Breweries

Wiseacre Brewing acquires Bearded Iris

Wiseacre Brewing Acquires Bearded Iris Brewing, Uniting Two of Tennessee’s Top Craft Breweries

Memphis-based Wiseacre Brewing Company has acquired Nashville’s Bearded Iris Brewing in a deal announced this week, combining two of Tennessee’s largest craft breweries.

Wiseacre Brewing, through its Abel Brewing Continue Reading →

Braselton Brewing closes in Georgia

Braselton Brewing Company, a brewpub housed in a historic 1920 cotton gin in downtown Braselton, Georgia, has closed its doors, marking the end of a nearly 7 year run.

Opened in December 2018 by Todd Braselton, the brewery gained local popularity, Continue Reading →

Hinterland turns 30: Party in Packers Town

Green Bay, Wisconsin’s Hinterland just crossed the 30 year mark in Packer Town

In the shadow of Lambeau Field lies Hinterland Brewery, nestled in the heart of Green Bay’s Titletown District. The brewery just celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades Continue Reading →

Posted in Headlines, New Releases, Sierra Nevada

Sierra Nevada reveals “Proper Pilsner Cans” for Premium PILS

Back in April, Sierra Nevada unveiled a project more than a year in the making—Premium PILS, available on draft in select markets nationwide. At the time, the brewery teased unique packaging for the pilsner in late summer. Today, the brewery has revealed the answer: Proper Pilsner cans.

The key to this packaging is the smaller can format—specifically, 8.4 ounces—to maintain temperature and flavor from beginning to end. According to Brian Grossman, head brewer at Sierra Nevada, crafting a traditional European-style pilsner was half the challenge. When the beer transitioned to packaging, the standard 12- or 16-ounce can wouldn’t suffice. “I’ve enjoyed beers all over the world, but there’s something special about a proper pilsner at a European pub—crisp, refreshing, and served in a smaller glass to keep it at the ideal temperature and flavor. That’s how PILS is meant to be enjoyed,” Grossman says.

We tried Premium PILS back in April at The Ramspeck in Decatur, Georgia, and it’s fantastic, truly setting a new standard for American craft breweries producing European-style beers. At 4.7% alcohol by volume and 25 IBUs, it’s crisp and pairs with nearly everything.

Proper Pilsner cans, filled with Premium PILS, debut in 8.4-ounce 12-packs in select markets in August 2025, with plans for full national distribution in early 2026.

Below are photos from the media launch party in April at The Ramspeck.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, New Holland Brewing, New Releases

New Holland teams up with Dungeons & Dragons again

New Holland Brewing drops a new edition in Dungeons & Dragons beer series this month.

New Holland Brewing has teamed up once again with Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast for another beer in their ongoing Dungeons & Dragons beer lineup: Dragon’s Milk Coconut Rum Barrel Reserve.

Last year, New Holland announced the start of a partnership with Dungeons & Dragons with Dragon’s Milk x Dungeons & Dragons Coconut Rum Barrel Reserve in August and the high-octane “beast” of a beer, D20 Brew Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout (20% ABV), in November. While the 2024 coconut stout kicked off the partnership to celebrate D&D’s 50th anniversary, the 2025 iteration introduces a narrative twist inspired by the mythical Dragon Turtle, a massive dragon-like creature with a turtle-like shell.

This release finds New Holland’s Dragon’s Milk, one of America’s best-selling stouts, aged in rum barrels with coconut.

“This collaboration is all about celebrating the power of storytelling through flavor. With the Dragon Turtle as our muse, we created a rich, coconut stout aged in rum barrels that’s as deep and complex as the world of D&D itself,” said Brett Vanderkamp, CEO and Founder.

Dragon’s Milk Coconut Rum Barrel Reserve, also known as the Dragon Turtle release, features an image of the mythical creature on the label with nods to both Dragon’s Milk and Dungeons & Dragons. It’s an instant must-have for D&D players.

While the creature may be mythical, the beer is very real, hitting shelves at select retailers and New Holland taprooms.

Style: Imperial Stout (with Coconut. Barrel-Aged. Rum.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft, Limited Release
Debut: August 2025
ABV: 11%

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bearded Iris Brewing, Brewery Acquisitions, Headlines, Wiseacre Brewing

Wiseacre Brewing acquires Bearded Iris

Wiseacre Brewing Acquires Bearded Iris Brewing, Uniting Two of Tennessee’s Top Craft Breweries

Memphis-based Wiseacre Brewing Company has acquired Nashville’s Bearded Iris Brewing in a deal announced this week, combining two of Tennessee’s largest craft breweries.

