Press Releases

21st Amendment’s Monk’s Blood Going On Hiatus

SAN FRANCISCO – After nearly a year in seclusion, 21st Amendment Brewery’s acclaimed beer Monk’s Blood is now available for a limited time. Monk’s Blood’s most ardent worshippers may want to drink one now and cellar one for later, as whispers around the monastery Continue Reading →

Heavy Seas Announces Plank II

(Baltimore, MD) — Heavy Seas Beer announces the release of Plank II — the second in a series of beers showcasing unique wood ageing treatment to add flavor and nuance. Plank II features an 8.5% ABV Dopplebock style lager matured with specially treated Eucalyptus Continue Reading →

Avery Uncle Jacob’s Stout Debuts In April (PR)

(Boulder, CO) — In the quest to create a collection of barrel-aged beers to be reproduced annually, Avery Brewing Company is releasing Uncle Jacob’s Stout, the second member of its Annual Barrel Series.

The collection began with Rumpkin rum barrel-aged pumpkin ale in the Continue Reading →

Posted in Press Releases

Molson Coors Unveils $52 Million Investment In Canning, Bottling, Kegging Lines

(Montreal, CANADA) — Molson Coors today officially inaugurated a new can line at the Montreal brewery in the presence of company executives and Sam Hamad, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Exports.

The Montreal brewer invested $52 million to equip the Montreal brewery with expanded can production capacity. More specifically, this investment provided for the addition of a 355 ml and 473 ml can line, 250ml can production capability, as well as modernization of two bottling and kegging lines. The largest investment by Molson Coors in its Canadian breweries in 2011, it was also the largest at the company’s Montreal brewery in over 25 years.

“This major investment in the modernization of our brewery, the pride of Montreal for the past 225 years, speaks to our commitment to the future of Molson Coors in Quebec, but more importantly to our willingness to consistently raise our standards and ensure that our Montreal facility remains a model of innovation,”stated Dave Perkins, President and Chief Executive Officer, Molson Coors Canada.

These enhancements will enable Molson Coors to repatriate can production volume destined for the Quebec market, while ensuring the competitiveness of company facilities in Montreal. The additional can production capacity will also allow for the production, exclusively in Montreal, of the new Coors Light Iced T, due to launch across Canada in April.

Additionally, the setup of the new can line will make it possible to more rapidly achieve ambitious water and energy reduction targets set by Molson Coors, which has made responsible resource use a company priority. Indeed, the can line alone will enable Molson Coors to save 8.4million litres of water in the coming year, the equivalent of sixteen Olympic-sized pools of water.

“We are understandably delighted with this announcement as the new leading edge equipment will enable Molson Coors’ Montreal brewery to remain competitive. By increasing the productivity of its brewery, the company contributes to the growth of our economy,” underscored Minister Hamad.

About Molson Coors Brewing Company

Molson Coors is a leading global brewer delivering extraordinary brands that delight the world’s beer drinkers. The company brews, markets and sells a portfolio of leading premium brands such as CoorsLight, Molson Canadian, Carling, Blue Moon, and Keystone Light across the Americas, Europe and Asia. It operates in Canada through Molson Coors Canada, in the United States through Miller Coors, and in the United Kingdom and Ireland through Molson Coors (UK & Ireland). Molson Coors is listed on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America. For more information on Molson Coors Brewing Company and our portfolio of brands, visit the company’s website at www.molsoncoors.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Deschutes Makes One Billion Gallon Water Restoration Commitment

(Bend, OR)—Good water and good beer go hand in hand, right? That’s one reason why Deschutes Brewery has recently made a one billion gallon annual water restoration commitment through one of its local non-profit organizations, the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC). This donation marks the DRC water leasing program’s largest private donation to date, and actually equals 14 times more water than Deschutes Brewery and all of its suppliers use per year.

Through the water leasing program, local farmers are paid for the lease of their irrigation water and then that water is legally protected instream at the brewery’s namesake waterway–the Deschutes River. By doing this, stream flow and water quality is increased in the river, creating opportunities for life to flourish.

“We’ve always been avid supporters of the DRC and its mission,” said Michael LaLonde, chief operating officer for Deschutes Brewery and a board member of the DRC. “By creating this new partnership, we are able to give back to the river in a significant way, preserving the lifeblood of the Central Oregon region.”

Over the past six years, the brewery has supported the DRC through both monetary and beer donations for the non-profit’s various fundraising events.

Tod Heisler, executive director for the DRC, said, “By making this commitment to the river, Deschutes Brewery has made a strong investment in the future of our region. Water is one of Central Oregon’s primary resources and partnerships like this ensure the consistency and sustainability of our mission to restore water to our river.”

In the spring and summer, water flows are greatly decreased in the river due to irrigation withdrawals. By increasing flows in the Deschutes River through the leasing program, fish habitat is revitalized and water quality is improved. Other benefits include overall enhanced ecosystems for plants and animals, while also improving recreation and tourism opportunities.

About the Deschutes River Conservancy (DRC)

The DRC is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation that was founded by the Environmental Defense Fund, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation and local irrigation districts. In the past sixteen years, the DRC has built a strong foundation for collaborative work in the Deschutes Basin. The organization’s mission is to restore streamflow and improve water quality in the Deschutes Basin. The DRC objectives are to meet or exceed state water quality standards and to restore the natural hydrograph to the extent environmentally, socially and economically feasible in the Deschutes River and its tributaries. The Deschutes River Conservancy is a nationally recognized leader in river restoration and has set the bar for achieving results through collaboration.www.deschutesriver.org

About Deschutes Brewery

Located in beautiful Bend, Oregon, Deschutes Brewery is in the business of daring people to expect more from their beer. That’s why we started off in 1988, on the banks of the Deschutes River here in Bend, Oregon, by selling Black Butte Porter at a time when others were sure a dark beer would never catch on. Our brewers love to push the envelope, especially if it makes someone nervous.  But for us, the highest praise is a raised glass and a toast of “Bravely Done!”  For more information about Deschutes Brewery and our courageously crafted beers, please visit www.DeschutesBrewery.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Churchkey Can Co Reviving Flat Top Cans

(Seattle, WA) — Why the flat top beer can? Why the hell not? We’re just a couple of guys who wanted to experience drinking beer straight from the original beer can.

Over dinner in the summer of 2010, Adrian Grenier and Justin Hawkins both shared an interest in someday drinking a beer from an old flat top style beer can — to experience a great beer in a simple can as the generations before them had enjoyed.

Wondering what it was really like, this conversation quickly lead to the realization that this type of can no longer existed. So the seed for Churchkey Can Co. was planted. Beverage industry alum, Ryan Sowards joined the cause, as did the folks a Ball Corporation to help get the flat top can just right.

Now, for the first time in nearly 5o years, we are able to introduce a great beer enjoyed straight from an original flat top steel can. Much like in the past, thoughtfulness and integrity mean something and should have a place. It’s why we find ourselves attracted to the artisans and craftsmen in our world. To us, it’s worth to putting a little extra effort back into our modern-day lifestyle.

THE HOMEBREWERS:
LUCAS & SEAN
After perfecting the flat top can, our next step was to find the perfect recipe. Our Portland-based home brewers Lucas Jones and Sean Burke have been home brewing beer together in their garages for many years. They share these homemade brews with their friends at backyard BBQs and give them as gifts during the holidays. Lucas and Sean love this hobby, and are passionate about their beer and the community they cultivate with it. We are very excited to have these two all-American guys create the recipe for the Churchkey Pilsner.

Churchkey Pilsner is a handcrafted pilsner style beer made from the highest quality ingredients. The body of the beer comes from the light, grainy pilsner malt taste, accented by a smooth clean bitterness. The Saaz hop taste and aroma
featured in the Churchkey Pilsner make for a uniquely complex, yet sessionable beer. Available in 12-ounce flat top steel cans and six-packs. 29 IBU; 4.9% ABV.

THE PRODUCTION:
TWO BEERS BREWING CO.
To bring the beer to market, we turned to Joel VandenBrink, a skilled craft brewer based out of Seattle. Head brewer at Two Beers Brewing Co, the first Washington brewery to produce 12-ounce cans, VandenBrink and his team embody the Churchkey philosophy. They love what they do and work hard to bring true craft beer to their community. As part of this unique partnership and friendship, we work together with Two Beers Brewing to produce and package our Churchkey Pilsner.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

21st Amendment’s Monk’s Blood Going On Hiatus

SAN FRANCISCO – After nearly a year in seclusion, 21st Amendment Brewery’s acclaimed beer Monk’s Blood is now available for a limited time. Monk’s Blood’s most ardent worshippers may want to drink one now and cellar one for later, as whispers around the monastery have indicated that the beer will go into extended seclusion after 2012.

