Collaboration Beers

StormBreaker Brewing will Release 17 Fresh Hop Beers

August 12, 2024 by Dustin Scoggins

North Portland’s StormBreaker Brewing has become known for their pop culture referencing beers and neighborhood favorite pubs, but it may be the hop harvest season that has them digging deepest into their tanks for an incredible rollout of releases. This 2024 hop harvest season, StormBreaker Brewing anticipates releasing 17 or more fresh hop beers in a variety of beer styles.

StormBreaker Brewing has gained significant recognition for its fresh hop offerings, earning a total of seven medals over the past two years at prestigious events such as the Best of Craft and Oregon Beer Awards. The brewery’s celebrated brews include Fresh Hop Nobody Puts Hazy in a Corner, Triple Double Imperial IPA (2022 + 2023), Ella Rose Hazy IPA, Fresh Hop It Don’t Drop It Hazy IPA, Mississippi Red, and Set Freshies to Haze Hazy IPA.

This year, fans can look forward to the release of Fresh Hop Total ReKolsch and Handfuls of Fresh Hops between 08/16-08/20. These highly anticipated beers are expected to sell out quickly, so beer enthusiasts are encouraged to visit the pub promptly to enjoy these limited-edition brews.

For those who prefer to enjoy their fresh hop beers at home, StormBreaker Brewing is offering the option to pre-order fresh hop cans for takeout. This ensures that fans can secure their favorite fresh hop creations without missing out.

Don’t miss the chance to experience StormBreaker Brewing’s renowned fresh hop beers. Visit the brewery or place your pre-order today to be part of this exciting hop harvest season.

About StormBreaker Brewing

StormBreaker Brewing is an award-winning craft brewery co-founded in Portland, Oregon by Dan Malech and Rob Lutz in 2014. The brewery focuses on a wide range of craft beer and specialty craft cocktails and mocktails in two distinct locations, and strives to constantly produce innovative and high quality offerings.

For more information please visit https://www.stormbreakerbrewing.com/

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U.S. Open Beer Championship Announces the Best Kokua Project IPAs

November 20, 2023 by Spencer Mapes

OXFORD, Ohio – The U.S. Open Beer Championship, one of the top three beer competitions in the United States, is giving back to The Kokua Project and including the initiative’s Kokua IPAs for evaluation in its annual U.S. Open Cider Championship.

As a part of The Kokua Project, which is led by Maui Brewing Company and inspired by Sierra Nevada’s 2018 Resilience project, more than 700 breweries across the US and internationally have pledged to brew Kokua and donate the beer’s proceeds to Maui relief efforts via the Global Empowerment Mission. Kokua is a Session IPA that delivers a refreshing wave of tropical hop aroma atop a delicate malt base.

“Judging these beers during the U.S. Open is a way to raise awareness around this disaster relief effort, and to celebrate the breweries across the country that are banding together to raise funds for those impacted by the tragic Maui wildfires,” said Dow Scoggins, founder of the U.S. Open Beer & Cider Championships. The U.S. Open donated $3,000 to Maui Beer Company Wildfire Fund as a part of The Kokua Project.

Each brewery that submits a Kokua IPA to the competition donated a $85 entry fee to Maui relief efforts. Kokua IPA was judged in its own category, alongside the wide array of cider entries the annual fall competition is known for. Tasting one beer recipe brewed by many different breweries from across the country is a unique, exciting prospect for judges.

“We are eager to taste and evaluate the Kokua Project beers from venerated breweries all over the country,” said Spencer Mapes, Director of the U.S. Open. “But it’s important to note that they were all brewed with helping hands and open hearts, meaning they are all winners at the end of the day.”

The judges’ favorite Kokua IPAs include:

Kokua Session IPA
GOLD – Twin Creeks Brewing – Virginia
SILVER – Aspire Brewing – New York
BRONZE – Shovel Town Brewery – Massachusetts

Kokua IPA
GOLD – HighGrain Brewing – Ohio
SILVER – Forbidden Peak Brewery – Alaska
BRONZE – Movement Brewing – California
BRONZE – Buck Wild Brewing – Texas

Beer lovers and those looking to support Maui’s relief efforts can find Kokua in many taprooms across every state. Donate directly to the Maui Beer Company Fire Fund online at mauibrewingco.com/mbcfire.

About the U.S. Open Beer Championship
The U.S. Open Beer Championship was founded in 2009 and judges more beer styles than any other competition in the world. The U.S. Open is also the only major beer competition to allow the gold medal winners of the AHA’s National Homebrew Competition to participate. The U.S. Open judging is held at the U.S. Open Event Center in Oxford, Ohio. The U.S. Open became the first beer competition to be held in its own venue, a 6,000-square-foot Amish pole barn on a small farm. The barn consists of a judging area, a serving area, two 450-square-foot coolers, an office, and a nano brewery. To see “The Barn”, Click here to see a YouTube video of the 15th Anniversary of the U.S. Open Beer Championship.

About the Kokua Project
The Kokua Project is one beer, brewed by many, to support our Maui ‘Ohana who have been affected by the tragic wildfires. More than 700 breweries across the US and internationally have volunteered to brew Kokua and pledged to donate the proceeds to the Global Empowerment Mission, the nonprofit organization that is facilitating the Maui Brewing Company Fire Fund. Kokua, translated as “extending help to others” in the Hawaiian language, is coordinated by Maui Brewing Company and inspired by Sierra Nevada’s Resilience project of 2018. Kokua is a Session IPA that delivers a refreshing wave of tropical hop aroma atop a delicate malt base. Beer lovers and those looking to support Maui’s relief efforts can find Kokua in many taprooms across every state.

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AZ Wilderness Partners With Equality Maricopa to Make Arizona’s First LGBT License Plate a Reality

June 6, 2023 by Spencer Mapes

PHOENIX, Arizona – Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. announced the launch of Prism, a prickly pear lager that will raise funds to create Arizona’s first LGBTQIA+ license plate.

The beer is being released in collaboration with Equality Maricopa, a resource group that supports LGBTQIA+ students and employees of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges across the Valley. Last year, Equality Maricopa began the push for Arizona to create a specialty license plate, proceeds from which would fund the PRISM Scholarship—a scholarship for LGBTQIA+ students—in perpetuity. If the license plate is adopted, Arizona will become one of the first states with an LGBTQIA+-themed license plate design.

To get the license plate produced, the organization needs to provide the state with $32,000, and they’re over halfway toward that goal. A percentage of the sales of Prism (the beer) will be donated to help them get the rest of the way.

Speaking of the beer: Named for the PRISM Scholarship, Prism is a delightfully fruit-forward lager brewed with Arizona-grown prickly pear. The label on each can includes an illustration of the proposed design of the license plate. Each can also includes a QR code with a link to make a direct donation to the PRISM Scholarship fund.

To celebrate the beer’s launch, Equality Maricopa will be hosting a happy hour at Arizona Wilderness’ DTPHX beer garden from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, June 10. A dollar from every pint of beer sold during the event will be donated to the license plate creation fund.

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Athletic Brewing Company Partners With Netflix For New Brew Collection

May 30, 2023 by Spencer Mapes

MILFORD, Connecticut and SAN DIEGO – Athletic Brewing Company, America’s largest non-alcoholic craft brewery, has partnered with Netflix on an exciting new series of limited-edition brews.

The collaboration between Athletic Brewing and Netflix features three unique co-branded non-alcoholic beers. The first brew, Geralt’s Gold, is a non-alcoholic hoppy helles inspired by the hit fantasy drama The Witcher1 and the show’s legendary anti-hero – Geralt of Rivia. Geralt’s Gold is now available for fans to toast their destiny, ahead of The Witcher Season 3, Volume 1, coming to Netflix on June 29.

“There’s no better way to enjoy an award-winning craft brew than paired with one of the most entertaining shows on Netflix,” said Andrew Katz, Chief Marketing Officer of Athletic Brewing Company. “At Athletic, we celebrate storytelling and love taking our brews to unexpected places. That’s why we’re thrilled to partner with one of the original creative streaming services to bring our fans something truly special.”

Geralt’s Gold will be sold nationally at select retail locations across the U.S. as well as on the Athletic Brewing website. The first 750 customers who order Geralt’s Gold on athleticbrewing.com will also receive a free collectible glass that incorporates iconic symbols from The Witcher.

“We love coming up with new and unique ways for fans to experience the stories they love, especially for fans as passionate as The Witcher,” said Josh Simon, Vice President, Consumer Products, Netflix. “Working with Athletic Brewing is the perfect opportunity to bring Geralt’s favorite taverns to life, and we can’t wait for fans to step into the Witcherverse and try this amazing non-alcoholic brew.”

According to a recent survey, one-third of Americans are trying to consume less alcohol in 20232. Dollar sales of non-alcoholic beer are up 33% year-to-date3. Athletic Brewing is the second-largest non-alcoholic beer brand in the U.S., with dollar sales growing 93%4.

Launched in 2018, Athletic Brewing developed a proprietary brewing method to craft its award-winning non-alcoholic beers. The company fully ferments its brews to be less than 0.5% ABV, which is the legal limit for non-alcoholic beer in the U.S.

Geralt’s Gold is a medium-bodied brew with aromatics of citrus and florals atop a ripe peach nose. It is less than 0.5% ABV, contains 65 calories, and is made with Warrior, Chinook, Centennial, and Simcoe hops.

“Athletic brews are designed for anytime and anywhere refreshment,” added Katz. “Geralt’s Gold is no exception. It pours a radiant golden color and has a dynamic flavor that is as intriguing as it is smooth.”

Customers in Canada and the UK will also be able to purchase Geralt’s Gold on athleticbrewing.ca and uk.athleticbrewing.com, respectively.

Fans can watch the official teaser for The Witcher Season 3 and purchase Geralt’s Gold on athleticbrewing.com. Athletic and Netflix plan to release two additional brews, and more details will be shared at a later date.

Notes:

1THE WITCHER is a trademark of CD PROJEKT, S.A. and used with permission. Set in the universe created by Andrzej Sapkowski in his series of books. © Netflix, Inc.

2NCSolutions consumer sentiment survey of 1,000 Americans.

3,4 NielsenIQ, Total US xAOC + Liq Plus + Conv, CYTD ending 4/22/23.

About Athletic Brewing Company

Athletic Brewing, founded in 2017 by Bill Shufelt and John Walker, is the 13th largest craft brewer in America and the leading producer of non-alcoholic craft beer. The company’s brews, which launched commercially in 2018, are now distributed in all 50 states and available at 50,000 retail stores nationwide. In 2023, Athletic was ranked as the 4th fastest-growing company in the Americas by Financial Times. Athletic was also ranked as the fastest-growing U.S. beverage manufacturer by Inc. Magazine in 2022, and named one of TIME’s “100 Most Influential Companies.” The company has won over 70 prestigious brewing awards, including Gold & Silver for its Run Wild and Free Wave IPAs in the 2022 US Open of Beer Championship. It was also named the North American Brewer of the Year at the 2022 International Beer Challenge. Athletic has custom breweries in Milford, Connecticut, and San Diego, and donates up to $2 million of all sales to protecting and restoring outdoor spaces across the globe via its Two For The Trails program. Plus, as a part of its IMPACT Program, 1% of revenue goes to non-profit organizations that support positive impact and opportunity from the ground up. Athletic Brewing is proudly a Certified B Corporation™. Its full-flavored near beers and hop-infused sparkling waters are available on www.athleticbrewing.com.

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ShawneeCraft Brewing and Wallenpaupack Brewing Launch New Collaboration Beer Series

April 13, 2023 by Spencer Mapes

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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