Archives for July 2021

ATLANTA, GA – SweetWater Brewing Company, LLC (“SweetWater”) has announced the launch of 420 Imperial IPA – the first line extension off of its flagship 420 brand. A fresh take on ingredients from the original SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, this bold, flavor-packed Imperial IPA boasts a delicious combination of hops – creating a super-tasty, high-ABV new brew.

The big, deep, copper-colored Imperial IPA is well-balanced with the right amount of hop bitterness and malty sweetness, combining traditional and modern hops to create flavor and aromas of mango, peach, pineapple, citrus and pine. IPA lovers will savor the unique blend of 2-row, Munic and C70/80 grains as well as Centennial, Cascade, Columbus, Mosaic, and Sultana Midnight Wheat Hops as well as Mosaic, Sultana, Lotus, and Cascade Dry Hops in this lip-smackin’ new brew.
The 420 Imperial IPA packs a punch while maintaining delicious drinkability. With an ABV of 9.1%, this brew has a higher ABV than the standard Imperial IPA. 420 Imperial IPA delivers adventurous flavors and aroma from a fresh combination of hops for added intensity and complexity without sacrificing quality, great taste, and straight-up beer drinking enjoyment.

“We took the original base recipe from our 420 Extra Pale Ale, then dialed it up with more malt and hop varieties to deliver bigger, bolder flavor and flip it to an IPA,” said Brew Master Mark Medlin. “This true-to-style imperial IPA has a malty sweetness balanced with a variety of hops to create flavor and aromas of mango, peach, pineapple, citrus, and pine. While the flavor journey is much more intense, 420 Imperial IPA still finishes clean just like its namesake.”

420 Imperial IPA is inspired by 420 and embraces the SweetWater motto of Don’t Float the Mainstream! With a bold, bright, contemporary and eye-catching brand and package design, 420 Imperial IPA is the perfect new addition to SweetWater’s refreshing portfolio, both in style and packaging. The vibrant imperial red branding of the cans adds a distinct, 420-inspired feel to SweetWater’s first true 420 line extension – and a big, bold addition to the portfolio.

About SweetWater Brewing Company

SweetWater Brewing Company is an Atlanta-based craft brewery living by the motto “Don’t Float the Mainstream!” In 2020, SweetWater was acquired by Aphria Inc., now Tilray, Inc. (TSX: TLRY and Nasdaq: TLRY), a leading global cannabis company inspiring and empowering the worldwide community to live their very best life. SweetWater Brewing Company celebrated 24 years of heady brews in 2021 and is the 11th largest craft brewery in the nation, according to Brewers Association. The award-winning lineup of year-round beers includes 420 Extra Pale Ale, H.A.Z.Y. I.P.A., G13 IPA, High Light Lo Cal Easy IPA, Broken Coast “BC Lager,” Goin’ Coastal I.P.A. and SweetWater Oasis Premium Hard Seltzer. Additionally, seasonal releases offer palate-pleasing variety, along with an experimental, one-time-only Dank Tank series, 420 Strain Series, and progressive barrel-aged styles in The Woodlands Project series.

For more information visit https://www.sweetwaterbrew.com

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LOS ANGELES – Paperback Brewing Co. is pleased to celebrate its official Southern California launch, as well as the one-year anniversary of brewery operations. The Los Angeles-based microbrewery quietly began selling beer to-go only (in limited-edition cans and crowlers) in early July 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions on tasting room operations. Brewmaster David “Zambo” Szamborski (former head brewer of 21st Amendment) brews flagship and seasonal beers which all feature the brewery’s signature pulp fiction cover-inspired can art with names including “Bunny with a Chainsaw,” “Tucked in by Strangers,” and “Attack of the Space Cats.” Despite and in spite of pandemic-related challenges, Paperback produced nearly 2,000 BBLs in its first year and added 400+ off-premise accounts from San Diego to Los Angeles, including 188 Trader Joe’s retail locations. The brewery is on track to increase production by 50% in 2021 and is planning to increase off-premise distribution in other major California markets.

