Beer

Lawrence, Kansas –Fields & Ivy Brewery is set to brew up a batch of Kansas history. Kansas Lager, brewed with 100% barley malt grown in Kansas, will hit liquor store shelves in January 2021.

Kansas isn’t typically known for being an early adopter of anything. One historical exception has been the prohibition of alcohol. Kansas banned alcohol in 1881 while the rest of the country went dry 39 years later in January of 1920. Early Kansas breweries and barley growers were basically out of business by 1890. Breweries came back in the late 1980s but barley farming and malting, for beer brewing, has not. It’s believed that a Lager beer brewed with 100% Kansas grown barley malt has not been commercially bottled since 1890 or earlier.

Cory and Veronica Johnston are the founders of Fields & Ivy Brewery as well as a small local grain company called Great Plains Custom Grain. Together with their grain company business partner, Gary Van Horn, the Johnston’s have been growing barley in Kansas since 2016. After five years of learning, they have achieved “malting quality” barley and sent 10,000 lbs of their barley to be contract malted out of state. Malting involves steeping and sprouting the barley kernels then kilning them to the desired color and flavor profile. Small scale craft maltsters are popping up in the wake of the craft brewing and distilling industries.

Dan Chivetta, Fields & Ivy Brewery, Head Brewer, used about 2,200 lbs of Kansas malt to brew 40 barrels (1,240 gallons) of a Vienna style Lager. Chivetta said, “Vienna Lager would have possibly been a style brewed by the last of the pre-prohibition Kansas brewers.” “We are hoping to brew this special beer to celebrate the return of local barley source beers to Kansas and to honor the history of brewing in our region.”

Fields & Ivy Brewery will distribute Kansas Lager in 12-ounce bottles through their distribution partner Worldwide Wine and Spirits.

About Fields & Ivy Brewery
Fields & Ivy Brewery is a modern farm-to-table brewery and brew pub located in Lawrence, Kansas. Founded in 2019, Fields & Ivy features a 20-barrel production brewhouse, spacious dining room, and beautiful beer garden. Certified Brew Master, Dan Chivetta produces world-class beers with Authority of Flavor® using locally sourced grain, malt and hops. Our mostly from-scratch kitchen offers brick oven pizza, incredible starters, salads, and sandwiches.

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SAN DIEGO, California — The ZAPPA TRUST and San Diego-based Duckfoot Brewery Co have teamed up to launch a new FRANK ZAPPA tribute beer, Why Does It Hurt When IPA? It’s set to debut on ZAPPA’s birthday, December 21.

It’s a wild, improvisational jam of an IPA, brewed with ZAPPA hops, Simcoe and Cascade. The West Coast-style IPA has notes of passion fruit, spice and grapefruit(a favorite of FRANK ZAPPA’s) with a clean and dry finish. The can features never-before-published photos of Frank which pair nicely with the beer itself. In addition, the label explains more, “the Zappa hop, like the man, has a hugely eclectic style. Published flavor notes have ranged from passion fruit, mint, spicy, savory, fruity cereal, and uh…purple. (Try the beer, you’ll get it). Just like Frank, this hop is one of a kind and awesome.”

“Our new friends (but they feel like old friends) at Duck Foot Brewing Co are making a delicious new brew using the Zappa hop,” AHMET ZAPPA says. “Stay home, be safe and enjoy Why Does It Hurt When IPA? responsibly. All the Zappa Trust proceeds from this batch will go to support the music community in need. Music is the Best!”

“We are so beyond thrilled to be making a beer for one of our favorite musicians of all time,” Matt Delvecchio, Head Quack/Founder, Duck Foot Brewing Co adds.

Look for AHMET and the Duck Foot Brewing Co team to do an online meeting in the new year to discuss everything about the beer and take questions from fans around the world.

Why Does It Hurt When IPA? comes at the end of a busy year for ZAPPA. Beyond the releases of The Mothers 1970 and Halloween 81 earlier in the year, last month saw the debut of the long-awaited and highly-acclaimed Alex Winter documentary, “Zappa.” The film tells the story about the prolific genius composer, free speech activist, cultural ambassador to Czechoslovakia and legendary musician,Frank Zappa. It was accompanied by the surprise digital release of the corresponding Zappa Original Motion Picture Soundtrack. A perfect complement to the film, the 68-track soundtrack is available to stream and download now via Zappa Records/UMe. “Zappa” is now available everywhere in the U.S. from Magnolia Pictures.

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JUNEAU, Alaska – Alaskan Baltic Porter is back as the latest brew for Alaskan Brewing’s limited Pilot Series. This rich and warming brew is a deep, dense beer with an intricate array of aromas and flavors that’s perfect for cold and dark winter nights, and for special occasions like the holidays.

“It’s always fun to brew this fan-favorite, and it also takes a lot of attention to detail,” said Alaskan Head Brewer Rob Day. “It has so many elements – with a blend of specialty malts, dark black cherries, brown sugar, gourmet vanilla beans, and finished on oak. And it is definitely a beer you can drink right away, but lots of folks like to age it to enhance the vanilla and cherry.”

First brewed in 2008 and most recently in 2017, fans have aged every vintage of Alaskan Baltic Porter, enjoying this rare beer on special occasions and in vertical tastings. Age enhances the smooth mouthfeel and malt sweetness as well as the fruit flavors.

Day’s tasting notes on Alaskan Baltic Porter emphasize deep maltiness, vanilla and cherry intensity and a warming from the 9.8% ABV. The color is jet-black from the deeply roasted malts, with hints of bourbon and toffee present from start to finish.

“Baltic Porters were originally brewed stronger and more hoppy than many other dark beers to endure the trip to remote communities along the Baltic Sea,” remarked Day. “So, it’s robust, with toasted French oak, and dried fruit notes. Here in Alaska, the warmth is also a very attractive feature especially in winter.”

The name and label of Baltic Porter links this beer to the Russian period of Alaska history, with the copula of a Russian Orthodox church featured prominently. These traditional onion-domed copulas are still present in many communities in Alaska, as well as other settlements along the Baltic Sea.

Day recommends drinking it right away, or aging for up to 10 years. “If anyone is still holding onto a 2008, I would recommend planning a special occasion to enjoy that one. I think after 10 years or so, this beer has probably peaked. An excellent way to taste this beer is to get a new bottle and compare it to the aged beer – you’re really able to pick out the changes in flavor that way.”

Alaskan Baltic Porter will be on shelves in 22-ounce bottles and on draft in select locations beginning in December and will available for approximately three months.

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STRATFORD, Ct. AND SAN DIEGO, California — The 12-months of 2020 have been 365 days to forget. While 2021 can’t arrive soon enough, flipping the calendar often means renewing an annual commitment to pursuing a healthy and active lifestyle. For some, this means beginning the New Year with a Dry January and for others, it means elevating their inner athlete to a new level.

Regardless of the motive, January is viewed as the month of giving things up – going on diets, cutting back on socializing, and reducing or eliminating alcoholic beverages. Too often Dry January is viewed as full of compromise and for many hard to sustain. Athletic Brewing Company, America’s first brewery dedicated solely to brewing nonalcoholic beers, is changing that thinking with “athletic” beers that are great tasting, low in calories, all-natural, refreshing, and just happen to be nonalcoholic.

In 2019, an estimated 69 million Americans (20 percent) went “dry” during January. According to Nielsen, 66 percent of U.S. adults, 21-34, are consciously reducing their alcoholic consumption.

“Athletic Brewing is focused on reminding beer lovers that being dry doesn’t have to be about giving something up and doesn’t have to end in January. It’s about living life to the fullest and above all, living without compromise to the best of your ability each and every day of the year,” said Athletic Brewing Co-founder Bill Shufelt. “Athletic Brewing will see a lift in sales from December to January when the rest of the industry’s sales go down. We are taking nonalcoholic beers out of the penalty box, creating new occasions for beer and more importantly opening the eyes of drinkers looking to maximize their performance in every facet of life.”

Beginning in December, Athletic Brewing is offering the Dry January Survival Pack, which will feature five six-packs of Run Wild IPA, Upside Dawn, Free Wave Double Hop IPA, All Out Stout, Cerveza Atletica, and a branded Athletic Brewing glass. The Dry January Survival Pack will be available at Athleticbrewing.com while supplies last. Each beer features fewer than 90 calories, the full-flavored refreshment of craft beer, all-natural ingredients, and no alcohol or hangover. To receive the Survival Pack for the start of Dry January, consumers must order it by December 20, retails for $49.99.

The nonalcoholic beer market in the U.S. surged to $132 million in 2019 and, despite the pandemic, the nonalcoholic craft beer market is up 298 percent year-to-date. Athletic Brewing surpassed its 2019 brewing levels in May of this year and its sales are up 500 percent year-over-year. In just its third year of operation, the company has outgrown the 12,000 barrel capacity of its brewery headquartered in Connecticut and expanded its capacity by adding 125,000 barrels in its new San Diego facility.

Named by Fast Company magazine as one of the “World’s Most Innovative” companies in 2020, craft-beer fans can find Athletic Brewing’s revolutionary Upside Dawn Golden Ale and Run Wild IPA at major retailers in the U.S. They also ship directly to consumers at www.athleticbrewing.com where craft beer lovers can purchase Athletic’s full portfolio of flagship, seasonal, and specialty beers plus join the brewer’s subscription offering – The Athletic Club.

Athletic Brewing proudly donates two percent of all sales to trail and park cleanups through their “Two for the Trails” program and expects to contribute more than $500,000 to trails and other charities across the nation this year.

About Athletic Brewing
International Beer Challenge 2020 “Brewer of the Year North America”, Athletic Brewing Company is reimagining beer for the modern, active adult. Their great-tasting athletic craft brews let you enjoy the refreshing taste of craft beer, without the alcohol or the hangover. You can enjoy them anytime, anywhere, and still be healthy, active, and at your best; it’s the very reason they started brewing them in the first place. With custom breweries on the East and West coasts, their lineup has earned accolades throughout the industry, even against full-strength beers, including the 2020 World Beer Award Gold medal for Run Wild. To top it all off, as part of the Athletic Brewing “Two for the Trails” initiative, 2% of all sales are donated to causes and organizations that support healthy, outdoor, active living.

