Archives for December 2021

CHICO, Calif. — Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. announced today the release of Big Little Thing Imperial IPA, the brewery’s newest year-round offering which is available in cans and on draft nationwide. The gigantic beer boasts a full malt body, 9% ABV, 45 IBU, and enormous tropical hop flavors of mango, grapefruit, and tangerine.

To celebrate this colossal beer, Sierra Nevada will give it an oversized launch—from a 20 foot high custom trebuchet-style catapult in an attempt to set a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® Title for the farthest distance thrown by a trebuchet (with a projectile weight of 20kg and over).

“Big Little Thing is a big beer and we wanted to launch it in a big way,” said Brand Manager, Jourdan Reinhart. “What’s bigger than a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® Title?”

The record attempt will take place on March 11th in Sierra Nevada’s Chico hop field. The Big Little Thing Keg Catapult, complete with 6,000 lb. counterweight, will set a record if the keg flies over ~77m / 253ft, but Sierra Nevada hopes to shoot it as far as 91m/300ft. Viewers can guess the keg launch distance and watch the live event at home on March 11, while sipping a Big Little Thing, ripe with lush tropical flavors from seven different hop varieties and a restrained sweetness from its bold malt body.

“We don’t know if we’ll set the record,” said Reinhart. “But we’ll be celebrating with a can of Big Little Thing either way.”

For more information visit https://sierranevada.com/

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DENVER, Colorado – A new year brings a whole new Single Cask series from River North Brewery. Single Cask highlights different barrels featuring a mix of different styles released throughout the year. The first release is also the first chance for newcomers to sign up for the Norther Society and 2022 introduces a new membership: Noble Norther Society. Join the membership and pick up your first Single Cask on January 15th at the River North Brewery Washington Street taproom.

The first Single Cask of the year is Double Avarice, a bold and brave imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels. A 15.2% ABV imperial stout to kick off the beginning of a new year is perfect for the middle of January when the weather might be cooler and everyone’s getting ready for Stout Month. Noble Northers and Northers receive one Single Cask bottle included in their membership, one of the many perks of being a member of River North Brewery’s coveted society.

Noble Northers and Northers receive one Single Cask bottle of all six releases, varying from imperial stouts, saisons and whatever else the brewmaster deems worthy of being a Single Cask. Both membership programs also get the chance to indulge in $1 off pints all day every day at both taprooms, half off full pours on Wednesdays, merch discounts, a festive holiday party, an exclusive Facebook group and monthly newsletter.

New for 2022 is the Noble Norther Society. As a Noble Norther, you have the same perks as the Northers with some extremely cool added bonuses. Noble Northers get their first beer free every day that the taprooms are open (that’s 300+ free beers!), an exclusive Noble Single Cask release specifically for them, a brew day hangout, canning day hangout and a summer bottle share. This annual membership comes at a price of $399 and is limited to 50 people.

For those more inclined to be a Norther, you get six Single Cask bottles, $1 off full pours all day every day, an annual holiday party, half off full pours on Wednesdays, 10% merch discount and an exclusive Facebook group and monthly newsletter. Limited to 200 people, to be a Norther is only $99 for an annual membership.

Head to River North Brewery’s Washington Street taproom on Saturday, January 15th to join the membership program and pick up the first release of the year.

For More Information:
http://www.rivernorthbrewery.com

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LITTLETON, Colorado – A Festivus for the rest of us! It’s that time of year again, and Living the Dream Brewing is bringing back a festive favorite just in time for the holidays: their Festivus Fireside Barrel Aged Olde Ale.

Inspired by the classic Seinfeld episode, this beer is a delicious combination of old-world flavors and subtle sweetness. In the first step of a two step process, Festivus is brewed with English black treacle and aged a whopping 386 days in Premium Bourbon Barrels for authentic olde ale flavor. Then, it’s blended with a beer brewed with dark specialty malts, oats, and more black treacle. The combination of these two brews gives it a well-rounded, full body and complex flavor, all without sacrificing the oak, bourbon, and dark fruit character from the barrel aging.

“We have been making versions of Festivus Fireside Ale off and on since 2015,” said owner Jason Bell. “The core recipe has stayed pretty consistent, but we would play around with the wood treatments, and this year we really feel like it is our best version yet.”

