Headlines

KBS 20 Years: Founders KBS Blueberry

Founders KBS Blueberry is a new fruity addition to the brewery’s famed Kentucky Breakfast Stout lineup, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout debuting in spring 2023 – celebrating 20 years of KBS.

Infused with fresh Michigan blueberries, this variant adds a Continue Reading →

New Variant: Founders KBS Chocolate Cherry

Founders KBS Chocolate Cherry is a luscious addition to Founders’ Kentucky Breakfast Stout lineup, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout debuting in fall 2022.

Infused coffee, chocolate, chocolate syrup, cherries and cherry extract – this variant enhances the classic KBS profile Continue Reading →

Maui Brewing acquires Modern Times

To the backup-bidder goes the spoils. Hawaii’s Maui Brewing acquires Modern Times. 

The fate of Modern Times has been up in the air for months now. In February 2022, the brewery announced the closing of four of its 8 taprooms, citing Continue Reading →

Sapporo acquires Stone Brewing

Sapporo has reached an agreement to acquire Stone Brewing Company for an undisclosed sum. 

Sometime in 2021, Sapporo approached Stone Brewing in a bid to increase the production of Sapporo brands in the United States, using Stone’s Escondido and Richmond facilities. Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News, Headlines, New Releases, NoDa Brewing

Cheerwine is now officially a beer, thanks to Noda Brewing

NoDa Brewing Company and Cheerwine have debuted a new beer collaboration this week – Noda Cheerwine Ale.

Folks in the southeast are already familiar with Cheerwine, a cherry-flavored soda invented in Salisbury, North Carolina in 1917 during a sugar shortage. For the last 106 years, Cheerwine has gained a cult following, all while still being run by the same family. Cheerwine has been integrated into everything from barbeque sauces to cocktails, and starting this week – beer.

NoDa Cheerwine Ale, a year-round wheat ale not only carries the Cheerwine name but also uses Cheerwine in the brewing process.

“Cheerwine Ale can be enjoyed year-round – it’s an approachable craft beer perfect for all occasions. We’re excited to bring fans the perfect marriage of these two North Carolina staples.”

Jacob Virgil, director of strategic development for NoDa Brewing Company

NoDa Cheerwine Ale ships this week to select bars and retailers across North Carolina, and South Carolina in the coming weeks.

Style: Wheat Ale (w/ Cheerwine)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Year-Round

Debut: Mid-February, 2023

5.2% ABV, 18 IBUs

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

KBS 20 Years: Founders KBS Blueberry

Founders KBS Blueberry is a new fruity addition to the brewery’s famed Kentucky Breakfast Stout lineup, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout debuting in spring 2023 – celebrating 20 years of KBS.

Infused with fresh Michigan blueberries, this variant adds a bright, fruity dimension to the classic KBS profile of coffee, dark chocolate, and bourbon. Expect a rich aroma of ripe blueberries and roasted malt, with a full-bodied, velvety mouthfeel and flavors of tart berry, cocoa, and oak and vanilla from the bourbon barrels. A refreshing yet decadent stout for KBS enthusiasts.

READ MORE: FOUNDERS KBS SERIES

It’s time to celebrate two decades of barrel-aging imperial stouts with KBS Blueberry. In honor of the 20th anniversary of KBS, we’ve given this legendary beer a dose of Michigan blueberries. The alluring aroma of dessert draws you in, while layers of vanilla, coffee, chocolate, oak, and bourbon barrel notes become more profound with every sip. A sweet and sophisticated tribute to a world-renowned beer.

Founders KBS Blueberry is available in 12-ounce bottles and draft for a limited time.

Style:  Imperial Stout (w/ Blueberries Coffee. Chocolate. Barrel-Aged. Bourbon)
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.

Debut: Spring 2023

12% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Wild Heaven Craft Beers, Headlines

Wild Heaven & Bulliet Bourbon release 5th collaboration

Wild Heaven Beer and Bulliet Bourbon release 5 Points Doppelbock, the fifth installment of their ongoing barrel-aged series.

Recapping the project, Bulliet Bourbon was always stingy with their barrels in the past. As Tom Bulleit told Beer Street Journal during an Atlanta launch event more than a decade ago, all the distillery’s barrels were sent to Scotland for whisky aging. At the time he seemed almost confused at the notion that America’s breweries would want empty bourbon barrels. That would all change in 2020.

Bulliet did a little quiet research, looking for breweries with not just a robust barrel program, but breweries that really cared about barrel aging. Georgia-based Wild Heaven stood out to the Bulliet team and ultimately the Beer and Bourbon Series was born.

The idea behind this project is simple. Wild Heaven creates a beer and Bulliet overnights freshly emptied (wet) barrels from the distillery 437 Miles South to Avondale Estates, Georgia. Fill the barrels, and wait for the magic to happen. During one of the worst years in human existence, 2020, 95 Shilling Scotch ale kicked off the series. The alcohol by volume in that beer could never have been high enough for us considering the times.

RELATED: WILD HEAVEN’S BULLEIT COLLAB WAS WORTH THE WAIT

As fall descends upon Atlanta, the latest emergence is 5 Points – a German-style Dopplebock, aged in Bulleit Rye barrels. Let’s get straight to the point, this beer- much like this series- just keeps getting better and better. A Doppelbock may be a rarer style in the craft brewing world, but Wild Heaven’s head brewer Josh Franks has created a perfect reminder of how damn good they are. “I think it really turned out quite well,” Franks tells us. You’ll never hear the guy brag, but the smile on his face after a few sips of 5 Points tells us everything.

The fresh barrels from Bulleit really make all the difference world here. Vanilla flavors from the rye bourbon-soaked oak in 5 Points are fresh and bold, almost to the point of decadence. The creamy toffee and raisin flavors notes the dopplebock round out this cool weather sipper. More proof that this duo knows what they are doing.

Wild Heaven 5 Points Dopplebock debuts this week in 16-ounce cans and draft. Wild Heaven and Bulleit are already working on their next project.

Style: Dopplebock (Barrel Aged. Rye Bourbon.)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft.

Debut: October 2022

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

New Variant: Founders KBS Chocolate Cherry

Founders KBS Chocolate Cherry is a luscious addition to Founders’ Kentucky Breakfast Stout lineup, a bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout debuting in fall 2022.

Infused coffee, chocolate, chocolate syrup, cherries and cherry extract – this variant enhances the classic KBS profile of coffee, dark chocolate, and bourbon with vibrant fruit and decadent cocoa flavors. Expect a bold aroma of ripe cherries and roasted malt, paired with a velvety, full-bodied mouthfeel and notes of oak, vanilla, and subtle bourbon warmth. A delightful balance of sweet and tart for KBS loyal.

Our flagship bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout shows off its more romantic side with KBS Chocolate Cherry! The rich sweetness of chocolate and slight coffee bitterness blend perfectly with the brightness of cherry juice to bring you an alluring sensory experience perfect for cozying up with your sweetie.

Founders KBS Chocolate Cherry is available in 12-ounce bottles and draft for a limited time.

Style: Imperial Stout  (w/ Chocolate. Cherries. Barrel Aged. Bourbon
Availability: 12oz Bottles, Draft. Limited Release.

Debut: Fall 2022

11.6% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Maui Brewing Company, Headlines, Modern Times Beer

Maui Brewing acquires Modern Times

To the backup-bidder goes the spoils. Hawaii’s Maui Brewing acquires Modern Times. 

The fate of Modern Times has been up in the air for months now. In February 2022, the brewery announced the closing of four of its 8 taprooms, citing financial fallout from the global pandemic. Then in March, Modern Times was placed in receivership by lead lender California Bank and Trust. 

Maui Brewing was favored as the potential buyer in June, until “Brewery X,” an Anaheim-based brewery entered the bidding. 70 bids and 3 hours later, Brewery X won the auction, agreeing to pay $20 million for Modern Times. Additionally, Brewery X stated they would have the deal fully funded and close within two weeks. 

Except, that didn’t happen. Brewery X missed the closure and funding deadline, losing a $500,000 dollar deposit on the transaction. Maui acquired Modern Times for $15.3 million. 

Co-Founder Garrett Marrero was surprised when Mauil Brewing was back in play for Modern Times.”Given the surprising outcome of the auction, Maui Brewing Company was prudent in its decision to move forward, taking appropriate measures to evaluate and solidify details prior to the announcement for the sake of both the Modern Times and Maui Brewing teams,” says Marrero in his brewery’s official announcement. 

Currently, Maui Brewing produces 90,000 barrels (2.7 million gallons) of beer annually. Combined with Modern Times, that output increases to 125,000 barrels of beer annually – a production capacity that still will not allow Maui to be sold in all 50 states. 

The deal is expected to close in late October 2022. 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Stone Brewing Co., Headlines

Sapporo acquires Stone Brewing

Sapporo has reached an agreement to acquire Stone Brewing Company for an undisclosed sum. 

Sometime in 2021, Sapporo approached Stone Brewing in a bid to increase the production of Sapporo brands in the United States, using Stone’s Escondido and Richmond facilities. According to the official press release, “Sapporo gains major, high-quality brewing capacity on both U.S. coasts that will enable it to significantly increase production to meet the strong consumer demand of its Sapporo-branded beers for the domestic market.”

Sapporo intends to brew 360,000 barrels (11,160,000 gallons) of beer in the United States by 2024. Stone’s facilities will play a larger role in that goal. According to Sapporo, that will essentially double Stone’s production volume, which was ranked 9th nationally in 2021 amongst craft breweries. 

“This acquisition puts the resources and legacy of the largest Asian beer brand in America together with one of the most innovative and recognized craft beer brands in the world. It’s a perfect fusion of east meets west that is an ideal marriage for Sapporo’s long-term growth strategy in the U.S,” Kenny Sadai, Chairman, Sapporo U.S.A.

In addition to Stone’s two production facilities, all 7 taprooms and World Bistro & Gardens destinations and workforce will remain intact, run under the Sapporo business structure. 

According to co-founder Greg Koch, who has been an outspoken detractor of large corporate beer companies, said “This unique partnership allows us to preserve the Stone legacy that our fans know and love and will add exponential opportunities for growth, from production to more investment in people, equipment, sales, and marketing.”

In 2017, Sapporo acquired San Francisco-based Anchor Brewing.

Stone Brewing’s southern California distributorship is not included in the acquisition, which will be maintained by the current ownership.

Sapporo was founded in 1876 and is the oldest beer brand in Japan. The company has two breweries in North America, in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Sleeman brewery in Canada acquired in 2006.

The transaction is expected to close in August 2022. 

 

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

Blackberry Smoke band has their own beer thanks to New Realm

Music collaborations are nothing new in craft beer but that doesn’t make each one unique. This is an either way it’s cool statement – New Realm Brewing is releasing a beer with the band Blackberry Smoke. If you know the band, you’re already excited. If you’re not there yet, their music is in the tv show Yellowstone. In yet? 

This collaboration comes from a mutual friendship between the band and New Realm Brewing that started back in high school. Here are New Realm, fresh cans of New Realm Blackberry Smoke Lager are being signed by Brit Turner, drummer. He greets me with a smile and a beard that literally says musican or craft brewer. 

Blackberry Smoke, a rock/blues/country band formed in Atlanta, Georgia 21 years ago. “The best way to celebrate your 21st is with a beer!” Turner jokes. “But really though, it’s the best way I can see. it.” He always hoped there would be a full scale band inspired beer, but getting one is harder than you think. Brewery capacity and distribution is a complicated thing. Turner says there was a small scale “Smoke” beer made in North Carolina a few years ago, that was available at one of their sold out shows. The band hoped the rest would be available in distribution later. Their rabid music and beer-loving fans managed to drink it all that night and there was none left over. 

“We knew a few of the New Realm Brewing folks as far back as high school,’ Turner says. We have basically have our own record label situation and making a beer with a craft brewer really made sense to us,” he adds. Blackberry Smoke started a year before the first iPod, a few years before YouTube and more than a decade before Spotify. “Our only choice was to tour,” say Turner. Craft beer has that “out of the garage” feel to it like a lot of rock bands. 

In preparation for Blackberry Smoke Lager, Turner sat down for a tasting session with brewmaster and co-founder Mitch Steele. “A lager just makes sense,” Steele tells me. “We made it with a touch of pilsner malt on top of 2-Row, so there’s a little bit of Europe in this lager.” It’s crazy how many bands we’ve interviewed lean towards the lighter side of beer like a pilsner or lager. Almost every time their reasoning is that they want to drink a few on stage and still be able to play. 

Over the course of a few hours with the band, Turner’s excitement was solely focused on what this beer means to their fans. Steele and Turner designed it with them in mind. “They got us where we are, and we wanted to do something for them,” Turner says. “I’m more excited to see them drink it then I am to have it.” 

Mitch Steele himself is a guitarist and music fan, making it easy to put a little extra musical passion into it. Both brewing and music require emotion and passion if you want it to be good. New Realm Blackberry Smoke is about both. 

Two decades ago Blackberry Smoke got together and started playing in bars. Not long after, they were performing with Guns N’ Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church, ZZ Top, and Zach Brown Band. 

Honestly, to Turner and the rest of the band, this might be more exciting. 

New Realm Blackberry Smoke Lager is available in 16-ounce cans and draft where ever New Realm is sold.  

Style: Lager
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. 
Debut: Late May, 2022

4.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay