Archives for September 2018

FORT COLLINS, Colorado – New Belgium Brewing and Knob Creek Bourbon are proud to announce the launch of Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale, a 9 percent ABV, special collaboration featuring breakthrough technology to create an entirely new style of bourbon barrel ale. Bringing together Knob Creek and New Belgium’s shared passion for innovation and dedication to hard-earned flavor, Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale is a highly-drinkable bourbon-inspired ale which uses Knob Creek Bourbon-soaked oak spirals and barrel char to impart big, full flavor into New Belgium’s high rye base ale.

“We could have simply barrel-aged some ale, or rested beer on barrel staves, but that wouldn’t have given us the amazing freshness and flavor of Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale,” said Ross Koenigs, Research and Development Brewer at New Belgium. “Our Brewhouse team likes to say that we didn’t just develop a custom extraction technology, but rather, a beer-flavoring ‘missile,’ and we’re thrilled to present our newest, innovative venture with the launch of Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale.”

To bring this new offering to life, New Belgium’s engineers created a steel, missile-shaped vessel to provide a delivery system where Knob Creek Bourbon-soaked oak spirals and char from used Knob Creek Bourbon barrels mingled with – and added robust flavors to – New Belgium’s high rye ale. This three-part flavor extraction process first included the harvesting of barrel char – the caramelized wood sugars, which contribute sweet brown sugar and caramel notes to the beer – from used Knob Creek barrels. Rounding out the bourbon character in the beer are the Knob Creek Bourbon-soaked oak spirals, which were toasted in varying degrees and added in a custom blend to infuse secondary flavors of oak and spice into the liquid. The custom steel, missile-shaped vessel itself contained the bourbon-soaked spirals and barrel char so they could flavor the beer as it matured. The result is a beautiful, full-flavored amber bourbon ale with notes of caramel, vanilla and toasted oak.

Both founded just over 25 years ago, Knob Creek Bourbon and New Belgium are largely credited with pioneering the small batch movements in their respective industries, introducing the world to full-flavored liquids born of premium ingredients and traditions. Both have remained true to those founding principles since their introduction.

“My dad, Booker Noe, created Knob Creek Bourbon more than 25 years ago to restore the standards of what great bourbon ought to be – full of big flavor, and crafted with patience and hard work,” said Fred Noe, Beam Family Seventh Generation Master Distiller. “I’m thrilled to introduce this newest innovation in partnership with our friends at New Belgium, and to bring together the best of our hard work, dedication to big flavor and shared love of innovation, with the introduction of Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale. I hope bourbon and beer drinkers alike will have the opportunity to enjoy our latest offering.”

Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale was brewed and bottled with the following characteristics:
ABV: 9%
IBU: 20
Yeast: Ale
Hops: Nugget, HBC 472
Malts: Pale, Munich, Caramel 80, Rye, Roasted Barley
Special Ingredients: Knob Creek Bourbon soaked oak spirals and char from used Knob Creek bourbon barrels
Availability: Nationwide in mid-September 2018 in both 12 oz. bottles and on draft, while supplies last
For more information about Oakspire Bourbon Barrel Ale, visit www.newbelgium.com or www.knobcreek.com.

About New Belgium Brewing
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work, one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses and tops Bicycling Magazine’s Best Companies for Cyclists. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire Amber Ale, New Belgium brews fourteen year-round beers: Citradelic Tangerine IPA, Fat Tire Belgian White, The Hemperor HPA, Voodoo Ranger IPA, Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA, Sour Saison, Honey Orange Tripel, Dayblazer Easygoing Ale, 1554 Black Lager, Bohemian Pilsner, Abbey Belgian Style Ale, Trippel and a gluten-reduced beer, Glutiny Pale Ale. To learn more, visit NewBelgium.com.

About Knob Creek Bourbon|
Part of the original small batch collection from Kentucky, Knob Creek has set the standard for super-premium bourbon for more than 25 years, crafting an extraordinary full-flavored bourbon with a rich taste. Introduced in 1992 by founding distiller, Booker Noe, who pioneered the small batch bourbon movement, all Knob Creek expressions are bottled in unique flask-shaped packaging, and are patiently aged in new, maximum charred American Oak barrels. No matter the expression, Knob Creek’s hard-earned flavor is crafted without shortcuts, and upholds the standards for what great whiskey ought to be, In recent years, Knob Creek has expanded its portfolio, introducing Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve Bourbon (120 proof/60% alcohol by volume) in 2011, Knob Creek Straight Rye Whiskey (100 proof/50% alcohol by volume) in 2012, Knob Creek Single Barrel Select Rye Whiskey (115 proof/57.5% alcohol by volume) and Knob Creek Cask Strength Rye Whiskey, a limited-edition offering, (119.6 proof/ 59.8% alcohol by volume) in 2018. To learn more, visit KnobCreek.com .

