Archives for August 2020

CORVALLIS, Ore. –– Block 15 Brewing, an Oregon-based brewery, is thrilled to announce the arrival of select beers to the Southwest. Beginning in September, freshly canned Sticky Hands IPA will be available statewide in cans at participating Arizona retailers.

In partnership with Direct.Beer, Block 15 is delivering their award winning Hop Experience Ale, cold-shipped the day after packaging at maximum freshness to an exciting, new market.

“Direct.Beer’s enthusiasm for delivering fresh beer is making the improbable possible by offering Sticky Hands to select Arizona accounts. Their practices match perfectly to our strict requirements of delivering freshness at speed.” said Block 15 founder Nick Arzner. “I’m excited to be able to offer Arizona a taste of the fresh NW hop abundance through cold shipping directly after packaging. In less than 10 days from tank, cold tallboys of Sticky Hands will be delivered from our brewery to your hands. It gives our fans the special opportunity to experience Sticky Hands in its optimal state.”

“Earlier this year, we launched Block 15 Distribution with the goal of offering delicious and ridiculously fresh beer throughout the Pacific Northwest. Working with Direct.Beer, we’ve found a partner that will do the same for a region outside of our Block 15 Distribution footprint. I am incredibly stoked to get Sticky Hands, The Hop Experience Ale, flowing to our friends in Arizona just days after canning here in Oregon!” said Blake Myers, Distribution Sales Rep.

Producing artisan craft beer for 12 years, Block 15 continues to push the boundaries of innovation, experimentation and experiences. Using the freshest, finest ingredients, Block 15 creates a range of beers that continue to excite craft beer enthusiasts throughout the Pacific Northwest, and now in Arizona!

About Sticky Hands
Meet Sticky Hands, a NW cult favorite and Gold Medal Winner of the 2020 Oregon Beer Awards (Imperial IPA category). Offering a luscious blend of flavor and drinkability, this Hop Experience Ale features ample additions of sticky, lupulin-packed hops, grown in the Pacific Northwest. The result is an aromatic blast of citrus, tropical fruit, and dank herb that transitions into resinous hop flavor and a delightfully balanced finish.

Grains: Best Ale, 2-row, Pale Wheat, Carafoam
Yeast: Select Brewer’s Yeast
ABV: 8.1%
Can Volume: 1 Pint / 16 FL OZ

About Block 15 Brewing Company
Offering unique hop forward ales, crisp lagers, barrel-aged rarities, and one of the Northwest’s most extensive wild and sour programs, Block 15 produces a range of artfully crafted beers, brewed with a nod toward fresh ingredients and fresh thinking. Established in 2008, and brewer-owned from day one.

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ENTERPRISE, Ore. – Terminal Gravity is excited to announce that Extra Special Golden (5.6%) is going into 12 oz cans with a colorful design refresh. Cans will be available throughout the brewery’s distribution footprint in New Seasons, Market of Choice, and bottle shops at the beginning of September and are immediately available for purchase at their brewpub in Enterprise. The beer will not be sold in bottles moving forward.

Extra Special Golden has been a core offering at Terminal Gravity since their inception in 1997 and remains the best-selling draft beer at their pub in Enterprise. Putting the beer into cans was a measured choice that the brewery thinks will be a positive change for consumers.

“We feel like we’re finally giving Extra Special Golden the package and label design that it deserves” said Grady Nelson, Terminal Gravity’s marketing manager. “It’s an approachable, well-balanced beer that reminds consumers of our pub and the outdoors. People will finally be able to take it with them on their adventures around Wallowa County and beyond.”

The label art features an image of Terminal Gravity’s brewpub with the iconic Wallowa mountains in the back. It was designed by Wallowa County local Silje Christoffersen (siljestudio.com) who works in digital, watercolor, oil, printmaking, ink, and multimedia.

“We wanted the Extra Special Golden label to capture the feeling of being at our brewpub and being outside here in Wallowa County. A lot of people who come here create an emotional connection to the pub and to the area. Silje was the perfect person to design it because she’s a local artist who could relate to that experience and bring it to life” said Natalie Millar, general manager of Terminal Gravity.

For help finding Extra Special Golden in a specific area, Terminal Gravity encourages customers to message them on Facebook or Instagram.

Extra Special Golden Description
Extra Special Golden (ESG) is a 5.6% American Golden Ale. It is light and refreshing, but also complex, with crispness from flaked rye and a hint of peat smoke. Subtle hops from the Rhine and Yakima River valleys do not overwhelm.