An enterprise eight years in the making, Paperback is a collaboration that evolved from a prolific home brew (or garage, to be specific) operation nicknamed “The Lab” by friends and former colleagues Brandon Monroe and Chris Cesnek. The two co-founders met fortuitously by way of an arbitrary interoffice email exchange at an entertainment advertising agency and discovered a mutual passion for craft beer — and a growing disillusionment with corporate culture. Over the years they refined their recipes on a ½ BBL brewing system and completed programs at the renowned University of California, Davis and White Labs. In 2019, Paperback became their full-time pursuit. Monroe oversees operations and business development, while Cesnek acts as chief creative officer, shepherding every aspect of the Paperback brand.

“COVID closed Paperback before we could open it. We’ve been waiting patiently and experimenting with our beer styles,” said co-founder Chris Cesnek. “For us, this first anniversary is more like our grand opening. We’re excited to share what we’ve worked so hard for and everything we love about beer.”

“Paperback has been a true labor of love,” added co-founder Brandon Monroe. “We set out on this journey eight years ago to create an experience. Now to see people at the bar enjoying our beer, talking to customers, and seeing all the smiles is the most rewarding feeling imaginable.”

At the heart of Paperback is a 15-barrel brewing system, plus six 30 BBL and five 60 BBL fermenters. Award-winning Brewmaster Szamborski has led production for acclaimed breweries throughout the Golden State, most notably at 21st Amendment Brewery, where his efforts were recognized with a myriad of high-profile accolades (including six Great American Beer Festival medals) . He’s celebrated for his fearless experimentation and best quality brews (he’s moonlighted as a GABF judge the past six years). Szamborski’s prodigious output at Paperback — releasing 37 brews in the brewery’s first year of operations — was a deliberate endeavor that helped the brewery withstand the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Paperback’s flagship beers include:

Bunny with a Chainsaw,Hazy Double IPA (Idaho 7, Mosaic): ABV 8.4%, 48 IBUs
Tucked in by Strangers, West Coast IPA (Mosaic): ABV 6.5%, 25 IBUs
Czechs Who Wear Leather, Czech-style Pilsner (Motueka): ABV 4.9%, 34 IBUs
Backyard Crusher, American Lager (Sterling, Cluster): ABV 4.5%, 15 IBUs
Attack of the Space Cats, Hazy IPA (Galaxy): 6.6% ABV, 40 IBUs
One Night with Nora, Blonde Ale (Sterling, Cascade): 5.1% ABV, 11 IBUs
Cesnek, a BFA graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, is the creative mind behind Paperback’s one-of-a-kind label artwork. The humorous illustrations take inspiration from pop art and pulp magazines (a nod to the inexpensive paper the stories were printed on) popular in the first half of the 20th Century, featuring colorful, action-packed, and sometimes lurid cover art. His references include music and pop culture, for example The Smith’s Death of a Disco Dancer, David Lynch’s Twin Peaks (Paperback’s Sour Peaks Raspberry Lemonade Sour Ale), and Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (Paperback’s A Milkshake Orange Milkshake IPA).

The 1,600 square-foot Glendale tasting room (422 Magnolia Ave) has 16 Paperback brews on tap and was designed by Boston-based Jennifer Sullivan of Studio Twenty Two. Situated in a World War II-era quonset hut aircraft hanger, which housed a mechanic shop for six decades before sitting vacant for many years, the 6,000+ square-foot structure (which also encompasses the brewery’s production) was completely reimagined to embody the Paperback brand aesthetic. Inspired by the concept of storytelling, the space was designed to facilitate conversation and inspire comfort — akin to a traditional family living room or den. The mezzanine sits overlooking the tasting room and offers a bird’s-eye view of the brewery’s production area. Like Paperback’s beer, great attention was paid to detail, from the purposeful color palette to the curated objects throughout the space. Bespoke woodwork, tables and bar, by Los Angeles-based Surfridge Design, are a nod to a bygone era of craftsmanship. Furnishings, both new and vintage, feature a rich patina (much like an old book). The tasting room is open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays/Thursdays, 4 to 11 p.m. on Fridays, 12 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and 12 to 10 p.m. on Sundays.

For More Information:
http://paperback.la

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CARPINTERIA, CA – Island Brewing Company will celebrate its 20th Anniversary with a week of scheduled frivolity and a two new Anniversary Beer releases starting Monday July 19th and running through the weekend to Sunday, July 25th. Attached is a flyer with the schedule of events.

We are full of gratitude for the friends we’ve made along the way, our place in the community in Carpinteria and Santa Barbara, and for the talented people here that make the magic happen.

For More Information:
https://www.islandbrewingcompany.com

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Newton, NC – Community Brewing Ventures (CBV) saw a busy First Quarter with the addition of seven brand partnerships (six breweries and a kombucha/non-alcoholic brand), and the Second Quarter proved to be just as busy. CBV has added three more partners to its roster, launched products for two existing brands, and opened its taproom in Newton.

Current breweries partnered with CBV include:

Bay Cannon Beer Company: Located in Tampa.
Bold Mariner Brewing Company: Based in Norfolk, Virginia.
D9 Brewing Company: Located in multiple locations in North Carolina.
Steam Theory Brewing: Located in Dallas.
UpDog Kombucha: Based in North Carolina, UpDog Kombucha is the flagship brand of the non-alcoholic and alternative beverage portfolio of the CBV.
Urban Brews Lab: Located in Chicago.
New partnerships with CBV announced in Q2:

Shotgun Beer: Located in California, Shotgun is the brainchild of Brewbound Startup Brewery Challenge participant Craig Kovaleski, aiming to create an everyday beer for the casual craft drinker.
Second Self Beer Company: Located in Atlanta, Second Self is known for its “no-compromise” approach to both ingredients and techniques.
Side Hustle Brews: Based in the United Arab Emirates, Side Hustle is coming stateside with innovative beers that transcend borders of flavor
New CBV products launched in Q2:

UpDog Kombucha products Happy Baby Jasmine Lavender, Firefly Peach Basil, Sphinx Mojito, and Sun Salute Ginger Turmeric were brought to market on June 31 and are now available in NC, VA, and Washington, DC.
Bay Cannon Beer Company beers Xander Mosaic Hazy IPA, Elias Galaxy Double IPA, Emilia Dry-Hopped Blonde Ale, and Maxwell Stout were brought to market on June 14 and are now available for purchase in DC, FL, LA, MD, NC, PA, and VA.
“As CBV continues to grow our partnerships and bring products to markets, our focus continues to be on the amplification of breweries,” said Aaron MJ Gore, director of strategic partnerships with CBV. “2021 has been a monumental year for CBV. We now have ten partnerships and have brought two of them to market. CBV focuses on the parts of scalability and capital that smaller breweries aren’t equipped for, allowing them to focus on their craft. We want to keep the craft in craft beer, and to bring the power back to the brewery.”

Bold Mariner will be the next CBV product launch later in July.

“Working with CBV has been great! It really feels like one big team, and they have been like rocket boosters for Bold Mariner,” said Michael Stacks, founder and president of Bold Mariner Brewing Company.

“The work up to our launch with CBV has been amazing; it almost feels like right before our grand opening. The thought of Bold Mariner beer getting to so many new markets and to so many people who have not tried our beers before is exciting. We can’t wait for people to discover our brand, and CBV is getting us that exposure.”

CBV is looking to partner with brands with good values, a strong community connection, and the ability to grow their footprint with the right support. Do you think you have what it takes to be a part of CBV? Let’s talk.

About Community Brewing Ventures

Community Brewing Ventures (CBV) is an organization focused on helping small breweries overcome the challenges that oftentimes prevent them from growing to meet the demand for their beer. By working with contract brewing partners across the Eastern US, they can bring great beer to new customers who otherwise may never have had the opportunity. Most importantly, the small breweries that CBV works with stay independent, continuing to drive the innovation and creativity that makes craft beer so special.

CBV grew out of D9 Brewing Company, one of the Southeast’s fastest-growing and most exciting breweries. Seeing the opportunity to apply the lessons that he learned through growing his own business to helping others in the industry, founder and CEO Andrew Durstewitz realized the gap between how big a brewery can become and how big it should become was often insurmountable. CBV can take on the more labyrinthine elements of logistics and operations, allowing the small breweries to continue doing what they have always been so good at: creating value for the customer.

For More Information:
https://www.communitybrewingventures.com

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New York, NY – The King of Beers is celebrating the King of New York and the late rapper’s legacy with The Notorious B.I.G. Tall Boy Budweiser cans and collectible merchandise. The limited-edition cans created in partnership with the Christopher Wallace Estate will be available in his hometown of New York City exclusively, starting July 14 while supplies last.

The can design was inspired by Biggie’s legendary career that landed him the title of G.O.A.T. in the rap community. Unique design elements include a hand drawn sketch of Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace and phrases including “Brooklyn’s Finest,” “King of New York” and the Brooklyn skyline to pay homage to the late rapper’s hometown. The brand also replaced the Budweiser creed on the can with lyrics from Biggie’s Ready To Die album hit, “Unbelievable,” “Live from Bedford-Stuyvesant the livest one, Representin BK to the fullest.”

Limited-edition collectible merchandise, which dropped today on ShopBeerGear.com, features t-shirts, sweatshirts and sweatpants emblazoned with recognizable Biggie symbols entwined with Budweiser’s iconic bowtie and package label. One standout piece from the collection features the portrait of Biggie with his staple crown within the Budweiser bowtie to commemorate this partnership.

“I am honored to know that a brand such as Budweiser wanted to celebrate my son in this way,” says Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace. “Christopher’s legacy and brand value is extremely important to myself and the family and memorializing him on the can of an iconic beer brand as “Budweiser” is something I believe he would be happy with.”

In addition to the collectible cans and merchandise, Budweiser is hosting a live concert in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Bandshell on August 19th to celebrate the life and music of the late rapper. The DJ driven show will feature the past, present and future of Brooklyn artists, including collaborators of Biggie and artists influenced by the rapper. Featured artists include Busta Rhymes, Lil Kim, The Lox, DJ Steph Cakes and more. The concert is free and open to the public 21+.

The Biggie Budweiser Tall Boy cans will be available at the concert in addition to other local Brooklyn food and beverage vendors. All guests 21+ will get one complimentary Budweiser beers with entry. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase the Budweiser x Biggie collectible merchandise at a pop-up at the concert.

“The Notorious B.I.G. Budweiser Tall Boy can is the most iconic can collaboration we’ve done to date,” said Daniel Blake, Group VP Marketing, Budweiser & Value at Anheuser-Busch. “We’re grateful for the collaboration with the Christopher Wallace Estate and Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace to bring this special can to life so that we can celebrate the legacy of the greatest rapper of all time.”

Budweiser x Biggie Tall Boy cans can be purchased in all stores that carry Budweiser within the New York City area starting today. Collectible merchandise is available on ShopBeerGear.com for those 21+ while supplies last.

About Budweiser

Budweiser, an American-style lager, was introduced in 1876 when company founder Adolphus Busch set out to create the United States’ first truly national beer brand – brewed to be universally popular and transcend regional tastes. Each batch of Budweiser stays true to the same family recipe used by five generations of Busch family brewmasters. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp and pure beer with blended layers of premium American and European hop aromas, brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment. Budweiser is made using time-honored methods including “kraeusening” for natural carbonation and Beechwood aging, which results in unparalleled balance and character.

About Anheuser-Busch

For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities, and packaging plants, and have more than 19,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America’s most recognizable beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA, and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home.

For More Information: https://us.budweiser.com/CelebrateBiggie

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Torrance, CA – Smog City Brewing Co. is releasing Total Boss Red IPA Friday, 7/16, designed to elevate and celebrate women in an industry that has been historically male-driven. To make Total Boss, all of the women who work at Smog City came together to develop the recipe (with the support of their brewmaster), and then they hopped on the brew deck to make the beer. “Total Boss is a statement about how we at Smog City see women in the beer industry – they are Total Bosses! Women deserve respect and a place on the brew deck and are often a driving force in making the craft beer industry a better, more inclusive & creative space for all. I take pride in knowing that the Los Angeles craft beer community has always had more women in leadership positions compared to the rest of the country and we want to celebrate that!” said Laurie Porter, co-owner of Smog City Brewing Co.

When looking for a way to authentically take a stance on the current #metoo movement happening in the craft beer industry, Smog City Brewing Co. turned to what they do best, making beer, and they hope Total Boss helps highlight the fact that women are a powerful and important part of the craft beer industry and challenge more breweries to follow Smog City’s lead in putting women in top leadership positions. Over half of the leadership team at Smog City Brewing Co. is female, including their owner Laurie, who serves on the board of the CCBA and the Torrance Chamber of Commerce and is a past president of the LA County Brewers Guild. Smog City says they “demand respect and appreciation for all the amazing ladies on our team and for all the women in the craft beer industry.”