About Beam Suntory
As the world’s third largest premium spirits company, Beam Suntory is Crafting the Spirits Brands that Stir the World. Consumers from all corners of the globe call for the company’s brands, including the iconic Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark bourbon brands and Suntory whisky Kakubin, as well as world renowned premium brands including Knob Creek bourbon, Yamazaki, Hakushu and Hibiki Japanese whiskies, Teacher’s, Laphroaig, and Bowmore Scotch whiskies, Canadian Club whisky, Courvoisier cognac, Hornitos and Sauza tequila, EFFEN and Pinnacle vodka, Sipsmith gin, and Midori liqueur.

Beam Suntory was created in 2014 by combining the world leader in bourbon and the pioneer in Japanese whisky to form a new company with a deep heritage, passion for quality, innovative spirit and commitment to Growing for Good. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Beam Suntory is a subsidiary of Suntory Holdings Limited of Japan. For more information on Beam Suntory, its brands, and its commitment to social responsibility, please visit www.beamsuntory.com and www.drinksmart.com. Knob Creek Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, 50-60% Alc./Vol.

LONE TREE, Colo. — It’s alive! Lone Tree Brewing Co. is excited to warn you about the annual outbreak of their award-winning Imperial Red IPA, Hop Zombie. Seek shelter at Lone Tree Brewing Company, September 29 and arm yourselves with bombers of this 2017 GABF Silver Medal-winning brew.

Now in its fifth year, this highly anticipated annual release will be available in a limited amount of bombers and on draft, September 29. Following Hop Zombie’s 2017 win at the Great American Beer Festival, the 2018 bombers will sport a brand new label in succession with the brewery’s 2017 re-brand. The new label art, designed by Anthem Branding, features a zombie-infested mountain scene with a reimagined “hop zombie” and a coffin-shaped barcode. It is the last of Lone Tree’s products to take on the refreshed look and feel.

Bottles of Hop Zombie will be available exclusively at the brewery on Saturday, September 29 beginning at 11am. In past years, Hop Zombie Day has seen a line of customers in advance. The 22-ounce bombers cannot be reserved in advance, and typically sell out in one day.

Guests at Hop Zombie Day 2018 can purchase specialty Hop Zombie glassware and t-shirts designed like the beer’s label. The Baja Berto’s Beachside Burritos truck will be slingin’ burritos and Ted Loughry will play in the tasting room beginning at 2pm.

For more information about Lone Tree’s Hop Zombie release and other award-winning brews, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

About Hop Zombie
 9% ABV, 90 IBU. Behold the beast. Hop Zombie is Lone Tree Brewing Co.’s most anticipated release of the year. It’s a complex, bold IPA that’s deep red in color with rich malts balanced by huge hop flavor and aroma created by eight different hops (Citra, Columbus, Cascade, Mosaic, Simcoe, Amarillo, Centennial, and Motueka). Hop Zombie is a beer brewed to bring you back from the grave.

About Lone Tree Brewing Company
Lone Tree Brewing Company was the first brewery in Lone Tree, Colorado that opened near Park Meadows Mall in 2011. The neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal, and limited release beers. Lone Tree’s cans and 22-ounce bombers are sold across the state of Colorado and in select locations in Kansas. Lone Tree’s draft beer is poured at many bars and restaurants in its distribution footprint as well. Find the brewery online at lonetreebrewingco.com.

BOULDER, Colo. — Upslope Brewing Company, the Boulder-based brewer, today, announced the latest installment of its quarterly release Lee Hill Series — Volume 17, a Sazerac Style Rye Ale Brewed with Honey.

Inspired by the classic cocktail, Lee Hill Volume 17 is brewed and aged to highlight the balance of spicy rye whiskey and herbal notes. Fused with light malts and orange blossom honey, the beer has been aged for nine months in Leopold Brothers Absinthe and Rye Whiskey barrels. Botanical top-notes of licorice, fennel and orange zest are backed by a sturdy rye whiskey spice and touch of honey sweetness on the finish.

“As brewers dedicated to this craft, we’re fortunate and proud to be able to display our creativity through limited release brews,” said Upslope’s head brewer, Sam Scruby. “Like its 16 predecessors, Lee Hill Volume 17 is very unique, and we hope for it to be a cellar keepsake for Upslope fans and craft beer lovers everywhere.”

Available while supplies last, Sazerac Style Rye Ale Brewed with Honey will be revealed during Upslope’s upcoming Lee Hill release party on Thursday, September 27th at its Lee Hill Tap Room facility (1501 Lee Hill Rd Unit 20, Boulder, Colorado 80304 | 5:00-9:00 P.M. MST). 19.2-ounce cans will be available for $10 (limit 6 per person).

Lee Hill Volume 17 – Sazerac Style Ale Brewed with Honey
Stats: 10.8% ABV
Availability: Fall | 19.2-Ounce Cans
Distribution: Upslope’s two Boulder-based tap room facilities.

Named after Upslope’s original North Boulder brewery, the Lee Hill Series is a tribute of continued commitment to experimenting and crafting small batches of beer for its awesome, craft beer-loving fans. The quarterly, limited release series celebrates experimentation and creativity. Served up in 19.2-ounce cans, the Series offers new and innovative styles that are sure to be cellar keepsakes.

To learn more about Upslope Brewing Company, and its year-round, limited, and tap room series beers, visit www.upslopebrewing.com. #ApresEverything

About Upslope Brewing Co.
Boulder-based Upslope Brewing Company is the creator of premium ales and lagers that are artfully crafted using natural ingredients. Packaged in aluminum cans for exceptional portability and because it’s best for the environment, Upslope complements the outdoor lifestyle and caters to the on-the-go beer enthusiast. The five flagship beers include: Citra Pale Ale, India Pale Ale, Brown Ale, and Craft Lager. Additional installments are offered in a Limited Release Series, the Lee Hill Series and the Tap Room Series. In an ongoing effort to protect watersheds nationwide, and the key ingredient in Upslope ales and lagers, one percent of Upslope Craft Lager can sales benefits local Trout Unlimited chapters in the state in which the beer is purchased. Additionally, Upslope is a proud Certified B Corporation, joining an effort to redefine success in business by solving social and environmental problems. Learn more about Upslope at www.upslopebrewing.com.

Big Boss Brewing company is pleased to announce their first ever canned beer offering. Available starting this week, Harvest Time pumpkin ale will be available in 16 ounce cans. Big Boss Brewing company is pleased to announce their first ever canned beer offering. Available starting this week, Harvest Time pumpkin ale will be available in 16 ounce cans. “We are leading the way for future canning projects here by focusing on the brewery’s most in demand seasonal beer. Harvest Time Pumpkin Ale will help us pave the way for cans of Big Boss Lager and our IPA series going forward” explains director of marketing David Rogers.
For over a decade, Harvest Time spiced pumpkin ale has been one of the company’s most in-demand offerings and has received praise year after year as a go to fall staple. Harvest Time is a classic interpretation of a fall classic featuring a balance of spice, pumpkin meat and hearty malt backbone.
About Big Boss Brewing: Founded in 2006 by Geoff Lamb the company quickly carved a name for itself with classic world beer styles and has used that base to create a barrel aging beer program, India Pale Ale one off series and has expanded the taproom space to accommodate the burgeoning beer savvy population in North Carolina.

Contact Info
Company: Big Boss Brewing
Contact: David Rogers
Email: dave@bigbossbrewing.com

Ask any homebrewer and they will say homebrewing is one of the greatest examples of inefficient brewing and brewing the hard way. For more than two decades Sam Adams’ has recognized and celebrated passionate homebrewers through the LongShot American Homebrew Contest Contest. The contest has evolved over the years and now aims to help amateur brewers take the next step to professional brewing. This year’s applicants submitted videos touting their passion for brewing and why they want to leave their day job to follow their dream of going pro. A panel then selected the top finalists to submit their best homebrew for review by expert judges and brewers including Jim Koch.

Eric Pierce, of Framingham, Mass, who brewed a Grisette-style beer, was named this year’s winner and will be awarded the grand prize: a scholarship to the Siebel Institute’s online brewing education program, a one-week “Brewership,” and a trip to the Great American Beer Festival. The Brewership is a fully-immersive experience at the Sam Adams Brewery that will allow Eric to work alongside the team of Sam Adams brewers, learning about the nuts and bolts needed to run a brewery including ingredients sourcing, quality assurance testing, packaging and more.

What Eric has to say:
“I began this journey in my garage saying, ‘if there was ever a long shot, that would be me,’ so saying I am excited is an understatement. I can’t wait for the next chapter and look forward to working with the Sam Adams team.

Learn more about Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest at www.samueladams.com/longshot.

Reaching Out our Hazy IPA has been a taproom hit and now available in cans for a limited run. It is our pleasure to partner with Reach Out Lakota to bring awareness to their cause and efforts.

We are fired up to bring back our fan favorite, On The Black, Black IPA! Loaded with sharp bitterness and a bit of roast that is dominated by gobs of dank hop aroma and flavors, this is a must have!

Neither of these beers will last long, we suggest you come get yours as soon as possible, six packs to go and $4 cans in the taproom!

Dogberry Brewing
9964 Crescent Park Dr.
West Chester, Ohio 45069
Phone: 513-847-8208
Website: www.dogberrybrewing.com

BALTIMORE, Maryland – Heavy Seas Beer’s fall/winter limited release, Winter Storm, is about to make it’s triumphal return! “It was our first international gold medal winning beer,” says brewery Founder, Hugh Sisson. “And I’m not supposed to say it, but I think it may be my favorite beer!”

The Imperial ESB will be available starting in October in all states where Heavy Seas beer is distributed. Our winter ale draws on hops from the West Coast and the UK for its pronounced bitterness. A mix of pale and darker malts give it its tawny color and its bigger body. True to the style, Winter Storm’s aroma is nutty malts and earthy hops. This is a perfect beer for fall, especially because of its warming qualities.

The product specs are:
Style: Imperial Extra Special Bitter (ESB)
ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 50
Hops: Warrior, UK Goldings, UK Fuggles, Cascade, Centennial
Malts: 2-row, Crystal, Caramalt, Chocolate Malt

Heavy Seas Beer
Heavy Seas Beer is brewed by Clipper City Brewing Company, in Baltimore, Maryland. The brewery was established by Hugh Sisson in 1995. Previously, Sisson operated Maryland’s first brewpub, Sisson’s. In 2010, the brewery rebranded. While the name of the company remains Clipper City Brewing Company, all of its beer falls under the Heavy Seas brand. Heavy Seas hosts tours on most weekends. It is located at 4615 Hollins Ferry Road, Suite B, in the Halethorpe section of Baltimore. Heavy Seas currently offers a variety of beer styles in approximately 20 states within the United States.

DENVER, CO— Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, was awarded a bronze medal for its Denver-brewed flagship Abby Blonde Ale in the Belgian and French-Style Ale category at the largest Great American Beer Festival® yet. This is the brewery’s first GABF award and Abby Blonde’s second medal this year.

Named after the brewery owner’s youngest child, Abby Blonde is a classic Belgian Style made with Franco-Belges Pilsner malt, wheat, and traditional sugar. Weighing in at 7.3% ABV, this slightly hazy, golden brew was fermented with Thirsty Monk’s in-house Belgian yeast strain, offering a plethora of flavors including banana and light clove.

When asked about how she felt about the win, young Abby announced that “It’s really hard to be famous. And Abby Blonde won a medal and Brother Noah didn’t.” Brother Noah is Thirsty Monk’s Belgian Chocolate Stout, named after Abby’s brother Noah. “I’ve got a unique form of sibling rivalry at my home,” says Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “Abby Blonde is one of our best selling beers and has medaled twice in the past year, but Brother Noah has higher Untappd reviews. And both kids know where their beers stand.”

“I am so proud of Brian, Norm, and Chris, our lead brewing team, and the entire Monk staff for their constant representation of our beers to our patrons. We are so honored to be recognized for our Abby Blonde this year,” continues Bialik.

For more information about Thirsty Monk or Abby Blonde, contact Emily Hutto at coop@radcraftbeer.com.

ABOUT THIRSTY MONK
Founded in 2008, Thirsty Monk currently operates three locations in Asheville, North Carolina including Thirsty Monk Downtown, Thirsty Monk Biltmore Park, and Top of the Monk Craft Cocktail Bar; and Thirsty Monk Denver, CO and Thirsty Monk Portland, OR. The brewery family has been the recipient of several beer awards just this year, including a gold medal in the Belgian-Style Table Beer category in the Best of Craft Beer Awards  and gold and silver medals at the US Open Beer Championship. Find the company online at monkpub.com.

SALISBURY, Md. — Evolution Craft Brewing Company is releasing their first ever Brut IPA. This trending style of beer is light bodied with bubbly effervescence conditioned with fruity Simcoe and Ekuanot hops. Enzymes are added to the fermenting process to lower the gravity for a dry champagne-like finish.  Unlike traditional IPA’s, the blend of dry Brut finish with higher carbonation levels make this new style of beer cutting-edge.

