For as long as Flying Dog Brewery has been making high ABV beer, it’s also been fighting against censorship. The brewery has sued Colorado and Michigan previously (and won) over its beer labels being deemed inappropriate for shelves and has another case pending in North Carolina. With the resurgence of book burnings and bans in our country this year, the Maryland-based brewery is debuting its new 451 Juicy IPA to raise awareness.
The name and artwork on the bottle refer to Fahrenheit 451, the 1953 dystopian novel about censorship by author Ray Bradbury.
“What’s beautiful about Bradbury’s novel – aside from the incredible art from Ralph Steadman – is that the human spirit’s innate thirst for knowledge, ideas, growth, and freedom ultimately wins,” said Jim Caruso, CEO of Flying Dog Brewery. “So, in the face of attempts to restrict the content our community can access, Flying Dog will always throw our support behind defending freedom of expression because truth-seeking and freedom of expression are inseparable.”
The label art comes from a 2003 illustrated edition of the novel done by the one and only Ralph Steadman, in honor of the book’s 50th anniversary. The book’s title refers to the temperature at which paper ignites and spontaneously bursts into flames.
The beer itself comes in at 11% ABV but is incredibly approachable and drinkable. Over 95% of the hops in 451 are added late in the process, and this dry hopping amps up the aroma and flavor while keeping the beer’s bitterness low, letting 451’s juicy fruit flavors dominate. This medium bodied imperial stays soft on the palette with its alcohol content being nearly unnoticeable in the flavor.
In support of 451’s April launch, Flying Dog will celebrate countless books that have been censored, removed or restricted from bookshelves for the past century. Using the hashtag #451BookReports, Flying Dog will share content highlighting the humor and absurdity of banning of these titles. Consumers are encouraged to participate in the tweet length book reports for a chance to win copies of Fahrenheit 451 and ‘fuck censorship’ wristbands.
New Realm celebrates four years with an Imperial Pilsner
New Realm Brewing celebrated its Fourth Anniversary on April, with an 80’s style bash and the release of a brand-new Anniversary Imperial Pilsner. The Anniversary Imperial Pilsner features a blend of several styles and brewing techniques and is the perfect toast-worthy way to say cheers to four great years.
“I can’t believe it has been four years, we’ve done some amazing things and shared great experiences with our team since opening,” shared Mitch Steele, Co-Founder and Brewmaster of New Realm Brewing. “Now, we have four locations, all in wonderful parts of the country. I want to thank all who come to our taprooms and enjoy our beers, food, and drinks, and I hope you enjoy our 4th Anniversary Imperial Oak Aged Pilsner beer-this is the first year we’ve done an official beer for the celebration.”
Pouring deep gold in color, the Imperial Pilsner is not only pleasing to the eyes but also to the nose as notes of honey and breadlines from the Pilsner malt combine with subtle oak nuances and a light floral hop character.
Schlafly Beer updates look of Summer Lager
Schlafly Beer‘s Summer Lager (4.5% ABV) is back and sporting a brand new look. The Helles-Style Summer Lager offers a smooth, maltier and hoppier alternative to light lagers. Summer Lager is a bright, golden beer, wholly representative of what summertime should taste like. The malt imparts a fresh grain character, while the German hops lend notes of spice and lemon.
“This sessionable beer is brewed with German Hops, creating an easily drinkable beer, perfect to enjoy on a warm summer day,” says Lead Brewer Jared Williamson. “We wanted to create a beer can design that reflects Summer Lager’s drinkability, especially at the lake, beach or sitting poolside.”
Earlier this year, the Saint Louis Brewery announced that it invested $1.1 million into a new canning line at Schlafly Bottleworks brewpub to upgrade its beer packaging capabilities and facilities and to revitalize the brand look of its cans. Summer Lager is another brand refresh to come off the new canning line.
Old Time Lager
This ain’t your dad’s — oh wait that’s exactly what it is. And I am here for it. Old Time Lager is a refreshing, crushable locally-brewed lager. A modern interpretation of the Hopfheiser Brewing Company’s American light lager from 1935, this reinvigorated brand brings the premium lager back to the District for the first time in nearly 100 years. Brewed with North American 2-row barley and flaked corn, Old Time Lager boasts a crisp, dry finish with a light body.
Look out, beer, Braxton Brewing’s Birdie is playing through
Braxton Brewing Co. adds to its beyond beer product line with Birdie, a canned citrus grape fusion that comes at a perfect time to “tee-off” for the Spring and Summer. To celebrate the launch of Birdie, the Braxton Brewing team unveiled it during the Masters Tournament by hosting “The Birdie Open” putt-putt tournament at its Cincinnati Taproom.
The canned hard seltzer cocktail uses a hard seltzer base, concord grape juice and citrus notes to make the perfectly refreshing beverage. The bold, fruity flavor of Birdie offers 5% ABV in a lightly carbonated beverage that makes most drinkers wonder if it’s even a seltzer.
“We’re looking forward to releasing yet another beyond beer innovation for the Braxton brand because each product truly pushes the category as a whole,” says Jake Rouse, Co-Founder and CEO of Braxton Brewing Co.
Pantera releases Vulgar Display of Lager KnuckleBonz
KnuckleBonz, Inc., along with Great South Bay Brewery and Bravado, are bringing a new Pantera beer to the KnuckleBonz Limited Edition Beverage Series. The Pantera Vulgar Display of Lager (5.9%) is brewed in accordance with the German Purity Law of 1516 and is now shipping to 33 States via Half Time Beverage.
Pantera fans who got to there first also received a limited-edition collectible poster included free with their order.
“We’ve been privileged to work on few different collectible projects with Pantera over the years and we get excited about being able to find new ways to honor the legends that have inspired so many of us,” says Tony Simerman, CEO/Creative Director of KnuckleBonz, Inc. “This beer was specifically crafted as a nod to something we think perhaps the band might choose when they ruled the metal world from Cowboys to Hell to Reinventing the Steel.”
Our Mutual Friend collaborations coming in April
This month, Our Mutual Friend Brewing (OMF) will release two collaboration beers, welcome the return of Neon Nail, and tap a Mixed-Culture Ale.
Imaginary Being is a Mixed Culture Saison featuring Phantasm, a thiol derived from Marlborough Sauvignon grapes from New Zealand. This 6.7% ABV collaboration with Cerebral Brewing is brewed with Troubadour malt, as well as Nelson Sauvin and Idaho 7 hops, and Phantasm, that results in notes of Limoncello, yellow Sweet Tarts and Mineral-forward Sauvignon Blanc. This beer will be on draft at OMF this week, as well as on draft and in four-pack 16-ounce cans at Cerebral Brewing.
Book of Shape is a collaboration with HenHouse Brewing Company out of Santa Rosa that is brewed with malt from Leopold Bros. The 5.6% ABV Pale Ale is hopped with Cascade, Centennial, and Citra, as well as fermented with Berkeley Yeast to provide huge tropical notes and big citrus hop character.
Kansas and Colorado collide with Pathlete, a collaboration with Wichita Brewing that is brewed with Colorado hops, and malt from Root Shoot Malting. This 5.2% ABV Amber Ale is balanced and approachable, like the two breweries.
Huss Brewing’s CenPho Citrus IPA is crafted with citrus from backyards around the community
Huss Brewing‘s seasonal CenPho Citrus IPA is brimming with fresh lemon, grapefruit and orange and other homegrown backyard citrus collected from the historic neighborhoods surrounding Huss’ Taproom in Uptown Phoenix. Created in partnership with Vice Mayor, Laura Pastor, who also represents District 4, home to both Huss’ Uptown Taproom, and the state’s first-ever experimental citrus trees (planted circa 1895), every winter Huss invites the community to participate in crafting this truly community-brewed IPA by donating citrus from their own backyards.
Originally imported from California, these trees were planted on the verdant Orangewood estate of pioneering developer, William J. Murphy (7514 N. Central Ave.), who built the Arizona Canal and later founded North Central Phoenix (not to mention Glendale, Peoria, Arcadia, and more).
“We love to incorporate as many local ingredients as possible, and citrus is such a great flavor for a fresh seasonal beer,” says Leah Huss, who owns Huss Brewing Co. with her husband Jeff. “So as soon as we met Councilwoman Pastor and heard about the deep citrus roots in the historic neighborhoods surrounding our Uptown Taproom, we knew this was the perfect way to, literally, share a beer with our neighbors.”
Neshaminy Creek throws a luau to celebrate Aloha Shape of Haze to Come
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co.’s newest addition to the Shape of Haze series, Aloha Shape of Haze to Come, is a Double Dry-Hopped Hazy Imperial India Pale Ale with passionfruit, orange, and guava inspired by Hawaiian POG juice. This double dry-hopped behemoth starts with a base of white wheat, flaked oats, and flaked wheat. The combination of hops is then combined with the tropical fruit flavors for a spellbinding brew sitting at 8.8% ABV.
To celebrate the release of Aloha Shape of Haze to Come, Neshaminy Creek has teamed up with Hi-Tide Recordings to host the first-ever Creek-i-Tiki Luau on April 23 at its Croydon Taproom & Brewery. The luau vibes will be flowing with live music from Philadelphia’s Slowey & The Boats and vinyl sets from DJ Hi-Tide.
“After the last couple of years, we all need a little escape so we thought we’d transform the brewery into a tropical oasis and team up with some local companies to throw a uniquely Neshaminy Creek tiki party,” says Director of Sales and Marketing, Kyle Park. “I spent a lot of time digging into tiki cocktails and history during the early days of the pandemic so when we decided to brew Aloha Shape of Haze, I knew we could put something really fun together.”
Aloha Shape of Haze to Come will be available in 16 oz cans and sold as 4-packs/cases throughout PA, NJ, DE, and MD starting April 8.
Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co says
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