Archives for March 2021

WARRENVILLE, IL — At Two Brothers, we like our beer like we like our music: big, bold and loud. So, when we sat down to come up with a new beer for 2021, it was no surprise that our thoughts were interrupted by the booming bass blasting from the brew hall. A few tunes and beers later, Amplifier IPA was created.

Just like the music pumping through the Two Brothers’ brewery in Warrenville, IL, we turned up the flavor in our new year-round IPA. Big, juicy notes of citrus blast out of this fruit-forward IPA, with plenty of hops on the reverb to create some serious volts of flavor. Enjoyed best with some loud, high-energy tunes, Two Brothers Amplifier takes your traditional IPA and cranks it up to 11.

That love for music has been an integral part of Two Brothers throughout its 24-year-history. Beginning with the first Two Brothers Summer Festival in 2008, Two Brothers has hosted some of the biggest bands in the country, while continuing to support local musicians throughout the year, both at events and with live music at its venues. The local craft brewery has also long been involved with the Chicago radio scene, partnering with 93.1 WXRT and 101.1 WKQX, among others, creating one-of-a-kind experiences for the beer and music lover alike. Now, with Amplifier making its raucous debut this month, Two Brothers’ music ties will only continue to grow.

“We’ve always had a passion for music at Two Brothers,” said Two Brothers co-founder Jason Ebel. “We’ve held multiple musical festivals, sponsored numerous music programs and even have a music venue of our own within the Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora. So, tying our new beer to that industry and bringing two of our passions together was a no-brainer.”

And a big, loud beer with a big, loud name needs a big, loud look. So, Two Brothers teamed up with local Chicago artist Nate Azark of 12 Line Studio to create Amplifier’s signature packaging. Working with WXRT and creating art for the likes of Florence and the Machine, Andrew Bird and Of Monsters and Men (among others) Azark was the perfect artist to capture Amplifier’s fresh new look.Available in 12-oz cans (6- and 12-packs) and on draft, Amplifier IPA will be available throughout all Two Brothers distribution areas in the coming weeks.

For more information please visit http://www.twobrosbrewing.com/

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With an expansion into Missouri, Speakeasy Distribution becomes a regional player. Founded in 2016 in Kansas, Speakeasy Distribution has become a player in the alcohol industry by signing statewide exclusive distribution rights for some of nation’s hottest breweries, distillery’s and winery’s such as Toppling Goliath, Harpoon, Oil Fire, Infinity Vodka and Superstition.

“It is exciting but there is a lot of work to be done,” said owners and founders Ron Elkouri and Riley Stephens. “Missouri is a large market and should be a great fit for our suppliers and the brands we represent.”

Some of the brands consumers of Missouri will be able to enjoy from Speakeasy Distribution include Odd 13 brewing, a local Kansas brewery in Fields & Ivy, the nation’s highest rated meadery Superstition, and some of the fasted growing spirits lines in Big Pickle vodka and world renowned Rampur whiskies from India.

For more information please visit https://vimeo.com/491800025

SALT LAKE CITY — It’s common practice for our brewers to produce an annual lineup of the most robust barrel-aged imperial stouts found on the west side of the Mississippi; a lineup that has coined the name Big Bad Baptist. Each fall, a handful of Big Bad Baptist barrels rise above the others and their release is delayed until the spring. These revered Big Bad Baptist barrels are blended into an elixir known as Big Bad Baptist Reserve, and the 2021 variant is more refined than ever.

The barrels that rose to the occasion during experimentation in late 2020 were the rye barrels that came out of a distillery in Templeton, Iowa. So, we rewarded these single source barrels by setting them aside to be used for Reserve 2021 in the spring. Naturally, Jordan Schupbach – Head of Brewing Operations – and his team furnished a beer that hones in on the natural body of the wood, and boy did they deliver.

Rye, whiskey, and oak are the names of the game in this special release. If you enjoy loud barrel character and nuanced earth notes, Reserve 2021 is for you. Only a tiny amount of this hand-crafted beer will be distributed this year, so be ready to grab a wax topped 22oz bottle off the shelf at a liquor store near you on April 2nd, 2021. For more information please visit https://www.epicbrewing.com/

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Ecliptic Brewing has teamed up with Spokane-based Dry Fly Distilling on an exciting new barrel-aging project, with two new draft-only beer releases coming March 31st:
Dry Fly Distilling is an award-winning, small batch craft distillery that is a true farm to bottle operation. When Dry Fly’s VP of Sales and Marketing, Terry Nichols, reached out to Ecliptic about their “Cask and Release” project (i.e., Dry Fly sends freshly dumped whiskey barrels to a brewery for a barrel-aged beer, then the brewery sends the barrels back for Dry Fly to refill with whiskey), Ecliptic was excited to jump on board and experiment.

“Our Magnetar Scotch Ale was the perfect base beer for these barrels,” says Ecliptic’s Owner and Brewmaster, John Harris. “It’s a strong beer at 8% ABV, so it could handle the long aging period and heat from the barrels well. We’re pleased with how you can taste the differences between both of the resulting beers.”

Dry Fly’s Wheat Whiskey (Cask Strength) is the company’s highest rated whiskey ever, and it typically drinks much softer than its 120 proof. Ecliptic’s beer spent one year aging in these barrels, resulting in a slightly nutty and chocolate cherry cordial flavor.

Dry Fly’s Straight Triticale Whiskey was the first commercially available whiskey to feature this wheat strain. These barrels imparted aromas of dried figs and cherries, along with flavors of vanilla and oak, in the hibernating beer.

“I always had a lot of respect for John Harris as a legend in the craft brewing world and the beers coming out of Ecliptic were unsurprisingly fantastic,” says Nichols. “Ecliptic was one of my first calls [for the Cask and Release project]. The barrels have since been returned to Dry Fly to refill with their whiskey and begin the aging process again. The co-branded whiskey is expected to be bottled in about a year.

Both the Wheat and Triticale variants of this Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale will be released in draft throughout Ecliptic Brewing’s distribution network on March 31st. The beer will be available at Ecliptic’s restaurant beginning Saturday, April 3rd for a beer and whiskey pairing event. For more information please visit http://eclipticbrewing.com/.

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SALT LAKE CITY — Award winning Level Crossing Brewing Company is celebrating its 2nd year anniversary on March 30, 2021. To commemorate the anniversary, we are set to release the highly anticipated Red Feather Series Space Oddity Hazy DIPA on Tuesday March 30th at 11AM. Space Oddity links with Level Crossing’s anniversary date with commemorative glassware also available. Level Crossing Space Oddity is a Hazy Double India Pale Ale measuring in at 8.8% ABV and is truly out of this world!

Space Oddity is a hop-bursted and double dry-hopped hazy double IPA brewed with space-themed hops (Apollo, Strata, galaxy, Ekaunot, Enigma, Comet) as well as copious amounts of orange blossom honey. Space Oddity has complex aromas of honeysuckle, Pinot Grigio, sweet orange peel and dank cannabis. Solstice flaked oats and red wheat help give the beer a smooth and creamy mouthfeel with flavors of juicy white peach, resinous honey and ripe tangerine. Space Oddity finishes semi-dry with lingering tropical fruit hop bitterness.

For more information visit http://www.levelcrossingbrewing.com

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SAN DIEGO — California brewery icon Karl Strauss Brewing Company is available across state lines! The brewery is proud to introduce Arizonans to their lineup of award-winning beers, as well as their Endless Summer Hard Seltzer line.

The initial launch lineup features Karl Strauss’ Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Red Trolley Ale, Boat Shoes Hazy IPA, Mosaic IPA, and their newly released Sun Drops Hazy IPA – a low-cal and low-ABV offering. Going forward, future collaborations and seasonal beers such as their highly regarded yearly release of Oktoberfest will also be available in Arizona.

“We’ve heard from many Arizonans who patiently look forward to enjoying our beers each time they travel to California, so we’re over the moon to be able to bring our handcrafted beverages to their own backyard. Arizona, the wait is finally over!” – Matt Rattner, President, Karl Strauss Brewing Company

From Endless Summer, fans can enjoy two seltzer variety packs. One contains P.O.G. (Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava), Key Lime, Black Cherry, and Raspberry. The other features Watermelon & Acai, Tangerine & Pineapple, and Prickly Pear & Lime. Endless Summer Hard Seltzer stands apart from the competition by providing health-conscious drinkers a beverage that inspires the outdoorsy lifestyle. The seltzers are 5.0% ABV, flavorful, crisp, low in calories, and both gluten and sugar free.

Karl Strauss is eager to make a major splash in the booming Arizona craft market, and has partnered with Scout Distribution for their wholesaler needs.

“This is a decision we have not made lightly. However when we heard Scout was taking their distribution model to Arizona, it made the decision that much easier. We are thrilled to be partnering with them and can’t wait for them to help us quench the thirst of Arizonans.” – Chad Heath, Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss beers are available in a variety of packaging such as 16oz cans and 12oz bottles. Exact offerings near you can be found at https://www.karlstrauss.com/find-karl/. Also from Karl Strauss, Endless Summer Hard Seltzer is available in a 12oz variety 12-pack, and can be found at https://www.endlessbevco.com/find.

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been proudly independent since 1989, pioneering the craft beer scene with innovative and award-winning beer releases like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Boat Shoes Hazy IPA, and Red Trolley Ale. For more information visit https://www.karlstrauss.com/

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BROOKLYN — Threes Brewing is excited to release Guilt by Association, a limited edition Double IPA brewed in collaboration with the pioneering Creature Comforts Brewing Co. based in Athens, Georgia. This incredibly hazy ale is hopped with crowd favorites Citra and Strata, and brewed with an exotic melange of fruit including passionfruit, pineapple, guava, and tangerine. It’s a must-try for lovers of juicy IPAs.

Says Threes’ head brewer Matt Levy, “Everything Creature Comforts brews is solid and well thought out. They’re arguably one of the best breweries in Georgia year after year. We’d wanted to collaborate with them for a while and were excited to try some new things with this Double IPA.”

ABOUT THREES BREWING

Threes Brewing is a Brooklyn-based brewery known for crafting approachable beers that balance simplicity and complexity, with a focus on lagers, hop-forward American ales, and mixed culture beers. Having brewed over 250 beers spanning a wide variety of styles, in both 2017 and 2018 Threes beat hundreds of entries from across New York State in a blind taste test to win Best Overall Beer at the statewide Craft Beer Competition, first for their signature Pilsner Vliet and the following year for their Grisette, Passing Time. In 2019, flagship beer Logical Conclusion won the Gold Medal for Hazy IPA, the most competitive category. Threes Brewing owns and operates two Brooklyn locations, a non-traditional taproom in Gowanus and a more intimate bar in Greenpoint, along with a seasonal outpost on Governors Island, and new tap room and bottle shop in Huntington, Long Island. They are proud to have been named the “Best Brewery and Beer Bar” in NYC by bon appétit magazine. In April 2020, Threes launched Threes to You, a direct-to-consumer beer delivery company. For more information please visit https://shop.threesbrewing.com/

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PACIFIC CITY, Ore. — Pelican Brewing Company celebrates the return of warmer weather with Paddleback Oceanic Pale Ale. This liquid sunshine delivers bright, zesty aromas reminiscent of gooseberries and white peach from hand-selected hops sourced from Down Under. Take your surf stoke to the next level with this clean, light-bodied, and lively, refreshing pale ale – available now in 12 oz. six-packs, select Pelican Mixed 12-packs, and on draft at Pelican’s three coastal brewpubs and local watering holes.

Don’t be misled by Paddleback’s modest ABV. This pale ale still packs a hoppy punch and aroma by blending Galaxy hops from Australia, and Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. Pelican carefully selected these two hop styles to create a complex but balanced hop character with flavors of sauvignon blanc grapes for a bright and refreshing pale ale ideal for post-surf stories, kayak adventures, or warm weather patio sipping.

“The pale ale category continues to grow as consumer’s look for IPA alternatives with lower ABVs and easier drinking styles,” says Darron Welch, Pelican brewmaster of 25 years. “We wanted to create a new recognizable pale ale that delivers on hop flavor and aroma, but balanced and refreshing with a supportive malt character. That’s why we chose to incorporate hops from New Zealand and Australia into Paddleback as they present bright flavors such as gooseberry and passionfruit versus the citrus hops used in classic American style pale ales.”

