the smooth chocolate character of this dark lager. Brewed with Pale, Caramel, Munich and Chocolate malts, this is an easy-drinking wintertime beer. It’s not too heavy with just the right amount of cherry.”

Session Black Cherry Black Lager officially released in mid-January and will be hanging around through April 2017. This Seasonal release is available in 12 packs of 11 oz. bottles, in the Session Mashup variety 12-pack of 11 oz. bottles and on draft. If you have been craving some lager refreshment lately, look for this one on shelves and taps in Florida and throughout the rest of Full Sail Brewing Company’s distribution network. Prost!

Vital Information for Session Black Cherry Black Lager from Full Sail Brewing Company

Release – Seasonal/Session Series, mid-January through April 2017
Style – Schwarzbier
ABV – 5.4%
IBUs – 22
Malts – Pale, Caramel, Munich & Chocolate
Added Ingredients – Black Cherry
Availability – 12-packs of 11 oz. bottles, in the Session Mashup variety 12-pack of 11 oz. bottles & on draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/

Full Sail Brewing Releases Session Fest as a Holiday Seasonal

Posted on December 9, 2016December 9, 2016 by mashingin

Full Sail Brewing Company (Hood River, Oregon) recently released Session Fest Czech-style Strong Lager as a special holiday offering from their Session brand.

Created as a much different take on the Holiday Ale/Winter Warmer, the annual favorite, gold medal-winning Session Fest officially returns as a pretty unique, lager option during the holiday season. Drawing inspiration from Czech brewing styles, the brewers at Full Sail created Session Fest as a Polotmavé – a Strong Lager style that means “‘light dark or semi-dark.” A recipe boasting four malts and two hop varietals yields a lager that “has a medium-to-full body, balancing candy caramel and full malt flavors that are underscored by a spicy hoppiness that provides a nice perfume with citrus and pine overtones and a long clean finish.” The finished Session Fest weighs in at 6.2% ABV and 26 IBUs.

“When we decided to brew a special Session for the holidays, we knew right away what color it had to be: Red (and full-bodied),” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter. “Next, we considered what kind of head it should have. Bright white was the obvious answer. And as for the label? Gotta be green, right? So there you have it. A Session all decked out for holidays, ready to spread joy and cheer. Happy Holidays to one and all! And have a good Session.”

Session Fest is available now as a seasonal release that will hang around through December. You can find this offering in 12-packs of stubby 11 oz. bottles and on draft in Florida and throughout the rest of Full Sail Brewing Co.’s distribution footprint. This brew will not be out for much longer, so keep an eye out for this one on your next beer run. Prost!

Vital Information for Session Fest from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, December 2016
Style – Czech-style Strong Lager (Polotmavé)
ABV – 6.2%
IBUs – 26
Malts – 2 Row Pale, Munich, Caramel & Wheat
Hops – Glacier & Cascade
Availability – 12-packs of 12 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/
Fun Fact – About the Session brand: “When Full Sail launched the Session brand over 10 years ago, it quickly became the hottest new craft-beer brand on the market, which has since brought home 100 medals, including 40 golds. Session’s not a micro, a macro, or an import, but in a way it’s a little bit of each. You see, virtually everyone who likes beer likes Session. It’s a brand that’s accessible without being ordinary. Totally drinkable, but never at the expense of character.”

Full Sail Brewing Observes the Winter Solstice with Shortest Day CDA

Posted on November 29, 2016 by mashingin

In recognition of the year’s shortest day and longest night, Full Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) has officially released Shortest Day Cascadian Dark Ale as their latest limited release offering.

As the winter solstice looms over us, Full Sail Brewing has brewed up Shortest Day Cascadian Dark Ale (CDA) to be as dark as the long nights of winter seem. Arriving as the latest offering to come out of the brewery’s Brewmaster Reserve, this CDA – a style also known as the Black India Pale Ale – has been brewed with a recipe boasting three malts (2-Row Pale, Crystal, and de-husked Chocolate malts) and three varietals of tropical and citrus hops (Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra hops). These ingredients come together to create a beer that “pours a deep dark black with a lacy tan head, with aromas of dark roasty malt and hints of tropical and citrus fruit.” Quick to make an impression with the craft beer community, Shortest Day CDA has already won a gold medal at this year’s Great International Beer & Cider Competition.

