Press Releases

Introducing Saison Du Humbolt (PR)

HUMBOLDT, CA – For the first time, all five Humboldt County breweries recently came together to create a collaborative beer: Saison Du Humboldt. The beer was crafted by brewers from: Eel River Brewing Company, Lost Coast Brewery, Mad River Brewing Company, Continue Reading →

Woodchuck to Plant 12,672 Trees (PR)

MIDDLEBURY, VT – American Forests® will plant 12,672 trees on behalf ofWoodchuck Hard Cider, and our fans.  It’s the result of an Earth Week campaign in which Woodchuck agreed to plant two trees for every new Facebook ‘Like’ received between April 16th and April 22nd.

Gaining 6,336 fans in Continue Reading →

Left Hand Smokejumper Returns (PR)

(LONGMONT, CO) — The wait is over… Left Hand Brewing Company’s infamous Smoked Imperial Porter is back for the first time in four years! Smokejumper is a hefty twenty one degree plato porter with barley malt hand-smoked by our brewers. Fans have awaited Smokejumper’s Continue Reading →

Posted in Press Releases

Health Alliance on Alcohol Offers Tips for Parents to Curb Underage Drinking

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — During Alcohol Awareness Month, and with prom and graduation season just around the corner, now is a critical time for parents to engage their teens in discussions about alcohol, according to the Health Alliance on Alcohol.

The 2011 “Monitoring the Future” report found that since 1991, eighth-grade students who said they had used alcohol within the last 30 days has declined by half, to 13%. Rates have also fallen among older students, specifically among 12th graders dropping from 41% in 1981 to 22% this year. Still, there’s work that needs to be done.

In an effort to create strong family dialogue around alcohol and prevent underage drinking, HEINEKEN USA joined forces in 2005 with the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System (NYPH) and White Plains Hospital Center (WPHC) as part of a national public initiative called the Health Alliance on Alcohol (HAA).  The goal of the HAA is to provide parents, mentors and community leaders a set of tools to engage teens in honest, fact-based conversations around alcohol and its effects.

In its seven years, HAA has created and distributed more than 500,000 of its Facts & Conversations series of educational booklets across the United States to help parents have on-going conversations with their children. The materials are designed to offer parents facts about topics such as peer pressure or spring break, and help start a fact-based conversation that is age appropriate for children between the ages of 11 and 21. These materials are available to parents free of charge and can be viewed or downloaded in English or Spanish versions athttp://healthallianceonalcohol.com/order.

“The Health Alliance on Alcohol is a collaborative effort to provide the tools to start and continue important conversations about alcohol with their children,” said Karen Soren, M.D., Associate Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health and the Director of Adolescent Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital.

“A vast majority of teens are unaware of the many effects that drinking alcohol can have on their body. Open lines of communication can help avoid these issues before they start,” said Randi Teplow-Phipps, M.D., Fellow, Adolescent Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian.

Drs. Soren and Teplow-Phipps offer the following tips to parents:

  • Be a good role model.  Your children watch what you “do” more than what you “say.” Drink in moderation and understand the amount of alcohol in a “standard” drink can vary. Most importantly, do not drink and drive under any circumstance.
  • Communicate: Start the conversation with your teen.  Ask where your child plans to go, and with whom. Discuss the possibility that alcohol will be present, and emphasize to your teenager that drinking is illegal at this age and that alcohol use can be dangerous.
  • Have a two-way conversation with your child.  The best way to influence your teen’s decisions is to really listen and try not to judge. In addition to emphasizing safety, also make your child aware of both the legal and personal consequences of getting caught trying to purchase alcohol.
  • Be aware that alcohol is often easy to access.  Reports show that teens feel they can access alcohol more readily as they approach their senior year of high school.  Make sure you don’t become a point of access. Always know how much alcohol you have in the house and be mindful of where you keep it.
  • Discuss peer pressure and peer influence.  Peer pressure often pushes good kids into making bad decisions, and adding alcohol can make things worse. Get to know your child’s friends and their parents. Think about role playing difficult situations with your teen, to give them the words to say “No.”
  • Don’t allow your child and their friends to drink in your home.  It is a myth that providing alcohol to teens at home at home is safer. It’s not only about driving. Teens who are drunk are more prone to get into fights, be either the victims or perpetrators of sexual assaults, or get into other accidents that do not necessarily involve a car. You are liable if underage kids are drinking on your property.  This can mean jail time, loss of employment and/or loss of personal assets.
  • Talk to other parents.  Share your opinions and clearly state your own family’s rules. You can always decide not to allow your child to attend a party if you think underage drinking may take place.

