Headlines

Posted in New Belgium, Headlines

Winter Potential: New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa

When the weather eventually turns cold, you might be sipping this new release. New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa.

“Frambozen” (Flemish for raspberry) is the beautifully red fruit forward beer brewed with a touch of chocolate malt; a seasonal that hit the market around Thanksgiving. For us at Beer Street Journal, there literally was no better beer to pair with turkey. Whether or not we see the base seasonal release again in 2017 remains to be seen. In the meantime, a new edition has popped up on the release radar.

RELATED: New Belgium Frambozen

New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa increases the dessert-flavored aspects of Frambozen with both roasted and ground cocoa husks, and fresh northwestern raspberry puree.

Frambozen, Flemish for “raspberry” is our big, luscious celebration of the ruby red fruit found in Belgium’s Framboise ales. Our version is fermented with northwestern raspberries and a special addition of single-origin Ghana cocoa husks freshly roasted and ground by Nuance Chocolate in Fort Collins, CO. A Colorado holiday tradition from our brewery to your glass. Cheers!

New Belgium Imperial Frambozen with Cocoa is touted a limited release in 22 ounce bottles. The brewery has not yet announced this release.

Style: Imperial Fruit Beer (w/ Raspberries. Cocoa Husks.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles

Debut: TBA
8.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

The Brewers Association is launching a “Independent Brewer” seal

The Brewers Association, a not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent breweries in America, is launching a new “official seal” designating a brewery’s independence.

In a world where brewing giants like Anheuser-Busch InBev are purchasing craft breweries, the Brewers Association asserts that the general public is losing ownership transparency. The implementation of a seal is intended to clean up that confusion.

“As Big Beer acquires former craft brands, beer drinkers have become increasingly confused about which brewers remain independent. Beer lovers are interested in transparency when it comes to brewery ownership. This seal is a simple way to provide that clarity—now they can know what’s been brewed small and certified independent.” – Bob Pease, president & CEO, Brewers Association

This new seal is available free of charge to the 5,300+ American craft breweries that are federally licensed, meet the Brewers Association craft brewer definition, and sign a license agreement.

A few numbers to consider. The United States is home to more than 5,300 breweries. Independent craft brewers account for 99% of that total. Their sales on the other hand, are just 12% of the total U.S. beer sales.

Breweries wanting to implement this new seal can find more deals at BrewersAssociation.org/seal.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ommegang, Headlines

Celebrating two decades with bourbon: Ommegang 20th Anniversary

Soon to be marking 20 years of dedicated craft brewing will be a celebratory release, Ommegang 20th Anniversary.

Brewery Ommegang was founded in 1997 in Cooperstown, New York (home of the the Baseball Hall of Fame). The Belgian inspired brewery sits on 136 acres that was once a hop farm. Apparently in the 1800’s, Cooperstown was the hub for hop production in the U.S. In two decades, Ommegang has gone from humble beginnings, to national status and a name synonymous with quality.

Ommegang 20th Anniversary is slated to be a Belgian-style strong dark ale, aged in bourbon barrels.

Aging in bourbon barrels has created a deep mahogany hue, with aromas of oak, bourbon, caramel, toffee, molasses, and chocolate. Mouthfeel is smooth and Lucious with a bit of weight. The drying finish helps balance the sweetness.

Ommegang 20th Anniversary will be available in 750 milliliter bottles and draft. The brewery has not yet announced this release.

Style: Belgian-style Strong Dark Ale (Barrel-Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 750ml Bottles, Draft.
Debut: TBA

?? ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

San Miguel to build 150 million dollar brewery in Los Angeles

Philippines based San Miguel Brewery is planning to build a $150 million dollar facility in Los Angeles. This will be the brewery’s first U.S. build.

The L.A. build is a part of a $500 million operations expansion. A representative of San Miguel tells Beer Street Journal that the brewery will build two more locations in the Philippines in addition to the new Los Angeles facility.

The new U.S. facility has a planned annual capacity in excess of 1.5 million barrels.

San Miguel was founded as La Fábrica de Cerveza de San Miguel in 1890 in the Philippines. It was incorporated as San Miguel Brewery in 1913. The brewery currently operates in China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

The location of the build has not been disclosed at the time of this article.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, Fort Collins Brewing, Red Truck Beer Co.

Canadian based Red Truck Beer buys Fort Collins Brewery

In a current world of big beer acquisitions, this purchase is definitely a new one. A Canadian brewery has purchased one of America’s most well known – Fort Collin’s Brewery.

Who’s Buying.

Red Truck Beer Company started in 2005 by Mark James. He delivered kegs of Red Truck Lager in his 1946 Dodge Truck in Vancouver, British Columbia. The brewery has grown to produce 20,000 barrels of beer annually, currently distributed throughout British Columbia and Alberta.

James has been looking for a place in the U.S. to produce beer stateside. The ownership at Fort Collins is not commenting on their decision to sell.

“We could see that Fort Collins was the epicenter for first class brewing in the US. There is an amazing community of brewers and connoisseurs here and we are excited to become a part of the community.” – Mark James, Red Truck Beer Company

Poutine in Fort Collins.

Red Truck is building/retrofitting what they call the “Truck Stop,” which will serve their beer as well as their favorite food selections. Among those is Canadian favorite, poutine (French fries, cheese curds, & gravy). The beer lineup includes flagship beers: Red Truck Lager, Red Truck Ale, Red Truck IPA, and seasonal Red Truck Golden Ale.

What’s Next.

Red Truck Beer Company tells Beer Street Journal that currently they have purchased the building and equipment at 1020 E. Lincoln Ave in Fort Collins, known stateside at Fort Collins Brewery. This is where is gets a little complicated. Red Truck has applied for a federal brewing license and has retained Fort Collins local RB+B Architects for a redesign.

The complication? Red Truck is aggressively exploring contract brewing opportunities elsewhere in order to keep the current staff of Fort Collins Brewery employed. This piece of the puzzle is up in the air.

Red Truck Beer Company’s Fort Collins, Colorado grand opening is planned for Spring, 2018. The financial details of the transaction have not been disclosed.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

’10 Barrel is Not Craft Beer’ banner to fly over San Diego this weekend

In November of 2014, Anheuser Busch purchased Oregon based 10 Barrel Brewing. Since then, the production facility has undergone an expansion, as well as adding brewpub concepts in Denver, Colorado, and this weekend – San Diego, California.

Craft beer fans in San Diego, one of America’s prominent beer cities, have been vocal about opposing 10 Barrel’s build. Breweries, fans as well as the San Diego Brewer’s Guild’s opposition is a fairly simple one. There are more than 100 homegrown craft breweries located in the city. The line between craft and big beer is becoming blurred day by day, especially when massive breweries like Anheuser Busch buy 10 Barrel Brewing. One of the direct issues, is their practice of opening up a new location and operate like a craft brewery, not mentioning their Anheuser ownership.

It is important to note that the “craft brewer” definition is not a legal term, but one outlined by the not-for-profit Brewer’s Association. (As well as a massive source of pride for those considered craft.)

Despite oppostion, the 10 Barrel Brewpub has been built in San Diego. This weekend a block party is planned to celebrate its grand opening. That won’t stop some folks from getting the last word.

A ’10 Barrel is Not Craft Beer’ banner attached to a plane will circle overhead for at least three hours this weekend during the party.

It all started with a GoFundMe page started by ‘San Diego Beer Fan’ now known as Richard Esparza, asking for $900 dollars in donations to rent the plane and fly the banner for three hours.

Not going to explain why I’m doing this. You either get it, or you don’t.

Update May 30th: The campaign has raised $4,840 dollars with one anonymous individual contributing $2,500 dollars alone. The next highest supporters  gave as much as $200 a piece. Once the goal was exceeded, Esparza has posted another update:

I do have another ace up my sleeve and if the funds continue to come in, we will have another show of power.

The GoFundMe creator now planning a committee in order to direct the extra funds.

Image: By FlugKerl2 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Headlines

The Funk Collective stands instead of Wicked’s Invitational

Shortly after Wicked Weed Brewing’s sale to Anheuser-Busch, a number of breweries immediately backed out of their Funkatorium Invitational.

Not long after, Beer Street Journal got wind of a “counter festival” with the ex-pats from the Invitational to rise in place. Ultimately- the brewers that were previously involved in the festival still wanted to have a funk-ing good wild and sour ale party this summer. Just not with Wicked Weed and and their new ABI friends.

Here are the details we’ve been sitting on. The new festival is called “The Funk Collective” and will take place at Birds Fly South in Greenville, South Carolina with Revelry Brewing and city based badasses, The Community Tap.  Full details are found below.

All profits will still benefit the Eblen-Kimmel Charity of Asheville.

See you there.

Full Details:

The Funk Collective: A Gathering of Independent Breweries

July 8, 2017

Hosted by Birds Fly South Ale Project, Greenville, SC. Sponsored by Revelry Brewing Co., The Community Tap, and Birds Fly South Ale Project

25+ Breweries from around the country (list will be released on Thursday, 5/25)

All breweries invited have a dedication to the art of making funky & sour beer

Tickets on sale Friday, 5/26. Special VIP experience will be available for limited ticket holders, more info TBD

by Reid Ramsay