Archives for July 2019

CHICAGO — The Signature Room, the elevated restaurant located on the 95th floor of the former John Hancock Center, announces the launch of its first exclusive beer label, Top View Brew. The beer is a result of a partnership with suburban brewery Crystal Lake Brewing, currently offered exclusively at The Signature Room.

Top View Brew is a golden wheat ale with smooth malt sweetness, low bitterness and a bright lemon aroma. It is a straw-colored beer with a fluffy white head of foam. At 4.5% ABV, Top View Brew is delicate and refreshing – perfect for summer drinking. The brew pairs well with salads, along with light fish and chicken dishes, but can easily handle spicy foods and cut through heavier dishes.

“We have been fans of Crystal Lake Brewing for quite some time – and their Beach Blonde has been a top seller for years – so partnering with them on a custom beer was a no-brainer,” said The Signature Room’s VP of sales and marketing, Tricia Bryant. “We hope Top View Brew will be a beverage that guests want to enjoy not just during the summer, but all year-round.”

About The Signature Room
Located atop one of Chicago’s tallest skyscrapers at 875 North Michigan Avenue, The Signature Room at the 95th features refined American cuisine from Executive Chef Cardel Reid paired with 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline. The restaurant offers a respite from the bustling crowds below, featuring a serene panorama of the cityscape, Lake Michigan, and beyond. Brunch is offered on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday through Friday from 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dinner is offered Sunday through Thursday from 5-10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 5-11 p.m. Reservations are recommended and may be made by calling 312.787.9596. For more information, please visit www.signatureroom.com, or follow The Signature Room on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

VISTA, Calif. — Sometimes you have to stick to what you know best and for Iron Fist Brewmaster Tom Garcia, that’s certainly the starting point for the Iron Fist’s latest release, Catalina’s Revenge. After several months of brewing more European inspired brews and with an APA next up in the brewing schedule, Garcia decided to celebrate the brewery’s roots and pay homage to a California classic, the West Coast Pale Ale.

Catalina’s Revenge is a hop-forward Pale Ale, brewed with crystal dark malts, magnum for bittering and Citra for aroma and whirlpool, this beer is a true West Coast champion. The beer was brewed using the traditional infusion method, but the bitterness was balanced with malty caramel undertones. To enhance the hop aroma, Citra was added at different intervals, but though the ABV is higher than most Pale Ales, the beer was not dry hopped.

“It really goes to bat for team Pale Ale rather than team IPA,” said Garcia. “A great summer beer and it was a great opportunity to use Citra Hops in a slightly malty beer to create a unique flavor profile.  Sometimes you just need to make beer flavored beer. Straight to the point, hops, water, barley, yeast. We are very excited to make a classic pale ale with a few new interpretations. Cheers to real beer.”

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Golden copper with a full head.
• Aroma: citrus, floral, with mild tropical dankness.
• Flavor: Mild bitterness followed by notes of caramel and biscuit.  Citrus rind with dank fruit hop overtones.
• Mouthfeel: Med bodied with a dry finish.  Med high Carbonation and a full head.

Small Batch Experiments
This category serves as the brewer’s experimental playground; a space that allows the brewmaster to test out new techniques and flavor combinations that continue to push boundaries and get a little weird. With a new beer released monthly, each will be available exclusively in limited release draft exclusively at Iron Fist Taprooms, Petco and selected events with a limited release of 500 cans for take away customers

About Iron Fist Brewing
Iron Fist Brewing Company started as a family passion for the best hand crafted beer in the world. Founded in 2010 and still residing in Vista, San Diego County, we have a style steeped in tradition with a healthy thirst for experimentation that finds us constantly collaborating and concocting limited brews alongside our main line up. Our vision is to continue to experiment with our brewing using traditional methods (and a little madness) to create new all time classics that will rule your taste for years to come.

GROTON, Conn. — Groton-based Outer Light Brewing Company announced that they are releasing Outsider Organic India Pale Ale, which, to their knowledge is the first certified organic beer released by a Connecticut brewery.

