Archives for June 2019

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — With a year over year average production capacity increase of over 20%, the Virginia Beer Co. is poised for another summer of growth with the addition of its first 90 bbl brite tank and first 90 bbl fermenter. In addition, the brewery recently installed a new 60 bbl fermenter (its sixth).

“We’re finding that we simply can’t keep up with demand for our flagship India Pale Ale, Free Verse,” noted VBC co-founder Chris Smith. “Based on the popularity of this recipe we were at a point where we were having to short the taproom in order to fulfill distributor orders in our home market [Hampton Roads, VA] and our first growth market [Richmond, VA]. We just installed a custom built Alpha Brewing Operations canning line so we hadn’t planned on any additional infrastructure investments this year. We quickly realized that it wasn’t sustainable (or recommended!) to ‘rob Peter to pay Paul’ so we pulled the trigger on three new tanks including our two largest to date, which will increase production capacity by almost 50% compared to last year.”

The brewery’s 30 bbl system is used to brew four flagship recipes — Free Verse India Pale Ale, Saving Daylight Citrus Wheat, Wrenish Rye Amber Ale, and Elbow Patches Oatmeal Stout. The VBC brewing team typically double batches these recipes, along with seasonal releases, into the existing 60 bbl fermenters already staged within the brewery. The addition of a set of complementary 90 bbl tanks will allow the Virginia Beer Co. team to triple down on the production of their most popular offering, Free Verse, and free the team up over time to allow for growth of new recipes first brewed on the brewery’s 5 bbl pilot system.

One such recipe, Liquid Escape, is now on the precipice of being added to the brewery’s year round offerings. “This tart ale brewed with Lemongrass and Sea Salt was really popular when we released it as a taproom-only offering,” reflected brewmaster Jonathan Newman. “We love the way it could diversify our other offerings, and at less than 4.5% ABV we know it’s a crusher. But without these new tanks my team pretty much had to hurry up and wait to turn around as much Free Verse on the the larger system as possible. Now we have the tanks in place to plan for the Free Verse we need and to make the first change to our Year Round lineup since opening in 2016…without shorting anyone waiting for or wanting our beer.”

Since opening in March 2016, the Virginia Beer Co. has increased production capacity by 131%. Free Verse IPA and additional Virginia Beer Co. offerings can be found across much of the Commonwealth of Virginia and in select international markets. Liquid Escape makes its debut on draft and in 6-packs beginning in mid-June.

TEMECULA, Calif. — If you are looking for a decadent beer drinking experience, look no further than Garage Brewing Co’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Milk Stout. This scrumptious stout touts rich, bold peanut butter aromas and a silky chocolate mouthfeel with flavors that will remind you of classic peanut butter cups – without the melty mess.

“Peanut butter beers are popular, and we’ve been researching the right combination that people will fall in love with,” Guy Bartmess, brew master at Garage Brewing Co said. “I think chocolate definitely did the trick.”

Chocolate Peanut Butter Milk Stout is available at Garage Brewing Co’s brewpub and coming soon in 12 oz. cans, 22 oz. bottles and draft at bars and restaurants throughout Southern California.

About Peanut Butter Milk Stout

• ABV: 7.1 %
• Flavor: Peanut butter, chocolate
• Aroma: Rich roasted peanut butter
• Balance: Dark malts
• Body: Full
• Color: Black
• Carbonation: Medium
• Retention: High
• Availability: At Garage Brewing Co’s brewpub | Coming soon in 12oz cans, 22oz bottles and draft at various restaurants and bars throughout Southern California

*Contains lactose

About Garage Brewing Co.
Garage Brewing Co opened in Temecula, CA in 2013 with a focus on brewing quality and exciting craft beers brewed on a 10 BBL system alongside a fast-casual pizzeria, wings, etc. In 2016 the brewing arm expanded to a production facility in Murrieta with a state-of-the-art 30 BBL brewhouse. Numerous Garage Brewing Co beers have won prestigious Gold Awards from Great American Brew Festival, Los Angeles International Beer Competition, San Diego International Beer Competition, Sonoma County Fair and California State Fair. Garage Brewing Co ensures unsurpassed quality by printing every bottle and can with an easy to find and read ‘best by’ date. Most beers are sold on draft, 22oz bottles, 12oz six pack bottles and cans, growlers and kegs in the taproom/brewpub and distributed to stores and restaurants throughout Southern California and Las Vegas. Visit garagebrewco.com.

BUELTON, Calif. — Firestone Walker’s Barrelworks is turning up the volume with Violet Underground—a cross-Atlantic wild beer made with California golden raspberries and French candied violet petals, all fermented with native yeast shared by England’s Wild Beer Company.

“Violet Underground is an intentional head trip,” said Barrelworks’ master blender Jim Crooks. “It’s golden in color yet smells like raspberries, offering a bunch of unexpected sensory notes that all come together in the glass.”

Violet Underground will begin rolling out this week to all Firestone Walker markets in limited draft and 375-ml bottle formats. It is the second of four bottled Barrelworks wild ale releases slated for 2019.

Straight Out of Somerset
The story behind Violet Underground begins in Somerset County, England, where Crooks’ friend Brett Ellis—co-founder and brewer at The Wild Beer Co.—packaged up a stash of his native wild ale yeast and shipped it to Barrelworks.

“Somerset is renowned for its apple orchards and ciders, and this yeast gives you a sense of that with this distinct cidery quality,” Crooks said.

Violet Underground is ultimately a blend of two base beers—one fermented with the golden raspberries using native Barrelworks yeasts, and another fermented with the Wild Beer Co. yeast. Both batches were aged in French oak barrels from six to 12 months. The candied violet petals were added to six barrels, and finally all of the batches were merged to create the final blend.

“A little goes a long way with the violet petals,” Crooks said. “They add this interesting botanical note to the aroma.”

The result is an improbable wild ale with pronounced raspberry aromas, lively cidery flavors and a suggestion of botanical confection, all converging into a dry, mouthwatering finish.

About Firestone Walker Brewing Company
Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a pioneering regional craft brewery founded in 1996 and located on the coast of California. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. The Barrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. For more information: FirestoneBeer.com. 

DETROIT — Atwater Brewery was founded with the mission to revive Detroit’s proud brewing history of creating the highest quality brews made in the German tradition. That goal was further advanced with today’s announcement that Atwater’s Ledergosen is hitting the shelves.

First brewed in 13th century Germany, gose is a top-fermented fruity wheat ale known for its saltiness, low bitterness and lower alcohol. Atwater’s Ledergosen (ABV 4.2% IBU: 9) adds a uniquely Michigan twist by featuring locally grown cherries in the smooth, refreshing summer seasonal.

“Ledergosen is a perfect addition to our portfolio,” said Mark Rieth, Atwater owner. “A legendary German style ideally complimented with a taste of Michigan. Ledergosen’s cherry saltiness, hint of coriander and easy drinkability is a great alternative to heavier, more hoppy and bitter brews.”

With almost 800 years of brewing history under its belt, it’s surprising that the gose style has only recently caught on in the United States. However, its notoriety as a refreshing summer brew is making gose a go-to at BBQs, picnics and beach parties where the flavorful brew is fast becoming the preferred alternative to watered-down lagers.

Not surprisingly, the name Ledergosen pays homage to lederhosen, the traditional summer garment worn primarily in the German countryside. As with other Atwater products, renown Detroit artist Tony Roko came up with a unique “character” design on the label, this time featuring chivalrous, but serious looking dude wearing lederhosen embroidered with cherries.

Ledergosen will be available at select bars and in12 ounce cans at retailers across Michigan, including displays at Meijer locations all this month. Only a limited supply is being produced, and when its gone, it’s gone.

Learn more at Atwaterbeer.com.

About Atwater Brewery
Atwater Brewery. Born in Detroit. Raised Everywhere. Atwater offers 40 styles of beer led by its popular Purple Gang Pilsner, Better Life Choices IPA, Vanilla Java Porter, Dirty Blonde and its “World Beer Cup” award winning Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale. In addition to is distribution in select U.S. and international market, Atwater operates three full-service tap house and biergarten locations in Detroit, Grosse Pointe and Grand Rapids, MI. Find us on Facebook or visit www.Atwaterbeer.com

BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Five Boroughs Brewing Co. is thrilled to partner with New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) to brew United By Beer, a delicious Northeast Pale Ale created in celebration of NYC Pride. A portion of all proceeds from United By Beer sales will be donated to The Center, one of NYC’s leading advocates for the LGBTQ community.

For the Five Boroughs team, the opportunity to collaborate with an organization as impactful as The Center was deeply rewarding.

