Oskar Blues Releasing Hotbox Coffee IPA

Courtesy of Oskar Blues Brewery

Longmont, CO, Brevard, NC & Austin, TX – Oskar Blues Brewery, the original innovators of craft beer in a can, are making strange bedfellows of uppers and downers again.

Hotbox Coffee IPA (7.2% ABV, 70 IBUs) combines a burst of pine, citrus and mango from simcoe hops and blends them with a cold brew extract from Hotbox Roasters' Ethiopian beans, which bring cream, blueberry and cocoa notes to the mix. The beans were sourced from a family farm in the East African nation exclusively for this beer.

Hops and coffee = the perfect odd couple.

“We believe the citrus and fruit aromatics of an IPA, derived from the intense hops, pair well with the fruit of the coffee to produce a great, flavor-packed beer,” said head of brewing operations Tim Matthews. “The combination of coffee and hops in the Hotbox IPA serve to compliment and reinforce the delicious flavors and aromas both offer in this match up.”

Since the in-house coffee roasters at Hotbox Roasters share a space in Oskar Blues Brewery’s Longmont facility, it was a no-brainer to go back to the mat and follow up on the fall seasonal, Hotbox Coffee Porter.

“Teaming up with Oskar Blues to make an IPA is a great opportunity to show off the versatility of Ethiopian coffee beans,” said Matt Herren of Hotbox Coffee Roasters.  “I had just 'cupped' this Ethiopian coffee and was blown away by the obvious aromas of fruit: bright cherry, blueberry, and citrus jumped right out of the cup.  Since Tim enjoys Ethiopian coffees I knew the fruit-forward qualities of this particular one would make an awesome IPA.”

Hotbox Coffee IPA will feature as Oskar Blues’ new spring seasonal in cans from March to May; replacing GUBNA Imperial IPA, which will shift to a limited, national draft-only release with 12 oz. cans only available for retail in the ColoRADo and North Carolina Tasty Weasel taprooms.

Oskar Blues’ three taprooms will each host simultaneous release parties to launch the Hotbox Coffee IPA.

• Friday, February 24, 2017 – Oskar Blues Brewery (Longmont, ColoRADo)
• Friday, February 24, 2017 – Oskar Blues Brewery North Carolina (Brevard, North Carolina)
• Friday, February 24, 2017 – Oskar Blues Brewery Austin (Austin, Texas)

Hotbox Coffee IPA will be available in all 50 states on draft and in 4-pack 12 oz. cans beginning in March. Beer drinkers looking for a unique mix of uppers and downers can hop on over to oskarblues.com/beerfinder to locate their nearest watering hole or store carrying the new brew.

About Oskar Blues Brewery
Founded by Dale Katechis in 1997 in Lyons, Colorado, Oskar Blues Brewery launched the craft beer-in-a-can apocalypse with their hand-canned, flagship brew Dale's Pale Ale.  Today, Oskar Blues is one of the fastest growing breweries in the country and operates breweries in Longmont, Colorado, Brevard, North Carolina and Austin, Texas while eclipsing 200,000 barrels in 2016. The original canned craft brewery continues push innovation with creations like The Crowler, their B. Stiff and Sons Old Fashioned Soda line, Hotbox Coffee Roasters & REEB Cycles. Oskar Blues is available in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., parts of Canada, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Spain, Chile, the Netherlands, Belgium, the U.K. and Australia.

In 2013, Oskar Blues founder Dale Katechis launched the CAN'd Aid Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose “do-goodery” has raised $2.6 million in four focused areas:

• Towns - building strong communities
• Tunes - for your eyeholes and earholes
• Treads + Trails - get outside and get after it
• Love Yur Mama - save the blue marble

www.oskarblues.com

Backwoods Brewing Launches New Small-Batch Series of Limited-Release beers -The Hidden Stash Series

Courtesy of Backwoods Brewing Co

Carson, WA (February 9, 2017) - Backwoods Brewing Company is launching a new small-batch series of limited-release beers. The Hidden Stash Series will feature unique, wood-aged beers that will be available in draft and 22oz bottles at Backwoods’ brewpub and though local beer purveyors. The first beer in the series is the Snuggle Up Stout, a bourbon wood-aged Russian Imperial Stout.