“We are excited to release Outsider, the first small-brewery all-organic beer in the State of Connecticut,” said owner Tom Drejer. “This beer is in response to our efforts to offer a pure product that avoids the use of chemicals, which we know our customers have been looking and asking for. We found it worth having this product be certified organic which ensures our beer has met all the organic standards.”

Outer Light Brewing Company was certified organic by Baystate Organic Certifiers in Dighton Massachusetts.

“We swam up current against significant headwinds to make this beer a reality,” said owner Matt Ferrucci. “We know that craft beer drinkers appreciate variety in their beer selection, and we are happy to offer this organic option to the beer drinking public.”

The beer features Simcoe and El Dorado hops which lend hints of tropical fruit flavors, earth, pine and stone fruit. The India Pale Ale is 5.0% alcohol by volume which keeps the flavor light and refreshing.

Outsider will have limited distribution in 12 oz. 6-packs to grocery and liquor stores and in draft across the State of Connecticut and Rhode Island starting in July. For every case of the first batch of Outsider purchased, a pine tree will be planted by the Outer Light brew crew.

About Outer Light Brewing Company
A craft brewery in Groton, CT. Founders Tom Drejer and Matt Ferrucci are inspired by life’s simple pleasures: A fleeting moment in early spring as you sit on your surfboard, waiting for the perfect set to roll in.  A perfect summer afternoon, watching the powdery white clouds contrast a bright blue sky.  A crisp autumn evening shared with family and friends around a crackling campfire.  Or the quiet solitude of a powder run, lips smacking for the hearty stout that lies at the end.  Outer Light Brewing Company captures the experience of those moments in a can, glass or growler.

PORTLAND, Ore. – Laurelwood Brewing Company is excited to announce a brand-new packaging format for consumers to enjoy their favorite craft beer; 16 oz. cans. These innovative offerings out of their brewery are Kids These Daze Hazy IPA and Portlandia Pilsner.

Kids These Daze has been a pub favorite, particularly following its Gold Medal win at the Oregon Beer Awards in the Hazy-Hoppy category.  After winning gold in the most entered segment of this year’s Awards, Laurelwood’s success solidified the idea that this beer needed to have availability beyond draft-only.  While the aromas of pineapple and passion fruit are strong in this creamy tangerine beer, the body of Kids These Daze is kept light, which allows the seven different hops to shine – without overwhelming the palate with bitterness.

Portlandia Pilsner is a light, crisp and refreshing German-style Pilsner with a modern twist.  While the foundation of the beer is created with traditional German malts and hops, the flavor is given a unique update with the use of Mandarina Bavaria hops.  Head Brewer, Jon Boerner agrees that the result is a delightful beverage that will refreshingly satisfy your taste buds and keep you coming back for another!

Both beers will be available on draft and in 16 oz. cans from all Laurelwood Pub locations as well as many pubs and bottle shops in which better beers are served.  Kids These Daze will be available for year-round purchase, while the Portlandia Pilsner will be a part of Laurelwood’s rotating series.

About Laurelwood Brewing Company
Laurelwood is a family owned brewery that creates some of the most recognized regional craft beers. Owners Mike De Kalb and Cathy Woo-De Kalb founded Laurelwood in 2001 with a goal of providing fine food and handcrafted beer. Laurelwood’s product line is known for its creativity and quality therefore winning many national and international beer awards. Laurelwood’s handcrafted beers can be found on draft and in bottles throughout Oregon and Washington. To find out more about Laurelwood Brewing Company go online at laurelwoodbrewpub.com

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Founders Brewing Co. has announced the return of Pale Joe as the next release in the taproom Mothership Series. Light in color but full in flavor, this golden ale features notes of gently roasted, fruit-forward coffee. Pale Joe features a special blend of high-end Ethiopian coffee expertly roasted by Founders’ hometown neighbors at Ferris Coffee and Nut. It’s the lovechild of your favorite iced coffee and, well, beer. Pale Joe was last released in 2016 to benefit ArtPrize, a local art competition. ABV will be around 5.4%.

The Mothership Series is an ultra-limited, brew team favorite beer series only available at the Founders Grand Rapids and Detroit taprooms. Whether an old standby or an experimental new style, it’s sure to go quickly. Mothership beers have included: Mucho Lupu, Cerise, Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout, Panther Cub, MF Donkey Stout, Sleeper Cell and Red’s Rye IPA. Planning a trip to a Founders taproom?

What’s on Tap is updated weekly.

“Pale Joe was one of my favorite coffee beers to make when we first released it back in 2016,” said Brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. “I love light, sessionable beers and thought a gently-roasted coffee would be an interesting adjunct to introduce to that profile. It turned out to be a surprisingly refreshing pale ale that I think is more akin to an iced coffee. I’m pumped it gets to come back as part of the Mothership Series.”

Pale Joe will be released in 6-pack bottles and on draft from both taproom locations beginning on August 8. Pale Joe will have a retail price of $10.00/6-pack.

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. A proud sponsor of chasing the American dream, Founders launched theChase Your What If campaign in January 2019 to inspire all beer fans to live life to its fullest. Located in downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan, Founders is a member of the Michigan Brewers Guild. For more information, visit foundersbrewing.com or follow Founders on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

SEATTLE – Fremont Brewing is proud to announce a newly released beer called Lounge Life IPA, which was brewed exclusively for Alaska Airlines. This beer can be enjoyed in SeaTac’s newly renovated Alaska Lounge opening June 12 and at Fremont’s Urban Beer Garden in Seattle.

Lounge Life is a pale gold IPA featuring Idaho 7, Sorachi Ace and Citra hops. An ode to the PNW, Lounge Life reveals fruity aromas paired with piney bitterness that is typical of the regions IPA profile. “This beer is a taste of the Pacific Northwest in a glass,” said Matt Lincecum, Fremont Brewing CEO.

The Fremont Brewing and Alaska partnership was built on shared values. Both companies are rooted in the Pacific Northwest and care deeply about their environmental impact and supporting local communities. Flyers can already enjoy Fremont’s Lush IPA on Alaska flights, but this Lounge Life IPA was brewed to offer flyers a unique Pacific Northwest welcome during their travels to/from Seattle.

About Fremont Brewing
Fremont Brewing is a family-owned craft brewery founded in 2009 to brew artisan beers made with the best local ingredients we can find. We were born out of our love for Seattle and to prove that beer made with the finest local ingredients is not the wave of the future, but the doorway to beer’s history. Because Beer Matters! www.fremontbrewing.com/our-story

BEND, Ore. — Deschutes Brewery launches two new refreshing, easy drinking beers for summer.

Marionberry Lavender is an American Sour Ale infused with Oregon Marionberry and aromatic lavender. Inspired by culinary cocktails, the Deschutes brewing team was challenged to bring their most inspirational creation to the table to create this new sour series, a first for the brewery.

Veronica Vega runs creative development for the brewery, “This series is unique as it takes very approachable flavors like berry and citrus and raises a little bit of intrigue with spice, botanics and hops.”

Marionberry Lavender Sour features Hallertau Mittelfrüh hops with 4.3% ABV and 10 IBU.

Deschutes launches this expressive sour ale in bright, colorful 12-ounce, 6 pack cans and on draft. Marionberry Lavender sour is currently shipping to wholesalers in the brewery’s distribution footprint and will be available at retail by mid-July.  Tangelo Cardamom follows the Marionberry Lavender release this fall.

Brut IPA joins the Just Tapped Series where popular beers from their Bend and Portland pubs emerge for a broader market. Just in time to celebrate summer, Deschutes’ Brut IPA was born out of innovation at the Portland Public House with experimentation around this popular style in the brewery’s state-of -the-art pilot brewhouse. Featuring Mosaic and Hallertau Blanc hops, this is one of the most hoppy, aromatic beers Deschutes brews.

