craft lager

Take a stroll through just about any grocery store in America between late August and early November and the pervasiveness of pumpkin-flavored everything becomes apparent. There’s pumpkin spice coffee and tea, bagels, muffins and chips, air fresheners and candles—and that’s only a slice of the pumpkin pie-flavored market. Do a 360-degree spin in a beer store and the shelves and displays of pumpkin pie-inspired beer, imperial pumpkin ales, pumpkin stouts and porters and even shandies and ciders, all point to one thing: America loves pumpkin.

Of course, the question of whether we the people love pumpkin has never really been a question at all.

“The pumpkin thing is as American as apple pie. Pumpkin pie? Come on, that’s as American as you can possibly get,” says Bill Owens, founder of Buffalo Bill’s Brewery in Hayward, CA, and brewer of the first commercial pumpkin beer in the country. “When you have something that’s so culturally deep, everybody loves it.” Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale was first brewed in 1985.

And in terms of beloved pumpkin spice-flavored foods, pumpkin beer is right up there with the Pumpkin Spice Latte. In the last 25 years or so, pumpkin beer has gone from an experimental specialty beer made by a handful of brewers to a seasonal phenomenon and a major force in the craft beer market. Its reign as seasonal beer king grows more extensive every year as pumpkin beer seeps into summer and arrives on shelves in the middle of July into August, to the ire of summer drinkers and the delight of eager pumpkin beer fans.

Pumpkin’s roots do run culturally deep, but the pumpkin itself was not always so glorified. Rather, it was respected as a utilitarian food source, explains Cindy Ott, author of the book Pumpkin: The Curious History of an American Icon.

“Pumpkin ale was not something that was treasured in any way, shape or form,” she says. “In the early Colonial era, pumpkin was cheap and prolific and grew like a weed. When there was no wheat for bread or sugar for cake or barley for beer, they could substitute the prolific pumpkin.”

Thus, pumpkins became known as a “last-resort” food and a crop that was associated with hard times—which is what helped fuel its climb to American icon. As Americans moved into cities in the early 19th century and the distance from their agrarian roots grew greater, their nostalgia for simpler times was projected onto the pumpkin, Ott argues. Other better-tasting squashes had greater market value and were incorporated into daily meals much like they are today, while the poorer-tasting pumpkin was left behind in the fields and often used as livestock fodder. The pumpkin became intertwined with ideas and associations greater than itself, of an old-fashioned way of life on the small family farm, nostalgia and tradition.

“Those ideas, about last resort and hard times and, ‘Throw the pumpkin in and take care of yourself and your family on your small plot of land,’ became symbols and stories of American survival,” says Ott. “It’s these kind of associations that people are buying, and the associations are really positive and affirming.”

We might not be consciously aching for our agrarian roots today, but the ideas surrounding the pumpkin are still overwhelmingly pleasing—images of rustic pumpkin patches with red barns and hay rides, toothy, glowing jack-o’-lanterns perched on stoops and a slice of pumpkin pie with a scoop of ice cream on top after a hearty Thanksgiving meal.

Seasonal Spice
While our associations with pumpkins may have changed, the pumpkin itself and its earthy, squashy, borderline bland flavor has not.

Enter the aromatic flavorings of pumpkin pie spices: cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice and nutmeg. This spice dream team has retained the positive associations of pumpkin, the harvest and changing seasons, while casting off the pumpkin itself. Take, for example, Starbucks’ enormously popular Pumpkin Spice Latte, which has become the poster child for the pumpkin craze of late and is not made with any real pumpkin.

It is the same conundrum that “Buffalo Bill” Owens ran into when he brewed the first pumpkin beer in 1985. Owens was inspired after reading about how George Washington brewed pumpkin beer, so he grew his own pumpkin, brought it down to the brewery, chopped it up, baked it in the pizza oven and added it to the mash tun, where the malt is mixed with hot water to convert complex starches into fermentable simple sugars.

There was just one issue with the beer, Owens says: “The only problem I had was at the very end was there was no pumpkin flavor whatsoever because you’re taking a starch, the gourd, converting it to sugar, fermenting the sugar, adding hops and then fermenting, so any flavor from the pumpkin is stripped away.”

To solve the problem, Owens walked over to his local market, bought a can of pumpkin pie spices, percolated it so he had a quart of pumpkin-flavored water, which he added that to the beer and then carbonated and bottled it.