“We’ll be launching the Snuggle Up Stout on Valentine’s Day,” said Kevin Waters, Brewmaster at Backwoods. “It’ll be on draft and in bottles only at the pub at first. We’re very happy with how this first beer in the series turned out and can’t wait for everyone to try it!”

The Snuggle Up Stout has notes of bourbon, vanilla, fig, dark chocolate, toffee and roasted barley. “The complexity of this beer is amazing! By far, the best aged beer we’ve come out with yet,” said Waters. “We tried some new tricks and just went all out on this brew, knowing it was first and foremost an experiment. We taste-tested the beer every day to see how it progressed. It got to a point where we decided it couldn’t get any better, so we brought in the bottling crew.” The Snuggle Up Stout clocks in at 12% ABV and 20 IBU.

People who are fans of craft beer or work in the beer industry know that everyone is always wanting something “new” and “special”, or something that you can only find at the pub. “We’ve always wanted to be able to stretch our legs when it comes to creativity,” said Waters. “This allows us to have creative freedom, and give our fans something super limited and special to try. It’s a two birds, one stone type of deal.”

The second beer in the series will combine Backwoods’ Double Cutt IIPA with tequila. “We’re making a tequila wood-aged IIPA,” said Waters. “The citrus notes from the IIPA should blend nicely with the smooth fruit and spice notes of the tequila. This will be our first go at it, so I’m sure there will be some complex flavors that we’ll discover along the way. That’s all part of the fun, though.”

Backwoods plans on releasing three different wood-aged beers per year. As of now, the third beer for 2017 is yet to be determined.

The Hidden Stash Series will officially launch on Valentine’s Day, next Tuesday, February 14^th, at Backwoods Brewpub in Carson, WA. The Snuggle Up Stout will officially start pouring at 5 PM, with bottle sales commencing at that same time.

Courtesy of Backwoods Brewing Co

About Backwoods Brewing Company - Backwoods is located in the heart of the Columbia Gorge, in the small town of Carson, WA. It was founded by the Waters family in 2012, as a single-barrel brewpub. They now operate on a 20-barrel system in their new Stevenson facility, making beer for both draft and package. Their focus is on balanced beers, such as the flagship Logyard IPA. Backwoods works with local producers to source their hops, grain and yeast. The brewpub in Carson is open daily, from 11:30 - 9 PM, and welcomes all ages.

Coronado Brewing Releases Barrel-Aged German Chocolate Cake Imperial Stout

Courtesy of Coronado Brewing

San Diego, CA - February 9, 2017 - Just in time for Valentine's Day, Coronado Brewing Company is releasing a decadent Barrel-Aged German Chocolate Cake Imperial Stout. This is the first offering in the company's newly redesigned Coronado Collection. The company worked with local branding agency, Mires Ball, to update the look and feel of the barrel-aged collection. "Our Coronado Collection is reserved for barrel-aging special beers, and we wanted a new design that stands out from our other offerings," says Brandon Richards, COO, Coronado Brewing Company. "The new bottles are bold, featuring the Coronado Brewing Co. 'CBC' monogram in a sleek, monochromatic metallic gold. We think it's a nice departure for these limited-release beers," says Richards.

 

The first barrel-aged release of 2017 started off as a big Imperial Stout, with complex layers of espresso, chocolate, and burnt toffee. The beer then spent 6 months aging in freshly dumped bourbon barrels from Smooth Ambler Distillery in West Virginia. "The barrels added a ton of rich vanilla and bourbon notes to the imperial stout base," says Ryan Brooks, Brewmaster, Coronado Brewing Company. "Then we turned up the volume and blended in toasted coconut and cacao nibs to riff off of the classic American German chocolate cake," says Brooks. Coronado's Barrel-Aged German Chocolate Cake finishes at 9% ABV, with a lingering, sweet coconut and chocolaty finish.

