Saisons

Posted in Captain Lawrence Brewing Company, Don't Miss This, New Releases

Captain Lawrence, and 50 Bars Create Think Drink: Volume 1

Captain Lawrence Brewing (Elmsford, NY) is expanding deeper into Philadelphia with the debut of a new limited release, Think Drink: Volume 1.

This draft only release is the result of a massive collaboration of bar owners and managers from the Philadelphia area got onto a charter bus and headed to the brewery to create Think Drink. The result: Think Drink: Volume 1, a dry-hopped session Saison using German Hallertau hops.

 “Think Drink: Volume 1 was one of the most fun and interactive brewing projects that we have ever been a part of here at the brewery,”  says Vaccaro, who entered the Philadelphia market after partnering with top beer distributor Muller, Inc. this past October.  “We were able to work closely with the industry professionals actually serving our beer, handing each one individual surveys asking for their suggestions on what they wanted this beer to be, and then inviting them all for a personal tour of our brewery.”

Captain Lawrence Think Drink: Volume 1 will be available at these locations:

320 Market Café, Alla Spina, American Sardine Bar, Baggataway Tavern, Barcade, Barley Mow, The Beer Store (Bucks County), The Beer Store (Malvern), Bottle Bar East, Teresa’s Café, Bishop’s Collar, Blind Pig, Blue Dog Family Tavern, Blue Dog, Flanigan’s Boathouse, Bru Craft & Wurst, Butcher and Barkeep, Craft Beer Outlet, The Cambridge, Canal Street, Capone’s, Craft Ale House, City Tap House Logan Square, City Tap House University City, Devil’s Den, Fette Sau, Fountain Porter, Good Dog Bar, Grey Lodge, Growlers, The Corner Foodery, The Foodery Roxborough, Harry’s Blue Bell Taproom, Hulmeville Inn, The Industry, Iron Abbey, Island Pizza, Jose Pistola’s, Khyber Pass Pub, Kite & Key, Kraftwork, Liberty Taproom, Local 44, London Grill, Maxwell’s on Main, Monk’s Café, Paradise by the Slice, The Pub on Passyunk East, PJ’s Pour House, Pinocchio’s, Prohibition Taproom, Ram’s Head Bar & Grill, Sidebar Restaurant, Side Car, Spinnerstown Hotel, Station Taproom, Time, TJ’s Restaurant & Drinkery, Tria Taproom, Two Stones Pub, Union Jack’s Pub, Union Jack’s Inn, Urban Saloon and Varga Bar.

This release marks the continued expansion of Captain Lawrence offerings in Philadelphia. Look for these brands in the city in 2015:

  • 2015.  Year-Round Styles: “Captain Lawrence IPA” IPA, “Captain’s Reserve” Imperial IPA, “Captain’s Kolsch” German Style Kolsch, “Liquid Gold” Hopped Belgian Blond (year-round styles will be available throughout 2015)
  • January 12.  Special Releases: “Think Drink: Volume 1,” “Frost Monster” Imperial Stout;  Pilot Series: “Traditional Pilsner.”
  • February 1.  Pilot Series: “Frozen Flowers” Elderflower Belgian Blonde
  • March 1.  Seasonal: “Sun Block” Hoppy Wheat;   Pilot Brew: Black IPA
  • April 1.  Special Releases: “Xtra Gold” Dry-Hopped Tripel, “Seeking Alpha” Triple IPA;  Pilot Brew: Brett IPA
by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Seasonal Return, Wicked Weed Brewing Co

Wicked Weed Terra Locale Taketake Returns Late January

Wicked Weed Brewing (Asheville, NC) Terra Locale Taketake bottles return again in January, 2015. Taketake is a farmhouse ale, brewed with Riverbend malt, and a host of New Zealand hops. Released for the first time in July, 2014.

Theses ingredients result in an incredibly citrusy and bright beer. Hop forward with a balance of spice from the yeast, Taketake can be enjoyed fresh for the grapefruit and orange flavors of the hops, or laid down to let the funkiness develop. 

Wicked Weed Taketake bottles hit shelves again in North Carolina in late January.

Style: Saison
Hops: Wakatua, Pacific Gem, Nelson Sauvin

Availability: 500ml bottles

7.5% ABV

Image via Wicked Weed

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, Jolly-Pumpkin

Jolly Pumpkin Saison X, A Bottle Potential

Jolly Pumpkin (Dexter, MI) has a “Letters” Series of saisons – namely X, Y, & Z. As far as we know, all three offerings have been draft only, in small batches. Saison X, the first in the series, looks like it could be bottled soon.

The first in my letters series. Rich yellow gold in color, highly effervescent. Sugar spice aroma, tart and refreshing with a hint of citrus and candy ginger in the finish.

Jolly Pumpkin Saison X will be available in 750ml bottles.

Style: Saison (w/ Spices)
Availability: 750 ml bottles
Arrival: TBA

6% ABV  

Note: This is a “first look” preview. Details are subject to change at anytime by the brewery. 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Releases, Spiteful Brewing

Spiteful Brewing Absinthe Barrel Aged Klutzy Buffoon with Cherries Releases

Spiteful Brewing Absinthe Barrel Aged Klutzy Buffoon with Cherries joins the brewery’s barrel aged lineup this week. Spiteful Brewing co-founder Jason Klein says “It tastes like a beer cocktail.”

Absinthe Barrel Aged Klutzy Buffoon is a saison with cherries, aged in Letherbee Distillers absinthe barrels. Letherbee is actually located in the same building as Spiteful, so the decision to work with them was easy.

 “When Letherbee gave us the first absinthe barrel, we were thrilled. We had no idea we would be able to secure more,” said Spiteful representative Calvin Fredrickson. 

Spiteful Brewing wants to build a larger absinthe barrel aged series. Asinthe Barrel-Aged Klutzy Buffoon Saison with Cherries is available in 22oz bombers in Chicago starting this week.

Style: Saison (w/ Cherries, Barrel Aged. Absinthe)
Availability: 22oz Bombers
Arrival: Week of Nov. 19th, 2014

5.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Don't Miss This, New Releases, Upslope Brewing Company

Upslope Wild Saison Cans Debut November 20th

Upslope Brewing Company (Boulder, CO) will introduce Volume 2 in the their limited release Lee Hill Series – Wild Saison.

Wild Saison is a sour ale, fermented with a saison yeast along with lactobacillus and brettanomyces. The beer is also aged 7 months in red wine barrels before being packaged in 19.2 ounce cans.

“Our Lee Hill Series gives us the opportunity to showcase our experimental side and these highly limited brews are a fun experience for our brewers and fans alike,” said Head Brewer, Sam Scruby. “We’re excited to release Volume 2 and share our American sour take on a classic beer style.

Volume 1 in the Lee Hill Series was Barrel Aged Brown Ale.

Upslope Wild Saison will debut on Thursday, November 20th in the brewery’s tap room.

Style: American Wild/Sour Ale (Wine Barrel Aged)
Availability: 19.2oz Cans
Arrival: 11/20/14

6.8% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Deschutes Brewing, Don't Miss This

Deschutes Chef Driven Collaboration “Zarabanda” Released

Deschutes Brewery (Bend, OR) has released their newest collaboration – Zarabanda, a spiced saison.

Zarabanda is a unique collaboration with renowned Chef Jose Andrés, meant to highlight both Deschutes and Andrés innovative styles.

The name is inspired by the Spanish Saraband dance (translated means fun). Brewed with lemon verbena, pink peppercorn, sumac, and dried lime, Zarabanda is truly an balance of brewing innovation and culinary excellence. Gary Fish, Deschutes founder:

Jose and I began discussing the idea of collaborating on a beer many years ago when he first came to Oregon to participate in our Sagebrush Classic Feast charity event. We’re all very excited with how the final beer turned out, and are looking forward to sharing it with craft beer fans and foodies around the country.”

Deschutes Zarabanda will be available in 22oz bombers throughout the brewery’s distribution network, as well as newly added Washington D.C.

Style: Saison (w/ Pink Peppercorn, Sumac, Lemon Verbena, Dried Lime)
Available: Draft (Previously), 22oz Bottles soon.
Arrival: Early November, 2014

6.1% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Headlines, New Belgium, Wicked Weed Brewing Co

New Belgium & Wicked Weed Create “Tributary”[PICS]

Wicked Weed Brewing (Asheville, NC) and New Belgium Brewing (Fort Collins, CO) have teamed up on a new offering – Tributary.

Tributary was brewed at the brewpub in Asheville (future home to New Belgium), and will release on November 15th, 2014.

Tributary features malt from Colorado Malting, and Riverbend Malt in Asheville. Additionally, the beer features yeast from both New Belgium’s brettanomyces strain and Wicked Weed’s saison/brett blend. Rounding out the ingredients are sugar beets, Mosaic hops, and one experimental, yet to be named breed.

Barrels of water were shipped from Colorado to be added to the brew as well, signifying water’s important role in brewing. Abby Dickinson, Marketing and PR at Wicked Weed:

 “Two smaller tributaries coming together make a stronger, larger, more beautiful river… The same goes for craft beer. We are all a part of a larger community and when we can come together and support each other, we are a part of something more beautiful…”

A portion of the proceeds from bottle sales will benefit the Western North Carolina Alliances’s French Broad Riverkeeper program. Wicked Weed/New Belgium Tributary will be released at 2 pm on November 15th.

Style: Imperial Saison (w/ Sugar Beets)
Availability: 500ml Bottles
Arrival: 11/15/14, 2 pm

?? ABV

Images via Wicked Weed Brewing

by Reid Ramsay