“One of our guiding tenets is a demonstrated commitment to our community,” said Blake Tomnitz, co-founder and CEO of Five Boroughs. “We were excited to make a beer celebrating NYC Pride and were incredibly fortunate to partner with The Center. We found that our mission — brewing beer for all New Yorkers — aligned excellently with their commitment to fostering welcoming environments where everyone can be celebrated for who they are.”

For The Center, the United By Beer partnership will benefit their critical work across New York City.

“We are grateful to Five Boroughs Brewing Co. for their support of our work, and are excited to collaborate with them this Pride season,” said Glennda Testone, The Center’s executive director. “Their generosity will help us continue delivering our life-changing and life-saving services to LGBTQ New Yorkers, and will help keep our doors open 365 days a year.”

A great beer warrants a great can design and, for that, Five Boroughs was excited to have Boneli Lotilla, design director at minds + assembly, on the job. Lotilla brought a creative, inclusivity-focused design philosophy to the project, crafting a beautiful can inspired by the Unisphere in Queens’ Flushing Meadows Park, a structure built to celebrate the 1964 World’s Fair and its theme, “Peace Through Understanding.” Lotilla’s final product was sleek, colorful, bold, and compelling, and was a smash hit with both teams.

“For me, Pride has always been about people coming together to celebrate their true selves and beer has always been an integral part of that celebration,” said Lotilla. “It warms my heart to have the opportunity to come together with Five Boroughs on this incredible project and to celebrate the love and unity that makes pride (and beer!) so special.”

United By Beer will head to shelves and taps across New York City, Long Island, and Westchester, Rockland, and Putnam counties, starting in early June. It will also be available at Five Boroughs’ NYC Pride Party in their Sunset Park taproom on June 8 and at The Center’s annual Garden Party at Pier 97 in Manhattan on June 24.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Goodwood Brewing Co. has expanded distribution into North Carolina. Goodwood is partnering with Freedom Beverage Company for statewide coverage. Both parties are excited to bring Goodwood’s award-winning beers to new and existing fans in the Tarheel State. Keep a look out for Goodwood Brewing launch events at local North Carolina establishments.

“North Carolina is the craft beer hub of the east coast.  We have enjoyed tremendous success in the Boarder states of VA, SC and TN,” said Ted Mitzlaff, Goodwood Brewing CEO. “Freedom Beverage’s focus on high end craft makes them an ideal market partner, and we look forward to sharing Goodwood with the great people of North Carolina.”

Freedom Beverage Company will offer Goodwood’s year-round portfolio as well as many seasonal selections.  These include Hemp Gose, Walnut Brown Ale, Louisville Lager, IPA, Spruce Tip IPA, APA, Bourbon Barrel Ale, Bourbon Barrel Stout and El Gozador (Tequila barrel aged Gose).

Beer brand manager for Freedom Beverage, Jeff York, added: “We are very excited to partner with Goodwood Brewing Company to offer distribution for the vast majority of the state of NC.  It is important to us at Freedom to offer our customers only the best beer & wine from all over the world.  Goodwood offers uniquely different craft beers to our portfolio with their commitment to making beer that is touched by wood at some point in the brewing process.  We are eager to showcase the Goodwood brand and look forward to the success this synergy between our two companies will generate.”

Goodwood beers are available in Kentucky, Indiana, Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, Oklahoma, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Kansas, and now North Carolina. Goodwood Brewing looks forward to extending their current reach throughout 2019 to new states and territories, to bring their unique beers to craft-beer lovers across the region!

About Freedom Beverage Company
Founded in 2002, Freedom Beverage Company, supplies the vast array of independent retail, specialty chains, and on-premise businesses across North Carolina. Located in Greensboro, at their 30,000 sq. ft., temperature-controlled facility, Freedom Beverage serves major North Carolina markets including, Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and Wilmington.

PHILADELPHIA – Philadelphia Brewing Co., one of Philly’s oldest and largest breweries, is pleased to announce the release of Working Cat Pale Ale, a limited release draft beer, which pays homage to Philadelphia Brewing Co’s working cat, Duke.

Working Cat is a double dry hopped pale ale brewed with Amarillo and Falconer’s Flight hops, as well as grapefruit and orange peels, which gives the 5% session-able beer balanced citrus notes with minimal bitterness. This newly-released limited seasonal brew is smooth, citrusy and light bodied, and is packed full of aroma.

“Working Cat is an ode to Duke, our very own working brewery cat who keeps a watchful eye on all that happens in the brewery,” said Nancy Barton, co-owner of Philadelphia Brewing Co. “Beer lovers can get an exclusive first taste of this perfect summer sipper at our tasting room as well as select Philly Beer Week events including our inaugural Meet the Drivers event at Fishtown Tavern and Fishtown’s Festivale on June 8th at the Philadelphia Brewing Co. tent.”