 

Fans can pick up 22oz bottles of Barrel-Aged German Chocolate Cake at the company's Tasting Room and Imperial Beach location, beginning Thursday, February 9. The Tasting Room will also be pouring this special beer on draft, in limited quantities while it lasts. For more information about Barrel-Aged German Chocolate Cake, please visit coronadobrewing.com. Stay Coastal. Cheers.

 

 

Label Copy

The Coronado Collection is our limited release series of barrel-aged liquid treasures. Only the boldest beers enter the barrels, and after months of aging, they emerge transformed. Enjoy now, or cellar for years to come.

Rich espresso and chocolate notes from the beer meld with sweet toasted coconut, before aging for several months in fresh bourbon barrels. The barrels impart the beer with additional hints of chocolate and vanilla for a new take on this classic American dessert. 

Specs

9.0% ABV

30 IBU

Courtesy of Coronado Brewing Co

About Coronado Brewing Company

In 1996, when craft beer was still a foreign term and San Diego County was home to only a handful of breweries, the Chapman brothers, Ron and Rick, opened a brewpub in their hometown of Coronado. Today Coronado Brewing stays true to its San Diego roots, brewing a diverse portfolio specializing in abundantly hoppy West Coast-style ales, available in 19 US states and 12 countries. In addition to the long-established pub in Coronado, the company operates a tasting room inside its San Diego production facility, and a tasting room and restaurant in Imperial Beach, California. Coronado Brewing Company is the proud recipient of one of the brewing industry's most prestigious awards-World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster for a Mid-Size Brewing Company, 2014.

 

Links:

Website: http://coronadobrewing.com/  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coronadobrewingcompany

Instagram: @CoronadoBrewing

Twitter: @CoronadoBrewing

#MermaidSighting

#StayCoastal

GoodLife Brewing Changes Distribution in Vancouver, WA and SW Washington

Courtesy of GoodLife Brewing Co

BEND, OR (Wednesday, February 8th, 2017) GoodLife Brewing is proud to announce a transfer of distribution rights in SW Washington to Kendall's Pioneer / Corwin Beverages. The transfer from Craig Stein Beverages was effective February 1st, 2017 and includes: Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Lewis, Skamania, and Wahkiakum counties in SW Washington. 

Kendall's Pioneer Distributing Owner and Business Manager, Heidi Schultz, says, “There is a way to make every outcome a win, even if it’s not what you originally pictured.” She was part of the Kendall's start-up hiring team and is proud of how much emphasis the company puts on the people side of the business. Heidi said “We work hard to make sure we have a great place to work where our employees are challenged and feel engaged.” Her favorite part about building Kendall’s is learning the stories of their suppliers. She says “Hearing each company’s story about how they found their passion and decided to follow it is something I think about every day. Their courage and passion is inspiring.”

GoodLife Brewing Co-Owner, Ty Barnett, says "We really try and seek to find the best fit for us in each market. Kendall’s, like GoodLife, is a smaller but quickly growing business that is built around its people. We really like the family feel of Kendall's and their passion for the beer and their business. They talk about each brewery they distribute personally and know their stuff when it comes to beer." GoodLife has been distributed in Washington State since 2013 and has seen steady growth.

Kendall's Pioneer Retail Brand Manager, Tom Calhoun, says “GoodLife Brewing is an exciting brand to add to our portfolio because their marketing appeals to the lifestyle of the craft beer consumer in the PNW and to those who love to celebrate life. Plus, they are fun people to work with and they make amazing beer. The Kendall’s team could not be more excited about this new partnership.”

GoodLife Brewing is distributed by Sound Distributing in NW Washington, Odom Corp. in the Greater Seattle area, as well as Eastern WA, Marine View Beverage for the peninsula and lower sound, Fort George Distributing on the SW Washington Coast and now Kendall's Pioneer for SW Washington. 

