Press Releases

Great Lakes Releasing Rally Drum (PR)

(Cleveland, OH) — Baseball is a sport of nostalgia and grand tradition. It’s about hazy summer days and if you’re lucky, crisp October nights. Nobody knows this better than Cleveland’s John Adams, a veteran Tribe fan who’s been banging his Continue Reading →

Fort Collins Brewers Re-Unite (PR)

Fort Collins, CO — On April 9, 2012, Fort Collins breweries once again joined forces to craft a collaboration beer for the mother of all beer weeks. Nine local breweries (C.B. & Potts, Coopersmith’s, Crooked Stave, Equinox, Fort Collins Brewery, Continue Reading →

Samuel Adam’s Longshot 2012 Pack Released

BOSTON, MA – The much-anticipated Samuel Adams 2012 LongShot Variety Six-Pack hits shelves this month, fulfilling the dreams of three winning homebrewers by giving them the chance to see their hard work brewed, bottled and distributed nationwide.

Normally only available to each homebrewers’ friends Continue Reading →

Odell Brewing St. Lupulin Returns For 2012

Fort Collins, CO. — On April 21, 2012 Odell Brewing will release St. Lupulin, the brewery’s beloved summer seasonal. St. Lupulin (loop-you-lin) Extra Pale Ale pays tribute to a mystical character who passionately tended to rows and rows of hops Continue Reading →

Inside Left Hand’s Growth Spurt

 

(LONGMONT, CO) — 2011 proved to be another gangbusters year for Left Hand Brewing Company. The brewery based out of Boulder County experienced its second year of remarkable growth, knocking planned projections out of the water. Left Hand grew 49.4% in Continue Reading →

Posted in Press Releases

Bronx Brewery To Debut BBA Pale Ale (PR)

(New York, NY) — The Bronx Brewery, the latest craft brewery to come out of New York City, will introduce an oak aged version of its Bronx Pale Ale next week. The Bourbon Barrel Aged Bronx Pale Ale will go on sale in bars and restaurants throughout Manhattan and the Bronx on Thursday, April 12. Just 300 individually numbered 22-ounce bottles of this limited batch will be sold.

The brewers will introduce the new beer at a special tasting on Wednesday, April 11 from 6PM to 8PM at Café D’Alsace (1695 2nd Avenue, New York). The Bronx Brewery Head Brewer, Damian Brown, and General Manager, Chris Gallant will be on hand to talk about the specialty beer and answer questions about the brewing and aging process. Café D’Alsace beer sommelier and BeerSomm co-founder Gianni Cavicchi will be pouring samples of the new oak aged brew, alongside the brewery’s flagship Bronx Pale Ale.

Released in September 2011, the Bronx Pale Ale is The Bronx Brewery’s first beer. It is a deep amber American-style pale ale that is brewed with five different barley malts, generous additions of Cascade and Centennial hops, and a unique strain of yeast. It is dry-hopped, unfiltered, and unpasteurized. The beer is available in over thirty bars and restaurants in the city and has won critical acclaim, taking home a silver medal in the 2012 New York International Beer Competition. About the beer, Cavicchi says, “Pure Finesse! Finally a pale ale that tight rope walks the balance of hops and malt.”

The company is excited to now release this aged variant, which was conditioned in an American Oak Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrel. The several-month conditioning process has imparted generous notes of bourbon and oak into the ale, with subtle notes of vanilla rounding out the complex, yet soft ale. “It is definitely a beer to savor and enjoy with friends” says Brown.

About The Bronx Brewery
The Bronx Brewery is a craft brewery and distributor based in the South Bronx. It was launched in 2011 by a small team with two things in common: a maniacal focus on creating high-quality beer and a passion for the Bronx and New York City. Its traditionally-crafted ales use only premium and minimally-processed materials to create fresh, bold beer from a borough known for its own uniquely bold character. The team is enthused to bring a rich brewing tradition back to the Bronx and craft a beer that the people of the Bronx and New York City can be proud to call their own.

