Canned Craft Beer

Sixpoint Abigale, Their First Canned Belgian

The latest can drop from Sixpoint Abigale, aka A-BIG-ALE, their first canned Belgian brew.

Expect to find classic dark fruit flavors from the Belgian candi sugar used mixed right in with non-traditional piles of American hops finished off with traditional Belgian yeast.

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Posted in Don't Miss This, Terrapin Beer Company

First Look: Terrapin Maggie’s Peach Farmhouse Cans

Above is the very first Terrapin Maggie’s Peach Farmhouse can. The first can pressing started today at Ball Corporation in Colorado.

This year the Athens, Georgia based brewery is aggressively expanding their can offerings this year to include Hopsecutioner, Golden Ale, Maggie’s Peach Farmhouse Ale and more. Maggie’s first appeared as a Side Project offering, and was later upgraded to a seasonal offering.

Terrapin tells Beer Street Journal that Maggie’s Peach Farmhouse Ale cans will ship late-April, early May, 2015.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Appalachian Brewing, Don't Miss This, Pizza Boy Brewing, Troegs Brewing

Troegs, Appalachian & Pizza Boy Brewing Create (717) Collaboration Ale

For the first time ever, Troegs Brewing Company, Appalachian Brewing Company, and Pizza Boy Brewing Company are collaborating to create a one-of-a-kind limited-release beer. (717) Collaboration Ale is being brewed for the inaugural Harrisburg Beer Week running April 24 – May 2 2015.

This beer represents a joint endeavor between the three breweries combining a variety of styles to create dry-hopped characteristics of an IPA with the sweetness of the local honey, local malts from Deer Creek Malts,  saison yeast, and a hint of tartness to deliver a vibrant aroma and bone dry finish.

“We’re excited to be an integral part of the first Harrisburg Beer Week, “ said Chris Trogner. “Harrisburg will always be a part of who we are. Beer Week not only celebrates our roots but also looks to the future as we welcome new breweries and enjoy continued success of the craft beer industry in Central PA”

All three breweries will tap (717) Collaboration Ale on April 27th.

Troegs will also be canning this offering in 16oz 4-packs distributed only within the 717 area code starting 4/27/2015. A portion of the proceeds from sales will benefit Harrisburg River Rescue, the beneficiary of Harrisburg Beer Week.

“This beer is as much about the act of brewing the beer as it is about drinking it,” said John Trogner. “It’s about sharing stories and ideas with each other and our desire to explore our collective curiosities.”

(717) Collaboration Ale will tap for the first time at the kickoff event at The Abbey Bar at Appalachian Brewing Company on April 24th.


by Reid Ramsay
Posted in 21st Amendment Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

21st Amendment Down to Earth Session IPA Replaces Bitter American

21st Amendment Down to Earth Session IPA sets its hoppy sights on cans. The 4.4% alcohol by volume (ABV) session-style IPA joins the lineup as we roll into April..

The brewery believes that Down to Earth Session IPA is a natural progression of the bold flavor, low ABV style. For that reason, the brewery is eliminating Bitter American from their lineup.

“Down to Earth has all the great malt backbone of Bitter American but just as Ham’s story evolved, so has this Session IPA. I had fun mixing up the hops and flavor profile,” said Brewmaster O’Sullivan. “We added several late additions and capped it with Mosaic and Centennial dry hops, two of my favorites. Both are amazing and the combination is over the top hop goodness.”

21st Amendment Down To Earth Session IPA is now available in 12oz cans and draft, year-round.

Style: IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Distribution: CA, OR, WA, AK, ID, MN, OH, ME, NH, VT, RI, MA, NY, NJ, DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, GA, NV, NC. Soon: NH, IL
Release: Late-March, 2015

4.4% ABV, 42 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in DC Brau Brewing Co, Headlines, New Releases, Oskar Blues Brewing

Oskar Blues & DC Brau “Smells Like Freedom” Smells Like Weed

Oskar Blues Brewery and DC Brau have definitely made a statement with their newest beer, Smells Like Freedom. What does it smell like? Weed.