“I was very proud of my secret ingredient, which came out of a can from the supermarket,” says Owens.

And voilà—the Buffalo Bill’s Pumpkin Ale was born.

Taken from an article written by By Heather Vandenengel for All About Beer Magazine – Complete Article

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Kihei, Hawaii – Perfect for picnics, camping, or backyard barbeques, Maui Brewing announces the addition of convenient Maui Brewing 12 packs  to its year-round offerings. Two flagship beers, Bikini Blonde Lager and Big Swell IPA, are now available along with Sunshine Girl Golden Ale. The introduction of these single brand 12-packs follow the successful 2018 launch of MBC’s Variety Pack which features three cans each of Bikini Blonde, Big Swell, Pau Hana Pilsner, and Pineapple Mana Wheat.
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Most craft beer lovers are familiar with Bikini Blonde Lager, a 4.8% ABV Munich-style Helles, the official craft beer of Hawaiian Airlines and Maui Brewing’s best-selling style. Big Swell IPA offers a big burst of tropical citrus hops at 6.8% ABV. The newer Sunshine Girl is a sessionable Golden Ale, light and refreshing at 4.6% ABV.

A 2020 line extension of MBC, Maui Hard Seltzer is also offering a Mix 12-pack. The spiked sparkling water with a hint of natural flavors have an ABV of 5%. The Mix Pack includes three cans of each flavor offering: Citrus, Dragon Fruit, POG, and new release flavor Acai.
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Key retail accounts include Whole Foods, Safeway, Foodland, Tamura’s, and Costco among others. The Maui Brewing 12 packs are available to retailers through the brand’s wholesale partner, Paradise Beverages, and can also be found at Maui Brewing Company’s restaurant locations on Maui. While the initial focus will center upon meeting demand in the local Hawaii market, MBC looks forward to expanding footprint-wide distribution to its mainland markets in the near future.

MBC is a fiercely local company and has remained steadfast regarding local production. The MBC team are stewards of their communities and the ‘aina, and curators of the craft beer way of life. Their beers have been recognized worldwide for quality and innovation.  For more information, visit MauiBrewing.com.

About Maui Brewing Company
Founded in 2005, Maui Brewing Company is Hawaii’s largest craft brewery, operating 100% in Hawaii. MBC is based on Maui, with its production brewery, full service restaurant and tasting room in Kihei, as well as restaurants in Lahaina (Maui), Kailua (Oahu), and Waikiki (Oahu). Maui Brewing Company is available in 20 states, 1 district, and 3 international countries with more areas to follow.

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Guelph, Ontario – While we may not be able to go to beer festivals this year, Wellington Brewery has created the next best way to share some craft beer with your family and friends. Welly Can Land is a custom-designed craft beer board game that combines beer trivia with some great tasting small-batch beers, a healthy dose of competition, and a bit of luck.

The unique craft beer inspired board game can be enjoyed by 2-6 players and comes with everything you’ll need to play as well as glassware and a lineup of 12 unique beers to try as part of the gameplay. The first person to cross the finish line wins 2 tokens which can be redeemed at next year’s Welly Cask Fest.

Welly Can Land features 4 local collaboration beers that are exclusively available as part of the game, the Rising Tide Collaboration Mix Pack which includes 4 province-wide collaborations, and 4 year-round Welly staples. Here’s the beer lineup:

Local Collaborations
Wellington x Elora – Festbier (5.8%)
Wellington x Block Three – Hazy American Pale Ale (4.6%)
Wellington x Red Circle – American Brown Ale with Coffee (5.7%)
Wellington x Guelph.Beer – Dry Hopped Saison (4.5%)

Rising Tide Collaborations
Wellington x Great Lakes – West Coast Pale Ale (5.8%)
Wellington x Muskoka – Coffee Cream Ale (5.0%)
Wellington x Cameron’s – Kveik IPA (6.3%)
Wellington x Nickel Brook – Dry-Hopped Sour with Blueberry and Pear (4.8%)

Welly Core Brands
Wellington Upside IPA (6.8%)
Wellington Helles Lager (4.5%)
Wellington Special Pale Ale (4.5%)
Wellington County Brown Ale (5.0%)

Each Welly Can Land Box includes:
8 Collaboration Beers and 4 Year-Round Wellington Favourites → 12x473ml pack includes 1 of each, 24x473ml pack includes 2 of each!
Welly Can Land Game (Gameboard, Trivia & Chance Cards, 1 Die)
2 Welly Cask Fest sample glasses
2 Welly Cask Fest Tokens (for next year!)
1 Welly Can Land die-cut sticker

Welly Can Land is available while supplies last from the Welly Walk-up Window at the brewery and shipping across Ontario from their online store. The Welly Can Land 12-Pack version is $50 (including tax & deposit) and the 24-pack version is $95 (including tax & deposit).

Wellington Brewery
Since 1985, we’ve been crafting our award-winning beers with a focus on quality, consistency, creativity, and balance. As one of Canada’s original craft brewers, we are independently owned and deeply rooted in our local community of Guelph, Ontario. We believe in creating delicious and well-balanced craft beers that bring people together. Join us and Try A Welly On! www.wellingtonbrewery.ca

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The 2020 North Carolina Brewers Cup is the largest craft beer competition of North Carolina. ALL North Carolina commercial brewers are invited to participate in this BJCP sanctioned beer competition, sponsored by Pro Refrigeration, Inc. and ABS Commercial, and administered by the North Carolina Craft Brewers Guild.

Best in Show
Gold – Copperline Amber Ale – Carolina Brewery
Silver – Ponder Lager – Thirsty Monk Brewery
Bronze – Foothills Brewing – Dead & Berried Blackberry Imperial Stout
Fourth – No.10 American Light Lager – Brown Truck Brewery

Session IPA
Gold – Driveway Sesh – Cabarrus Brewing Company
Silver – HopJob Session IPA – Foothills Brewing
Bronze – Casual Sesh – Little Brother Brewing

American Lager
Gold – No.10 American Light Lager – Brown Truck Brewery
Silver – Pre Game – The Unknown Brewing Company
Bronze – Baller Beer – Cabarrus Brewing Company

Light American Hybrid
Gold – Euchre Golden Ale – Lost Worlds Brewing
Silver – Over The Moon – Vecino Brewing Company
Bronze – Emmer American Wheat – Lost Worlds Brewing

Alternative Fermentation
Gold – Sky Blue Kolsch – Carolina Brewery
Silver – Kolsch Ale – Oaklyn Springs Brewery
Bronze – Kommunity – Devil’s Logic Brewing
Fourth – Fly Kid Kolsch – Middle James Brewing

International Lager
Gold – Ponder Lager – Thirsty Monk Brewery
Silver – Penguin Pils – Legion Brewing

International Pilsner
Gold – Oaklyn Springs Brewery Pils – Oaklyn Springs Brewery
Silver – Ledermolesen – Mad Mole Brewing
Bronze – Czech Pilsner – Carolina Brewery

Malty European Lager
Gold – Stinnes Helles Lager – Lost Worlds Brewing
Silver – Bock to the Future – Clouds Brewing
Bronze – Slow Chill Munich Helles – Oskar Blues Brewery
Fourth – Depot Maypole Maibock – Craftboro Brewing

European Amber Lager
Gold – Holographic Dreamscape – Town Brewing Company
Silver – Bobby Beer – Oklawaha Brewing Company
Bronze – #DADGAMESTRONG – Cabarrus Brewing Company

Dark European Lager
Gold – Cold Weather Gear – Cavendish Brewing Company
Silver – ‘Goat’ Bullock Bock – Bull City Burger and Brewery
Bronze – Merganser – Bill’s Brewing Co.
Fourth – Doppelbock – Oaklyn Springs Brewery

European Wheat Beer
Gold – Civil Rest – Little Brother Brewing
Silver – Hedrick’s – Four Saints Brewing Company
Bronze – Weizenbahn – Sidetracked Brewery
Fourth – Bock To Work – Bombshell Beer Company

Pale British Beer & Bitter
Gold – Copperline Amber Ale – Carolina Brewery
Silver – English IPA – Makai Brewing Company
Bronze – Emotional Support Badger – Town Brewing Company

Porter & British Brown
Gold – Bryant’s Brown Ale – Tarboro Brewing Company
Silver – Boar Brown – Pig Pounder Brewery
Bronze – Roundhouse Robust Porter – New Sarum Brewing Company
Fourth – Ninja Porter – Asheville Brewing

Scottish & Irish Beer
Gold – Scottish Ale – Ponysaurus Brewing
Silver – Lady In Red – Bombshell Beer Company
Bronze – Nac Mac Feegle – Triskelion Brewing Company

