Beer

The craft beer world just got a whole lot wilder — and smellier — with the launch of Nature Calls, a limited-edition lager from an unlikely duo: outdoor apparel giant Columbia Sportswear and Portland’s acclaimed Breakside Brewery.

Announced on January 28, 2026, this beer literally answers “nature’s call” in the most unexpected way possible. The crisp, clean-tasting lager incorporates an ingredient that’s probably never appeared on a brew sheet before: infused bear poop (from American black bears, collected trailside in Montana). Yes, you read that right — bear scat was used to flavor the brewing water during the process.

Don’t worry (too much): Columbia and Breakside emphasize that the final product is 100% safe to drink. It underwent the strictest brewing and sanitation standards in the industry, turning what could have been a gag into a legitimately consumable beer. The poop infusion is subtle — think of it more as a conceptual nod to the outdoors than an overpowering “wild” taste. The beer itself is described as a smooth, satisfying light lager with pleasant notes of honey and huckleberry, brewed using pure Bull Run River water (Portland’s famously clean supply), Pacific Northwest malted grains, and those signature fruity accents.

This isn’t just a random stunt. It ties directly into Columbia’s long-running “Engineered for Whatever” brand platform, which celebrates gear (and now apparently beverages) built to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you — even if that includes literal bear droppings. As Columbia’s brand president Joe Boyle put it in promotional materials: “When we say engineered for whatever, we mean whatever. If Mother Nature hurls bear poop at us, we’ll ferment it into a frosty pint.”

Breakside Brewery founder Scott Lawrence echoed the surprise and enthusiasm: “We’ve brewed a lot of beers, but never one that celebrates nature this literally. When Columbia came to us with the idea to use bear poop, we thought they were joking. Turns out, they weren’t — and now we’ve got the wildest beer in America and maybe the world. It’s crazy, it’s fun, and honestly… it tastes great.”

The timing is no coincidence. Nature Calls is positioned as a “Big Game” beer, debuting just ahead of Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. For the first time in company history, Columbia is getting in on the Super Bowl action — not with a TV ad, but with a physical presence at The Players Tailgate outside Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Attendees can head to the Columbia booth to sample the beer in person. Limited quantities will also be poured at Breakside’s taproom locations in Oregon for those closer to home.

In a sea of predictable light lagers and Super Bowl party staples, Nature Calls stands out as one of the boldest (and most literal) marketing plays in recent memory. It’s equal parts gross-out humor, outdoor authenticity, and craft beer creativity — the kind of release that sparks conversations, memes, and probably a few hesitant first sips.

Whether it’s a brilliant publicity coup or the most niche beer ever brewed, one thing is clear: Nature Calls has arrived, and it’s ready to make a splash (or at least a chuckle) this football season. Cheers to getting a real taste of the wild — just maybe don’t think too hard about the origin story while you’re drinking it.

About Breakside Brewery:
Nestled in the heart of Portland’s vibrant craft beer scene since 2010, Breakside Brewery has been pouring pure joy one pint at a time. What started as a cozy Northeast Portland brewpub has exploded into a regional powerhouse, cranking out 30,000+ barrels of innovative, award-sweeping beers each year across multiple lively locations—including Milwaukie, Slabtown, Lake Oswego, and even a coastal gem in Astoria. With a playful spirit and a relentless passion for experimentation, Breakside’s tap lists burst with crowd-pleasers like the crisp, hop-forward Breakside IPA (a multiple Great American Beer Festival medalist) alongside wild sours, juicy hazies, and seasonal surprises that keep beer geeks and casual sippers coming back for more. It’s the kind of place where every pour feels like a mini celebration of what great craft beer can be—bold, balanced, and ridiculously delicious.

And the best part? Breakside isn’t just brewing exceptional beer; they’re doing it as one of the country’s few employee-owned breweries since 2019, proving that when the team that makes the magic owns the magic, the results are downright electric. Multiple Brewery of the Year titles from the Oregon Beer Awards, a shower of medals at the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival, and a reputation for beers that are as fun to discover as they are to drink—Breakside keeps raising the bar while keeping the vibe laid-back and welcoming. Whether you’re chasing that perfect hazy IPA, a barrel-aged stunner, or just a sunny patio session with friends, Breakside Brewery delivers the kind of craft beer adventure that makes any day feel like a toast-worthy occasion. Cheers to Breakside—where innovation meets good times, one exceptional pint at a time! To learn more, please visit the company’s website at www.breakside.com.

About Columbia Sportswear:
Columbia, the flagship brand of Portland, Oregon-based Columbia Sportswear Company, has been creating innovative apparel, footwear, accessories, and equipment for outdoor enthusiasts since 1938. Columbia has become a leading global brand by channeling the company’s innovative spirit and passion for the outdoors into technologies and performance products that keep people warm, dry, cool and protected year-round. To learn more, please visit the company’s website at www.columbia.com.

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BURLINGTON, VT — After two decades of brewing magic at the iconic 115 Saint Paul Street spot inside American Flatbread Burlington Hearth, the cozy on-site brewery is stepping into a fresh chapter with a name that feels just right: Mothership Brewery. What started in 2004 as the birthplace of Zero Gravity Craft Brewery has grown, evolved, and now circles back to its humble roots. When Zero Gravity spread its wings and moved on in 2022, the little brewhouse stayed put—focusing on crafting approachable, food-friendly beers that pair perfectly with wood-fired pizzas, good company, and that classic Burlington vibe. Today, this “old soul” gets a new identity that’s grounded, earthy, and full of life.

The Mothership Brewery logo tells its own story: a peel-shaped design paying homage to American Flatbread’s rustic origins, featuring a mighty dandelion in full bloom. As a key pollinator, the dandelion offers early fuel for hummingbirds on their epic journeys—its florets stretching skyward while staying deeply rooted in the soil. Once it goes to seed, the cycle of renewal kicks in, mirroring the brewery’s commitment to regeneration and endless possibility. From day one, they’ve poured love into lagers and ales, and now they’re leaning into the lager love that’s sweeping the craft scene while keeping a diverse lineup of ales from around the globe—light and sessionable for sunny afternoons, dark and rich for cozy nights, always balanced and beer-nerd approved.

A big “hard launch” celebration is tentatively set for Wednesday, April 22—lining up perfectly with Earth Day to toast sustainability, community, and great beer. Swing by American Flatbread Burlington Hearth at 115 Saint Paul Street to cheers with the team, taste the rotating tap lineup (only available on-site), and soak in the historic apothecary building vibes. Follow the journey @mothership_flatbreadbtv on Instagram for updates, hours, full history, and more. Whether you’re a local legend or just passing through Burlington, Mothership Brewery is here to welcome you home—one pour at a time.

American Flatbread Burlington Hearth
Address: 115 Saint Paul Street, Burlington, VT 05401.
Website: burlington.americanflatbread.com   

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ATLANTA, GA — SweetWater Brewing just dropped the mic with Big Trip Double IPA—the bigger, bolder, hoppier sequel to everyone’s favorite road-trip sipper, Daytrip IPA.

Picture this: You loved the bright, juicy citrus vibes of Daytrip… now crank it up to 9% ABV and let your taste buds buckle up for the Big Trip. We’re talking explosive tropical aromas, smooth-as-hell citrus punch, and zero of that heavy, sticky malt bomb you sometimes get with imperial IPAs. It’s powerful, it’s drinkable, and it’s ready to send you on a flavor adventure without the hangover regrets (well… maybe a little one).

“Double IPAs are still crushing it as the #2 craft style down here in the Southeast,” says Evan Woolard, our Senior Brand Manager who’s basically living the dream. “Daytrip blew up because it’s hop-forward but easy to crush. So we said, ‘Let’s double down—more flavor, more ABV, more fun.’ Big Trip is all about that SweetWater magic: big taste that still goes down smooth, whether you’re a hop-head or just here for the good times.”

We loaded this beast with a killer hop squad—Mosaic, Idaho 7, Sultana, Citra, and El Dorado—for that juicy, tropical explosion, balanced on a clean base of 2-row, Pilsner, and wheat malts. No syrupy sweetness, just pure, refreshing hop bliss.
Grab it in 19.2 oz tall boys (because nothing says ‘weekend ready’ like a big can) or convenient 6-packs of 12 oz cans. It’s rolling out nationwide—hit up your local taproom, liquor store, grocery, corner gas station, wherever cold beer lives.

“Those big 19.2 oz cans are straight-up dominating the high-ABV game,” Evan adds with a grin. “Tall singles and six-packs make up like 80% of sales for stuff this strong in the Southeast, so we’re leaning all the way in. Big Trip builds right on Daytrip’s success and gives fans more of what they crave.”

