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Beer News, Beer Releases and New Breweries

Archives for September 2023

California Wild Ales Opens New Location in Point Loma

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POINT LOMA, San Diego— California Wild Ales announced the opening of its new brewery and tasting room at 3826 Sherman Street in Point Loma, California. The brewery moved to Point Loma from its original location in Sorrento Valley, operating since 2015 due to the demolition of its original location. The grand opening will occur on Sept. 15 from 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. PST.

The brewery will offer a wide variety of classic fruited sours, clean IPAs, and lagers, as well as seltzers and a non-alcoholic beer on its 20-tap system in its two-story tasting room overlooking the oak barrels. The Point Loma tasting room will also have food options from The Last Typewriter. Patrons can order gourmet burgers and fries, fusion-style fried chicken, toasted sandwiches, and more from a wall-mounted tablet, then have their food delivered to the tasting room.

Initially, the tasting room will be open Wednesday through Sunday from noon to 8:00 p.m. Adjustments will be made when concerts and sporting events occur at nearby Pechanga Arena.

“We are thrilled to have found a new home in Point Loma,” said Bill DeWitt, co-founder of California Wild Ales. “The Sherman Street location provides the perfect space to serve our unique creations and offer an unforgettable experience with the exceptional flavors and craftsmanship that define California Wild Ales while immersing ourselves in the dynamic beer culture of Point Loma.”

Formerly occupied by Green Fix Green Juice and shared with Five Star Fish Processing, the 1,200-square-foot facility will be the new home for the California Wild Ales brewery facility and tasting room.. The brewery will make significant investments in new oak-foeders and all-new wine and spirit barrels for aging a wide variety of aged sour, wild and mixed-culture beers and guaranteeing exceptional quality and integrity.

The new space will follow the brewery’s tradition of featuring fun and funky creative design that exudes warmth and character and include reclaimed wood from Sorrento Valley repurposed to provide callbacks to the original tasting room. Similar to its Ocean Beach tasting room, located at 4896 Newport Ave, San Diego, which opened in 2021, the new venue will feature Legos, including a three-dimensional Lego sculpture of the brewery’s mascots Lacto, Brett and P.D.O., created by Mortarless Bricks representing the bacteria strains that are used to craft their sour beers.

One of the standout features of the new space is an impressive 18’x10.5′ movie screen, one of the largest of its kind outside of Petco Park. This colossal screen will be a centerpiece of the brewery, showcasing live sporting events such as the San Diego Gulls games, San Diego Padres games, NFL matchups, and more.

Additionally, like its OB location, the brewery will live-stream concerts, host live music, and have bar-top games, including ring-toss, landslide, roller bowler, rolo, washers and more, making it a hub for entertainment. In addition, the new location will house a 4-player retro arcade cabinet with 17,000 games and the brewery plans to add three more machines in the coming months.

Bill DeWitt noted, “This screen is massive, and I think once people see it, it will become a major draw for this location. It will be a fantastic place to catch live games, enjoy a craft beer, and soak up the atmosphere.”

For example, all October, the brewery plan to run horror movies and even host a live podcast from one of our fellow industry members, Kelly Cashman. Her podcast B Movie And A Beer will be a live episode projected onto our giant screen. Mortarless Bricks will also host “Bricks and Brews” twice a month, where patrons have the chance to design, build, and race their own Lego creations.

The vision for the new location is to create a welcoming atmosphere and provide unique experiences that enrich the community and beyond,” said Zack Brager, co-founder of California Wild Ales. “Being situated near Modern Times Beer and Bay City Brewing, we aspire to create a destination for beer lovers to explore and enjoy.”

Strategically located near Interstates 8 and 5, the tasting room is poised to become a hub for locals and visitors attending nearby sports events and concerts. Additionally, with the anticipated completion of the Midway Rising project—a 16,500-seat arena, hotel, retail spaces, and thousands of homes—California Wild Ales will capture the attention of a vibrant and expanding community.

When the brewery opens, the new tasting room will offer a wide assortment of beers, including:

· Warzone West Coast IPA

· The Point West Coast IPA

· Up the Hill Hazy IPA

· Rainbow Weather Double Hazy IPA

· Pesky Parrot Pale Ale

· Bike Lane Lager

· Dragon Fruit, Blueberry, Blackberry and Raspberry Sour Ale

· German Chocolate Cake Dark Sour

· Oak Barrel-aged Saison (collaboration with OB Brewery)

· Mead Barrel-aged Flanders-style Red Ale (collaboration with 13 Point Brewing and Lost Cause Meadery)

· Super Cuvée Brewer’s Blend

· Buzzed Bee (collaboration with Hoppy Beer Hoppy Life and Lost Cause Meadery)

· Sour Quadrupel with Kakawa Cold-brew Coffee

· Peach & Raspberry Hard Seltzer

About California Wild Ales

In 2015, California Wild Ales originally found its niche in San Diego County’s craft beer scene by focusing exclusively on brewing barrel-aged sour beers, setting itself apart as a unique and innovative establishment. Since then, California Wild Ales has introduced several clean beers, including IPAs, lagers, seltzers, red ale, and barrel-aged Saison. The brewery’s signature sour beer is aged in American, French, and Hungarian oak barrels for at least nine months and uses fresh, seasonal produce from local San Diego farmers, resulting in a refreshing, tart flavor profile. In 2023, the brewery relocated its brewery and tasting room to Point Loma, and in 2021, had a successful expansion with a satellite tasting room in Ocean Beach.

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Anderson Valley Brewing Company, Anderson Valley Winegrowers Team Up

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BOONVILLE, California— Anderson Valley Brewing Company (AVBC) revealed its top-secret code phrase for harvest workers. Until recently this closely kept secret was known only to a select few individuals and antlered bears. The code phrase is used as part of a new initiative at the brewery to welcome those working harvest from the surrounding vineyards and cellars for a discount on draft beer at the AVBC Beer Park Taproom. The phrasing was of intense interest to at least one code breaker we spoke to (on the condition of anonymity) who described the discount code as almost preternaturally mundane.

“We see this sometimes in the coded language of more remote cultures. In this case it’s almost like the brewery wants the harvest workers to take advantage of the discount.” “I’m working harvest, that’s the harvest worker discount code. That’s it; that’s all,” said AVBC President Kevin McGee. “It’s not actually even a secret, I’m not sure why we’re calling it a code. Doesn’t matter if you’re in the vineyards or the cellar either.

Look, we know it takes a lot of beer to get through harvest season and with the hours and effort involved it certainly should be really good beer. For 35 years we’ve been a part of this community and we’d like to support those who are working these long hours. This is a small way of showing our respect and appreciation.” The harvest discount will run throughout September and October.

About AVBC

About Anderson Valley Brewing Company Founded in 1987, Anderson Valley Brewing Company brews hand-crafted, authentic beers with balance, complexity, and an unwavering commitment to sustainably producing world-class beer. As the World’s First Solar Powered Brewery, AVBC leads the craft beer industry as pioneers in responsible brewing and innovators in environmental sustainability practices. Anderson Valley Brewing Company beer is available in 40 states and at its taproom in Boonville, California.

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Urban Artifact Redefines Brewing: Introducing Kilobyte, the Fruit Tart Born of Dedication and Collaboration

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Cincinnati, Ohio – Urban Artifact, the trailblazing craft brewery renowned for redefining the boundaries of real fruit and fresh ingredients, proudly presents Kilobyte, an exceptional Fruit Tart that embodies dedication, collaboration, and a heartfelt investment in each and every sip.

With an annual use of over a million pounds of fruit, Urban Artifact’s fruit brewing expertise prompted them to proudly define their signature beer style as a Fruit Tart, since it wanders from many of the traditions of typical brewing styles. Why blend in when you’re born to stand out? A Fruit Tart highlights the real fruit ingredients used in each recipe, with a crafted beer backbone to balance and enhance the natural color and flavors. The brewery earnestly searches for and experiments with all types of fruits from around the globe, with a special expertise and love of berries.

After discovering Golden Raspberries, a rare gem native to the Himalayan Mountains, Urban Artifact found themselves at a pivotal juncture in 2019. Bret Kollmann Baker, Chief of Operations at Urban Artifact, successfully worked with a US farmer to cultivate a crop of Golden Raspberries exclusively for Urban Artifact Brewery. This marks the first time acres of berries have been cultivated, grown, and – after three years – harvested specifically for a Fruit Tart.

Kilobyte takes center stage with its unique use of Golden Raspberries as the only fruit in this Midwest Fruit Tart. This brew is more than just the sum of its ingredients; it also bundles in the captivating story of the Urban Artifact team’s extraordinary determination to find and brew with this unique fruit.

Kilobyte beckons beer and fruit tart enthusiasts alike to savor the essence of those golden Himalayan raspberries in every single sip. The golden color is illusive, not far from a normal cloudy pale ale, but the flavor and aroma is 100% raspberry. Perhaps a tiny bit more sharp on the palate than a ripe red raspberry. This juicy and sneaky 10% abv hides its power behind that forceful real fruit flavor.

Kilobyte is now available in select locations throughout their 20-state distribution footprint, on Urban Artifact’s website, and on tap at the Urban Artifact brewery. Beer and Fruit Tart aficionados, as well as connoisseurs of craftsmanship, are cordially invited to experience Kilobyte firsthand and partake in the celebration of this remarkable creation.

For more information about Kilobyte and Urban Artifact, please visit Urban Artifact’s Website.

About Urban Artifact

Urban Artifact is a Cincinnati, Ohio brewery dedicated to producing world class Fruit Tarts and Epicureans that celebrate creativity, imagination and the spirit of adventure. With a commitment to pushing boundaries and redefining the beer landscape, Urban Artifact offers a diverse portfolio of exceptional beers crafted with a fusion of traditional brewing techniques and inventive ingredients. Based in Cincinnati, OH, Urban Artifact has expanded its reach across 20 states, captivating beer enthusiasts with its unique flavor profiles and unparalleled craftsmanship.

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Lawson’s Finest Liquids Launches New Collaboration Beer in Support of Change in the Air Foundation

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WAITSFIELD, Vermont – Lawson’s Finest Liquids, the award-winning Vermont craft brewery, announces a new limited release brewed in collaboration with New England Brewing Co. Change in the Air, a Tropical Blonde Ale With Mango, will be released on draft and in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans in September, for distribution across Connecticut. All proceeds from Tropical Blonde Ale with Mango will support the Change in the Air Foundation and its mission to create a more inclusive beer industry.

A Tropical Blonde Ale With Mango, Change in the Air mixes bready malt and honey flavors with a juicy tropical twist. If a Hawaiian shirt was turned into a beer, it would be this one. Citra and Mandarina hops brighten the brew with lively tropical fruit and orange citrus notes that complement the use of mango. The colorful can artwork on the label is designed by New Haven, Conn.-based Black artist Allen Jackson, aka Dooley-O.

The beer’s beneficiary, Change in the Air Foundation, works to make education in the brewing sciences more accessible to Black and Brown brewers. To provide a pathway to resources, New England Brewing Co. and The Connecticut Brewers guild, along with Sacred Heart University, created the CT Brewers Guild African American Brewers Scholarship. Proceeds from the beer’s sale will benefit the Change in the Air Foundation and the scholarship fund.

“What does beer have to do with a better world?” asked Jamal Robinson, Change in the Air co-founder and director of sales and marketing at New England Brewing Co. “The beer industry is a huge economic force in the United States, yet less than 5% of craft beer professionals are people of color. Our goal is to create opportunities and increase accessibility for everyone who wants to participate in the art of brewing.”

Change in the Air Foundation also hosts a yearly beer festival filled with music, art and delicious local craft beers. A celebration of beer and black culture, the Change in the Air Festival will be held on Oct. 14 at Bear’s BBQ in New Haven.

Similarly to how the Change in the Air Foundation and the CT Brewers Guild African American Brewers Scholarship works to create inclusion in the craft brewing industry by providing opportunities to Black and brown brewers, the Change in the Air Festival’s mission is to diversify the spaces where we enjoy craft beer. “If we are going to diversify who is brewing, we are also going to have to diversify who is drinking craft beer, so the festival is meant to create a space for Black and brown people to experience and enjoy craft beer in a comfortable, safe setting along with everyone else,” says Robinson.

“Our Good Brews for a Cause initiative is focused on creating special limited release beers and small-batch collaborations that raise funds for causes we care about,” said Sean Lawson, founding brewer of Lawson’s Finest Liquids. “We’re proud to partner with Jamal and New England Brewing Co. for the release of this delicious beer to raise awareness and resources for Change in the Air.”

You can support Change in the Air Foundation and find Tropical Blonde Ale With Mango at Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ brewery, taproom and retail store or find Lawson’s Finest in the cooler section of your favorite retail store throughout the Northeast. Lawson’s Finest is Cold Stored. Cold Shipped. Cold Shelved.™ to keep every beer brewery-fresh.

About Lawson’s Finest Liquids

Lawson’s Finest Liquids crafts and delivers the finest and freshest beer possible to delight fans and to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities through its Social Impact Program. The SIP has raised more than $2 Million for important causes since 2018. The brewery is a values-driven business with a commitment to excellence, authenticity, community, sustainability and fun. Founded by Sean and Karen Lawson, the company boasts a growing collection of award-winning beers brewed with passion and precision including the renowned Sunshine family of IPAs. Beginning as a home-based 1-barrel nanobrewery in 2008, Lawson’s Finest expanded production capacity in 2011 and 2014, growing to include distribution across nine states in the Northeast. In 2018, Lawson’s Finest opened its popular destination Brewery, Taproom and Retail Store in central Vermont’s Mad River Valley town of Waitsfield.

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Firestone Walker Launches Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack

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PASO ROBLES, California— From the minds behind Mind Haze comes the psychedelic new 2023 edition of the “Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack,” which includes the all-new Mind Haze Tropic Rocket IPA.

With this new mixed pack, Firestone Walker’s Mind Haze IPA experience now includes three spinoffs—Tropic Rocket, Tiki Smash and Citrus Cyclone, all of which feature exotic reinterpretations of the original Mind Haze.

“The Mind Haze canvas lends itself perfectly to different hops, fresh flavors and new ideas,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “This mixed pack gave us the opportunity to get creative and have fun reimagining the flavor possibilities. Each beer is built upon the main Mind Haze recipe, but they also come with their own tropical-inspired twists.”

The Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack is rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets in 12-pack (12-ounce can) formats and is also available at each Firestone Walker location. The Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack features the following three beers:

Mind Haze “Tropic Rocket” IPA

Blast into a psychedelic world of tropical hop flavor with Tropic Rocket—the latest addition to Firestone Walker’s family of Mind Haze IPAs. Tropic Rocket is dry hopped with Galaxy, Strata, Hüll Melon, El Dorado and Sabro, which creates explosive flavors of passionfruit, melon and strawberry. “Galaxy really drives the Southern Hemisphere passionfruit flavors of this beer,” Brynildson said. “Strata is the other star of the show—it’s really distinct from other Pacific Northwest hops, providing a strawberry note that plays well with Galaxy. The name ‘Tropic Rocket’ fits this beer because it’s super loaded with tropical fruit character.”

Mind Haze “Tiki Smash” IPA

Tiki Smash IPA delivers a tiki-inspired flavor combination born of pure hops and freshly toasted coconut. Original Mind Haze hops including Azacca are now joined by Motueka and Sabro hops. The Azacca portion has been increased to amplify the sense of pineapple tropical character, while Sabro delivers its complementary coconut qualities. “We use an elaborate system to introduce freshly toasted coconut for a smooth, subtle extraction,” Brynildson said. “The resulting beer showcases the special synergy of natural coconut with the tropical hop flavors of Mind Haze.”

Mind Haze “Citrus Cyclone” IPA

Citrus Cyclone IPA delivers a head-spinning taste of all the citrus flavors under the sun, finished with a kiss of real tangerine. The base beer is co-fermented with fresh California tangerines. This base is blended back with a separate lot of dry-hopped Mind Haze, then finished off with a final dash of tangerine to elevate the citrusy top note. Along the way, the Mandarina hop adds a distinctive orange character. The result is a remarkably refreshing Mind Haze experience.

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. 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. Firestone Walker was recently named “Best American Brewery of the Decade” by Paste Magazine.

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Thorn Brewing Announces New Year-Round Beer in Cans

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SAN DIEGO, California— Thorn Brewing is thrilled to introduce a fresh new addition to their year-round lineup: Sun Soaked, West Coast IPA.

“Sun Soaked IPA first made its appearance in our series of thoughtfully crafted limited-release IPAs over the past 2 years and the response from our customers has been nothing short of fantastic.” Marc Martin, Thorn’s CEO explains. “We’re thrilled to share that Sun Soaked will now be a year-round offering, a nod to its outstanding quality and popularity among beer enthusiasts. This exceptional brew seamlessly joins the diverse Thorn Brewing Co. year-round portfolio, which is celebrated for its well-earned recognition. Our devoted team of brewers continues to create fantastic beers and we invite you to experience the excellence of Sun Soaked.”

With an average of 246 days of sun a year, it can be said that San Diego is soaked in sun, which is how Sun Soaked IPA was inspired by America’s Finest City.

In this 7% ABV IPA, mango, passion fruit, and fresh berry flavors play off of the heady, dank aroma of tropical fruits and light herbiness that comes from the Strata and Ekuanot hop combination.

Sun Soaked will be joining Thorn Brewing’s other year-round beers including Barrio Lager, Pineapple Tepache, Hopster Pot Hazy IPA, Michelada, Relay IPA, and Treading Lightly Light IPA.

Sun Soaked IPA is now available in cans and on draft throughout San Diego and Southern California!

About Thorn Brewing Co.

Thorn Brewing Co. started out in 2012 in North Park as Thorn Street Brewery where they became known as San Diego’s ultimate neighborhood brewery. Their Barrio Logan location opened in 2017 and produces their beer on a 30-barrel system, houses their canning line as well as a tasting room and events space. Thorn Mission Hills opened up in 2019 and became a local hangout featuring 12 rotating taps, beer-to-go, and skeeball.

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PROST! Tennessee Brew Works Releases Their Limited Oktoberfest

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NASHVILLE, Tennessee— Embrace the spirit of German beer culture as Tennessee Brew Works proudly announces the highly anticipated annual release of this year’s Oktoberfest! Beer enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike are cordially invited to join us at the Tennessee Brew Works taproom, located at 809 Ewing Avenue in Nashville for the release Friday, September 1, starting at 11 am.

Brewed once a year, this 5.2% ABV, 17 IBU German-style Märzen is a sessionable welcome to the fall here in Tennessee. Enjoy delicious rich malt, bready and biscuit characteristics with light toasted notes on finish. The hop bitterness is clean and soft.

Oktoberfest will be available on draft, and in 16oz can 4-packs and 24-pack cases to-go at the Tennessee Brew Works taproom, starting at 11am Friday, September 1.

Oktoberfest will also be available with limited distribution around the greater Nashville metropolitan area, Clarksville, Cookeville, Knoxville, Tri-Cities, Chattanooga, and West Tennessee.

PROST! EIN TOAST!

About Tennessee Brew Works

Tennessee Brew Works is an independently owned and operated craft brewery that opened in 2013 with a mission to create high quality craft beer that pays homage to the land, traditions, and culture of Tennessee.

Tennessee Brew Works proudly introduced the state’s first All-Tennessee grain beers in 2018 with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. Our all-Tennessee grain State Park Blonde Ale is the official beer of the Tennessee State Parks and benefits the TSP Conservancy for the preservation of the state’s 57 State Parks.

We brew beers with integrity, using only quality natural ingredients and source them from local farms whenever possible. We cater to those that appreciate the difference. Tennessee Brew Works is owned and operated by folks in Tennessee. Our motto: “We work hard to create high quality craft beer that makes Tennessee proud. Our culture places importance on family, friends, and community, and we hope you’ll be a part of it.”

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Round Trip Brewing Company Opening Second Location at Avenue East Cobb in Spring 2024

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MARIETTA Georgia— Atlanta-based Round Trip Brewing Co. (Round Trip) has signed a lease with North American Properties (NAP) to open a second location at Avenue East Cobb (AEC) in spring 2024. Round Trip’s expansion comes as part of NAP’s ongoing efforts to revitalize and reposition the lifestyle center as an energetic hometown hangout.

“We’re excited to be opening our second location in the suburbs. The family-centric neighborhoods in East Cobb really appealed to us since we have strived to make our brewery a welcoming environment for all. It’s a natural fit,” said Craig Mycoskie, CEO & Head Brewer at Round Trip. “Being part of the community is important to us and this dynamic space will be a go-to hotspot for everyone. When we heard about NAP’s redevelopment plans for AEC and an opportunity to claim a location at the heartbeat of the property, it felt like the stars aligned perfectly.”

Situated between Smallcakes and the soon-to-debut Plaza, Round Trip will occupy a 4,500-square-foot indoor-outdoor space featuring a beer garden and private event space. Visitors can expect a family-friendly atmosphere, similar to Round Trip’s Upper Westside location, with one new offering: food service. Guests at AEC can enjoy hot dogs, bratwursts, pretzels, and other approachable fare, including options for vegetarians and kids, alongside the brewery’s elevated, German-inspired beers. Fourteen brews will be served on tap, including favorites like the Straight Outta Munich Helles, Dunkel Platz, Theresa’s Meadow Hefeweizen, Pilsner, Vicarious West Coast IPA, Isar Haze Hazy IPA, and much more. A pilot brewing system will also be installed for special Avenue-only exclusives.

“One of the most requested additions we’ve received since acquiring AEC is a brewery, and we’re so excited to answer demand with a local brand,” said Brooke Massey, NAP senior leasing representative. “Soon, neighbors will have a gathering spot to catch live music or a movie night right in their back yard, and Round Trip’s location directly off The Plaza is sure to make a splash.”

Additionally, Round Trip recently released a new collaboration beer with Victory Brands called Instant Krüsch, an Extra Pale Ale made with Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand. 12oz cans of Instant Krüsch will initially available at Victory Brands restaurants: Victory Sandwich Bar Inman Park, Victory Sandwich Bar Decatur, and Lloyd’s.

About Round Trip Brewing Company

Based in the Atlanta Upper Westside, Round Trip Brewing Company crafts typical and üntypical German-style beer for our community of neighbors and explorers in pursuit of unique experiences, common good, and meaningful collaboration.

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