Archives for May 2020

PASO ROBLES, Calif. — The next release in Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion IPA series harnesses six hops from three continents to deliver explosive fruit flavors of peach, pear drop and dragonfruit.

“We combined some our favorite new hops from New Zealand, Germany and the Pacific Northwest to create this really unique flavor profile,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It’s all about showing how these distinctive fruit flavors can be achieved solely through 100-percent pure natural hops.”

The latest edition of Luponic Distortion is now available in all Firestone Walker markets.

Luponic Distortion is not a single beer, but rather an ongoing series of beers that rotate approximately every 120 days. While the base beer always remains the same, each release features a different hop blend built around new and experimental hops, designed to showcase the growing possibilities of pure hop aromas and flavors without any assist from fruit or other adjuncts.

Flavors Through Hops

The latest Luponic Distortion includes three “new school” Pacific Northwest cultivars—two with a softer, juicier character, and one with a more edgy citrus quality. “The alchemy of these three hops resulted in this cool tropical dragonfruit character,” Brynildson said.

The beer also features two German hops that are among Brynildson’s favorite discoveries from his forays to a variety of family hop farms in Hallertau. “With these hops, it’s all about getting this fresh, bright fruit without a lot of dank character, reminiscent of ripe peach,” he said.

Finally, there’s a New Zealand-grown hop that fittingly happens to be a cross between an American cultivar and a German cultivar. “It has this fresh peach and pear drop character that’s really distinctive,” Brynildson said. “It’s the perfect way to tie this blend together.”

The result is the latest beer to exemplify Luponic Distortion’s mantra of “flavors through hops.”

“Luponic Distortion is this beer that can keep morphing and stay interesting and remain out in front of this crazy new hop wave,” Brynildson said.

# # #
Founded by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker in 1996, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is an innovative California beer company with three state-of-the-art brewing facilities. 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. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation’s fastest-growing beers. Firestone Walker was recently named “Best American Brewery of the Decade” by Paste Magazine. More at FirestoneBeer.com.

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BOSTON – Harpoon Brewery announced today that it’s giving its flagship IPA a makeover. While its recipe hasn’t changed, Harpoon IPA is getting bold new packaging that better reflects the fans who drink it and the employee owners who make it, complete with illustrated scenes of the two cities it calls home: Boston and Windsor, Vt.

Harpoon IPA was originally brewed in 1993 and was the first IPA brewed in New England during America’s craft beer revival – earning it the nickname of “New England’s Original IPA.” While most beer options back then were mass-produced pale lagers, Harpoon IPA was the first craft beer on the East Coast to put hops at the forefront. Since then, it’s continued to be the brewery’s most popular offering. The new can and bottle design brings this storied history to life.

“Harpoon IPA has been a fan favorite for years, and there’s a reason for that. It’s the beer we all reach for time and time again – from ball games to BBQs with friends – and we wanted its packaging to better reflect that sense of community and approachability,” said Dan Kenary, Harpoon’s CEO and co-founder. “The revamped packaging makes it loud and clear that Harpoon IPA is proud of its New England roots, while paying tribute to those who have enjoyed it – and helped brew it – for nearly three decades.”

In addition to the illustrations of each city, the new packaging boasts a more proud and prominent declaration that the brewery is “Employee Owned.” In 2014, Kenary decided it was time to make moves toward employee ownership and launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The ESOP gave 48 percent of Harpoon Brewery’s shares to the brewery’s employees. Not only did employee ownership allow brewery employees to share in the value of what they’d helped to build, it allowed the thirst for innovation of each of its employees to flourish. Today, Harpoon believes more than ever that good company makes a good company, something that’s more noticeably on display on the new Harpoon IPA packaging.

Classic components from the previous packaging are still intact – such as the arched “Harpoon,” the bright orange and blue colors, the Harpoon “H” and diamonds – but they’ve been reimagined in a bold and modern new layout.