Rounding out at 9% ABV, Festivus is deceptively smooth and drinkable, with just enough of that warm, wood-aged flavor to heat you up on the frosty nights ahead.

Festivus Fireside is available in the tap room and in 12 oz cans for a limited time, so be sure to swing by and sip yourself some non-denominational holiday cheer while you still can.

ABOUT LIVING THE DREAM BREWING CO. 

Living the Dream Brewing is a craft brewery established in 2014 in Littleton, our home base for adventure in Colorado. Built on a foundation of brewing beer using only the finest ingredients, Living the Dream celebrates the people, places, and activities of the Centennial State.

For More Information:
https://radcraftbeer.com/news/living-the-dream-festivus-fireside

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SAN DIEGO, California – AleSmith Brewing Company is warming up the winter season with the rollout of their limited release Porter. The San Diego-based brewery is winding down the year with this addition to its limited release line-up, available through the month of December.

“We are so excited about the flavors of this beer and how they come together. With the cooler temperatures approaching, we wanted to add a new beer to the line-up that would appeal to the season and to the palate of our dark beer fans,” notes AleSmith’s head brewer, Ryan Crisp.

AleSmith’s Porter boasts the perfect blend of rich and sultry flavors to cozy up to this winter. The velvety smooth brew showcases warm and toasty notes of biscuit, caramel and chocolate alongside a silky mouthfeel to pair along dinner or dessert all season long. Easy to sip, AleSmith’s Porter makes for a great addition to any holiday gathering or chilly, winter night. This beer pairs well with barbecue, chili, desserts, and blue cheese.

Get your hands on this crowd-pleasing limited release at select retailers nationwide throughout December in six-packs of 12-oz. cans, plus on-draft at AleSmith’s Miramar tasting room in San Diego. Find the retailer nearest you by visiting AleSmith’s Beer Finder.

ABV: 7.5%

About AleSmith Brewing Company

Forged in 1995, AleSmith has been recognized by consumers and critics alike as one of the world’s foremost craft brewing companies, with accolades that include medals won at prestigious national and international beer competitions. In addition to being well-established within its hometown of San Diego, AleSmith was acknowledged by the RateBeer community as one of the Top 10 Best Breweries nationwide in 2019 and 2020. The brewery is also a three-time winner of the Champion Brewery Award at the San Diego International Beer Competition, where it received a Gold Medal in 2019 for Nut Brown English Brown Ale. Further recognition for individual beers includes a 2016 Gold Medal for Old Numbskull, and a 2017 Bronze Medal for Wee Heavy at the Great American Beer Festival. AleSmith occupies a 109,942 square-foot facility with a state-of-the-art brewery. AleSmith’s range of acclaimed beers includes Speedway Stout, Nut Brown Ale, and San Diego Pale Ale .394, distributed in 28 U.S. states and eight countries.

For More Information:
https://alesmith.com/

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JACKSON HOLE, Wyoming – Roadhouse Brewing Co. releases a new batch of its barrel-aged Funk House series just in time for the holidays. The collection of four foeder-aged beers hail from its barrel room at Gregory Lane, where the brewing team conducts a “symphony of beer loving organisms in collaboration with oak and time.” All Funk House Series bottled beers have been aged for 20 months and finished in a single oak cask for seven months.

“It’s where we take some of our most prized recipes, give them a little nudge, and hand them over to the cosmos,” says Roadhouse Brewmaster, Max Shafer.

At $10/500 ML bottle, the Funk House Series is also available in a $25 two-pack complete with a custom tulip glass. This season’s collection includes:

Vixen Harlot (6.5% ABV): Oud Bruin with Cherries. Think jammy, cherry notes, perfect for fall

Vixen Mistress (6.5% ABV) Oud Bruin with Blackberries. Ripe notes reminiscent of pie

Vixen (6.5% ABV) Oud Bruin. Tart with a touch of vanilla and caramel

Dry-Hopped Sour (6.5% ABV): draft only this dry-hopped sour requires a visit to the Roadhouse Pub & Eatery in the heart of Jackson Hole, or the tap room on Gregory Lane

