Seasonal Return

Posted in Don't Miss This, Great Divide, Seasonal Return

Great Divide Barrel Aged Yeti Imperial Stout cans expected in November

Great Divide Barrel Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is another one of the “old guard” in American barrel-aged imperial stouts. Additionally, it is among the most revered in the industry.

The year-round “Yeti” imperial stout spends at least 12 months aging whiskey barrels before it sees the light of day every November. The resulting beer is a big, bold 12.5% alcohol by volume beast of a stout.

The spirited aging process produces a hugely complex but mellowed Yeti, with its signature roasted flavors, hints of vanilla and oak, and a whiskeyed finish.

Other recent Yeti Imperial Stout releases include S’ mores Yeti and Mexican Chocolate Yeti.

Great Divide Barrel Aged Yeti Imperial Stout is slated for 16-ounce cans for the first time in November 2019.

Style: Imperial Stout (Barrel-Aged. Whiskey.)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.
Latest Return: November 2019

12.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Arches Brewing, Seasonal Return

Arches Brewing Winter’s Night releases in cans for the first time

Arches Brewing Winter’s Night is back for a second time this year. The brewery first debut this beer as a winter seasonal back in February. 

This dark German-style lager dates back centuries. From Arches: A traditional lager that is best characterized by its striking dark color and a strong malt flavor. It is complemented by an elusive, light mouthfeel which offers a clean, crisp finish.

The brewery uses light and dark Munich malt from Riverbend Malt House, giving this beer rich notes of chocolate, nuts and, caramel with a spicy finish.

12-ounce cans of Arches Brewing Winter’s Night are now available at the brewery and in distribution as a seasonal release.

Style: Dunkel
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Debut: 2/8/19
Latest Return: October 2019

5.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Hi Wire Brewing, Seasonal Return

Hi-Wire Pink Drink returns again this month

Hi-Wire Pink Drink, a fan favorite, will be available in cans for the 4th time this month.

Previously a draft only favorite, Hi-Wire Pink Drink is a kettle-soured wheat ale brewed with lemongrass and raspberries. The end result is a pink beer, thanks to big additon of the berries (the brewery compares it to beer’s version of pink lemonade). Hi-Wire finally packaged this release for the first time in fall 2016 and the brewery’s fans very literally drank every last drop they had.

…an ultra crushable tart wheat ale with lemongrass & raspberries; simple, refreshing, & pink.

Hi-Wire Pink Drink is back in 16-ounce cans across the brewery’s southern distribution footprint in September.

Style: Wheat Ale (w/ Raspberries, Lemongrass)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Limited Release.
Latest Return: September 2019

4.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Dogfish Head, Don't Miss This, Seasonal Return, Sierra Nevada

For the 3rd time in a decade, Dogfish Head & Sierra Nevada release ‘Life & Limb’

Some of the newcomers to the craft beer scene probably don’t remember Life & Limb, the collaboration between Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada. The first release of this collaboration occurred in 2009, followed by Life & Limb 2 in 2011. Now, the third release of this Life & Limb collaboration hits shelves, this time in 16-ounce cans.

This American strong ale is brewed with two different syrups – maple syrup from the Calagione farm in Massachusetts, as well as birch syrup. In the previous collaborations, the birch syrup was delivered to Chico, California fresh from Alaska.

Additionally, the breweries used estate barley from Sierra Nevada’s farm, plus a house yeast blend of both Dogfish Head and Sierra Nevada.

We are proud to share our third version of the life and limb with its thousands of other branches who collectively comprise the craft brewing family tree. Sip slowly with friends and loved ones, savor long-because one could do better than be a swigger of birches.

The “canned on” date is dated in May. From the looks of it, neither brewery has really mentioned this release on social media as it seems to have quietly hit shelves nationally. Neither Sierra Nevada nor Dogfish Head responded for comment.

For its third release in 10 years, this unique collaboration – Life & Limb 3 is available in 16-ounce cans (by Sierra), very suitable for future aging in the event of a Life & Limb 4 release.

Style: American Strong Ale (w/ Maple Syrup. Birch Syrup.)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Limited Release.
Debut: August 2019

10% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Ska Brewing, Seasonal Return

GABF gold medal-winning Ska Brewing Oktoberfest taps today

Ska Brewing Oktoberfest returns as a seasonal release this month. A Great American Beer Festival gold medal winner for the style in 2018, as European Beer Star Gold.

A malty lager with an amber-brown color imparted by nutty, bread, toasty Munich and Vienna malts. With a clean, neutral yeast flavor–it’s all about the malt.

Ska Brewing Oktoberfest is taps August 2nd, at the brewery in Durango, Colorado. Available in 12-ounce cans and draft, seasonally.

Style: Oktoberfest
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.
Latest Return: August 2019

6.1% ABV, 22 IBUs

Image: Ska Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Sam Adams, Seasonal Return

Sam Adams OctoberFest already on taps as July ends

Sam Adams OctoberFest is already on taps as July winds down. The fest beer is one of the most popular and widely distributed of the style in the United States.

Boston Beer Company (and now Dogfish Head) first released Octoberfest in 1989. Since then, the beer has won numerous awards, as well as being the focus of the brewery’s annual Stein Hoisting Competition.

With this beer we honor the more than 200-year tradition of Oktoberfest in Munich and celebrate the turning of the seasons with our deep, rich lager and time-honored stein hoisting competitions. – Jim Koch, brewery founder

Sam Adams OctoberFest is available in 12oz Bottles, cans, and draft, seasonally.

Style: Oktoberfest
Hops: Tettnang Tettnanger, Hallertau Mittelfrueh
Malts: Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, Munich-10, Moravian, and Caramel 60

Availability: 12oz Bottles, 12oz Cans, Draft.

5.3% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Pipeworks Brewing, Seasonal Return

Pipeworks Danger Fruit is back with more prickly pear

Pipeworks Danger Fruit is back in action as July winds down. This round, the brewery added more prickly pear fruit.

The base beer is a pale ale, jam-packed with prickly pear fruit, aka Opuntia, aka the “paddle cactus”.

We’ve added even more prickly pear juice to this super summer-smooched sipper. The juice brings an almost briny, watermelon-y flavor to the very light and refreshing pale ale. The color on this is also amazing.

Pipeworks Danger Fruit is available again starting Friday, July 26th in 16-ounce cans and draft. Distribution next week.

Style: Pale Ale (w/ Prickly Pear.)
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Seasonal Release.
Latest Return: 7/26/19

6% ABV

by Reid Ramsay