Don’t Miss This

Posted in Off Color Brewing, Don't Miss This, Miller Coors

Off Color Brewing’s Miller High Life collaboration ‘Eeek!’ is back

Chicago, Illinois based Off Color Brewing brewed an interesting collaboration back in 2016 that you might find a little shocking. The craft brewer teamed up with MillerCoors – specifically the brewers of Miller High Life. In the David vs. Goliath world of craft brewing vs. macro brewing wasn’t ready for a collaboration like this. There were quite a few beer geeks were that overly butthurt by the team’s creation. If you couldn’t’ get emotionally passed it the first time, we have some bad news. Off Color Eeek! has returned.

That’s a bit “Off Color” right? As it turns out, the brewing teams of Miller & Off Color are good friends who have talked about this collaboration for years. In the summer of 2016, a collaboration finally happened. Honestly, this “macro” meets “craft” collaboration turned out to be pretty awesome.

The base beer uses Miller High Life ingredients – the same that have made the Champagne of Beers popular for years. Off Color used their funky, acidic mixed cultures in primary fermentation, then lagered it for three weeks. The final flourish is the bottle conditioning with Champagne yeast. (That last move might have been obvious.)

The result is actually a relatively complex American wild ale with a touch of the grainy undertones you’ll recognize as Miller High Life. Easily one of the most interesting collaborations we’ve ever seen in craft beer. The duo very LITERALLY created the Champagne of Wild Beers.

Off Color Eeek! (Batch 2) is available in 750-milliliter bottles in Chicago starting March 18th. Limited distribution is pending.

Style: American Wild Ale
Availability: 750ml Bottles
Latest Return: March 2018

?? ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

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

Like drinking an Arnold Palmer. Terrapin T-Time Berliner Weisse returns

Terrapin T-Time Berliner Weisse is as close to a beer-inspired Arnold Palmer drink as we’ve ever tried. This month, the beer returns for a second season.

The brewing team in Athens, Georgia has a penchant for lower alcohol by volume beers as well as kettle souring. A blend of those two created the wildly popular Watermelon Gose.

Sweet tea and golf are southern staples; making for easy inspiration for Terrapin T-Time Berliner Weisse. The tea is courtesy of Maya Tea in Tucson, Arizona.

Terrapin T-Time Berliner Weisse is available in 12-ounce cans and draft again starting in March 2018.

Style: Berliner Weisse (w/ Tea, Lemon)
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: March 2017
Latest Return: March 2018

4% ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Red Brick Brewing, Don't Miss This

Red Brick Airbrush Daydream introduces the “Myrtle Beach IPA”

Breakout those tacky-ass beach shirts. Red Brick Airbrush Daydream is coming this month.

The Atlanta based brewery jokingly subtitles this release a “Myrtle Beach Style IPA”. Funny now, but watch it become an actual beer style. After all, you can pretty much thank social media turning New England IPA into a hoppy juggernaut.

While New England is home to haze, the “Myrtle Beach Style” IPA is a tart one. Red Brick brews this release with Citra, Mosaic, and Topaz hops. If a surf shop t-shirt could be a beer, this is probably it.

Red Brick Airbrush Daydream will be available when the brewery opens on March 15th, in 16-ounce 4-packs.

Style: IPA
Hops: Citra, Mosaic, Topaz

Availability: 16oz Cans. Limited Release.
Debut: 3/15/18

?? ABV

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in The Bruery, Don't Miss This

 The Bruery opens their new retail store in Washington D.C. this week

Placentia, California based The Bruery will open their first east coast location on the east coast this month.

Renowned beers like the barrel-aged Black Tuesday, Mocha Wednesday, and White Chocolate got their start on at their original location on Dunn Way, alongside a series of wild and sour beers. Recently, the “wild” lineup was dubbed Bruery Terreux, and moved to an “all funk” location nearby.

This spring, they (finally) did what they said they would never do – they released India pale ales. Let’s just say they are “bending” their rule by releasing a hoppy lineup as Offshoot Beer Co.

The Bruery is looking east in 2018 with a brick & mortar presence in Washington D.C.

The Union Market District of the nation’s capital is where The Bruery has claimed their new home. The store will offer bottle and can sales from all three brands, for take away and on-site consumption, plus eight taps for growler and crowler fills.

Additionally, the store will serve as a pick-up point for Reserve, Preservation, and Hoarders Society members, and online bottle sales.

“The Bruery Store at Union Market District provides a central location for fans along the East Coast to get their hands on all three of our brands under one roof. We’re incredibly excited to put down roots for our first retail store outside of California in the nation’s capital. Such an expansion wouldn’t be possible without the support from our fans across the country.” – founder and CEO, Patrick Rue

The Bruery Store at Union Market District will share 5,000 square feet with other retailers. The two-story building is located at 513 Morse St. NE was built in 1931 as a small, independent butcher shop, Kramer & Sons.

