Headlines

Posted in Headlines

Blue Moon named official “craft beer” of the Kentucky Derby

Blue Moon, a division of MillerCoors announced today they are the official “craft beer” of the Kentucky Derby, as well as the first-ever beer sponsor of Churchhill Downs Racetrack.

The multi-year deal grants Blue Moon as the exclusive beer for both the racetrack and the Kentucky Derby, year-round.

Additionally, Blue Moon has announced the addition of the Blue Moon Taproom and Balcony at Churchill Downs, overlooking the paddock area. The buildout will be similar in concept and offerings as their Denver brewery. Furthermore, Blue Moon will be the title sponsor of Churchill Downs Twilight Thursday racing series, as well as adding a pop-up venue in the infield on Derby Day.

The most interesting piece of this story is Blue Moon’s frequent usage of the term “craft beer”. The Brewer’s Association defines the term as independently own breweries producing less than 6 million barrels of beer annually. The term is highly coveted and revered by the nation’s 7,000 craft brewers.

According to the Brewer’s Association, Blue Moon being a whole owned subsidiary of MillerCoors does not qualify as “craft brewer” status. The term craft brewer is not a legally protected one, which allows Blue Moon to call their product, a craft beer – much to the chagrin of many of America’s small and independent brewers.

Expect the Blue Moon/Derby Partnership to be supported by national social and digital media campaigns, plus branded glassware, bowties, pocket squares, seersucker vests and more.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Founders Brewing, Headlines, New Releases

Founders Blushing Monk returns after multi-year hiatus

Founders  Blushing Monk makes a return to the brewery’s Limited Release Series in 2019. 

Back by popular demand Blushing Monk, considered the older, boozier sibling to raspberry heavy Rubaeus is the first release in the brewery’s Limited Series in 2019. The fruit beer is fermented with a Belgian yeast strain on a “abundance” of raspberries.

Fruit-forward ferment aromas and spice esters combine with an abundance of raspberries for a tart and luscious, raspberry-jam character.

Founders Blushing Monk will be available nationwide in both 750-milliliter bottles, new 12-ounce bottles and draft starting January 4th.

Style: Fruit Beer (w/ Raspberries.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles. Draft. Limited Release.
Latest Release: January 2019

9.2% ABV

Image: Founders Brewing

Ed Note: Removed the 750ml bottle size. Only 12oz will be available. 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, Bell's Brewing, Seasonal Return

Bell’s Hopslam 2019 returns today. Here’s the shipping schedule

Bell’s Hopslam returns again for 2019 starting today. Below are all the details you’ll need to get your annual hoppy fix.

Starting in 2016, the Comstock, Michigan based brewery started shipping Hopslam in cans for the first time, and dropping Hopslam bottles from the lineup.

This year, the 1.32-gallon mini-kegs, aka the “hangover maker” will also hit shelves in limited quantities.

Bell’s Hopslam is an imperial IPA brewed with Michigan honey, easily ranking among one of the brewery’s most popular releases. The Double IPA will start shipping in waves beginning the first week of January to their home state of Michigan, then to the rest of their distribution area.

January 2nd: Bell’s Eccentric Cafe.

Hopslam cans will start shipping on Jan. 3: Counties in lower Michigan: Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Clare, Clinton, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lake, Lenawee, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee, Mason, Mecosta, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Osceola, Ottawa, St. Joseph, Shiawassee, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne.

Week of Jan. 7: Remaining counties in Michigan (including the U.P.), Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusettes, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraksa, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee (Roanne, Scott, Campbell, Claiborne, Morgan, Anderson, Union, Grainger, Hamblen, Jefferson, Knox, Coche, Sevier, Blount, Loudon, Shelby, Cheatham, Davidson, Wilson, Trousdale, Williamson, Rutherford, Maury, Bledsoe, Rhea, Seqatchie and Hamilton counties), Vermont and Wisconsin

Week of Jan. 14: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Deleware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee (remaining counties), Texas, Virginia, West Virginia,

Bell’s Hopslam is a 12-ounce can, mini-keg, and draft limited release.

Style: Imperial IPA (w/ Honey)
Availability: 12oz Cans, 1.32 Gallon Mini-Keg, Draft.
Latest Return: Early January 2019

10% ABV

Images via Bell’s Brewery.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Headlines

New Belgium Brut IPA opens “Up Next” Series for the brewery

The India pale ale continues to self-evolve in America. From English IPA to American IPA, from West Coast to the New England IPA, there’s always a new way to drink your hops. The latest stylistic trend is the “Brut-style”, inspired by the sparkling wine world. Kicking off a new “Up Next” series is New Belgium Brut IPA arriving in time for the new year.

Dick Cantwell of Magnolia Brewing in San Francisco (a New Belgium partner) inspired this “bubbly” release, an effervescent IPA with white grape and tropical notes. New Belgium characterizes this release as the “crisp alternative to hazy, fruit-forward IPAs” that dominate the market right now.

New Belgium Brut IPA is available in 12-ounce bottles and draft through the beginning of the new year. 

Style: IPA (Brut IPA) 
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. One-time Offering
Debut: December 2018

6.7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

Asheville’s Lexington Ave Brewery acquired by CANarchy, turning into “Collaboratory”

Asheville, North Carolina’s Lexington Avenue Brewery, aka “LAB” is changing hands. It is now a part of CANarchy, the craft beer collective that includes Oskar Blues, Cigar City, Perrin Brewing Company, Squatters Craft Beers, Wasatch Brewery, Deep Ellum Brewing Company, and Three Weavers.

LAB has called Asheville home for more than 9 years now. Mike Healy, the owner of Lexington Avenue Brewery says it’s time for him to do something new. “After nine years at LAB and with a new baby at home, I’m looking for a change. I believe I’m leaving LAB in good hands with CANarchy – they have experience running successful brewpubs; plus, they’ll put time and resources into creating exciting new brews and experiences for craft beer drinkers in Asheville.”

CANarchy is going to do a full renovation of LAB, which includes expanding seating as well as brewing capacity, and renaming the brewpub to the “CANarchy Collaboratory”.

Wayne Wambles of Cigar City Brewing fame will lead the brewing operations the Collaboratory. He will be in charge of creating “cutting-edge flavors and brewing methods; as well as creating limited-edition, small-batch collab beers,” per Canarchy.

The CANarchy Collaboratory is expected to open in March 2019.

An email for more information was not immediately returned.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Guinness, Headlines

A bourbon barrel-aged Guinness will release in the U.S. soon

A barrel-aged Guinness is coming to the United States – a collaboration with Bulleit Bourbon, both owned by Diageo.

The brewery took Guinness Stout brewed in Dublin and aged in Bulleit Bourbon barrels at the new Maryland facility.

Guinness Stout Aged in Bulleit Bourbon Barrels is the official name of this upcoming release. Full details have not been shared by the brewery or their PR team.

This barrel-aged edition of Guinness will be available in 11.2-ounce bottles.

Style: Irish Dry Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability:
Debut: TBA

?? ABV

Image: Guinness

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Scofflaw Brewing Co., Brewdog, Headlines

Confirmed. Unauthorized press release causes Scofflaw/Brewdog controversy

Update 9/28, 9 AM: Finally confirming Scofflaw’s story in regards a rogue press release that was sent on their behalf stating they would give away free beer to President Trump supporters in Brewdog bars, Frank. the publicist has issued a retraction. As Beer Street Journal mentioned yesterday, the failed promotion was invented solely by Frank. The company’s Facebook page mentions the following

Addtionally, UK journalists received late-day email retractions from the agency’s founder, Andrew Bloch. “You may have received an email with incorrect information regarding Scofflaw Brewery entering the UK market, encouraging Trump supporters to join them for a beer. PLEASE NOTE, THIS WAS INCORRECT INFORMATION AND IS NOT A MESSAGE FROM THE BRAND. Please accept my huge apologies for the confusion and do not run the piece.”

Upon seeing the original press release and social media backlash, Brewdog immediately canceled all events with Atlanta based Scofflaw Brewing and pulled all beer from their taps. Shirah and members of the brewery were in London promoting the launch. According to co-founder Matt Shirah, Brewdog never met with the brewery before taking the actions, starting their own “Hope, not Hate Promotion” on their own.

