Breweries

Hi-Wire Brewing announces Kentucky taproom

Asheville, North Carolina based Hi-Wire Brewing is in the process of building a new taproom in Louisville, Kentucky.

The 5500-square foot space will be located at 642 Baxter Avenue, in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood – a part of a new mixed-use development. Continue Reading →

Posted in Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Company, Don't Miss This

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer arrives with four flavors

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer has arrived.

While the mineral water from Monterrey, Mexico has been around for more than a century, the national obsession with it seems more recent. Bartenders love it for cocktail making (think Gin Fizz or Palomas), other folks swear it cures hangovers.

Topo Chico was always popular in border states like Texas, but distribution was unfortunately limited. All that changed in 2017, when soda giant Coca-Cola acquired Topo for $220 million. The rest of the United States finally got a taste of what the “extra bubbly” water was all about.

For those who love Topo Chico, but thought it lacked alcohol, your prayers have been answered.

Molson Coors Beverage Company has the production contract for Topo Chico Hard Seltzer, brewed under the “TC Hard Seltzer Company” out of Tempe, Arizona. Topo Chico states the hard seltzer is created with the same Monterrey water that has made the beverage so famous.

Four flavors are available on the official launch date of March 29th – Exotic Pineapple, Strawberry Guava, Tangy Lemon Lime, and Tropical Mango. Each 12-ounce can contains 2 grams of sugar and is 4.7% alcohol by volume. Additionally, 24-ounce cans will also be available at launch (which jacks your sugar content to a whopping 4 grams.)

When it comes to Topo Chico the flavor and bubbles it what sets it apart. The hard seltzer is no different. The flavor is bold and flavorful, finishing almost creamy. At times you almost forget it’s hard seltzer. Topo entering the seltzer market could have simply been a money-maker by putting the Topo name on the can, but as we’ve found – you get Topo and great flavors.

Topo Chico Hard Seltzer will be available in Arizona, California, Colorado, Georgia, Florida, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Texas, plus six cities, including Boston, Chicago, New York City, Northern New Jersey, Seattle, Washington, the District of Columbia and Vancouver, Canada.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Mother Earth Brew Co, New Releases

Mother Earth Coconut Cake Imperial Stout joins 4Seasons Series

Forget lighter beers as spring rolls around. Mother Earth Coconut Cake Imperial Stout is bucking the trend. In this case, warmer weather means barrel-aged.

Mother Earth’s 4Seasons Series arrives quarterly release that represents some of the best and unique creations in their brewing lineup. This imperial stout is brewed with toasted coconut, chocolate, vanilla, and lactose, and as a final flourish – aged in bourbon barrels.

“… What you’re getting here is a very complex ale with oak, caramelized sugar, and coconut dominating the palate, with a silky mouthfeel and dessert-like finish…” – Chris Baker, Director of Brewing Operations

Mother Earth Coconut Cake Imperial Stout is available for a limited time in 16-ounce cans.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coconut. Chocolate. Vanilla. Lactose. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16oz Cans
Debut: Late March 2021

11.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ecliptic Brewing, Chuckanut Brewery, New Beers

Ecliptic Chuckanut Vienna-Style Lager

Ecliptic Chuckanut Vienna-Style Lager

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Sierra Nevada, New Beers

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest 2021

Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest 2021

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Sierra Nevada, New Beers

Sierra Nevada Raspberry Bigfoot

Sierra Nevada Raspberry Bigfoot

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

New Realm Hoptropolis, & a reminder how much we’ve missed draft beer

I’ve missed draft beer. That’s a phrase I never thought I would say unless I accidentally stumbled back in time to 1930.

Now, there is nothing wrong with packaged beer. But a pint fresh from the taps is a thing of beauty I had probably taken a little for granted until COVID-19 basically killed draft beer in America for a while. New Realm Brewing’s Hazy Like a Fox IPA was a staple during quarantine, and sitting down at a bar this week finally have a fresh pint felt a little bit like a hoppy Christmas.

Except that’s not what I got.

Every beer drinker has had that internal debate whether to say something to the bartender about a miss-poured beer, and look a little pretentious in the process, or say something. If you say something, the beer will just be poured down the drain. Such a waste. What was sitting in front of me wasn’t Hazy Like a Fox, but equally if not more delicious. It’s been a shit year, so I decided to stay the course and be grateful I’m sitting in a bar and not on a Zoom call.

As it turns out, it was New Realm Hoptropolis. This “juicy” IPA debuted back in 2018, and honestly, that was the last time I had it.  As of late the beer has been popping up everywhere. Jeff Chassner is New Realm’s VP of Business Development and a good friend, so I asked him what was up. As it turns out, New Realm is “leaning in” on Hoptropolis as spring and warmer weather sets in.

“Hazy Like a Fox is now our number one selling beer both inside and outside of the brewery, and Hoptropolis isn’t far behind,” he says. “We figured it’s time to remind folks don’t forget about our other favorite IPA.”

It’s built on Loral, Citra, El Dorado, and Azacca hops which are all headliners in juicy IPAs in these days. Georgia is lucky to have an IPA god like Mitch Steele working his brewing magic with Tyler and team.

Covid lulled me into a bit of a rut. Same safety beers during a turbulent time – until the wrong pull of a tap. I very literally proved New Realm’s point without even knowing it.

On the same topic, that’s another unintended problem beer has dealt with during the ongoing pandemic. It’s not just a loss of volume to every brewery in America. It’s the loss of the variety and exploration you get sitting down in front of a tap wall. Trying something new by the pint is much less daunting than 6 pack commitments.  A notion I nearly forgot after playing it safe so many months now.

Thanks, Hoptropolis.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Hi Wire Brewing, Brewery Expansions, Don't Miss This

Hi-Wire Brewing announces Kentucky taproom

Asheville, North Carolina based Hi-Wire Brewing is in the process of building a new taproom in Louisville, Kentucky.

The 5500-square foot space will be located at 642 Baxter Avenue, in Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood – a part of a new mixed-use development. Guests can expect 21 Hi-Wire beer taps spanning year-round beers, seasonals, one-offs and sour ales, 3 taps for wine, and family-friendly activities like soccer pool, table tennis, foosball, and shuffleboard.

“Taprooms are a core revenue stream for our company, especially given our current climate. They create brand ambassadors in those markets. They create jobs and increase wholesale sales in the region,” says Hi-Wire Brewing co-owner Bryna Frosaker.

Hi-Wire Louisville is the brewery’s sixth taproom location and marks just their second location outside of North Carolina. Interesting, this Hi-Wire build is Kentucky’s first out of state brewery to build in the Bluegrass State.

Construction is expected to begin in March 2021.

by Reid Ramsay