Beer Info

Beer News, Beer Releases and New Breweries

News

True Blonde, From Ska Brewing, Still Winning Awards 30 years later

by

Ska Brewing
Photo Credit: Ska Brewing Company

Ska Brewing’s flagship and most acclaimed beer, True Blonde Ale, has added another accolade to its storied legacy. The time-tested honey ale was recently crowned a Good Food Awards winner by the Good Food Foundation, following its earlier recognition as a finalist in the 15 Years of Good Food Awards.

True Blonde Ale stands among an elite group of 55 winners across 18 categories, celebrated for exceptional taste, masterful craftsmanship, and sustainable production. For 15 years, the Good Food Awards have honored food and beverage producers who excel in both flavor and ethical practices. This year, over 8,000 public votes helped select winners from past award recipients, spotlighting True Blonde Ale’s enduring appeal.

This crisp, medium-bodied blonde ale, brewed with honey from Durango’s own Honeyville, has been a cornerstone of American craft beer since Ska’s founding in 1995. Available nationwide through Ska’s distribution network and at the brewery’s Durango World Headquarters, it remains a fan favorite.

True Blonde Ale boasts an impressive resume, including five Great American Beer Festival wins, two World Beer Cup awards, and honors at the Colorado State Fair and L.A. International Beer Competition. This 2025 Good Food Awards win marks its second triumph in the competition, following a victory in 2019.

“True Blonde holds a special place for us—it was the first beer we brewed when we opened 30 years ago,” says Dave Thibodeau, President and Co-Founder of Ska Brewing. “Those first two kegs poured at what’s now the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival. We’re incredibly proud that our original beer continues to earn such recognition.”

For media inquiries about Ska Brewing’s True Blonde Ale achievements, contact Emily Hutto at hutto@radcraftbeer.com.

About Ska Brewing

Born in 1995 with a punk rock ethos and a nod to ska music, Ska Brewing has been defying conventions and crafting bold, memorable beers ever since. From the crisp Mexican Logger to the defiant Modus Hoperandi IPA, Ska’s creations are as distinctive as their drinkers, embodying a rebellious spirit that resonates across the craft beer world.

For more information please visit https://radcraftbeer.com/news/ska-good-food-awards-2025

Dust Bowl Brewing Co. Releases Confused Citrus Imperial Hazy IPA

by

Dust Bowl Brewing Company
Photo Credit: Dust Bowl Brewing Company

Craft beer enthusiasts in California have a new reason to celebrate as Dust Bowl Brewing Company rolls out Confused Citrus Imperial Hazy IPA, the newest entry in their acclaimed Big Beer Series. This powerhouse brew boasts a robust 10.4% ABV and 60 IBUs, delivering an intense citrus punch from generous infusions of orange and lemon. Perfect for those seeking a tart, tropical twist in a high-ABV hazy IPA, Confused Citrus combines vibrant flavors with a deceptively smooth profile.

Confused Citrus lives up to its intriguing name with a full-bodied mouthfeel that’s rich and juicy, bursting with fruit-forward character. The citrus explosion—featuring bright orange and zesty lemon notes—is expertly balanced by a solid hop foundation, adding layers of complexity without overwhelming the palate. This hazy IPA offers a tropical vibe that’s both playful and potent, making it an ideal choice for IPA lovers looking for something beyond the ordinary.

Exploring Dust Bowl’s Big Beer Series

The Big Beer Series is Dust Bowl Brewing Company’s platform for showcasing creative, high-ABV beers that highlight their brewing expertise. Confused Citrus joins fan favorites like Fruit Fist and Day Ender, continuing the tradition of boundary-pushing releases designed to surprise and delight craft beer aficionados. Each beer in the series emphasizes unique ingredients and flavors, making them must-tries for those who appreciate experimental IPAs and beyond.

Whether you’re stocking up for summer gatherings or exploring new hazy IPAs, Confused Citrus promises a refreshing and adventurous pour. For more on Dust Bowl Brewing Company’s latest releases and the Big Beer Series, visit their website or stop by a taproom near you.

For more information please visit https://dustbowlbrewing.com/

Living The Dream Brewing Presents Summer Seasonal Powder Run, Strawberry Lemonade

by

Living the Dream Brewing Company
Photo Credit: Living the Dream Brewing Company

Colorado’s craft beer scene is buzzing with the latest seasonal release from Living The Dream Brewing: the Strawberry Lemonade variant of their popular Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale. This refreshing summer beer is now available on tap and in convenient canned 6-packs throughout Colorado, perfect for outdoor adventures and backyard gatherings.

A Fresh Take on a Fan-Favorite Series

As part of Living The Dream Brewing’s quarterly seasonal variant series, Strawberry Lemonade Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale is crafted with real fruit additions for authentic flavor. This edition builds on the success of a soft tasting room release earlier this year, where it quickly became a crowd pleaser thanks to its harmonious blend of sweet strawberry notes and tangy lemon zest.
The base Powder Run Vanilla Cream Ale serves as an ideal foundation, allowing the vibrant fruit flavors to shine without overpowering the smooth, creamy profile.

Brewer Insights on the New Strawberry Lemonade Beer

Jason Bell, Founder of Living The Dream Brewing, shared his excitement: “Our Powder Run is the perfect canvas for fruit additions, and this combination was an obvious choice for summertime. Enjoy it while it lasts, and keep an eye out for future seasonal flavors.”
This limited-edition brew captures the essence of summer in Colorado, making it a must-try for craft beer enthusiasts seeking light, fruity options.

