Posted in Creature Comforts, New Releases

Creature Comforts Brettomatic hits distribution

Creature Comforts Brettomatic, a hoppy pale ale, debuted Sunday, December 6th. This was the third and final large bottle format for 2015.

Creature Comforts Brettomatic features citra hops, and is 100% fermented with the Athens, Georgia brewery’s Brettanomyces yeast.

The flavor and aroma include tropical fruits – kiwi, pineapple, melon, mango, papaya – along with some funk and subtle dry pepper. In the future, the desire is for this beer to become an annual offering that will feature a rotating hop or hop group for each batch.

Creature Comforts Brettomatic will be available in 750ml bottles and limited draft. This year, the brewery released DaySpring, and See the Stars in large bottle format.

As of January 13, 2016, Creature Comforts Brettomatic will hit distribution in Athens and Atlanta, Georgia this month.

Style: American Wild Ale
Hops: Citra

Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft.
Release: 12/6/15

6% ABV

Creature Comfort’s Blake Tyers pours Beer Street Journal sample of Brettomatic at the brewery in November.

by Reid Ramsay January 13, 2016

Posted in New Beers, Tin Man Brewing

Tin Man Weld Cranberry Sour Ale

by Reid Ramsay January 13, 2016

Posted in New Beers, Tin Man Brewing

Tin Man Brewing Weld Pumpkin Sour

by Reid Ramsay January 13, 2016

Posted in Allagash Brewing, Don't Miss This, Seasonal Return

Allagash Evora makes a return this weekend

Allagash Evora makes a return to the Allagash lineup on January 9th. The beer has been barrel-aging for the past year.

Allagash Evora starts as a Belgian strong dark ale, aged in stainless steel. It then spends the next year again in Portuguese brandy barrels with Brettanomyces yeast.

Evora is a golden hued ale with aromas of tropical fruit, honey, and spice. Citrus, oak, and earthiness dominate the flavor and give way to hints of bread crust. Malty and robust, this medium bodied beer finishes fruity, dry, and slightly tart.

Allagash Evora is a 12.7 ounce offering. Returning to the tap room on Saturday. Distribution to follow shortly after.

Style: American Wild Ale (Barrel Aged. Brandy.)
Hops: Sorachi Ace, Hallertau, Northern Brewer
Malts: Flaked Oats, Marris Otter

Availability: 12.7 oz Bottles
Release: 1/9/16

9% ABV

Image via Allagash Brewing Company

by Reid Ramsay January 4, 2016

Posted in Don't Miss This, Wicked Weed Brewing Co

Wicked Weed Hiver Sommeil, a 2nd “winter” offering

Wicked Weed Hiver Sommeil is by our estimates, the second release in the “Hiver” line of beers. “Hiver” translates to winter in French.

The December release was a spicy, bourbon barrel-aged dark sour, Hiver Joie. The second release – Wicked Weed Hiver Sommeil (Winter Sleep) is a Belgian-style tripel, brewed with candi sugar and honey. The twist however, is the use of the wild yeast Brettanomyces in the fermentation process.

Hiver Sommeil is reflective of all that we owe to the old world beer styles. This barrel-aged Belgian-style Tripel is brewed with honey and Belgian Candy Sugar and finished with our house Brettanomyces culture. River Sommeil is an offering of gratitude to the rest winter brings. Sleep sweet.

Wicked Weed Hiver Sommeil is a 500 mililiter bottle offering. This release has not yet been announced by the brewery.

Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Honey. Candi Sugar)
Availability: 500 ml bottles
Release: TBA

9.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay January 3, 2016

Posted in New Beers

Transmitter PH No. 1

by Reid Ramsay December 29, 2015

Posted in Don't Miss This, New Releases, Wicked Weed Brewing Co

Spotlight: Wicked Weed Angel of Darkness

Wicked Weed Angel of Darkness is coming in December, the culmination of a year-long Angels Series.

2015 has seen the releases of Red Angel, Golden Angel, and White Angel. The final angel – Wicked Weed Angel of Darkness, has spent more time in the barrel than any Angel in the series, and that’s because of the Oloroso Sherry barrels. (Plus the metric ton of boysenberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cherries that have been quietly adding flavor.) All total, that’s 3 tons of fruit, and 16 months of maturation.

Much like sour beer, Oloroso sherry (fortified wine), relies on oxidative aging and a protective pellicle to develop full, rustic flavors in these oak vessels.

Wicked Weed Angel of Darkness is a 500 ml bottle offering, that sold out in seconds.

We made a few trips to the brewery this year, staring at those Oloroso sherry barrels. What came out of it is as crazy as it sounds. As the beer warms up the taste is a fun game of which fruit is in my mouth. Plus sherry. Wicked Weed excels at making the wild/sour ales tart, while keeping the fruit fresh. Fantastic conclusion to a year of “Angels” from Wicked Weed.

The brewery re-brewed this beer at the end of 2015, set to return in 2016.

Style: American Wild Ale (w/ Boysenberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cherries.)
Availability:
Release: 12/12/15 (Pre-sale 11/21)

?? ABV

Angel of Darkness asleep in the barrel. Pic: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay December 22, 2015

Beer Headlines

Headlines, Iron Hill Brewing

American Wild Ales