Wiseacre Brewing, through its Abel Brewing LLC, has applied for permit changes for Bearded Iris’ locations at 101 Van Buren St. and Sylvan Supply at 4101 Charlotte Ave.

Bearded Iris was founded in 2014 by Paul Vaughn, Matt Miller, and Kavon Togrye in Nashville, Tennessee. Wiseacre Brewing was established a year earlier in Memphis by brothers Kellan and Davin Bartosch. The merger is seen as a strategic alliance across the Volunteer State, aimed at overcoming challenges facing the craft beer industry, including rising costs, pandemic fallout, increasing insurance expenses, and shifting consumer preferences.

IndieBrew and Scofflaw

In October 2021, Atlanta-based Scofflaw Brewing founded IndieBrew, a brewing collective. Bearded Iris joined IndieBrew in December of that year. The collective provided shared business services, from HR to brewing operations, to enhance the long-term sustainability of member breweries. Bearded Iris co-founder Kavon Togrye was deeply involved in the initiative.

Discussions about IndieBrew have been scarce since late 2022. The acquisition of Bearded Iris, which does not involve Scofflaw Brewing, likely impacts the IndieBrew partnership.

Future

The acquisition brings two of Tennessee’s most popular craft beers—Wiseacre’s Tiny Bomb (a pilsner) and Bearded Iris’ Homestyle (an IPA)—under one brand. No word of any leadership changes or exits by any existing brewery founders.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Developing…

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Braselton Brewing, Brewery Closures, Headlines

Braselton Brewing closes in Georgia

Braselton Brewing Company, a brewpub housed in a historic 1920 cotton gin in downtown Braselton, Georgia, has closed its doors, marking the end of a nearly 7 year run.

Opened in December 2018 by Todd Braselton, the brewery gained local popularity, offering a pet-friendly patio, comfort food, and beers like the Hefe That Killed Elvis and Government Shutdown. Inspired by the Pacific Northwest’s brewpub culture, the venue blended industrial-chic looks with a relaxed social setting.

According to an Instagram post, Brazelton cites rising food costs since the pandemic, and a 200% increase in insurance costs.

To all our Customers, Employees, Vendors, Friends and all the other people that supports us, we are closing Braselton Brewing Company for good on Monday July 28. We will be staying open as just a taproom serving beer and wine for some limited time.

The combination of rising operating costs coupled with the slowing demand for craft beer has left us no other choice but to close our doors. Food costs have increased for us about 30-40% since Covid. Our insurance costs have doubled since we opened in late 2018. These are just 2 examples of the financial strains on our business.

We join a number of other Georgia breweries that have closed since Covid. Many of these closing are due to the failure of Georgia politicians to adopt alcohol distribution laws similar to those of many states.

Thank you again to all our supporters and friends for supporting us for the last six and half years.

Brazelton Brewing, July 28th, 2025

Recently, Georgia has lost a few other breweries, including Jekyll Brewing, Elsewhere Brewing, Best End Brewing, Torched Hop Brewing, Red Hare Brewing and Eventide Brewing.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, Founders Brewing, New Releases

Founders KBS Iced Latte goes golden instead of stout

Founders KBS Iced Latte expands the Michigan-based brewery’s ongoing KBS series this July.

Founders KBS Iced Latte is a cold coffee departure from the the traditional Kentucky Breakfast Stout (KBS), has joined the Barrel-Aged Series in summer 2025.

Crafted with coffee, cocoa nibs, milk sugar, and vanilla extract, this variant delivers a creamy, café-inspired experience with prominent coffee and vanilla flavors, complemented by oak and a silky latte-like sweetness from bourbon barrel aging. Expect a rich coffee aroma with hints of vanilla and toasted malt, paired with a smooth, medium-bodied mouthfeel. A refreshing yet indulgent twist for KBS fans, especially dropping a beer so big during the current “Heat Dome” that most of America is dealing with currently.

MORE: FOUNDERS KBS SERIES

Get ready to chill with KBS Iced Latte, a barrel-aged imperial golden ale that’s as smooth as your favorite café creation. Crafted with a blend of coffee and vanilla for a creamy, utterly indulgent experience. Aged to perfection in bourbon barrels, every sip consists of oak notes and a silky latte-like sweetness that’s impossible to resist.

Founders KBS Iced Latte is available in 12-ounce bottles and draft for a limited time.

