Bell’s Brewery, Michigan’s largest craft brewery, announced that Big Hearted IPA is now available year-round in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Originally released in Bell’s Hearted Variety Packs across the nation, Big Hearted IPA joins Bell’s popular Hearted family of IPAs and is Bell’s first year-round double IPA in its iconic portfolio. Hazy Hearted IPA distribution will expand from Great Lakes markets to national distribution after its successful first year, landing the spot of #4 new craft launch in the nation, with just 9 states of distribution.
Coming in as the Hearted IPA with the highest ABV at 9.5%, Big Hearted’s citrus and berry hop aromas are balanced with a subtle, crisp bitterness resulting in an imperial IPA with big, bold flavors and a deep caramel color. Big Hearted IPA is available in six pack 12-oz cans, and 19.2 oz cans.
“Our 2024 plans were really driven by our fans. Big Hearted IPA received exceptional feedback from fans as an exclusive in our 2023 Hearted Variety Pack, and Hazy Hearted’s launch in the Great Lakes was impressive to say the least” said Scott Powell, Bell’s Director of Marketing. “Big Hearted will fill the void of a year-round double IPA in the portfolio, and Hazy Hearted will be a Hazy IPA from Bell’s available nationwide – both items that fans have been asking of us for years.”
Building off the success of the iconic Two Hearted IPA, Bell’s has been intentional and methodical with their approach to innovation and expansion of the Hearted family in recent years.
“We’ve done an incredible amount of research, testing, and consulting with our fans as we’ve taken steps to expand the Hearted family” said Carrie Yunker, Executive Vice President of Bell’s Brewery. “With every beer we release, craft beer fans can count on the well-established quality and integrity of the Hearted name to come through. We’ve done a lot of work to identify what makes a beer worthy of the Hearted name, and we’re excited to bring both Hazy Hearted and Big Hearted to more craft beer fans in 2024”.
Original 40 Brewing adds Big Tings and Baja Negra
The Original 40 Brewing Company has released Big Tings West Coast Double IPA and Baja Negra Mexican Dark Lager at its North Park brew pub. Both limited-release beers will be available on draft and in four packs of 16-oz cans. Head Brewer Zack Kaplan made the announcement.
Big Tings has a 9.0% ABV, and it was brewed with Mosaic, Citra, and Centennial hops. It has aromas of orange, other tropical fruits and citrus, and a touch of pine for balance. It pours a light orange hue.
Baja Negra has a 5.2% ABV, and it was brewed with Mexican lager yeast and a touch of caramel malt. It serves as a counterpart to Original 40’s lighter Baja Soul Mexican Lager, which is a core beer.
“Big Tings is my favorite West Coast Double IPA I’ve created here,” said Kaplan, who joined Original 40 in May 2022. “It has big hop aromas and finishes very dry, even with a high ABV. We found a great balance of flavors and I couldn’t be happier to share this one. Baja Negra is easy drinking malt forward, but not overly sweet. It’s the perfect winter-time San Diego lager.”
Kaplan is a six-time Great American Beer Festival (GABF) winner, garnering medals most recently in 2019 while serving as the head brewer at Migration Brewing in Portland, Ore.
Brooklyn Brewery expands NA variety pack
Brooklyn Brewery is expanding its non-alcoholic Special Effects Variety Pack, which will feature the debut of Special Effects Grapefruit IPA. This update to Brooklyn Brewery’s Special Effects Variety Pack not only reflects the rising popularity of non-alcoholic beverages but also continues to affirm Brooklyn Brewery’s role as a pioneer in this area.
The brand’s journey in the craft NA space began with the introduction of Hoppy Amber in 2019, which marked a significant step in the evolution of NA beers. From that foundation, Brooklyn Brewery has consistently expanded its offerings the last few years – with the introduction of Special Effects IPA in 2020, and with the launch of the original Special Effects Variety Pack in 2021, which was the first nationally distributed NA edition of its kind.
Brooklyn Brewery’s Special Effects Variety Pack is now its #3 highest volume overall package sold, with the Special Effects portfolio representing more than 10% of the brand’s total US sales.
Brooklyn Brewery’s Brewmaster and James Beard Award Winner Garrett Oliver says: “What started out as a fun experiment in a blending session turned into something really great. The entire brewing team was initially just playing around with grapefruit juice, but we were all amazed by how good it ended up tasting. It quickly became a favorite with our team, and we’re thrilled for everyone to be able to try it as part of the new Special Effects Variety Pack.”
Modern Times debuts new seasonal Visible Ink
Modern Times Beer announced the release of its newest seasonal beer, Visible Ink Espresso Macaroon Stout. Visible Ink is an exquisite Espresso Macaroon Stout brewed with a grain bill crafted for roasty and complex flavor. The addition of toasted coconut flakes, vanilla, and Modern Times’ house-roasted Idea Machine coffee makes it a true winter delight with toasted biscuit, coffee, and caramel aroma.
“We created this beer as an ode to our Monsters’ Park Imperial Stout, but at an easy-drinking 6.0% ABV,” said Justin Holmes, New Projects Manager. “Expect waves of coconut and coffee to grace your tasting palate, ending in a miraculous symphony of dark beer perfection.”
Roadhouse Brewing, Odell Brewing pass around Sublime Kush
Jackson Hole’s Roadhouse Brewing Co. and Fort Collins, Colo.’s Odell Brewing Co. collaborated on Sublime Kush (7% ABV) this fall, a citrus-forward IPA with candy-like notes. This collaboration is the fourth release in Roadhouse’s coveted Kush series, which celebrates new and experimental hops.
Sublime Kush is brewed with two elite-line experimental hops, part of the Hop Research Council breeding program. These hops provide bright citrus flavors and aromas of candied lemon and homemade orange marmalade.
“I am so excited for Sublime to be released as it showcases some really, really neat new hops. HRC 3 is the star of the show in this beer and provides an amazing depth to this beer unlike anything I have ever smelled or tasted,” says Max Shafer, Roadhouse Brewmaster. “When we were walking the hop fields this harvest season, I continually asked to go back and smell HRC 3 because I was blown away. Intense tropical fruit but an incredible layer of fresh lemon is what attracted me. On top of a fantastic hop, it has been such a pleasure to work with the team at Odell as they are always folks I have looked up to and drank plenty of their beer over the years. A true honor to come together and brew this amazing beer.”
“To partner with the HRC (Hop Research Council) on this recipe and use some unique public experimental varieties was a blast and we see a bright future for a couple of hops we used,” says Brent Cordle, Odell’s Brewmaster.
Momentum Brewing debuts two standout NA beers
New York-based Momentum Brewery has recently unveiled two non-alcoholic beers, formulated by renowned German Brew master Alexander Himburg and crafted at the Great-South-Bay Brewery in Bay Shore, New York.
“It takes an exceptional brewing talent to create non-alcoholic beers that can rival their alcoholic counterparts,” says co-founder Lars Dahlhaus. Momentum Brewery’s mission is to create non-alcoholic brews that perfectly complement different moments of consumption.
Non-Alcoholic Golden is that rewarding post-activity brew. Hazy-IPA is hop-forward and tailor-made for socializing occasions at restaurants or bars.
With the expertise of its experienced team, Momentum Brewery is primed for aggressive growth and recognition. The brewery’s partnership with ProofNoMore, the largest non-alcoholic marketplace in the country, ensures nationwide distribution and accessibility. This strategic move will enable Momentum Brewery to reach a broader audience of health-conscious consumers, establishing its presence within the booming non-alcoholic beverage market.
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