Whether you’ve decided to cut alcohol out of your life for good, for a night, or for just one drink, Athletic Brewing Company provides an option without compromises that you’re guaranteed to enjoy.

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DETROIT, Michigan — In a year that’s unlike any other, Atwater Brewery, Detroit’s hometown brewer, is delivering its unique Lebkuchen Christmas Ale that provides a delightful departure from routine that would make even Santa jollier.

The beer is styled around “der Lebkuchen”, a German Christmas cookie with a storied history, and it’s packaging is wrapped in a Christmassy red sweater motif that would look right at home under any Christmas tree. With more people enjoying the holidays at home this year, Lebkuchen Christmas Ale is a certain to lift your spirits and bring holiday tradition to your lips.

“Legend has it that the Lebkuchen honey cake traces back to the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans and was a gift of the deities that had magical and healing powers,” Atwater President Mark Rieth says. “We’re not saying our beer is magical or has healing powers but we know that “its magical flavors” are unique and refreshing and will add a lot of spirit to any holiday festivities.”

The Lebkuchen Christmas Ale (ABV 6.5%, IBU 28) is a deep amber ale that is sure to make winter nights a little cozier. The Ale aptly blends a malty base of Maris Otter pale malt, walnut notes of Dark Munich malt, raisin and toffee flavors of a deep Caramel malt and a light touch of Honey malt to bring forward some of the sweetness. The subtle spice from locally produced ginger and almond flavorings round out and enhance the cookie-like impression of the beer.

The limited run Christmas Ale is currently available on shelves across Michigan and select Midwest States in 6-packs of 12 ounce cans, making for a perfect Christmas gift. It’s also available on tap at Atwater Taphouses.

Since 1997, Atwater has created beers that are “Born in Detroit. Raised Everywhere.” and pay homage to the German brewing heritage. Lubkuchen is entirely consistent with that goal by effortlessly combining unique tastes in a smooth, drinkable and fun Christmas Ale that can warm any hearth.

“Even in difficult years, the holiday season is a special opportunity to celebrate tradition, count blessings and look forward to the year to come,” said Rieth. “We love to bring beer lovers together with delicious brews that match the occasion and believe Lubkuchen deserves a

Atwater Brewery. Born in Detroit. Raised Everywhere. Atwater offers 40 styles of beer led by its popular Purple Gang Pilsner, Better Life Choices IPA, Vanilla Java Porter, Dirty Blonde and its “World Beer Cup” award winning Decadent Dark Chocolate Ale. In addition to its distribution in select U.S. and international market, Atwater operates three full-service tap house and biergarten locations in Detroit, Grosse Pointe and Grand Rapids, MI. Find us on Facebook or visit www.Atwaterbeer.com

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NEWPORT, Oregon — Rogue Ales & Spirits is starting 2021 strong with the release of Colossal Claude, a new year-round Imperial IPA. This robust, Northwest IPA offers citrus and floral hop aromas on the nose and finishes a touch on the bitter side with plenty of soft pine and resinous hoppy notes.

“As our newest Imperial IPA, Colossal Claude is an incredibly exciting addition to our family,” says Dharma Tamm, Rogue President. “This monstrous brew is full of hops and packs a punch worthy of the most awesome monster living off the coast of Newport. Colossal Claude completes Rogue’s year-round IPA portfolio, which also includes Batsquatch Hazy IPA and Outta Line West Coast IPA.”

“It’s been a few decades since a Colossal Claude sighting has been reported, but we’re fairly certain the massive sea monster has been laying low off the coast of his favorite brewery,” says Joel Shields, Rogue Brewmaster. “Word has it that after years of terrifying sailors and feasting on salmon he acquired a taste for hops. So we brewed this Imperial IPA with a colossal dose of Cascade, Chinook, Citra and Strata hops in hope of coaxing Claude out to join us for a pint.”

PRODUCT FACTS
Colossal Claude Style: Imperial India Pale Ale
ABV: 8.2%
IBU: 75
Hops: Cascade, Chinook, Citra and Strata Hops
Availability: Year-round in 6-pack 12-ounce cans, 19.2 ounce cans, draft
Distribution: Nationwide starting January 1, 2021

This spring, Rogue’s two monstrous brews, Batsquatch Hazy IPA and Colossal Claude Imperial IPA, will be dueling in the Monsters of IPA campaign. Stay tuned for more information in 2021.

Use the Rogue Finder to find Colossal Claude near you. Learn more at Rogue.com. About Rogue Ales & Spirits Rogue Ales & Spirits was founded in Oregon in 1988 as one of America’s first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 2,000 awards for taste, quality and packaging, and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Proudly rooted in Newport Oregon, Rogue’s beers, spirits, cocktails, seltzers and sodas are a liquid ode to Oregon and the endless inspiration that its land, its sea and its people provide.

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