Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers festival announces details for 12th annual event

Courtesy of the Oregon Brewers Guild

PORTLAND, Ore. (April 19, 2018) – The Cheers to Belgian Beers festival, which showcases around 75 Belgian-style beers brewed by Oregon craft brewers, has announced details for this year’s event. The 12th annual festival will take place June 1 and 2 at The North Warehouse at 723 N. Tillamook St. Hours are 1pm to 9pm on Friday and 12pm to 8pm on Saturday.

Advance discount tickets are on sale now at GetMyPerks, which is offering two tasting glasses and 16 drink tickets for $28 (a $40 value), while supplies last. Drink packages at the door will cost $20 for a souvenir beer goblet and eight drink tickets (only one glass and eight tickets will be sold to any one person at any one time).

The festival is donating $1 from every ticket package sold to House That Beer Built, a partnership between Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East and the local craft beer industry. This exciting new collaboration celebrates the strength and creativity of Oregon’s craft beer industry, along with its passion for community involvement. Participating breweries and businesses pledge to raise funds with the goal of collectively raising $75,000 to fully sponsor a home for a Portland family.  Learn more about Habitat’s work at Habitatportlandmetro.org.

What makes this festival stand out is the fact that every beer is potentially made using the same primary yeast strain: Precious. Precious is a classic Belgian yeast that features a very mild phenolic character balanced with moderate fruitiness. This year, brewers were also given the option to add a secondary aging strain, Suburban Brett, a brettanomyces yeast that shines when used in wood barrels, producing complex and balanced aromas of sour cherry and dried fruit.

To ensure diversity among the beers submitted—as well as show off the creativity of Oregon's craft brewers— the color and strength of each brewery’s beer is determined by a dart throw. Depending on where the dart lands on the board determines whether that brewery will brew a Belgian-style beer that is light or dark in color, with amber as the midpoint; and low or high in alcohol, with six percent being the midpoint. Breweries that hit a bullseye get a wild card and can select their own color and strength. The dart throw is held in January, giving the breweries plenty of time to determine their submission.

Portland’s Cheers to Belgian Beers takes place inside The North Warehouse as well as outside in the tented parking lot. Food is available from Urban German Grill and Monk’s Deli; Brewed Oregon will be selling Oregon craft beer gear and apparel. Street parking is available, but limited. Attendees are encouraged to take public transportation — the TriMet Bus Line 35 stops one block away and the Yellow Max Line stops two blocks away — or ride their bike, with complimentary bike parking available.

The festival is seeking volunteers, which receive a festival goblet, eight drink tickets, a t-shirt and free admission after their shift (an OLCC servers permit is not required to participate as a volunteer server at this event). To sign up, visit https://www.events-connect.com/ctbb/volunteer.

Cheers to Belgian Beers is produced by the Oregon Brewers Guild and sponsored by Boelter, Imperial Yeast, Country Malt Group,

Great Western Malting, and the Portland Mercury  The event is for ages 21 and over. Follow @OregonCraftBeer on social media on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, #ctbb18.

About the Oregon Brewers Guild
The Oregon Brewers Guild is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote the state’s craft brewing industry and the common interests of its members. Founded in 1992, the Oregon Brewers Guild is one of the nation’s oldest craft brewers associations. The Guild comprises 175 brewing companies, 125 associate/supplier members and more than 4,000 enthusiast members known as S.N.O.B.s (Supporters of Native Oregon Beer). To learn more, visit OregonCraftBeer.org.

4/20 and the Waldos Special Ale - A Lagunitas Story

Courtesy of Lagunitas Brewing Co

Happy 4/20 day.  

Part of Lagunitas’ 2018 OneHitter Series, The Waldos’ Special Ale has been released every year on 4/20 since 2011. Search your local area for The Waldos’ Special Ale, by checking out the Lagunitas Waldos’ Special Ale, page with beer locator. Waldos’ Special Ale

Specs:
Herbaceous. Botanical. Dank. Resinous. Available in HIIIIIIIGHly limited areas in April. Word.

ABV 11.3

O.G. 1.107

IBU 100+

 Press Release from the Lagunitas folks below. Check the video out:

As we approach the highest of holidays, we here at Lagunitas like to sit back, relax, and reflect on how we got here. How do we do that, you ask? By rolling one up and popping an oh-so-dank Waldos, of course!

