Don’t Miss This

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 Don't Miss This, Galleries

Fire and Flavor: Inside Atlanta’s Sweet Auburn Good Luck Smokeshow

The inaugural Sweet Auburn “Good Luck Smokeshow” was a one-night tasting event hosted by Sweet Auburn Barbecue in Atlanta. The beloved Poncey-Highland location shut down the block for an evening of food and cocktails with “fire, flavor, and community” theme. The event benefited Asian American Voices for Education, a nonprofit supporting AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) causes. THe Good Luck Smokeshow celebrated Asian American culture through food, storytelling, and festivities, drawing a sold out crowd feasting fusion of Southern barbecue with Asian influences.

Sweet Auburn Barbecue

Sweet Auburn Barbecue was founded by siblings Anita Hsu and Howard Hsu, second-generation Chinese Americans who blended their heritage with Southern barbecue roots. The duo started out as food truck at the historic Sweet Auburn Curb Market it evolved into two brick-and-mortar spots. Their menu reimagines classics like brisket and ribs with Asian twists—think pimento cheese wontons, brisket egg rolls, coconut lemongrass ribs. Really bold flavors from two different worlds.

Breathtaking and Belly Filling

The food lineup was unbelieveable featuring both Sweet Auburn and killer lineup of guest chefs including Sweet Auburn, Soupbelly, Spring(Michelin One Star restaurant in Marietta, Georgia), Ganji, Leftie Lee’s and more. Minhwa Spirits was pouring Soju alongside Three Taverns Ukiyo (rice lager) and Scofflaw Brewing’s Juice Quest. Don’t take our word for it, check out this food lineup:

  • Sweet Auburn BBQ: The host restaurant served smoked char siu pork and brisket rendang.
  • Kamayan: Lechon pork belly with garlic rice.
  • So So Fed: Peanut noodles.
  • Dhaba BBQ: Lemon pepper masala wings.
  • J Chong: Dan dan tots with Sichuan pork and fermented mustard greens.
  • Soupbelly: Chili oil wontons.
  • Leftie Lee’s: Black sesame blondies.
  • Spring: Spicy Korean beef tartare.
  • P Thai’s Khao Man Gai and Noodles: Khao man gai, a dish of poached chicken and rice.
  • Xi’an Gourmet House: Cold noodles.
  • Ganji: Pork belly burnt ends.
  • Lucky Star: La rou fan, a Taiwanese braised pork dish.

The entire event was nothing short of a star-studded flavor adventure worth every penny of the $125 dollar price tag. From amazing mains to experimental dishes like black garlic custard, on the street in Atlanta at sunset sipping soju was the best place to eat in the city that day.

Don’t miss it next year.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Don't Miss This, Headlines, Seasonal Return

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, lagered in Cabernet barrels returns

Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is back for 2025, signaling the transition from summer to fall.

First debuting in 2006, Oaktoberfest has become a cherished seasonal tradition for the brewery. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his team use all-German ingredients in the recipe and lager the beer in Napa Valley wine barrels (hence the name Oaktoberfest). This year, the beer was lagered in French oak barrels that previously aged Cabernet Sauvignon from a local winery. According to the brewery, the oak lagering “creates an even smoother texture while staying true to the beer’s crisp malt profile and hints of noble hops.”

It may be coincidental, but Firestone Walker’s home of Paso Robles, California, ties in beautifully. “Paso Robles” translates to “Pass of the Oaks,” a nod to the abundant oak trees in the region. This connection complements the city’s reputation for wine production and the Oaktoberfest name.

This year, Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest is available in 12-ounce cans and on draft for a limited time.

