As part of National Breast Cancer Awareness month, breweries nationally are concocting crafty campaigns honoring females in the fermented beverage industry. Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. is one such brewery, releasing Witch’s Broom DIPA. Proceeds from Witch’s Broom will be donated to the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Featuring a carefully selected combination of Cashmere, Citra, Idaho 7 & Galaxy hops, it’s one of many beers Toppling’s Taproom Manager Shana Meyer believes stands as a testament to the women of Toppling Goliath.
“It feels like a camaraderie between the women here at Toppling Goliath and in this industry. This team makes beer that tells a story or reminds us of a bigger purpose and that is why it is so exciting to be a part of TG and the beer industry. Here at TG, I have a hard time saying that it’s a male or female industry. It just feels like the beer industry… We’re all going the same direction and share a similar mindset,” Meyers said.
Meyer’s journey with Toppling Goliath began six years ago serving at a part-time capacity in the taproom. Having progressed from the service side of operations to Training and Development Coordinator and to her current position as Taproom Manager, Meyers developed familial-like connections with co-workers and staff who have succored her in her recent health journey.
“A few years back, probably about seven years now, I found out I had the BRCA-2 gene mutation. It’s a gene that increases the risk for breast and ovarian cancer. Having the knowledge of my risk factors and the support from my friends, family, and co-workers, I decided to move forward with the personal choice of prophylactic risk reducing surgery.” Shana explained.
With the help of her team at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Meyers pursued preventive measures such as mammograms, ultrasounds and blood work. Eventually, in 2021, she proceeded with the first of several procedures in a precautionary effort to lessen the risk associated with the BRCA-2 gene.
“I will never look back and say I wish I hadn’t done this or done it differently. I’m actually very excited to be there for other women who have questions or are on the fence. I’d tell them it’s your own journey, you gotta do what’s best for you. Trust the process and yourself.” Meyer stated.
The Witch’s Broom can is also fantastic, depicting a sneaker-laden, pink-haired gal maneuvering the violet skies aboard her broomstick. The beer’s art offers a powerful presentation of a gravity- and culture-defying female whose presence symbolizes the contributions of women in the industry.
“The name was thought up by Mike Saboe (Head Brew Master) and Clark Lewey (Founder). I wanted to depict a modern interpretation of a witch not as an ugly green villain but as a strong, counterculture woman,” said Sarah Hedlund, Creative Director at Toppling Goliath Brewing Company.
Additionally, nearby Winneshiek County Celebration of Life has teamed with Toppling Goliath too. Taproom visitors that purchase a 4-pack of Witch’s Broom and donate $10 or more to the Winneshiek County Celebration of Life will receive an additional 4-pack of Witch’s Broom free of charge.
Cigar City with fours releases for Jai Alai Ween
What began in 2013 as a small tapping of several Halloween candy-infused CCB favorites has grown to become Jai Alai Ween, one of the brewery’s most anticipated annual events. Cigar City Brewing‘s Jai Alai Ween is a month-long celebration of all things spooky that showcases Halloween-inspired spins on classic CCB beers. Hosted at the brewery’s Spruce Street Taproom throughout October, with tappings of rare and never-before-tasted specialty beers each Monday, the event culminates in the Jai Alai Ween Bash on October 29, featuring a costume contest, giveaways, performers and plenty of frighteningly good beer. This year, each week of October features two special variations of the brewery’s classic beers:
October 4: Pomegranate Margarita Gose & a Jai Alai Ween classic recipe featuring rainbow candy
October 11: Peanut Butter Marshmallow Maduro Brown Ale & Cookie Maduro Brown Ale
October 18: Blueberry Frost Proof Belgian-style White Ale & Raspberry Frost Proof Belgian-style White Ale
October 25: Candy Corn Jai Alai IPA & Lemon Candy Jai Low IPA
Dogfish Head brings back Camp Amp milk stout
Making its comeback for the second consecutive year, Dogfish Head’s Camp Amp is a 6.5% ABV milk stout brewed with real marshmallows, graham crackers, cinnamon, Madagascar vanilla beans and smoked malt. Inspired by chilly nights around the campfire, this nostalgia-inducing libation boasts delectable aromas of chocolate, vanilla, graham cracker, light roast and subtle smoke.
