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Beer News, Beer Releases and New Breweries

Archives for April 2023

Bravus Brewing Continues Rapid Distribution Expansion Across Midwestern, Southern, and Northeastern States

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ANAHEIM, California – Bravus, America’s first brewery dedicated solely to producing premium non-alcoholic craft beer, has announced its continued market expansion to three U.S. regions with Anheuser Busch, Miller Coors, and Craft Independent distribution. New territories include Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Texas, and New York. This expansion increases the brewery’s portfolio footprint to millions of non-alcoholic beer fans across 19 states.

Building upon its success, the award-winning brand already has strong, lasting wholesale partnerships covering California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. Orders are ongoing, with new accounts continually being added regionally and nationally.

“This is an exciting time for the company and our brand,” said Philip Brandes, founder and CEO, Bravus Brewing Co. “We have received repeated feedback from consumers and retailers in various regions eagerly anticipating the availability of our premium non-alcoholic craft beers. To meet this incredible demand, we have been working tirelessly to establish a strong wholesaler network by partnering with best-in-class distributors to bring our premium non-alcoholic craft beer to these important markets.”

New distribution partners for Bravus include Gasko Meyer (New York State), S.K.I. Beer (New York City); Zink Distributing Company (Indiana); Chas Seligman Distributing (Kentucky); Southeast Beverage Company & Ohio Eagle Distributing (Ohio); and L&F Distributors (Texas).

“Non-alcoholic craft beer is becoming a popular choice for adults looking to change things up. Some look to move towards healthier, more mindful drinking, whereas others want to take a break from their regular drinking routine,” continued Brandes. “Be it to rehydrate after an intense trail run or to crack a cold one at a backyard gathering with friends and family, the non-alcoholic category is experiencing staggering demand.”

Crafted in Anaheim, California, award-winning Bravus brews a wide variety of premium non-alcoholic craft beers to satisfy just about every beer lover and those thirsty to try something new. The less than .5% ABV beers are 100% vegan, brewed to reduce gluten, and contain approximately 100 calories per 12-ounce can. Bravus’ core line-up of beers includes a West Coast IPA, Blood Orange IPA, Golden Light, and Peanut Butter Dark.

About Bravus

Founded in 2015, Bravus Brewing was born from a never-ending pursuit of pushing boundaries, overcoming obstacles, and forever changing the beer landscape. North America’s first brewery solely dedicated to producing non-alcoholic craft beer perfected its proprietary brewing process over many years to accomplish what was previously deemed impossible: brewing an award-winning non-alcoholic premium craft beer to compete alongside its alcoholic counterparts.

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Whetstone Beer Co. Launches “Pints for Parks” Supporting VT State Parks

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BRATTLEBORO, Vermont— “Brewing up adventure” isn’t just a motto for Whetstone Beer Co., it’s a way of life. Partners David Hiler, and Tim and Amy Brady were brought together by not just a love of beer, but also a love of adventure. Their years of exploring the beauty of Vermont State Parks has led them to launch the Pints for Parks project, a partnership benefitting Vermont State Parks through Vermont Parks Forever. Pints for Parks kicks off on May 6, at Jamaica State Park.

Pints for Parks is a collaboration between Whetstone Beer Co. and Vermont State Parks, where twice per year Whetstone will focus on a different State Park to create a unique, limited-edition beer celebrating that specific park. In addition, Whetstone will donate proceeds from all Pints for Parks beer to VT State Parks’ partner charity, Vermont Parks Forever.

“We are very excited about the Pints for Parks program and the opportunity to partner with Whetstone Beer Co. This program is a terrific way to celebrate Vermont’s amazing state park system and encourage folks to get outside” said Nate McKeen, Director of Vermont State Parks. “Whetstone is a terrific company to work with who understands the value of outdoor recreation and connecting people to the parks.”