Wayyyy back in 1971 some high-schoolers who were calling themselves the Waldos met one afternoon at 4:20 in the front courtyard of their school near the statue or Louis Pasteur. They set out in a ’66 Impala armed with a 'treasure map' on a journey to find a Secret Garden near Point Reyes. They met there at the same time everyday and continued their quest. They never found the Secret Garden... but they keep lookin'. A few years later a young man named Tony Magee was driving on those very same roads to his new brewery – Lagunitas. West Marin had become the birthplace for both the beer and the Waldos; and thus a delicious, heady brew was born.

Every year in April we invite the Waldos to help brew (and imbibe) our Waldos Special Ale; and while they may mumble a bit, the beer speaks for itself. We recorded the whole story, and our Founder Tony Magee and Beer Weasel Ron Lindenbusch will tell it to ya exactly as it happened, er, as best as they can remember it, anyway. Feel free to share this video far and wide, and best of luck to all the treasure hunters out there…

We didn’t stop with Waldos, though. From our SuperCritical beer to this year’s annual Seed to Sale Conference, we’ve been exploring the ever-growing relationship between Craft Beer and Cannabis, and couldn’t be more excited to tell you what we’ve been up to. You can find the transcript of Tony’s speech at the conference here, and for more information, drop me a line.

Wishing you a most excellent, Waldos-filled 4/20. Cheers!

Lagunitas Brewing Company began on a kitchen stove in Northern California in 1993. From expanding its brewing and TapRooms in Petaluma, Chicago, and beyond, Lagunitas always looks to the future…Whether supporting local communities by turning beer into money for the cause, or simply fueling stories and songs with IPA and other fine ales. Wherever you go: beer speaks, people mumble. Mumble along at LAGUNITAS.com. Or visit Lagunitas in person in Petaluma & Azusa, CA; Chicago, IL; and Seattle, WA.

Brewers Publications Presents - Brewing Eclectic IPA: Pushing the Boundaries of India Pale Ale

Courtesy of the Brewers Publications

Boulder, Colo. • April 19, 2018 – India Pale Ale (IPA) is the leading craft beer style in the U.S., and the new release from Brewers Publications™, Brewing Eclectic IPA: Pushing the Boundaries of India Pale Ale by Dick Cantwell, explores the style's evolution, provides guidance for designing unique beers, and 25 original IPA recipes.

The Brewers Association reports that IPA is now the third most popular style of all beers, following only American lagers and light lagers. IPA has 3.1 percent of the total beer market by volume, 6.4 percent in retail dollar sales, and is between 24 - 33 percent of the craft category.

“There’s no mistaking that we are living in the heyday of IPA,” declares Cantwell. “We’re enjoying a style of beer that would have been deemed undrinkable by its earlier 18th and 19th century consumers. Brewers are using a wide range of ingredients, from cocoa nibs, coffee, fruits, and vegetables, to spices, herbs, and even wood, to push the boundaries of the style.”

Among the most well-respected and experienced craft brewers in the world, Cantwell provides scores of tips and methods for first-time brewers and beer veterans alike to concoct a delectable brew and shares the story of how and why the proliferation of American IPA came to be.

Dick Cantwell co-founded Elysian Brewing Company in 1996, where he served as head brewer until its sale to Anheuser-Busch in 2015. During his tenure, Elysian was named Large Brewpub of the Year three times at the Great American Beer Festival® (1999, 2003 and 2004). In 2004, Cantwell received the Brewers Association’s Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing.

He has written for various beer magazines, authored Barley Wine with Fal Allen (Brewers Publications, 1998), The Brewers Association’s Guide to Starting Your Own Brewery, Second Edition (Brewers Publications, 2013), and Wood & Beer: A Brewer’s Guide (Brewers Publications, 2016) with Peter Bouckaert.

Cantwell, who has served as an international and national beer judge, as well as the Brewers Association’s Quality Ambassador, recently became the director of brewing operations at Magnolia Brewing in San Francisco.

Brewers Publications supports the mission of the Brewers Association by publishing books of enduring value for amateur and professional brewers, as well as titles that promote understanding and appreciation of American craft beer. With over 50 titles to choose from, it’s the leading publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers, homebrewers and beer enthusiasts.

 

The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 4,000-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup^®, Great American Beer Festival^®, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America^®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, PAIRED^®, Homebrew Con™, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week^®. The BA publishes The New Brewer^® magazine, and Brewers Publications™ is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association^® and the free Brew Guru™ mobile app. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.

 

Portland Brewing's New Look and Beers

Courtesy of Portland Brewing Co

PORTLAND, Ore.

Portland Brewing Company unveils a brand refresh that takes their trailblazing beers to a whole new level. As industry pioneers and one of the first craft breweries in the Rose City, Portland Brewing’s new packaging and beer line up celebrates the city and the heart of craft brewing.

Portland Brewing’s company values reflect the city itself: original, solid, passionate, Portland. “Portland isn’t just in our name, it’s in our DNA. The brewery was born here, and the city helped raise us. We will always represent Portland, making original beer that’s a reflection of the city and the people who give the city its character,” said Robert Rentsch, General Manager of Portland Brewing.

The bold graphic "P" is not only a modern evolution of Portland Brewing Company's original packaging, it also reflects the city itself, taking on the geographic layout of Portland. "The brand mark refers to some of the first signage created for the tap house in 1986 combined with the modern geometric design popular at that time. The stem of the “P” follows the path of the Willamette River as it runs through the center of the city, while border elements on the badge were inspired by Portland's city flag. Our goal was to create something that not only reflected Portland Brewing’s history, but created a strong symbol for the brand in years to come,” said Sean Barrett, Creative Director at Studio Mega.

Courtesy of Portland Brewing Co

  MacTarnahan’s, Portland Brewing’s flagship amber ale, as well as Portland IPA (renamed Ink & Roses IPA) are also getting a very special “Portland Originals” look of their own featuring a similarly double-lined border around a geometric rose; updating the unique spirit of Portland Brewing’s original line of “damn good” beers, while respecting the history behind the beer. The wrap-around labels of the “Portland Originals” remain inspired by the look and feel of the early labels, as well, with MacTarnahan’s in green tartan. 

Courtesy of Portland Brewing Co

 

“Alongside the launch of this brand refresh, we are equally excited to give Ink & Roses an updated flavor-profile. The city has evolved over the years, but so has Portland’s palette! With Ink & Roses IPA new look we wanted to represent what our brewers are drinking today. In the new recipe we increased pale malts to bring out mouthwatering hop flavor, and then dry-hopped for increased floral and citrus flavors and aromas,” said Ryan Pappe, Head Brewer. 

Courtesy of Portland Brewing Co

In order to celebrate what the city has to offer, Portland Brewing knows they need to look no further than the original creators, makers, and doers who make Portland what it is: a stage, canvas, kitchen, brewery for ORIGINALS practicing their craft.The brand refresh will roll out over the coming months with a series of pop-up events taking place in Portland’s unique and spirited neighborhoods. These pop-up events will include Portland Brewing-hosted happy hours at local businesses, art shows, beer festivals, summer after-parties, street festivals, and more! 

Through this branding refresh, Portland Brewing aims to celebrate and connect with the creative spirit of the city through an ode to their history and a look into their future.

Find us on social media: @PortlandBrewing #PortlandOriginal
Brewery & taproom Location: 2730 NW 31^st AVE., Portland, OR 97210

New Spring beer festival blooms in Portland: Sip of Spring is a Fest on a Farm

Courtesy of Sip of Spring

PORTLAND, Ore. – April 17, 2018 – A new Spring beer festival has bloomed in Portland: Sip of Spring will take place April 27 and April 28 at Rossi Farms, 3839 NE 122nd Ave., in Portland. Event hours are 1pm to 9pm on Friday, and 11am to 9pm on Saturday.

“Spring beers are in bloom all over the city,” explained Preston Weesner, event general manager. “This festival provides a venue to celebrate by gathering with friends and enjoying a beer outside, on a farm, with a view––because you can!”

The festival is featuring 14 small Oregon craft breweries, each pouring two beers apiece; plus one additional collaboration beer from the Holiday Ale Festival. The same team that produces the Holiday Ale Festival is managing this event as well. Look for spring sippers from Breakside, Crux, Culmination, Fort George, Level, Little Beast, Logsdon, Migration, Montavilla, pFriem, StormBreaker, Upright and Zoiglhaus. A complete beer list is available at SipofSpring.com.

 

Courtesy of Sip of Spring

Tickets are limited and for advance purchase only. Tickets cost $25 for a tasting cup and 14 beer tickets. Beers cost one ticket for a four-ounce taste, or two tickets for an eight-ounce pour. Ticketholders receive free re-entry both days with the tasting cup and a wristband. Purchase tickets at SipofSpring.com.

The festival will also offer food for sale from Urban German and N.E. Creperie. The event is for ages 21 and over. For more information, visit SipofSpring.com and follow the event on social media @SipofSpring, #SipofSpring.
About Sip of SpringSip of Spring is a "Fest on a Farm," held at Rossi Farms in N.E. Portland, a picturesque farmhouse with a storied reputation, located just a short distance from downtown Portland. The festival focuses on spring beers made by small, independent Oregon craft breweries.

