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Posted in Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Sierra Nevada

Coming Soon: Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal

October 2012 was when the beer world first got a taste of Narwhal Imperial Stout. The beer joined Sierra Nevada’s “High Altitude” Series, shortly after the brewery had debuted another huge stout – 30th Anniversary Imperial Stout. Soon, it looks like another Narwhal will be spotted – Sierra Nevada Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal.

This is far from the first variant of Narwhal that Sierra Nevada has released. The brewery’s Trip in the Woods Series has seen Barrel-Aged Narwhal with red and black currants, as well as Barrel-Aged Cocoa Coconut Narwhal.

As for  Barrel Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal., the artwork is all we have right now, presumably brewed and both Chico, California and Mills River, North Carolina locations, and at a minimum – available in both gift shops.

Hold tight as this flavored Narwhal Imperial Stout dives to new depths, an abyss that’s rich with cocoa nibs, peanut butter flavor, and hints of vanilla from bourbon barrels. No need to unwrap candies, power the legendary dessert right into your glass.

Barrel-Aged Peanut Butter Cup Narwhal Imperial Stout is a 16-ounce can or bottle release.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Peanut Butter. Cocoa Nibs. Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 16oz Cans or Bottles.
Debut: TBA

12.7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Creature Comforts, Don't Miss This

Creature Comforts Athena Paradiso with Blackberries & Black Currants

Creature Comforts Athena Paradiso with Blackberries & Black Currants will arrive soon as the brewery’s next seasonal release.

The new edition of Athena Paradiso joins a series of fruited Athenas, including Tart Cherry, Raspberry, and Cranberry, as well as Passionfruit & Guava.

A release date for Athena Paradiso with Blackberries & Black Currants is forthcoming.

Style: Berliner Weisse (w/ Blackberries. Black Currants.)
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.
Debut: TBA

?? ABV

Image: Creature Comforts

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Pabst Blue Ribbon, Don't Miss This

PBR Cannabis Infused Seltzer debuts in California

Pabst isn’t letting 2020 slow them down. Today the company unveiled Pabst Blue Ribbon Cannabis-Infused Seltzer. The new offering is labeled under newly formed company Pabst Labs.

Pabst Labs was recently founded by a group of cannabis beverage experts, as well as former Pabst employees. The company has full ownership of the product development, production, packaging, and marketing.

With cannabis laws being varied across all 50 states, California will be the only state seeing the release of the product – found in cannabis dispensaries.

PBR HARD COFFEE DEBUTS ON NATIONAL COFFEE DAY

Each 12-ounce can is lemon-flavored, with 4 grams of sugar, 25 calories, 5 milligrams of THC. The cannabis seltzer is non-alcoholic. It is currently Federally illegal to mix cannabis products and alcohol (in professional production). Lemon is the only flavor available at launch. Pabst Labs states other flavors are in development

“Pabst Blue Ribbon has an incredibly loyal and passionate customer base who are open to change and embracing new ideas. We’ve spent a long time creating a quality product for both new and experienced users, and believe the entry of an established brand can help kick-start the cannabis drinks category.” – Mark Faicol, Pabst Labs Brand Manager.

PBR Cannabis Infused Seltzer Seltzer available for customers in a select group of California dispensaries as well as direct to California consumers via shop.PabstLabs.com

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

Bell’s Mango Oberon is being distributed for the first time

Bell’s Oberon is easily one of the most popular seasonal beers in America. (Unless you live in a handful of areas where it’s year-round). Every so often, and in very limited quantities, variants of Oberon have surfaced, such as Pineapple Jalapeno, Guava Raspberry, and Cucumber Basil. This month, another variant – Mango Oberon, has been selected for wider distribution.

Those living close to Bell’s General Store in downtown Kalamazoo have might have seen this beer in the past. According to Larry Bell, brewery president, and founder, says brewery fans have been asking for Oberon special releases to see more distribution.

12-ounce bottles of Bell’s Mango Oberon start shipping in limited quantities across the United States the week after July 4th.

Style: Fruited Wheat Beer (w/ Mango)
Availability: 12oz Bottles
Debut: July 2020

5.8% ABV

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

New Holland Dragon’s Milk series gains a foeder beer

A new Dragon’s Milk is joining the New Holland Brewing family this month – Dragon’s Milk Solera. Unlike the year-round barrel-aged imperial stout, this release is a completely different beer, from grain to glass.

“Dragon’s Milk (the 11%’er) has really given us the ability to experiment and grow the Dragon’s Milk family,” says New Holland’s brand manager Dominic Berquist. “This is really one of the most unique brewing approaches to the series yet,” he adds.

Dragon’s Milk Solera’s base beer is best described as an American strong ale before it’s racked to American oak foeders. New Holland is going to fractionally blend each batch, known as the “solera” method. The oak foeders will house different generations of the base beer, each contributing to what you will taste in the bottle, starting with the master batch, down the line to the youngest batch. The maximum age of a thread of Solera will increase with each blend until reaching an age equilibrium. At release, that’s 7.5 months. At equilibrium, the age will increase to just over 11 months.

Each blend in the process will be numbered, so fans can follow along with blending journey.

…Dragon’s Milk Solera presents a gorgeous mahogany hue. An oaky and subtly sweet nose draws the drinker in for a sip where beguiling flavors of caramel, toffee and fig coalesce into a beer best savored amongst good company.

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Solera year-round starting in mid-July, with draft available in select states in August.

Style: American Strong Ale (Foeder Aged)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: 7/19/20

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Stone Brewing Co., Don't Miss This, New Releases

Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager debuts nationally

Stone Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager has started shipping nationally as April winds down.

From a brewery best known for their love of India pale ales comes a Mexican-style lager brewed with fresh lime and sea salt. Stone Brewing was founded in 1996 just 17 miles from Baja California. The south of the border inspirations are evident in Stone’s love of hot peppers in brewing, as well as Xocoveza Mexican hot chocolate imperial stout.

Brewer Ben Sheehan created this beer at Stone’s World Bistro & Gardens Liberty Station. Look for Buenaveza Salt & Lime Lager in 12 and 19.2-ounce cans, 12 and 22-ounce bottles as well as draft.

Style: Lager (w/ Sea Salt. Lime.)
Hops: Liberty
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: April 2020

4.7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This

Atlanta temporarily allows sales of beer & wine to-go during pandemic

On Thursday, Atlanta’s bars and restaurants were ordered to close in the wake of the spread of COVID-19. In hopes of maintaining a revenue stream for these many establishments, Atlanta has temporarily lifted restrictions on the sale of alcohol to-go.

Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has signed an order allowing the city’s restaurants to offer beer and wine to-go, strictly for”off-premise” consumption. The order is only valid for 60 days.

Unfortunately, this emergency order only covers closed beer and wine, not open containers or liquor drinks. (Sorry, no margarita pitchers to-go, or we’d be first in line.)

Across Atlanta as well as the state, breweries, bars, and restaurants have furloughed hundreds of employees. The establishments that remain open have transitioned to a 100% take out option. The addition of closed container beer and wine will hopefully increase the establishment’s revenue streams during the shutdown.

Texas and New York have made similar exemptions during this crisis.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said on Thursday he will not issue a state quarantine or force businesses to close.

by Reid Ramsay