Press Releases

Dominion Octoberfest Releases In August (PR)

The Dominion Brewing Company  (Dover, DE) will be releasing Octoberfest at the beginning of August this year to meet consumer demand.

One of the Dominion’s seasonal offerings, Octoberfest is modeled after a traditional German Maerzen. This amber colored lager contains three hop varieties, Continue Reading →

New Belgium Releases 2011 Waste Diversion Report (PR)

(FORT COLLINS, CO) — New Belgium Brewing’s 2011 Waste Diversion Report is now available at newbelgium.com and shows the brewery diverted 94.38 percent of its waste from landfills last year. However, this number would climb significantly if the craft brewer included spent grain, spent Continue Reading →

Penn Brewery Announces Fall Releases (PR)

(Pittsburgh, PA) — Penn Brewery is pleased to announce the release of its fall beers, Penn Oktoberfest and Penn Harvest Rye IPA, and the details of its annual Oktoberfest celebration.

Penn’s Fall Seasonal Beers

Penn Oktoberfest beer will begin shipping in 12 oz. bottles and kegs on Continue Reading →

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale Hits Mainland (PR)

(Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii) — A longtime staple in Hawaii will soon make its way ashore, courtesy of Hawaii-born Kona Brewing Company.

Big Wave Golden Ale will join Kona’s portfolio on the mainland that includes flagship Longboard Island Lager, Fire Rock Pale Continue Reading →

Terrapin, Shmaltz Release Reunion 2012

(Athens, GA) — Reunion 2012! Terrapin Beer Co., Shmaltz Brewing, and Alan Shapiro (founder of SBS Imports) have once again joined forces in one of the most unique and worthwhile collaborations in craft beer.

One beer style, two great breweries, and one great cause… Continue Reading →

New Belgium Red Hoptober Now Available (PR)

(Fort Collins) — New Belgium Brewing’s (www.newbelgium.com) new fall seasonal, Red Hoptober, is now available, offering a taste of autumn with cooler temperatures just around the corner.

Red Hoptober is a dark garnet ale with a bright head and three varieties of hops. El Continue Reading →

Posted in Old Dominion, Press Releases

Dominion Octoberfest Releases In August (PR)

The Dominion Brewing Company  (Dover, DE) will be releasing Octoberfest at the beginning of August this year to meet consumer demand.

One of the Dominion’s seasonal offerings, Octoberfest is modeled after a traditional German Maerzen. This amber colored lager contains three hop varieties, Tradition, Saaz, and Hallertau, and eight malts, including Vienna, Munich, Caramunich, Wheat, Dark Crystal, Carafoam and Chocolate. It is 6.0% ABV and 20 IBUs.

Casey Hollingsworth, Dominion Vice President of Sales and Marketing, stated, “Dominion Octoberfest is that beer that people seem to look forward to every year. It’s truly a tradition at the brewery and craft beer drinkers have really come to respect our interpretation of the style. It’s also a transitional time for beer as people begin moving from lighter style wheat beers and Pilsners to more full-bodied and flavorful offerings.”

Dominion Octoberfest is a GABF Gold Medal Winner and took the Gold Medal at last year’s Cap City Oktoberfest event in Shirlington, VA. It will be available in six-packs and on draft.

Fordham and Old Dominion have been brewing high quality beverages in Dover, Delaware since 2003. They provide tours of the brewery (located at 1284 McD Dr., Dover, DE) and provide samples of their products, such as Scotch Ale, Oak Barrel Stout, Baltic Porter and Copperhead Ale every Wednesday at 5:00 and 6:00pm, Friday at 4:30 and 6:00pm and Saturday at 12:30 and 2:00 pm.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Belgium, Press Releases

New Belgium Releases 2011 Waste Diversion Report (PR)

(FORT COLLINS, CO) — New Belgium Brewing’s 2011 Waste Diversion Report is now available at newbelgium.com and shows the brewery diverted 94.38 percent of its waste from landfills last year. However, this number would climb significantly if the craft brewer included spent grain, spent yeast, spent Diatomaceous Earth (DE), or Process Water Treatment Plant sludge, since these materials are diverted to local farms. When including these brewing byproducts, the diversion rate jumps to 99.88 percent for 2011.

The 2011 report, which can be found here, takes a look at the improvements, success and challenges of New Belgium’s 2011 waste diversion and reduction efforts. It also outlines future projects and tasks that New Belgium hopes will increase its diversion rate and overall waste reduction.

“Our ultimate goal is to someday be able to say that we send zero waste to landfills,” said New Belgium Waste Reduction & Diversion Specialist Alie Rich.  “We’re close, but we definitely still have some work to do.  That’s why every year we take a good look at what’s working and what’s not so we can ultimately meet and exceed our objectives.”

In 2011, some of the ways that New Belgium worked to improve its waste systems included:

  • Eliminating two trash dumpsters at its Process Water Treatment Plant and Malt building and replacing them with recycling containers for super sacks, plastic bags and Mylar bags.
  • Adding compost collection to New Belgium’s offsite warehouse.
  • Diverting plastic bags, super sacks, Mylar bags, chip bags and compost discs out of landfills.  Additionally, the brewery improved systems to collect more Styrofoam and paper packaging than in previous years.

For 2012, New Belgium has several tasks and initiatives outlined as well, including:

  • Working to identify waste opportunities where New Belgium can eliminate waste before it enters the brewery.
  • Eradicating or reducing waste that New Belgium sends to the landfill.
  • Activating projects that will work to increase New Belgium’s waste diversion rate.

For a complete list of specific goals and projects to meet these initiatives, you can view at the full report here.  For more information on New Belgium Brewing, visit www.newbelgium.com.

About New Belgium Brewing Company:

New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Ranger IPA, Belgo IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Penn Brewery, Press Releases

Penn Brewery Announces Fall Releases (PR)

(Pittsburgh, PA) — Penn Brewery is pleased to announce the release of its fall beers, Penn Oktoberfest and Penn Harvest Rye IPA, and the details of its annual Oktoberfest celebration.

Penn’s Fall Seasonal Beers

Penn Oktoberfest beer will begin shipping in 12 oz. bottles and kegs on August 6.

“Oktoberfest is a perennial Penn favorite,” said Sandy Cindrich, Penn’s president and CEO. “Last year we sold out earlier than expected, so we boosted production by 50 percent this year to ensure we’ll have plenty on hand.”

Penn Oktoberfest is a rich, golden-colored, Munich-style fest beer. It’s brewed with a combination of caramel and roasted malts for a well-balanced, medium-bodied beer that finishes very clean. Oktoberfest contains 5.5 percent ABV and scores at 25 IBUs. It holds a bronze medal from the Great American Beer Festival(R).

Penn’s Harvest Rye IPA, another fall brew, will begin shipping October 1. It will be available in kegs, 22-oz. bottles, and in 12-oz. bottles in Penn’s Gourmet Selection variety packs.

Harvest Rye boasts a complex grain bill including two-row, black, and caramel malts combined with rye. With an ABV of 6 percent and IBUs of 55, Harvest Rye has a spicy character balanced by big hop aromatics and flavors.

Penn Brewery Celebrates Oktoberfest
Penn’s 2012 Oktoberfest celebration will be held September 21, 22, 23 and 28, 29, 30 at the Brewery, located on Pittsburgh’s North Side. Over 10,000 guests are expected to attend for Penn’s craft beers, hearty German fare, and live Alpine entertainment.

Nine different Penn Brewery beers will be on tap: Oktoberfest, Pilsner, Dark, Gold, Allegheny Pale Ale, Kaiser Pils, Weizen, Overlook IPA, and Harvest Rye IPA. Food offerings under the Fest tent will include traditional German favorites such as wursts & sauerkraut, hot German potato salad, and soft pretzels. Penn’s sit-down restaurant will also feature Oktoberfest specials. Festgoers will hoist their steins to oompah-style music from the Autobahn Band, Heimet Klang, Kevin Solecki, and Gaudi Buam.

Penn’s Oktoberfest celebration pays tribute to the Brewery’s German heritage. Though the modern-day Penn Brewery was started in 1986, its roots actually lie far back in 1848, with the Eberhart and Ober families, Germans who settled in the Deutschtown neighborhood in the City of Allegheny on Pittsburgh’s north shore. Eberhart and Ober opened three breweries on the site where Penn exists today, and three of the original E&O brewery buildings remain. These buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and boast many fascinating and unique architectural features, including a labyrinth of stone caves and tunnels which was constructed to chill, or “lager,” barrels of beer in the days before refrigeration became commonplace. Today, Penn Brewery continues to produce high-end craft beers specializing in authentic, German-style beers brewed according to the strict quality standards of Reinheitsgebot.

Penn Brewery, opened in 1986, is Pittsburgh’s oldest and largest brewery. It specializes in award-winning German-style craft beers sold in Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, Ohio, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Florida, and Illinois. The Brewery is located in Deutschtown on Pittsburgh’s North Side, in the mid-nineteenth century landmark E&O Brewery Building.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Delaware General Assembly Declares “Delaware Wine and Beer Week” (PR)

DOVER, DE — The Delaware General Assembly has designated October 15-21, 2012 as “Delaware Wine & Beer Week,” which will culminate on Sunday, October 21 with Delaware’s Official Wine & Beer Festival, to be held at the Delaware Agricultural Museum & Village.

In one of their final pieces of business for the 146th General Assembly, legislators adopted House Concurrent Resolution No. 56, proclaiming an official wine and beer week for Delaware. The Resolution was championed by Sen. Brian Bushweller, Rep. Darryl Scott and Rep. Greg Lavelle.

The bill recognizes Delaware’s wineries and breweries “as a vibrant affirmation and expression of our State’s entrepreneurial traditions, operating as community based businesses and providing employment.” It also recognizes the Delaware Wine & Ale Trail as a statewide “flavorful tour” and the Third Annual Delaware Wine & Beer Festival as “providing an opportunity for education regarding the State’s wines and beers, including their history, culture and proper enjoyment.”

“We are so pleased to have an official wine and beer week in Delaware,” said Cindy Small, Executive Director of Kent County Tourism, producers of the Official Delaware Wine & Beer Festival. “This helps put Delaware on the map in terms of the growing wine and beer industry. We encourage restaurants, retailers and hoteliers to get creative with wine and beer dinners, lodging packages and more, as we introduce Delawareans and visitors to our state’s craft beers and wines.”

The proclamation was presented by Sen. Bushweller and Rep. Scott to the Kent County Tourism Board of Directors at their meeting on July 19.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Kona Brewing, Press Releases

Kona Big Wave Golden Ale Hits Mainland (PR)

(Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii) — A longtime staple in Hawaii will soon make its way ashore, courtesy of Hawaii-born Kona Brewing Company.

Big Wave Golden Ale will join Kona’s portfolio on the mainland that includes flagship Longboard Island Lager, Fire Rock Pale Ale and the trio of Aloha Series seasonals available at select times during the year. Brewed with tropical ingredients, the Aloha Series is comprised of Pipeline Porter, Koko Brown Ale and Wailua Wheat. Like Longboard, Big Wave Golden Ale will be a year-round offering starting August 13, 2012, and will be available in 6-pack bottles in all 30 of Kona’s mainland markets.

Inspired by the huge waves that pound the gold sand beach of Makaha in Waimea Bay on Oahu, Big Wave Golden Ale is well-loved among locals and visitors to Hawaii, who until now have had to go without upon their return to the mainland. This will be the company’s first new mainland beer since Koko Brown Ale hit in January 2011.

Kona Brewing president Mattson Davis said, “Big Wave Golden Ale is one of our original beers, first brewed at our Kailua-Kona home brewery in the mid 90’s. Like Longboard, it’s a great session beer with a bright quenching finish, and perfect for kicking back and talking story at sunset. For the tens of thousands of mainland craft beer lovers who have requested it, their day has come!”

Draught will be limited to California and Florida for Big Wave in 2012, with the other mainland markets receiving draught in early 2013. The beer will also be poured at the Doheny Surf Festival in Dana Point, CA August 11-12 and the Liquid Aloha Festival in San Diego September 1, 2012. It will also be available on draught at the Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF) July 26-29 and Florida’s Key West Brewfest August 30-September 3.

Bitterness: 21 IBU
ABV: 4.4%
OG: 10.3 P
Malts: Pale (Premium 2-row), Honey
Hops: Galaxy and Citra

About Kona Brewing
Kona Brewing Company was started in the spring of 1994 by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa, who had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. It is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. This helps to minimize its carbon footprint by reducing shipping of raw materials, finished beer and wasteful packaging materials. The brewery is headquartered where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island. It has grown into Hawaii’s largest brewery, has three restaurant sites in Hawaii and beer distribution reaching 30 states and Japan. It is the 13th largest craft brewery in the country. For more information call 808-334-BREW or www.KonaBrewingCo.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases, Shmaltz Brewing, Terrapin Beer Company

Terrapin, Shmaltz Release Reunion 2012

(Athens, GA) — Reunion 2012! Terrapin Beer Co., Shmaltz Brewing, and Alan Shapiro (founder of SBS Imports) have once again joined forces in one of the most unique and worthwhile collaborations in craft beer.

One beer style, two great breweries, and one great cause… The Reunion: A Beer for Hope fundraising campaign. Each brewer starts with the same basic beer style and list of adjuncts, and then all bets are off! The result is two beers that are the same and yet totally different! The whole effort is to raise funds to support the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research in the name of Virginia MacLean, who succumbed to the disease in 2007. “The Reunion project highlights the unique style each individual brewer brings to their beer, as well as to the collaborative and generous nature of our industry.” says Brian “Spike” Buckowski, Terrapin brewmaster and co-founder, “It’s a feel good project and a fun tasting experience.”

This year’s beer is a dark ale brewed with cinnamon, vanilla, and cocoa. Like last year’s brew, the cocoa nibs and shells were sourced from southern artisan chocolate maker Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Co. in Nashville, TN. It reminds us of a rich mug of Mexican hot chocolate! The beer will be available in 22oz bottles and on draft, and will be available in all of Terrapin’s markets starting in late July.

HOPS: Willamette
MALT: Pale 2-Row, Victory, Special Roast, Crystal, Brown Malt, Chocolate
OTHER: Dextrose, Cinnamon, Cocoa Nibs and Shells, Vanilla
ABV: 7.9% OG: 17.5 IBUs: 38

The Cause: Virginia MacLean died from complications from her Multiple Myeloma on June 4, 2007. Virginia was not only the inspiration for the REUNION- A Beer for Hope project (now in its sixth year), but an active participant in every facet of its creation. It was her wish that we continue the mission of raising funds for IMBCR and bringing hope to others. Her dream and memory ware carried forward by her fellow Reunion founders Paul McErlean, brewmaster at Shmaltz Brewing Co., and Alan Shapiro, who worked with Virginia at Pete’s Brewing Company during her initial illness.
Worldwide, over 1,000 people per day are diagnosed with this cancer of the plasma. IMBCR is one of the world’s leading independent researchers. Their work not only affects myeloma patients, it also produces benefits in areas such as lymphoma and breast cancer.

About Terrapin:
Terrapin Beer Co. has a portfolio of three year-round beers, four seasonal beers, the Monster Beer Tour collection of four high-gravity selections, and the Side Project series of one-time releases. Terrapin has developed a reputation for high-quality beers that push the boundaries of creative brewing. Tours of the Terrapin Brewery are offered every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night from 5:30 p.m. — 7:30 p.m. with live music and tastings. The brewery is located at 265 Newton Bridge Road in Athens, GA. The tours are an excellent opportunity to taste Terrapin’s full line of award winning beers and see the brewing process first hand.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Belgium, Press Releases

New Belgium Red Hoptober Now Available (PR)

(Fort Collins) — New Belgium Brewing’s (www.newbelgium.com) new fall seasonal, Red Hoptober, is now available, offering a taste of autumn with cooler temperatures just around the corner.

Red Hoptober is a dark garnet ale with a bright head and three varieties of hops. El Dorado hops from Central Washington are bold and present with a distinct, piney flavor as well as citrus notes. The caramel malt and roasted barley provide a sturdy backbone. Centennial and Cascade hops bring more hints of citrus, and a subtle roasty tone follows through each sip.

“Fall seasonals are a terrific transition from hot weather’s lighter beers into the warm embrace of winter beers,” says New Belgium Brewer Grady Hull. “Red Hoptober is perfect for a cool day fishing or a relaxing night around the campfire.”

Red Hoptober is 6% ABV, 45 IBUs and is available in most New Belgium markets now through October.

To find New Belgium beers in your area, you can use the New Belgium Libation Location tool: http://www.newbelgium.com/beer.aspx. You can also follow New Belgium on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newbelgium.

About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Ranger IPA, Belgo IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.

by Reid Ramsay