Each week, CBB editors comb through vast piles of emails for the beer news that stands out most. Collab with a punk band? A charity effort? A label that depicts the death of a zombie trademark lawyer? All sweet spots of ours. This week, with a steady wintery mix outside our underground office lair, these beers to know kept us warm and inspired.
DuClaw to re-release Sour Me Unicorn Farts via Brew Pipeline
DuClaw Brewing is partnering with Brew Pipeline to re-release the beautifully named Sour Me Unicorn Farts in May 2021 for national distribution. Made with a trio of real fruits and edible glitter flecks, the sour ale is crafted to mimic the flavors of the famous Fruity Pebbles doughnut from Baltimore-based Diablo Doughnuts.
“This is our third year producing Sour Me Unicorn Farts,” says Chris Wood, DuClaw’s director of brewery operations. “The demand is incredible and continues to grow, so this year will be our biggest drop yet in order to reach even more fans across the country.”
“Brew Pipeline distributors quickly sold out of Unicorn Farts during the last release in 2020,” says Kris Graham, Brew Pipeline’s Western distribution manager. “As a result, we were unable to replenish on short notice. This advance timeline will allow us to meet an even greater demand for Unicorn Farts this coming summer 2021.”
The delicious dichotomy of Deep Ellum’s Deep Winter Golden Porter
We like non-traditional seasonal beer takes, such as Deep Ellum Brewing Co.’s Deep Winter Golden Porter. This seasonal brew bundles flavors of cocoa nibs and coffee, but you won’t find any dark colors or bitterness in this seasonal beer, just plenty of sweetness and roast. It’s like enjoying all the cozy flavors of wintertime without any cold weather B.S. like numb toes and frozen windshields.
“Pulling inspiration and techniques from previous brews, we created a wonderful dichotomy of roasted coffee in a rich golden porter,” said Deep Ellum Innovation Brewer Brian Morris. “Deep Winter is packed full of complex aromas and flavors extracted with a cold brew method using a custom selection of coffee beans from our neighbors at Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters.”
Cascade is feeling sour this holiday season
Not shocking, but Cascade Brewing is celebrating the holiday season with a new sour ale project. Cocoa Cardamom 2018 is a blend of sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels and foudres for up to two years followed by late infusions of Dutch cocoa powder, cardamom seeds and fresh orange zest. From notes of dark chocolate to bright citrus fruit and fragrant cardamom, this limited release captures a remarkably complex spectrum of flavors that belie the simple golden hue of the ale. The project ABV ranges from 8.7% in bottles and kegs to 9.8% in 250 ml cans.
Cascade Brewing released Cocoa Cardamom Dec. 4, in 250 ml slim cans, 500 ml bottles and draft kegs. The project will be available through Cascade Brewing’s distribution network and at the brewery’s two Portland-area pubs.
Heavy Seas turns and taps 25
Heavy Seas Beer proudly announces the release of 25, a double barrel aged strong ale brewed in celebration of their 25th anniversary. First aged in bourbon barrels and then finished in rye, 25 comes in at a whopping 15.5% ABV. 25 will be available in stores in 16oz four-pack cans starting in early December. A curbside release at the Heavy Seas taproom was planned for December 4, 2020 along with a virtual anniversary party.
CEO/founder Hugh Sisson comments, “Much has changed in the MD beer industry since my Dad and I put in the original MD brew pub legislation in 1987. What a ride! 30 years of brewing, first with Sisson’s for 5 years, and now 25 years at Clipper City/Heavy Seas! I never foresaw a career in business (I was supposed to be an actor), much less in brewing! It has been a blast. I am so grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way. Thanks to everyone – from my partners, my associates, the employees, our wholesalers, and my family. 25 years doesn’t happen without you!”
Georgia’s Wild Heaven Beer collabs with Bulleit
Born in Kentucky. Aged in Atlanta. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey has partnered with Georgia craft brewing company Wild Heaven Beer to brew up two barrel-aged beers, aged in Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye barrels. As two brands built on the foundation of the communities that surround them, Bulleit and Wild Heaven are teaming up to serve their friends in Georgia together and push the boundaries of what beer can be.
95 Shilling Imperial Scotch Ale, now on shelves across Atlanta, was inspired by the high rye 95% rye mashbill in Bulleit Rye. The malty notes of the never-before brewed Wild Heaven Scotch Ale collide with the oaky-vanilla flavor from the Bulleit Rye barrels to create a new, elevated scotch ale experience.
The second offering in the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey x Wild Heaven Beer collaboration is 437 Miles South Imperial Stout, the name ofwhich gives a nod to the fact that Wild Heaven’s Brewery in Atlanta, GA and Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville, KY are 437 miles apart. The 437 Miles Stout is a decadent blend of seasonal flavors and will hit shelves beginning this December. The hops & malt bring smoky, dark chocolate & cherry characteristics into the equation, colliding with the oaky-vanilla essence of the Bulleit Bourbon barrels to create an experience fit for any campfire or gathering.
Bonus ounces of Squatters’ Juicy IPA
Just in time for the holidays, Squatters Craft Beers releases a fan-favorite beer in a larger format with Juicy IPA headed into 19.2 oz. cans. This new addition to the Squatters lineup comes just in time to become the new après go-to, as the world-class ski resorts Utah is known for start to open up.
Released in the Spring of 2019, Squatters Juicy IPA is a fresh-squeezed glass of hazy deliciousness. Packed with bright, citrus aromas and notes of ripe stone fruit, this unfiltered Northeast IPA finishes smooth, creamy and pulp-free. At a delightfully sessionable 5% ABV, Juicy has become one of Squatters’ best-selling brands, and putting it in a larger format can is a no-brainer.
Certainly a favorite amongst the Squatters’ production team, Juicy IPA delivers an immensely complex flavor and aroma profile in addition to its heavy haze. With its subtle sweetness and moderate bitterness, this approachable IPA appeals to a wide range of craft consumers. Juicy’s hop blend brings notes of melon, grapefruit, tropical fruits like mango and guava and subtle pine.
Mad Elf anchors this awesome Tröegs holiday 12-pack sampler
The Most Wonderful Beer of the Year sampler 12-pack from Tröegs Independent Brewing ties together an awesome winter beer collection with a nice bow on top. Featuring year-round favorites and winter staples, this year’s pack also includes a sneak peek of a brand new chocolate stout called Grand Cacao, available exclusively in this variety pack.
At the center of this holiday beer collection is Mad Elf, a cheerful ruby red creation reminiscent of ripened cherries, raw honey and cocoa. Over the years, this 11% ABV Belgian-style strong ale brewed with 25,000 lbs. of Pennsylvania honey has become an icon in its own right.
Rounding out the lineup is Blizzard of Hops, a winter IPA featuring a storm of citrus and pine notes; Mad Elf Grand Cru, a “director’s cut” of Mad Elf featuring tart Balaton cherries; and Double Blizzard, a semi-hazy Double IPA dry-hopped with 4 pounds per barrel of Chinook and Galaxy.
“For many beer drinkers, the holidays don’t truly start until they’ve had their first Mad Elf,” said Tröegs founding brother and brewmaster John Trogner. “We think Tröegs has a place on every holiday table.”
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