At the CBB offices, we are constantly working on experimental new technology for covering the craft beer industry. Our latest concept is an iTunes style library of all the beers ever made — we’re talking wide releases, one-offs, homebrews, ancient ales the aliens showed us how to make, etc. — and at the bottom there is that stat about how long it would take to listen to all of the songs in a row, only, because this is beer, it is the amount of time it would take to drink a pint of each. Neat, huh? We are currently in the R&D phase, meaning we’ve been drinking every beer ever made in shifts to calculate the times. So far, we’ve determined it would take at least one lifetime to drink the first 100 in a row (RIP Pete). In the meantime, see how long it takes you to track down and consume these beers to know this week.
Hi-Wire Brewing brings back Strongman Coffee Milk Stout
Among Hi-Wire Brewing’s October 2019 beer releases is returning seasonal Strongman Coffee Milk Stout. Strongman Coffee Milk Stout (5.3 percent ABV), inspired by Head Brewer Luke Holgate’s cafe’ con leche-fueled travels in Key West, has become one of the most anticipated seasonals from Hi-Wire Brewing. A Mexican and Honduran blend of locally roasted coffee from Dynamite Roasting Co. is cold extracted and added post fermentation to this sweet, creamy beer. With huge notes of coffee and latte sweetness, this beer is perfect for brunch. Available in six-packs and on draft beginning October 1, this beer will see Hi-Wire Brewing’s entire distribution footprint.
Hurry to Santa Monica Brew Works next week for its NEXT DAY IPA
Fresh hop beers are of top drinking priority at the CBB offices. Santa Monica Brew Works (SMBW), the first and only independent craft production brewery in Santa Monica, has whole-heartedly embraced the hazy explosion through its series of great-tasting, well-hopped IPAs. Its newest release, NEXT DAY IPA, is a rare seasonal release containing fresh, wet Mosaic Hops from the Yakima Valley.
A true seasonal drinking experience, fresh-hopped beers use hops in their purest form — never processed, never dried. This retains the delicate aromas and flavors specific to each hop variety. Mosaic hops feature complex but clean flavor characteristics and deliver juicy, fruity, tropical notes. SMBW will release NEXT DAY IPA on Wednesday, October 9. The new beer will be available on-tap and in 19.2-oz cans to-go only at the brewery’s tasting room, which was recently featured on HBO’s Ballers in an episode titled, “Edutainment.”
Schlafly’s St. Louis Crafted Cocktail series adds an Old Fashion
Schlafly Beer has another cool new brand called the “St. Louis Crafted Cocktail” and is releasing its final entry in the series for this year: Old Fashioned Ale (8 percent ABV) in four-pack of 330-ml bottles. Following the release of White Russian Ale, Kentucky Mule Ale, Paloma Gose and Bellini Saison, Old Fashioned Ale is available now in the St. Louis area and surrounding markets. The Old Fashioned Ale packs a punch of flavor. Brewed with blood orange juice, the ale is then aged on bourbon barrel chips, serving up effervescence with notes of citrus, bitters and smoke with a rich golden hue.
“You taste every element of an Old Fashioned, combined with every component that is expected from a full-bodied Ale. This contemporary twist on a long-time bar favorite is the best of both worlds, especially as we transition into fall and the colder months ahead,” said Stephen Hale, founding brewer.
Old Fashioned Ale is the final release from Saint Louis Crafted Cocktails in 2019. With its simple text and packaging, the line of Saint Louis Crafted Cocktails evokes the spirit of craft cocktails — an air of mystery and intrigue for what’s inside. The unique apothecary-style bottle exemplifies an experimental brew: A cocktail that’s not a beer, and a beer that’s not a cocktail.
Seether Frontman teams with Fat Bottom Brewing for this tribute beer with a cause
Known for songs like “Broken” and “Fake It,” Seether frontman Shaun Morgan has found massive success in the music industry and is now trying his hand at a new venture: craft beer — for a good cause. Morgan has announced the release of his new beer, Alain’s Ardent Ale, in conjunction with Fat Bottom Brewing of Nashville. The beer will make its debut as part of the inaugural Exit 111 music festival outside of Nashville on the weekend of October 11, where Seether will be taking the stage alongside other legendary rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Def Leppard and Guns ‘N’ Roses.
The beer brand was founded in honor of Morgan’s brother, Eugene Welgemoed, who died of suicide in 2007. A portion of sales from each beer will be donated to suicide prevention as a part of Morgan’s Rise Above organization, a philanthropic endeavor which raises money for suicide awareness charity SAVE through its presence at concerts and festivals.
Best named beer of the week goes to OktoberForest from Hopworks Urban Brewery
Hopworks Urban Brewery has teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to create OktoberForest, a limited draft-only project that will be available at an OktoberForest celebration at all three Hopworks pubs from Thursday, Oct. 3 through Sunday, Oct. 6. OktoberForest is a traditional Oktoberfest lager brewed with German Weyermann malts and German Hallertau hops. This malty lager is light copper in color with medium bitterness that offers notes of bread with a crisp snappy finish (6 percent ABV). It’s a perfectly refreshing pairing for Hopworks popular pretzels. Hopworks will be donating a portion of its OktoberForest sales from the four-day event to The Nature Conservancy.
R&D Brewing announces the official beer of the Carolina Hurricanes
R&D Brewing announced the release of Storm Brew, the official beer of the Carolina Hurricanes. R&D partnered with the Canes to produce a signature beer befitting the former Stanley Cup champions and, most recently, 2019 Eastern Conference finalists. Storm Brew is a light lager with 4.2 percent ABV that contains only 2.4 carbs and 97 calories, making it the ideal companion on ice.
“Several pilot batches and blind sensory tests were conducted between the R&D and Hurricanes teams to develop Storm Brew,” said Ian VanGundy, brewmaster at R&D Brewing. “A light lager recipe was selected to make it the perfect beer for any occasion. R&D focuses its attention towards quality ingredients and hand crafted brewing processes, creating a beer more fresh and fulfilling than the average light lager.”
The name was selected by fans during an online poll earlier this year. Storm Brew garnered over 75 percent of the votes, setting the stage for what is sure to be a fan favorite. R&D put its more than 150 years of award-winning brewing experience to work along with the Hurricanes to settle on the final product.
“Storm Brew is a perfect representation of who the Carolina Hurricanes are as an organization,” said Mike Forman, vice president of marketing and brand strategy for the Carolina Hurricanes. “We’ve built our brand identity on being bold, regionally-focused and fun — this partnership encompasses each of those core pillars for us. We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with R&D for this momentous release.”
Thirsty Monk readies is autumnal Karma Series release in support of trail restoration
Thirsty Monk, brewer of Belgian-Rooted Modern Ales and operator of world-recognized craft beer and craft cocktail bars, is tapping the autumn rendition of its Karma Series, Trail Monk IPA at the end of this month. Brewed in support of trail restoration causes, this limited release will be on tap in Asheville, Denver and Portland locations while supplies last.
“The K in Monk actually stands for Karma,” said Barry Bialik, Thirsty Monk CEO. “Thirsty Monk has been very successful with some of our organized fundraising campaigns in Asheville and we wanted to use our experience toward helping each of our cities in the best way our brewery can. What better way for a brewery to help raise money than to brew a beer? We look at the common needs our cities have and will feature a beer and a charitable cause each quarter.”
Karma Series beers support nonprofit efforts that align with Thirsty Monk’s company values, featuring a series of beers brewed annually for a different charitable focus. Trail Monk IPA is preceded by Monk’s Cottage to benefit affordable housing and Unity Gose to promote LGBTQ equality and inclusion. Unity Gose raised over $3,000 with more than $1,000 donated to 501c3s Campaign for Southern Equality in Asheville, One Colorado in Denver and Basic Rights Oregon in Portland respectively.
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