Thursday, August 18, 2016

1 Brewmaster: 20,000 Brews By The Sea

Courtsey of Rogue Brewing

Rogue World Headquarters, Newport, OR (August 18, 2016) Today Rogue Ales Brewmaster John "More Hops" Maier is brewing his 20,000th batch of Rogue beer: "20,000 Brews by the Sea". In May of 1989, John arrived in the small coastal town of Newport just in time to create brew #1. 27 years and 20,000 brews later, John still rides his bike daily over the Yaquina Bay Bridge to the brewery where he continues to create innovative brews that have garnered international acclaim.

In classic John Maier fashion, 20,000 Brews by the Sea is not brewed to style but instead is described by John as a "complexity bomb" that honors this remarkable achievement. The beer uses 20 varieties of hops, 20 specialty malts, has a 20 year shelf life, will be brewed to 20 degrees plato, and will be bottle conditioned for 20 days.

"20,000 brews by one Brewmaster is an unprecedented achievement in the craft beer world and all of us in the Rogue family are amazed by John's dedication, passion, work ethic, skill, creativity, and all around awesomeness," said Rogue President Brett Joyce. 


Courtesy of Rogue Brewing
"This is a monumental brew in my career and I'm going to have a blast making it," prosted John this morning before he began to make 20,000 Brews by the Sea.

John graduated in 1986 from the Siebel Institute, was named National Homebrewer of the Year in 1988 for his Old Crustacean Barleywine recipe, received the Brewers' Association inaugural Russell Scherer Award in 1997, and worked at Alaskan Brewery where he created their renowned Smoked Porter. When John isn't brewing he's likely to be listening to Jazz, riding one of his seven bicycles, walking his Curly Coated Retrievers, or traveling the world with his wife Stacey.

20,000 Brews by the Sea will be available beginning on October 20th in limited quantities at Rogue Meeting Halls.


About Rogue Ales & Spirits
Rogue Ales & Spirits is an agri-fermenter founded in Oregon in 1988 as one of America’s first microbreweries. Rogue has won more than 1,800 awards for taste, quality and packaging and is available in all 50 states as well as 54 countries. Since 2008, Rogue has remained committed to saving the terroir of Oregon hops, barley, rye, wheat, honey, jalapeños, and pumpkins one acre at a time by growing its own

Wednesday, August 17, 2016

New Belgium Brewing Kicks off Brewery Tours in Asheville September 2

Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing
ASHEVILLE, NC – August 16, 2016 –Starting September 2, just in time for Labor Day weekend, guests can take what Trip Advisor calls one of the best brewery tours in the business at New Belgium Brewing’s new brewery in Asheville, NC. New Belgium’s free tours run daily on the half hour, reservations are highly recommended. Book tours: NewBelgium.com/AshevilleBrewery. Annually, New Belgium estimates they will give 8,000 public tours, hosting 200,000 people on tours, between both breweries.

“Public tours are a huge component of the New Belgium experience,” says Tyler Foos, Asheville Liquid Center Manager. “The Liquid Center is where you can choose your own adventure, with access to all the brands we have available. The Tour is the second half of that journey, where you get to peek behind the curtain and learn more about what our brewery culture and business is all about; a snapshot into all the areas that make up New Belgium. Get ready for lots of good times and hi-fives.”


Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing
Visitors can book tours at: NewBelgium.com/AshevilleBrewery.

New Belgium started in a Fort Collins, CO basement 25 years ago and has grown into a two-brewery craft icon, with close to 800 coworkers nationwide. Known for uncompromising beer quality and innovative and sustainable business practices, the employee-owned brewery revived an urban brownfield with a rich history in Asheville.

Work from regional artists and materials from the previous uses of the campus are highlighted along the tour, as well as the brewing process and the company’s quarter century commitment to sustainability and progressive work place practices.

Get a sneak peek of the brewery and handmade artist features in this short film:



The week prior to tours starting, New Belgium Brewing hosts their 25th birthday party at their new brewery in Asheville on August 27. Hosted by Saturday Night Live’s Nasim Pedrad with musical
 guests Mucca Pazza, Dark Water Rising, and award-winning headliners, The Naked and Famous, New Belgium is celebrating their 25th birthday with a day-long celebration that will showcase Tour de Fat acts, unique beer offerings, amazing eats and treats, and some exciting surprises.


Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing
Party guests can mingle with their new neighbors at New Belgium and guest brewers who worked on this year’s collaboration Fat Tire pack from Allagash, Avery, Hopworks and Rhinegeist. Musical and carnival-like entertainment and birthday surprises will make for an epic adventure at the new brewery along Asheville’s French Broad River.

Tickets are $50, includes three beverages and are available at newbelgium.com/birthday-bash.


Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing
ABOUT NEW BELGIUM BREWING
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews thirteen year-round beers; Citradelic Tangerine IPA, Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Slow Ride Session IPA, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Ale, Blue Paddle Pilsner, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel and a gluten-reduced line, Glutiny Pale Ale and Glutiny Golden Ale. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.

Firestone Walker’s “Oaktoberfest” Reborn This Month in New 16-Ounce Can Format

Courtesy of Firestone Walker Brewing Co
Paso Robles, CA: After a one-year hiatus, Firestone Walker Brewing Company’s seasonal Oaktoberfest makes its packaged return this month in a dashing new 16-ounce can format.

“We brewed a single batch of Oaktoberfest for select draft accounts last year, but that was it,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “It’s cool to have this beer back in the package, particularly in this new four-pack. You might be tempted to retire your stein and quaff it straight from the can.”

Oaktoberfest is a “Paso Märzen Bier” made to honor the classic Märzen style while exhibiting just a hint of extra West Coast hoppiness. All of the ingredients are sourced from Germany, including Vienna and Pilsner malts as well as Hallertau Tradition hops.

“Malty sweetness and subtle honey-like aromas take the lead on this beer, but there’s also a subtext of noble hop spiciness,” Brynildson said. “It’s mellow and rounded, and has a beautiful autumn orange hue.”

Courtesy of Firestone Walker Brewing Co
Oaktoberfest is a seasonal offering for late summer and fall, and will be available in all Firestone Walker markets starting in mid August. While Oaktoberfest has long been a fall staple at the brewery, this latest release marks only the second time it has been packaged.

The name Oaktoberfest is a nod to the brewery’s hometown of Paso Robles—Spanish for “Pass of The Oaks”—as well as the longtime presence of oak barrels as a central part of the Firestone Walker brewing operation. The checkered blue and white pattern on the label echoes the Bavarian flag and pays homage to the Oktoberfest style.

Also on the homefront, the third annual 2016 Madonna Inn Oktoberfest presented by Firestone Walker Brewing Company takes place on October 1 in San Luis Obispo. As always, Oaktoberfest will be racked to oak barrels and ceremonially tapped to punctuate the festivities.

Firestone Walker Brewing Co
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Tuesday, August 16, 2016

12th Annual Organic Beer Fest - August 25-28

Courtesy of Organic Beer Fest
Event Name
12th Annual Organic Beer Fest


Venue
Overlook Park
1599 N Fremont St, Portland, OR 97227 (intersection of N Fremont St & N Interstate Ave)
Dates
August 25-28, 2016
Times
Noon to 9pm Thursday through Saturday; Noon to 5pm Sunday
Admission
Admission into the event is free. The purchase of a $7 reusable, recyclable cup is required for tasting beer, as are tokens, which sell for $1 apiece. A full glass of beer costs four tokens and a three-ounce taste costs one token (select beers and ciders cost additional tokens). Patrons may receive an extra token with a validated Tri-Met ticket, a ticket from the on-site fenced Hopworks Bike Corral or with current ID showing they live in the Overlook zip code (limit one extra token per person).
Description
Designed to raise awareness about organic beer and sustainable living, the festival serves 55 organic beers, ciders and meads. There’s also live music, organic food, sustainability-oriented vendors and non-profits, a soda garden with complimentary handcrafted Crater Lake Soda for minors and designated drivers, and a kids area. The Organic Beer Fest is a family friendly event, and minors are welcome with parents. 
The festival goes beyond beer tasting by striving to be an earth-friendly beer festival. Onsite compost and recycling containers are provided at the event, along with recycling czars to make sure everything is properly sorted. Volunteers wear organic cotton and hemp t-shirts, and all event signage is reusable. Vendors at the festival promote sustainable living through their wares and services, and attendees are encouraged to take Tri-Met, walk or ride their bike to the event.
Parking
There is no parking at the event, attendees must park in the nearby Overlook neighborhood. We strongly ask attendees to use Tri-Met or bike or walk to the event. If they must drive, we ask them to be considerate of the neighborhood while attending the event – park politely, don’t litter, and keep the noise level down.

Live music schedule:
Thursday, 8/25

2:30–3:30PM: The Juleps
3:45–4:45PM: Carlos Barata
5–6PM: Full Funkal Nerdity
6:15–7:15PM: Band of Camerados
7:30–8:30PM: Kory Quinn

Friday, 8/26

1:30–3PM: Ronnie Carrier
3:30–5PM: Dead Wood Standing
5:30–7PM: Tumbledown
7:30–8:30PM: Transcendental Brass Band

Saturday, 8/27

1–2PM: TBA
2:15–3:15PM: El Diablitos
3:45–4:45PM: Meltones
5:15–6:45PM: Dorado
7:15–8:30PM: Heavy City

Sunday, 8/28

12:30–1:30PM: Down Home Music
2–3PM: The Green Room
3:30-4:30PM: Candy Cigarettes

Food Vendors

Fifty Licks Ice Cream
Monk’s Deli (Flavor Express)
Portland Curry Company
The Coffee Bus
The Dump Truck
Urban German Grill
Viva! Vegetarian Grill / Vegimoto

Commercial Vendors

Barta System Growler Coozies: Hand made growler coozies made from outdoor and sports materials; 1/2 inch thick foam padding keeps beer cold for hours and protected while traveling.
Bottle Tap: Unique coin sized bottle openers made locally
Brewvana Portland Brewery Tours: Beer Concierge and Photo Booth
Celestial Balance Body Products: Beer and wine soaps, lotions, creams, soy candles etc
DrinkTanks: Growlers and Accessories
Flipside Hats: Hats for the whole family!
Green Mountain Energy: PGE’s Renewable Energy Program
Grocery Getter Organic: Organic produce home delivery service
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Hopped Up Jewelry: Beer hop flower earrings & jewelry for craft brew enthusiasts – handmade with love in Bend
Mertha: Women’s clothing & accessories
Oregon Brew Crew: Homebrewing Demonstrations, T-Shirts, Sweatshirts
Oregon Wild: T-shirts, kanteens, stickers (by donation)
Overlook Neighborhood Association: Promoting neighborhood advocacy
Overlook Net: Emergency preparedness information
Renewal by Andersen: Energy efficient window and door replacement service
Steel Leaf Designs: Mason Jar handles
StumpTown Kilts: Men’s and Women’s Modern Kilts Made in the U.S.A.
WarleyByrd Creations: Recycled jewelry & chair massage
World Action Foundation: T-Shirts, jewelry & knick-knacks
Mass Transit
The Interstate MAX/Yellow Line "Overlook Park" Station is directly across from Overlook Park and is the second stop from the Rose Quarter transit mall, heading north.
Contact
Twitter: @OrganicBeerFest
Instagram: @OrganicBeerFest
Hashtag: #OrganicBF16

New Belgium Brewing Goes to its Wild Side with Four New Releases Showcasing Sour and Spice, along with Tart and Fruity Flavors

Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Co
Ft. Collins, Colo., August 15, 2016 – New Belgium Brewing has four new releases to help make the fall transition a little easier to bear. The beers include Pumpkick, a fall festival favorite; Le Terroir, one of New Belgium’s favorite wood-aged sours; Bretta IPA, which crosses wild Brettanomyces yeast with fruity hop varieties; and Fruit Fly, a refreshing stainless steel sour.


Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Co
Pumpkick Spiced Seasonal Ale
Pumpkick is back bringing a bite of tartness to New Belgium’s traditionally spiced pumpkin ale. The tart cranberry kick offers a bright burst of seasonal flavor. Pumpkick pours a slightly hazy, glowing orange, packed with pumpkin juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a snappy dose of cranberry. The mouthfeel is creamy from added oats, followed by a quick, dry finish, making Pumpkick the perfect beer to kick off fall.

ABV: 6.0%
IBU: 18
Yeast: Ale yeast
Hops: Nugget
Malts: Pale, Munich, Caramel
Availability: Now in 6-and 12-packs
Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Co
Le Terroir Dry-Hopped Sour Ale
Le Terroir, named after the French term meaning “of the earth,” packs the bold and hoppy nose of an American IPA, plus the pucker of a well-crafted sour. Felix, New Belgium’s wood-aged pale sour beer, is dry hopped with Amarillo and Galaxy hops to create Le Terroir. The mango and peach tones of the hops playfully complement the wood-aged backbone without any bitterness, creating a beer that changes every time New Belgium brews it.

ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 12
Yeast: Lager yeast
Hops: Nugget
Malts: Pale, Wheat, C-80, Carapils, Oats
Special Processing: Dry Hopped with Amarillo and a little Galaxy in stainless tanks in wood cellar
Availability: August 29 in 22 oz. bombers and on draft

Draft Only
Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Co
Bretta IPA
Bretta IPA, part of New Belgium’s Hop Kitchen series, which showcases New Belgium’s hop heavy beers, is out now. This beer crosses wickedly wild Brettanomyces yeast with some of New Belgium’s favorite fruity hop varieties. Bretta is conditioned on two strains of Brettanomyces for a month, giving it citrusy, piney hop notes thanks to Equinox, Galaxy, and Warrior. It has a bite that lingers, but a sweetness that emerges with a touch of pineapple.

ABV: 7.5%
IBU: 75
Yeast: Ale yeast, Brettanomyces Clausenii, Brettanomyces Bruxellensis
Hops: Cascade, Equinox, Galaxy, Warrior
Malts: Pale, Caramel 120, Spelt
Special Processing: Brewed with two types of Brettanomyces yeast and dry-hopped with Equinox, Galaxy and Warrior.
Availability: Now on draft

Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Co
Fruit Fly Passionfruit Citra Sour
Fruit Fly is a fruity, refreshingly tart, and juicy summer release, putting a new spin on the classic tartness of Berliner weisse. New Belgium acidifies this stainless steel sour beer with its house lacto strain, then dry-hops it with fruity Citra. During fermentation 800 pounds of tropical passion fruit is blended in. Fruit Fly has big citrus flavors and rich guava-like aromas, with a finish that is tart and dry; an ideal summer beer.

“At New Belgium, fruited beers are very much a part of our DNA,” said Andrew Emerton, New Belgium specialty brand manager. “We’ve been using real fruit since the very beginning with a beer called Old Cherry and since 1991 we’ve sent to market 34 beers brewed with fruit. Last year, our Pilot Brewers were challenged with creating a few stainless steel sour recipes featuring our proprietary lacto blending process and beautifully tart house lacto strain. While all recipes were great we felt the Passionfruit Citra Sour just killed it.”

ABV: 5.7%
Hops: Citra
Special Processing: Additions of passion fruit and dry-hopped with Citra hops.
Availability: Now on draft

To learn more on the differences between stainless steel sours, like Fruit Fly, and wood-aged sours, like La Folie, check out: How is your New Belgium Beer Sourced?

To find Pumpkick, Bretta IPA, Le Terroir, or Fruit Fly near you, use the New Belgium Libation Location tool: or download New Belgium’s Beer Mode app.

For more information about New Belgium Brewing, visit NewBelgium.com. You can also follow New Belgium on Facebook at Facebook.com/NewBelgium and Twitter @NewBelgium.

About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews thirteen year-round beers; Citradelic Tangerine IPA, Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Slow Ride Session IPA, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Ale, Blue Paddle Pilsner, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel and a gluten-reduced line, Glutiny Pale Ale and Glutiny Golden Ale. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.