Headlines

Posted in New Belgium, Headlines, New Releases

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, an all new beer

New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is headed to shelves the month.

If you are unfamiliar with New Belgium, the have a special name for their beer reps out in the field – Beer Rangers. You might recognize the monicker from New Belgium’s Ranger IPA.

Headed your way this month is New Belgium Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, a new double IPA. The beer boasts Mosaic, Calypso, Bravo, and Delta hops, creating what the brewery calls an “explosion of fresh cut pine and citrus.”

Let’s clear up any confusion going on out there. This beer is indeed new. New Belgium’s Bryan Simpson tells Beer Street Journal that this beer is indeed new. When the brewery released Rampant IPA a few years ago, the imperial IPA was brewed and designed for what the market wanted. Years later, IPA still dominates, but the consumers taste has changed.

Enter the new Voodoo Ranger Series.

New Belgium is evolving, just like the beer industry. Rampant and Ranger were and still are great, but drinkers tastes change. (Constantly.) The 100% employee-owned company doesn’t need a boardroom to discuss making a change. They just do it. This beer is the next evolution.

Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA is available in 12 ounce bottles and draft.

Style: Imperial IPA
Hops: Mosaic, Delta, Bravo, Calypso

Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: December, 2016

9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, Seasonal Return, SweetWater Brewing

SweetWater Pulled Porter (tastes like bacon) returns in cans

SweetWater Pulled Porter is returning the Atlanta, Georgia brewery’s lineup this week. The beer debuted a year ago as a part of the “Dank Tank” Series.

Pulled Porter unites SweetWater and Atlanta food icon Fox Brothers BBQ into one neat little pint. Sure, you could order some German smoked malt and brew up a rauchbier. That’s the easy way. The brewery is based in The South, land of barbecue. SweetWater’s head brewer Nick Nock took some of Pulled’s base grain to Fox Brothers and had them smoke the malt the same way they smoke their highly sought after pork and brisket. (See images below.)

While smoke beers might not be your style, Pulled Porter might just change your mind. The smokey flavor is very savory; reminiscent to flavors of cooked bacon, and less like a hot house fire. The remaining unsmoked malt gives this beer a touch of chocolate. Basically, a backyard BBQ beer that doesn’t get your hands sticky.

Not only is Pulled Porter back in action once starting this week, it is available in 16 ounce cans for the first time.

On the farm way too long, ol’ McDanko began showing some worrisome tendencies. Following a solid session in the hot box smoking malt, he was overcome by a methane cloud emoted from the herd. Ya heard? Reaching for the hops, he goofed and grabbed porky by the e-i-e-i-oh and plopped her in the brew kettle slow and low —that is the tempo. Knock knock —who’s them? It’s McDanko’s inbred neighbor, Geri Reynolds, swinging by delivering his deliverance with some fat back hem and some fat back them. Stepping out past some Foxy brothers picking a banjo on the porch to sample his wares, McDanko, doubled over the chopping block and squealed like a pig – wieii wieii — proclaiming this to be the most bodacious bacon beer brewed this side of the Chattoog-a!

Important to note, meant was not used during the brewing process. However, some of the malt was smoked in commercial smokers which IS home to  meat for hours every day.

SweetWater Pulled Porter can be found on tap and 16 ounce cans. Expect cans on shelves across the brewery’s lineup sometime in December.

Style: Smoked Porter
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft.
Latest Return: December, 2016

7.7% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

The U.S. is now home to over 5,000 breweries

Today is anniversary of Repeal Day. The official end to Prohibition, and the 83 year climb back to a drinking nation. Franklin Delano Roosevelt knew legalizing alcohol again in the United States would create much needed jobs in the era of the Great Depression. America is obviously thirsty.

In the 1870’s, there were over 4,000 breweries operating in the United States. Those fun days were short lived. Prior to the start of Prohibition, that number had fallen under 700.

In 1933 once America was “wet” again, 300 breweries managed to survive.

As of today, America’s love of beer is back in full force. The United States is now home to 5,005 breweries, according the Brewer’s Association. That’s double digit growth every year.

A few other motivational drinking nuggets. 

India pale ale still reigns supreme. America loves its hops, and it shows. The fastest moving sub-class of IPAs? Just add fruit. Sorry haters. Fruited IPAs are here to stay. Take a deep breath. That’s not the worst thing that ever happened to you.

There rest of the world wants our beer too. The small/craft segment of brewers exported 16% of their production volume to other countries. That’s $116 million in cash.

Beer is actually pretty bi-partisan. Both sides of the aisle in the Capitol Building, almost half of U.S. Senators, support  the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act. The act seeks to recalibrate the current federal excise tax structure for the nation’s brewers and reform some pretty restrictive laws regulating America’s brewing industry.

Brew your own.

There are nearly 1.2 million people home brewing in the United States. That’s more than double the population of Delaware, Wyoming, Vermont, or Washington D.C.  It probably helps that home brewing is finally legal in all 50 states. Big hi-five to President Jimmy Carter for getting that started.

Here comes the “bubble” talk again. 

Every time the Brewer’s Association releases brewery growth numbers, someone always drops the “bubble is going to burst” comment into the conversation.  Here’s our take. Small/Craft breweries make up vast majority of that 5,005 breweries. In contrast, those 5,000 breweries account for around 20% of a $106 billion dollar industry. It may be an over simplification, but it seems to us a bubble only exists if you believe craft beer is capped out at that 20% of the industry.

Time will tell. In the meantime, cheers to the 5,000 milestone. America truly deserves a beer.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

Drink beer. It’s Repeal Day. Celebrate 83 years of legal beer [PICS]

December 5th is Repeal Day. If ever there was a day to crack open a beer, today would be it. 83 years ago, you’d be in trouble.

There are plenty of sites and books out there that tell you the story of Prohibition (AKA the Dark Times) but seeing as 5 pm is just a few hours away here’s a run down so you can look like a badass genius at the bar:

  • Prohibition lasted 13 years.  13 LONG YEARS
  • 1830’s: Rise of the Temperance movement (Push for no alcohol)
  • 1855 – 13 states have banned alcohol
  • 1869 – National Prohibition Party is formed (A political party, like Republican or Democrat)
  • 1890 – First Prohibition Party Member Elected To The House
  • 1893 – Anti Saloon League Formed. An anti alcohol superpower. Bigger than Women’s Temperance or the Prohibition Party.  Lobbied all levels of gov’t against beer, wine, spirits. (Those are the folks you’d call buzzkills)
  • 1917 – Volstead Act aka The National Prohibition Act. Cleared the way for the 18th Amendment.
  • January 20, 1920 – the official start of Prohibition
  • 1,520 Federal Prohibition agents were tasked with enforcement

The Volstead Act states:
“An Act to prohibit intoxicating beverages, and to regulate the manufacture, production, use, and sale of high-proof spirits for other than beverage purposes, and to ensure an ample supply of alcohol and promote its use in scientific research and in the development of fuel, dye, and other lawful industries.”

The act did everything but specifically prohibit the USE of intoxicating liquors. In this case – HIGHER than .5% ABV.  Liquor production fell into the hands of gangs and criminal organizations – the likes of people like Al Capone. What did the groups think alcohol in the hands of the citizens of the United States would do? 

“The emphasis on alcoholic drink stemmed not so much from a moral opposition to liquor as from a pragmatic one. Alcohol abuse, said the Prohibitionists, led to chronic illness, job loss, spouse and child abuse, and impoverishment. The best way to reduce social ills, they maintained, was to eliminate alcoholic consumption.”

  • 1919 – Volstead Act passes. No more alcohol. (Goodbye beer)

Near beer – aka non alcoholic beer could be made during prohibition: Pablo by Pabst, Famo by Schlitz, Vivo by Miller, Yuengling Special or “Por Tor” from Yuengling, Lux-O by Stroh and Bevo by Anheuser-Busch.

in 1932, things started looking beer-favorable, thanks to Franklin D. Roosevelt. America was mired deep in the Great Depression by 1932. Creating jobs and revenue by legalizing the liquor industry had a massive appeal. (So did heavy drinking.) FDR called for the end of Prohibition in platform. Millions of dollars could be made taxing the sale of legally brewed beer. The desire for Prohibition started to crumble.

  • March 22, 1933  FDR signs Cullen-Harrison Act. Some alcohol legal.
  • April 6th has become known as “New Beers Eve” 1,000s lineup outside pubs waiting for a legal beer
  • April 7th, Cullen-Harrison Act 4% beer re-legalized.  Within 24 hours,  1.5 million barrels of 3.2% beer were sold.
  • April 6th has become known as “New Beers Eve”
  • Upon signing the legislation, Roosevelt made his famous remark, “I think this would be a good time for a beer.”
  • December 5, 1933 – Prohibition officially repealed

Both Yuengling and Anheuser-Busch sent cases of beer to the White House in celebration.

The beer industry suffered tremendously after prohibition. There were over 1,300 breweries in the US before Prohibition, however the vast majority were killed off a few years into the ban. Beer sales didn’t rebound to pre-prohibition sales until the mid-1970’s.

Things are looking up though. As of November 30th, 2016 there are 5,005 breweries operating in the United States. We think that deserves a beer.

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

You want this. New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Coconut Rum Barrel

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Coconut Rum Barrel is the newest variant on the brewery’s popular Dragon’s Milk Imperial Stout.

Backstory for those that aren’t familiar – New Holland has created an interesting in-house cycle for for this year-round barrel-aged stout. New Holland also creates their own whiskey in house. The whiskey leaves the barrel, Dragon’s Milk goes in, ages, and is blended. In some instances, bourbon is aged in the barrels that had the imperial stout, creating New Holland Beer Barrel Bourbon.

Throw some of that idea out. New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Coconut Rum Barrel is coming in October.

This edition finds the imperial stout aged in rum barrels, with coconut. Think of it like the “Dragon” took a tropical vacation.

Taste. 

There is no other way to put this. Holy sh!t this beer is good. Coconut, rum and chocolate are the key players here. But really though, it’s all about the coconut. There are so many “whales” running around out there that have coconut that beer nerds will fight over. This coconut rum spin on Dragon’s Milk is hitting your shelves now. Don’t pass it up because it’s not rare enough. We’re talking rum barrel aged coconut imperial stout here. Drink this beer. You’ll be glad you did.

New Holland Dragon’s Milk Reserve Coconut Rum Barrel is hitting shelves now, in 12 ounce bottles and draft.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Coconut. Barrel Aged. Rum.)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft.
Debut: November, 2016

11% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Westbrook Brewing Co, Coming Soon, Headlines

Dessert beer: Westbrook 6th Anniversary Hazelnut Chocolate Imperial Stout

Westbrook 6th Anniversary Hazelnut Chocolate Imperial Stout is on the way. Another for the dessert beer category.

This release is pretty straight forward. The Mount Pleasant, South Carolina based brewery created an imperial stout brewed with hazelnuts, cocoa nibs, vanilla beans, and candi sugar. (We are assuming the candi sugar is just to boost the alcohol by volume.) Your dessert beer is served.

Birthdays beer is how famed Mexican Cake got its start. Brewed to celebrate a big milestone, only to become an annual release. (Now with barrel-aged variants.) Last year’s edition, 5th Anniversary Chocolate Raspberry Imperial Stout is a 10.5% alcohol by volume imperial stout featured raspberries, vanilla beans and cocoa nibs.

Our 6th Anniversary beer is a rich and chocolatey imperial stout matured on cocoa nibs, roasted hazelnuts and vanilla beans.

Westbrook 6th Anniversary Hazelnut Chocolate Imperial Stout will be a 22 ounce bottle release.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Vanilla Beans, Hazelnuts, Cocoa Nibs, Candi Syrup.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles
Debut: TBA

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines

Black Friday means Goose Island Bourbon County 2016

It’s officially Black Friday. That means Goose Island Bourbon County 2016 (and its variants) are hitting shelves. The release has become a bit of a Black Friday drunken tradition.

Honestly, Bourbon County has a bit of a storied history. For years now, it has been one of the most sought after barrel aged imperial stouts in America. Then one day over five years ago now, the beer drinking public woke up to the news of Anheuser-Busch purchasing the brewery.

Honestly, we can recall videos of Goose Island fans pouring Bourbon County Brand Stout down the drain after the news. Still weird even today, considering all those drainpours were BCBS that were brewed pre-buyout, and have a suggested cellar life of up to 5 years. Hey, you deal with your emotions how you want to.

Fast-forward to the Black Friday release the following year. The lines were long. Social media was full of delighted drinkers. See – life DOES go on.

In October, Beer Street Journal got to try this year’s release. Let’s cut to the chase. It’s fantastic. A chewy, chocolatey, bottle of bourbon and molasses that will get you tipsy faster than a Dave Matthews jam solo. A year in bourbon barrels does some magical things to this beer.

Something else I’ve noticed when the above picture was posted to Instagram a few weeks ago. Commenters were trying to convince us this beer is infected. Sorry to break the hearts of those wanting Goose Island to be swallowed into the pits of hell. It’s not. From what we can tell, none of the variants are either. (Yes, four of the six editions had some issues last year.)

For 2016, the brewery has tried out a new “flash” pasteurization process that kills of the microbes (and the yeast) that could hurt your coveted bottle of beer. The term “flash” is key. It’s just heated long enough to kill anything bad, and not damage the flavor.

Here is what we aren’t going to do. We aren’t going to sit here and tell you this beer is terrible when it isn’t. We’ve met some brilliant, hardworking brewers at Goose Island. We report the news, and drink the beers. As many as we can get our hands on. You decide what you like or hate, or will drink or won’t, based on ownership, ideals, brewer’s politics, philosophy, artwork, favorite color, tv show, etc.

There you have it. Today people are shooting one another over parking spaces, toilet paper deals, and tvs. Others got in line early for some bourbon barrel imperial stout. There is a night of drinking ahead of those folks, and hangover tomorrow.

That’s perfect fine with us. Keep drinking.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel Aged. Bourbon.)
Availability: 22oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: 11/25/16

14% ABV

by Reid Ramsay