People often ask me, “Chris, why are there so many beers?” To which I reply, “You ask the wrong questions, young one. Does one ask why there are so many stars in the sky? Or grains of sand? It is not why are there so many beers, but rather why aren’t there so many more?”
They look puzzled, so I continue. “For the true answer, look within.” There is then a stillness. In the distance, a cocoon opens and a butterfly flitters its wings for the first time. “I think I understand,” they say. “With all of the possible combinations of atoms, all of the life that’s emerged from the earth and with all of the individual preferences of so many people, the number of possible beers is actually limitless. No matter how many beers there are, it will always be the smallest number of possible beers.”
The butterfly then lands on their shoulder. I shake my head. “No dude, look inside the fridge. WTF happened to all of the beer I bought? And just look at this place. There are bugs literally living full lives in here. Clean up and then go get more beer. Start with these five beers to know.”
Canada’s Incidents and Accidents is using plant-based terpenes to push the boundaries of craft beer and cannabis connection
Lifted’s Super Lemon Hazy IPA is now available to consumers across British Columbia — a unique pairing of hops and plant terpenes. Brewed by the new and proudly independent brewing company, Incidents and Accidents, this standout IPA is unique with its combination of B.C. Citra hops and plant-based terpenes.
Founded by Nathan Dunsmoor, Incidents and Accidents Brewing is focused on using plant and flower terpenes in conjunction with hops to create exciting flavor profiles, “I am extremely excited about my new brewing company and our plans to brew these new taste experiences for craft beer lovers,” said Dunsmoor.
Nathan’s approach combines plant-based terpenes with hand built recipes. For those who aren’t familiar, terpenes are the aromatic and flavorful components of essential oils and help to give plants their aroma and taste. With the emerging cannabis market in Canada, Nathan has tapped his 20 years of craft beer experience, launching the Lifted series of craft beers, using terpene blends from the Cannabaceae plant family, which includes hops, hackberries and related shrubs and flowers.
“Currently, Health Canada doesn’t allow for terpenes extracted from cannabis or hemp to be used in craft beer, so you won’t find cannabis terpenes in this brew — yet,” says Dunsmoor. “We are looking forward to the federal government’s regulation on cannabis beverages later this year and any opportunities to changes in current restrictions in hemp and hemp seeds.”
Combining terpenes from the Cannabaceae family allows for a wider array of flavor profiles and aromas for brewers across the country.
“The Super Lemon Hazy IPA is the first of many in our Lifted series of cross-bred beers,” said Nathan. With a dank nose, hopped with Lemondrop and BC Citra, the result is a luscious, hazy golden liquid full of pungent and spicy aromas with a hint of sugary citrus that leads to a surprisingly session-ready, clean finish.
Dogfish Head and Revelation collaborate on this Fourth of July salute to craft beer independence
In honor of all things independent, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Revelation Craft Brewing Co. are joining forces to brew two iterations of In Tandem, a special, draft-only Independence Day collaboration for release on Thursday, July 4.
A summer-centric Hefeweizen, In Tandem will be brewed with Sussex County malt, wheat and strawberries. To put their own unique twists to this warm weather quencher, Dogfish Head and Revelation will each add different complementary ingredients to their versions of the brew. Each brewery will offer its iteration of In Tandem on draft and in custom browlers at its respective Rehoboth location, Dogfish Head Brewings and Eats (320 Rehoboth Avenue) and Revelation Taproom (19841 Central Street). Funds from the sales of In Tandem will benefit the Rt. 9 Trailhead planned by the Sussex County Land Trust, an area that will mark the halfway point between Dogfish Head’s Milton brewery and Revelation’s Georgetown facility on the Delaware Rails-to-Trails bike path.
“There’s nothing I love more than collaborating with other independent craft brewers to create a delicious beer, or in this case, beers,” said Sam Calagione, founder of Dogfish Head. “A liquid tribute to all things independent — independent brewers and breweries, independent businesses, and coastal Delaware’s ability to be independent from motorized vehicles to visit the area’s many wonders — there is no better day to share In Tandem with local craft beer lovers than on the anniversary of our country’s independence. Both Dogfish Head and Revelation are proud supporters of the Brewer’s Association seal for independent craft beer, which you’ll find on both of our beer packages and the In Tandem browlers.”
To encourage folks to support local and bike to both Dogfish Head and Revelation’s Rehoboth locations on Independence Day, each brewery will serve its respective version of In Tandem. Both beers will be brewed from locally-grown barley and wheat donated by Proximity Malt in Laurel and feature local strawberries as the main ingredient. In fact, Calagione and Revelation Founder Patrick Staggs hopped on a tandem bike and rode to MageeFarmsin Lewes to pick the strawberries themselves. Dogfish Head’s version of In Tandem will also include the addition of nutmeg fruit to offer slightly sweet and nutty notes, and Revelation’s version will contain vanilla and locally-harvested lavender from Lavender Fields in Milton for fragrant floral aromas and flavors.
All profits from browler sales, as well as $1 from every glass of In Tandem sold, will be donated to the Sussex County Land Trust.
Lone Tree Brewing hosts 4th Annual CancerBlows Jazz Charity Event on July 5
Lone Tree Brewing Co., a neighborhood-focused, family-friendly brewery and tasting room that regularly hosts community events that gather around a stylistically diverse lineup of flagship, seasonal and limited release beers, is hosting a night of jazz and a special tapping of Cancer IPA to support CancerBlows.
Created by Dallas Symphony Orchestra trumpeter Ryan Anthony, who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, CancerBlows raises both awareness and money to encourage research for cancers with a focus on blood cancers and multiple myeloma through exciting and unique musical events featuring the talents of brass musicians worldwide.
In previous years, Lone Tree has collaborated with various Colorado breweries to make renditions of CancerBlows IPA. This year, Lone Tree Brewing Co. is collaborating again with Cannonball Creek Brewing Co. This updated recipe from 2018 features Vic Secret, Mosaic and Citra Hops.
The CancerBlows jazz event will include a performance by renowned Denver-based trumpet player, Al Hood, as well as a silent auction featuring fly fishing packages, Nutcracker tickets, golf with Lone Tree Golf Club, restaurant gift cards and much more.
Iron Hill Brewery cans three of its best beers for the first time
Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant (Iron Hill) kicked off the summer by canning three of its most popular brews for the first time. Das Boot, JuiceBox IPA and Hipster IPA will enter the collection of Iron Hill four-packs beginning June 13 and will release throughout the summer.
Das Boot started the summer off will be available in all 16 Iron Hill locations beginning June 13. This traditional German-style Pilsner (4.9 percent ABV) is light in color, delicately balanced and has a firm hop bitterness with subtle hop flavor and a clean dry finish.
And what better way to complement a tasty beer than with delicious Iron Hill fare? The Das Boot is the perfect complement to Iron Hill’s famous Hummus by offering a cut to the heaviness of the hummus, without overpowering the delicate flavors. If you’re in for a lighter and brighter pairing, try the new Hawaiian-Style Ahi Tuna. The light hops bitterness amps up the umami of the tuna, and the spicy and herbal hop flavors in the beer latch on to the wasabi vinaigrette for a crisp, sharp taste!
Cascade Brewing donates a portion of the profits from Coastal Gose sales
On Saturday, July 6, Cascade Brewing will release two beach-themed beers: Ocean Views Hazy Pale Ale, the brewery’s very first beer produced in 16-oz cans, and Coastal Gose, a partnership with the Surfrider Foundation that will be available on draft and in 500-ml bottles. Both beers will be available in Cascade’s two Portland pubs, while Coastal Gose will also be distributed nationwide.
Ocean Views offers a first-class ticket to a tropical place — metaphorically speaking. El Dorado, Cascade and Ekuanot hops create this tropical hazy pale with notes of pineapple and citrus (5 percent ABV). Coastal Gose is an interpretation of the historic Gose beer featuring sour wheat ales aged in oak barrels with ground coriander seed and sea salt harvested from Oregon’s coastal waters (7.3 percent ABV).
“Few places embody the wild spirit of the Pacific Northwest like the Oregon Coast,” said Kevin Martin, Cascade Brewing Director of brewery operations. “To help protect this venerated landscape, we partnered with the Portland Chapter of the Surfrider Foundation and created Coastal Gose. We’re committed to donating a portion of the profits from each bottle of Coastal Gose sold to help the Surfrider Foundation protect and preserve the world’s oceans, waves and beaches – –one beer at a time.”
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