A regional favorite and craft beer classic, Harpoon IPA is styled after an English IPA with distinctly American hops. At 6.0% ABV, it’s citrusy, balanced, and refreshing, making it feel right at home on the beaches of Cape Cod, Mass., the ski slopes of Vermont or in a Boston dive.

Its hometown ties are even more evident this year, as Harpoon IPA sales will benefit the Pan-Mass Challenge (PMC) and its fight against cancer. The Pan-Mass Challenge raises money for life-saving cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute through an annual bike-a-thon that crosses Massachusetts. Harpoon has been a proud PMC sponsor for 22 years, and this summer will take its partnership to a new level. During the month of July, a portion of proceeds from each case sold of Harpoon IPA will go directly to the PMC’s fundraising efforts.

Harpoon IPA is available on draft, in 6-packs and 12-packs everywhere Harpoon is sold. To find it near you, check out the Harpoon beer finder:website.

About the Harpoon Brewery:
The Harpoon Brewery was founded in 1986 by beer lovers who wanted more and better beer options. When the Brewery was founded, Harpoon was issued Brewing Permit #001 by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, since it was the first to brew commercially in Boston after a dormant period of about 25 years. Since then, it has expanded to a second brewery in Windsor, VT. Harpoon’s line of craft beer features its award-winning IPA and seasonal beers, along with special limited releases. In 2014, Harpoon became an employee-owned company.

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Naperville, Ill. — We’re back! Starting this Friday, outdoor dining will be available at all three Two Brothers locations! We will be opening up our patios, rooftops and beer gardens on Friday, May 29th, at 4 p.m.

Hours for the first week are below (all seating is outdoors and subject to weather).

Each location will offer food and drinks and we’ll even have live music at the Two Brothers Roundhouse on Friday and Saturday evening!

It’s going to be great to see everyone again, but we take the safety of our customers and staff very seriously.

With that in mind, we will be implementing the following guidelines:
All staff will be wearing PPE and we expect our guests to do so as well.
Guests must wear masks while away for their table for any reason.
We have implemented aggressive sanitation practices including routine sanitation of surfaces and using recyclable one-time-use menus.
Parties are limited to 6 people and guests may not gather outside of their table or move their tables/chairs.
Cash WILL NOT be accepted at this time.
In the meantime, if you can’t make it out for outdoor dining, we are still offering curbside pickup through our online store and delivery through Grubhub.

Thank you for all your support. We can’t wait to see all your faces again (even if it is covered by a mask!). Cheers!

Two Brothers Outdoor Dining Hours
Fri: 4:00 – 10:00 (11:30-10 after 5/29)
Sat: 11:30 – 10:00
Sun: 11:30 – 8:00
Mon: Closed
Tue: Closed
Wed: 11:30 – 8:00
Thu: 11:30 – 8:00

Locations:
Two Brothers Barrel House16 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, IL(630) 615-7100
Two Brothers Roundhouse205 N. Broadway, Aurora, IL(630) 264-2739
Two Brothers Tap House30W315 Calumet Ave., Warrenville, IL630-383-2337

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PEWAUKEE, Wis. – Brew Pipeline, a direct-access platform between craft brewers and new markets, announced it’s partnering with Wisconsin’s Ale Asylum to bring its newest beer, FVCK COVID, nationwide beginning this June. FVCK COVID is available in two beer styles – Pilsner, originally launched in only Wisconsin last month, and Hazy Pale Version 2.0, released just last week.

“Never in my lifetime would I expect to witness something of this nature, let alone experience the sheer totality of each and every way this affects our staff, our families, and our community,” says Otto Dilba, co-founder of Ale Asylum. “The name may not be subtle, but it succinctly captures exactly how all of us feel about this moment. Also, hoarders.”

“The demand for FVCK COVID is growing rapidly – the initial release sold out in minutes at the brewery,” says Steve Kwapil, CEO and co-founder of Brew Pipeline. “ And the brewery has since tripled their production efforts to keep up with demand. We’re thrilled to help Ale Asylum bring this beer beyond Wisconsin and to do our part to support those financially affected by Covid-19 in the restaurant industry.”