Style: Oktoberfest
Hops: Tettnanger, Hersbrucker
Malts: Vienna, Weyermann Pilsner, Cara Red

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal release.
Latest Return: Mid-August, 2025

5.2% ABV

Image: Firestone Walker 

ED NOTE: If any readers know of a retailer will ship Firestone Walker Oaktoberfest, contact us. Be sure to scroll down the page for the form, we are having some coding issues on that page)

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, 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 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 Beer News, Don't Miss This

3 Sheeps Brewing drops 2 barrel-aged beers for Year 13

3 Sheeps Brewing in Sheboygan, Wisconsin celebrates their 13th anniversary this weekend with a few barrel-aged releases.

Sheboygan’s 3 Sheeps Brewing, a beloved mid-sized craft brewery that’s carved out a strong following in Wisconsin’s beer scene, is celebrating 13 years with their annual anniversary party this Saturday, May 31, at their North Avenue taproom. The brewery has become quite popular, creating bold, innovative brews and maintaining a robust barrel aged beer program that other breweries have all but abandoned completely.

First of two barrel aged beers- is Baker’s Dozen, a barrel-aged imperial stout brewed with maple syrup and coffee.

Once More Around The Sun is a double-barrel aged in two different bourbon barrels.

The Lemongrass Pils is pouring fresh, and the brewery’s latest seasonal release.

From 3 Sheeps about the event:

A few blasts from the past (Baaaaaad Boy, anyone?) Live music all day, capped off with a set from Bowser, Vintage barrel-aged bottle sales and timed releases. Food from Parker John’s and Rosa’s Bakery

Come hang out, grab a few pints, and help us celebrate 13 years of doing what we love.

The party starts at 11 am and runs all day.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Don't Miss This, Highland Brewing

Oskar Wong, founder of Highland Brewing dies

The craft brewing industry has lost a pioneer, one of the kindest and talented people to in craft beer, Oskar Wong, founder of Asheville, North Carolina’s Highland Brewing.

Oscar P. Wong, lovingly known as the “Godfather of Asheville Craft Beer” passed peacefully at home on Sunday, May 25, 2025 with Anna, his wife of over 57 years, and Leah, one of his two daughters, at his side.

Upon his cancer diagnosis, Oscar’s doctor gave him 6-12 months, yet he lived well for the better part of three years. He valued quality of life and spent his remaining time fully immersed in the love of his family and those he cherished deeply. He liked to say, “Personal relationships are the currency of life,” and recently, he repeatedly expressed deep gratitude for an enriched life that exceeded his wildest imagination.

Oscar Wong is celebrated as a trailblazer, mentor, and friend to so many. From his humble beginnings as the son of Chinese immigrants in Jamaica, to Notre Dame, to a career as an engineer, to community service at the ARC, Rotary and UNC Asheville, to handball, to Highland, Oscar’s legacy is woven into the fabric of every community he touched.

Oscar was an engineer-turned-entrepreneur who embodied generosity, humility, and above all else, connection. Whether telling a story of the old Highland days, giving advice to an employee, or hand-writing a heartfelt note in exquisite penmanship, Oscar had a gift for making people feel seen and valued. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him, or even meeting him once, likely felt touched by Oscar’s sincere and vivacious spirit.

To Oscar, success was not just about achievement but about giving back. His leadership and passion turned a post-retirement hobby into a pioneering brewery that shaped a city. Throughout his lifetime, he was honored with countless awards, among them: the US Small Business Administration’s Person of the Year for NC; the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian award; and the Brewers Association’s Recognition Award for “individuals whose inspiration, enthusiasm, and support have contributed to the craft brewing movement.”  

Oscar’s legacy lies in the lives he touched—as a loving father and friend, a role model for employees, a humorous and inspirational figure in the community, and a kind soul who believed in building businesses and bonds. From sipping scotch with friends every Friday to playing handball at 84, Oscar lived fully and always encouraged those around him to do the same.

Editor’s Note: The first time I met Oskar, it was at an event at Taco Mac in Atlanta for Highland Brewing and Paul Phillpon of Duck Rabbit Brewing. Around 5 pm, Oskar walking into the bar area and introduces himself to everyone, shaking hands in smiling. A few hours later, Oskar goes to leave, tells each person goodbye by name, as hours later he still remembered the name of every person he met, and left. I never forgot that evening, it left such a positive impression of Oskar Wong I have never forgotten. One of the best individuals I’ve ever met in the beer industry.

by Reid Ramsay