Find Big Trip near you across the Southeast (and beyond)—check the SweetWater beer finder on the site. Swing by sweetwaterbrew.com for the full scoop, crack one open, and let’s toast to epic trips, big flavors, and zero regrets.

More about Sweetwater Brewing
SweetWater Brewing Company, Atlanta’s trailblazing craft beer powerhouse, traces its roots back to the early ’90s when founders Freddy Bensch and Kevin McNerney swapped college textbooks for keg-washing gigs in Colorado. Inspired by West Coast brewing vibes, they honed their skills at the American Brewers Guild before heading south to launch SweetWater in 1997—just in time for Atlanta’s Olympic buzz. Named after the scenic Sweetwater Creek, the brewery started small. Still, it grew hop by hop, expanding facilities in 2004, throwing its first 420 Fest in 2005, and cranking up production with a massive $19 million upgrade in 2012. Today, as part of Tilray Brands and ranking among the top 10 U.S. craft breweries, SweetWater champions waterway conservation through partnerships like the Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, blending bold brews with an eco-friendly ethos for over 25 years of frothy innovation.

When it comes to SweetWater’s top beers, the legendary 420 Extra Pale Ale steals the show as the flagship sipper—a crisp, citrusy West Coast-style pale ale clocking in at 5.7% ABV, brewed on April 20, 1997, and packed with piney hops that keep fans coming back for more. Hot on its heels is the SweetWater IPA, a bold 6.3% ABV powerhouse bursting with grapefruit and tropical notes, alongside fan-favorites like the 420 Strain G13 IPA, a dank, resinous double IPA homage to cannabis culture at 6% ABV. Don’t miss seasonal stars like Blue, a refreshing blueberry wheat ale, or the newer Daytrip IPA and its high-octane sibling Big Trip Double IPA at 9% ABV—each delivering smooth, flavor-forward profiles that make SweetWater a go-to for craft enthusiasts craving that perfect pour.

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Hamilton and Sharonville, Ohio – Third Eye Brewing Company, the multi-award-winning craft brewery with locations in Hamilton and Sharonville, Ohio, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated 2026 releases of two exceptional barrel-aged beers that captivated judges and enthusiasts at the 2025 Festival of Wood & Barrel-Aged Beer (FOBAB): Kelly’s Private Stache and Celestial Reserve (originally known as Dow’s 65th Birthday Blend).

These limited-edition offerings showcase the brewery’s mastery of barrel-aging and blending, building on Third Eye’s reputation as one of the most decorated breweries in the region — including U.S. Open Beer Championship and  Great American Beer Festival Brewery of the Year titles and consistent national recognition.

Kelly’s Private Stache – a rich, complex barrel-aged barleywine – earned a Silver Medal in the Barleywine/Wheatwine category at the prestigious 2025 FOBAB in Chicago. This English-style barleywine is meticulously aged in select bourbon barrels, delivering layers of deep caramel, vanilla, dark fruit, and oak character with a velvety mouthfeel and warming finish. A brewer-selected blend of the finest barrels, it represents the pinnacle of Third Eye’s expertise in extended barrel maturation.

Celestial Reserve, previously released as “Dow’s 65th Birthday Blend” at FOBAB(Festival of Barrel Aged Beers) in honor of Dow Scoggins (founder of the U.S. Open Beer Championship), claimed the Gold Medal in the Blended Beer category at FOBAB 2025. This masterful blend combines carefully aged barrels to create a harmonious, luxurious beer with profound depth, notes of dark chocolate, roasted malt, subtle fruit, and refined barrel influence. The 2026 edition elevates this already legendary blend, offering collectors and aficionados a celestial experience in every pour.
“These beers represent the heart of what we do at Third Eye — pushing boundaries with patience, creativity, and uncompromising quality,” said the Third Eye Brewing team. “Winning silver and gold at FOBAB is a tremendous honor, and we’re excited to share the next chapter of these exceptional beers with our loyal fans and the craft beer community.”

The 2026 editions of Kelly’s Private Stache and Celestial Reserve will be available in limited bottle and draft formats starting in early 2026 at both Third Eye taprooms (11276 Chester Road, Sharonville, OH 45246 and 850 S. Erie Blvd., Hamilton, OH 45011), as well as select retail partners. Quantities are extremely limited — fans are encouraged to visit the taprooms or follow Third Eye on social media for release details, events, and bottle sale announcements.

Join Third Eye Brewing in celebrating these award-winning masterpieces and experience the magic of barrel-aged excellence. Cheers to opening your mind’s eye, one extraordinary pour at a time!

About Third Eye Brewing Company
Founded with a mission to help everyone open their “mind’s eye” to new possibilities one pint at a time, Third Eye Brewing Company has quickly become Ohio’s premier craft brewery. With taprooms in Sharonville (opened 2020) and Hamilton (opened 2023), the brewery boasts an award-winning lineup of innovative beers, a full kitchen, and a welcoming atmosphere. Third Eye has earned numerous accolades, including Great American Beer Festival Brewery of the Year (2023 and 2025), Grand National Champion at the U.S. Open Beer Championship (2024), and consistent medals across national competitions.

January 8 marks National English Toffee Day, a delightful occasion dedicated to honoring one of America’s beloved confections. This day celebrates the rich, buttery sweetness of English toffee, a treat that has captivated taste buds for generations with its crunchy texture and caramelized flavors. While toffee itself might conjure images of sticky candies or indulgent desserts like sticky toffee pudding, it’s also a flavor profile that appears in unexpected places—like craft beer. Enter Founders Backwoods Bastard, a bourbon barrel-aged Scotch ale that captures toffee-like notes through its masterful brewing, making it an ideal “beer of the day” to toast this holiday.

The Origins and Joy of National English Toffee Day
National English Toffee Day, observed annually on January 8, shines a spotlight on the American variant of this classic British sweet. English toffee is traditionally made from sugar, butter, and often almonds or other nuts, cooked to a hard crack stage for that signature snap. Though its exact origins are murky, toffee has roots in 19th-century England, evolving into a staple treat in the U.S. where it’s often coated in chocolate for extra decadence. The day encourages indulgence—whether baking homemade batches, sharing store-bought favorites, or incorporating toffee into recipes like puddings and ice creams.

Celebrations are simple yet satisfying: Many mark the occasion by enjoying toffee in its purest form or experimenting with it in baked goods. It’s a reminder of how this humble candy brings warmth and nostalgia, especially during the winter months. For beer enthusiasts, extending the festivities to include brews with complementary flavors adds a modern twist, bridging the gap between confectionery and craft beverages.

Founders Backwoods Bastard: A Barrel-Aged Masterpiece
At the heart of today’s pairing is Founders Backwoods Bastard, a standout offering from Founders Brewing Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. This beer starts as the brewery’s flagship Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale—a robust, malty brew with an 8.5% ABV and rich sweetness from imported malts—but elevates it through aging in oak bourbon barrels for about a year. The result? A potent 11% ABV elixir with 50 IBUs, blending the warmth of Scotch ale with the nuanced depth of bourbon.

Key ingredients include Nugget and Willamette hops for a subtle earthy spice, alongside Abbey and Crystal malts that contribute to its deep caramel backbone. The barrel-aging process infuses oaky vanilla, whiskey undertones, and a smoky complexity, creating a sip that’s both bold and balanced. Tasters often note aromas of single malt scotch, roasted malts, dried fruits like figs, and a hint of dark fruit, all wrapped in a velvety mouthfeel. Available year-round in bottles and on draft, it’s earned a perfect 100 rating on RateBeer, cementing its status as a cult favorite since its debut around 2007.
Visually striking in its packaging, the beer pours a deep mahogany with a creamy head, inviting you to savor its layers.

The Toffee Connection: Where Beer Meets Candy
What ties Founders Backwoods Bastard to National English Toffee Day? It’s all in the flavor profile. While the beer doesn’t contain actual toffee, the Crystal malts and barrel aging impart prominent notes of sweet caramel and buttery richness—reminiscent of English toffee’s core essence. These toffee-like undertones mingle with vanilla and spice, evoking the sensation of biting into a piece of homemade toffee or drizzling caramel sauce over a warm pudding.

For an ultimate experience, pair a chilled glass of Backwoods Bastard with actual toffee treats. The beer’s warming alcohol and subtle smoke cut through the candy’s sweetness, creating a harmonious balance. Whether you’re a craft beer aficionado or a toffee lover, this combination elevates the holiday, proving that flavors can transcend categories.

As we raise a glass (or unwrap a candy) on this January 8, 2026, let’s appreciate how traditions like National English Toffee Day inspire creative pairings. Founders Backwoods Bastard isn’t just a beer—it’s a flavorful bridge to confectionery bliss, perfect for toasting the sweeter side of life.

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