“Shortest Day CDA offers bold flavor with excellent balance,” says Full Sail Executive Brewmaster Jamie Emmerson. “De-husked chocolate malt imparts dark chocolate flavor while crystal adds depth and complexity. Generous additions of Mosaic, Simcoe and Citra hops lend flavors of fruit and sweet floral notes.”

Brewed in small batches, Shortest Day CDA is a limited release offering available from November 2016 through February 2017. You can find this beer in 22 oz. bottles and on draft at select craft beer establishments in Florida and throughout the rest of Full Sail’s distribution network. Get your bottles when you can so that you may properly enjoy a long, winter’s night with a Shortest Day CDA in hand. Prost!

Vital Information for Shortest Day Cascadian Dark Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Limited/Brewmaster Reserve Series, November 2016 through February 2017
Style – Cascadian Dark Ale/Black India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.6%
IBUs – 57
Malts – 2-Row Pale, Crystal & de-husked Chocolate
Hops – Mosaic, Simcoe & Citra
Availability – 22 oz. bottles & draft
Beer Finder – https://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/
Fun Fact – The hand-drawn artwork by Portland-based TWEEQiM creativeLab’s MiQ Willmott on all of Full Sail’s recently rebranded packaging pays homage to Hood River’s water sources, bounty of fresh ingredients, and of course, the award-winning taste in each and every bottle. Shortest Day CDA’s label design does all this and more. Willmott’s meticulous design features the Green Man—known in lore as the mascot of the winter solstice—fashioned from hops, celebrating the darkness of night and rebirth, as days begin getting longer again. “The Green Man’s crescent-moon smile reflects on the river,” says Willmott. “And the white stars represent the ‘winter circle,’ the phenomenon of stars that appear only on the winter solstice. Even the Big Dipper gets a cameo.”

Full Sail Brewing Co. Releases Wreck the Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale

Posted on October 21, 2016November 25, 2016 by mashingin

Full Sail Brewing Co. (Hood River, Oregon) announced this week that Wreck the Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale has been officially released as the latest offering in the brewery’s Brewmaster Reserve Series.

The annual, fan-favorite Wreck the Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale has made its official 2016 return, and this time around it has been released as a part of Full Sail Brewing Co.’s new Brewmaster Reserve 6-Pack Series, a special series that “allows the brewmasters to put their creativity, innovation and passion into small, limited-release beers.” This offering is a hybrid that combines the malty aspects of a Winter Warmer with the bold hoppy character of an American India Pale Ale. This combination results in a beer that boasts “elegant citrus notes balanced by a backdrop of a rich caramel malt body, dry hopped to amplify the aromas and flavor.” The finished brew weighs in at 6.5% ABV and 68 IBUs.

“Wreck the Halls is an integral part of our diverse lineup of holiday beers, which includes both ales and lagers, and is our way of celebrating the holidays, our independence, and creativity,” says Full Sail Brewmaster Jim Kelter.

Wreck the Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale is available now as a limited release in 6-packs of 12 oz. bottles and on draft. You can find this offering at craft beer-friendly establishments in Florida and throughout Full Sail Brewing’s distribution area. You might as well get a jump on the holidays now by getting a little festive with Wreck the Halls whenever you see it. Prost!

Vital Information on Wreck the Halls Hoppy Holiday Ale from Full Sail Brewing Co.

Release – Seasonal, Brewmaster Reserve Series; October – December 2016
Style – Hybrid of Winter Warmer & American India Pale Ale
ABV – 6.5%
IBUs – 68
Hops – Cascade & Centennial
Food Pairings – “Wreck’s slight caramel maltiness pairs nicely with Rogue Oregonzola, pepper jack and stronger aged cheeses like farmhouse cheddars, Stiltons, Roquefort, super aged Gouda, or Vacherin Mont D’Or. Flavors that are capsaicin like chili and Thai foods. Spice-forward desserts on the sweeter side like spiced rum cake and spiced sticky toffee pudding pair very well with Wreck the Halls.”
Beer Finder – http://fullsailbrewing.com/where-to-buy/