About Roadhouse Brewing Co

Built upon its two founders’ unique backgrounds as an award-winning home brewer and noted restaurateur, Roadhouse Brewing Company draws inspiration from the culinary and craft worlds, its home base in the iconic mountain town of Jackson Hole and its independent spirit – making the brewing facilities a daily hub for innovation and collaboration. Roadhouse was awarded Best for the World™ B Corporation, ranking in the top 5% of all B Corps in its size group worldwide for sustainable business practices. In addition to its 10,000 barrel brewery, Roadhouse helms the Roadhouse Pub & Eatery in the heart of downtown Jackson Hole, its microbrewery and restaurant for small batches + innovation. Roadhouse distributes on and off-premise in Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Montana and California.

For More Information:
https://roadhousebrewery.com/

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PORTLAND, Oregon – Portland, Oregon’s Ecliptic Brewing is excited to announce its 2022 beer release calendar. It is a big year for the brewery, with the addition of a new All the Time Series beer, plus an entirely new series which celebrates their recently-opened location in Southeast Portland. Here’s the plan:

Ecliptic Brewing’s current All the Time Series beers will continue, but Pyxis Pilsner – which originally launched early this year in the Limited Release Series – has moved to the lineup and will be available throughout the company’s distribution footprint. Additionally, LIGO West Coast IPA will launch in early 2022 in 16-ounce can four-packs. With a moderate ABV and modern hop character, this brew offers another unique IPA option year-round. Lastly, Phaser Hazy IPA, which moved to the All the Time Series mid-2021, will eventually get an updated label design to reflect the series change.

Brand new for 2022 is the addition of Ecliptic’s Moon Room Series. The series will feature a collection of lager beer, in celebration of the brewery opening its second location, which is well setup for lagering. While technically part of the company’s Special Release Series (in terms of UPCs and pricing), this mini-series showcases a new label design that matches the dark and moody vibe at the physical Moon Room location. Other classic Special Release beers, such as Oort Imperial Stout and Orange Giant Barleywine, will also return.

Additionally, Ecliptic’s Cosmic Collaboration Series will include six collab beers next year, as the company plans to brew alongside esteemed breweries such as Reuben’s Brews, Crooked Stave, Georgetown Brewing and Holy Mountain Brewing. The 2021 success, Ecliptic + Wayfinder Cold IPA, will be returning first up in the series this January.

The Limited Release Series will continue to feature Vega IPA, with interesting and unique releases each quarter, along with both Altair Fresh Hop Pale Ale and Astro Fresh Hop Lager.

Ecliptic’s Seasonal Series includes four rotations, beginning with SunRay Juicy IPA, moving on to fan-favorite Flamingo Planet Guava Blonde Ale, then 2021’s new Cloud Core Hazy Pale Ale, and finishing with the classic Filament Winter IPA with Tangerine.

The brewery will continue to release beers from its barrel-aging program as part of the Reserve Series. Keep an eye out for brew “5000” launching in 16-ounce cans and draft. This is Owner and Brewmaster John Harris’ 5000th batch of beer ever brewed at Ecliptic! The milestone barrel-aged beer will be released in quarter one of 2022.

Lastly, the brewery will continue to produce small-batch, draft only beers from its pilot system. These extremely limited kegs are available at one or both taprooms. Follow along on eclipticbrewing.com or the company’s Instagram page for real-time updates on these brews, including Brewer’s Spotlight Series, Anniversary Series and Moon Room exclusives.

2022 Beer Lineup

All the Time Series

Ecliptic Starburst IPA

LIGO West Coast IPA – brand new! (16-ounce cans and draft)

Pyxis Pilsner – new in this series!

Phaser Hazy IPA – updated label coming!

Capella Porter

Carina Peach Sour Ale

Tucana Tangerine Sour Ale

Seasonal Series

SunRay Juicy IPA (Jan/Feb/March/Mid-April)

Flamingo Planet Guava Blonde Ale (Mid-April/May/June/July)

Cloud Core Hazy Pale Ale (August/September/October)

Filament Winter IPA (November/December)

Limited Release Series

Vega IPA

Altair Fresh Hop Pale Ale

Astro Fresh Hop Lager

Special Release: Moon Room Series – brand new!

February: Vienna Lager

March: Marzen

April: Rice Lager & Rice Lager Jasmine Edition

May: Maibock

July: Helles

September: Oktoberfest

November: Schwarzbier

Special Release Series

Q1 2022: 5000th Brew

January: Oort Imperial Stout

October: Ninth Orbit

December: Orange Giant Barleywine Ale

Cosmic Collaborations

January: Ecliptic + Wayfinder Cold IPA

February: Ecliptic + Reuben’s Cri-Star IPA

June: Ecliptic + Georgetown Summer IPA

August: Ecliptic + Holy Mountain TBD

November: Ecliptic + Crooked Stave TBD

December: Ecliptic + TBD

Reserve Series

TBA

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. Ecliptic Brewing’s Mothership location opened in October of 2013 in North Portland and its second location – the Moon Room –opened in November of 2021 in Southeast Portland.

Ecliptic celebrates the Earth’s yearly journey around the sun through both its beer and restaurant menus. Harris’ signature beers include Ecliptic Starburst IPA, Phaser Hazy IPA, Carina Peach Sour Ale, Capella Porter and Pyxis Pilsner.

Ecliptic beers are available at the mothership brewery (825 North Cook St), the Moon Room (930 SE Oak St), in grocery stores, bottle shops, and on-tap throughout the area. They are 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), Hayden Beverage (Southern Idaho), Crooked Stave Artisans (Colorado), Freedom Distributors (North Carolina), Beer Thirst (Canada) and Tread Water (Japan).

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

eclipticbrewing.com.

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PRINCETON, California – Farmers Brewing Co. announces distribution deal with Blach Beverage. The farm to glass brewery has agreed to sell their distribution rights to Blach Beverage in Tehama, Shasta and part of Trinity county.

“We started our own sales and distribution in these territories in 2020 and the timing was right for us to partner up with a distributor to expand our footprint in the area,” said Bill Weller, Founder of Farmers Brewing Co. “It will be exciting to see what we can do together with our new partnership in 2022.”

Blach Beverage will begin distributing the farm to glass brews in January. The move allows Farmers Brewing Co. to reach more locations and customers within Blach’s territory.

About Farmers Brewing Co.

Founded in 2017 by a fifth-generation farmer, Farmers Brewing Company, LLC began brewing out of a garage in sprawling Princeton, CA with a population of 407. The true “Farm to Glass” brewery has expanded to a new facility and crafts lighter, sessionable and healthier beers in the Sacramento Valley of Northern California. Farmers Brewing prides itself on producing high-quality grains grown on its own farm to produce high-quality beers.

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

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BALTIMORE, Maryland – To celebrate the holidays and kick off winter, DuClaw Brewing Company is releasing three new beers inspired by classic and untraditional seasonal staples.

“These beers offer three unique flavor profiles that can be enjoyed throughout the colder months,” said DuClaw founder and CEO Dave Benfield. “We wanted to create a little something for everyone that honored timeless holiday flavors but stayed true to our roots of exploring creative ingredients and making new traditions.”

The following limited release beers are out on shelves now in 16oz cans and on draft at select locations in DuClaw’s footprint.

Spruce Willis, 8.2% ABV – Built for fans of Die Hard, one of the greatest Christmas movies of all time, this is an explosive, hoppy double IPA with piney bursts from real spruce tips, and pops of wintergreen, mango and grapefruit.

The PastryArchy Macchiato Milk Stout, 6.5% – Put a little pep in your pour with the newest in the PastryArchy series. Savor the subtle caramel notes, freshly ground vanilla beans, and DuClaw’s smooth, secret signature coffee blend.

Sour Me Pomegranate, Passion Fruit, & Plum, 5.5% ABV – As temperatures drop, your tastebuds might need a vacation, so go ahead, take them on a tart, tropical getaway. Pucker up for pure bliss with a perfect swirl of passion fruit, pomegranate and plum purees.

About DuClaw Brewing Company

Baltimore-based and fearlessly innovating in craft beer since 1996: Craft Be Cherished. Rules Be Damned. DuClaw beer is available in 22 U.S. states and DC, as well as in Canada.

Find DuClaw distributed in:Alabama, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia.

For More Information:
https://duclaw.com/

MIDDLETOWN, Delaware – After seven years of waiting, the day arrived to open the doors — despite a pandemic — and it snowed. But that did not deter the folks at First State Brewing Company from moving forward with their brewery, taproom, and kitchen just days before Christmas last year, navigating the uncertainties that come along with launching a new business, unable to foresee the challenges created by supply chain, labor, and capacity limitations soon to follow.

If you are a craft beer enthusiast who sampled one of the 100,000 beers canned this year, you probably would not have known that wasn’t the plan. Perhaps you made the trek to the Middletown brewery to sample one of the 78 unique beer varieties produced this year, to dine from their popular menu, to enjoy live music, or relax with friends on the patio.

“Because of the capacity limitations imposed due to the pandemic, we pivoted on our initial strategy and ramped up distribution, which meant purchasing costly canning and packaging equipment,” explains Founder and CEO, Paul Hester. First State Brewing did not receive any relief funding and by April, cans and kegs of their craft beers began appearing throughout Delaware.

With First State Brewing making news in craft beer circles, visitors started making their way to the taproom to enjoy the rotating line up of beers on tap, usually more than 16 at a time. Demand from outside of Delaware drove First State Brewing to start distributing throughout Maryland and eastern Pennsylvania not long after, ultimately putting their beers within reach of craft beer lovers at over 435 locations, easily located through their website’s “Beer Map”. In addition to beer on draft, the taproom offers cider, beer cocktails, classic cocktails, local wine, take-away 4-packs & crowlers, gift cards, and merchandise.

All of the core team that opened First State Brewing remain and due to growth have recruited enough employees to triple in size over the past year.

Their scratch kitchen received rave reviews for its creative menu that features items like poutine, brisket egg rolls and scrapple, and is quickly becoming a dining destination for all ages. They incorporate fresh locally-sourced ingredients throughout their menu, including their beer into several dishes, and provide beer pairing suggestions for all dishes. The exception is their Liege-style waffles, which they import from Belgium for their Chicken & Waffle Sliders, a guest favorite and a best seller since opening. It’s safe to say the food menu is as creative as their beers and can designs.

First State Brewing takes beer knowledge and training seriously, as demonstrated by Cicerone® credentials held by their staff. They are home to Delaware’s only Advanced Cicerone® (Level 3), a designation held by just 151 globally and are currently the only company in the Delaware with more than one Certified Cicerone® (Level 2). The majority of their taproom team are Certified Beer Servers (Level 1).

A Reason to Party and Everyone’s Invited

First State Brewing will celebrate their exciting first year starting at 7 PM this Saturday, December 18th, when they’ll clear out the dining area, open up the dance floor, and bring in a favorite local band, Universal Funk Order. In addition to releasing several new beers, they’re also offering prize giveaways throughout the night! Attendees can win merchandise, tickets to First State’s nextChef & Brewer Curated Food & Beer Experience, and tickets to the upcoming Eagles vs Giants division game.

What’s next for First State Brewing?

After a successful inaugural year, 2022 promises to bring more growth for First State Brewing, who recently acquired the regulatory approval necessary to produce hard ciders. The taproom is expanding their number of taps and will soon offer as many as 24 varieties of beer and cider. The brewery is planning to further their distribution into new markets, expand their cider offerings and develop a barrel ageing program.

Those looking for a unique experience in 2022 will enjoy their “Chef & Brewer Curated Food & Beer Experience”, in a limited-seating setting where guests enjoy an interactive and flavorful experience prepared by Executive Chef, Nicholas Carr, and led by Quality Manager, Joseph Spearot (Advanced Cicerone®).

About First State Brewing

First State Brewing Company is dedicated to crafting a variety of superior quality beers and ciders. By combining tradition with creativity, First State Brewing Company elevates customer experiences with unique craft beer and ciders, education about craft beer and brewing, a scratch kitchen that has become a dining destination of its own, and a variety of beer and food related events. First State Brewing is located about 30 minutes from Dover and Chestertown and an hour from Philadelphia, Easton and the Bay Bridge.

For More Information:

https://www.firststatebrewing.com