Beer Info

Beer News, Beer Releases and New Breweries

Archives for January 2023

Sip Sip Hooray! MadTree Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

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CINCINNATI, Ohio – Cheers to ten years. MadTree, Ohio’s first craft brewery to can their beer is officially a decade old and has become so much more than craft beer. Over its history, MadTree has moved into a new facility in Oakley, branched out and launched a vodka soda line, Sway by MadTree, and opened Alcove kitchen + bar in historic Over-The-Rhine. They have also joined 1% for the Planet, giving back 1% of all sales to local environmentally sustainable nonprofits, achieved LEED Gold certification at their Alcove location, and applied for B-corp certification.

“Fifty percent of small businesses fail within five years,” says Co-owner Kenny McNutt, “To be at a point where we’re double that mark along with all the new innovation and different areas of business we’ve tapped into is a testament to our community’s support and our employees’ commitment to the brand.”

It started as friends brewing together in a garage who took the leap to start a business doing something they actually enjoy. Now, it’s a company that is driven to produce the best products around while giving back to the community and connecting people to nature and each other.

“We’re so proud of how far we’ve come as both a company and as people,” says Co-owner Brady Duncan. “It’s been a whirlwind of ups and downs, but we’ve never been more focused and aligned than where we are now. The next ten years and beyond are going to be really exciting as we continue to build a brand that we want our kids and future generations to be proud of.”

MadTree is also bringing back their anniversary party, Bonanza, for the first time since 2020 on February 25th, 2023. Featuring a brunch bingo, cake baking contest with Cincinnati Magazine, rare beers from guest breweries, a DANCEFIX performance, live music, karaoke, food trucks, and more, this is going to be their best birthday bash yet.

“This is one of our favorite traditions here at MadTree,” says McNutt, “And it’s so nice to say that it’s finally back. Bonanza epitomizes everything we love to celebrate including our community, friends, local partners & businesses as well as other breweries.”

Like every purchase you make, 1% of all sales during Bonanza will be donated back to local nonprofits like Cincinnati Parks Foundation, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Adventure Crew, and Groundwork ORV.

For More Information:
https://www.madtreebrewing.com/bonanza/

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Sonder Brewing to Open Second Taproom Location

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MASON, Ohio – Mason, Ohio-based Sonder Brewing will soon open a second taproom location off I-75 at Union Center Boulevard. The new craft beer and kitchen destination will be located adjacent to Holtman’s Donuts and across from Topgolf Cincinnati at 9558 Civic Center Boulevard, West Chester, Ohio.

“We have searched for the right location for about two years,” states Justin Neff, President and CEO, “and we love the space and overall opportunity that this location offers us.” When Sonder was driving home deliveries during the Covid shutdown, they found that residents in the West Chester area were big fans of Sonder beer. Now, these consumers will be able to enjoy a Sonder experience in their backyard. Additionally, The West Chester property can be seen from both north and south bound I-75, which helps reinforce the Sonder brand visibility and awareness as they expand distribution further into Ohio and Kentucky.

The brewery will be calling their West Chester location Sonder Taphaus and Kitchen, and will offer more of an adult bar and event space than their current Mason Taproom and Beer Garden while still being family-friendly. There will be room for private parties and corporate reservations. The Taphaus will feature Sonder draft options and package-to-go beer plus a well-curated selection of wine, bourbon, and food.

“Our whole team loves the idea of building a food menu that fits the Uniquely Crafted excellence we boast in our beers,” says Director of Strategic Planning & Partnerships Haley Shutter, then jokes, “Cheese curds? You Betcha!” as a nod to their top selling Hazy IPA and her Wisconsin heritage. The Sonder kitchen at West Chester will have a simple, flavorful menu of shareables and seasonal items along with vegan and gluten free options–and, yes, a kids menu. Patrons will be able to easily order food from the bar or from a walk up counter where they will also pick up their orders.

Coming soon! Sonder plans to add to their story by opening the Taphaus location some time in 2023. Renovations of the space will commence as soon as permits are approved. The interior will have a similar feel to the current Mason location–comfortable, yet casual and welcoming with excellent Sonder beers and food.

The Sonder Brewing production facility and Mason Taproom and Beer Garden are located at 8584 Duke Boulevard in Mason, Ohio. The Mason location is just 1 mile off I-71. Sonder offers a portfolio of beers ranging from its top selling You Betcha! Hazy IPA and Voss Kolsch to award-winning seasonals and barrel aged beers.

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SweetWater Brewing Company Celebrates 26 Years of Brewing

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ATLANTA, Georgia – SweetWater Brewing Company, LLC (“SweetWater”), a subsidiary of Tilray Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY and TSX: TLRY), announces its 26th Anniversary Throwdown, an all-day party featuring throwback beers, art and musical performances by Lotus, The Floozies, Dogs in a Pile, and Hedonistas. The event will take place on Feb. 18 at the Atlanta brewery from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“We’re stoked to celebrate 26 years of brewing with some killer jams, heady beer, local art and great food,” says Mike Boudreaux, SweetWater’s director of hospitality.

In honor of the craft beer drinkers who have supported the brewery over the years, SweetWater will be re-releasing popular seasonal and year-round beers in 2023 that customers have asked to bring out of retirement.

For its winter seasonal lineup, SweetWater is re-releasing Georgia Brown, a southern-style brown ale flowing with deep caramel and chocolate malts that create subtle nutty and toasted flavors. A former limited release that was a crowd favorite, Georgia Brown delivers rich cocoa notes with aromas ranging from roasted coffee to chocolate-covered fruit, which are exceptionally balanced with bitterness from Strata, El Dorado, and Sultana hops. Georgia Brown is now flowing at SweetWater’s Atlanta and Fort Collins taprooms, as well as taps in Georgia, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.

“SweetWater is pumped to bring back Georgia Brown, a crowd-favorite limited release. The winter months are the best time to enjoy rich, warming ales loaded with caramel and chocolate notes, so be on the lookout for this delicious brown ale at your local watering hole,” says Anna Ferro, SweetWater’s Director of Marketing.

For its anniversary party, SweetWater will bring back another popular beer, Exodus Porter, a Great American Beer Festival Medal winner that was retired from its year-round lineup in 2013. This limited batch of Exodus will be available on draft exclusively at the Atlanta taproom starting Feb. 18.

“We’re bringing back another oldie but a goodie for our anniversary party,” Ferro says. “It’s been years since we last brewed Exodus, and it’s one of the most requested beers consumers ask us to bring out of retirement. This party felt like the perfect time to do that.”

The anniversary concert will be headlined by Lotus, whose groove-based improvisations have been a mainstay on the jam circuit for more than two decades, and The Floozies, a live electronic duo that fuses bass-driven beats and funk.

The following ticket packages are now available for SweetWater’s 26th anniversary concert:

Limited-run early birds: $40 (no re-entry to event)
General admission: $45 (no re-entry to event)
Super Heady VIP: $75. (Includes 2 complimentary beers, concert poster, and access to VIP restrooms, bar, concert viewing area, and VIP gate with unlimited re-entry.)

The concert will take place at SweetWater’s Atlanta brewery, rain or shine. There will be very limited parking at the event, and SweetWater strongly encourages people to not drive, especially if they plan on consuming beer. Attendees must be 21 to enter.

About SweetWater Brewing

One of Atlanta’s original craft breweries, founded 25 years ago, SweetWater Brewing is now the 10th largest craft brewery in the U.S. With two flagship breweries in Atlanta, Georgia, and Fort Collins, Colorado, SweetWater’s award-winning craft beers and ready-to-drink cocktails are available coast to coast and in more states than ever before. Inspired by the outdoors, SweetWater is a passionate advocate for healthy waterways and conservation initiatives. Through its annualSave Our Water campaign, SweetWater continues to raise funds to support nonprofit organizations fighting for clean water and habitat conservation, including the Waterkeeper Alliance, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, and Trout Unlimited.

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FIRESTONE WALKER WOOKEY JACK MAKES WIDESPREAD RETURN

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Firestone WalkerPaso Robles, CA –  For the first time in six years, Firestone Walker’s mythic Wookey Jack is back on the big stage with a new release for the winter season.

Wookey Jack Black Rye IPA is now rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets in six pack (12-ounce can) and draft formats, adding to the legend of this three-time gold medalist at the Great American Beer Festival. This is the first widespread release of Wookey Jack since the beer was originally retired in late 2016.

“The Wookey never dies—it just hibernates,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “We’ve produced periodic small-batch runs over the years, and people keep asking for more. It’s time to release it back into the wild.”

The latest edition of Wookey Jack (8.3% ABV) remains faithful to the original recipe, which includes loads of pearled dark malts with rye adding a rustic grain element. The hops are dank, sticky Citra and pungent Amarillo, both of which are incorporated into a massive dry-hop regimen.