Stout
Gold – Absolute Block – Sidetracked Brewery
Silver – Mongo – Ecusta Brewing Company
Bronze – Barrel Aged Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout – Foothills Brewing

Strong Ale
Gold – The Voyager – Archetype Brewing
Silver – Baby Leif – The Glass Jug Beer Lab
Bronze – Belgian Dubbel – Pilot Brewing Company

American Amber & Brown Ale
Gold – Potter’s Clay – Four Saints Brewing
Silver – Lazy Bird Brown Ale – Birdsong Brewing Company
Bronze – Mole Dancer – Mad Mole Brewing Mole
Fourth – Oaklyn Springs Brewery Amber Ale – Oaklyn Springs Brewery

American Pale Ale
Gold – Humidity – Fullsteam Brewery
Silver – Palm Tree Island – Wilmington Brewing Company
Bronze – Spaceman Pale Ale – Innovation Brewing

American IPA
Gold – Reflection IPA – Radar Brewing Company
Silver – Funny Like I’m A Clown – Southern Range Brewing
Bronze – Wave Break – Bill’s Brewing Co.
Fourth – Modern Transparency – The Glass Jug Beer Lab

Speciality IPA
Gold – Black IPA – French Broad River Brewery
Silver – Soulvation IPA – Innovation Brewing
Bronze – THE VAPORS – New Anthem Beer Project

New England / Hazy IPA
Gold – Party In The Back – Bill’s Brewing Co.
Silver – Label Fiasco – Wilmington Brewing Company
Bronze – Reptar Juice – Twenty-Six Acres Brewing Co.

Double IPA
Gold – CLAPBACK – New Anthem Beer Project
Silver – Concern Hubris – Lynnwood Brewing
Bronze – Haziversary – Oklawaha Brewing Company

Belgian & French Ale
Gold – Abby Blonde – Thirsty Monk Brewery
Silver – Marilyn MonMole – Mad Mole Brewing
Bronze – Walk The Earth, No. 5 – Archetype Brewing

European Sour Ale
Gold – Trier Berliner Weisse – Lost Worlds Brewing
Silver – Elara – Legion Brewing Co

Historical Beer
Gold – Divine Barrel Brewing – The Big Lubelski
Silver – Key Lime Gose – Makai Brewing Company

Brett, Mixed, & Wild Ale
Gold – The Era is Now – DSSOLVR
Silver – SHE JUST DANCED AWAY – New Anthem Beer Project
Bronze – Whistleblower – Sidetracked Brewery
Fourth – Woodshed Blend #2 – Thirsty Monk Brewery

Fruit Beer
Gold – Ocean Potion – Pitt Street Brewing
Silver – Tainted Valkyrie – Triskelion Brewing Company
Bronze – The Limest Thing We Have – Divine Barrel Brewing
Fourth – Javaberry Cream Stout – Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Specialty Fruit and Fruit & Spice
Gold – Company Tart Pop – Trophy Brewing
Silver – Peach – Divine Barrel Brewing
Bronze – Habanero Lime Wheat Pig – Pig Pounder Brewery

Spice, Herb or Vegetable Beer
Gold – Southern Basil – Fullsteam Brewery
Silver – Dulce Muerte w/Coconut – Incendiary Brewing Company
Bronze – Jalapeno Pale Ale – Birdsong Brewing Company

Wood-Aged Beer
Gold – Dead & Berried Blackberry Imperial Stout – Foothills Brewing
Silver – Maple Bourbon – Twenty-Six Acres Brewing
Bronze – Torn Paper Leaves: Brazilian Oak – Haw River Farmhouse Ales

Smoked Beer
Gold – Temporal Justice – Vecino Brewing Company
Silver – Paloma Pig – Pig Pounder Brewery
Bronze – The Big Slow – Little Brother Brewing

Specialty Beer
Gold – Dark Side of the Tart: Raspberry – Dry Falls Brewing
Silver – Ready To Rye’d Lager – Gypsy Road Brewing
Bronze – Whitewall Wheat – Crank Arm Brewing
Fourth – Ocracoke Jam Box – 1718 Brewing

NC Home-Grown Beer
Gold – Brown Paper Bag – Legion Brewing Co
Silver – OK Lunch – Southern Strain Brewing
Bronze – Quest for the Mole Grail – Little Brother Brewing

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