About Living The Dream Brewing: Celebrating Colorado Craft Beer

Established in 2014 in Littleton, Colorado, Living The Dream Brewing is dedicated to crafting high-quality beers using the finest ingredients. The brewery honors the spirit of the Centennial State by celebrating its people, places, and outdoor activities. From their home base for adventure, they produce a range of innovative brews that embody Colorado’s vibrant lifestyle.
Whether you’re a local or visiting, stop by their taprooms to experience the dream firsthand. Keep an eye on their seasonal releases for more exciting flavors inspired by the seasons.

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

1910 Film Showcasing Hop Processing at Horst Hop Ranch in California

by

Emil Clemens Horst, a pivotal figure in the American hops industry, established Horst’s Hops Ranch in the mid-1880s along the Bear River near Wheatland, California, and later expanded to include a significant operation in the Campus Commons area of Sacramento. Horst, a German immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1871, began with a modest plot of land and quickly grew his enterprise by acquiring the operations of two other hop growers, Hugh Roddan and Joseph M.C. Jasper. By 1898, his ranch had become a major operation, employing thousands of migrant workers during harvest season and supporting a company town complete with its own post office. The ranch’s significance was such that certain loamy floodplain soils in the area were named after Horst, reflecting its impact on the region’s agricultural landscape.

Emil Clemens Horst, a pivotal figure in the American hops industry, established Horst's Hops Ranch

Horst revolutionized hop production with his invention of the mechanical hop separator, patented in 1909 in Elk Grove, California. This machine efficiently separated hops from bines and leaves, drastically reducing the need for manual labor. By 1912, Horst’s operations had expanded to make him the largest hop grower in the world, with offices in Chicago, New York, and London, and he supplied hops as far as the Guinness Brewery in Ireland by 1904. His ranches, including those in Wheatland and Sacramento, were instrumental during California’s hop production peak between 1912 and 1916, when the state was a leading producer in the USA. A 12-minute silent film from 1900–1910, preserved by the Center for Sacramento History, documents the operations at the Campus Commons ranch, showcasing the hop separator, field work in California and Oregon, and the transportation of hop bales via the Oregon Railway and Navigation Company.

Source: Center for Sacramento History. Special thanks to Jay Brooks for sharing this cinematic treasure. Watch the restored footage to step back into hop history!

 

For Brewing fun facts, trivia, movies and more, Click Here.

Mother Earth Brewing Company Drops Renaissance Hazy IPA

by

Mother Earth Brewing
Photo Credit: Mother Earth Brewing

VISTA, CA & NAMPA, ID – Mother Earth Brew Co. is thrilled to announce the release of Renaissance Hazy IPA, the latest addition to its celebrated Project X Series. Available starting July 11, 2025, this vibrant hazy IPA bursts with tropical flavors and showcases unique cover art, making it a standout for craft beer enthusiasts.

A Flavorful Blend of Hops
Renaissance Hazy IPA is crafted with a dynamic hop combination of Nelson Sauvin, Citra, Elani, and Vic Secret, delivering a tropical explosion in every sip. According to Matt Watterson, Head Brewer at Mother Earth Brew Co., the beer offers a complex yet balanced profile:

Nelson Sauvin: Bright, fruity notes of white grape and gooseberry.

Citra: Zesty citrus with hints of lime and grapefruit.

Elani: Smooth tropical juiciness, enhancing sweetness.

Vic Secret: Passionfruit and earthy, dank cannabis undertones.

The addition of isolated terpenes amplifies the herbal, dank aromas, creating a bold yet smooth experience with a soft mouthfeel and subtle bitterness. Expect vibrant flavors of ripe mango, grapefruit, and passionfruit, complemented by sticky pine and a clean finish that invites another sip.

Art Meets Craft in Project X
True to the Project X Series tradition, Renaissance Hazy IPA pairs exceptional beer with striking artwork. The can’s label, designed by artist @the_real_darius_, blends the timeless elegance of a Renaissance-style marble statue with the energy of a modern city skyline. This dreamlike fusion of ancient and contemporary, nature and industry, mirrors the beer’s harmonious balance of bold and approachable flavors.

“This label is a visual celebration of contrast and creativity, much like the beer itself,” said Kamron Khannakhjavani, Director of Marketing at Mother Earth Brew Co. “It’s a renaissance of style, flavor, and imagination.”

About Mother Earth Brew Co.
Mother Earth Brew Co., founded in 2010 in Vista, California, is a family-owned craft brewery known for its award-winning ales and lagers, with an additional facility in Nampa, Idaho. Started by Daniel Love and Kamron Khannakhjavani in San Diego County, the brewery expanded from a modest garage to over 70,000 square feet, emphasizing complex, palate-pleasing beers like Cali Creamin’ and Four Seasons. Daniel Love, the founder and CEO, has overseen significant growth, including the 2012 addition of the Vista Tap House and the 2016 Nampa facility, which aimed to produce 100,000 barrels annually, making it Idaho’s largest brewery at the time. Head Brewer Chris Baker manages production across both locations, focusing on innovation with new styles like hazy IPAs and blond stouts, using advanced equipment like centrifuges to enhance aroma and clarity. The brewery prioritizes sustainability and quality ingredients, earning a Travelers’ Choice award from Tripadvisor for its welcoming tap rooms.

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