The inaugural Pints for Parks launch celebration will take place on May 6th, 2023, from 12 pm to 4 pm at Jamaica State Park: 48 Salmon Hole Ln, Jamaica, VT 05343, with the release of a limited-edition Jamaica State Park Kolsch beer inspired by the park’s iconic Hamilton Falls, and the spring Whitewater Release on the West River.

“Jamaica State Park is the perfect park to showcase a Kolsch. This spring beer style is warm fermented – a nod to the tropical island which shares the park’s name – and cold conditioned like the West River which is fed by the park’s Hamilton Falls in springtime,” said Whetstone partner Tim Brady. “Somewhere between a lager and an ale, this Kolsch is well-balanced and subtle. It’s perfect for a warm spring day while relaxing after whitewater rafting or exploring your favorite state park. We couldn’t think of a more fitting brew to launch for our Pints for Parks program supporting all VT State Parks.”

“We are grateful for this creative partnership that will showcase Vermont’s beautiful state parks and raise awareness of Vermont Parks Forever (VPF), the foundation for Vermont’s state parks,” said Sarah Alberghini Winters, Executive Director, Vermont Parks Forever. “The support from Whetstone Beer Co. will bolster VPF’s efforts to expand nature education in the parks and provide more free entry through the Park Access Fund. Thanks Whetstone!”

About Whetstone Beer Co.

Whetstone Beer Co is a part of the Whetstone Brands family established in 2012, including The Station at Whetstone Beer Co., and River Garden Marketplace in Brattleboro, VT, and Kampfires Campground Inn & Entertainment with Scoops Ice Cream Shop, Putter’s Mini Golf, and the Pit Amphitheater in Dummerston, VT.

About Vermont State Parks

Vermont State Parks provides environmental education and information and supports the economies and values of local communities. Additionally, state parks promote, operate, and maintain a large and complex system of conserved lands, as well as both historic and modern facilities that are enjoyed by over half a million visitors every year. We work towards ensuring a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for our staff, volunteers, and visitors.

About Vermont Parks Forever

Vermont Parks Forever is the nonprofit foundation for Vermont’s 55 state parks. VPF was founded in 2013 to enhance and protect Vermont’s state parks by inspiring stewardship of natural places, providing educational experiences, and improving access for those who would otherwise be unable to experience all the benefits the state parks have to offer.

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AleSmith Brewing Company Extends .394 Line with Session .394

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SAN DIEGO, California – AleSmith Brewing Company is proud to announce the release of Session .394, a light, sessionable beer in cans and draft throughout San Diego. Following in the footsteps of their original .394 beer, collaboration with Hall-of-Famer Tony Gwynn, this rendition has a lower alcohol content while still packing all of the hop character you love. The light, easy-drinking beer is sure to be a hit with those looking for a lower alcohol option without sacrificing flavor.

This new release speaks to Tony Gwynn’s original vision of creating a beer that was both easy-drinking and full of flavor – one that could be enjoyed by everyone. It is this same vision that has guided AleSmith Brewing Co. since 1995 as they have grown into one of San Diego’s most beloved brewers who continue to honor Gwynn’s legacy through their .394 line.

Session .394 is a San Diego-style Session Pale Ale brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops giving it lovely notes of citrus and pineapple for an enjoyable drinking experience that transcends style boundaries. This crushable .394 embodies Tony Gwynn’s original vision of a beer that is “light with a kick.” Weighing in at 4.9% ABV, Session .394 will provide relief from heat during long summer days without sacrificing taste or quality.

“We are thrilled to extend our popular .394 product line with this lighter version,” said Brandon Richards, President of AleSmith Brewing Company. “As always, we believe in creating beers that represent the highest quality standard so drinkers can enjoy them no matter what their lifestyle or taste preference.”

“I am so proud of our ability to continue honoring Tony Gwynn and his legacy with this new version of .394,” said Peter Zien, Owner and CEO of AleSmith Brewing Company. “This version is an easy-drinking rendition that embodies Tony’s original vision of a full-flavored beer with a light body. It’s the perfect way to celebrate America’s favorite pastime in our hometown – San Diego!”

Session .394 will be available in cans and draft throughout San Diego beginning this month. Fans can look forward to enjoying the new offering at AleSmith’s tasting room in Miramar as well as other locations throughout San Diego County. Find the retailer nearest you by visiting AleSmith’s Beer Finder.

ABV: 4.9%

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 behind 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 the Top Brewer in California and the 4th Best Brewery in the World in 2017. AleSmith also received the Champion Brewery Award for the past three years at the San Diego International Beer Competition and was named Small Brewing Company of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in 2008. AleSmith is celebrating its 23rd year in business and occupies a 109,942 square-foot facility with a state-of- the-art brewery. AleSmith is currently ranked #9 out of 33,000+ breweries worldwide.

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LUKI Brewery to Unveil Sustainability Metrics and Release Beer with Sustainable Grain on Earth Day

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ARVADA, Colorado – Operating a brewery uses a lot of natural resources. Since day one LUKI Brewery has designed and developed its processes to focus on responsible sustainability practices for breweries similar in size. For LUKI, self-reporting is the first step towards making sure that the brewery is performing at optimal levels.

“After almost three years, we feel it’s time to benchmark our efforts, and we’re happy to see results like our water usage,” says LUKI Co-Founder and Ringmaster Jeff Smith. “Breweries of our size use a median of 13 gallons of water to one gallon of beer out of the tap. In 2022, we had a 7-to-1 ratio, and will continue efforts to improve as we grow.”

The brewery’s self-reporting, which will be shared on April 22, is the kick-off to LUKI’s Earth Day celebration. The brewery has teamed up with Scraps Mile High, a compost pick-up service, to brew a beer using a sustainable grain called Kernza® from Sustain-A-Grain. This perennial grain grows year-round and has massive roots that help improve air, soil and water quality. Mobius Loop, a light Blonde Ale with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, as well as a 5-gallon cask-version of the beer with local honey from the downtown Denver rooftop beehives at Civic Center Plaza, will tap at noon.

Sustainability practices can be a daunting task so LUKI has also invited the following vendors for an informational open house from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

  • Scraps Mile High: premiere compost pickup service
  • Homestead in the Hood: bringing hive fresh honey to your home
  • Rose Roots Community Garden: organic community garden
  • And more to come! Check LUKI’s website frequently for updates

Hip Hop and Funk Group, People In Between, will play two sets (3-4:30 p.m. and 5 to 6:30 p.m.) and D’Toque Food Truck will be stationed at the brewery serving up delicious Salvadorian eats.

“Preserving natural resources has been in our DNA since back in our homebrewing days where we were coming up with ways to save and reuse as much water as possible,” says Smith. “So come and check out what we’re up to and learn how you can also take small steps to preserve our environment!”

About LUKI Brewery

Established in 2020, LUKI Brewery is a family and dog-friendly brewery located in Arvada, Colorado. Inspired by the Golden Era of the circus and harnessing familial ties with the Ringling Bros. that stem back to the 1920s, LUKI provides an array of beer styles and a space that provides entertainment, wonder and community. Welcome to the show.

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Yazoo Brewing Brings Back Its Hop Project Series, With a Twist

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee – To celebrate its 20th year of brewing in Nashville, Yazoo Brewing is bringing back a crowd favorite, its ever-evolving Hop Project series of IPAs, but with a new twist. The “Impy Hop Project” series will again focus on new trends and innovations in the world of hops, but at a higher abv of 7 %, and only on draft and in large-format 19.2 oz “stovepipe” cans.

“We ended our original Hop Project series when we decided we had found the perfect blend of hops, retiring it after eighty-six different variations over ten years”, said Linus Hall, co-owner of Yazoo Brewing. “But the world of hops has continued to evolve, with new varieties from all over the world – not only Oregon and Washington in the U.S., or Germany, or England, but places as far-flung as Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Plus, new developments in yeast selections can bring amazing new flavors from traditional hops. We had so many new ideas that we decided to bring back the Hop Project series.”

But why in the 19.2 oz “stovepipe” cans? “We were getting a lot of interest in a locally-brewed, higher-abv IPA in 19.2 oz cans from our retail partners, who are seeing a growing demand for single-serve cans”, said Linus. “For now, that’s the package size we are going with. It’s a great package to pick up and share with a friend or two, without having to commit to buying a whole six-pack.”

Impy Hop Project, as Yazoo is calling the new series, will soon be available everywhere Yazoo is sold, but is initially rolling out in middle Tennessee area Kroger’s. Each batch will be a unique beer, with a QR code on the label leading to a description of the special blend of hops, or the novel process or ingredients that went into the creation.

About Yazoo Brewing

Yazoo Brewing has been producing local craft beer in Nashville since 2003, and takes pride in being a Nashville Original for the past 20 years. For more information, check out the Yazoo Brewing website, call 615-891-4649, or stop by the taproom at 900 River Bluff Dr, Madison, TN.

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Raise a Glass: Celebrating National Beer Lover’s Day on September 7

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Raise a Glass: Celebrating National Beer Lover’s Day on September 7

Cheers to National Beer Lover’s Day: A Frothy Celebration!
September 7 is National Beer Lover’s Day, and it’s time to raise a glass to the world’s favorite brew! Let’s dive into the fizzy fun of this hop-tastic holiday.

Why National Beer Lover’s Day is a Big Deal
Beer isn’t just a drink—it’s a vibe, a culture, and a history lesson in every sip. National Beer Lover’s Day, celebrated every September 7, is all about honoring the golden nectar that’s been bringing people together for centuries. From ancient Sumerians brewing in 3000 BCE to today’s craft beer revolution, beer has a story as rich as a stout and as refreshing as a lager.

This day is your excuse to geek out over IPAs, savor a crisp pilsner, or just crack open a cold one with friends. Whether you’re a casual sipper or a homebrew hero, National Beer Lover’s Day is for you!

A Sip of Beer History
Did you know beer is one of the oldest beverages in the world? Archeologists have found evidence of beer-making in Mesopotamia dating back over 5,000 years. Fast forward to 1933, when the Cullen-Harrison Act brought beer back to the US after Prohibition’s dry spell, sparking celebrations that inspired holidays like National Beer Day (April 7). National Beer Lover’s Day builds on that legacy, giving us a dedicated moment to toast the brewers, bartenders, and beer fans who keep the taps flowing.

5 Fun Ways to Celebrate National Beer Lover’s Day
1. Visit a Local Brewery: Hit up a craft brewery for a tour, tasting, or just to chat with the brewmaster. Many breweries host special events on September 7, so check their schedules!

2. Host a Beer Tasting Party: Grab a mix of brews—think sours, stouts, and pale ales—and have friends sample them blind. Bonus points for pairing with snacks like pretzels or cheese.

3. Try Homebrewing: Feeling adventurous? Start your own batch with a beginner’s kit. It’s like science, but with beer as the reward!

4. Explore Beer Cocktails: Mix things up with a shandy (beer + lemonade) or a michelada (beer + lime juice and spices). They’re refreshing twists on your favorite pint.

5. Share the Love Online: Post your favorite beer moment on social media with #NationalBeerLoversDay. Maybe you’ll inspire someone to try a new brew!

The Craft Beer Boom
National Beer Lover’s Day shines a spotlight on the craft beer scene, which has exploded with creativity. In the US alone, there are over 9,000 craft breweries, each experimenting with wild flavors like peanut butter stouts or mango-infused sours. These small-batch brews are all about passion, community, and pushing the boundaries of what beer can be. So, skip the usual and seek out a local gem this September 7.

Beer and Good Vibes
At its core, National Beer Lover’s Day is about connection. It’s the clink of glasses at a pub, the laughter at a backyard barbecue, or the quiet moment savoring a cold one after a long day. Beer brings us together, and this holiday reminds us to celebrate the simple joys in life.

So, on September 7, grab your favorite brew, call some friends, and toast to the drink that’s been making history for millennia. Cheers to National Beer Lover’s Day—here’s to hops, heart, and happy times!

West Sixth Brewing Announces Brand New Seasonal Beer “Sun Shade Wheat”

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LEXINGTON, Kentucky— West Sixth Brewing, one of Kentucky’s largest and most established craft breweries, today announced the newest addition to its Seasonal Rotator series of beers.

Sun Shade Wheat is a 5% ABV light and sessionable American Wheat Ale. A sweet bready malt flavor is balanced by additions of orange peel to make this refreshing beer perfect for springtime sunshine. It is the first wheat ale that West Sixth has packaged in 6-pack cans since Lemongrass American Wheat.

“If you look at the weather forecast this week, it feels like Spring has finally arrived in Kentucky,” said Andy Smith, head brewer at West Sixth Brewing. “It’s the perfect time for an American Wheat Ale; light and refreshing but still carrying a solid malt backbone and character to back it up. Think of it as the beer you can drink on both those warm days and cool nights, gearing up for that transition into the hot summer months ahead.”

The Seasonal Rotator series also includes Good Beer, a classic lager, DankeChain Oktoberfest, and Packaway, a Vienna style lager. This is the first American Wheat to enter the series, and is expected to perform well.

“American Wheat Ales can be a little sneaky in terms of how they do in the market,” said Brady Barlow, co-founder at West Sixth Brewing. “Most IRI data you read will deliver the same news: IPAs are the kings and queens in the craft beer kingdom. But American Wheats do really well in stores. They’re accessible to a pretty broad range of consumers and meet somewhere in the middle of what many people are looking for in terms of flavor expectations.”

Sun Shade Wheat will be available on draught and six-packs to-go in the four West Sixth locations and out in the market starting this month. It is expected to be available through the end of July, at which point it will be replaced by the next installment in the Seasonal Rotator series, DankeChain.

About West Sixth Brewing

Founded in 2012, West Sixth Brewing is an award-winning brewery based in Lexington, Kentucky, operating a taproom in our home city, a farm in Frankfort, a Louisville taproom in the NuLu neighborhood, and a taproom in the Box Park development in Newport, KY. We produce a wide variety of beers that we distribute throughout Kentucky and across the Ohio River in Cincinnati. We’re driven by brewing high-quality creative beers, making a positive social impact on the communities we’re a part of, and creating an awesome place to work for our team.

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Third Space Brews Pints with a Purpose

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MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin – Third Space Brewing is continuing its charitable initiatives, presenting a $12,500 donation to Sojourner Family Peace Center, and kicking off a collaboration beer release with the Little Warrior Foundation next Friday, April 21st. While this will be an especially big day for Third Space, community outreach has always been one of the brewery’s core values. Through its Pints with a Purpose program, Third Space Brewing donated over $21,000 to local nonprofits in 2022.

The Pints With a Purpose program is an ongoing community outreach effort at Third Space brewing, in which the brewery partners with a local nonprofit each quarter to raise funds and awareness for the organization through a collaboration brew. With its Q4 2022 Pints With a Purpose partnership, Third Space Brewing went especially big, creating a nation-wide collaboration beer called One in Four, which aimed to shed light on a harrowing statistic; that one in four women and one in nine men have experienced domestic violence. Third Space provided the One in Four IPA recipe to breweries around the country who commit to donating proceeds to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, or other local organizations helping those affected by domestic violence. As the leader of the One in Four project, Third Space Brewing committed to donating 100% of its profits from all sales of the One in Four IPA to Sojourner, a local organization that provides domestic violence prevention and intervention services.