You’ll find The Bruery “East” located at 513 Morse St. NE, open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

If you go:

  • The first 100 shoppers (no purchase necessary) on Jan. 19 will be gifted a limited edition, commemorative t-shirt and receive a three-bottle set of beer.
  • The second 100 shoppers (no purchase necessary) on Jan. 19 will be gifted two bottles of beer.
  • On Jan. 19, attendees who sign up to become a Preservation Society member will receive a free bottle of beer.
  • Current Hoarders Society, Reserve Society, and Preservation Society members will receive a free bottle of beer with any purchase during opening weekend.
  • One lucky shopper on January 19 will win a 2018 Reserve Society membership raffle (no purchase necessary). A membership includes over $370 value in included beer and merchandise, plus access to purchase the brewery’s most limited releases – at a 15% discount – online and in-store.
  • A meet-and-greet with The Bruery Founder, Patrick Rue – one of just 16 individuals to earn the title of Master Cicerone®.
  • Onsite sales of Black Tuesday 2017 (limit 3 bottles per person, while supplies last.)
  • Visitors will be able to join the Offshoot Beer Co. Interest List and gain access to the latest fresh, juicy, hop-forward and canned releases from the offshoot of The Bruery.Onsite bottle sales of popular and special releases from The Bruery, Bruery Terreux and Offshoot Beer Co. will be featured throughout opening week.
by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This

Dogfish Head to release R.E.M. inspired beer, complete with Swiss Army Knife

Dogfish Head It’s The End Of the Wort As We Know It, a “nutrient-rich survival beer” on January 27th. 

With an overt nod to the band R.E.M.’s seminal 90’s track, Dogfish Head It’s The End Of the Wort As We Know It will make a limited appearance at the Delaware brewery later this month.

Using nutrient-rich superfoods like including purple sweet potatoes, rose hips, chia seed, flax seed, spelt, oats and quinoa, Dogfish Head created a beer with 8x more Vitamin B than the leading light lager. Additionally, “End of the Wort” boasts 90% of the daily recommended serving of folic acid. That means this beer can fight anemia better than most beers. In an ironic twist, folate deficiency can be caused by alcoholism. (Life is confusing.)

In true “Off-Centered” fashion, each of the 200 bottles of Dogfish Head It’s The End Of the Wort As We Know It will sport a brewery branded Swiss Army Knife,  survival blanket, and paracord. Everything you need to survive a wilderness drinking situation.

“We are not making any health claims in association with this beer.  We are merely sharing our brewing process and the culinary ingredients we chose for the recipe that are rich in alluring aromas and flavors.”  Slightly tart and subtly sweet with jammy blueberry, cranberry, and cherry flavors, this medium-bodied beer clocks in at 9% ABV and is a critical off-centered ale to include in your survival bunker. – Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head Founder

Dogfish Head It’s The End Of the Wort As We Know It is limited to just 200 750 milliliter bottles. On sale for $45 dollars at the brewery on January 27th.

Style: Belgian-style Strong Ale ( Purple Sweet Potatoes. Rose Hips. Chia Seeds, Flax Seed, Spelt, Oats. Quinoa)
Malts: Oats, Spelt
Availability: 750ml Bottles. 200 Bottles, Brewery Only
Debut: 1/27/18

9% ABV

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

New Belgium Juicy Haze IPA debuts, an “Unfiltered Wave of Hoppiness”

New Belgium Juicy Haze IPA is joining the brewery’s Voodoo Ranger Series to start 2018.

Let’s face it, the demand for hazy, juicy India pale ales is high, and not going away anytime soon. The brewing team at New Belgium knows this, so it’s time for a hazy Voodoo Ranger release.

Juicy Haze IPA has all the important flavor descriptors – tropical, citrusy, unfiltered. Everything hazy beers boast, but you won’t have to stand in a line to get it. The brewery combines Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, and Nugget hops with Hefeweizen yeast.

With more than 10 years brewing unfiltered beers and the ongoing success of our hoppy portfolio, Juicy Haze continues our tradition of pushing boundaries while making creative and innovative beers.” – Cody Reif, New Belgium Brewer

New Belgium Juicy Hazy IPA is a 12-ounce bottle, 16oz can and draft release.

Style: IPA
Hops: Citra, Cascade, Centennial, Simcoe, Nugget
Malts: Pale, Wheat, C-80, Oats

Availability: 12oz Bottles, 16oz Cans. Draft.
Debut: January 2018

7.5% ABV

Image: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Scofflaw Brewing Co., Don't Miss This

Scofflaw Double Jeopardy IPA is getting an artistic upgrade in 2018

Scofflaw Double Jeopardy IPA is part of a series of artwork upgrades for the brewery in 2018.

Atlanta’s Scofflaw Brewing had one hell of a year. Between brewery expansions, the “middle finger scandal”, ordering a new brewhouse, and partnering with Scottish brewer Brewdog, it’s a wonder anyone on the team has time to sleep. Somewhere in the mix, someone there had time to work on upgrading their canned artwork.

The brewery’s Basement IPA is still #1 in demand. According to Jonathan Ingram at Scofflaw, Hooligan and Double Jeopardy are tied for second. Those that are hop-addicted are a home in the Simcoe heavy Double Jeopardy. Artist Josh Jameson is the talent behind beautiful updates.

Double Jeopardy has a malty bite up front from caramel and pale malts followed by a resinous hoppy middle, then finishes with a lingering, bittersweet boozy tingle. This big and bold unfiltered IPA taunts you: Can you walk away without having another?

Scofflaw Double Jeopardy IPA is available year-round in 12-ounce cans and draft.

Style:Imperial IPA
Hops: Simcoe (& more)

Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Year-round

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay