Top 100 Beers

Pliny The Younger Releases February 3rd

One of the worlds top 10 most highly rated beers makes it’s seasonal return on 2/3/12.  Straight from Russian River Brewing:

Pliny the Younger is still scheduled for release at our brewpub on Friday, February 3rd! Here is the scoop: the Continue Reading →

Darkness Day: The Video

Surly Darkness Day will occur on October 27th, 2012.   While you wait, (for both the beer and another episode of Walking Dead) here’s a little video.

More Details: Hunahpu Day 2012

More info on Cigar City Brewing’s Hunahpu Day 2012, coming March 10, 2012…

On Saturday, March 10th, we will be releasing Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout. Just like the previous two times we’ve released it, we’re going to devote the day to its release.

Here are Continue Reading →

2012 Hopslam: Draft 1/25, Bottles 2/8

Per Bells– Here is your Hopslam 2012 rundown:

Many of you have asked on a variety of platforms (Facebook, Twitter,Google+ and via email) when Hopslam will be available. Until now, we could only say January, as important packaging and logistic issues were still being Continue Reading →

Your Hopslam Heads Up: January, 2012

Get ready.  One of the worlds highly prized imperial IPAs makes another appearance in January.

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex Continue Reading →

Next Cigar City Hunahpu Day: March 10, 2012

Cigar City Brewing has announced the next Hunahpu Imperial Stout release will be March 1o, 2012.   The brewery is currently brewing sought after imperial stout, brewed with chilies, vanilla beans, cinnamon and cocoa nibs.  Release details and bottle limits Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News, New Releases, Russian River Brewing

Pliny The Younger Releases February 3rd

One of the worlds top 10 most highly rated beers makes it’s seasonal return on 2/3/12.  Straight from Russian River Brewing:

Pliny the Younger is still scheduled for release at our brewpub on Friday, February 3rd! Here is the scoop: the pub opens at 11am at which time we will be seating everyone in an orderly and civilized fashion. We are reserving the dining room and board room for folks who are eating, but there is plenty of space at the bar for those interested in just imbibing. Younger will be served in a 10 ounce glass for the same price as last year and the year before- still a good deal! As you probably already know, there will be no growlers or bottles, as usual. We want you to enjoy Younger from the source at its absolute best! Like all fresh food products, this beer has a very short “shelf” life and is meant to be consumed only when in season (February, early March)! There will be a certain number of kegs allotted each day for 14 days, wrapping up 2 weeks of Younger on February 16th. We will begin distribution to our local (Bay Area) accounts on February 6th.  Our distributors (all 7 of them) will begin picking up their allocation that week and the following week. If you live in one of  the few markets where we distribute, they should be getting their Younger within that time frame. One note- we do not dictate where our distributors choose to send Pliny the Younger. That is completely up to them and we trust their decisions!

What can you expect if you come to our brewpub? Last year we had a line out front everyday for 2 solid weeks, rain or shine! On the weekends (particularly the first weekend) the wait was up to 3 hours.   And sometimes you could walk right in.  We will be queing up at the 4th Street entrance so we can count bodies as they enter.  This city is rather strict about occupancy and I’m sure they will be visiting us a few times during those 2 weeks.  There are 2 notable differences this year: 1. SF Beer Week launches on the 10th, one week after we release Younger (it was the same day we released Younger last year). 2. We were able to make a little more for the pub, meaning we hope to run out later each day. Last year there were a couple of days we did not run out at all!  You can also expect to have about 17 other beers on tap, most of which are available by the bottle or in growlers to go.  And it’s quite the line-up of some of the old standards and new and exciting brews!

 We are looking forward to your visit to our newly and beautifully remodeled pub! If you can’t make it to the pub, we do hope you can at least enjoy our new website.

 Cheers!

Natalie, Vinnie, and the Crew

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Troegs Brewing

Troegs Is Hard At Work Brewing Nugget Nectar

Hopefully it gives you some hoppy comfort that Troeg’s is hard at work in Hershey, PA today making 3 batches Nugget Nectar.  It’s a hoppy mother of an red ale.  That’s why it has cracked Beer Advocate’s Top 100 Beers on planet earth.

Style: Amber/Red Ale

Hops: Nugget, Warrior, Tomahawk, Simcoe, Palisade
HopBack Hops: Whole leaf Nugget
Dry Hops: Nugget, Warrior
Malts: Pilsner, Vienna, Munich
Yeast: Ale

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Surly Brewing, Videos

Darkness Day: The Video

Surly Darkness Day will occur on October 27th, 2012.   While you wait, (for both the beer and another episode of Walking Dead) here’s a little video.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cigar City Brewing

More Details: Hunahpu Day 2012

More info on Cigar City Brewing’s Hunahpu Day 2012, coming March 10, 2012…

On Saturday, March 10th, we will be releasing Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout. Just like the previous two times we’ve released it, we’re going to devote the day to its release.