Brother Shaun (Brewmaster and co-founder Shaun O’Sullivan) said, “We have so many things happening in the brewery right now, it’s time to let Monk’s Blood take a break so we can play a little more with some other really special brews.”

Monk’s Blood is an 8.3 percent alcohol, dark Beligan-style ale brewed with eight malts, Belgian candi sugar, cinnamon, vanilla bean, dried local black mission figs and aged on oak for a flavor unlike anything you’ve ever had from a can. It is part of 21st Amendment’s Insurrection Series, a limited edition, once-in-a-while, four-pack release of a very special beer that rises up in revolt against common notions of what canned beer can be. How special? Monk’s Blood was voted the best local microbrew in 2011 by the SF Weekly, and top 25 Beers of 2010 by Draft magazine.

Brothers Nicolas (co-founder Nico Freccia) and Shaun developed the beer as an homage to the monks of Belgium’s monasteries who have been brewing some of the world’s great beer for centuries.

“During times of fasting, the monks subsist solely on beer, which they refer to as ‘liquid bread’,” notes Brother Nicolas. “Beer, quite literally, is in their blood.”

Freccia and O’Sullivan traveled to Belgium to develop the recipe for this special beer, visiting small traditional breweries in the hop fields of west Flanders, not far from the famous Trappist abbey of Westvleteren.

Monk’s Blood is available in cans starting this week at quality bars and stores in all 17 of 21st Amendment’s current distribution territories, including CA, OR, WA, AK, ID, MN, OH, MA, NY, NJ, DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, GA and NC. For up-to-date availability, events and promotions, visit http://www.21st-Amendment.com

About 21st Amendment Brewery:

Who the heck are these guys? Hey, we’re Nico and Shaun. We live for great beer. In 1920, there were thousands of breweries across American making unique handcrafted beer. The passage of Prohibition wiped out this great culture. After thirteen years without beer, the states ratified the 21st Amendment, ending Prohibition in America. At the 21stAmendment Brewery, we celebrate the right to brew beer, the freedom to be innovative, and the obligation to have fun.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Heavy Seas Announces Plank II

(Baltimore, MD) — Heavy Seas Beer announces the release of Plank II — the second in a series of beers showcasing unique wood ageing treatment to add flavor and nuance. Plank II features an 8.5% ABV Dopplebock style lager matured with specially treated Eucalyptus and Yellow Poplar wood planks.

The Heavy Seas Plank Series boasts an innovative way of adding wood to the brewing process. The beer is allowed to mature on the wood during secondary fermentation. Created in a not-so-traditional way, Plank II will change the how you perceive wood-aged beers. A revolutionary thermal process releases the compounds in the wood through controlled heat in a way that “toasting” cannot do. In short, we put the wood in the beer — not the beer in the wood.

Six-foot planks of Eucalyptus and Poplar were placed in the fermenter and allowed to age with the beer for six weeks.

The Eucalyptus wood lends notes of chocolate, balanced with a hint of toffee and smoky dryness from the Yellow Poplar.  Watch for Plank II’s release in early April. Plank II will join the Mutiny Fleet portfolio of beers available in 22oz. bottles and very limited draft and cask.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

SweetWater Unveils Expansion With Georgia Governor, Mayor

ATLANTA (March 20, 2012) — One of the South’s largest craft breweries is getting even larger. Today, Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company officially unveiled a massive expansion project over a year in the making. Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal, Atlanta City Mayor Kasim Reed and SweetWater Founder and Big Kahuna Freddy Bensch honored the momentous occasion during a ribbon cutting ceremony alongside several respected dignitaries and VIPs.

The expanded facility is phase one of SweetWater’s three-part construction overhaul project that will quintuple its brewing capacity to nearly 500,000 barrels per year. Throughout its year-round construction, the expansion project created more than 400 jobs and infused an estimated $19 million into the regional economy during a time of economic downturn.  Phase two and three will be completed by early this fall and will include installation of 14 new 1,000-barrel fermentation tanks and a new 250-barrel brew house.

Established in 1997, SweetWater Brewery moved in 2004 to its current 26,000-square-foot facility in Midtown Atlanta. In June 2009, the brewery acquired the building adjacent to its headquarters in anticipation of the massive expansion, which would connect the two buildings to collectively share 115,000-square-feet of space. Construction on the expansion project broke ground in July 2011 and operations began in March 2012. The new building is home to an expanded bottling and packaging hall, keg line, quality assurance lab, machine shop, corporate office space, conference rooms, tasting area, a roof top deck and 4,800-square-feet of additional public events space.

SweetWater’s facilities not only house all its brewing and packaging operations but its tours and tastings are a tourist hotspot and local showpiece for metro Atlanta residents. Roughly 2,000 guests visit SweetWater Brewery tours, tastings and events on a weekly basis, bringing more than 100,000 visitors per year through the doors to see how craft beer is made up-close.

“This is an exciting time for our industry as more people develop a taste for craft beer, and we are seeing that demand continue to grow here at SweetWater,” said Bensch. “It’s crazy to think that just 15 years ago I could fit everything in my truck and now we are the second largest brewery in the Southeast, cutting the ribbon with the governor and the mayor on this incredible new facility.”

According to industry estimates from Beer Marketer’s Insights, the craft beer industry saw strong growth in 2011, recording a 15% increase in volume of barrels shipped, compared to a 1.5% decrease in the overall beer industry. In 2011, SweetWater brewed 95,000 barrels, representing a 23% increase over 2010.

Although its distribution footprint only crosses Georgia, Florida, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee, SweetWater Brewing Company remains in the nation’s top 30 craft breweries out of nearly 2,000 established nationwide. Through this expansion, SweetWater’s distribution range will continue to grow, first targeting further reach into Florida and Tennessee with potential to move in Virginia within the first two years of operation.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Avery Brewing, Press Releases

Avery Uncle Jacob’s Stout Debuts In April (PR)

(Boulder, CO) — In the quest to create a collection of barrel-aged beers to be reproduced annually, Avery Brewing Company is releasing Uncle Jacob’s Stout, the second member of its Annual Barrel Series.

The collection began with Rumpkin rum barrel-aged pumpkin ale in the fall of 2011, and now continues with this 17.4% ABV stout that was aged in first-use Bourbon barrels for 6 months. While the Avery Barrel-Aged Series features one-time-only batches, such as the recent Muscat d’Amour and Récolte Sauvage, the Annual Barrel Series features a selection of cellarable barrel-aged beers that fans can return to and get to know every year.

During a genealogy project, Adam Avery’s family discovered his 6th Great Grand Uncle Jacob Spears. Spears established a distillery in Bourbon County Kentucky in 1790, and is credited historically as being the first distiller to label his whiskey as “Bourbon” for distribution. Of naming the beer after his distant relative, brewery president and owner Adam Avery remarked, “We share a similar drinking problem — he had to start a distillery, and I had to start a brewery.”

Describing Uncle Jacob’s Stout as a “dangerously smooth 17.4% ABV beer,” Avery’s chief Barrel Herder Andy Parker says that the biggest challenge was bringing balance to a brew at such a high alcohol content. To offset the natural astringency from the high alcohol and barrels’ oak tannins, dark specialty malts with caramel and toffee flavors were chosen over roastier and coffee-like malts. A liberal dose of flaked oats was also added for richness and mouthfeel. After four weeks of fermenting with an English ale yeast and 6 months resting in the oak barrels, the brew boasts flavors of toffee, caramel, vanilla and hints of coconut from the Bourbon barrels, as well as dried currants and cherries.

The Avery Tap Room in Boulder, CO, will host the release of Uncle Jacob’s Stout, starting sales at 5pm on Saturday, April 7th, 2012. Bottles are 12oz. and will be sold as singles at $10 each. Fans will be able to buy up to 12 bottles, and availability can only be guaranteed at the Avery Tap Room during the release party. For more information, beer connoisseurs can check www.averybrewing.com or email [email protected].

Established in 1993, Avery Brewing Company has developed a reputation as being one of the most daring and visionary breweries in the nation. They are the brewers of Avery IPA, The Maharaja Imperial IPA, White Rascal Belgian Wheat Ale, Mephistopheles’ Stout and eighteen other year-round and seasonal beers. Please go to www.averybrewing.com for more information on Avery beers.

by Reid Ramsay