In addition to Philadelphia Brewing Co.’s Peacock Room and Tasting Room, Working Cat will be available at bars throughout the greater Philadelphia region, including: Cherry Street Tavern, MilkBoy South Street, Garage Fishtown, Interstate Drafthouse, Fishtown Tavern, Standard Tap, and more.

For more information about Philadelphia Brewing Company, follow them at Instagram:

Follow @philadelphiabrewing and @peacockroomphiladelphia, on Twitter @PhillyBrewing and Facebook /phillybrewing.

About Philadelphia Brewing Co.
Philadelphia Brewing Co. was originally founded in 1893 and re-established in 2007. In 2001 co-owners Nancy and Bill Barton and Jim McBride acquired their historic Kensington brewery originally constructed and designed in 1885. Today, Philadelphia Brewing Co. is home to the local Kenzinger beer along with more than a dozen different styles of ales and lagers brewed annually. Acting as a city leader in reusing and recycling, the brewery produces fresh beer daily and proudly serves vegan beers. Philadelphia Brewing Co. is operated by Philadelphia’s Brewers & Bottlers and houses the newly-opened Peacock Room and Beer Garden. For more information, please call (215) 427-2739 or visit http://philadelphiabrewing.com/.

WORCESTER, Mass. – Wormtown Brewery, an annual supporter of the Black Ale Project since its inception in late 2016, is partnering with the veteran-run organization to continually help those in need in the Worcester area and beyond. A draft line in Wormtown’s Worcester taproom will be committed to the endeavor and a portion of the proceeds from each beer poured from the special Black Ale Project tap will be given to charity.

Many local charities will benefit from this program as Wormtown will donate the funds to different nonprofits throughout the year. Although the Black Ale Project focuses on raising money for war veterans, the tap will also support first responders, families of fallen military, police, and firefighters, food banks, organizations dedicated to combating  disease and a variety of other worthy causes.

“Dave Pappas has been a tremendous inspiration for us here at Wormtown,” said Katrina Shabo, director of marketing for Wormtown Brewery. “His project aligns wholeheartedly with our core values to give back and we are truly proud to be partnering year-round to support those in need.”

“I am beyond excited and extremely honored to join forces with Wormtown to launch this innovative fundraising effort,” said Dave Pappas, USMC veteran and founder of the Black Ale Project. “Wormtown has been amazingly supportive of the Black Ale Project since it started, and they are truly taking their mission of helping others in their community to the next level by putting the tap program in place.”

Wormtown plans to pour a wide selection of their expertly crafted beers from the Black Ale Project tap, rotating styles to align with seasonal preferences and the charities they will support. The first tapping of the partnership will take place on Saturday, June 1 at 12 p.m. and $1 per pint from the BAP tap line for the month of June will go to support Project New Hope in Worcester, Massachusetts. 

About Wormtown Brewery
Wormtown Brewery was founded in Worcester, MA in 2010. The brewery has been recognized as a world class brewery with over 150 national and international medals. Currently, Wormtown is located at 72 Shrewsbury St, Worcester. The 24,000 sq ft facility includes a 30 barrel brew house, canning, bottling and kegging lines and a quality control lab. In addition, the Wormtown taproom provides a view of the brewery, while serving full pints, tasting flights and beer to go and BYOF (bring your own food) with 20 restaurants located within walking distance. Check out Wormtownbrewery.com to learn more.

About The Black Ale Project
Founded by Dave Pappas, a former active duty Marine and non-combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War, the Black Ale Project is a craft beer initiative to raise money and awareness on behalf of U.S. war veterans. The Black Ale Project itself isn’t a charity organization but an idea Dave came up with to help veterans in need. Each Black Ale Project beer is brewed and sold by a different craft brewery, with no two beers being exactly the same. Dave does not handle the money at any time during the process; the funds are donated directly by the brewery to a veteran charity of the brewery’s own choosing. The Black Ale Project has raised well over $100,000 for more than fifty different veteran charities and continues to raise money every week through the sale of beers by participating breweries. For more information, visit blackaleproject.org, like/follow the Black Ale Project on Facebook (facebook.com/blackaleproject), or follow the Black Ale Project on Instagram (instagram.com/blackaleproject).