“One in four women will experience domestic violence,” said Sojourner’s President & CEO Carmen Pitre. “We are thankful to Third Space Brewing for raising awareness and supporting Sojourner with a special brew named to recognize that staggering statistic. The more that people are aware of the impact of domestic violence on our friends, colleagues, neighbors and loved ones, the more that we can all do to support survivors.”

The April 21st event will begin with a 10:00am press conference, as the brewery presents a $12,500 check to Sojourner. There will be photo and video opportunities during the check presentation at the brewery beginning at 10am on April 21st, and opportunities to interview members of Third Space Brewing’s Community Outreach team, as well as domestic violence survivors, about the impact of this partnership and the importance of raising awareness. The same evening starting at 5:00pm, Third Space will launch its next quarterly Pints With A Purpose release – Swords Up! – a Dry Hopped Lager created in collaboration with the Little Warrior Foundation. Third Space will donate 20% of draft beer sales from the release event, and 20% of the proceeds from the Swords Up! Lager throughout its full 3 month run to the foundation. The event will feature food from Nadi Plates, who are also donating a portion of proceeds to Little Warrior Foundation, and live music from Jay Matthes.

“We started the Pints With a Purpose program in 2021, and it’s been truly awesome to see the amount of engagement, excitement and support our local craft beer community has shown,” says Nick Cusatis of Third Space. “This quarter we’re extremely excited to be working with Little Warrior Foundation. Their mission is to fund and find a lasting cure for childhood cancer, with a specific focus on Ewing Sarcoma. We collaborated on a dry-hopped lager called Swords Up! that utilizes a fun new hop named Adeena. Expect a crisp & clean lager with floral, pine and citrus notes.”

“The current treatments are outdated, extremely toxic, and – for too many kids –ineffective,” said Emily McFadden, one of the organization’s co-founders. “We’re funding the research and clinical trials to give kids better outcomes and the full healthy lives they deserve. Ewing’s Sarcoma is relentless, but so are we. “Swords Up” is our mantra, a reminder that we’re on the offense in this fight. We want every child and every family facing this disease to know that their battle is our battle now. We’ve got their back.”

Local non-profits interested in collaborating with Third Space Brewing can apply for the Pints With a Purpose program by clicking here.

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East Brother Beer Company Announces New Core Beer to Award-Winning Lineup

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RICHMOND, California – East Brother Beer Company announces its first new Core beer since inception! Joining the lineup of award-winning beers is East Brother’s Blonde Ale, a light-bodied easy-drinking beer that fits in perfectly with their classic approach. The Richmond, CA brewery has built a reputation for its unwavering commitment to brewing classic styles with precision, and the release of Blonde Ale is no exception. Taking inspiration from American beer culture that values beers everyone can enjoy, the brewery’s latest creation is a refreshing and approachable beer that will appeal to many and stand the test of time.

The Production team at East Brother Beer Company spent the past six months crafting the perfect recipe for the Blonde Ale, ensuring that it represents the best example of the beer style available today. The result is a crisp and clean ale with subtle malt sweetness and a dry finish, making it incredibly drinkable and perfect for any occasion. The beer is brewed with a combination of pilsner and wheat malts, which give it its light color and body, and is hopped with East Kent Goldings and Loral for a low to medium hop bitterness. It’s a sessionable beer that pairs well with sunshine and good company – summertime and the drinking is easy. East Brother Beer’s Blonde Ale is available now on draft throughout California, and will release in 16oz cans on April 17th.

“We’ve been thoughtful in our approach to growth and staying true to our mission to brew the classics. Bringing a Blonde to our Core lineup has been a labor of love for our team, and we’re confident that it will quickly become a favorite among all beer lovers,” said Chris Coomber, co-founder of East Brother Beer Company.

About East Brother Beer Company

Since 2016, East Brother Beer Company has built its Core lineup on a variety of award-winning lagers and ales, including Bo Pils, Red Lager, Oatmeal Stout, Gold IPA and Red IPA, all brewed with the same level of precision and attention to detail. The launch of Blonde Ale marks a significant milestone for the brewery and demonstrates their unwavering commitment to brewing quality beers that everyone can enjoy.

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ShawneeCraft Brewing and Wallenpaupack Brewing Launch New Collaboration Beer Series

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SHAWNEE ON DELAWARE, Pennsylvania— ShawneeCraft Brewing Company and Wallenpaupack Brewing Company launched a new collaboration beer series, Lakes & Rivers, on Thursday, April 6th, 2023. The first two beers in the series, an Imperial Pilsner and an Imperial Schwarzbier are available now in both brewery’s taprooms and through their distribution channels.

“This was all about the brewers from each brewery coming together to do something fun, and to learn from each other,” said Logan Ackerley, Head Brewer, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company. “We love brewing lagers, but we wanted to do something that was a little out of both of our comfort zones; something that would challenge us. We are super happy with the outcome; these beers are awesome.”

Speaking to how the partnership began, ShawneeCraft’s Head Brewer, Devin Vogel said, “both of our breweries recently received Silver Medals at last year’s US Open Beer Championship. Wallenpaupack medaled for their Hefeweizen and ShawneeCraft for our Belgian Wit – essentially the German and Belgian equivalents of the same classic wheat beer. That got us to thinking, we both make great beers – maybe we should do a collab.”

There are currently three beers in the Lakes & Rivers collaboration series: an Imperial Pilsner, an Imperial Schwarzbier, and a Barrel-Aged Imperial Schwarzbier. All three of these beers are “big” lagers – all with alcohol by volume (ABV) over 8.5% – something that is somewhat atypical for these two breweries who tend to focus more on session beers (lower ABV beers where multiple glasses can be enjoyed in one “session”), usually around 5% ABV or less.

“This whole process really came out of our brewing teams, who honestly just really like each other’s beers,” said ShawneeCraft Chief Operating Officer, Michael Albert. “This industry is all about collaborations. The more we work together, and strengthen each other’s work, the more people will shift away from mass-produced domestic brews towards locally brewed craft beer. It’s less about protecting proprietary info on our products, and more about creating great beer and great experiences as active and engaging members of our communities.”

“There is such a wealth of talented brewers in the Poconos, and we really subscribe to the high tides raising all ships mentality,” said Brad Beneski, Director of Business Administration and Development, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company. “So, getting to collaborate on such unique beers with another brewery that’s in our backyard was a no-brainer.”

Lakes & Rivers beers are available on tap, and in 16 oz cans in both ShawneeCraft and Wallenpaupack taprooms. The Lakes & Rivers Barrel-Aged Imperial Schwarzbier is anticipated to be available at the end of April.

Please drink responsibly!

About ShawneeCraft Brewing Company

Founded in 2009 and located on the grounds of the Shawnee Inn & Golf Resort on the banks of the Delaware River in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, ShawneeCraft has built a reputation for producing delicious handcrafted, small-batch beers. The brewery maintains a small farm on property to source many of its adjunct ingredients, from pumpkins to honey. ShawneeCraft produces unfiltered and unpasteurized beers free of preservatives and artificial ingredients. Keeping with the company’s credo – “Fidelis in Naturam, in Artem Fidelis,” Latin for “True to Nature, True to the Craft”, the brewery produces craft beer inspired by the beautiful setting in which the brewery is located.

About Wallenpaupack Brewing Company

Founded in 2017, Wallenpaupack Brewing Company has experienced considerable growth – it continues to brew exceptional beers that are esteemed by judges of international competitions, critics at leading publications and heralded by the public at large on popular rating apps such as Untapp’d. The brewpub features food crafted using regional ingredients and hosts a variety of events and activities throughout the year including music, games, trivia nights, brewery tours and more.

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