About Terminal Gravity
Terminal Gravity Brewing was founded in 1997 in Enterprise, Oregon, a small town at the foothills of the Wallowa Mountains. It puts brewing traditional English and German craft beers at the forefront of its business, and features a relaxing brewpub attached to the brewery that embodies the spirit of the Wallowa Mountains. Terminal Gravity craft beers are available across Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

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MILWAUKEE– Indeed Brewing Company is approaching the one-year anniversary of opening its brewery in the Walker’s Point neighborhood of Milwaukee, which served its first beers to the public on September 6, 2019. The pilot brewery’s first year experienced both expected trials and unforeseen tribulations, coming out the other end with a new head brewer and exciting beer plans for its second year.

Patrick Nickelson, who started kegging beer at the Minneapolis location in 2015, relocated to Milwaukee in July 2019 to help start up the brewery. “Because I helped build the place out, and because there are only two people working in production here, I have a broader sense of responsibility and subsequent pride over the space here than the brewery in Minneapolis,” he says.

Recently promoted to head brewer of the Milwaukee pilot brewery, Nickelson is building a fledgling infusion program that allows him to marry traditional beer bases with non-beer flavors. To commemorate the one-year mark, four infusions of Hello, Milwaukee will be available to taproom guests on Thursday, September 10.

Brewed as a collaboration with 1840 Brewing Company, Hello, Milwaukee was the first beer made at the Indeed Milwaukee location. “One is infused with fresh lime zest and lime juice; it’s like a premium Bud Light Lime. Another, I will rest the keg on a pound of fresh coffee beans. Another will be infused with fresh blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, which should lend a nice purple hue to the beer. Finally, we are making a Spaghett version with bitters and lemon juice. This one will be slightly pink,” says Nickelson.

Rather than resting on the laurels of the Minneapolis brewery, the pilot brewery is forging its own path with a mission to drive innovation. “Down here we get to do pretty much whatever we want. We can experiment with different techniques, hops, yeast, and styles of beer more frequently,” says Nickelson. Grapefruit Paloma, an idea of Nickelson’s that proved to be a taproom favorite, will be canned and distributed in Minneapolis in mid-September. The beer is his first recipe to make it to the canning line.

To ensure a safe beer-drinking experience, precautionary measures are in place and include a plexiglass at the ordering station, socially distanced tables, 6-foot markings, hand sanitation stations, and limited capacity at 50 percent (just under 80 people). Outdoor seating is also available at the brand-new parklet, located adjacent to the sidewalk on 2nd Street. Masks are worn by staff at all times and guests are required to wear one when not seated. The taproom continues to offer beer to-go with curbside pickup. All beers on tap are available in crowlers and growlers and available for pre-order.

The taproom is open for seating and beer to-go during the following hours:
Wednesday-Thursday: 3-10pm
Friday-Saturday: 12-11pm
Sunday: 12-5pm

Indeed Milwaukee is planning an urban beer garden on October 10 called The Low-Key Lowdown. A nod to the annual Lowdown bash, this year’s second annual iteration will shut down 2nd Street while still adhering to public health guidelines.

About Indeed Brewing Company
At Indeed Brewing Company, we’re cultivating an artfully eclectic line-up of beers from the heart of Northeast Minneapolis and our new home in the Walker’s Point neighborhood of Milwaukee. Indeed’s diverse offerings are anchored by its flagship Day Tripper Pale Ale, driven by new hits like Flavorwave IPA and Mexican Honey Light, and elevated by its Wooden Soul series of wild, sour, and barrel-aged beer. Well-known as an engaged and community-oriented brewery, Indeed’s taprooms are warm, welcoming, and home to Indeed We Can, the company’s employee-driven charitable giving program, which donates 100% of taproom net profits to an employee-sponsored local nonprofit every Wednesday of the year. Indeed believes innovation isn’t just one thing—it’s a culture created around good people, good beers, and good experiences. Join them in the pursuit of what’s good. There’s more to explore at www.indeedbrewing.com.

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Von Ebert Brewing, the award-winning and locally owned Portland-based brewing company, has released its latest draft-only beer – 33 Stars, an Oregon-grown lager that was brewed using hops and malts from the same Oregon farm.

Goschie Farms in Silverton, Oregon, grew all of the hops and malt used in the new beer.

“When Skagit Valley Malting dropped off some samples of new malts, we were especially inspired by their pilsner Wintmalt,” explained Sean Burke, head brewer, Von Ebert Glendoveer. “Our wheels really started turning when we saw the malt was grown at Goschie Farms. We knew they’re also a hop farm and instantly had the idea to make a lager using malt and hops from the same farm. It felt like a unique idea and a good way to let Oregon ingredients shine.”

Indie Hops sourced Sterling hops grown at Goschie Farms that the Von Ebert team used to provide the beer with a nice lemon, floral note that was pushed to the forefront of the beer.

The Wintmalt gave the beer a pale appearance with a wonderful grainy character.

The final beer, clocking in at 4.8% ABV, is dry and crisp.

“Given the Oregon-grown ingredients, we wanted the beer to have a name that reflected the state,” continued Burke. “The Oregon state flag contains 33 stars, symbolizing its status as the 33rd state to join the Union.”

33 Stars is available now on draft at Von Ebert Glendoveer, and will appear soon at Von Ebert Pearl. Additionally, a small amount will be distributed locally.

Find Von Ebert on social media: @vebrewing and facebook.

About Von Ebert Brewing
Von Ebert Brewing sits at the crossroads where storied traditions meet bold new ideas in brewing. Independently owned and operated, Portland, OR, based Von Ebert produces award-winning beers in a variety of styles. In addition to modern IPAs and crisp lagers, the oak-aged, bottle-conditioned heritage beer program sets the brewery apart. All of the beers pair perfectly with the elevated American pub cuisine served at both brewpub locations. For more information, please visit www.vonebertbrewing.com.

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Lewes, Del. — As the craft beer craze continues to sweep to the nation, consumers are beginning to seek lighter, health-conscious beer and spirit options (seltzer anyone?). Crooked Hammock Brewery, with their hospitality and experience-focused brewery concept has recently put their stake in the sand with a new year-round lineup that focuses on the every-day beer drinker; easy-drinking, fresh and flavorful brews that are meant to propel the drinker into that “Hammock State Of Mind.”

Crooked Hammock opened its doors in Lewes, DE in 2015 and they’ve finally found their man with head brewer and beer brand director Jon Schorah, a home-brewer and salesman by trade, and committed, blue collar working man by nature.

Jon and his brew team, along with a confident and experienced marketing squad have spent countless hours over the last several years honing their craft, while defining their brand in a way that’s true to who they are as people, brewers, and beer-drinkers. In addition, long-time Rehoboth resident and now Philly-based artist Paul Carpenter (@paulcarpenterart) has helped define the brand artistically with a unique illustrative style that can be seen not only on all of these year round cans, but in murals and other areas within each brewery.

Over the last three months, Crooked Hammock has rolled out five new offerings, including an American Lager, Low-Cal Blonde Ale, Session IPA, Coconut Golden Ale, and a rotating seasonal sour. What do all of these beers have in common? They’re all under 6% ABV and naturally evoke that feeling that comes only when it’s time to kick back, relax, and unwind with a beer.

“I ditched my 9-5 to open a brewery at the beach,” says owner and founder Rich Garrahan. “When I was in my 20’s, I would get home from work, crack open something light and flavorful, kick off my shoes and unwind in my crooked backyard hammock. It’s a feeling that I hope everyone who steps foot into our brewery can relate to.”

The first of five year-rounds to be released was their “Beach Escape Session IPA.” Brewed with light, citrus-forward hops and tangerine peel, while coming in at just 5.5% ABV, their team believes this beer evokes a widely relatable feeling; escaping the perils of everyday life for a long weekend at the beach. In the beer world where IPAs are still king, this one is still crafty enough to resonate with the most experienced IPA fan, while still maintaining it’s sessionable, easy-drinking identity.

“Four Tires Two Friends & a Radio” was the second to make its debut, and it’s name describes the first things listed on their team’s “road trip checklist.” Brewed with american hops, and malts, locally sourced by their friends at Proximity Malt, this American lager is straightforward – crisp, refreshing, and best served ice cold.

“There’s nothing more American than a road trip; music blaring, a best friend as your copilot, and a cooler full of beer,” says beer brand manager Tom Little. “The artwork tells a story of the open road, and that’s exactly the feeling you’ll get when cracking open a can of this easy-drinkin’ lager.”

“South To Somewhere” is the third of four new year-round offerings, and has been an early fan favorite. Light coconut undertones give way to medium hop and malt character for a crisp and refreshing brew. “We’ve all felt like packing our bags, driving to the airport and hopping on the first plane south,” says Tom. “And that’s exactly what this one will inspire you to do.

The most recent year-round release, “Hammock Easy” – was brewed with the health-conscious in mind. At 96 calories and 6 carbs, this American Blonde Ale won’t rob you of your strides towards longevity. Brewed with honey malt and a light hop character, this beer is clean, crisp and won’t weigh you down. “We’ve been working on this recipe for quite some time,” noted Jon. “This beer’s imagery defines that happy place we all aim to find after a long day, and the beer itself can be drank in two’s or three’s, without the guilt of empty calories.”

SOUR POWER. It’s no secret that sours have been IN for the last couple years, and “Brand New Day,” Crooked Hammock’s rotating seasonal sour series has really piqued the interest of Hammock faithfuls.

“We were adamant on creating a sour that won’t kill the pallet or leave your mouth puckering, and wanted to make sure each version used fresh fruits that are in season at the time of the beer’s release,” says Jon. “Our sours are a bit more sweet than tart, but full of fresh fruit flavors, but we did that purposefully, to appeal to a wider demographic.” The illustration and colors are a bit more funkadelic on this can, differentiating itself from the rest of the new lineup. Graphic designer Kate Gooding noted, “this one tells the story of that moment when you wake up early enough to catch the sunset, and decide to make the most of a new day, a new chapter. That’s exactly what each sip will leave you feeling.”

Averaging out at about 3.9 on Untappd, the spring and summer versions appeal to not only the sour beer lover, but the cocktail and wine lover that still comprises a great portion of the Hammock’s wide-reaching demographic. The fall version is set to release on Saturday, August 28th in Lewes and Middletown.

Although their team is focused on maintaining their identity as a brewery focused on creating sessionable, flavorful, easy drinkin’ brews, it doesn’t mean they won’t lose their creativity. “There’s still room in the arsonal for those bigger, highly anticipated releases, like our Banana Hammock Belgian Quad and Off Your Rocker DIPA.” says Beer Brand Manager Tom Little. “That’s the great thing about this craft. A small conversion can spark something huge, and although everything may not appeal to everyone, you can bet your bottom dollar that there will be something on that beer list for every beer drinker out there.”

Crooked Hammock Brewery in Lewes, Middletown, Delaware and our “Happy Camper Backyard Experience” in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina all currently offer all five of these new year-round offerings. All Crooked Hammock Breweries make it a goal to create unforgettable experiences for all ages (dogs too!). Oversized backyard areas feature games like cornhole and ping-pong while private porch bar areas and murals, local artwork and artifacts can be seen throughout all areas of the breweries. While you’re there, be sure to look for those instagram-worthy areas to help capture the memories you’re destined to create while on-site.

About Crooked Hammock Brewery
Crooked Hammock Brewery opened its doors for its first location in Lewes, Delaware in October of 2015. After four short years, it extended its reach just north of the original location with a 4,000 square foot space opening in Middletown, Delaware in fall 2019. Crooked Hammock is a craft brewery, restaurant and backyard beer garden that creates an easy-going, approachable environment. The craft beer lineup boasts light and perfectly crushable beers to lie in a hammock with and pairs nicely with the classic backyard cookout inspired menus. Its mission is to provide a place for all ages, incomes, and interests to experience and enjoy the hammock state of mind. Both locations include a backyard beer garden with activities for all ages, with hammocks, corn hole, ping pong, playgrounds, bocce, and more.

About La Vida Hospitality
La Vida Hospitality is a hospitality and entertainment management companybased out of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. La Vida is a leader in creating lifestyle-focused hospitality brands that create emotional bonds with its team, guests and surrounding communities. The brands it develops embrace the mentality of taking a break, enjoying the ride, and always making memories along the way. More information about La Vida Hospitality can be found online at www.lavidahospitality.com.

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WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — On August 26th, The Virginia Beer Company celebrates Women’s Equality Day with the 2020 release of 39 Words.

“The Women of VBC have again come together this year to design and brew a new batch of 39 Words to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage,” exclaimed VBC Operations Manager Luci Legaspi. “This year’s version of 39 Words — named after the number of words in the 19th Amendment, passed to the U.S. Constitution in 1920 — is a Moscow Mule-inspired Ale brewed with Blackberries, Ginger, and Mint.”

The 19th Amendment gave women the right to vote nationally on August 18, 1920, so why is Women’s Equality Day on August 26th each year?

“The simple answer…” notes friend of the brewery and local attorney (with Tarley-Robinson, PLC) Susan Tarley, “…is that even when a constitutional amendment has been ratified it’s not official until it has been certified by the correct government official. In 1920, that official was U.S. Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby. On August 26, 1920, Colby signed a proclamation behind closed doors at 8 a.m. at his own house in Washington, D.C., ending a struggle for the vote that started a century earlier. The New York Times ran the story about the document’s signing on its front page and noted the lack of fanfare for the historic event.’”

That is one of the many reasons why Virginia Beer Co. will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment on August 26, 2020.

“We are all about beers for all and cheers with all,” comments VBC Co-Founder Robby Willey. “The entire VBC team welcomes you to join the celebration of diversity, inclusivity, and beer brewed for all in honor of Women’s Equality Day 2020…and we hope you can join the fanfare!”

The release celebration on 8/26/2020 (3-9 pm) will feature live music by local musician Felicia Hoyos (5-8 pm) and pairings from a woman-owned food truck, Carmen’s Jamaican Authentic Cuisine. Limited draft of this 4.5% Moscow Mule-inspired Ale will be available along with 4-packs of 16 oz. cans.

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SAN DIEGO – This is not your average brewery, band partnership. Deftones and Belching Beaver Brewery started their relationship back in 2016 and continue to collaborate on a variety of styles to keep the collaborations fresh and exciting. The award-winning San Diego-based craft brewery is debuting its sixth collaboration with the band on Friday, August 28th. The collaboration beer will roll out to retailers in select U.S. states via 16-ounce can four-packs and a select amount on draft, beginning on August 28. It will be available at all Belching Beaver Brewery locations.

“To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of White Pony, we felt the best way to honor this milestone was to collaborate on a beer loaded with flavor, so we pumped the volume, and double dry hopped this India Pale Ale,” said Marc Truex Director of Sales. “This added an extra layer of hop aroma with notes of grapefruit, resulting in a juicy tropical IPA.”

“Our approach to beer is similar to how we approach our music, it’s constantly changing and evolving to help ensure we’re releasing a quality product that we stand behind,” said Chino Moreno, lead vocalist of Deftones. “With our wonderful partners at Belching Beaver, we’re proud to have collaborated on yet another beer that has been created with care and released with pride.” “We hope everyone enjoys our White Pony 20th IPA, as much as we do.”

White Pony is loaded with intense pineapple aroma, lemon peel, and grapefruit notes. There is an upfront flavor of pineapple but finishes with a soft grapefruit note with a mild bitterness and medium mouthfeel. It has a beautiful amount of layered hop flavors and aromas. Most people will pick out something different – but it’s delicious.

This collaboration is available for a limited time. To learn more about the new beer and Belching Beaver Brewery’s other special release offerings, visit website.

Key facts
Official release date: August 28, 2020
Stats: 7% ABV, 57 IBUs
Hops: Simcoe, Hallertau Blanc, Mandarina Bavaria, Mosaic, Amarillo, Citra
Beer style: Double Dry Hopped IPA
U.S. availability: AK, AZ, CA, HI, ID, NE, NV, MN, OR, WA, WI
Packaging: 16-ounce cans in four-packs

About Belching Beaver Brewery
Launched in 2012, Belching Beaver Brewery evolved from a desire to make great beer and have a ‘Dam Good Time’ doing it. The award-winning craft beer company is focused on two things: First, have a brand that offers quality craft beer, while also being whimsical and fun to inspire good times. Each Belching Beaver beer release carries its own individual style and personality. Second, make be­­er for everyone and all palates. From easy-drinking Blondes, Triple IPAs, Milk Stouts, Imperial Stouts as well as sours and barrel-aged beers, Belching Beaver Brewery has it! Learn more about Belching Beaver Brewery and its beers at belchingbeaver.com.

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COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. — Michiganders know the juicy joys of tasting fresh, wild-growing blackberries right from the vine. The late summer berry has inspired Perrin Brewing Company’s Blackberry IPA, a seasonal brew that will return to the taproom August 27, with Michigan-wide distribution to follow.

Blackberry IPA (5% ABV) combines the tart sweetness of ripened blackberries with an aromatic, floral bouquet of fresh Michigan bittering hops. First brewed in 2015, Blackberry IPA was the first Perrin seasonal brew to be packaged in cans.

“It’s a Perrin favorite year after year,” said Director of Brewing Operations Connor Klopcic. “It’s approachable to all, and has a nice malt body to balance the ripe sweetness of real blackberries.”

This year is extra special for this specialty, as it returns with an updated can design. Bold Blackberries appear on the new can, promising juicy berry flavor inside. “With the new can design, people can expect the same Blackberry IPA that they have always enjoyed,” said Klopcic.

Blackberry IPA will appear on draft and in 6-packs and 15-packs of 12 oz. cans starting August 27. See the latest updates on taproom operations here, or find Blackberry IPA on shelves near you via the beerfinder. Contact Lindsey VanDenBoom with questions at lindsey@perrinbrewing.com.

About Perrin Brewing Company
Established in 2012, Perrin Brewing Company is a young and rapidly growing craft brewery based out of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Perrin is committed to crafting high-quality and consistent brews and has garnered a loyal local following and a strong reputation for its unique beers. The brewery has won numerous awards including “The World’s Top New Beer Release of 2015” by RateBeer for its No Rules Vietnamese Porter. Through the 2015 partnership with CANarchy, Perrin has experienced exponential growth among package offerings, out-of-state distribution and an increase to over 25,000 barrels of production.

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Oxford, Ohio (August, 2020) – – This year, the U.S. Open Beer Championship will award medals in 132 categories. More categories than any beer judging in the world. But, we decided to add one more. After drinking a few of the Black Is Beautiful Imperial Stouts, the board of directors of the U.S. Open decided to add a new category, the Black Is Beautiful Imperial Stout category.

The U.S. Open will donate 100% of this category entry fees to a local foundation that supports police brutality reform and legal defenses for those who have been wronged or to a local organizations that support equality and inclusion. The foundation will be determined by the Gold Medal Winner.

Black Is Beautiful Imperial Stout Recipe
The base recipe  for Black is Beautiful Imperial Stout  was created by Weathered Souls Brewing Company. It was designed to be a moderately high abv. stout to showcase the different shades of black. If you added your own twist or ideas to the beer, please enter them in the comment section when you register your beer. Recipe Link

Call for Entries
More than 7,000 beers, representing more than 130 different styles, were judged during the 2019 U.S. Open event, which is the only brewery competition to include licensed breweries and winners of the American Homebrewers Association competition. Last year, breweries spanning the globe from Russia to Rhode Island sent their beers. Winning entries can be seen on the U.S. Open Beer Championships website, at www.USOpenBeer.com.

Registration, Deadlines and Fees
The last day to register is October 21, 2020
Beers will need to arrive between October 21 through October 30.
Each brewery may enter a maximum of eight beers.
The entry fee will be $75 (with two entries at no charge).
A brewery must submit a minimum of five beers to be considered one of the Top Ten Breweries and Grand National Champion.

Brewers can submit questions at dow_scoggins@hotmail.com and follow the competition on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

U.S. Open Links
2020 U.S. Open Beer Championship Webpage
2020 U.S. Open Categories
2020 U.S. Open Registration
2020 U.S. Open Shipping
2019 U.S. Open Medal Winners

PORTLAND, Ore. — Von Ebert Brewing, the award-winning and locally owned Portland-based brewing company, on Friday is releasing the latest additions to its Heritage bottled beer program, Alma and The Quality of Silence.

Alma is a foeder-aged farmhouse ale with brettanomyces and organic peaches. The 6% ABV beer has flavors of stone fruit with botanical and funk characteristics.

The Quality of Silence is a blended mixed-culture beer with a light addition of Rainier cherries. The 5.9% tart beer offers drinkers flavors of citrus and marzipan with a hint of cherry.

Alma
This beer started as a farmhouse ale fermented in stainless steel. The malt bill consisted of an under modified wind malt called Gateway from Mecca Grade Estate Malt in Madras, Oregon, as well as Venora, which is the same malster’s version of Vienna malt. Alongside these, Einkorn and Emmer Faro from Bluebird Grain Farms in Winthrop, Washington, were used. Savinjski Golding hops, also known as Styrian Goldings, were used in the boil.

After the first fermentation, the beer was transferred to a foeder to go through the second fermentation. That foeder was one of four built for Von Ebert by Foeder Crafters of America in St. Louis, Missouri, and has been designated by the Von Ebert team to only contain brettanomyces and a “clean” base to feed it with. No lactic acid bacteria touches the foeder. For this beer, the Von Ebert team chose a number of different brett strains and brett blends to pair with the base farmhouse ale.

Once the sugar content was stable and the flavors were to the liking of the Von Ebert team, a portion of the foeder beer was moved to gin barrels that originally housed California Zinfandel. To ensure flavors of Zin and gin did not dominate the profile, the beer only rested in the barrels for a short period of time.

The gin barrel aged beer was then moved into a stainless steel tank with 1,000 pounds of peaches.

“I was looking for high quality, organic peaches to use in the beer,” stated Sean Burke, head brewer, Von Ebert Glendoveer. “My internet searching led me to Alma Gaeta from Peachwood Orchard in Hood River, Oregon. During my discussions with her, I explained I was looking for a blend of peach varieties. I wanted one that had a high level of classic ‘peach flavor’ and another that was more acid forward. In the end, she helped us settle on three different varieties.”

Once the fruit fermented out and the maturation was complete, the beer was moved off the fruit and into a brite tank to prepare for packaging. For the fourth and final fermentation, a slightly lower level of carbonation was used in the bottle so that carbonic acid wouldn’t cause the beer to become too sharp or to lose the subtle nuances from all the previous steps.

“After my conversations with Alma, it seemed only natural to name the beer after her,” Burke mentioned. “Her passion for what she does and her story are inspiring to me as a craftsperson.”

The Quality of Silence
This beer is a blend of a single puncheon beer and a beer from one of the Von Ebert open-top foeders.

The base beer for the puncheon portion consisted of a blend of European pilsner malts and North American un-malted white wheat. This was fermented with our favorite farmhouse ale string in stainless steel, then moved to puncheons. For the mixed-culture, the Von Ebert brewing team propped up the brett blend that was used in the making of Bouquet Blanc earlier this year, and also cultured microflora off Glenora grapes from the backyard of head brewer, Sean Burke.

The base of the open-top foeder portion of the blend consisted of two different foeder-aged beers and some “clean” stainless fermented saison. All of this was blended into the open-top, or removable top, foeder.

The team then pitted 350 pounds of Rainier cherries from Evans Fruit Company in Moshier, Oregon. Rainier cherries aren’t a very flavor forward cherry, but have a nice acid to sugar ratio. They also bagged and added 28 pounds of the pits to the foeder for flavor. During the first part of the fermentation of the fruit, the Von Ebert brewing team performed a punch down multiple times to maximize fruit contact with the microbes in the beer and to allow CO2 to escape through the cap of floating cherries. The top was then sealed and the beer matured on the fruit.

“Then we held a blending session with the entire brewing staff,” said Burke. “The goal was to get all the brewers familiar with what we had in the oak, but also to try to create a few blends that we could use in the future. One of the advantages to using more people than just our Glendoveer brewing staff for the blending process is that we get a broader palate spectrum and therefore, more complex blends to work with.”

One blend that most everyone in the blending session landed on was the blend eventually used to create The Quality of Silence. By blending in the puncheon beer, the cherry flavor was reduced a bit, but the resulting beer is dynamic and really shows off the sum of the parts.

The beer was blended, packaged, and conditioned in the bottle, then matured in the bottle to stabilize some of the flavors and let the blend meld.

“The name comes from a piece I was listening to where astronomers were talking about the different types of silence in the universe and how they pertain to whether there may or may not be other life forms out there,” Burke explained. “They concluded that if there aren’t, the fate of the universe could be in the hands of humanity. It’s a thought provoking notion.”

Alma and The Quality of Silence are both available now on draft and in 500 mL bottles at Von Ebert Glendoveer, and Von Ebert Pearl.

Find Von Ebert on social media: @vebrewing and facebook.

About Von Ebert Brewing
Von Ebert Brewing sits at the crossroads where storied traditions meet bold new ideas in brewing. Independently owned and operated, Portland, OR, based Von Ebert produces award-winning beers in a variety of styles. In addition to modern IPAs and crisp lagers, the oak-aged, bottle-conditioned heritage beer program sets the brewery apart. All of the beers pair perfectly with the elevated American pub cuisine served at both brewpub locations. For more information, please visit www.vonebertbrewing.com.

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