About GoodLife Brewing Company

As brewers of hand crafted ales, we are outdoor enthusiasts who look forward to sharing our craft beers that are most balanced and of the highest quality. GoodLife Brewing Company has been making award-winning beers since 2011 in its home of Bend, Oregon. GoodLife's “Adventurous Ales” are Descender IPA, Sweet As! Pacific Ale and a selection of seasonal beers. In addition to making beer, GoodLife enjoys giving back to the community by supporting many local and national non-profit organizations. Play hard, live easy and enjoy GoodBeer for GoodLife! For more information, visit www.goodlifebrewing.com, or find us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter at @GoodLifeBrewing.

Cascade Brewing Sour Fruit Fest announced for Feb. 22-26

Courtesy of Cascade Brewing Co

PORTLAND, Ore. – Cascade Brewing will host its 6th annual Sour Fruit Fest Feb. 22 through Feb. 26 from noon to close daily at the Cascade Brewing Barrel House – aka House of Sour – located at 939 SE Belmont St. and at the Raccoon Lodge and Brewpub, 7424 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.

The Sour Fruit Fest will feature more than 50 exclusive Cascade sour fruit beers on rotation throughout the week, with at least 25 sour beers on tap each day at the Barrel House, and 10 at the Raccoon Lodge. The Barrel House will also offer a savory/sweet food pairing menu and vintage bottles for sale. The event is free to attend, beer sampling costs additional.

The following five beers will headline each day at both locations:

Wednesday, 2/22: Cherry Bourbonic
Thursday, 2/23: Crazy Navel
Friday, 2/24: Cherry Vlad
Saturday, 2/25: Kentucky Peach
Sunday, 2/26: Tangerine Dream

At the Barrel House, in addition to the above named beers, Cascade’s existing lineup of fruit beers will be on tap daily, including Apricot, Elderberry, Figaro, Kriek, Manhattan, Noyaux, Sang Noir and The Vine.

Joining the lineup on a rotational basis will be Autumn Apple, Autumn Orange, Black Light, Blackberry Dusk, Bump N’ Rind, Cerise Nouveau, Elderberry Blonde, Final Blend Down, Framblanc, Gin Gimlet, Grape Expectations, Honeycot, Indigo Montoya, Lemon Drop, Mango Dango, Oh Noyaux You Didn’t, Pater, Peche Crancesca, Phoenix Mountain, Pineapple Tango, Rising Tide, Rose City Sour, Sang Royal, Bourbon Bada Bing, Shiro Plum, Shrieking Violet, Spice Bowl, Spiced Cran Apple and Violet Tendencies.

Additionally, the popular Honey Ginger Lime will be available on the Barrel House’s nitro tap throughout the event.

Follow @CascadeBrewing on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for real time updates on the beer schedule, or visit CascadeBrewingBarrelHouse.com. To find out what is pouring at the Raccoon Lodge, visit RacLodge.com.

About Cascade Brewing
Cascade Brewing has been a pioneer in the sour beer renaissance since 2006 and the proud innovator of the Northwest Sour Ale. Its distinctive sour beer blends feature fruit forward, barrel-aged ales with an emphasis on project year-to-year variation. These beers offer a complex array of flavors derived from the acid, the fruit and the residual flavors present in the barrels in which they age. The resulting beers offer a complex array of flavors and aromas derived from with each project year release capturing the unique subtleties of that year’s growing season. Cascade’s sour ales are brewed and blended in Portland, Oregon. RateBeer named the Cascade Brewing Barrel House as Best Brewpub in Oregon in 2016, as judged by the worldwide beer enthusiasts at RateBeer and calculated from their many reviews.
 

Courtsey of Cascade Brewing Co

Websites: CascadeBrewingBarrelHouse.com and RacLodge.com
Facebook: @CascadeBrewing and @RaccoonLodge
Facebook Event: Facebook.com/events/1246684722078735/
Twitter: @CascadeBrewing and @RacLodge
Instagram: @CascadeBrewing
Hashtags: #SourFruitFest #HouseofSour

Firestone Walker Releasing Luponic Distortion Revolution No. 005

Courtesy of Firestone Walker

Paso Robles, CA: The next release in Firestone Walker’s Luponic Distortion revolving hop series begins rolling out today with Revolution No. 005—a blend of five hops led by an emerging American cultivar from Washington’s Moxee Valley.