HEINEKEN USA is committed to ensuring that alcohol is always consumed responsibly by adults over 21,” said Stacey Tank, Senior Vice President & Chief Corporate Relations Officer, HEINEKEN USA. “HEINEKEN USA was the first brewer to place responsible consumption labels on all Heineken brand bottles and cans throughout the world. We take responsibility seriously and are proud to support programs that continue to raise levels of awareness and give parents the tools they need to have open conversations with their children.”

For more information on The Health Alliance on Alcohol (HAA), please visit: http://healthallianceonalcohol.com.

About HEINEKEN USA

HEINEKEN USA  Inc., the nation’s premier beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, which is the world’s most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken Lager, the world’s most international beer brand; Heineken Light; Amstel Light, a leading imported light beer brand; Newcastle Brown Ale, the leading imported ale in the United States; and Buckler non-alcoholic brew. HEINEKEN USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Tecate Light, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For a safe ride home, download the HEINEKEN USA -sponsored Taxi Magicâ„¢ application from your smartphone at taximagic.heineken.com. Please visit www.EnjoyHeinekenResponsibly.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases, Sprecher Brewing

Sprecher Brewing Co. Introduces Hooligan English Pale Ale (PR)

GLENDALE, WI – Get ready for a new taste from Sprecher! The brewmaster at Sprecher Brewery has been busy this spring creating Hooligan, a new limited release English Pale Ale made with whole cone hops. For the past month the beer has been dry-hopped, aging on whole cone hops, so we can’t give you the final taste profile but we can say the taste is smooth malt, fruit and fresh hop bitterness very appropriate for an English Pale Ale and perfect for a spring beer.

Brewed with 2-Row, Pale Ale and Caramel malts; Ahtanum and Cascade pellet hops in the boil; Sterling and Goldings whole cone hops in the lager tank, this amber colored ale with copper hues registers a very quaffable 57 IBUs (International Bitterness Units) and 4.9% ABV (Alcohol By Volume). Only 40 barrels of Hooligan English Pale Ale were brewed. Packaging will be restricted to 22 ounce bottles and draft. Due to the limited supply, a majority of this beer will be distributed in southeastern Wisconsin. It will also be available at the Sprecher Gift Shop.

Release Party

The release of Sprecher’s Hooligan English Pale Ale coincides with American Craft Beer Week, a celebration of the art, science and craft of brewing beer. Sprecher Brewery has scheduled a Hooligan English Pale Ale release party at the brewery on Thursday, May 17th, time to be determined. Sprecher Brewing Company and Gift Shop are located at 701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, WI. Brewery tours available daily. $5 Adult, $3 Seniors, $2 minors. U.S. military personnel free with valid ID. Reservations can be made by calling 414.964.2739. Visit us online at www.sprecherbrewery.com.

For more information about Sprecher’s Hooligan English Pale Ale, contact Jeff Hamilton at 414.964.7837.

For more information about Sprecher’s Hooligan English Pale Ale release party, contact Anne Sprecher at 414.698.8287.

Maker of award-winning beers and gourmet sodas, Sprecher Brewing Company is Milwaukee’s first brewery since Prohibition. Established in 1985, Sprecher remains a leader in Wisconsin’s craft brewing industry.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Mad River Brewing, Press Releases, Six Rivers Brewery

Introducing Saison Du Humbolt (PR)

HUMBOLDT, CA – For the first time, all five Humboldt County breweries recently came together to create a collaborative beer: Saison Du Humboldt. The beer was crafted by brewers from: Eel River Brewing Company, Lost Coast Brewery, Mad River Brewing Company, Redwood Curtain Brewing Company, and Six Rivers Brewery. It will be unveiled at HumBrews in Arcata on Monday, May 14, to celebrate the kick-off of American Craft Beer Week.

The idea for the collaboration was born when Meredith Ripley, co-owner of Six Rivers Brewery, was with Mad River Brewing Company’s Brewmaster, Dylan Schatz, and Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Tera Spohr, at the Great American Beer Festival shortly after the two breweries released Wee Heavy Ale collaboratively, in honor of Mad River Brewing Company’s anniversary.

“We were talking about how fun it would be to get all the breweries together and brew a great beer in honor of American Craft Beer Week, which runs May 14-20. I put the idea out to the rest of the beer gang in Humboldt and everyone quickly agreed,” said Ripley.

Next, all the brewers met to discuss the style of beer to make and formulate a recipe. They decided on Saison Du Humboldt, based on the Saison style of a sometimes slightly sour, refreshing, and somewhat strong summer ale (5 to 8 percent abv).

“As far as we know, this is the first time such a brew has been collaborated on by five separate breweries. The brew day was quite an event and meeting of the minds among five brewers, each doing their part. I hope it brings the same joy and merriment to all as it did for all of us,” said Carlos Sanchez, brewmaster of Six Rivers Brewery.

The brewing group has fondly dubbed themselves the Six Mad Lost Red Eels to incorporate the name of each brewery and hopes to make the collaboration an annual event.

“I personally would look forward to making a Humboldt Collaboration brew an annual event for American Craft Beer Week, with each edition being a different style every year. This project was great fun and very inspirational to all who participated. We have an amazingly brilliant collection of brewing minds in our area, and it has been a true pleasure to work together with everyone involved,” said Schatz.

Saison Du Humboldt, a one-time edition, limited production run, will be on draught at Humbrews starting Monday, May 14, for the kickoff of American Craft Beer Week which started in 2006 as a national celebration of America’s small and independent craft brewers and their impact on American culture. Saison Du Humboldt will also be available while it lasts at each participating brewery, Blondie’s Food and Drink in Arcata and The Local in E

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Independence Brewing Company, Press Releases

Independence Brewing Company To Open In India (PR)

Independence Brewing Company (IBC) is a new brewing venture founded by Shailly Bist and Avanish Vellanki to bring genuine craft brewing to India. With an aim to offer Indians something other than the yellow, fizzy, industrial lagers that have become a fixture in India, IBC hopes to offer a unique array of craft brews across a variety of styles not previously offered in the nation. IBC brings Independence from Boring Beers!

IBC is also proud to announce the addition of Greg Koch, CEO and Co-Founder of Stone Brewing Co., to the team. Koch will serve as a partner and Chief Advisor to IBC.

“I’ve had a chance to visit India and witness first-hand why Avanish and Shailly are so excited, and I have to say I agree with them! There is tremendous opportunity in India for craft beer. I also have to say that I’m really excited about these two guys and look forward to helping them bring Independence from boring beers to India!” said Greg Koch.

“We are really excited to work with Greg!” said Avanish Vellanki, Cofounder of IBC. “We are tremendously honored and moved by Greg’s excitement about India; Greg clearly sees the tremendous opportunity in the country, and we look forward to introducing truly exceptional brews together!”

IBC will set up its first craft pub brewery in the city of Pune, in the state of Maharashtra, India, one of India’s fastest growing technology centers. With a national landscape in which only a handful of beers exist in the nation, and a regulatory environment that has only recently awoken to the microbrewery concept, IBC hopes to bring the extensive and passionate craft brewing culture in the US to India.

IBC will be the only craft brewery in India owned and operated by a craft brewer.

“We are tremendously excited about the opportunity to bring to India something we truly love, and we think Indians will love too — truly exceptional craft beers,” said Shailly Bist, Cofounder & Head Brewer of IBC. “India has such a rich artisanal culture, and we think it’s about time that IPA had a homecoming

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases, Woodchuck Cider

Woodchuck to Plant 12,672 Trees (PR)

MIDDLEBURY, VT – American Forests® will plant 12,672 trees on behalf ofWoodchuck Hard Cider, and our fans.  It’s the result of an Earth Week campaign in which Woodchuck agreed to plant two trees for every new Facebook ‘Like’ received between April 16th and April 22nd.

Gaining 6,336 fans in one week is a testament to our fans commitment to a better planet.  Throughout the rest of 2012, wildfire ravaged areas in California, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Oregon will be replanted.  Additional trees will be planted in Arkansas to repair severe tornado damage.

This marks the 3rd year of Woodchuck’s partnership with American Forests — and their Global ReLeaf program.  In those three years Woodchuck has donated a total of 34,722 trees!

These campaigns are at the core of our commitment to environmental stewardship. We are honored that so many fans are aligned not only with our products, but our values as a company.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Belgium, Press Releases

New Belgium Announces Tart Lychee & Lost Abbey Collaboration (PR)

 “TART LYCHEE” AND “THE LOST ABBEY COLLABORATION” SELECTED FOR NEW BELGIUM’S LIPS OF FAITH SERIES

Second Round of 2012 Lips of Faith Beers Tribute Belgian Sours and the Brewery’s Newest Collaboration

Ft. Collins, CO, April 23, 2012 — New Belgium Brewing (www.newbelgium.com) today announced the second two beers in its 2012 Lips of Faith series: Tart Lychee and The Lost Abbey Collaboration Brett Beer. Lips of Faith beers offer limited edition selections that showcase New Belgium’s more esoteric and palate-elevating creations.

New Belgium’s sweet and sour Tart Lychee highlights the unique lychee fruit, which is balanced alongside a wood-aged sour beer. It’s brewed with pale malt, caramel-80, carapils, malted wheat and oats, then spiced with lychee fruit and a touch of cinnamon. The hazy orange Tart Lychee begins with bold, tropical aromas and ends with a sharp, dry finish. Tart Lychee is available on draft and in 22-ounce bombers. Alcohol by volume is 7.5 percent.

New Belgium Brewing and The Lost Abbey brewery from San Marcos, California have a shared passion for a variety of things, not the least of which is the wild Belgian yeast brettanomyces. So they decided to join forces and collaborate. Lost Abbey Collaboration is brewed simply with pale malts accompanied by Target, Centennial and Sorachi hops for a hint of citrus. Focusing on their mutual respect for the ingredient, the spotlight shines on the brettanomyces, where a full brett fermentation offers bold pineapple overtones and funky, sour edge. The beer is a shining, golden shade and is warming and dry. Lost Abbey Collaboration is available on draft and in 22-ounce bombers. Alcohol by volume is 7.5 percent.

“This round of Lips of Faith selections are a test of balance,” said New Belgium brewer Grady Hull.  “Tart Lychee shows the interconnectedness of sweet and sour and the Lost Abbey Collaboration balances the nuances of two breweries to create something that together we can call uniquely ours.”

Tart Lychee is available now and The Lost Abbey Collaboration Brett Beer will be available mid-May in select markets while supplies last.  Pricing varies by market.

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 athttp://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, vi

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Left Hand Brewing, Press Releases

Left Hand Smokejumper Returns (PR)

(LONGMONT, CO) — The wait is over… Left Hand Brewing Company’s infamous Smoked Imperial Porter is back for the first time in four years! Smokejumper is a hefty twenty one degree plato porter with barley malt hand-smoked by our brewers. Fans have awaited Smokejumper’s return with anticipation after the 2008 edition took the GABF gold medal home for the smoked beer category.

A true reflection of its namesake, the beer’s smoky character begins prior to brewing phase and is carried through in to packaging and ultimately onto the palate of the fortunate imbiber. Originally a homebrew recipe, Head Brewer Ro Guenzel experimented with different wood combinations until he perfected an ideal robust porter recipe with the soul of a campfire. “One of the nice things about making a beer like Smokejumper is that it givesus the opportunity to kind of pursue some different creative outlets,” said Guenzel. In the case of Smokejumper, this meant brewers worked over ten hours a day over the course of about twelve days just smoking the malt for the beer. The end result is a porter roasty brown in color, with lingering smokiness wrapping around flavors of t molasses, toasted malt, and earthy hoppiness. Brewery President Eric Wallace said that Smokejumper is a great way to give back both to the people that make and drink the beer.

Left Hand proudly brews this beer as a tribute to the fearless firefighters of the National Smokejumper Association, whom specialize in parachuting into the wilderness to protect our natural heritage across the nation. The label itself was designed by former wildland volunteer firefighter Nate Dyer of Moxie Sozo in Boulder, CO. “I just wanted to capture the drama of just being in those kinds of situations,” comments Dyer on the label’s intense wildfire imagery. Dyer was even able to incorporate the silhouette of the late BBQ specialist Mike Elgin whom helped the brewery smoke the malt in previous years.

Upon completion of Smokejumper, Left Hand turned their focus to how they could use the beer to raise awareness and promote the National Smokejumper Association. The brewery has held a series of fundraising events, featuring special cask editions as well as auctioning off signed bottles, and working with retired smokejumper Stan Linnertz to draw support. Most importantly, Left Hand wants to thank those who volunteer themselves to protect our natural heritage, our homes and our lives here in Colorado and across the nation.

Here’s to smoke in your glass, not in the woods.
The Crew at Left Hand Brewing Company
More about Smokejumper:

Style: Smoked Imperial Porter

ABV: 8.8%  Plato: 20.5°  IBU’s: 50

Smokejumper is a tribute to the National Smokejumpers Association — a twenty-one degree plato porter made with barley malt hand-smoked by our brewers. Roasty brown in color, the long lingering smokiness wraps around notes of molasses, toasted malt, and an earthy hoppiness.

For more information contact:

Emily Armstrong

Left Hand Brewing Company

303.775. 0258, [email protected]

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About Left Hand Brewing Company

Celebrating eighteen years of brewing a well-balanced portfolio of craft beers, Left Hand Brewing Company is located at 1265 Boston Avenue in Longmont, Colorado. The brewery has received 17 medals at the Great American Beer Festival and 8 medals at the World Beer Cup, and its beers are now available in 26 states. “Sometimes you’re not in the mood for what everyone else is having.”

by Reid Ramsay