“Our brewers wanted to play with this popular style, so we put our own spin on it with a very dry, champagne like character, but we got all beer about it,”  said Assistant Brewmaster Kyle Matthias.

Brut IPA is 6.4% ABV with 35 IBU and is available in 12 oz. 6-pack bottles and draft and is currently shipping to wholesalers in Deschutes’ full distribution footprint.

About Deschutes Brewery
Deschutes Brewery, family and employee owned since 1988, is one of the quintessential beer of the Pacific Northwest. Founded on the guiding principles of true craftsmanship, ultimate quality and extraordinary consumer experience, Deschutes Brewery is recognized for defining beers such as Black Butte Porter, Mirror Pond Pale Ale,  Fresh Squeezed IPA and the non-stop release of pioneering small batch experimental and barrel-aged beers. Deschutes can be found at its brewpubs in Bend and Portland, Oregon, Tasting Rooms in Bend, and Roanoke, Virginia and at accounts across the country. Visit Deschutes Brewery’s beer finder at deschutesbrewery.com/beer-finder/ to find a Deschutes beer near you. Visit deschutesbrewery.com

BALTIMORE, Md. — FULL TILT BREWING announces the release of their latest brew, BOOMSHAKALAKA – Hazy IPA, the 5th Volume of the Hops-the-Cat Adventure Series. Taproom doors open at 11am on July 13th with live music by local artist, Janelle de la Rosa, from Noon – 3pm. NBA Jam Tournament registration is open all week until 2pm on the 13th with first tournament starting at 3pm.

Full Tilt first released the original Hops the Cat IPA back in 2016 with a B.A.R.C.S. charity bar crawl around Fells Point. Since then, the legend of their furry hero has grown into a multi-volume comic series starting with the revealing of Hops’ alter ego, GalactiCat. Since then he has saved Planet Lupulinia from the Anti-Rhizome Syndicate, brought on sidekicks Lorenzo and Kadet Kitten, and liberated Baltimore from his Arch-Nemesis, Volstead, the Vindictive. The latest Chapter of his legendary saga, which we celebrate with Boomshakalaka, brings Volstead back to Baltimore as he falls into Hops’ trap in the form of a 2-on-2 basketball tournament. Who will prevail?!

The release is being celebrated with both a solo and a doubles tournament on the NBA Jam Tournament Edition arcade console in Full Tilt’s brand new taproom on York Road in the Homeland neighborhood of Baltimore City. There will be prizes given away during both tournaments including Fully Tilted beer, merch, and posters signed by Tim Kitzrow, the voice of NBA Jam, himself! Entry fee for each tournament is $10 with $5 of every entry going to help Mo Gaba who is an absolute inspiration to anyone who hears the stories of the health issues he has fought and overcome so far in his life. We can think of no one we’d rather chip in to help in his ongoing battle #MoStrong

Boomshakalaka is the latest of many new beers Full Tilt has released under new Head Brewer, Brian Smith’s, watch since their new taproom opened in December, 2018. This Double Dry Hopped Hazy IPA was brewed with Ekuanot, Citra, and Mosaic hops and rings in at 7.5% ABV. This is a Limited Edition can release and can be purchased by case or 16oz 4-pack in Full Tilt’s Taproom starting July 13th until supply runs out.

FULL TILT BREWING comes from the background of not-cutting corners as its owners/dounders/cousins, Nick and Dan are passionate about every aspect of what they do and operate by the mantra, “Why do something half-assed when you can do it Full Tilt?!

FTB will debut, Boomshakalaka, their newest offering as part of a fundraising tournament benefiting the unmatched bravery of Mo Gaba on July 13th . For more information on helping Mo outside of this event, visit their GoFundMe page: (https://www.gofundme.com/mo-strong).