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. — Hey, Lone Star State, you’re about to get a little less lonely. That’s right, we’re cozying up to you in a big way. The team at 21st Amendment Brewery, the 26th largest craft brewery in the US, is thrilled to announce our statewide Texas launch this summer! Craft beer fans across the plains can now cheers to – and with – our bold and tasty brews including Brew Free! or Die IPA, El Sully Mexican-Style Lager, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer, Sparkale Sparkling Rosé Ale, and Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die IPA.

“Since I started brewing beer back in the day it’s always been a dream to sell our beer in the great State of Texas. There is no greater thrill for me to roll-up and enjoy a 21A beer with Texan craft beer fans. See you soon,” said Shaun O’Sullivan, co-founder and brewmaster of 21st Amendment Brewery.

Texans’ affinity for craft beer makes for a prime market for 21st Amendment’s flagship IPAs, delicious fruit brews and seasonal offerings. From a refreshing Sparkale (pro tip: try it over ice!) to an iconic Hell or High Watermelon, the options are sure to satisfy while also offering something new to the local beer culture. With IPAs ranking as the most popular beer segment in the state, our solid selection of sought-after, West Coast-style IPAs will provide beer fans with just what they’re looking for, and will be widely available when thirst strikes.

Together with leading Texas distributor and longtime Brooklyn Brewery partner Ben E. Keith, 21st Amendment beers will be available on draft and in six-packs and twelve-packs at retail locations throughout the state.

“Texas is as craft-competitive as you get. We are privileged to be working with a distributor with the know-how and reputation that will put us on the map within the market’s lively craft beer scene,” said Dave Wilson, president of 21st Amendment Brewery. “We look forward to growing our relationship with Ben E. Keith and all the craft beer fans in Texas.”

After a summer filled with the sweet sound of popping cans (tssSSS kr-POP!) of our initial Texas launch offerings, we will continue to roll out additional handcrafted brews that will keep y’all thirsty for more.

For more information and to learn where to find 21st Amendment beer throughout Texas, visit www.21st-amendment.com as well as our Find Some page. Visit Facebook: /21stAmendment and Instagram: @21stAmendment.

About 21st Amendment
In 2000, Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan opened the doors to the 21st Amendment brewpub in San Francisco’s historic South Park neighborhood with Freccia managing the restaurant and O’Sullivan spearheading the brewing process. In addition to quickly becoming one of the city’s favorite pubs, 21st Amendment began expanding beyond the Bay Area while helping to pioneer the canned craft beer movement. In 2015, they opened a Brewery & Tap Room in San Leandro where most of their beers are made and canned to this day. Known for artistic packaging, witty names and delicious brews, 21st Amendment offers year-round selections, seasonal offerings and its Insurrection Series of small-batch, limited releases. Sold in 28 states, 21st Amendment is among the top 50 craft beer breweries in America and the largest craft brewery in the Bay Area.

ATLANTA, GA (June 4, 2019) — The second Iteration of Fistful of Cake stout is the latest Black Tie release from Monday Night Brewing.

This round of Fistful of Cake (chocolate-orange) embodies the decadence of chocolate, but tempered with the aroma of fresh orange peels and Vietnamese cinnamon.

“Brewing a stout to drink in the summertime can be a little tricky,” said brewmaster Peter Kiley. “With this round of Fistful of Cake, we wanted to make something that would pair well with desserts, but wouldn’t be so overly sweet that it would feel too heavy.”

Earlier this year, Monday Night Brewing debuted the Fistful of Cake series with a chocolate-vanilla creation inspired by a French opera cake.

Monday Night Brewing’s Black Tie Series are small batch beers ranging from IPAs to sours to stouts. The Black Tie Series is designed to inspire and delight the nerdiest of craft beer enthusiasts. Each label features local art unique to each beer.

Fistful of Cake debuts at Monday Night Brewing’s West Midtown taproom (670 Trabert Avenue, Atlanta GA 30318) on Friday, June 7 at 4pm. Can artwork is by local artist Sam Markus. Starting the week of June 10, Fistful of Cake will be available throughout Georgia, Tennessee and Alabama.

ABOUT MONDAY NIGHT BREWING
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Monday Night Brewing grew out of a Bible study. Founded by Jonathan Baker, Joel Iverson and Jeff Heck, Monday Night Brewing exists to deepen human relationships over some of the best beer of country. Brewmaster Peter Kiley oversees brewing operations at both West Midtown and the Garage. More details can be found here.