Evo built its brand on brewing award winning India Pale Ales, such as Lot #3 and Lot #6 double IPA. BrutAle DriPA. A Brut IPA, pronounced brut-al/dry-P-A, will be ready for limited release the first week of October 2018. This Brut IPA will be available on draft to start with the potential for being a main line staple.

Brewer, Vincent Dalfonzo (mastermind behind this style), noted, “We wanted to emphasize the dryness of this beer so we included a little white wheat in our grain bill to keep it pale but differentiate it from our other IPA‘s as well. Because it is so similar to champagne, we chose hops that would showcase tropical fruit on the nose and aroma.”

Beer lovers who have had the chance to try this new style have been raving about it. With the popular Tropical hops to the flavors and aromas this IPA gives, it will have a distinguishable style.

About Evolution Craft Brewery
Evolution Craft Brewing Co., the leader of the culinary Craft Beer movement, was founded by Tom and John Knorr in 2009. The brewery started in Delmar, Delaware and moved to Salisbury, Maryland in 2012 to meet growing demand. Evolutions inspiration was born out of the Knorr brothers’ passion for pairing the great food at their restaurants with great craft beers.

SAN DIEGO – Founded at the crossroads of cultures, SouthNorte Beer Co. seeks to embrace the best of both sides of the border, and this limited-edition anniversary release is no exception. SouthNorte Brewmaster Ryan Brooks took inspiration from esteemed Baja chef, Javier Plascencia, to brew a beer that expertly pairs with one of the chef’s most popular dishes—his grilled octopus. The result is a delicious beer and food pairing that celebrates SouthNorte’s Aniversario 1 in a truly unique and collaborative way.

“When we first started talking about what to brew for our first anniversary, I knew I wanted it to be something very special,” says Brewmaster Ryan Brooks. “The concept for this release started with the idea to craft a delicious beer and food pairing. We approached Chef Plascencia and he graciously shared the recipe for his famous Finca Altozano octopus,” says Brooks. Chef Plascencia’s dish has layers of complex citrus and umami flavors that served as the inspiration for Brewmaster Brooks’ Saison.

“I wanted to create a dry and earthy saison that cuts through the richness of the dish and offers an effervescent counterpoint, without overwhelming the citrus notes of the octopus,” says Brooks. Brooks added his SouthNorte spin to a traditional saison by adding Mexican honey to help dry out the beer, as well as the Mexican herb epazote, for a subtle, earthy bitterness. Finally, the beer was “dry-hopped” with cilantro for a lingering herbal freshness. “The spicy yeast character of the saison is the perfect canvas for exploring additional spices like the epazote and cilantro,” says Brooks. “I love the way this beer turned out and I am excited for fans to try recreating chef’s recipe at home and then pairing it with this beer.”

SouthNorte’s Aniversario 1 will debut at the Valle Food & Wine Festival and will be available for distribution throughout San Diego beginning October 1, 2018. The beer is available in a limited-edition 750ml bottle and features a neck hanger with Chef Javier Plascencia’s octopus recipe so fans can recreate the pairing at home. For more information about SouthNorte, visit www.southnorte.com. Crafted with an accent, hecho en San Diego. ¡Salud!

Label Copy:
We know that life’s more interesting when two worlds meet. So, it only seemed fitting that our first anniversary should meld the best of San Diego y Baja. We collaborated with esteemed Valle de Guadalupe chef, Javier Plascencia, to craft a dish to serve as the inspiration for our beer. Javier’s recipe is layered with citrus, spice and umami, giving our Brewmaster the flavor roadmap for this new-world Saison. Layered with complex spice and a dry, refreshing finish, we brewed this celebratory ale with Mexican honey, and epazote, then dry-hopped with fresh cilantro. We hope that one sip of this pairing transports you to the crossroads. ¡Salud!

Beer Specs:
ABV: 7.5%
Special ingredients: Mexican honey, epazote, cilantro
Available: San Diego y Baja California
Format: 750ml bottle and draft

About SouthNorte
Established in 2016, SouthNorte was born at the crossroads of cultures, where the blend of energies, wisdom, and talents equal more than the sum of the parts. We are brewers, makers and travelers wanting to see where we can take beer. And where it can take us. We explore the best of what each lado brings to the table. We cross borders and brew locally. We craft with an accent. We are SouthNorte. Inspired by Mexico. Crafted with an accent, hecho en San Diego. Taste the combinación. For more information, visit southnorte.com.