Wookey Jack now reclaims its title Firestone Walker’s wildest and wooliest IPA, offering big, toasty malted rye flavors with a balanced bite on the finish. It is, in Brynildson’s words, “gnarly on the outside, yet refined on the inside.”

Wookey Evolved

Wookey Jack was first released by Firestone Walker in 2012, inspired by Brynildson’s quest to quiet the naysayers.

“At the time, there were a few beer geeks out there saying that Firestone Walker still had yet to really make a truly over-the-top hoppy IPA,” Brynildson recalled. “We took that as a challenge and Wookey Jack was going to be the answer. We dug into the hop closet and pulled out the stickiest and most pungent hops available. We found a blend that really popped and applied it liberally to the brew.”

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. The Barrelworks 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.

For more information visit https://thefullpint.com/beer-news/firestone-walker-wookey-jack-makes-widespread-return/

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Brewers Association 2022 Year in Beer

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BOULDER, Colorado — The Brewers Association—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers—recounts a year filled with varied growth, continued supply chain disruptions, and increased competition. Despite these challenges, 2022 also saw a return to in-person events and the nurturing of the next generation of craft beer professionals.

Breweries, bars, and restaurants continued their long and unsteady recovery in 2022, and while total on-premise sales bounced back to their previous trends, draught beer is still recovering. Small and local brewpubs and taprooms proved nimble during continued supply disruptions, faring better than micros and regionals fighting for shelf space in an increasingly competitive distribution climate.

Climate change and persisting supply and ingredient disruptions and shortages continued to plague brewers throughout the year. Although the 2022 barley harvest improved, the severe depletion of stocks in 2021 kept supplies tight and prices high in a dynamic and changing market. 2022 hop acreage declined slightly in the U.S., while the European harvest was the worst in decades. Disruptions in the supply of aluminum cans and CO2 continued to impede recovery.

“Riding through a challenging and competitive year, taprooms and brewpubs found ways to innovate and keep customers coming through the door, while brands with a retail presence continued to compete with other beverage alcohol choices for shelf space,” said Bart Watson, chief economist, Brewers Association. “2023 will be a reset for many brewers as they return to more conscious and thoughtful innovation to balance customer demand and adapt to supply chain fluctuations.”

Nationally and on the state level, the Brewers Association continued its work to ensure small brewers have equitable access to markets, fair tax rates, and sensible regulations.

In the fight for fair treatment for craft brewers, the Brewers Association submitted comments to the Department of the Treasury on wholesaler consolidation, unfair state franchise laws, and restrictions on direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales.

The Brewers Association joined fights against lowered excise taxes for ready-to-drink canned cocktails (RTDs) in Arizona, New Jersey, Washington, and Vermont and grassroots advocacy in Illinois, New Jersey, California, and Colorado. The BA will continue to support direct-to-consumer shipping, protecting existing allowances in states such as California, and bringing the practice to states currently without.

As the craft beer industry continues to mature, industry veterans have embraced their ability to assist newcomers as these rising professionals build their careers. Through its mentorship program, the Brewers Association has connected more than 100 mentors with entrepreneurs and professionals looking to develop their knowledge and skills, and those seeking to break into the craft brewing industry for the first time. With its fourth cohort now complete, the program has hosted 124 mentees and 102 mentors.

Beer lover interest in returning to in-person beer festivals was on full display in Denver October 6-8 as 40,000 attendees convened after a two-year hiatus for the 40th anniversary Great American Beer Festival.

“The maturing craft industry continues to grow more competitive, facing both internal business pressures and externally the continued growth of new beverage alcohol competitors,” said Watson. “While these challenges are daunting, craft brewers are known for their innovation and flexibility, and will need both as they evolve to meet the next generation of beer lovers with new beers and new occasions.”

Given learnings from 2022, the Brewers Association predicts that in 2023:
• Brewery openings will be the lowest in over a decade
• Distributed craft volume will not grow
• Supply chain will remain rocky, but collectively average prices will come down from 2022 peaks
• Total brewery employment will increase

Check out the complete 2022 Year in Beer report here.

About the Brewers Association
The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 5,600-plus U.S. breweries and more than 37,000 homebrewers. The BA’s independe craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference® & BrewExpo America®, SAVOR™: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Homebrew Con™, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer® and Zymurgy® magazines, and Brewers Publications® is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com® and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association® and the free Brew Guru® mobile app. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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