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Beer News, Beer Releases and New Breweries

Washington Beer

Bavarian IPA is New Name for Chuckanut New World Ale

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BURLINGTON, Washington – Once Chuckanut Brewery heard about the growing trend in the German craft brewing scene to use the name Bavarian IPA (BIPA) there was a realization that Chuckanut New World Hop Ale was just that. Using new world hops and malts from the Bavaria region in Germany Chuckanut’s New World has been renamed as Chuckanut Bavarian IPA (or BPA for short). The new German varietals, Calista and Ariana, hops are blended with Weyermann Pilsner & Barke Munich Malts to create an easy-drinking, aromatic IPA style of ale. Most traditional IPA styles were started in England and the USA but this new style comes out of Germany!

Bavarian IPA is a more subtle IPA than other IPA’s due to the use of German hops and the terroir that it imparts on the IPA style. The bitterness level is slight but the hops impart a citrusy flavor and aroma. BIPA is great with slow-roasted pork, bratwurst, veal or a fresh salad! Blonde in color, with a sessionable 5.1% ABV, Bavarian IPA is a great any-time of-day beer. Find it now at both Chuckanut locations and selected accounts in the NW on tap or in cans.

Chuckanut Brewery brews award winning Lagers and Ales and has won Large Brewery of the Year at WA BeerAwards 2017, 2019 and 2021 and Small Brewery at the GABF 2011. The production facility and Tap Room is in Skagit Valley at 11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington, WA. Chuckanut Brewery’s P. Nut Beer Hall is at 920 SE Caruthers St, Portland. Both locations welcome guests of all ages and have indoor and outdoor seating!

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Pike Brewing Releases Mountains Out IPA

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SEATTLE, Washington— Pike Brewing is celebrating all things on March 20. Washington with the release of a new seasonal beer, Mountains Out IPA.

Mountains Out is made with 100% Washington ingredients and mind power. Opera pilsner and oats from Skagit Valley Malting form the base, with LINC Malt representing Eastern Washington with Purple Egyptian, Elwha Spelt, and Gazelle Rye. It’s hopped with Mosaic and Simcoe from Yakima Chief Hops, and Azacca from Roy Farms.

Mountains Out is bursting with candied tangerine and lime peels, meadow flowers, alpine berries, and evergreen pine with a low-medium hop lingering on the palette. ABV 7.0% |45 IBU.

“Mountains Out is a classic Northwest IPA and perfect to take on outdoor excursions,” said Leslie Shore, head brewer at Pike Brewing. “Staying in? This beer will keep you company with hop notes of citrus, berry, and flowers and the lingering finish will have you dreaming of hiking in the mountains and enjoying the first flowers of spring.”

Mountains Out IPA is available beginning March 20, so grab a six pack or belly up to your favorite bar and enjoy a nice cold pint.

Pike’s seasonal beers are available at Pike Brewing, Pike Taproom, local bottle shops, and select retailers throughout the Pacific Northwest.

About Pike Brewing

Founded in 1989 by Charles and Rose Ann Finkel, Pike Brewing is the longest running, independently operated craft brewery in Washington State. Located adjacent to Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, Pike Brewing features a sustainably focused gravity-flow steam-powered brewhouse producing bold, diverse, and dynamic craft beers. In addition to the urban brewery, the three-level space boasts two restaurants and a Microbrewery Museum, making Pike Brewing a destination for both locals and visitors alike. Pike Brewing is renowned for a wide range of award-winning beers, top-notch hospitality, and a philanthropic commitment to the community. Look for Pike Brewing in restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores throughout Washington, as well as select grocery stores in Alaska and Idaho.

Pike Brewing is located at 1415 First Avenue in Seattle, Washington.

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Backwoods Brewing to Open 19-Acre Resort Property Party Acres

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CARSON, Washington— Backwoods Brewing releases Party Acres Hazy IPA ahead of opening their 19-acre resort property Party Acres, a playground for lovers of the Gorge.