“Revolution No. 005 hearkens back to some of the earlier revolutions with its assertive tropical fruit character, yet it also has its own unique signature,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “We threw folks a bit of a curveball with the more restrained style of Revolution No. 004, and now we’re changing it up again with this new blend that will have hop heads rejoicing.”

Luponic Distortion is not a single beer, but rather an ongoing series of beers that revolves approximately every 90 days. While the base beer always remains the same, each revolution features a different hop blend built around experimental hops, designed to showcase the growing possibilities of pure hop aromas and flavors.

Courtesy of Firestone Walker

Fruit Bomb

Luponic Distortion Revolution No. 005 is driven by a blend of four American hops with an assist from one German hop. The majority of the blend is led by a newer cultivar from the Yakima region that Brynildson has been anxious to work with for more than a year.

“One of the first things I did when we launched Luponic Distortion was to put the wheels in motion to get this hop contracted for a future revolution,” Brynildson said. “It is loaded with tropical qualities like mango, pineapple and guava, with less of that classic American grapefruit character. It’s really fresh and interesting, and it’s a fitting hop for changing things up again.”

Cascade Brewing debuts new branding with release of Sang Du Chêne

Courtesy of Cascade Brewing Co

PORTLAND, Ore – On Feb. 14, Cascade Brewing will launch Sang Du Chêne, its first bottle release to feature a newly redesigned label and logo. Meaning “blood of the oak,” Sang du Chêne features sour strong blond and triple ales aged in three large format oak vessels: foudres, puncheons and hogsheads. The oak influences provide flavors of toasted sugars, vanilla and spice, complemented by the bright acidity and fruity character of the beer.

Cascade has unveiled three distinct label formats, one for each of the three tiers of products it produces. The three tiers are based on the ingredients used in the beer, the time the beer is aged in the barrel, and the type of barrel used – all of which establish the pricing tier of the project.

The new graphics will be on all subsequent releases throughout the year; each beer within the tier will have its own color to delineate between brands. Sang du Chêne will be the first Tier 2 to be released, while Kentucky Peach (set to release in early March) will be the first Tier 3, followed by Apricot in April, which will be the first Tier 1.  

In addition to the labels, Cascade has unveiled a restyled logo, already seen by many on its social media channels. According to Tim Larrance, vice president of sales and marketing, “The new logo was incorporated to represent who we are and what we do at Cascade. The C logo is shaped with barrel staves to pay homage to our barrel aging process (no kettle sours here). The crossed hammer and spigot represents the tools used for the tapping of the barrels, while the dropped line in the A in Cascade reflects the snowcapped Cascade Range where our name comes from. In addition to adding the year we were founded (1998), we have also included PDX and ORE because we are incredibly proud to be from this city that is home to some of the best beers and breweries anywhere in the world.”

The new label and logos were developed by the team from Murmur Creative of Portland, as well as Kirsten Karkanen (granddaughter of the Cascade’s owner Art Larrance), who helped with the initial designs.

“We are very happy with what the creative teams have come up with during this six-month process and extremely excited to show our wholesaler partners, retailer and consumers the new look,” explained Larrance. “However, please know that we have only changed the outside; the wonderful barrel aged sour beer inside the bottle will remain just as good as ever.”

Courtesy of Cascade Brewing Co

About Cascade Brewing
Cascade Brewing has been a pioneer in the sour beer renaissance since 2006 and the proud innovator of the Northwest Sour Ale. Its distinctive sour beer blends feature fruit forward, barrel-aged ales with an emphasis on project year-to-year variation. These beers offer a complex array of flavors derived from the acid, the fruit and the residual flavors present in the barrels in which they age. The resulting beers offer a complex array of flavors and aromas derived from with each project year release capturing the unique subtleties of that year’s growing season. Cascade’s sour ales are brewed and blended in Portland, Oregon.

Overview
Websites: CascadeBrewing.com
Facebook, Instagram & Twitter: @CascadeBrewing
Hashtag: #CascadeSours