Total Boss Red IPA was brewed with Red X malt and a huge dose of Amarillo, Simcoe, and Citra hops. It’s a ruby-hued IPA with bright citrus notes and clocks in at 6.3% abv. “It’s been a fantastic and uplifting process for the women of Smog CIty to come together and create this beer out of solidarity for all the hardworking women in our industry that are overlooked & mistreated far too often,” said Aften Lee, brand & retail director at Smog City Brewing Co. “Plus, it’s going to taste amazing!”

Total Boss is a beer for all the women out there and the allies that support them so that we can all work together to make craft beer a better place for all.

Total Boss Red IPA will be available starting Friday, 7/16 in 4-pack cans & on draft at the Smog City Brewing Co. Torrance Brewery & Taproom (1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA), Smog City West (22755 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505), and Smog City SteelCraft (3768 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90807). It’ll be available at Smog City @ Glendora Public Market (905 E Arrow Hwy, Glendora, CA 91740) starting Wednesday, 7/21. You can also buy 4-packs of Total Boss Red IPA online at the Smog City beer shop for shipping all over California.

Be sure to grab a 4 pack of Total Boss for the total boss in your life.

About Smog City Brewing Co.

Established in 2011, Smog City Brewing Co. is a family-owned and operated craft brewery in Torrance, CA devoted to producing a wide variety of creatively inspired and exceptionally balanced beers. Smog City Brewing Co. prides itself on making beer everyone will love and love to share. With four taprooms to choose from around Los Angeles County and distribution throughout central and southern California, fresh Smog City beer is never too far away. In addition to making world-class beer for their community, Smog City Brewing Co. is also a proud 1% for the Planet member.

For More Information:
https://smogcitybrewing.com

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Pacific City, Oregon – Head out, explore and help restore delicate Pacific Northwest coastal trails this summer with Pelican Brewing Company’s newest year-round offering, Head Out Hefeweizen. This bright and refreshing wheat ale is loaded with white wheat malt and balanced with melon and floral aromas, ideal for a post-hike adventure through old-growth coastal forests. Additionally, staying true to their core value of respecting and protecting their beaches and surrounding environments, Pelican Brewing is sponsoring several Trailkeepers of Oregon events this summer to aid in restoring and protecting some of Oregon’s most pristine coastal trails.

“Here at Pelican Brewing, we are always striving to ensure our coastal communities are built to last, and that includes the breathtaking environments that we are lucky to call home,” says Pelican Brewing CEO Jim Prinzing. “We partnered with Trailkeepers of Oregon because we believe in supporting their commitment to making sure everyone has access to Oregon’s special places for years to come.”

Join Pelican Brewing and Trailkeepers of Oregon this summer at one of the following sponsored Trail Parties or their new multi-day Volunteer Vacations:

Pelican Sponsored Trailkeepers of Oregon Trail Parties:

Ecola Sp Indian Beach – July 17th – 18th, 2021
Neahkahnie Mountain at Oswald West Sp – August 14th – 15th, 2021
Rainforest Trail at Cascade Head – September 18th-19th, 2021
Oswald Short Sands – October 8th – 9th, 2021
Pelican Sponsored Trailkeepers of Oregon Volunteer Vacations:

– Cascade Head Volunteer Vacation – August 2nd – 5th, 2021

– Cascade Head Volunteer Vacation – August 30th – September 2nd, 2021

“We are excited to partner with Pelican Brewing Company on the release of Head Out Hefeweizen to help restore and manage the upkeep of some of Oregon’s most beloved coastal trails,” shared Trailkeepers of Oregon Executive Director Steve Kruger. “Our organization relies heavily on passionate volunteers and funding from organizations that are committed to the preservation and advocacy of our trails to ensure these amazing places are around for generations to come.”

Join Pelican Brewing and Trailkeepers of Oregon this summer as they share their dedication to trail restoration and amazing tasting beer. Head Out Hefeweizen is available in six-pack bottles, select Pelican mixed 12-packs, Pelican’s three coastal brewpubs, and local watering holes.

ABV: 4.8% | IBU: 30 | PLATO: 12.5º

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, and most recently in 2020 at the Great American Beer Festival for Updrift IPA that took home Silver in the American-style IPA category. 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, a soon to be opened Siletz Bay location, 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. Cheers, Fellow Fanatics!