Style: Imperial Golden Ale (w/ Coffee. Cocoa Nibs. Lactose. Vanilla. Barrel-Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: Summer 2025

11% ABV

Complete List of KBS Variants

Going back from the beginning, a list of all the variants to up until summer 2025.

  1. KBS (Original) – Release: 2011
  2. KBS Espresso – Release: 2019
  3. KBS Maple Mackinac Fudge – Release: 2020
  4. KBS Nitro – Release: 2020 (Draft-only)
  5. KBS Cinnamon Vanilla Cocoa – Release: 2021
  6. KBS Hazelnut – Release: 2021
  7. KBS Chocolate Cherry – Release: 2022
  8. KBS Blueberry – Release: 2023
  9. KBS Spicy Chocolate – Release: 2023
  10. KBS Chocolate Espresso – Release: 2024
  11. KBS Double Oaked – Release: 2024
  12. KBS Hazelnut Fudge – Release: 2024
  13. KBS Iced Latte – Release: 2025
by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Don't Miss This, Hinterland Brewery

Hinterland turns 30: Party in Packers Town

Green Bay, Wisconsin’s Hinterland just crossed the 30 year mark in Packer Town

In the shadow of Lambeau Field lies Hinterland Brewery, nestled in the heart of Green Bay’s Titletown District. The brewery just celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking three decades of craft brewing in a beer-loving state like Wisconsin. Founded in 1995 by Bill and Michelle Tressler in a former cheese factory just outside Green Bay, the brewery has grown from small beginnings to a cornerstone of the Green Bay beer scene.

Hinterland relocated in 2017 to its current 24,000-square-foot facility that blends modern brewing with what feels like “hunting lodge chic,” featuring dark colors and exotic taxidermy wall hangings. It’s a modern brewpub right smack in the middle of everything Green Bay Packers football.

The anniversary celebration kicked off on Friday, with events spanning May 23 and 24, 2025, including a seven-course beer dinner where the chefs showcased their culinary prowess, pairing each dish with a Hinterland beer. The big party followed on Saturday, filling up with locals, and beer lovers alike. a I had never met Hinterland’s founder, Bill Tressler, but on this—the brewery’s 30th birthday—I had just one question. How did you make it 30 years? After all, lately, it has felt like we’ve seen more brewery closures than openings, and the headlines paint a grim picture for the beer industry. Bill didn’t hesitate. “Focus on the people,” he says. “The beer is important, too, but it’s really about the people. Come on, let me show you around,” he says with a smile.

The brewhouse was transformed into a VIP section for the event, featuring rare, one-off barrel-aged beers and wild ales, a testament to the vibrant beer culture still thriving in the Midwest. The four-vessel, 30-barrel brewhouse towers over the restaurant and patrons sipping below it—a far cry from the humble 7-barrel setup Hinterland started with 30 years ago. Bill guided me through the space (the brewery runs 24,000 square feet, pointing out the tanks and canning line like it was one of his own children.

Just listening to folks drinking around me, there is a big love of Bill and his wife and co-founder Michelle. It wasn’t just a triple decade milestone, but a shared love of Hinterland (and the Green Bay Packers, judging by the amount of gear running around.)

Bill’s focus on people extends beyond customers. He spoke proudly of their team, many of whom have been with Hinterland for years. It’s apparent that good beer can only take you so far without good people there to pour it.

Hinterland hit 30 years with great beer, great people, all in one of the most well-known football cities in America. Nothing feels slow or downturn in Hinterland. Or Green Bay. Or Wisconsin. It would seem Hinterland is just now hitting its stride.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Badger State Brewing, New Releases

Badger State Phoenix Rising collab with UW Green Bay returns

Badger State Phoenix Rising Citrus Wheat Ale is available at the brewery starting in mid-June.

Badger State Brewing – in the heart of Green Bay, Wisconsin, has a new collaboration beer available starting this week – Phoenix Rising. The beer is a collaboration with University of Wisconsin Green Bay, whose mascot should be obvious by now – a phoenix. There was a previous version of this beer released as a red lager starting back in 2023.

The 5.2% alcohol by volume wheat ale is lightly hopped with El Dorado, and finished with orange and tangerine peel. Citrus is big in the nose with this beer, as well as the flavor, and very smooth thanks to the wheat.

Badger State Phoenix Rising is available in 16-ounce cans and draft throughout northeast Wisconsin starting in June 2025.

Style: American Wheat Ale
Hops: El Dorado

Availability: 16oz cans, Draft.
Debut: June 2025

5% ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay