Breweries

Odell Brewing adds Utah distribution

Fort Collins, Colorado-based Odell Brewing is adding Utah distribution at the end of May. The brewery has signed distribution deals with General Distributing Co., and Golden Beverage.

Residents can expect 90 Shilling, Odell IPA, Drumroll APA, Rupture Fresh Grind Ale, and Continue Reading →

So Punk: The Veil Brewing IREALLYdontwanttoBU!

The Veil Brewing IREALLYdontwanttoBU! is available again at the brewery in Richmond, Virginia.

This release is a double dry-hopped spin on Veil’s IdontwanttoBU, their “0 International Bitterness Unit” IPA. This edition is blown out of the water with Citra and Mosaic Continue Reading →

Posted in The Unknown Brewing Co., Don't Miss This

Catnip beer? Unknown Brewing Kitten Snuggles might drive your cat crazy

Like a little catnip in your beer? Unknown Brewing Kitten Snuggles is back for a second time.

Two years ago, Charlotte, North Carolina based Unknown Brewing debuted ‘Kitten Snuggles‘ a farmhouse ale brewed with “fuzzy” apricots, lactose milk sugar, and catnip flowers.

Catnip has the most notable influence on felines, thanks to nepetalactone, an organic compound found in the plant. A little over 60% of cats are affected by the compounds in catnip.

Lesser known uses include making herbal tea or culinary dishes with catnip. In this case, the off-the-wall folks at Unknown Brewing created cat themed Kitten Snuggles with what some call “kitty crack”. (The brewery once made a beer with food grade scorpions.)

By now you might be wondering what catnip tastes like. Catnip tea is slightly minty and grassy. It’s been two years since trying Kitten Snuggles at the brewery in Charlotte, but as we recall – it’s apricot fruit heavy and creamy, with just a touch of grassy flavor. Cats followed us around the rest of the day. It was as cute as it was weird.

Unknown Brewing Kitten Snuggles is available for the first time in 16-ounce cans at the brewery on May 25th.

Style: Farmhouse Ale (w/ Apricots. Catnip. Lactose.)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Limited Release.
Latest Release: 5/25/18

?? ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ommegang, Headlines

Small batch sour & wild ale blends are coming to new Ommegang Blenderie project

New York State-based Brewery Ommegang is debuting a new small batch project in June known as Ommegang Blenderie.

Famously Belgian brewing influenced Ommegang has been blending beers for years. One of the most well-known beers in the brewery’s lineup (if not across all of craft beer) is Three Philosophers was first released in 2002, a blend of Ommegang’s Quadruple and Belgium based Liefman’s Kriek.

Ommegang Blenderie will take the brewery’s blending efforts a step further, into a whole new series of small batch blended releases. Two releases are planned for June – Faith & Fortitude, and Zen & Zymurgy.

Fath & Fortitude – a blend of aged sours and farmhouse-style saisons. The 6.5% ABV beer is described as having “notes of apricot, citrus, and tropical fruits mix with just a hint of barnyard funk.” Available at SAVOR in Washington D.C. and on sale at the brewery on June 16th.

Zen & Zymurgy – a mixed fermentation sour ale built on a saison base with 4 different yeast cultures, boasting “Aromas of sweet fruit, lemon and oak and tart flavors of fruit, malt, and Brettanomyces.” Available first at the Firestone Walker Invitational, on June 2nd, and on sale in August 2018.

One of Ommegang’s most recent blends is available nationally now – Saison Rose, a blend of two of the brewery’s saisons.

Expect more releases from Ommegang Blenderie in the coming months and years.

Image: Brewery Ommegang

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in 21st Amendment Brewing, Seasonal Return

21st Amendment Watermelon Funk is back for another summer

Back for another fun summer in the sun is 21st Amendment Watermelon Funk. The beer was first canned in June of last year. 

The brewery’s Hell or High Watermelon Wheat making an appearance on shelves means warm weather is finally here. Prior to Watermelon Funk’s debut last year, the San Francisco based brewery had been “funking with greatness” in small batches. The now well-known Hell or High Watermelon Wheat beer was kettle soured Lactobacillus Planterum bacteria, resulting in the perfect complement to the slightly sweeter melon sibling.

…bright, tart, citrus notes, this beer finishes with a spicy farmhouse character from its French Saison yeast strain.

21st Amendment Watermelon Funk is brewed with 100% pure watermelon puree. Look for it nationally again in 12-ounce cans and draft for a limited time.

Style: American Sour/Wild Ale (w/ Watermelon)
Hops: Magnum
Malts: 2 Row, White Wheat

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: June 2017
Latest Return: Late May 2018

6.7% ABV

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

SweetWater Twisted Fish is a beautiful, hoppy, water saving pilsner

SweetWater Twisted Fish is hitting shelves this week – brewed with and for Building Conservation Trust. The Trust is the Coastal Conservation Association’s National Habitat Program.

Water is the biggest component of every beer, and Atlanta based SweetWater Brewing Co. is dedicated to protecting the Earth’s precious liquid. In 2006, the brewery launched the “Save Our Water” initiative in conjunction with local Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Every summer since, SweetWater has donated $100,000 dollars to clean water and natural habitat protection initiatives around the nation.

In honor of those hard-working freshwater protectors, SweetWater created Twisted Fish. This new pilsner is brewed with traditional Czech yeast, Hallertau hops, pilsner malts while breaking tradition Citra and Mandarina Bavaria hop varieties.

Lagers and pilsners are being seen more frequently on beer shelves, and for most this is a very welcomed sight. SweetWater’s new pilsner is built on a traditional recipe, with an American hoppy twist. The crisp and clean pilsner most certainly has a traditional start with each sip, finishing with a juicier, more citrus hop aroma and flavor. It’s almost a pilsner that finishes with a lingering “hazy IPA” aroma and flavor.

A little bit of the old world and a little bit of the new world make for a truly a unique, pilsner that does some good in the process.

SweetWater Twisted Fish is available in 16-ounce cans and draft across the brewery’s entire 22-state distribution while supplies last. According to the brewery, they have already sold through every keg they have in the taproom.

Style: Pilsner
Hops: Hallertau Mittelfruh, Citra, Mandarina Bavaria, Crystal
Malts:  Pilsner, Carapils, Vienna

Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: Late May 2018

5.3% ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Odell Brewing, Distribution Expansion

Odell Brewing adds Utah distribution

Fort Collins, Colorado-based Odell Brewing is adding Utah distribution at the end of May. The brewery has signed distribution deals with General Distributing Co., and Golden Beverage.

Residents can expect 90 Shilling, Odell IPA, Drumroll APA, Rupture Fresh Grind Ale, and Myrcenary Double IPA in state stores, bars, and restaurants, while 4% alcohol by volume Loose Leaf Session Ale will be available in grocery and convenience stores.

“Utah and Colorado not only share a border, but also a lifestyle. Living out west, we play on the same rivers and explore the same mountain ranges. With a growing population and a community that appreciates craft-beer, we are excited to share our beer with our neighbors.” – Ryan Bogart, Regional Sales Manager.

Special launch events are planned in Salt Lake City and Park City.

Utah is the brewery’s 17th state of distribution.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in The Veil Brewing, Seasonal Return

So Punk: The Veil Brewing IREALLYdontwanttoBU!

The Veil Brewing IREALLYdontwanttoBU! is available again at the brewery in Richmond, Virginia.

This release is a double dry-hopped spin on Veil’s IdontwanttoBU, their “0 International Bitterness Unit” IPA. This edition is blown out of the water with Citra and Mosaic hops.

 This one is incredibly aromatic. We heart this one. – The Veil Brewing

The Veil Brewing IREALLYdontwanttoBU! is available in 16-ounce cans and draft, until it sells out again on May 22nd.

Style: IPA
Hops: Citra, Mosaic

Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft.
Latest Return: 5/23/18

6.9% ABV

Image: The Veil Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Monday Night Brewing, New Releases

Monday Night collaborates with Finback Brewery, creates ‘Suuuper Cereal Multigrain IPA’

Monday Night Suuuper Cereal Multigrain IPA, a new collaboration with New York-based Finback Brewery, has debuted.

Part of the brewery’s new India pale ale focused “Hop Hut”, this collaboration is dubbed a “multigrain IPA”. No other details about the beer have been provided.

Monday Night Suuuper Cereal Multigrain IPA is available in 12-ounce cans at the brewery’s original Westside Atlanta location.

Style: Imperial IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Brewery only release.
Debut: 5/20/18

?? ABV

Image: Monday Night Brewing

by Reid Ramsay