For More Information:
https://pelicanbrewing.com

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California – Norwalk Brew House (NBH), HenHouse Brewing Co., and SLO Brew announces “Mariachi Maestro” Hazy IPA – the first release in a series of collaboration beers supporting the Rhythmo Mariachi Academy in Orange County. Other collaborators include: Liberation Brewing Co. (Long Beach), Feathered Serpent Brewery (San Dimas, CA) and Cerveza Cito (Santa Ana).

In early March, word spread quickly about the sudden passing of Orange County mariachi pioneer, Maestro Gabriel Zavala. A staple in the local music community, Maestro Zavala was beloved and respected for his contributions promoting and preserving the Mexican folk genre of mariachi. He unfortunately succumbed to complications of Covid-19 in late February.

In the ‘60s, Gabriel Zavala and his band of brothers, Los Siete Hermanos Zavala, were the first group to bring mariachi music to Orange County, CA. After a decade of performing, Zavala taught kids the skill and culture of mariachi music through his nonprofit school, Rhythmo Music Academy. This is where he became known as the beloved, “Maestro.”

During last year’s state mandated pandemic closures, Zavala’s Rhythmo Music Academy found itself in dire straits as it struggled to cover its monthly fixed costs. Zavala’s untimely passing only compounded the school’s problems.

The news of Maestro Zavala’s passing and his struggling music academy struck a chord with NBH founder, Ray Ricky Rivera – “as a former professional musician who studied at a local nonprofit music school, I understand how crucial these spaces are to the community. It broke my heart to hear the news, a few of my friends actually studied with Maestro Zavala as kids.”

Motivated to help, Rivera reached out to fellow beer industry friends, Collin McDonnell of HenHouse Brewing Company and Moe Duran of SLO Brew; pitching a 3-way beer collab to support the mariachi academy. The three quickly hatched an idea to create a beer called “Maestro Mariachi” – a Hazy IPA paying homage to Zavala and the legacy he leaves behind.

With the HenHouse/Slow Brew collab in place, Rivera reached out to other SoCal brewery friends including: Feathered Serpent Brewery (San Dimas, CA), Liberation Brewing Company (Long Beach) and Cerveza Cito (Santa Ana), creating a multi-brewery collaboration. Each brewery will work with Norwalk Brew House to release their own tribute to Maestro Zavala. A portion of proceeds from each beer will be donated to the Rhythmo Mariachi Academy.

Mariachi Maestro is a fabulous Hazy IPA graciously hopped with Cashmere and Motueka. The can label features a QR code buyers can scan for access to free music and get more info about the Rhythmo Mariachi Academy.

Mariachi Maestro will be available to LA/OC retailers starting 7/27/21. Packaging includes:16 oz cans and kegs. Also available on draft at both HenHouse Brewing Company locations (Santa Rosa, CA & Petaluma, CA) and online.

For More Information:
https://www.norwalkbrewhouse.com/beer-collaborations

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Tank Brewing Co. is pleased to announce their newest beer, Poolside Promises! Brewed in the heart of Miami, the new beer is a double dry-hopped IPA with delicious summer tasting notes of guava, grapefruit, and peach, with a dark undertone. With 5.5% alcohol, the beer is part of Tank’s Crushable Summer Series, hopped with Idaho 7, Strata, and Comet.

Poolside Promises is exclusively available at Tank Brewing Co.’s Tasting Room both canned and on tap, while supplies last, at 5100 NW 72nd Ave. Bay A1 Miami, FL 33166. Limited quantities available – hurry up while supplies last!

For More Information:
https://thetankbrewing.com/tasting-room/

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Massachusetts – An initiative aimed at decreasing the millions of plastic can carriers that end up going to landfill or incineration each year in Massachusetts reached its first milestone last week with the successful completion of a Metro Boston pilot program. Since launching in early May at Lamplighter Brewing in Cambridge, Aeronaut Brewing in Somerville, Harpoon Brewery’s harbor side beer hall, and Trillium Brewing’s two Boston locations, environmentally conscious consumers have turned in nearly 20,000 of the not-curbside-recyclable carriers for reuse and proper recycling.