This year’s iteration of Camp Amp rounds out the brewery’s 2021 Off-Centered Art Series. Collaborating artist Ryan Besch is an illustrator based in Buffalo, N.Y., Besch has been designing gig posters and vinyl art for more than 20 years, and has worked with a plethora of well-known groups, including Phish, The Black Keys, O.A.R. and more.
Loving this can for Autumn Arch Beer Project’s Coffin Motif
Newark, DE’s Autumn Arch Beer Project just announced their spookiest brew yet, the 10.3% ABV Imperial Stout appropriately named Coffin Motif. This strong stout has an elegantly creamy body and strong roastiness, and pours jet black with a tan head. The Coffin Motif went on tap and in cans on Sept. 16 and will be around until even the zombies are drinking it.
Ballast Point refreshes us with Blood Orange Lager
Amid the spookiness and spices, Ballast Point released a refreshing seasonal specialty beer this week: Blood Orange Lager. Made in the Pilsner style, Blood Orange Lager is light and crisp with a prominent aroma of blood orange and citrus. This pils is lightly hopped with Motueka hops from New Zealand which balance the biscuity malt with flavors of sweet orange. Full of character, Blood Orange Lager has notes of citrus and nectar fruits and follows with a crisp, clean finish.
Braxton Brewing teams with local pizza joint on collab lager
Cincinnati brands Braxton Brewing Co. and LaRosa’s, Inc., are collaborating on Braxton’s LaRosa’s Lager, which pairs perfectly with LaRosa’s classic family recipe sauce or for any occasion. The specialty lager is expected to become a staple in each of LaRosa’s pizzerias that serve beer on tap and at all Braxton Taprooms. Its is a clean lager with a flavorful bitterness at 5% ABV. It was also created with a mission in mind. A portion of each LaRosa’s Lager served in LaRosa’s pizzerias and Braxton taprooms will also support The LaRosa Family Foundation, contributing to the organization’s mission to invest in local programs that offer activities focused on youth development through education, athletics and life skill training.
“This partnership is one we’re so excited to share with both taproom guests and LaRosa’s diners alike,” says Jake Rouse, Co-Founder and CEO of Braxton Brewing Co. “We believe it’s a true demonstration of local family brands coming together, and that’s something we’ve always been proud to do – working with the iconic family brands within our city. Cincinnati’s Graeter’s Ice Cream helped us to jumpstart this collaborative passion of ours via the Graeter’s Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip Milk Stout.”
During the tapping event on Oct. 21, free slices of pizza from LaRosa’s pizza truck and a free co-branded glass to the first 100 people who arrive.
The return of El JuicyCabra is upon us
New Realm Brewing is set to re-release the award-winning El JuicyCabra double IPA for the second year as the final release in its 2021 Monsters & Myths Double IPA Series. The imaginative and illustrative series series aims to bring fans along for a journey into extraordinary new realms, while paying homage to some of the world’s most famous (and infamous) mythical legends. The legged of El JuicyCabra grows as it took home gold in this year’s Craft Beer Marketing Awards for the best 16oz can design in the United States. Galaxy, Calypso, and Lotus hops give El JuicyCabra intense passion fruit, mango, and orange aroma and flavor.
“El JuicyCabra became a fan-favorite last year, and we are excited to welcome it back to the lineup again,” said Mitch Steele, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of New Realm Brewing. “With El JuicyCabra’s updated hop profile, there are some exciting combinations, including Galaxy hops from Australia and Lotus hops from Washington State. The result is an intense tropical fruit flavor, with a juiciness and haziness that makes El JuicyCabra a crushable DIPA with a really complex and unique character.”
Toppling Goliath Brewing Company says
@newrealmbrewing @dogfishbeer @CigarCityBeer @BraxtonBrewCo @BallastPoint thank you immensely for… https://t.co/3X578NkSaX