Here are the most important things to know that everyone is asking us:

– The event starts at 11am, when the tasting room opens up as usual.
– The bottles will go on sale at 3:30pm.
– The bottles are $20 per bottle. – There is a 3 bottle limit per person.
– Wristbands will be utilized just like last year. When entering the gate to the event, you will be asked for your I.D. If you’re over 21, you will get one wristband. If you want to purchase bottles of Hunahpu’s, you will get another one. Your Hunahpu’s wristband will be cut once you’ve purchased the bottles.
– All bottle sales will be cash only.
– The bottle limit will end at 7:30pm. If there are any bottles remaining, you will be able to purchase any amount of bottles you want, regardless of whether you’ve purchased any before or not.
– We will have several different stations to purchase the bottles of Hunahpu’s starting at 3:30, so it should be quicker and easier than previous years.
– No growlers of any kind will be sold during the day. And no sample flights as well.
– There will also be no tours on this day at all. Expect Friday to be fairly busy as well, so if you wish to plan a tour for that weekend, you should book it now.

Some pretty awesome things to consider for this year’s event:

– The entire parking lot will be wet-zoned and closed off for the event. Meaning, there will be no parking at all on our property.
– There will be parking available at the IRS building at 3848 W. Columbus Drive.
– There will be a shuttle service for that parking lot to the brewery that starts at 9am and runs throughout the day.
– There are several local hotels around us who will be offering shuttle services as well, and it might be a good idea to get a room there. We will soon be offering special codes to use at these hotels.
– We plan to have a whole slew of different food trucks on premise serving up great food. In addition there will also be several other food vendors.
– Live music and other entertainment!
– The tasting room will be accepting credit cards on drinks. Almost everything else will be cash only, so be prepared!
– There will be an ATM available.
– We again expect the local homebrew clubs to be pouring some of their finest beers.
– We will be providing fresh Cuban coffee and bread for those who wish to queue up before the event opens at 11am.
– Feel free to bring beers to share with everyone. We encourage this behavior, especially if you share with CCB employees!

We plan to have several guest beers and other exciting stuff on tap, as well as, of course, our own offerings. Those special beers will be announced at a later date (ya know, when we figure out what we have and don’t have

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Bell's Brewing, Coming Soon

2012 Hopslam: Draft 1/25, Bottles 2/8

Per Bells– Here is your Hopslam 2012 rundown:

Many of you have asked on a variety of platforms (Facebook, Twitter,Google+ and via email) when Hopslam will be available. Until now, we could only say January, as important packaging and logistic issues were still being finalized.

Today, we have more details for you — actual release dates.

Please know that we have been working very hard for months to ensure this beer gets to as many of you, our fans, as soon as possible.

To make that happen, there were a number of important factors to consider.  One is the dry hopping process, which like Two Hearted Ale, limits how much we can produce at one time.  Another very important factor is the $52 million construction and expansion project that is ongoing here in Michigan.

Because of these and other factors, Hopslam will be available a little later than in the past.

Here are the release dates for Hopslam in 2012.

Hopslam on draft: Jan. 25

Hopslam in bottles: Feb. 8

We appreciate everyone’s continued support and patience as we transition into our new brewhouse and look forward to completing this project in 2012.

For more information on where Hopslam will be available in your area, please consult our Beer Finder and contact the distributor for your county. You can also contact your favorite bar, retailer or restaurant to inquire if and when they will have it as well.

[BellsBeer]

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Bell's Brewing, Coming Soon, Seasonal Return

Your Hopslam Heads Up: January, 2012

Get ready.  One of the worlds highly prized imperial IPAs makes another appearance in January.

Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repetoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.

Style: Imperial IPA with honey
Availability: 12oz bottles. Draft. Party Cans
Arrival: January, 2012

10% ABV 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Cigar City Brewing, Coming Soon

Next Cigar City Hunahpu Day: March 10, 2012

Cigar City Hunaphu Cigar City Brewing has announced the next Hunahpu Imperial Stout release will be March 1o, 2012.   The brewery is currently brewing sought after imperial stout, brewed with chilies, vanilla beans, cinnamon and cocoa nibs.  Release details and bottle limits will announced closer to the release date – pending total yield.

Style: Imperial Stout
Availability: 750ml bottles, Draft

11% ABV

 

UPDATE:  Bottle limit cut to 2 per

 

 

by Reid Ramsay