Collaborations

Posted in Genesee Brewing Company, Headlines, Other Half Brewing

Genesee Cream Ale, meet Other Half Brewing

Cream Ale is a uniquely American style. Sure, the American IPA might be the envy of the world’s brewing community, but it didn’t start in the United States. Let’s talk about one of the most well-known – Genesee Cream Ale.  First introduced in 1960, “Genny Cream” might be the most recognizable for the style out there.

Here’s something you didn’t expect. A dry-hopped edition the decades-old cream ale, a collaboration with New York’s Other Half Brewing.

Other Half’s fame was born in New York City. As far as we know, the lines for Other Half beers are pretty much a standard, 24 hours a day. The brewery is in the process of opening a new 20-line taproom in Rochester, New York and ahead of they have teamed up with Genesee Brewery.

Cream Ale now has a sibling, Dream Ale. Using the classic Genesee Cream Ale recipe, the brewing teams added oats and dry-hopped it with a “massive dose” of Citra hops.

We are huge fans of the all-time NY classic Cream Ale and couldn’t imagine a better way to pay respect to the historic brewing traditions of Rochester while putting an OH twist on an all-time favorite recipe. – Other Half Brewing

Genesee Dream Ale will be available in 16-ounce cans at the Genesee Brewery on Friday, March 22nd starting at 11 am.

Style: Cream Ale
Hops: Citra

Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. Limited (170 Cases)
Debut: 3/22/19

4.6% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Duclaw Brewing, Headlines

DuClaw releases donut inspired “Unicorn Farts” glitter beer this weekend

When Beer Street Journal started 11 years ago, big, bitter imperial India pale ales and adjunct-free barrel-aged imperial stouts were all the rage. It’s 2019 we are a long way from there. A LONG way.

Growing up my sister had a Trapper Keeper with sparkly unicorns on it. She loved it so much she would hide it under her bed at night until she went to school the next day. Today, I’m reminded of that beloved binder, not because I’m reminiscing. Nope. It’s because I’m writing about a freaking beer. Two things I never thought would go together. Take second and meet Duclaw Sour Me Unicorn Farts.

The inspiration for this release comes from nearby, self-described  “Local as fu#k” Diablo Doughnuts, who makes a pastry called the “Unicorn Fart”. It’s a white frosted donut topped with Fruity Pebbles cereal, plus more frosting. Why the fu#k not?

So how do you make a beer inspired by this colorful plate of high blood sugar? Fruit and glitter. Handfuls and handfuls of edible glitter.

Somewhere the ridiculously creative American brewing landscape, a craft brewer found a way to combine beer and glitter. The result looks something like those squishy balls that kids get out grocery store vending machines. You don’t have to understand it. You just have to know it happened. When making a beer called “Unicorn Farts” it better damn well have glitter in it. Period.

I’m making a pretty safe assumption here. The donut that inspires this pretty freaking sweet and sugary. Knowing this, DuClaw Brewing made this beer sour to offset the circular blast of sugar. In the end, Sour Me Unicorn Farts is a tart beer, with glitter and Fruity Pebble-like fruit additions. The first beer fart we’ve ever actually wanted is here.

The first cans of DuClaw Sour Me Unicorn Farts will be available on Saturday, March 16th at the brewery in Baltimore. A portion of proceeds from the launch event for this beer will benefit The Pride Center of Maryland.

Expect distribution of this Trapper Keeper beer to start in April.

Style: Sour Ale (w/ Fruit. Edible Glitter.)
Availability: 16oz Cans
Debut: 3/16/19

?? ABV

Image: DuClaw Brewing

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Arrogant Consortia, Headlines, Stone Brewing Co.

Metallica launches their own beer nationally with Stone Brewing

Arrogant Consortia, Stone Brewing’s “arrogant” extension of their brewing operation, was always destined for a collaboration like this. Stone and Metallica have created a new pilsner rolling out nationally.

Musical collaborations are nothing new in the beer industry. Dogfish Head has created several musical releases with Pearl Jam, Guided By Voices, and The Flaming Lips. Dropkick Murphys teamed up with Magic Hat and Megadeth with Unibroue – that’s just the beginning of the list. Now musical hall of fame inducted Metallica has their own national release- Enter Night Pilsner.

Iron Maiden has their own successful beer and Metallica has taken notice. After launching “Blackened,” a Metallica inspired whiskey last fall, beer was an obvious next step. According to drummer Lars Ulrich, Stone Brewing’s name kept coming up while doing some research. Beer fans know how fiercely independent Stone is, and Metallica was drawn to Greg Koch and Stone for that mentality.

Metallica didn’t want to just “slap a label” on a beer, and Koch wasn’t about to do the brewer’s version of the same thing. The band dove head first together into the creation of this collaboration – Enter Night Pilsner. 

Now, a lot of folks think a metal-inspired beer should be strong, black, barrel-aged, or be brewed with goat’s blood or something “metal” like that. Most musicians want something on the lighter side of the spectrum to drink before, during, and after the show. The guitar solo on “One” wouldn’t as epic if Kirk Hammett was shit-blitzed on barleywine. A pilsner became a perfect choice (plus Ulrich is from Europe originally and knows the style well).

Enter Night Pilsner is every bit a clean, crisp European style lager with just a touch of aggressive American hops. When Stone Brewing and Metallica say this beer “transcends genres, shatters preconceptions and challenges convention,” we tend to agree. They both have done that in their perspective industries and definitely in this beer. Enter Night is not like any pilsner you’ve had before.

 Enter Night Pilsner is hitting shelves nationally in 16-ounce cans.  

Crank The Black Album and get drinking.

Style: Pilsner
Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft.
Debut (Nationally): Early 2019

5.7% ABV, 45 IBUs

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Creature Comforts, Coming Soon, Don't Miss This, Russian River Brewing

Debut Week: Creature Comforts collaborates with Russian River on new IPA

Creature Comforts has teamed up with California’s Russian River Brewing Company, benefitting the brewery’s “Get Comfortable” campaign. 

At the 2018 Firestone Walker Invitational, Creature Comfort’s Adam Beauchamp was having a beer with Russian River’s Vinnie Cilurzo. Beauchamp mentioned Creature Comfort’s ‘Get Comfortable’ Campaign, their annual community outreach program. Creature Comforts helped raise funds to help folks affected by the 2017 Sonoma fires, so Cilurzo couldn’t wait to get involved.

The two breweries collaborated on an India pale ale, brewed with Strata, Amarillo, Comet, and Pahto hops. “Get Comfortable IPA” finishes at 7.2% alcohol by volume.

This year, Creature Comforts has chosen the following nonprofits to benefit from the funds raised from sales of the collaboration: Action Ministries, Advantage Behavioral Health, The Ark, Athens Community Council on Aging, Bigger Vision, Chess & Community, College Factory, Family Connection-Communities in Schools, and Mercy Health Center. These nine non-profits will be highlighted throughout the 2019 Get Comfortable campaign season, which wraps up in November.

Creature Comforts Russian River Get Comfortable IPA is available in 16-ounce cans and draft throughout the duration of the campaign.

Style: IPA
Hops: Strata, Comet, Amarillo, Pahto

Availability: 16oz Cans, Draft. February-November 2019
Debut: February 2019

7.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Scofflaw Brewing Co., Aslin Beer Company, Coming Soon

Scofflaw Brewing debuts collaboration with Virginia’s Aslin Beer Company

Scofflaw Brewing debuts their hoppy collaboration with Herndon, Virginia’s Aslin Beer Company on Friday, January 25th.

The brewing teams created an India pale ale (yeah, of course, it’s hazy) brewed with “obnoxious amounts” of Mosaic and Strata hops.

Juicy… with a huge aroma/flavor of pineapple, mango, stone fruit and berries with low perceived bitterness.

RELATED: BEER COLLABORATIONS

The Scofflaw/Aslin collaboration is apart of the brewery’s taproom only canned releases. Available while supplies last when the brewery opens Friday. $14 per 4-pack.

Style: IPA
Hops: Strata, Mosaic

Availability: 12oz Cans. Brewery only.
Debut: 1/25/19

7.1% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Creature Comforts, Coming Soon, Headlines

More Run the Jewels: Creature Comforts STAY G-O-L-D returns at month’s end

Creature Comforts STAY G-O-L-D, a collaboration with rap duo Run the Jewels will be available again on January 29th. 

Chicago based Pipeworks, New York’s Interboro and Asheville, North Carolina’s Burial Beer Co. have all created their own versions of Stay G-O-L-D in the past.

Athens, Georgia has their own edition of these hit beer collaborations – Creature Comforts STAY G-O-L-D returns again at the end of January. STAY G-O-L-D is brewed with Citra, Mosaic, Chinook, and Strata hops.

“Stay G-O-L-D is a high impact, yet very drinkable IPA, We’re all big fans of Run the Jewels here at Creature Comforts so we were thrilled to have another opportunity to collaborate with them.” – said Co-Founder and Head Brewer David Stein.

Creature Comforts STAY G-O-L-D will be available on-site at the brewery in Athens, Georgia on January 29th. A limited amount will be available in distribution in both Athens and Atlanta after launch day.

Style: IPA
Hops: Citra, Mosaic, Chinook, Strata.

Availablity: 16oz Cans
Debut: 10/26/17
Latest Return: 1/29/19

6% ABV

Images: Beer Street Journal

Creature Comforts Stay GOLD IPA 2017

PIC: Beer Street Journal

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Oskar Blues Brewing, Cigar City Brewing, Don't Miss This

Oskar Blues & Cigar City debut ‘Bamburana’, a double barrel-aged imperial stout

Oskar Blues and Cigar City, both part of the CANarchy collective, are debuting a barrel-aged imperial stout nationally this month.

This collaboration is a big one, perfect for a winter release. The two breweries created an imperial stout, aged in both whiskey barrels and brandy barrels, with figs and dates. After blending into the finishing tanks, Bamburana was then aged again on Amburana wood spirals. Amburna is a tropical tree native to Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru.

“We were pleasantly surprised with the vanilla and gingerbread spice nuances this South American wood contributed into the finished beer and look forward to putting this delicious beer in front of folks,” said Wayne Wambles of Cigar City Brewing

Oskar Blues Cigar City Bamburana is a national release in 12-ounce cans and draft starting in mid-January, 2019.

Style: Imperial Stout (w/ Figs. Dates. Barrel Aged. Whiskey. Brandy.)
Availability: 12oz Cans, Draft. Limited Release.

Debut: Mid-January 2019

12.2% ABV

by Reid Ramsay