When asked about the fate of their partnerships and if Brewdog had contacted Scofflaw, Shirah stated “Nothing yet. Now we have to work to repair the damage that has been done to any of our relationships and reputations. I doubt we can recover in Europe, but the support from home has been overwhelming. I’m heading home now, as in I am in the air, so that I can spend time with our friends and brewery supporters”.

The original story appears below.

Atlanta based Scofflaw Brewing is spending the week in the United Kingdom, celebrating the launch of their hoppy lineup in the country thanks to partner BrewDog Brewing. The Scottish craft brewery has been contract brewing and packaging Scofflaw’s cans at their new Ohio facility for the last year while Scofflaw expands into a 50-barrel brewhouse.

The opportunity to expand the business partnership came up over the summer, with Brewdog offering to import Scofflaw’s lineup for the Brewdog guest taps in the UK.

The week was moving along smoothly until last night. Frank., a London based Public Relations Firm sent out a press release to their UK based list promoting Scofflaw and Brewdog joint events. Per the release – Scofflaw would give away free beer if the patrons would dress up as Trump supporters.

Outrage ensued, and social media excoriated Scofflaw for their stunt, prompting Brewdog to send out a tweet early this morning.

Brewdog Scofflaw Tweet

Beer Street Journal reached out to Matt Shirah for his side the story. Per Shirah, that press release was not authorized by him or his brewery.

According to Shirah, he made the decision to hire Frank. for the week to promote his joint events in the United Kingdom. The only press release Shirah, or Scofflaw authorized was the initial announcement of the brewery partnership and launch in the UK. Nothing else.

“I was unaware of any press release. The first one was the only one they were tasked to release, you saw the one. I gave them nothing else,” says Shirah.

When asked if Scofflaw Brewing or any brewery employee wrote, or authorized this press release, Shirah immediately responded “They did this without my consent or review. Just made it up. Fiction.”

“The PR firm, one agent, went out on their own. Maybe they don’t like Brewdog. Getting killed here. We can’t even leave the hotel room,” Shirah adds.

“Frank made it up and sent it. It was never a plan. never heard of it until it hit the press,” Shirah continues.

Shirah also mentions that Brewdog had no discussion with him or the brewing team. Brewdog saw the social media reaction and opted to pull the beer and end the partnership over Twitter, in public.

Beer Street Journal has repeatedly contacted Andrew Bloch, founder and managing partner of Frank. Our repeated requests for a statement have been denied. The firm has failed to respond to any request.

Scofflaw has been responding to angry fans on Instagram this morning. Another response to note:

Additionally, this morning Scofflaw posted this to Instagram:

 

Brewdog’s official statement includes a few discussions on America’s politics, as well as offering free beer to people who stand up for “Hope, not Hate”.  It’s also important to note that their mention of “Frank PR” erroneously refers to a New York PR firm. The publicst is based in London, and simply called “Frank.”

FREE BEERS FOR PEOPLE WHO STAND FOR HOPE, NOT HATE

Today we were the victim of Fake News, with Scofflaw falsely promoting an offer for Trump supporters in our bars that we had no idea about.

We’d like to again categorically confirm we did not know of, endorse or approve this promotion and as a result we’ll be sending all the Scofflaw beer from our bars back to the US. We had planned to stock their beers in our bars, and hold collaborative tasting events, but nobody ever mentioned anything about Trump to us.

We will also offer that free beer they promised, but this time it will be Punk IPA (or any of our other headliners) to anyone who shows up to our bars in the name of love not hate. All you need to do is tell the bar staff at any UK BrewDog bar, BrewDog Brussels or BrewDog Berlin Mitte you’re a lover not a hater, and we’ll pour you a free pint.

From what we can tell, the rogue press release about the weird Trump offer was sent to media without us ever seeing it, let alone agreeing to it, from Scofflaw’s PR agency, Frank PR. It’s not just that it wasn’t approved that is the issue for us here – it’s the fact that the offer directly contradicts our own views and values at BrewDog.

We’ve been pretty clear about our views here in the past. When The Donald pulled out of the Paris Accord, we produced a protest beer called Make Earth Great Again, drawing attention to the ingredients under threat from climate change and donating profits to climate change action group 10:10.

This story is developing. Check back for more details as they become available … 

by Reid Ramsay