Archives for August 2018

Boulder, Colo. • August 29, 2018—To educate beer lovers about the craft brewing community and what it means to be independent, the Brewers Association—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent craft brewers—is launching a new national awareness campaign, “That’s Independence You’re Tasting.” This integrated advertising campaign is part of the Brewers Association’s ongoing efforts to distinguish and promote America’s small and independent craft brewers.The videos will be presented across a variety of media platforms.

“That’s Independence You’re Tasting” takes a proud and positive tone, focusing on independence and choice—both key tenets of craft brewing culture—and tells the story of the country’s more than 6,600 independent craft brewers. These hard-working women and men are entrepreneurs, innovators, collaborators, risk takers and underdogs who advance the beverage of beer.

Independent craft brewers are a success story for American industry,” said Bob Pease, president & CEO, Brewers Association. “Each of the over 6,600 U.S. craft breweries is a unique contributor to its community and should be celebrated. As a national campaign, ‘That’s Independence You’re Tasting’ generates awareness beyond any one individual brewery or beer and touches the spirit of independence that is a core American value. We are proud to be able to do for all our BA members what would be extremely difficult for them to do individually. Together we are united in independence.”

The initial phase of the awareness campaign launched in June 2017 with the introduction of the independent craft brewer seal. Featuring an iconic beer bottle shape flipped upside down, the seal indicates that a brewery is certified to be independently owned. The seal has been adopted by more than 3,700 craft brewing companies—representing more than 80 percent of the volume of craft brewed beer.

“‘That’s Independence You’re Tasting’ is designed to keep independent craft brewers and their beers top of mind. Our hope is that after being exposed to these stories, beer lovers are moved to support independent breweries and seek the seal when making their beer purchases,” added Pease. “By choosing a beer that has the independent craft brewer seal, the beer drinker knows that they are supporting a brewery with ties to the community.”

The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 4,800-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup^®, Great American BeerFestival^®, Craft Brewers Conference^® & BrewExpo America^®, SAVOR^TM: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew Con^TM, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week^®. The BA publishes The New Brewer^® magazine, and Brewers Publications^TM is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com^® and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association^® and the free Brew Guru^® mobile app. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — UpCountry Brewing has released three new beers within the last two weeks alone. The brewery, with eighteen of its own beers on tap, is channeling its creativity with different beer recipes and styles for taproom visitors to enjoy.

The three new beers with descriptions are listed below.

Simple Man Table Bier

This opaque, yeast-forward beer is a perfect palate cleanser, providing refreshing notes of lemon curd and pepper followed by a nice wheat backbone. Simple, yet satisfying. Extra points if you can guess the name reference! 4.0% ABV, 12 IBU.

Another Case of Brutality

Make way, there’s a new champagne of beers. This Brut IPA is bone dry and showcases fruity hop notes from Amarillo, Mandarina Bavaria, and Mosaic varieties while keeping the bitterness low. So throw on your tuxedo T-shirt and celebrate with this bubbly concoction! 7.1% ABV, 20 IBU.

Bob’s Berliner Weiss

This effervescent, tart beer is perfect for these hot and humid summer days. Coming in at 4.2% ABV, the light body and acidic finish is refreshing to the palate. Go the extra mile and try it with one of our four house-made syrups in traditional German fashion. Our syrups include Blueberry Thyme, Lemon Ginger, Honey Ginger, and Grapefruit Rosemary recipes. 4.2% ABV, 10 IBU.

These three beer releases are just a taste of what UpCountry Brewing’s owner, John Cochran, has in mind for the brewery’s future. “My goal is to have twenty taps dedicated to in-house beers with varying styles,” says Cochran. “I want the brewers to really get creative and see the different recipes we can come up with that gets Beer City excited about, well, beer.”

UpCountry’s other beer styles include a variety of saisons, IPAs, sours, stouts, and more for Asheville to enjoy.

UpCountry Brewing is located at 1042 Haywood Road in West Asheville and provides a full menu featuring craft beer, cocktails, and food.

About UpCountry Brewing
UpCountry Brewing believes that beer and the outdoors go hand in hand. This is the basis of their mission statement: “To create memorable experiences while sharing our passion for craft beer and for getting outside with family and friends.”

UpCountry Brewing was founded in 2016 by John Cochran, a craft beer industry veteran since the mid-1990’s. While John has worked many beer-related jobs in his 20+ years in brewing (including co-founding Terrapin Beer Company), he sees UpCountry as the culmination of all he has done so far.

UpCountry Brewing loves their neighborhood and is excited to be West Asheville’s community brewery. With a taproom that serves a wide variety of craft beer styles and provides a complete bar, live music, and a full food menu, UpCountry Brewing is a fantastic place to meet up with family and friends.

SEATTLE — Ghostfish Brewing Company is excited to announce a new distribution partnership with Crooked Stave Artisans Distributing. This relationship will facilitate Ghostfish beer to be available within nearly all areas within the state of Colorado.

Crooked Stave Artisans Distributing (CSA) will start off distributing draught and package versions of Ghostfish Brewing’s award-winning dedicated gluten-free beers including Grapefruit IPA, Meteor Shower Blonde Ale, and Shrouded Summit Belgian White Ale, as well as seasonal and limited releases as they are available.

“We’re thrilled to be working with such a prestigious company such as CSA. Their reach within Colorado was an important factor, but it was their finely curated portfolio and positive reputation in the beer savvy Colorado market that attracted us the most to them. They have a great sales team, service the majority of the state, and their craft beer knowledge is second to none in Colorado.,” said co-owner and Director of Sales & Marketing, Brian Thiel.

“From the moment we first tasted the Grapefruit IPA and Shrouded Summit White Ale, we knew Ghostfish had achieved something exceptional with their approach to gluten free beer. The Ghostfish team are committed to making great beer for all beer drinkers. Their creativity and innovation are pushing the boundaries of craft beer with their use of unconventional grains, and we are truly excited to partner with them here in Colorado,” said CSA Brand Manager, Alan Stone.

This move represents an interesting homecoming for Ghostfish Brewing as the majority of owners have strong personal ties to Colorado and a significant percentage of brewing malts originated as grains grown by Colorado farmers.

“We can’t claim to be local, but ‘Colorado-based DNA’ is prevalent in Ghostfish beers. The majority of ownership in Ghostfish has lived previously or currently has residency in Colorado. Perhaps the most compelling story is the fact that a large portion of the grains we use to produce our beer our grown and malted/roasted in Colorado then shipped and crafted into artisanal beers in Seattle and now sent back in finished packages for consumers to enjoy throughout Colorado,” said Thiel.

Randy Schroeder, Ghostfish co-owner and Director of Operations has spent most of his life living in the mountains of Colorado between Golden and Evergreen.

“I’ve spent by far the majority of my years there,” said Schroeder. “It still holds a big piece of my heart, along with dozens of friends and family. The opportunity to partner with CSA to bring our craft product to a place I still think of as home feels amazing, and it provide even more reasons to return!”

With the addition of the Colorado market, Ghostfish beers are now available within eight U.S. states in addition to the Canadian province of British Columbia.

About Ghostfish Brewing Company
Ghostfish Brewing is the first and only dedicated gluten-free craft brewery located in Washington state. Since opening in February 2015, Ghostfish Brewing has been exploring the uncharted waters of never before-used brewing techniques and testing the limits of what can be created without wheat, barley, and rye. Ghostfish brews a wide array of award-winning dedicated gluten-free beers available in both year-round styles as well as limited and seasonal varieties. The production brewery and taproom are located at 2942 1st Ave. S., Seattle, WA.

Learn more about Ghostfish Brewing’s beers, brewery and taproom at ghostfishbrewing.com or on its Facebook page. Keep updated on Ghostfish beers near you at ghostfishbrewing.com/retailers as distribution continues growing.

About Crooked Stave Artisans Distributing
Crooked Stave Artisans Distributing is the distribution arm of Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project. CSA is focused on the artisans they represent including an ever-growing portfolio of the best International and American breweries, cideries, wineries, distilleries and food producers.

LONGMONT, Colo — Oskar Blues announces the return of Ten FIDY Imperial Stout – a huge, 10.5% ABV black hole of burly malt flavor. In a galaxy not-so-far away (the Oskar Blues brewery) brewers discovered a mathematical curiosity – a beer darker than dark – so dark that it has sucked up massive amounts of flavor and allowed no light to penetrate its malty opaqueness. Oskar Blues will celebrate the Imperial smoothness that is Ten FIDY Imperial Stout with release events in taprooms on August 31. Each taproom will feature a unique FIDY flight including vintage and barrel-aged variants. Ten FIDY will be distributed nationwide in 4-packs of 12oz cans.

Ten FIDY is made from immense amounts of big, dark malt including caramel and Munich malt alongside fluffy oats, resulting in a viscous, opaque cosmic beer entity. FIDY gravitates toward flavors of chocolate-covered caramel, espresso, black licorice and plum. A phenomenon that’s been described as “Beer, only better and darker,” FIDY is as supermassive as ever this fall.

In order to better understand Ten FIDY, Oskar Blues approached the beer’s leading expert, Randy Bayless. Randy replied to an Oskar Blues job posting on Craigslist in 2010 and 8 years later he operates out of the Brevard, NC, Brewery. During his tenure, he has likely imbibed more FIDY than anyone else in the world.

“FIDY is like one of those old-school black velvet paintings,” said Bayless. “The malt is a velvet canvas with deep, dark chocolate and coffee flavors painted across it to depict what the Big Bang probably looked like (obviously, so freaking rad that you can’t look at it without weeping and having a psychedelic experience). With an ornate stone-fruit frame, it’s a damn masterpiece.”

Gaze into the FIDY and the FIDY gazes back. Explore the depths of Ten FIDY with us at one of our release events coming up on August 31. For the first time EVER, we’ll have FIDY flights – complete with barrel-aged varieties like JAHvanilla Barrel-Aged Ten FIDY, Vanilla and Sugar Maple Wood Aged Ten FIDY, Tennessee Whiskey Barrel-Aged Ten FIDY and vintage FIDY variants from as far back as 2012. Flight options will vary according to taproom location. See flight lineups here:

• Longmont Taproom
• Boulder Taproom
• Brevard Taproom
• Austin Taproom

Ten FIDY will be distributed nationwide beginning Aug. 31. No need to consult the stars in order to find Ten FIDY near you – just keep an eye on the beerfinder.

About Oskar Blues Brewery:
Founded over 20 years ago in Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues Brewery launched the craft beer-in-a-can apocalypse with their hand-canned flagship brew, Dale’s Pale Ale. Today, Oskar Blues operates breweries in Colorado, North Carolina and Texas while reaching 200,000 barrels per year and featuring Dale’s Pale Ale as the nation’s #2 top-selling craft can six-pack at U.S. supermarkets. Oskar Blues is available in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., parts of 17 other countries. Along with Cigar City Brewing, Perrin Brewing, Squatters Craft Beers and Wasatch Brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing and Three Weavers Brewing, Oskar Blues Brewery belongs to a disruptive collective of like-minded craft brewers known as CANarchy, the largest canned craft beer supplier in the country.

To keep up with all things Oskar Blues, visit http://www.oskarblues.com/.

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Brewery Ommegang and HBO Licensing & Retail have announced the newest beer in their collaborative series inspired by the award-winning drama Game of Thrones. King in the North, a beer brewed for Jon Snow, is the fourth and final beer in this year’s Royal Reserve Collection, a series of four limited release beers, each designed and brewed as an homage to one of four epic figures engaged in the battle for the Seven Kingdoms.Brewed to sustain a leader through a long, dark night, King in the North is a barrel-aged imperial stout. The beer will be available at the brewery and at retail as of Black Friday, November 23, on draft and in 750ml bottles. The suggested retail price per bottle is $12.99.

King in the North will be released alongside a one-of-a-kind gift pack, just in time for the holidays. The gift pack features one 12-ounce bottle of each of the four Royal Reserve Collection beers and a collectible Game of Thrones glass. The suggested retail price for a gift pack is $24.99.

“There was only one character with whom we could end the Royal Reserve Collection,” said Doug Campbell, Brewery Ommegang president. “I don’t think we’re alone in our hopes for Jon Snow. And for those who missed one of the Collection during the year, we’re pleased to offer the opportunity to get all four at once, along with a glass in which to serve them.”

“We’ve now arrived at our fourth and final Royal Reserve beer which celebrates Jon Snow with a big, bold, barrel-aged stout for the long cold nights to come,” said Jeff Peters, vice president of licensing & retail at HBO. “We expect this one to bring our fans to their feet to toast the King in the North!”

King in the North pours jet black with a thick tan head. Aromas of roasted malt, coffee, and chocolate blend with those of oak, bourbon, and vanilla. The flavor is rich and full with notes of chocolate, vanilla, coffee, and roasted malt up front followed by smooth bourbon and a hint of oak. The finish is thick and chewy with oatmeal creaminess, and pleasant lingering roast. King in the North pairs well with funky aged cheeses, rich dark meats and decadent desserts. It also makes a great dessert on its own.

The Royal Reserve Collection features four new beers in the brewery’s Game of Thrones-inspired series with HBO. All of the beers will be available on draft and in 750ml bottles. The series began in April with Hand of the Queen, a barleywine, and was followed in June by Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, a sour blonde blend. Mother of Dragons, a smoked porter and kriek blend will arrive in September before King in the North and the gift pack.

About Brewery Ommegang
Founded in 1997 on the site of an old hop farm near Cooperstown, NY, Brewery Ommegang brews imaginative beers in a wide variety of styles, with particular emphasis on Belgian brewing traditions. For more information, visit ommegang.com, or follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/Ommegang, on Twitter at @BreweryOmmegang, and on Instagram at @BreweryOmmegang.

About HBO Licensing & Retail
HBO Licensing & Retail, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., partners with best-in-class licensees around the world to give HBO’s global audience new and exciting ways to engage with their favorite shows. The division leverages iconic, award-winning HBO programs such as Game of Thrones, VEEP, Sex and the City, Silicon Valley, Insecure, The Sopranos, Big Little Lies, True Blood and more to create officially licensed consumer products, innovative merchandise programs, retail activations and live immersive experiences. HBO Licensing & Retail works across a broad range of product categories, including collectibles, apparel, publishing, live branded experiences, digital gaming, fashion and beauty collaborations, luxury accessories, and beyond. Officially licensed HBO merchandise can be purchased in retail stores around the world, online in the US at http://store.hbo.com, and at the groundbreaking HBO retail hub, the HBO Shop®, located at 42nd and 6th Avenue in New York City.

Both of these unique beers will be available on cask next weekend in addition to the extensive cask lineup featuring more than 40 casks of beer and cider including unique one-offs, collaborations, and an exciting lineup of guest casks from across the province.

As a preview of next weekend both of these beers will be carbonated and packaged into 355ml cans and available on Friday August 29th at the brewery and online while supplies last:

Haskap Berry Saison (4.7%) – With a pinkish hue this unique saison is loaded with haskap berries and has a lively aroma of spice, fruit, and tart berry notes. Brewed with Old World Saison yeast, this enticing saison brings together tart berry flavours and spicy yeast notes with a dry finish.

Oat Pale Ale w/ Experimental Hops (5.0%) – This oat pale ale is brewed with 40% oats giving the beer a smooth, well-rounded, and soft mouthfeel which allow experimental French hops GR50 and GS10 to deliver a punch of grassy hop flavours including citrus, pine, and a resiny hop finish.

Welly Cask Fest happens September 7th-8th, 2018 at Wellington Brewery in Guelph, Ontario with 3 individually ticketed sessions. A portion of the proceeds from the weekend will go to support Habitat For Humanity Wellington Dufferin Guelph.

For more details and tickets visit www.wellycaskfest.com
Wellington Brewery is Canada’s oldest independently owned microbrewery. Based in Guelph, Ontario, we craft our award-winning beers in small batches using the freshest all-natural ingredients. Since 1985, we’ve been a pioneer in the craft brewing scene by producing timeless, traditional style ales as well as experimenting with new recipes as part of our Welly One-Off Series. For more information about the brewery visit www.wellingtonbrewery.ca.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Artisanal Imports is excited to announce that Minnesota’s Fulton Beer is bringing back Specter, a limited release New England-style IPA. Beginning Nov. 1, it will be available in kegs, 4-packs of cans and on draught while supplies last. For the first time, Specter will be available to wholesalers, retailers, and consumers in all regions of the United States. New markets will be sold and serviced by Artisanal Imports’ national sales team.

Specter represents a distinct and deliberate departure from the high-clarification offerings in the Fulton lineup, including the rest of the brewery’s IPAs. The beer’s smooth, creamy mouthfeel and hazy appearance are the byproducts of a number of ingredients and processes, such as the use of nearly 20 percent oats in the mash, a chloride-heavy water chemistry and low flocculating yeast.

Coming in at 35 IBUs, Specter is aggressively hopped with late boil and whirlpool additions that impart a tropical and juicy finish with little perceived lingering bitterness. Fulton also dry-hops Specter twice with Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, and Nelson Sauvin to add aromas of citrus and stone fruits.

“We are especially excited about Specter as it will be our first beer to be released across the entire Artisanal network, which means it will hit stores and pints across the country ‒ not just our current footprint,” said Corey Shovein, Fulton’s National Sales Director. “This is a delicious beer that resonates with consumers not just because it is a hoppy, juicy, hazy NE-style IPA with packaging that stands out on a crowded cooler shelf. It’s also because Specter tells a deeply personal story for Fulton that many people can relate to. We want everyone to enjoy this beer, read the story and take action if they are able.”

At 7.1 percent ABV, Specter is an easy-drinking beer bursting with flavor – and one with a poignant backstory.

In 2016, Fulton lost one of its family members, Greg Sincheff, to depression. To honor Greg’s memory, the brewery released a NE-style IPA that bore his nickname, “Grog.” One dollar from each pint of Grog sold at the taproom was donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

In 2017, the beer first known as Grog returned as “Specter.” The word specter is defined as “a visible incorporeal spirit, ghost, phantom or apparition.” The name is intended to continue honoring Greg’s memory and help his spirit remain visible. It is also an opportunity for Fulton to bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention. And thus, this year Fulton will donate $1 for every pint of Specter sold at the taproom to the AFSP.

The artwork on the can is inspired by the “sugar skull” commonly associated with the Day of the Dead, also known as Día de Muertos. The holiday is observed each year on Nov. 1 to honor loved ones who have died. Fulton first used the sugar skull image in its taproom to mark the “Death of the Growler” in September 2016, when the brewery grew too big to continue selling growlers under state law. They brought back the sugar skull for Specter, as the day of Greg’s death coincides with this day of remembrance of the dead.

“It’s very gratifying to me when good work and good beer intersect,” said Lanny Hoff, Artisanal Imports SVP-Brands Manager. “If it was nothing more than a great beer Specter would be a pleasure to sell, but that it brings visibility to a critical issue makes it all that more satisfying. My hat is off to the Fulton crew on this one!”

Interested in carrying Specter or other selections from Fulton Beer at your restaurant, bar or retail store? Interested in becoming a distribution partner for Fulton Beer? Please contact Lanny Hoff for details.

About Fulton Beer
Fulton Beer was founded by four homebrewers in a Southwest Minneapolis garage in 2009 with the mantra “Ordinary Guys Brewing Extraordinary Beer.” Since then, it has become one of the fastest growing breweries in the Midwest. In 2012, Fulton opened its first taproom in Minneapolis, which offers an ever-changing tap selection as well as house-brewed non-alcoholic soda. It commissioned its second brewery in 2014, a 51,000-square foot facility in Northeast Minneapolis. Fulton is best known for Sweet Child of Vine, a balanced and approachable India Pale Ale; Lonely Blonde, an easy-drinking Blonde Ale; 300, a Mosaic IPA; and an extraordinarily uncomplicated Lager named Standard. Learn more about the brewery at

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Artisanal Imports is excited to announce that Minnesota’s Fulton Beer is bringing back Specter, a limited release New England-style IPA. Beginning Nov. 1, it will be available in kegs, 4-packs of cans and on draught while supplies last. For the first time, Specter will be available to wholesalers, retailers, and consumers in all regions of the United States. New markets will be sold and serviced by Artisanal Imports’ national sales team.

Specter represents a distinct and deliberate departure from the high-clarification offerings in the Fulton lineup, including the rest of the brewery’s IPAs. The beer’s smooth, creamy mouthfeel and hazy appearance are the byproducts of a number of ingredients and processes, such as the use of nearly 20 percent oats in the mash, a chloride-heavy water chemistry and low flocculating yeast.

Coming in at 35 IBUs, Specter is aggressively hopped with late boil and whirlpool additions that impart a tropical and juicy finish with little perceived lingering bitterness. Fulton also dry-hops Specter twice with Citra, Mosaic, Amarillo, and Nelson Sauvin to add aromas of citrus and stone fruits.

“We are especially excited about Specter as it will be our first beer to be released across the entire Artisanal network, which means it will hit stores and pints across the country ‒ not just our current footprint,” said Corey Shovein, Fulton’s National Sales Director. “This is a delicious beer that resonates with consumers not just because it is a hoppy, juicy, hazy NE-style IPA with packaging that stands out on a crowded cooler shelf. It’s also because Specter tells a deeply personal story for Fulton that many people can relate to. We want everyone to enjoy this beer, read the story and take action if they are able.”

At 7.1 percent ABV, Specter is an easy-drinking beer bursting with flavor – and one with a poignant backstory.

In 2016, Fulton lost one of its family members, Greg Sincheff, to depression. To honor Greg’s memory, the brewery released a NE-style IPA that bore his nickname, “Grog.” One dollar from each pint of Grog sold at the taproom was donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP).

In 2017, the beer first known as Grog returned as “Specter.” The word specter is defined as “a visible incorporeal spirit, ghost, phantom or apparition.” The name is intended to continue honoring Greg’s memory and help his spirit remain visible. It is also an opportunity for Fulton to bring awareness to mental health issues and suicide prevention. And thus, this year Fulton will donate $1 for every pint of Specter sold at the taproom to the AFSP.

The artwork on the can is inspired by the “sugar skull” commonly associated with the Day of the Dead, also known as Día de Muertos. The holiday is observed each year on Nov. 1 to honor loved ones who have died. Fulton first used the sugar skull image in its taproom to mark the “Death of the Growler” in September 2016, when the brewery grew too big to continue selling growlers under state law. They brought back the sugar skull for Specter, as the day of Greg’s death coincides with this day of remembrance of the dead.

“It’s very gratifying to me when good work and good beer intersect,” said Lanny Hoff, Artisanal Imports SVP-Brands Manager. “If it was nothing more than a great beer Specter would be a pleasure to sell, but that it brings visibility to a critical issue makes it all that more satisfying. My hat is off to the Fulton crew on this one!”

Interested in carrying Specter or other selections from Fulton Beer at your restaurant, bar or retail store? Interested in becoming a distribution partner for Fulton Beer? Please contact Lanny Hoff for details.

About Fulton Beer
Fulton Beer was founded by four homebrewers in a Southwest Minneapolis garage in 2009 with the mantra “Ordinary Guys Brewing Extraordinary Beer.” Since then, it has become one of the fastest growing breweries in the Midwest. In 2012, Fulton opened its first taproom in Minneapolis, which offers an ever-changing tap selection as well as house-brewed non-alcoholic soda. It commissioned its second brewery in 2014, a 51,000-square foot facility in Northeast Minneapolis. Fulton is best known for Sweet Child of Vine, a balanced and approachable India Pale Ale; Lonely Blonde, an easy-drinking Blonde Ale; 300, a Mosaic IPA; and an extraordinarily uncomplicated Lager named Standard. Learn more about the brewery at www.fultonbeer.com.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Founders Brewing Co. announced today that they will launch Trigo, a hoppy wheat lager with big aromatics, rounded flavor and a clean finish. Debuting this September, Trigo is the sixth release Founders has brewed for ArtPrize, an open international art competition which takes place every other year in the brewery’s hometown of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Previous releases in the lineup include Green Zebra, Pale Joe, Spectra Trifecta, Mosaic Promise and Inspired Artist Black IPA. Trigo, the Spanish word for wheat, is the first hoppy wheat lager in the series. Proceeds from the sale of Trigo will benefit ArtPrize.

“Trigo is the culmination of many of my favorite aspects of craft beer today,” says Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. “A collaboration with Alejo, one of my friends from the R&D department of our partner Mahou San Miguel, it features some of my favorite hop varieties in a way that highlights their flavor and aromatic characters without letting the bitterness get over the top. This is the next generation of lagers, brewed for those of us who love American hops and a well-balanced, satisfying beer. It’s the perfect combination of tradition and innovation, and a great fit for our ArtPrize portfolio.”

Maintaining the tradition established with the previous three Artist Series releases, Trigo’s label is an original work of art designed by a member of the Founders team. Culinary team member, Cody LeVon, was chosen to bring the Trigo label to life. A kitsch painter whose work emulates the beautiful methods of the old masters, Cody’s interpretation celebrates the Spanish roots of the beer.

Trigo will be available in the taproom beginning on September 14, 2018 with distribution to the remaining 46 states in late September. It will be available on draft and in 6-packs of 12oz cans with a suggested retail price of $9.99. Price varies by market.

About Founders Brewing Co.
Established in 1997 by two craft beer enthusiasts—Dave Engbers and Mike Stevens—with day jobs and a dream, Founders Brewing Co. brews complex, in-your-face ales, with huge aromatics and tons of flavor. Founders ranks among the top 10 largest craft breweries in the U.S. and is one of the fastest growing. The brewery has received numerous awards from the World Beer Cup and the Great American Beer Festival and RateBeer and BeerAdvocate users often rate its beers among the best in the world. Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders is a proud member of the Michigan Brewers Guild. For more information, visit foundersbrewing.com or follow Founders on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

About ArtPrize
ArtPrize is an open, independently organized international art competition which takes place for 19 days each fall in Grand Rapids, Michigan. More than five hundred thousand dollars in prizes are awarded each year, which include a $200,000 prize awarded entirely by public vote and another $200,000 prize awarded by a jury of art experts. Learn more at artprize.org

SAN DIEGO — This pretty lady will make you pucker. Ballast Point is kicking off a new Trade Street Collection with a barrel-aged version of award-winning sour, introducing a new White Wine Barrel-Aged Sour Wench available nationwide.

The innovative new brew is a seven percent-ABV ale with blackberries aged in chardonnay and sauvignon blanc barrels. After resting in both wine barrels for more than six months, White Wine Barrel-Aged Sour Wench emerges with aromas of freshly sliced white peach, citrus, woody oak tannins and rich vanilla. With every sip, beer drinkers will taste hints of crushed berries and ripe apricots with a buttery smoothness from the chardonnay barrels followed by a dry finish from the sauvignon cask. Easy-drinking for a barrel-aged beer, it’s tart, refreshing, and delightfully smooth.

Ballast Point Director of Barrel Aging Steve Anderson said the goal with the beer was to add complexity while maintaining the flavor profile of Sour Wench, which won a 2017 Silver medal in the nation’s largest beer festival and competition.

“With barrel aging, we’re giving tribute to three different attributes – the oak barrels, the wine that was in them before and the base beer,” said Anderson. “The blend that’s in the White Wine Barrel Aged Sour Wench bottles is a really nice layering of both the beer and the wine barrels, making it more complex and an amazing end product.”

White Wine Barrel-Aged Sour Wench, part of Ballast Point’s Trade Street Collection, is hitting shelves now in 12 oz four-pack bottles.

Trade Street Collection
White Wine Barrel-Aged Sour Wench marks the first release from Ballast Point’s Trade Street Collection. Named after the brewery’s barrel-aging cellar, the 80,000-square-foot Trade Street facility, the collection will feature quarterly releases and celebrates the deep and distinctive flavors of barrel-aged beers.

Additional Trade Street Collection releases will include Rye Barrel Aged Piper Down (limited release), which ages the brewery’s award-winning Scottish Ale in charred American oak High West rye barrels. This November, the brewery is bringing back the fan favorite High West Barrel Aged Victory at Sea and introducing Bourbon Barrel Aged Tongue Buckler (limited release), both to be released nationally.