Archives for January 2022

PASO ROBLES, California – 805 Beer announced that it is the new Craft Beer Sponsor of the World Surf League (WSL), the home of global professional surfing. The sponsorship includes 805 Beer activations at all five major WSL tour stops in California and Hawaii, including the iconic Vans U.S. Open in Huntington Beach and Billabong Pipeline Masters in Oahu.

“Surfing has been core to the 805 Beer story from the very beginning,” said DustinHinz, CMO at Firestone Walker Brewing Company. “Our team of 805Authenticos reflects varied styles and approaches to surfing, including Nate Tyler, Austin Neumann, Matt Becker, Mike McCabe and Conner Coffin. We are a California-born and bred company, and an 805 x WSL partnership is a natural evolution that furthers our passion for storytelling and our ongoing support of the sport.”

The WSL is the governing body for professional surfers and is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best talent in a variety of progressive formats. The league runs more than 180 global contests annually and crowns the undisputed World Champions across all divisions.

Surfing has long been one of the driving forces behind 805’s “Authenticos”—a band of ambassadors who embody the culture and values of 805 Beer. One notableAuthentico is professional surfer Conner Coffin, who is currently ranked No. 1 in the U.S. and No. 4 in the world heading into the 2022 season of the WSL’s Championship Tour.

805 Beer will leverage its WSL partnership with tour event activations; digital and social campaigns; in-store POS; a VIP Pipeline Trip Giveaway campaign; and a feature film on Coffin, directed by Keith Malloy,  that will be released this summer.

“805 isn’t just the beer I drink, it’s the place I’m from,” Coffin said. “I’m stoked to see my partnership with my hometown brewery, Firestone Walker, expand to the WSL, and to share the work I’m doing with 805 Beer to surf fans all over the world.”

“Our partnership with the WSL extends far beyond the tour itself, serving as a significant opportunity for our distribution and retail partners,” said David Macon, CSO at Firestone Walker Brewing Company. “It marries perfectly with our brand ethos and strategy to bring exciting programs to life in retail with beer drinkers in California, Hawaii, and beyond.”

About Firestone Walker

Founded by brothers-in-law Adam Firestone and David Walker in 1996, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a California beer company with three innovative brewing facilities. Firestone Walker’s main brewery in Paso Robles produces a diverse portfolio ranging from iconic pale ales to vintage barrel-aged beers. TheBarrelworks facility in Buellton makes eccentric wild ales, while the Propagator pilot brewhouse in Venice specializes in R&D beers and limited local offerings. Firestone Walker is also the brewery behind 805, one of the nation’s fastest-growing beers. Firestone Walker was recently named “Best American Brewery of the Decade” by Paste Magazine.

About the WSL

Established in 1976, the World Surf League (WSL) is the home of the world’s best surfing.

A global sports, media and entertainment company, the WSL oversees international tours and competitions, a studios division creating over 500+ hours of live and on-demand content, and via affiliate WaveCo, the home of the world’s largest high performance, human-made wave. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the WSL has regional offices in North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific, and EMEA.

The WSL annually crowns the men’s and women’s surfing World Champions. The global Tours and Competition division oversees and operates more than 180 global contests each year across the Championship Tour, the development tiers, including the Challenger, Qualifying and Junior Series, as well as longboard and big wave properties.

Launched in 2019, WSL Studios is an independent producer of unscripted television projects, including documentaries and series, which provide unprecedented access to athletes, events, and locations around the world. WSL events and content are distributed on linear television in over 743M+ homes worldwide and across digital and social media platforms around the world.

WaveCo includes the Surf Ranch Lemoore facility and the utilizing and licensing of the Kelly Slater Wave System.

The WSL is dedicated to changing the world through the inspirational power of surfing by creating authentic events, experiences, and storytelling to inspire a growing, global community to live with purpose, originality, and stoke.

For More Information:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8dmv8G467w

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SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – It was a hot August weekend in 2012. The Blue Angels were screaming past overhead during their annual Seafair show. The PNW Summer was at its sweltering height. And a little operation known as Reuben’s Brews opened its doors for the first time with a tap list perfectly crafted for a scorching summer weekend: a Robust Porter, an American Brown, an American Rye, a Dry Stout, and a Roggenbier.

Ten years later, that little brewery with the unexpected tap list that Co-Founders Adam and Grace Robbings famously named after their first-born son has grown into a cornerstone of the nationally renowned Ballard Brewery District. And just as they were on that first day back in 2012, Reuben’s remains focused on pouring delight for people by brewing a wide breadth of beers that are balanced and highly drinkable regardless of style, helping people grow their love of beer.

“While we truly are just getting started and there is much more to come in the years ahead, we know that we could have never made it this far alone,” said Reuben’s Brews Co-Founder Adam Robbings. “The success of the past 10 years is a testament to the many different people and partners who have been along for the ride. From brewers who inspired and/or encouraged us, to accounts that believed in us, to our most loyal supporters in our mug club, the Reuben’s Crew, we wouldn’t be who we are without these wonderful friends. We’re excited to tell the story of our past 10 years through 10 collaboration brews with the amazing community that helped us get here.”

Kicking things off with a bang on January 7th, the first beer in the “10th Anniversary Collab Series” will be released: Metamodern PNW Amber Ale, a bold collaboration with Georgetown Brewing. Manny Chao, co-founder of Georgetown Brewing, is responsible for some of the classic PNW beers that first got Robbings excited about the world of craft beer, especially his eponymous Manny’s Pale Ale, so there’s no better place to kick off the series. To celebrate, Reuben’s is hosting a release party for this beer and the whole series of beers on January 15th at their Taproom, with Manny from Georgetown and Adam from Reuben’s making a special toast with members of the Georgetown Brewing and Reuben’s Brews teams in attendance. The 5.5% ABV, 35 IBU Metamodern PNW Amber Ale will be distributed in kegs and 4-pks of 16 oz. cans, as well as being available at both the Reuben’s Brews Taproom and the Georgetown Brewing Tasting Room.

And that’s just the beginning. Throughout 2022 the series will feature collaborations with partners from inside and outside of the brewing industry, all of which were integral to the story of Reuben’s over the past decade, including:

Brouwer’s Café & Bottleworks (February)

Fort George Brewery & Great Notion Brewing (March)

The Homebrewers Guild of Seattle Proper (April)

Ballard FC (May)

Hair of the Dog Brewing (June)

Chuckanut Brewery (July)

Phinney Neighborhood Association (July)

Our mug club, the Reuben’s Crew (August)

The Team of Reuben’s Brews (September)

Except for the barrel-aged blend created by the Reuben’s team which will be a Taproom-only brew, all releases will hit distribution in 4-pks of 16 oz. cans featuring a stunning “10th Anniversary Collab Series” can design that beautifully showcases each partner. Throughout the year, look for commemorative t-shirts, special glassware, and limited-edition merch on a release-by-release basis at the Taproom, and visit reubensbrews.com for all the details on the 10 collab beers celebrating Reuben’s 10 years.

About Reuben’s Brews

Adam and Grace Robbings opened Reuben’s Brews in 2012, after an award-winning homebrewing career, naming the brewery after their first child, Reuben. At their employee-owned family brewery they brew from the glass backwards: designing each beer with intention, unbound by constraints. They know that making that extra effort is worth it. From their everyday favorite beers to innovative new releases, they help you grow your love of beer. Reuben’s Brews. Beer Unbound.

The Reuben’s Taproom (5010 14th Ave NW in Ballard) is open daily 11am-10pm, featuring an expanded outdoor seating area and To-Go Store. They strictly adhere to all current state and local health precautions to keep their customers and team safe. Customers are invited to order online for contactless pickup Or stop by for walk-up purchase. Reuben’s Brews also has two more tasting room locations in Ballard:  The Canning Line (800 NW 46th St.) and The Barrel House (1133 51st St.).

For More Information:
https://reubensbrews.com/about/

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CLACKAMAS, Oregon – Portland Cider Co., one of Oregon’s longest operating independent cider producers, has announced the upcoming release of Blueberry Bourbon Basil in collaboration with Blue Star Donuts, an iconic Portland-based donut shop.