FVCK COVID is available throughout summer in four-packs of 16-ounce cans. The suggested retail selling price will range from $7.99 to $9.49 depending on various state taxes and promotions available.

Pilsner
4% ABV
Clean, crisp and refreshing

Hazy American Pale Version 2.0
5% ABV
Sessionable, bright, citrus, soft and hazy

To help restaurant workers struggling from the wake of COVID-19, $2 per case will be donated to the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund . This fund was created to help restaurant and foodservice industry workers experiencing extraordinary hardship in the wake of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Through this fund, grants will be made to restaurant industry employees who have been impacted by COVID-19, including a decrease in wages or loss of employment. This fund is operated by the National Restaurant Association Educational

Foundation, whose mission is to attract, empower and advance today’s and tomorrow’s restaurant and foodservice workers.

For more information regarding distribution and retail, please email info@brewpipeline.com

About Brew Pipeline
Led by industry veterans, Brew Pipeline is the first direct-access platform between the best craft brewers and new markets across the nation. Forward-thinking initiatives including Portfolio, Collab, and Guest Brewer provide a number of opportunities to connect brewers to new markets, retailers and consumers. As a one-stop solution for all logistics beyond the brewers’ dock, Brew Pipeline handles everything from marketing and promotions to order harvesting, registrations and chain communications. Additionally, they provide resources that build brewers brands, expand distributor portfolios, adding true incremental dollars to both breweries and distributors alike. For more information, visit www.brewpipeline.com and follow on social media @brewpipline and @guestbrewer.

About Ale Asylum
Ale Asylum is located in Madison, WI and has been serving the masses topnotch craft beer since 2006. In 2012 they moved to a new facility that is freestanding on 5 acres, 45,000 square feet and offers up an additional 85,000 square feet for expansion when the need arises. Their current facility has allowed them the advantage to brew in a 33 barrel brewhouse, the ability to enhance their sustainable practices and to utilize an automated bottling and canning line. They produce and package all beer on-site, making all-natural and unfiltered beer with impassioned spirit, the way beer should be made.

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LAGRANGE, Ga. — The highly anticipated Vol. 12 in Wild Leap’s signature Alpha Abstraction Double IPA series is here. Vol. 12 features Belma hops to give it one of the most dominant citrus flavors of the Alpha series to date. Alpha Abstraction Vol. 12 hits shelves today.

“Our goal for the Alpha series was to create a beer that tastes as close to fruit juice as possible using only water, malt, hops and barley,” says Wild Leap Chief Brewing Officer, Chris Elliott. “We first experimented with Belma hops in pilot batches and the results were phenomenal. Out of those pilot batches came some of our favorite IPAs to date.”

Alpha Abstraction Vol. 12 is a juicy, double dry-hopped IPA. Brewed with Belma hops, Vol 12. boasts a bright citrus flavor with notes of strawberry and melon.

“We’ve had previous Alpha releases that have had notes of strawberry and melon with the citrus flavor in the background,” says Wild Leap CEO and Co-Founder, Anthony Rodgriguez. “With Vol. 12, the Belma hop brings those citrus flavors to the forefront.”

Clocking in at 8%, Vol. 12 has a clean, sharp citrus flavor that fits perfectly in the Alpha series. Alpha Abstraction Vol. 12 will be available for purchase at the brewery and throughout Georgia this week!

About Wild Leap
Voted America’s Best New Brewery of 2019 by USA Today, Wild Leap delights customers with innovative and approachable craft beer. Our trademark IPAs and ales along with seasonal porters, stouts and Double IPAs have become favorites around Georgia. With the launch of our signature craft vodka, Wild Leap is proving that when it comes to craft beverages, we’re raising the bar! For information on future releases, events and more, visit us at wildleap.com.

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NEW YOR K– Busch, the beer brewed for America’s heartland and a long-time supporter of agricultural communities, announced today that it will provide funds for the nonprofit Farm Rescue to expand its operations into Kansas. Farm Rescue will begin harvest assistance operations in Kansas immediately, with Busch marking this milestone with the release of limited-edition Corn Cans across the country*. Busch is raising further awareness to the cause with NASCAR drivers Kevin Harvick and Kansas-native Clint Bowyer at the June 7 NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta. Kansas is the first new state to be added to Farm Rescue’s support network since 2017 and will be the seventh state supported overall.

The expansion into Kansas will allow Farm Rescue to provide free harvest assistance to farm families throughout the state experiencing a major illness, injury or natural disaster. Since its inception in 2005, Farm Rescue has helped nearly 700 family farms sustain operations in times of crisis. These efforts are made possible through a network of volunteers from across the United States. Busch has been a partner of Farm Rescue since early 2019 and played an instrumental role in facilitating Farm Rescue’s entry to Kansas with a mix of financial support, public affairs assistance, and more.

“Farm Rescue is an incredible organization that has not only helped, but saved, hundreds of family farms throughout the Midwest,” said Daniel Blake, VP of Value Brands at Anheuser-Busch “What originally started off as a small partnership has grown into something really special, and as unexpected injuries, illnesses and natural disasters continue to strike, we’re honored to take our partnership with Farm Rescue to the next level so they can keep providing critical assistance to more family farms across the country.”

Busch recently teased the news of this partnership with the release of their special-edition Busch Light Corn Cans, a remixed edition of the classic Busch Light can and packaging. Consumers nationwide can support Farm Rescue with every purchase of the new limited-edition Busch Light corn packs in select states**. For each pack purchased in these states between May 18 and July 5, 2020 $1 will be donated by Busch, up to $100,000 to benefit Farm Rescue’s ongoing efforts.

“We are very grateful for the unwavering support Busch has provided toward our mission of helping America’s farmers,” said Bill Gross, President of Farm Rescue. “Thanks to their generosity, we are mobilizing equipment and volunteers throughout Kansas to help farm families in times of crisis.”

Busch will raise additional awareness for Farm Rescue and farmers across America at the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta on June 7, with Busch-sponsored driver Kevin Harvick teaming up with Kansas-native Clint Bowyer to race in the same corn-themed paint scheme. Throughout the race fans will have the chance to win a suite of farm-related prizes, and can check out @BuschBeer on Twitter ahead of June 7 to find out more information.

Fans can head to ForTheFarmers.org to learn more, and stay informed as race day approaches. Fans can also check out the Busch social accounts (@BuschBeer) to shop exclusive Busch/Farm Rescue merchandise including apparel and corn hole games.

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Athens, GA -Terrapin’s Strawberry Dreamsicle, a Strawberries and Cream IPA inspired by your mama’s shortcake, will be available soon to a store near you!

Brewed with real strawberry and lactose sugar for a creamy berrylicious mouthfeel, and by utilizing four different hops, we have created a sweet but balanced IPA that provides a subtle hop finish and aroma.

Last year, we introduced Peach Dreamsicle as a stand-alone special release. Because of its success, we decided to do a series of one-off Dreamsicle brews. Our first, Strawberry Dreamsicle, will be launching in April followed by Peach Dreamsicle releasing in July. Mango Dreamsicle will round out the series, with a September release date.

Strawberry Dreamsicle will be available in 6-packs of 12oz cans, available throughout Terrapin’s distribution footprint, and at our brewery in Athens, available starting 5/26 for curbside pick up!

From the Label:
Not Your Mama’s Shortcake
ABV: 7.9%

By combining real strawberries and heaps of lactose sugar for an extra creamy brew, our Strawberry Dreamsicle IPA will have you spooning this beer out of your glass.

About Terrapin Beer Co.
Terrapin Beer Co. began as a daydream between founders John Cochran and Spike Buckowski, who brewed and released their first beer in 2002. Inspired by the creative culture of Athens, Ga., the brewery’s home, Terrapin continues to produce unique beers year after year. Whether you’re joining us for a brewery tour at our tasting room, drinking a Hopsecutioner at your favorite watering hole, enjoying some Luau Krunkles on the beach, sipping some Up-Hi on your back porch, or enjoying a RecreationAle after a long day on the trail, we hope you appreciate the dedication we’ve put into our beers.

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Portland, Oregon — Three small Portland businesses have put their heads together to create a collaboration hot sauce. Launching this Memorial Day weekend, “Pretty Hot Sauce: Pour Some Spice In YourFace” is a project from Ecliptic Brewing, AleFire and The Show Hot Sauce.

The sauce features Ecliptic’s Capella Porter, which has racked up a longlist of awards, including Gold at the 2016 World Beer Cup and Bronze at the 2020Oregon Beer Awards. Scotch bonnet peppers fermented in Ecliptic’s house Lacto strain help bring the heat to this rich red sauce. The name plays withEcliptic’s “Pour Some Space In Your Face” slogan.

“We were really excited when our friends at AleFire and The Show reached out to us about this project,” says Ecliptic Brewing’s Executive Chef, Michael Molitor. “Sam [from The Show] and I discussed various chili combinations and,of course, tasted some of our beers. Capella Porter proved to be a great foundation. I was looking for a deep red and complex sauce with a solid heat level and a little bit of funk from fermentation…and Sam absolutely nailed it!”

The hot sauce is available to purchase online – and for takeout at Ecliptic – at each of the collaboration partners’ websites (info below)beginning Friday, March 22, 2020.

About Pretty HotSauce: Pour Some Space In Your Face
The Show HotSauce + Ecliptic Brewing + AleFire Craft Beer and Hot Sauce Bar bring you this rich red sauce made with a base of Capella Porter and scotch bonnet peppers fermented with Ecliptic’s house Lacto strain. Experience sweet tanginess from fresh red Serrano and Fresno peppers as well as umami goodness from roasted onion and garlic. Pour Some Spice in Your Face with a final layer of natural smokiness from Chili de Arbol and California peppers.

Price: $8
Order Online

• EclipticBrewing (shipped)
• EclipticBrewing (pickup)
• AleFire CraftBeer and Hot Sauce Bar
• The Show Hot Sauce

About Ecliptic Brewing
Ecliptic Brewing is a venture from John Harris, an Oregon beer icon whose background is steeped in the state’s rich craft brewing history. The name Ecliptic unites Harris’ two passions: brewing and astronomy. As such, the brewery celebrates the Earth’s yearly journey around the sun through both its beer and restaurant menus. Harris’ signature beers include Starburst IPA, Phaser Hazy IPA, Carina Peach Sour Ale and Capella Porter. For more information, visit: eclipticbrewing.com.

Ecliptic beers are available at the brewery (825 North Cook St), in bottle and on-tap throughout the area, and distributed by: Maletis Beverage (Portland, Salem,Vancouver WA), Bigfoot Beverage (Eugene, Bend, Coast), Fort George Distributing(Northern Oregon Coast, Southern Washington Coast), Hodgen Distributing(Eastern Oregon), Summit Distribution (Southern Oregon), NW Beverages (Seattle,Tacoma), Odom (Eastern Washington, Northern ID), Dickerson Distributing(Bellingham), Crooked Stave Artisans (Colorado), Freedom Distributors (NorthCarolina), Beer Thirst (Canada) and Tread Water (Japan).

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New Belgium is proud to present our collaboration with Northern Colorado artist, Armando Silva on our 8th annual Artist Globe Glass. Armando is a painter, muralist, and performer who uses his artistic superpowers to tell powerful stories, build community, and inspire youth through art.

For this year’s glass, Armando created a design inspired by Mexican Folklore that honors his Mexican heritage as well as our two home states Colorado and North Carolina. This custom glass is a limited edition and is only available in 2020. Grab yours while they last!

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