About Café D’Alsace
With Café D’Alsace, Tour De France NYC bring their expertise in Alsatian cuisine to the Upper East Side. Chef Philippe Roussel interprets the cuisine with a contemporary New York flair. Café D’Alsace has one of the city’s most distinguished beer selections — including a beer sommelier to assist you in selecting the perfect choice.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Great Lakes Releasing Rally Drum (PR)

(Cleveland, OH) — Baseball is a sport of nostalgia and grand tradition. It’s about hazy summer days and if you’re lucky, crisp October nights. Nobody knows this better than Cleveland’s John Adams, a veteran Tribe fan who’s been banging his iconic drum from the bleacher seats for 38 years. John’s rally drum is the heartbeat of our hometeam. From the minute the batter steps into the box, to the set and the pitch, his steady hands add drama and excitement to every inning of every game.

In celebration of the return of Cleveland baseball, Great Lakes Brewing Company(GLBC) is pleased to announce the release of Rally Drum Red Ale, a handcrafted pub exclusive beer named in honor of revered local sports fan John Adams. Our Rally Drum Red Ale pays homage to the man behind the mallets and the team and game that he loves.

Rally Drum Red Ale is an American Red Ale, a modern non-traditional style borrowing heavily from characteristics associated with more classical styles such as “pale ales” or “bitters.” This unfiltered copper-colored ale is brewed with a blend of Harrington 2-Row Base Malt, Crystal 77, and Special Roast malts, yielding a toasty layered complexity. Cascade and Simcoe hops add bitterness and aroma.

Rally Drum Red Ale will be tapped in the GLBC Brewpub on April 3rd and will be served while supplies last. The Brewpub will open at 11:00 AM for the Tribe’s home opener on April 5th so fans can enjoy a pint before the first pitch. Pub Brewer Joel Warger will also serve a special dry-hopped firkin of Rally Drum Red Ale in the GLBC Beer Cellar on April 5th starting at 4:00 PM.

###

Great Lakes Brewing Company, which is comprised of a brewery and brewpub, was founded in 1988 by brothers Pat and Dan Conway as the first microbrewery in the state of Ohio and today remains Ohio’s most celebrated and award-winning brewer of lagers and ales. Great Lakes Brewing Company’s distribution area extends throughout the Great Lakes region and surrounding areas. For more information or to learn more about the company, visit greatlakesbrewing.com

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Fort Collins Brewers Re-Unite (PR)

Fort Collins, CO — On April 9, 2012, Fort Collins breweries once again joined forces to craft a collaboration beer for the mother of all beer weeks. Nine local breweries (C.B. & Potts, Coopersmith’s, Crooked Stave, Equinox, Fort Collins Brewery, Funkwerks, New Belgium, Odell Brewing, and Pateros Creek) came together over a love of community and craft beer.

“This Collaboration brew is the microcosm of what’s going on in the Craft beer industry,” said Steve Kurowski, Marketing Manager for the Colorado Brewers Guild. “This is a testimony to the craft beer industry and its uniqueness of coming together verses competing against one another.

Brewers from each local brewery worked together to create the special recipe that was brewed at Fort Collins Brewery. Each brewery will celebrate the collaboration during American Craft Beer Week (May 14-20, 2012).

For more information on American Craft Beer Week, please visit www.craftbeer.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Samuel Adam’s Longshot 2012 Pack Released

BOSTON, MA – The much-anticipated Samuel Adams 2012 LongShot Variety Six-Pack hits shelves this month, fulfilling the dreams of three winning homebrewers by giving them the chance to see their hard work brewed, bottled and distributed nationwide.

Normally only available to each homebrewers’ friends and family, drinkers across the country can now taste these beers that surpassed nearly 1,000 competitors to become the 2011 Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest winners. Chosen by a panel of industry judges, the winners include Texas resident Corey Martin’s A Dark Night in Munich (Munich Dunkel style) and Illinois resident Joe Formanek’s Five Crown Imperial Stout. In addition to Joe and Corey’s brews, the variety pack also includes Samuel Adams Employee Homebrew Winner Fred Hessler’s Derf’s Secret Alt.

Each year, Jim Koch and the other brewers at Samuel Adams recognize the most talented homebrewers through the LongShot con The winning brews were announced at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival–an especially fitting location as thousands of beer lovers made the pilgrimage to Denver, to share a common passion for beer. This year’s picks have yet again yielded impressive, complex and flavorful beers.

For 15 years, Samuel Adams has offered its homebrew contest to shine a light on the quality of homebrewing, and help springboard aspiring brewers. Several winners have even gone on to become professional brewers, turning their homebrewing hobby into a full-time career.

Aspiring homebrewers have another shot at achieving their beer dreams by entering the 2012 Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Con Interested beer drinkers can check online at www.SamuelAdams.com/Longshot for contest rules, regulations and information on purchasing a homebrewing kit. In addition, they can download Jim Koch’s video, “The Art of Homebrewing,” offering his personal tips on making a successful homebrew. Entries will be accepted from May 11 — May 25 and the winners will be announced at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival (October 13).

What Jim Koch, Samuel Adams Founder and Brewer, has to say:

“Every year we invite the winning homebrewers to Boston to brew alongside the Samuel Adams brewers. We all have a lot of fun, experimenting and watching their faces as their creations become a reality.

“The distinction between craft brewers and a great home brewer is arbitrary; sometimes all they need is a shot. At Samuel Adams, we’re fueling the passions of homebrew hobbyists who are committed to brewing better beer by giving them the opportunity to achieve the ultimate homebrewer’s dream — making their beer available to beer lovers across the country. Corey’s A Dark Night in Munich and Joe’s Five Crown Imperial Stout are exceptional brews that Samuel Adams is proud to be brewing with these homebrewers.”

How they were picked as the ultimate 2011 winning brews and brewers:

A panel of industry judges including Tom Dalldorf from Celebrator Beer News, Julie Johnson of All About Beer, John Holl and Jay Brooks, freelance beer writers, Gary Glass from the American Homebrewers Association and Lauren Buzzeo from Wine Enthusiast, joined Jim Koch in selecting the consumer winners. Together, they chose the winning brews based on the American Homebrewers Association Beer Judge Certificate Program guidelines. Each beer was carefully evaluated on the aroma, appearance, flavor and mouthfeel according to the style category under which it was submitted.

Samuel Adams employees also competed in their own annual homebrew competition. The staff contest challenges employees to channel their passion and knowledge for craft beer by experimenting in their own kitchens. Once all the employee homebrews are submitted, Jim and the other brewers spend a day tasting their entries and select three finalists. The finalists are sent to the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), for the final showdown. Attendees at the festival sample the employee homebrews and vote for their favorite. The crowd at the 2011 GABF chose Fred Hessler’s Derf’s Secret Alt as their selection.

Tasting notes from the brewers:

Corey Martin’s A Dark Night in Munich is a perfect balance between deep roasted malt character and a smooth, creamy finish. To develop his recipe and the rich color of the beer, Corey used a “staining” process in which he powdered the roasted malts and added them early on in the brewing process. The rich Munich malt sweetness comes through in the aroma of this traditional Bavarian wheat beer and light caramel notes round out the brew.

Fred Hessler has worked as a member of the Samuel Adams team since 2008. Derf’s Secret Alt is Fred’s take on the traditional Dusseldorf Altbier style. It has a robust, full-bodied and well-hopped taste, with a surprising balance between bitterness and nutty-malty sweetness. Fred’s brew is packed with strong notes of chocolate and roasted malt. It has the flavor complexity of an ale and the hop makeup and creamy head of a pils.

Joe Formanek’s Five Crown Imperial Stout is a malt-forward Russian Imperial Stout that combines rich malt character with roasted barley and chocolate notes, to balance the bitter hop undertones. Harnessing more than 20 years of homebrewing experience, Joe’s full-bodied stout has a sweet aroma with fruit esters.

How to get your hands on these beers:

The Samuel Adams 2012 LongShot Variety Six-Pack is available nationwide in select retail stores beginning March 2012 for a suggested retail price of $9.99. The variety pack will include two bottles each of Corey’s A Dark Night in Munich, Joe’s Five Crown Imperial Stout and Fred’s Derf’s Secret Alt.

LongShot American Homebrew Contest history:

The Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest continues the tradition first established in 1996 and is a natural link to the company’s roots. Jim Koch knows firsthand the challenges and personal rewards of creating a quality homebrew. He brewed the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in his kitchen in 1984. Now, more than 25 years later, Koch is a recognized pioneer of the U.S. craft-brewing revival, and he continues to push the boundaries of brewing and follow his passion for elevating the craft beer-drinking experience.

When Samuel Adams began offering its homebrew contest 15 years ago, it was Jim’s dream that it would be a catalyst to help aspiring brewers. To date, Bob Gordash, winner of the 1996 LongShot Homebrew Contest, and Don Oliver, winner of the 2006 Samuel Adams LongShot American Homebrew Contest, have gone on to become professional brewers, turning their passion for homebrewing into a successful career.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Odell Brewing St. Lupulin Returns For 2012

Fort Collins, CO. — On April 21, 2012 Odell Brewing will release St. Lupulin, the brewery’s beloved summer seasonal. St. Lupulin (loop-you-lin) Extra Pale Ale pays tribute to a mystical character who passionately tended to rows and rows of hops caring for the coveted yellow resin within the hop cones known as Lupulin.

St. Lupulin is a dry-hopped extra pale ale with a clean and crisp finish. The selected hops, including Cascade and Centennial varieties, create a bright citrus and floral aroma and flavor. The brew boasts a golden straw like hue and an 6.5% ABV.

“St. Lupulin is like summer in a bottle,” said brewery co-founder and co-owner, Corkie Odell. “Hints of grapefruit and cut grass make it the perfect sunny day sipper.”

Odell Brewing will celebrate the return of St. Lupulin and warmer days with a tapping party at the brewery’s Tap Room on Saturday, April 21st, 2012. Guests can enjoy live music, local food, and backyard games.

St. Lupulin is available through September throughout the brewery’s ten state distribution region.

Founded in 1989, Odell Brewing was started by Doug Odell, his wife Wynne, and his sister Corkie. Twenty-three years later, the culture of family and collaboration still thrives fostering a brewery full of beer-centric people. It is this passion for beer that inspires Odell Brewing to create quality, hand-crafted, innovative brews. As a regional craft brewery, Odell Brewing is committed to serving the communities in which it distributes by sourcing local raw materials, and through its charitable giving program known as Odell Outreach. Odell Brewing was recently named a “Top Company of 2010” by ColoradoBiz Magazine and is an award winning brewery, nationally and internationally: 2011 Great American Beer Festival® – gold medal for Friek. 2010 North American Beer Awards — gold medal for Woodcut No. 3. 2009 BrewNZ Awards — gold for 5 Barrel Pale Ale. 2008 World Beer Cup® — gold for IPA. 2007 Great American Beer Festival® — gold medal for IPA.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Inside Left Hand’s Growth Spurt

 

(LONGMONT, CO) — 2011 proved to be another gangbusters year for Left Hand Brewing Company. The brewery based out of Boulder County experienced its second year of remarkable growth, knocking planned projections out of the water. Left Hand grew 49.4% in volume just from the previous year, producing 36, 830 barrels total in 2011.

The extreme demand experienced by Left Hand in the past two years is reflected industry wide as demonstrated by the annual growth report published by the Brewers Association for U.S. craft brewers.1

Despite large brewer volume decline in 2011, craft brewers have achieved the remarkable feat of finally surpassing the 5% mark for overall volume share in the beer category. “It’s becoming increasingly clear […] that Americans are developing a strong taste for high-quality, small-batch beer from independent brewers,” comments Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association.2 In the last year, the craft beer segment saw a 13.2% growth in volume producing just shy of 11.5 million barrels. Congruently, Left Hand Brewing Company followed suit with 49.4% change and 36.8 thousand barrels.

Left Hand Brewing Company has literally doubled in size within a two year timeframe. What began in 2008 as a humble addition to the brew house & cooler, has surged to a five year $9 million dollar expansion plan, as the brewery races to keep up with increasing sales and demand for more beer. In recent years, the brewery has added no less than six 480 bbl fermenters and an additional 500 bbl bright tank to address the tremendous need for tank space for Left Hand’s most popular beer, Milk Stout. In addition, Left Hand’s fall 2011 introduction of bottled Milk Stout Nitro has added to the fervor for the brand, adding increasing pressure to keep up with demand. To further overcome these challenges, Left Hand installed a new KHS keg line in summer 2011 to keep up with their draft product, which will allow the brewery to go from 20 kegs/hour to 70 kegs/hour. Now, in the final phase of a 5 year expansion, Left Hand takes on its most anticipated project of installing a new bottling line scheduled for this September 2012. The $3 million dollar project will be a true turning point in efficiency for the brewery, filling over 200 bottles per minute, which will be four times faster than the current system.

However, increasing sales does not just mean superior equipment, but also a swell in brewery staff to meet the everyday challenges of growing pains. Left Hand has experienced a 50% staff increase in just one year, with the number of employees currently at 63 and growing. Not surprisingly, the brewery purchased additional space in March 2011 to house its growing company, bringing the total Left Hand Brewing Company acreage to 5.5 acres.

The brewery is currently on track for another year of 50% growth, estimating to produce almost 60,000 barrels by the end of 2012. Surrounded by new infrastructure, Left Hand’s neighbors are getting used to the ever changing skyline off Boston Avenue in Longmont. “But at the end of the day…” laments Jeff Martin, Packaging Supervisor, “…we’re doing what we love, which is making great beer. And after all, none of this would be possible if we didn’t have that passion and the work ethic to go with it.”

 

1 The definition of a craft brewer as stated by the Brewers Association: An American craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional. Small: Annual production of beer less than 6 million barrels. Beer production is attributed to a brewer according to the rules of alternating proprietorships. Flavored malt beverages are not considered beer for purposes of this definition. Independent: Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer. Traditional: A brewer who has either an all malt flagship (the beer which represents the greatest volume among that brewers brands) or has at least 50 percent of its volume in either all malt beers or in beers which use adjuncts to enhance rather than lighten flavor.

1 Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association. Brewers Association: Craft Brewing Volume Hops 13 Percent

 

For more information contact:

Emily Armstrong

Left Hand Brewing Company

303.775. 0258, [email protected]

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Maui Brewing Co. Announces Collaboration with Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales

LAHAINA, MAUI, HI – 2 April 2012 – Maui Brewing Co. (MBC) is proud to announce a collaboration with Jolly Pumpkin Artisan Ales (JPAA) of Ann Arbor, Michigan to create a very special beer, Sobrehumano Palena ‘ole. This will be Maui Brewing’s first collaboration released in a can.  The release is scheduled for June 8 at SAVOR, an annual craft beer and food exposition held in Washington DC, and will reach all 11 states Maui Brewing Co. beers are available.

Sobrehumano Palena ‘ole is a red ale brewed with liliko’i and cherries. MBC and JPAA will both brew this beer; however MBC will use standard fermentation while the JPAA version is a barrel aged sour.  The beers will be packaged both by MBC (in cans) and JPAA (in bottles).  MBC will produce approximately 4000 cases and 80 barrels in draft of the Maui version.

Ron Jeffries of JPAA tells us a little about how this project came together, “John and Garrett were planning their collaborations for 2012 and because John is from Michigan and coming home for the holidays my name came up.  This whole idea came together really fast — just weeks before John’s visit.  It’s been a very challenging blend to develop — I’m super-excited about it and a little intimidated at the same time. I’ve been enchanted by Hawaii for years and it’s been great to work with everyone at MBC and get to know them.  I always enjoy collaborations but this one is something really special.”

Just like the beer itself, the name, Sobrehumano Palena ‘ole, is a blended Spanish-Hawaiian term meaning “superhuman” and “without limits”.  John Walsh of Maui Brewing Co. says, “I think the names for the beer are a perfect fit. When we started this there were literally no limitations or boundaries placed  on the project whatsoever.  That type of latitude is rare. Collaborating with Ron and Jolly Pumpkin has been a dream of mine for years.  It’s an honor to see it become reality.”

John was also behind the idea of the artwork that will grace the MBC cans and JPAA bottles. While each design is different, both renditions include an acknowledgment of the distance in miles from Lahaina, Hawaii to Ann Arbor, Michigan.   “The idea for the artwork has been floating around in my head for years.  Given Ron’s love of Hawaii and our shared interest in paddle boarding, it came together nicely,” comments John.

Maui Brewing Co. is a truly Hawaiian brewery, and proud to be wholly produced in Hawaii. Recognized as Hawaii’s #1 craft beer since 2005, the company has a strong commitment to the local economy and the environment.  MBC beers are packaged with the most eco-friendly materials.  Cans are manufactured on Oahu and designed by local Maui artists.  They have the added bonus of better protecting the beer from both light and oxygen damage a which can compromise the taste.  Plastic rings are dangerous to marine life and therefore, a unique, recyclable plastic carrying device is used to hold the cans.  The spent grain from beer production is donated to local ranchers for cattle feed and composting.  MBC is also very active in several local Hawaiian charities.

Founder Garrett Marrero and his wife, Melanie, operate a 7-barrel brewpub at the Kahana location as well as a 25-barrel production brewery and canning facility in Lahaina.  Maui Brewing Co. is a truly local beer as 100% of their products are made in Hawaii.

Contact [email protected] for interviews, additional information, or media questions.  To order for your retail/restaurant/resort establishment, contact [email protected].

by Reid Ramsay