During the 8-week pilot some 8,000 carriers were donated to smaller Boston area breweries such as Portico Brewing, Bone Up Brewing, Remnant Brewing and others for reuse in packaging their beer. The remaining 335 pounds of HDPE #2 plastic carriers have been hauled away by the program’s sponsor, GreenLabs Recycling, which will deliver it to a local plastics processor to be shredded, melted and then pelletized into raw material for new plastic products. The first-of-its-kind collection and delivery model is now set to begin a steady pickup schedule at the aforementioned participating breweries.

As reported in a previous release, the amount of plastic beer packaging waste ending up in landfills each year is enough to fill any of the state’s largest breweries with discarded carriers rather than beer. Prior to the awareness campaign launched by Eco-Friendly Beer and the Mass. Brew Bros., just 10% were being collected and reused, and less than 2% recycled. Backed by the Massachusetts Brewers Guild as well as environmental groups like RecyclingWorks, RecycleSmart, Mass Recycle and others, the tide appears to be shifting.

It’s not just Metro Boston that has seen a surge in collections. Statewide, a notable uptick has occurred in consumer turn-ins of used carriers at practically every brewery or beer store willing to accept them. Inspired by success stories such as Stone Cow Brewing in Barre, which has packaged some 200,000 cans in sanitized and re-used carriers since initiating its reuse operation, or Scituate’s Untold Brewing, which has reused more carriers than any brewery in the state during the last year, many in the industry are realizing the benefits of such efforts. As a result, numerous breweries have revamped their collections efforts while dozens more have joined the movement. Both Navigation Brewing in Lowell and Bone Up Brewing in Everett have met with such success that they no longer need to buy new carriers and are instead pocketing the savings in packaging cost.

The number of verified can carrier collections programs now stands at nearly 100, and the Mass. Brew Bros. website has even created a state-wide map so consumers can find their nearest location. Not only are breweries benefitting from their own collections programs, but those willing to reuse have access to hundreds of additional carriers from larger breweries like Exhibit ‘A’ in Framingham and True North Ales in Ipswich. High volume production makes it impractical for such breweries reuse carriers, but hasn’t stopped them from demonstrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) by collecting and then donating or properly recycling them.

Craft beverage producers in other industries have also taken notice. Artifact Cider Project is planning to initiate collections programs at both its Northampton production facility and its Cambridge taproom. Additionally, cannabis dispensary Theory Wellness, which packages its popular THC-infused Hi5 seltzer in plastic can carriers, will soon announce the launch of a take-back program at all three of its Massachusetts locations, with the potential to expand it to some 30 more dispensaries that it distributes to across the state.

Further potential exists for increasing collections at high-volume retail outlets like larger liquor and grocery stores, and consideration is being given to expanding collection services offered by GreenLabs Recycling beyond just Metro Boston. There are even exploratory discussions under way about starting similar initiatives in neighboring states such as Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont.

About the Mass Brewers Guild

Founded in 2007 by a group of committed and passionate brewers, the Mass Brewers Guild, is organized for the purposes of promoting craft brewing and protecting the interests of craft brewers across the Commonwealth. The association is membership based and open to all Massachusetts breweries licensed by the federal Tax and Trade Bureau and the Commonwealth’s Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission. The nonprofit creates a community of brewers while shining light on the broad range of breweries and styles offered throughout the state. Through industry and educational events, its mobile application beer trail map, and by providing resources and marketing support to brewers, the nonprofit works to highlight Massachusetts as a top travel destination for craft beer in the U.S. The board also continues its work at the legislative level, fighting for license and franchise law reform, and serving as the voice of craft brewers on Beacon Hill. The Massachusetts Brewers Guild is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit corporation.

About Eco-Friendly Beer

Rob Vandenabeele, an avid gardener, biker, nature lover and beer industry blogger, founded the EcoFriendlyBeer website in early 2020. Currently enrolled in the Environmental Studies program at the Harvard Extension School, his goal is to inspire people to better protect our earth, the only planet with craft beer. He offers sustainability consulting for the craft beverage industry.

About GreenLabs Recycling

GreenLabs Recycling collects and recycles empty pipette tip boxes, refillable wafers and other plastic items from research facilities in Greater Boston, providing locally-based, cost effective plastic recycling solutions to help make science sustainable. Its recent successful pilot program helped select breweries in Metro Boston properly recycle plastic can carriers not accepted by municipal curbside recycling programs.

For More Information:
https://massbrewersguild.org

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