About Pelican Brewing Company

Pelican Brewing Company was born at the beach in 1996. Here, in front of a rundown old building at the water’s edge, stood three enthusiastic young folks whose thirst for great beer overshadowed their understanding of what it would take to build a brewery. They did it anyway. Thanks to the vision of founding owners Jeff Schons, Mary Jones and brewmaster Darron Welch, Oregon’s only beachfront brewpub became one of the state’s most popular destinations. And now 25 years later, Pelican Brewing Company is an iconic beach brand and one of the most decorated craft breweries in Oregon. Pelican has been honored with more than 450 awards including the prestigious 2015, 2016, 2017 Australian International Beer Awards Champion Medium International Brewery; 2014 World Beer Cup Champion Small Brewery; 2013 Great American Beer Festival Large Brewpub of the Year. Why? Pelican brews are playful, but not frivolous. Brewed with purpose, passion and a deep respect for the craft. Pelican operates brewing and brewpub facilities in Pacific City, Cannon Beach, and its state-of-the-craft brewery in Tillamook, Oregon where it brews 40,000 barrels of award-winning beer annually and distributes to six states. Pelican’s vision, its beer and values were born at the beach where the team wakes up each day in a place that reminds them that amazing is possible. For more information visit https://pelicanbrewing.com

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OLYMPIA, Wash. –Today, Three Magnets Brewing announced that their Self Care line of non-alcoholic beer will become a permanent offering, supported by the launch of its dedicated web store, DrinkSelfCare.com, which will extend access to consumers across the United States.

“Self care means different things to different people,” says co-owner Nathan Reilly. “Likewise, people have different reasons to reach for a non-alcoholic beer. We originally started brewing Self Care as a tool for craft beer lovers who are looking to drink less – whether it be for physical, mental, or emotional health reasons. But it very quickly dawned on us that it’s so much simpler than that – sometimes you just want a beer. But you also don’t. And the reason why you ‘don’t’ is really none of anyone’s business. And it’s certainly none of our business.”

“This realization led us to think about how NA beer is stigmatized, which is absolutely stupid. And sad. So it has kind of become our side-mission to not only provide a more healthful beer alternative, but to also destigmatize it along the way by offering a true craft beer experience, with all the buzz and excitement of regular craft beer, but, you know, without the actual buzz.”

Previous to the COVID shutdowns, co-owners Nathan and Sara Reilly had made a space available for evening Al-Anon meetings twice a week in their private room at the Three Magnets Pubhouse in Olympia, WA. Prior to that, they had provided the same at their previous restaurant, Darby’s Café, dating back to 2010. The Self Care brand is in many ways a continuation in their efforts to not only support those who have chosen a life of sobriety, but also to provide a tool for folks to foster a healthier relationship with alcohol early in life before habits form. For more information visit https://drinkselfcare.com

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Lincoln, Nebraska — Zipline Brewing is pleased to announce it will commence distribution in the greater Nashville metro on April 1, 2021. Zipline will work with Bounty Beverage to deliver limited releases of select products tailored to the tastes of the Volunteer State.

“It’s a great match for us,” said Tom Wilmoth, one of Zipline’s founders, when discussing the Nashville market. “It’s a highly mature craft market with great local breweries, an appreciation for variety, eagerness to explore new things, and room to grow in a post-Covid world.”

As for Zipline’s alignment with Bounty, “We share a common vision with the Bounty Team on how to serve the market by focusing on premium, innovative brands while also getting our easy drinking portfolio into circulation,” Wilmoth said. “We’re very much looking forward to sharing a few pints with Nashville craft fans.”

About Zipline Brewing Company

Zipline Brewing Company crafts high quality artisan ales and lagers with precision in Lincoln, Nebraska. Our approach is clean, simple, and direct to help you focus your energy on enjoying our beers and sharing with friends.

About Bounty Beverage

Born out of passion for better beer, Bounty is the only 100% American craft distributor in Tennessee. Founded in 2010 by one guy and a truck, Bounty now employs 30 passionate team members, but maintains the ‘little guy’ approach. Customer service, education, and desire to be better drives the Bounty ethos. Knowledge for our stakeholders, disrupting the market, and helping consumers discover new choice and selection in beer is the Bounty way. For more information please visit https://ziplinebrewing.com/