Smells Like Freedom is a tribute to Initiative 71 that legalized marijuana in Washington D.C. in late February. It is now legal to possess and grow pot in the district, yet it cannot be bought or sold.

The two brewery team came up with IPA that contains a mix of hops that smells like fresh cannabis.

Both Oskar Blues and DC Brau brewed Smells Like Freedom at their breweries. A majority of the release is draft, the cans are exclusive to Washington D.C.

Smells Like Freedom debuted at a special party in the nation’s capital on March 17th.

Style: IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. 120 Barrels (nearly 4,000 gallons)

7% ABV

Image via DC Brau

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Firestone Walker Brewing, Headlines

Firestone Walker Easy Jack Launches in Cans

Firestone Walker Easy Jack appeared for the first time in 2014. The brewery sought to create a session IPA with a flavor complexity created by a rare selection of newer hop varieties. Unfortunately, the hops ran out by mid-summer, and Easy Jack was a memory.

Firestone Walker Easy Jack has now been re-launched as a year round beer in 12oz cans.

The Hop Focus:

Mandarina Bavaria – Hallertau, Germany

“Mandarina is the defining hop of Easy Jack. It’s real orangy, zesty, like a fresh orange off the tree, which I’ve never smelled in any hop before.”

Hull Melon – Hallertau, Germany 

“I call this the rhythm guitar. It has this melony, ripe tropical fruit characteristic that complements the citrus of the Mandarina.”

Southern Hemisphere Hops

“These hops are equally elusive as our prized Mandarina and Melon.  We have begged, borrowed and traded…Yes, we literally traded 8 Wired Brewery in New Zealand an equal amount of Centennial and Amarillo hops for some fresh Nelson hops. The transaction was more complicated than any hop purchase I have ever made.”

Blend of U.S. Hops

“Mosaic provides a tropical vibe with herbal and pine notes, while Citra and Amarillo add complexity and dimension.”

Firestone Walker Easy Jack cans are now available, and shipping to the brewery’s markets around the United States.

Style: IPA
Hops: Mandaria Bavaria, Hull Melon, Southern Hemisphere, Mosaic, Citra, Amarillo
Availability: 12oz Cans. Year Round.
Can Release: March, 2015

4.5% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Angel City Brewing, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Angel City Social IPA Kicks Off New Can Lineup

Angel City Social IPA has hit shelves as the brewery’s first canned offering.

Designed to be a lower alcohol option, Angel City Social IPA is just 4.4%. Now you can day drink even longer.

“Beer, LA, friends…they’re all meant to come together,” said Jon Carpenter, brewmaster for Angel City Brewery. “We believe strongly in community and in sharing, so this is an important beer for us, and for our fans. It’s the ideal session beer to sip for hours while enjoying the company of friends – old and new. Social IPA is a refreshing way to…well, socialize.”

Angel City Social IPA is available in 12oz cans, year round.

Style: IPA
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft.
Released: March, 2015

4.4% ABV, 55 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Sixpoint Craft Ales

Sixpoint Abigale, Their First Canned Belgian

The latest can drop from Sixpoint Abigale, aka A-BIG-ALE, their first canned Belgian brew.

Expect to find classic dark fruit flavors from the Belgian candi sugar used mixed right in with non-traditional piles of American hops finished off with traditional Belgian yeast.

Now, more than a decade since our first Belgian experiments, we dug through old brewing records and recipes, consulted with monks (over beers), and revitalized the formulation. A-BIG-ALE emerges from the catacombs, captured in 12 oz slim stained-glass cans and on draft across our network.

Sixpoint Abigale is available now in 12oz slim cans across the brewery’s entire network.

Style: Belgian Pale Ale
Availability: 12oz Cans
Release: March, 2015

8% ABV, 52 IBUs

by Reid Ramsay