Breweries

Posted in Boulder Beer Company, Headlines

Boulder Beer to close brewpub this month, going entirely contract going forward

Colorado’s Boulder Beer Company has had a bumpy few months. In October, the brewery announced it would be pulling back national distribution, and downsizing operations after 30 years. The Boulder Pub would remain in business.

Then in December, Boulder changed course, announcing a partnership with Denver’s Sleeping Giant Brewing Company which would allow their beer to stay in national distribution without interruption.

Here in 2020, Boulder Beer has a new announcement – they will be closing the brewpub and attached in-house production facility permanently, ending 40 years of Boulder Beer operations.

In a letter published today from brewery owner Gina Day, an opportunity to sell the 19,000 square foot facility has presented itself, which will ultimately close the Pub at Boulder Beer for good.

After closing the manufacturing side of our business and then creating a relationship with Sleeping Giant, we feel it is now in our best interest to pursue this opportunity to sell the building. The 19,000 square foot production facility has proven to be too large for our brewpub to operate within.

Thanks to the production partnership with Sleeping Giant, the Boulder Beer lineup will still be available in package and draft in Boulder and beyond.

From cutting national distribution to focus solely on the Pub to maintaining national distribution and the pub, and finally, selling the pub completely, it’s been a rollercoaster for Boulder Beer the past four months. In closing, Day mentions that the opening of a new pub location in the future isn’t off the table. Time will tell.

The last day of operations for the Pub at Boulder Beer will be Saturday, January 18th.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Russian River Brewing, Headlines

Pliny the Younger will finally be bottled in 2020

One of the most sought after India pale ales on planet Earth – Pliny the Younger, will finally be bottled for the first time in 2020.

California’s Russian River Brewing has achieved platinum status in the craft brewing industry, in both the sour/wild ale category and the India pale ale category. Most notably, three epic IPAs – Blind Pig, Pliny the Elder, and once a year – Pliny the Younger. Each unique and forever memorable in their own right – each making a pretty massive impression on the beer world. None garner so much fanfare and fervor like Pliny the Younger

Once a year, lines form in late winter, for the once-a-year taste of the “Younger,” which finds those in attendance wondering if Russian River Brewing ever bottle this- the most elusive IPA in the industry, will ever be bottled.

We have our answer.

Russian River Pliny the Younger will be available in bottles on February 7th, 2020.

On the 16th release of this triple IPA, always tapped and celebrated on first Friday in February… Younger will be available in bottles. Even Russian River let their faithful to believe they probably would never see this day.

Thanks to the added capacity, space, and production ability with Russian River’s Windsor, California location they opened in the past year, Pliny the Younger in bottles is officially a reality. Younger will be available at both brewpubs on February 7th-20th, 2020. Guests will be able to buy 2 bottles at either brewpub, tracked by a fourth tab on the wristband they receive upon entering.

There will be no distribution of Younger bottles. Draft distribution starts the second week of February 2020.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, Oskar Blues Brewing, Seasonal Return

Oskar Blues Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy returns nationally in November

Oskar Blues Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy will be available nationally again this month. This time around, the stout is getting a little packaging makeover.

It takes the better part of a year to brew and barrel-age Oskar Blues Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy. 19.2-ounce cans of the imperial stout were first found in the brewery’s taprooms in fall of 2015. The demand was so high, Oskar Blues ramped up production and made it nationally available for the first time in 2016.

This month, Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy will be nationally available again, but this time in 12-ounce cans. Ten Fidy is aged in a blend of Buffalo Trace and Heaven Hill bourbon barrels for at least 8 months.

“Ten FIDY is a complicated beer for our brewers but they really dig into the behemoth task of delivering a big-time stout. Barrel-aging ups the ante even further – ramping up the chocolate, coffee and roasted notes to the maximum.”  Tim Matthews, Head of Brewing Operations

To celebrate this beer’s return, Oskar Blues is releasing variety 4-packs of barrel aged variants of Ten FIDY, including JAHvanilla, Salted Caramel, Chocolate Hazelnut Praline, and Java on November 29th.

Oskar Blues Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy is available in 12-ounce cans and limited draft by mid-November 2019.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 19.2oz Cans, Draft.
Latest Release: Shipping Nationally, November 2019

12.9% ABV

Oskar Blues Barrel-Aged Ten Fidy

The previous 19.2oz release. PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing, Coming Soon, Don't Miss This

Bell’s Brewery is releasing ‘Goin’ Dark’ to honor veterans & active military

Bell’s Brewery is honoring veterans and active service military with a special beer release for Veteran’s Day. Bell’s Goin’ Dark debuts at the brewery’s Eccentric Cafe on November 11th.

Goin’ Dark is a coffee milk stout brewed with bourbon barrel-aged coffee beans. This beer was visualized, conceived, brewed and packaged by a team of 20 Bell’s employees that served in the military or currently enlisted or have families actively serving.

“It’s an honor to recognize the men and women in our military as well as their families and extend that celebration to those who make that sacrifice.” – Larry Bell, Founder & President

Additionally, Bell’s is working with Section Collection, a nonprofit that provides support for veterans in need.

Bell’s Goin’ Dark will be available exclusively at the Eccentric Cafe on November 11th, in 12-ounce bottles and draft.

Style: Milk Stout (w/ Coffee.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Brewery Release.
Debut: 11/11/19

6.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Founders Brewing, Headlines

Founders settles racial discrimination case, both parties issue statement

Founders Brewing has been embroiled in a very public racial discrimination case. This afternoon, the Grand Rapids, Michigan brewery issued a statement about the case, additionally stating the case has been settled. The terms of the settlement have not been disclosed.

Below are the statements from Founders and Tracy Evans in their entirety.

This is a developing story… 

Founders Statement
We are pleased to settle this case and focus on the future. Through recent discussions with Tracy, we listened, engaged in self-discovery, and reached common ground to make amends. We agreed that nobody be viewed at fault here. Most importantly, this serves as an opportunity to place our full attention on the work we now have to do, as a company of more than 600 dedicated team members, to rebuild our relationships.

Significantly, we are committed to moving the cause of diversity and inclusion forward for Founders. We want every employee to feel valued, respected and safe. We abhor discriminatory action of any type and believe that beer should bring people together and not divide.

-Mike Stevens and Dave Engbers, Co-Founders

Tracy’s Statement:
I am not going to say too much here but I want the world to know the power we have when we step forward and make ourselves heard. Upon hearing us, businesses also have the power to make changes or not. I don’t know what happens from here within the doors of Founders Brewing Co. I do know this; we have legal resolution and we have started looking at how ALL of this is affecting human lives. I don’t know what Dave and Mike have planned for the future, but I know that that “seeing color” and valuing people for who they are, and their collection of experiences is the mission. Learning from our mistakes is also part of the mission.  Founders as a whole made some bad choices. I, as an individual made some mistakes but on this day we look to move forward. When someone offers to change, as humans we have a few choices and I have made the choice to see what Founders does with the path that they are about to take. To those that were affected by all of this within Founders and had nothing to do with this, I apologize. To the few of those that were affected by this and you are a part of the problem, I hope you listen to what your company is about to start saying. Craft beer is about coming together and celebrating our differences and no dollar amount should make a company want to forget that. A company is nothing without its workers and you deserve to be valued as such and there should be a clear line of what those goals are. As there are still people working for Founders that I still love very dearly, I hope for nothing but the best for Founders in the future. I will also be moving on and continuing this fight around the world as the issues that I experienced at Founders are not just a Founders issue, they happen everywhere and I vow to continue to be a vessel to help both employers and employees become better at acknowledging, understanding and dealing with them.

Love you all, thanks for the support and let’s continue to stand up for what’s right.

-Tracy Evans

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Three Taverns Brewery, Seasonal Return

Three Taverns Helm’s Deep, “the barrel-aged monster” returns

Three Taverns Helm’s Deep returns to the Decatur, Georgia brewery again on November 2nd. 

This imperial stout was initially a long time coming. Ahead of the original release in 2016, the crew at Three Taverns has been aging this monster in various bourbon barrels, looking for the perfect oaky compliment. In the years since the release, the brewing staff has been come obsessive over the barrels and aging process of this release.

The 2016 edition found a perfect pairing in 8-year-old Heaven Hill bourbon barrels. Helm’s Deep was their “thickest and chewiest beer to date” according to brewery founder Brian Purcell when it first debuted. This beer’s popularity has grown so much that Three Taverns has also released a German Chocolate variant.

𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗺’𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗲𝗽 is a 13% bourbon barrel aged stout with a chewy mouthfeel and rich flavors of bourbon saturated oak, dark chocolate, and molasses.

750-milliliter bottles of Three Taverns Helm’s Deep when the brewery opens on Saturday, November 2nd.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel-Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Draft. Limited.
Debut: 12/17/16
Latest Return: 11/2/19

13% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Wasatch Brew Pub & Brewery, New Releases

Wasatch Brewery refreshes brand, releases two new beers

Park City, Utah’s Wasatch Brewery will have a brand new look this November. A full brand refresh debuts after Halloween.

The new-look corresponds with Utah’s change in their (still) antiquated laws surrounding alcohol by volume restrictions. As of November 1st, beer sold and convenience and grocery stores moves from 4% to 5% ABV.

Wasatch branding has moved away from painted can designs in favor of a clean, bold, colorful can design with the Wasatch name as a central focus. Per Scott Doutre, the brewery’s creative director:

“Some elements will feel like familiar reinterpretations of long-standing design icons that have been connected to the Wasatch brand for years. The new packaging is bright and attractive so it will ‘have legs and walk off the shelves’ but still have a strong connection to the brand – irreverent and with attitude.”

Additionally, Wasatch is releasing two new beers alongside the rebrand – Island Hop Tropical IPA (year-round), and Pickup Lime Sour (seasonal).

Wasatch Brewery was started in Park City in 1986 by Greg Schirf. In 2000, Wasatch merged with Squatters Craft Beer, which was founded in Salt Lake City. Their beer lineup is currently available in 20 states.

by Reid Ramsay