“We bought the property in 2020,” says owner and CEO Steve Waters, “and have been drawing multiple designs in the sandbox ever since.” They finally landed on a site plan, with Phase 1 being cabins hidden away in the woods in Carson, Washington. The cabins will open this spring, and Phase 2 of Party Acres will be bringing Backwoods’ existing pub and brewery operations on site as well.

Alongside these plans, Backwoods has other fun ideas in the works with an estimated time frame to be decided, including a disc golf course, zip line and potentially an amphitheater for live entertainment.

“We’ve got plans in motion, and are leaving space to dream up exciting ideas for the property and our cozy cabins. With all the activities in the area we are excited to give people more reasons to love coming to play and stay in the Columbia River Gorge.” says owner Debbie Waters.

Party Acres, the beer, is a Hazy IPA made with lush, tropical hops, and is light enough to be enjoyed on any outdoor adventure. Backwoods has been playing with the recipe on draft for over a year, and is finally ready to take it to prime time in 12 ounce cans. It will take their hazy slot, previously occupied by Hazy in the Gorge.

“When it came time to name the beer, we thought about it for 5 seconds before thinking, ‘Why don’t we name it after the property?’” said Tom Waters, COO and owner of Backwoods, “Party Acres has been a dream of my dad’s (fellow owner Jim Waters) since before I was born.”

“When I was a kid, my buddies and I always wanted a place we could go to get away,” says Jim.

The fabled earthly paradise would be called Party Acres. “It’s pretty exciting to be making that dream a reality. But what we’re doing here is going to be a little bit more classy than what me and my buddies had in mind back then.” Born from the vision of a collective place for family and friends to celebrate the good times, Party Acres will be a resort with something for everyone.

“And in the spirit of Backwoods, we’re aiming for the blend we always try to strike of woodsy and adventurous, while also laid-back and comfortable,” says Steve Waters. “We want to be the place you think of when you want to get away.”

Look for the Party Acres beer in stores and on tap at the Backwoods pubs right now – and plan to book a night or two at the Party Acres cabins beginning in May 2023.

About Backwoods Brewing Company

Backwoods Brewing is located in the heart of the Columbia Gorge, in the small town of Carson, WA. It was founded by the Waters family in 2012, as a single-barrel brewpub. They now operate on a 20-barrel system in their Stevenson production facility, kegging, canning and bottling beer for the WA, OR, and ID markets. They
have also operated a thriving satellite pub in Portland’s Pearl District since July of 2018. Their focus is on balanced beers and comfortable pub settings.

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Bale Breaker Brewing’s Frenz Collaboration Series: Bigger and Better Than Ever in 2023

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Yakima, Washington – Bale Breaker Brewing Company, a family-owned brewery located in the beautiful Yakima Valley, is excited to announce the lineup for 2023’s Frenz Collaboration Series. First up, releasing on February 10th, is a collaboration with long-time friends and mentors, Georgetown Brewing.

2023 is a big year for the Yakima Valley brewery: 10 years ago, they opened their doors for the first time. With a big year of releases ahead of them in their anniversary year, they knew they had to go big with their Frenz series. 2023’s Frenz series is extremely special to the brewery: all three collaborations planned for 2023 will be collaborations with longtime heroes of the brand – these are the breweries that acted as mentors when Bale Breaker was first starting out, and have since grown into lifelong friendships.

This year’s Frenz cans will have a new look that nods to the fact that this year’s partnerships feature the brewery’s heroes. The collaborations you can look forward to ahead:

  • Frenz with Georgetown, Releasing February 10th, 2023
  • Frenz with Sierra Nevada, Releasing June 2023
  • Frenz with Russian River, Releasing Fall 2023

The Georgetown collaboration is particularly special: back in 2016, the very first Frenz collaboration brewed was a draft-only beer made with Georgetown. The artwork may have changed (check out the original tap handle magnet from 2016) but the sentiment remains the same: these beers are made with Frenz, to be enjoyed with Frenz.

Frenz with Georgetown is releasing Friday, February 10th, at both their Yakima and Seattle taprooms, as well as receiving larger distribution throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho later in the month. The Seattle release party will have crew from Bale Breaker and Georgetown Brewing on site, while the Yakima release party will feature prizes from both Bale Breaker and Georgetown Brewing raffled off throughout the night. Both taprooms will have food trucks on site during the release party. To find the beer outside of the taprooms, check out Bale Breaker’s online beer finder later in the month. Washington customers can also order the beer to be shipped directly to them from Bale Breaker via their online store.

About Frenz with Georgetown IPA:
We’re celebrating 10 years of Bale Breaker in 2023 by supersizing our Frenz Collaboration Series, brewing with our beer industry heroes. First up: Georgetown Brewing, who we brewed the very first batch of Frenz with back in 2016. This IPA brings big citrus energy with juicy fruit and pine notes. Hopped with Mosaic®, Citra®, Sabro™, and HBC 735 for grapefruit, pine, and pineapple notes.

About Bale Breaker
Crafting fresh-off-the-farm brews from the middle of a hop field, Bale Breaker Brewing Company is a family-owned brewery located in the beautiful Yakima Valley. Backed by four generations of hop farming experience, Bale Breaker started in 2013, and has grown to become the fourth largest independent craft brewery in Washington. With a 30-barrel brewhouse at a 27,000 square foot facility, Bale Breaker crafts seven year-round canned beers, including the widely celebrated Topcutter IPA, and a diverse offering of seasonal beers in cans and on draft. They have two taprooms: one onsite at the Yakima brewery; and another in Seattle’s Ballard Brewing District. Bale Breaker beer can be found in retailers and bottleshops throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. For more information, visit www.balebreaker.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

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Pike Brewing Releases Two New Beers Perfect for Winter

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SEATTLE, Washington —The dreaded short dark days of winter are here. Don’t hibernate, it’s the ideal time to check out two new limited release beers from Pike Brewing!

Pike’s head brewer Leslie Shore and her team are thrilled to introduce The Long Dark Barrel-Aged Stout and Short Days Double Hazy IPA.

The Long Dark Barrel-Aged Stout is the perfect winter warmer. This big, rich, full-bodied stout packs a punch at 13.3% ABV. Aged for 36 months, this beer boasts notes of port, baked dark fruit, molasses, brown sugar, raisins, figs, and vanilla. This very limited release is available now in 4-packs of 12oz cans and on draft.

The Short Days Double Hazy IPA is sunshine in a can. Made using Centennial Simcoe, Mosaic, and Cascade hops this expressive hazy IPA has aromas of fruit, melon, and flowers. This easy drinking beer is hop focused, medium bodied highlighting the flavors of orange, cantaloupe, and honeysuckle with a smooth finish. 8.2% ABV. This limited release hazy IPA will be available late January through March in 6-packs of 12oz cans and on draft.

Pike’s seasonal beers are available at Pike Brewing, Pike Taproom, local bottle shops, and select retailers throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Founded in 1989 by Charles and Rose Ann Finkel, Pike Brewing is the longest running, independently operated craft brewery in Washington State. Located adjacent to Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, Pike Brewing features a sustainably focused gravity-flow steam-powered brewhouse producing bold, diverse, and dynamic craft beers. In addition to the urban brewery, the three-level space boasts two restaurants and a Microbrewery Museum, making Pike Brewing a destination for both locals and visitors alike. Pike Brewing is renowned for a wide range of award-winning beers, top-notch hospitality, and a philanthropic commitment to the community. Look for Pike Brewing in restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores throughout Washington, as well as select grocery stores in Alaska and Idaho. To learn more, visit pikebrewingseattle.com.

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

Pike Brewing’s Newest Taproom Offers Happy Hour and Beer To Go

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SEATTLE, Washington – Ballard’s favorite new taproom from Pike Brewing now offers happy hour and beers to go. Tell your friends—bring the kids—don’t forget your dog! See you at Pike Taproom!

Happy hour is now offered Tuesday through Friday from 3pm – 6pm, and late night on Friday and Saturday from 10pm to close. *Pike Taproom will reopen on Mondays in March, and happy hour will be offered Monday through Friday.

The happy hour menu offers two Adult Happy Meals ($14) that include choice of a pint of Pike beer along with tots or fries and a McPike burger or breaded shrimp nuggets. Loaded Hawaiian Tots ($12) come with spam, cheese, teriyaki, and crispy onions. The full menu of unique burgers and wings is also available during happy hour.

A Happy Mule with choice of spirit and ginger beer and Mischief Punch with bourbon, cinnamon whiskey, peach schnapps, orange juice, and grenadine are offered for $10. Plus, $1 off pints of Pike beer on draft.

Pike Taproom has added growlers, as well as a grab-and-go canned beer program making it easy for guests to take a little taste of Pike home. Swing by the taproom and grab a six-pack of Pike beer or fill a growler with one of the rotating selections on draft, including limited releases and seasonal beers.

Opened in December of 2022 on bustling Ballard Ave, Pike Taproom is the perfect neighborhood spot for great beers, good eats, catching a game on TV, or playing a round of darts with friends. The 45-seat room has a stylish welcoming vibe with a touch of old Ballard found in the large black and white photos that adorn the brick walls. The selection of burgers, wings, and tots perfectly complement the robust selection of Pike brews, canned beers and wines, and cocktails. Pike Taproom opens at 3pm Tuesday through Friday, and at 12pm on weekends. Happy Hour is Tuesday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10pm to close. The taproom is dog and kid friendly and has growlers and cans of beer to go. For more information call 206.906.9158 or visit, pikebrewingseattle.com.

Pike Taproom is located at 5205 Ballard Ave NW in Seattle, Washington.

About Pike Brewing

Founded in 1989 by Charles and Rose Ann Finkel, Pike Brewing is the longest running, independently operated craft brewery in Washington State. Located adjacent to Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market, Pike Brewing features a sustainably focused gravity-flow steam-powered brewhouse producing bold, diverse, and dynamic craft beers. In addition to the urban brewery, the three-level space boasts two restaurants and a Microbrewery Museum, making Pike Brewing a destination for both locals and visitors alike. Pike Brewing is renowned for a wide range of award-winning beers, top-notch hospitality, and a philanthropic commitment to the community. Look for Pike Brewing in restaurants, hotels, and grocery stores throughout Washington, as well as select grocery stores in Alaska and Idaho.

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

Chuckanut Brewery Releases First Ever Barleywine in Bottles

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BURLINGTON, Washington – Last year Chuckanut Brewery and Whatcom County’s North Fork Brewery got together at South Nut to collaborate on a Barleywine. The first Barleywine Chuckanut has ever brewed. That was 2022 and the Barleywine made with Vienna malts aged for approximately one year before its release in 2023 has now been bottled. On draft at Chuckanut locations and limited accounts around Bellingham, Seattle and Portland this is a smooth reddish gold Barleywine, a mash up between British and American styles. A whimsical balance of sweetness from the malt and a slight bitterness from noble hops mingles with a warming palate and dry finish. On Friday the 13th of January Chuckanut will release a very limited supply of 500ML bottles of Barleywine at P. Nut Beer Hall in Portland and South Nut Tap Room in Burlington (Skagit Valley).

The Barleywine Bottle release on Friday the 13th will begin at noon at P. Nut and South Nut. P. Nut will also have Pacific Ice Smoked Fish on hand with food for the hungry. Pacific Ice hot smokes salmon, rockfish and other NW seafood in vacuum packed servings. Various spices from spicy to mild are used in the smoking process. The perfect accompaniment to Chuckanut Barleywine, smoked fish completes the umami experience! Bottles are only available at Chuckanut’s locations plus a very few selected accounts in Bellingham and Seattle. This is another collectors edition that can be aged in the proper conditions for some time. Supplies are limited so make sure to get in for your Barleywine bottles sooner rather than later.

About Chuckanut Brewery

Chuckanut Brewery brews award winning Lagers and Ales and has won Large Brewery of the Year at WA Beer Awards 2017, 2019 and 2021 and Small Brewery at the GABF 2011. The production facility and Tap Room is in Skagit Valley at 11937 Higgins Airport Way, Burlington, WA. Chuckanut Brewery’s P. Nut Beer Hall is at 920 SE Caruthers St, Portland. Both locations welcome guests of all ages and have indoor and outdoor seating!

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