News

Von Ebert Brewing Releases New IPA Varietals Starting with Volatile Substance

March 5, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Portland, Ore. — Von Ebert Brewing is kicking off an exciting new series with the release of Tropical Substance IPA, the inaugural spin-off of its signature, award-winning Volatile Substance NW IPA. This release embodies the brewery’s motto, “Where Tradition Meets Evolution,” by reimagining the flagship’s bold hop profile with a vibrant tropical twist.

“Tropical Substance IPA shakes things up while staying true to the intense hop flavors and aromas that make Volatile Substance a standout,” said Sam Pecoraro, Brewmaster at Von Ebert Brewing. “Last year’s version sold out in days, so we’re thrilled to bring it back and build on that momentum with the full series.”

At 6.9% ABV, Tropical Substance IPA delivers prominent pineapple notes through a blend of Citra, Krush, and Strata hops, enhanced by Abstrax’s Pineapple Skyfarm for an extra burst of tropical character. It’s now available at all Von Ebert Brewing locations, as well as in bars, bottle shops, grocery stores, and convenience outlets across the Northwest. The series continues with Triple Dry Hopped (TDH) Volatile Substance NW IPA arriving in July and Saturated Substance NW IPA in November.

Von Ebert’s recently opened flagship at 825 N. Cook St. on N. Mississippi in Portland features daily food truck service from Tehuana Mexican Cuisine, plus weekend appearances by acclaimed HarBQ. Beer enthusiasts can enjoy specials across locations: 20-ounce steins of gold medal-winning Clubhaus Lager for $3 all day, every day, and at the N. Mississippi spot, Volatile Substance NW IPA for just $5 from noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

The brewery has expanded its non-beer options with non-alcoholic hop sparkling waters and hard seltzers, with hard teas and hard punches planned for later this year to appeal to a wider audience.

Thanks to a new production facility, Von Ebert has scaled capacity from 4,000 to up to 20,000 barrels annually and is already more than halfway there, while shifting more volume to convenient 12-ounce and 16-ounce cans. Distribution now reaches throughout Oregon, Washington, Colorado, California, and Japan.

About Von Ebert Brewing

Founded in 2018 by father-son duo Tom M. Cook and Tom S. Cook in Portland, Oregon, Von Ebert Brewing is named after the family matriarch, lovingly called “Grandma Ebert.” This quintessential immigrant story honors her journey from Germany through Ellis Island, where her grit and determination built a successful life for her family in America. The name “Von Ebert” translates loosely to “House of Ebert” or “House of the Boar,” celebrating that tenacity and German heritage. The brewery channels this legacy into award-winning beers—including 2025 World Beer Cup Gold for Clubhaus American Light Lager, 2023 Gold for German-Style Pilsner with Pils, and 2024 Bronze for Vienna Lager—while blending tradition with innovative evolution in its brewpubs and offerings.

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Karl Strauss Announces Hard Cherry Cola Release

March 5, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

San Diego, Calif. — While many brewers face ongoing headwinds in the beer industry, Karl Strauss Brewing Company—San Diego’s original craft brewery since 1989—continues to grow and innovate as an independently owned operation.

“People keep asking how we’re growing in this tough environment,” said Co-Founder and President Matt Rattner. “The answer is simple: We’re keeping our heads down, doing a lot of little things right, and staying true to what made us successful. We’ve been brewing in San Diego longer than anyone else, and remaining independent makes us a reliable choice for drinkers seeking authentic, high-quality experiences.”

To attract a broader audience amid shifting preferences—where fewer people are drinking traditional beer—Karl Strauss has launched Hard Cherry Cola, a 5% ABV, gluten-free flavored malt beverage (FMB) that’s generating significant early buzz.

“Many consumers are turning to flavored malt beverages like Twisted Tea or Mike’s Hard Lemonade, one of the few growing segments in alcohol,” Rattner explained. “We gave our brewers creative freedom, and the result is a spot-on recreation of nostalgic, old-school hard cherry colas—refreshing, not too sweet or sticky, and perfect for easy sipping. The response has been unprecedented.”

Major retailers including Disney, Vons, Albertsons, and Total Wine & More placed immediate orders, leading to a strong initial rollout.
“Hats off to our production team for handling the surge without major out-of-stocks,” said Chief Operating Officer Chad Heath. “They’ve juggled a lot to meet demand for Hard Cherry Cola.”

This launch aligns with broader market trends: The flavored malt beverage category saw U.S. sales reach approximately $4.6 billion in 2023 (up about 16% year-over-year), with continued momentum into 2024 (additional gains of around 5-6% in dollar sales in off-premise channels). Consumers increasingly favor fruit-forward, cocktail-inspired drinks, and Karl Strauss saw an opportunity to elevate a classic flavor profile with a crisp, balanced twist—evoking high-energy vibes like a Dirty Shirley or Espresso Martini, but without heavy syrups.

In addition to the new FMB, Karl Strauss is bringing back a fan-favorite: Amber Lager, the brewery’s very first beer, now available as a seasonal spring release in packaged format for the first time in 11 years.

“We get constant requests to revive this one,” Heath noted. “If people are still asking after all these years, it’s time to deliver.”

Both Hard Cherry Cola and Amber Lager are now available at select retailers throughout California. Fans can also find them on tap or in cans at Karl Strauss’ nine Southern California brewpubs, including locations in Anaheim, Corona Dos Lagos, Costa Mesa, Downtown Los Angeles, San Diego (4S Ranch, Carlsbad, Downtown, Sorrento Mesa), and Temecula.

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Karl Strauss Brewing Company, San Diego’s pioneering craft brewery, was founded in 1989 by cousins Chris Cramer and Matt Rattner, who drew inspiration from exceptional beers encountered during travels abroad and sought to bring high-quality, flavorful options to their hometown. They enlisted the expertise of Cramer’s cousin, legendary German-born Master Brewer Karl Strauss (1912–2006), a Jewish immigrant who fled Nazi Germany in 1939, trained formally in brewing at Weihenstephan, and spent over four decades rising through the ranks at Pabst Brewing Company in Milwaukee. With Strauss serving as Master Brewer—designing the facility, training staff, and crafting initial recipes like the flagship Amber Lager—the brewery opened its first brewpub, the Karl Strauss Old Columbia Brewery and Grille, on February 2, 1989, in downtown San Diego. As the first new brewery in the city since Prohibition ended more than 50 years earlier, it ignited San Diego’s modern craft beer revolution, helping transform the region into a nationally renowned beer destination. Remaining proudly independent, Karl Strauss has expanded to multiple brewpubs across Southern California, earned numerous awards, and continues to innovate while honoring Strauss’s legacy as the “Godfather of Beer” until his passing in 2006.

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Living The Dream Brewing Unveils Fresh, Modern Look for Its Canned Beer Portfolio

March 5, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

Littleton, Colorado — Living The Dream Brewing, a beloved Colorado craft brewery now celebrating 12 years in business and 8 years of canning its beers, has rolled out a complete branding refresh for its canned lineup.

The brewery’s flagship recipes remain unchanged, but the new can designs deliver a cleaner, bolder aesthetic. Featuring a mix of matte and metallic finishes paired with harmonious color schemes, the updated packaging emphasizes readability with clear, concise flavor descriptions—so beer enthusiasts immediately know what they’re getting.

“The new can design creates a more unified brand identity,” said Founder Jason Bell. “This stronger cohesion drives instant recognition for Living The Dream beers on shelves, while giving us greater flexibility to innovate and bring fresh options to market faster—ultimately offering consumers a broader, more exciting selection.”
Previously, cans showcased individual outdoor photography from across Colorado’s landscapes. “Rather than each label sharing its own standalone story,” Bell explained, “the refreshed designs now let every beer express the overall spirit and story of our brewery.”

The updated cans are now appearing across Colorado for core and seasonal favorites, including:

Powder Run (and its seasonal variants)
Trailhead Fog Hazy IPA
7 Speed IPA
Fly Reel Amber
Coconut Stout

Living The Dream Brewing is proudly distributed statewide by Colorado Craft Distributors and available at more than 500 retailers, bars, and restaurants. Use the brewery’s online beer finder tool at livingthedreambrewing.com to locate the nearest spot to grab a can.

About Living The Dream Brewing

Founded in 2014 in Littleton, Colorado, Living The Dream Brewing is a craft brewery dedicated to using only the finest ingredients to create exceptional beer. The brewery honors the people, places, and adventures that define the Centennial State, with taprooms serving as home bases for exploration in Highlands Ranch and Littleton’s Sterling Ranch.

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Orval Beer Day: A Toast to Tradition

March 3, 2026 by Dow Scoggins

In the rolling hills of Belgium’s Gaume region, nestled within the ancient walls of the Abbaye Notre-Dame d’Orval, a special day unfolds each spring—Orval Beer Day. Celebrated annually, this event honors the legendary Orval Trappist Ale, a beer unlike any other, brewed with devotion by the Trappist monks since 1931. On March 26th, 2016, and in the years that followed, beer enthusiasts across the globe raised their chalices to celebrate this unique brew, its rich history, and the timeless story of the abbey.

The tale begins with Countess Matilda of Tuscany, who, in the 13th century, lost her wedding ring in a spring while visiting the “Golden Valley” (Orval). Heartbroken, she prayed for its return. Moments later, a trout emerged from the water, the ring in its mouth, inspiring the abbey’s iconic fish-and-ring symbol that graces every bottle of Orval today. This legend, woven into the abbey’s identity, sets the stage for a beer that’s as storied as it is flavorful.

Orval Beer Day is a nod to the beer’s singular place in the world of Trappist brewing. Unlike other Trappist monasteries that craft multiple styles, Orval produces just one commercial beer—a Belgian Pale Ale with a sunset-orange hue, a foamy head, and a complex flavor born from dry-hopping and wild Brettanomyces yeast. At 6.2% ABV (sometimes reaching 6.9% with aging), it’s a beer that evolves in the bottle, gaining nuance over years, much like a fine wine. Its tart, fruity notes, earthy spices, and hoppy, dry finish make it a favorite among brewers and drinkers alike, from Belgian monks to American craft beer pioneers like Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing.

On this day, bars across the United States and beyond pour Orval in its signature skittle-shaped bottles, designed by architect Henry Vaes to keep sediment at bay. The beer’s chalice, also crafted by Vaes, enhances its aromas—think leather, citrus, and forest herbs—while maintaining that perfect head. In 2019, over 600 U.S. accounts joined the celebration, with proceeds from sales supporting local charities, a nod to the Trappist tradition of giving back. At the abbey, a lighter version, Orval Vert, is served to monks and visitors, but it’s the flagship Orval that steals the show, sipped reverently in quiet taverns or lively gatherings.

Picture a cozy pub on Orval Beer Day: friends clink glasses, marveling at the beer’s cloudy glow and funky, farmhouse tang. A first-timer might say, “It’s like drinking a forest in autumn!” while a seasoned fan nods, savoring the bitter aftertaste. The day isn’t just about the beer—it’s about connection, history, and the monks’ quiet dedication to craft and charity. As the sun sets, someone raises a toast: “To Orval, to Matilda’s trout, and to good company!” And in that moment, the spirit of the Golden Valley lives on, one sip at a time.

Alaskan Husky IPA: The Perfect Beer to Celebrate the 2026 Iditarod Start

February 27, 2026 by Dustin Scoggins

The 2026 Iditarod is kicking off—Alaska’s legendary “Last Great Race on Earth” is here! With the ceremonial start hitting downtown Anchorage on March 7, 2026, and the official restart in Willow the next day, it’s time to channel that wild northern energy. What better way to toast the mushers, the sled dogs, and the thousand-mile trail ahead than with a crisp, hop-forward Alaskan Husky IPA from Alaskan Brewing Co.?

This beer is basically built for the occasion. Named after those tough, speedy Alaskan Huskies powering the teams across frozen tundra, Husky IPA is a juicy American IPA that brings serious tropical vibes to the party. Brewed primarily with Mosaic hops and premium Pilsen malt (using glacier-fed water, because Alaska does it right), it pours a brilliant medium golden color with crystal clarity.

On the nose? Big aromas of tangerine, papaya, and other stone fruits that hit like a burst of sunshine in the middle of winter. First sip delivers tropical and stone fruit flavors—think juicy mango, pineapple, and grapefruit zest—balanced by a solid 50 IBU bitterness that keeps things refreshing without going overboard. At 7.0% ABV, it’s got enough kick to warm you up while watching teams charge out of the chute, but it’s still sessionable enough for a few rounds as you cheer on your favorite musher.

Picture this: You’re bundled up (or maybe just dreaming of snow from your couch), the dogs are barking, the crowd is roaring, and you’ve got an ice-cold Husky IPA in hand. That bright citrus-pine pop cuts through the chill perfectly, while the juicy fruit notes feel like a high-five from the trail itself. It’s the ideal beer for celebrating endurance, adventure, and the unbreakable spirit of those incredible sled dogs.

Pro tip for your Iditarod viewing ritual:

Chill it extra cold—nothing beats frost on the can when the temps are sub-zero in spirit.
Pair it with hearty snacks like smoked salmon dip, reindeer sausage, or classic pretzels to keep the Alaskan theme going.
Raise a glass every time a team hits the trail: “To the huskies—both the furry ones and the hoppy ones!”

Whether you’re trackside in Anchorage, streaming from home, or just love a great IPA with a story, grab a six-pack (or a 12-pack) of Alaskan Husky IPA and make this year’s Iditarod start legendary. Mush on, friends—cheers to the race, the dogs, and damn good beer!

Stay thirsty, stay adventurous, and here’s to the trail ahead.

More about the Iditrod
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race®, known worldwide as the “Last Great Race on Earth®,” continues to captivate audiences in its modern era as a premier test of endurance, strategy, and unbreakable bonds between mushers and their canine athletes. The 2026 edition, marking the 54th running of this iconic roughly 1,000-mile journey across Alaska’s rugged wilderness, kicks off with the traditional ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage on March 7 at 10:00 a.m., where teams of 12 dogs thrill crowds along a festive urban route. The official timed restart follows on March 8 at 2:00 p.m. in Willow, with mushers departing in two-minute intervals under a common-start format that levels the field for elapsed time calculations. Alternating between the Northern and Southern Routes in even and odd years respectively, the race showcases adaptable trail management, advanced veterinary oversight, and strict rules emphasizing dog welfare—including mandatory rest stops, pre-race exams, and minimum team requirements—to ensure the health and safety of every athlete.

In recent years, the Iditarod has embraced contemporary challenges and innovations while preserving its legendary spirit. Mushers now leverage cutting-edge GPS tracking, real-time standings updates, and enhanced media coverage that brings the trail’s drama directly to global fans through digital platforms and live reporting. The event has also introduced forward-thinking elements, such as the Expedition Program allowing select participants additional support options, alongside ongoing commitments to sustainability, community partnerships, and evolving rules that address changing weather patterns and trail conditions. As a celebration of Alaskan heritage, athletic excellence, and the timeless partnership between humans and sled dogs, the modern Iditarod remains a beacon of resilience and adventure, drawing elite competitors from across Alaska and around the world to Nome in pursuit of glory under the burled arch.

More about Alaska Brewing
Alaskan Brewing Company, born in the wild heart of Juneau in 1986, has been pouring pure Alaskan adventure into every pint since day one—reigniting the state’s brewing spirit after Prohibition with nothing but grit, glacier-fed water, and a dream shared by founders Marcy and Geoff Larson. What started as 10 volunteers hand-packing the first 253 cases of Alaskan Amber in a marathon 12-hour session has grown into Alaska’s oldest continuously operating brewery, cranking out award-winning beers that capture the untamed essence of the Last Frontier. From the richly malty, Gold Rush-inspired Alaskan Amber—brewed from a revived 1900s recipe—to the crushable, adventure-ready WILDNESS Cold Beer and the hop-forward punch of Icy Bay IPA and Hopothermia, every sip feels like a toast to epic trails, midnight sun, and the kind of bold flavors that only come from brewing where bears outnumber people.

With a lineup that’s as rugged and refreshing as the landscape itself, Alaskan Brewing keeps the good times flowing—whether you’re kicking back after a day on the slopes, sharing stories around a campfire, or just craving that perfect balance of malt, hops, and pure Alaskan attitude. These beers aren’t just crafted; they’re bottled wilderness, sustainably brewed with local pride and a wink to history, proving that in Alaska, the best stories (and the best brews) are the ones that never quite settle down. Raise a glass to Alaskan Brewing—where the frontier meets the foam, and every pour is an invitation to untamed fun.