A million news beers are produced and announced every day. Covering (even comprehending) all of them is beyond the capabilities of us mere mortals. Instead, we wait for the skies to open and the lords of content to bestow upon us a handy roundup to skim each week. Oh praise the egrets, here comes one now!
Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers teams with the Celtics for Pride and Parquet
Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, a family-owned brewery in Framingham, Mass., with a laser focus on, you guessed it – lagers, recently signed a four-year partnership with the Boston Celtics. A big part of that is the release of Pride and Parquet, a collaboration beer. It is pretty much a perfect lager. This is a super cool partnership opportunity for them, and they are making the most of it with other merch, like co-branded socks and a head band.
“In making this beer, we were able to work side-by-side with the Celtics team throughout the entire process, from design to naming to ingredients and recipe. To be able to do that with a giant in the sports world is a really unique opportunity for a small family business and we are bringing everything we have to this partnership and this special beer,” said Sam Hendler, co-owner of Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers.
As for the actual team involved? Um. Did I mention I liked the beer? … Go Cavs!
Duckfoot hooks up with the Frank Zappa Trust for cool tribute beer
The Zappa Trust and San Diego-based Duckfoot Brewery Co have teamed up to launch a new Frank Zappa tribute beer, Why Does It Hurt When IPA? It’s a wild, improvisational jam of an IPA, brewed with Zappa hops, Simcoe and Cascade. The West Coast-style IPA has notes of passion fruit, spice and grapefruit (a favorite of Zappa’s) with a clean and dry finish. The can features never-before-published photos of Frank which pair nicely with the beer itself. In addition, the label explains more, “the Zappa hop, like the man, has a hugely eclectic style. Published flavor notes have ranged from passion fruit, mint, spicy, savory, fruity cereal, and uh…purple. (Try the beer, you’ll get it). Just like Frank, this hop is one of a kind and awesome.”
Ska Brewing with new winter-time Mexican-style dark lager
After 21 years of serving its infamous craft lager in spring and summer, Ska Brewing presents a dark variant of the popular Mexican Logger for colder months. Mexican Style Lager Dark is a smooth and slightly sweet dark lager that’s balanced with mild bitterness from Tettnang, Cascade, and Saaz hops. Subtle caramel flavors and a touch of roast on the finish to round it all out.
“The beautiful thing about living in the Rocky Mountains are the changing seasons, and it’s well enough known that our Mexican Logger and its bright green can signal the unofficial start of spring,” says Ska Brewing Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau. “And now with Mexican Style Lager Dark, that shoulder season in the fall finally has its own beer as a gateway to everyone’s favorite season: Winter.”
Indeed Brewing releases non-alcoholic CBD Seltzer
Indeed Brewing Co. is canning and distributing Lull, its non-alcoholic CBD Seltzer, across Minnesota and Wisconsin in January 2021. Released as a taproom-exclusive in the Minneapolis and Milwaukee taprooms, Lull has been available on draft since May 2019 and in limited release cans since early this year.
After thorough research, Eager chose Superior Extractions, a licensed processor that happened to be based locally in Minnesota. Infused with full-spectrum CBD, Lull contains both cannabinoids and terpenes; together, these compounds produce a synergistic effect for maximum efficacy.
“It took quite a number of months to perfect this recipe,” says R&D Brewer Jon Eager. “I did my homework to find the highest quality CBD, how to source it, and how to produce seltzer in an efficient and cost-effective manner that would work for our brewhouse.”
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales to can its most decorated beer
Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales is kicking off the year with a celebration as they launch their most award-wining beer, Oro de Calabaza, in cans.
“Oro is our flagship beer! It has won more awards, and been in more publications, and received more recognition than any other beer we’ve made. It is my personal favorite! We are so proud to be able to release it in cans,” shares North United Brewing Company’s CEO Tony Grant.
Today there are no shortages of unique and funky things going on in the beer world, but Jolly Pumpkin remains an OG. Traditionally, Oro, like all Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales, was only sold in 750ml bottles and on draft. With the brewery’s new canning line addition Oro will make its way into 16 ounce cans. The brewery will not completely forego the large bottles but instead will offer the beer in a variety of formats.
Tröegs is canning Nugget Nectar in 16-ouncers again
Tröegs Independent Brewing announces the release of its once-a-year cult classic, Nugget Nectar. And yes, the sought-after 16-oz. cans are back, too. Excessively dry-hopped, this Imperial Amber celebrates the arrival of “fresh-off-the-bine” Nugget hops from the brewery’s annual trek to Yakima, WA, for hop selection.
It’s no surprise that Nugget hops take center stage, adding dank notes of pine and grapefruit. Simcoe chimes in with hints of ripe mango and creamsicle, and it’s all balanced with enough kilned malt to add body and a touch of sweetness. With its beautiful orange color, big hop flavor and 7.5% ABV, Nugget Nectar provides plenty of warmth on those dark, cold winter nights.
Worthy Brewing planning a new beer each week on its Heart & Soul system
Worthy Brewing continues to explore new and natural flavors using it’s 5-barrel pilot brew “Heart & Soul” system. “Our Heart and Soul small batch program remains vibrant,” said Dustin Keller, Worthy’s Master Brewer. “We’ve got a classic Vienna lager in the tank as well as a pleasantly pungent Mountain style IPA, where East coast hazy meets West coast IPA with Norwegian Kveik yeast doing the heavy lifting.
“Next up is a smoky dortmunder lager that utilizes local Mecca Grade pilsner malt, which was malted during the Lionshead fire this summer – real smoke flavor – plus we added lemon zest sea salt because why not, 2020 has been a crazy year. This Winter we will focus on small batch barrel aged beers, beginning with a bourbon barrel aged imperial Porter and continuing with a variety of wine and spirit barrel aged offerings.
“Our game plan is to brew a new beer every week for 2021 as part of our ‘First Sip Friday’ launches, available on draft at the pubs and to-go in 16oz aluminum crowlers.”
Epic Brewing welcomes Son of a Baptist to the world at 8 percent ABV, 12 ounces
Epic Brewing’s Son of a Baptist is an 8% ABV imperial stout. It is not barrel aged like its father, Big Bad Baptist; instead its flavor profile was designed to highlight the complex and unique flavors of small batch coffees. Rather than sourcing a single coffee that would play well in a beer we sought out creative and innovative roasters, then asked them which beans they’re passionate about. Each resulting release of Son of a Baptist is widely different, depending on the coffee selected. Some are fruity and sweet with notes of jam and chocolate, others are rich and earthy with a big roasted finish. Each limited release will return to the roaster’s home market where the beer and the coffee can be sampled side by side.
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