The cider is inspired by Blue Star Donuts’ sweet and colorful Blueberry Bourbon Basil donut, one of the company’s most popular products, which combines fresh sweet blueberries, fragrant basil, and a splash of good local bourbon for a hint of caramel depth. Like the donut, Portland Cider Co.’s Blueberry Bourbon Basil cider features a blend of bright blueberries, fresh herbal basil and deep, rich bourbon notes from oak aging.

“With the peak of the Portland rainy season approaching, it’s nice to have something bright and cheery to celebrate with,” said Helen Lewis, Marketing Director at Portland Cider Co. “This has been a challenging year for many Portland businesses, and we’re excited to have a reason to collaborate and raise a can to one of our favorites, Blue Star Donuts!”

The “Triple B,” as the Blueberry Bourbon Basil cider is affectionately known, was first made in a very small batch for National Donut Day in 2017, and it sold out in just two weeks. The following year, a larger batch was gone in just one month. With the company’s launch of 19.2 ounce “Proper Pint” cans in 2019, they were finally able to package the cider and distribute it more broadly. It was released in 6-packs for the first time in 2020, and its popularity continues to rise.

The collaboration with Blue Star Donuts goes back to the bakery’s early days; Blue Star has used Portland Cider Co.’s award-winning Kinda Dry cider in its hard cider apple fritter, sold year-round, since 2013. The two companies have since partnered on several donut and cider pairing events and product launches.

Portland Cider Co.’s Blueberry Bourbon Basil will be available in draft kegs, six-packs and 19.2 ounce cans in retailers throughout Oregon, Washington and Northern California. It can also be purchased at both Portland Cider Co. taprooms. On Friday,  January 14, customers who purchase a pint or 6-pack of Blueberry Bourbon Basil cider from either Portland Cider location will receive a free Blue Star Donut of the same name, while supplies last.

About Portland Cider Company

Portland Cider Company was started in 2013 by an Oregonian and a family of British expats with the mission of bringing cider, handcrafted in the English tradition, to the Northwest. Portland Cider has two taproom locations, including the Portland Cider House at 3638 SE Hawthorne Blvd., Portland, OR 97214 and the Clackamas Pub & Cidery at 8925 SE Jannsen Rd, Bldg. F, Clackamas, OR 97015.

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

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FREDERICK, Maryland – Maryland’s Flying Dog Brewery is coming out swinging in 2022 with the release of Super Hook Fruit Punch Sour, an amped up imperial that looks as good as it tastes. Super Hook’s deep pink liquid, that offers high pucker and low bitterness, is on full display in new clear glass bottles wrapped in original Ralph Steadman artwork.

Super Hook marks the first line extension of the brewery’s popular Vicious Hook Fruit Punch Sour, originally released in 2020 as a Brewhouse Rarity, Flying Dog’s annual series of innovative beers developed internally by staff. Flying Dog has doubled down on Vicious Hook’s fruit punch promise to create a higher-octane sour exploding with juicy, tropical fruit flavors. Super Hook has all the delicious pucker of Vicious Hook, now with more power behind the punch at 10% ABV.

“Our team in the brewhouse had fun amping up the Vicious Hook line to create something that both looks and tastes really unique,” said Ben Clark, Brewmaster at Flying Dog Brewery. “This is a really approachable beer with an ABV you don’t often see in the kettle sour category.”

This versatile and easy to drink sour will stand out on store shelves thanks to its distinctive deep pink color. Consumers will catch a glimpse of this hue through the beer’s new clear glass bottles, a rarity in the craft beer world. Flying Dog’s R&D team and expert brewers developed special processes with innovative techniques to ensure Super Hook stays delicious in the clear glass format.

Super Hook’s optics emphasize how blurred the lines have become between beer, wine and spirits with the advent of products like seltzers, canned cocktails and flavored malt beverages. In addition to appealing to consumers who favor sour ales, currently the 3rd fastest growing craft style in the United States (according to data sourced from Information Resources, Inc.), Super Hook’s taste and style are universally appealing to consumers of these categories looking for a delicious, fun adult beverage.

“The flavor profile of Super Hook has appeal across the beverage category, but the visual intrigue of the beer is what makes it stand apart and ultimately why we were excited to launch this innovative brand,” said Ben Savage, Chief Marketing Officer at Flying Dog Brewery. “The unique presentation of pink beer in clear bottles will pop on store shelves and pique the curiosity of even the most traditional craft beer consumer.”

Plastered across the colorful bottle are two new Ralph Steadman characters that bring the beer’s one-two punch of sweet and tart to life. These visceral illustrations will be the consistent aesthetic of the Vicious Hook line, appearing on additional products to be released later this year.

Super Hook Fruit Punch Sour, launched by Flying Dog with the campaign mantra “Beer, Now in Full Color” to emphasize the vibrant and energetic brand, will be sold year-round in 6-packs of 12oz bottles and should start appearing on store shelves by mid-January.

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

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Guerneville, CA – Russian River Brewing Company was founded by Korbel Champagne Cellars in Guerneville, CA, in 1997. Vinnie was hired as the brewery’s brewmaster and initially sole employee. For the next 6 years Vinnie continued to set the bar high for super hoppy and Belgian-inspired beers. Pliny the Elder, first brewed at the Korbel location in 1999, was one of the first commercially brewed Double or Imperial IPA’s in America and won numerous awards over the years. It is still our most popular beer more than 20 years later. in 2003, Korbel decided to get out of the beer business and transferred the rights to the Russian River Brewing Company name, all beer names and the recipes to Vinnie and his wife, Natalie. They wrote a business plan, found 2 managing partners, and convinced 30 friends and family to invest in their new brewpub venture. In April 2004, they opened the doors to the next chapter of Russian River Brewing under their ownership.

Our beers have won dozens of awards from the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup. Vinnie and the brewery were twice named “Brewery and Brewmaster of the Year” at both the GABF and World Beer Cup. In 2007, Vinnie was awarded the “Russell Scherrer Award for Innovation in Brewing”. Vinnie and Natalie received the “Brewers Association Recognition Award” in 2017. But the most important award of all are the many beer enthusiasts who visit from around the world year after year!

Over the years, Vinnie and Natalie were able to buy out all of their partners and investors. The decision was made in 2014 to build their dream brewery right here in Sonoma County. The search for property took nearly 2 years which allowed them time to assemble their “dream team” of architects, consultants, designers and contractors. And they received a lot of helpful advice from their friends in the beer industry! They found an 15 undeveloped acres in Windsor, CA, and were quickly immersed in the project of a lifetime.

And Recently!

On October 11, 2018, they opened the doors to their new brewpub! The entire brewery is 85,000 square feet and encompasses beer production for both clean beers and sour barrel-aged beers, administrative offices, a brewpub, outdoor beer garden, gift shop, tasting room/growler fills, guided and self-guided tours and 2 acres of free parking. This increased capacity has allowed them to distribute more draft and bottled beer to markets in which they currently sell as well as open up some new territories within the state of California. The original Downtown Santa Rosa location continues to thrive offering small batch brews and tasty pizza. Vinnie, Natalie and all their dedicated employees are excited to share a beer or two at both breweries with you!

For more information please visit here!

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Fletcher, NC – For the first time in the brewery’s four-decade history, Sierra Nevada has transformed its beer into a different beverage.

In collaboration with Alameda, California-based St. George Spirits, Sierra Nevada will release Ruthless, a malt whiskey made with a blend of liquor that includes liquid distilled from the brewery’s Ruthless Rye IPA in 2013, as well as a portion of the first barrel of St. George Single Malt Whiskey.

Turns out, good beer can do a lot of good.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. shook things up in the ’80s, and it helped launch a beer revolution that’s in full force today. They keep pushing boundaries, whether that’s in the brewhouse, with sustainability, or in the great outdoors.

About Sierra Nevada:

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. was established in 1979 by homebrewers Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi in Chico, California, United States. and as of 2016, Sierra Nevada Brewing is the seventh-largest brewing company in the United States and is the third largest privately owned brewery in the United States. The brewery was named “Green Business of the Year” by the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 for its practices in sustainability.

For more information please visit here!

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