Allagash, WeldWerks are this week’s breweries going beyond beer

Craft breweries continue to expand beyond beer, including two CBB favorites this week: Allagash Brewing Co. and WeldWerks Brewing Co.

 Allagash Brewing Company is releasing its first non-alcoholic beverage by dipping their toes in the hop water market. Brewed with orange peel, Citra, and Crystal hops, Allagash Hop Water’s ingredients are a nod to the citrus profile found in the brewery’s flagship witbier, Allagash White. 

“Our team was excited to take something outside of the beer realm and put our spin on it,” said Jason Perkins, Brewmaster, Allagash. “We wanted to bring the same ingenuity we use to brew our signature beers to the hop water segment. We think this is the sort of flavor that will appeal to existing hop water fans, as well as fans of flavored seltzers.”

Allagash Hop Water starts with pristine water from Sebago Lake—ranked one of the 50 cleanest surface-water sources in the country and the same lake that Allagash has donated over $50,000 to protect, in partnership with the nonprofit Sebago Clean Waters. During the brewing process, sweet orange peel, coriander, and Crystal and Citra hops are added. The water is then cooled, carbonated, and packaged. 

“As we continue to evolve as a brewery, we love being able to offer people new experiences,” said Rob Tod, Founder, Allagash. “Our Hop Water is a non-alcoholic beverage that anyone can enjoy, yet it remains uniquely Allagash.”

If you want to try it, you’ll have to grab one of those Y shaped sticks and wander over to Portland, Maine. Allagash will first introduce the beverage in 6-packs of 12 oz. cans exclusively in their tasting room beginning later this week. Hop Water will join other recent brewery-only innovations at Allagash, including Wild Blueberry Wines and Dry Ciders.

WeldWerks RTDs

Over in Colorado, WeldWerks Brewing Co. is rolling outbo͞oz, an adventurous line of ready-to-drink cocktails. The bo͞oz ready-to-drink cocktails have been packaged at Sleeping Giant Brewing Company out of Denver and the canned beverages will be available throughout Colorado at participating retailers in early July. Due to licensing, WeldWerks will not be selling bo͞oz at their taproom.

“RTDs felt like a blank canvas for us to stretch our creative muscles, innovate, and craft something to differentiate us from what’s already commercially available,” says WeldWerks Head Brewer Skip Schwartz. “WeldWerks has always had a passion for spirits and distillation, thus our extensive barrel-aging program and RTDs seemed like a natural space for us to play and venture into the spirit realm.”

A tribute to the vibrant spirit of the modern Virginia cocktail scene where Schwartz tried an “Orange Crush” cocktail, Orange Creamsicle Crush is WeldWerks’ take on the beloved cocktail which infuses the tang of orange with the rich flavors of vanilla and elevates this ready-to-drink cocktail to new heights of flavor complexity. This 10.5% ABV cocktail-in-a-can brings a bold burst of intense orange soda with each sip that seamlessly transitions into a smooth, creamy mouthfeel. 

 PB&J Bourbon Smash is where the classic comfort of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches meets the rich sophistication of bourbon. This ready-to-drink 12.1% ABV cocktail teases the senses with a pleasant aroma of ripe strawberries intertwined with the mellowness of freshly roasted peanuts, all accented by subtle oak undertones. Experience the velvety smoothness of creamy peanut butter blended with caramel notes of bourbon, perfectly balanced by sweetness from the strawberry.