For more information about Janelle, visit her website: https://www.officialjanelle.com/, Facebook page: (https://www.facebook.com/OfficialJanelleMusic/) or Instagram: @OfficialJanelleMusic

For more information about FTB, visit www.fulltiltbrewing.com, call 443.835.2248 or email info@fulltiltbrewing.com. FTB is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fulltiltbrewing) and Instagram/Twitter (@fulltiltbrewing).

QUEBEC, Canada — The award-winning Blanche de Chambly, the first beer ever produced by Unibroue, is now available year-round for the first time in cans in a 16-ounce single-serve format nationwide.

Though it has been brewed and bottled since 1992, popular demand has called for a canned version of Blanche de Chambly, which Unibroue is now proud to deliver knowing that it fully meets the world-class standard that fans have grown to expect and appreciate from the brewery. With 37 medals and several international distinctions to its name, including back-to-back designations as “World’s Best Belgian Style Wheat Beer” at the prestigious World Beers Awards in London, that’s no small feat.

“We wanted to respond to consumer demand,” says Jerry Vietz, Brewmaster for Unibroue. “For many years now, consumers have been wanting to enjoy their favorite beer in a can. We are also seeing an increasingly popular trend in the industry towards the 473 mL can, which we will add to the current bottle formats.”

A traditional Belgian style Witbier refermented and brewed with coriander and Curaçao orange peels, Blanche de Chambly pours a pale, angelic straw color, emanating a subtle bouquet of citrus and spice mingled with aromas of yeast breads, coriander, and cloves.

The hazy and cloudy appearance of Blanche de Chambly finds a perfect counterpoint in the lively, sustained effervescence culminating in a creamy head that rests atop the refreshing contents within. Each sip greets the palate with delicate spice notes blanketed in citrus flavors reminiscent of orange and lemon. Medium-bodied with minimal bitterness, this is a beer that suits all levels of thirst, from sip to thirst-quenching gulp.

Blanche de Chambly is meant to be served roused, with the yeast suspended within the liquid to take full advantage of all of the beer’s flavors and aromas. The unique Belgian yeast strain in Blanche de Chambly contributes an especially flavorful taste and mouthfeel to the beer.

Look for the label of Blanche de Chambly, which features the coat of arms of the town in which it is brewed – as well as the image of the iconic Fort de Chambly in Quebec – on shelves everywhere.

Name: Blanche de Chambly

• Style: Refermented Belgian Style White Ale (Witbier)
• Strength: 5% ABV
• Effervescence: Fine champagne-like bubbles
• Aroma: Subtle bouquet of spice, citrus notes, yeast breads, coriander and cloves
• Flavor: Refreshing; wheat and subtle spices blanketed in citrus flavors reminiscent of orange and lemon
• IBU: 10
• SRM: 4
• Body: Medium
• Serving Temperature: 41° to 42.8° F
• Suggested Pairing: Buchette-type goat cheese, mussels, oysters, white grilled fish, salads, white lemon meats and buttered asparagus
• Aging: 9 to 24 months based on packaging, best when fresh

The beer is available in the U.S. in the new 1-pint, 16-ounce, single-serve can format, 4-packs of 12-ounce bottles, 750-mL cork and cage ‘‘brasseur’’ bottles, as well as on tap. Use the Unibroue Finder tool to find this and other Unibroue beers that are available near you.

The award-winning Blanche de Chambly, the first beer ever produced by Unibroue, is now available year-round for the first time in cans in a 16-ounce single-serve format nationwide. Use the Unibroue Finder tool to find this and other Unibroue beers that are available near you.

About Unibroue
Unibroue is headquartered in Quebec, Canada. From the very beginning, it has carved out a special niche in the beer world with top-quality products and a brand rooted deep in Quebec culture. It made history by becoming the first North American brewer to use a brewing method inspired by the two-centuries-old tradition developed by Trappist monks in Europe – particularly Belgium. Over the years, Unibroue has remained faithful to its origins even as it has grown to become an icon of the brewing world. Unibroue products take you on a journey filled with legends and fabulous tales.