Redhook to host IPA Daze featuring Washington's best breweries

Courtesy of Redhook Brewing Co

Join Redhook for a magical three-day IPA bonanza from April 20 to 22

SEATTLE, WASH. – April 2, 2018 – Redhook Brewlab is throwing a three-day party to celebrate craft beer’s top style, the India Pale Ale, as it hosts IPA Daze from April 20 to April 22. The event will feature a total of 32 IPAs: 16 from Redhook, and 16 from a who’s who of Evergreen State brewers. Everyone will be bringing their “A” game – with a variety of takes on the IPA, from traditional and imperial IPAs to fruit IPAs and hazies. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Surfrider Foundation, Seattle Chapter.                                                                                                                                    

“We love our IPAs at Brewlab, from Bicoastal to Big Ballard to our new seasonal Peaches for Me IPA,” said Redhook Brewlab Brewmaster Nick Crandall. “When we first opened Brewlab last summer, we did collaborations with some of Washington’s best breweries, so we wanted to come full circle and throw a one-of-a-kind IPA fest and invite all our friends back.”

IPA Daze will run April 20 - 22, on Friday from 3 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from noon to 10 p.m.

So where do the baby goats come in? Redhook wanted to give guests a special 4/20 treat, so Brewlab will have small petting zoo outside Brewlab from 5 to 7 p.m. on the opening day of the festival. And KEXP DJs will be on hand all three days to keep the music fresh.

Over the three-day IPA Daze extravaganza, fest-goers will also have access to some of Washington’s best breweries, as guest IPAs will be made by: Elysian, Georgetown, Holy Mountain, Fremont, Black Raven, Crucible, Matchless, Chainline, Stoup, Aslan, Reuben’s, Wander, Hellbent, 20 Corners, and Silver City.

Additionally guests will find 16 different takes on the style from Crandall and his team at Brewlab. From imperial IPAs to a Cascadian Dark Ale and a Belgian IPA, Crandall’s inventive beers for IPA Daze run the gamut.  

“We didn’t just want to have 16 more traditional IPAs from Brewlab for the weekend-long event,” said Crandall. “We wanted to push ourselves as the host to come up with various styles of IPAs, and we’re pumped with the result.”

Among the Redhook beers that will be pouring for the three-day event: Peaches for Me, Bicoastal, Big Ballard, Tangelic Halo, a Rye IPA, a Belgian IPA and a Cascadian Dark Ale, and collaborations with Matchless, Georgetown, and 20 Corners.

Did we mention that this glorious event is free? Yes, entry to the event is free; however tokens will be required for beer purchases. Tokens are $1.50 each; four tokens for $6 dollars; nine tokens for $12, or 20 tokens for $25. One token equals one taster; four tokens equal one pint; six tokens will get you a taster tray.

Brewlab will also have a limited food menu for the event, including pizza by the slice and special 4/20-themed fare.

In honor of the weekend’s Earth Day celebration, Redhook will donate a portion of its proceeds from the three-day fest to their friends at the Surfrider Foundation.

“While this event is about celebrating the IPA and showcasing Washington’s best breweries, we wanted to have an environmental charity tie, too, and linking with Surfrider was a natural choice,” said Crandall.

To purchase tokens ahead of time, go to www.redhook.com/IPADAZE.

For additional information on Redhook Brewery, visit redhook.com and follow the brewery on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

About Redhook Brewery

Redhook was born out of the entrepreneurial spirit of early 1980s in the heart of Seattle. While the term didn’t exist at the time, Redhook became one of America’s first craft breweries with its focus on creating a better beer. From a modest start in a former transmission shop in the Seattle neighborhood of Ballard, to a Fremont trolley barn that housed The Trolleyman brewpub, to its current breweries in Seattle, Wash., and Portsmouth, N.H., Redhook has become one of America’s most recognized craft breweries. Redhook opened a 10-barrel brewpub in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle in 2017.

Redhook’s 2018 lineup includes Big Ballard IIPA, Bicoastal IPA and a variety of seasonal beers, including My Oh My Caramel Macchiato Milk Stout, Tangelic Halo Tangerine IPA, Winterhook, and more. Redhook beers are available on draught and in bottles and cans around the country.

Redhook Brewery, Est. Seattle, WA 1981

Artisanal Imports Adds Shmaltz Brewing Company to Brand Management Portfolio

Courtesy of Shmaltz Brewing Co

New Partnership Will Bring Shmaltz’s Award-Winning Beer and Quality Shtick to New Markets Nationwide

Austin, TX (April 16, 2018) – Artisanal Imports is excited to announce that the acclaimed Shmaltz Brewing Company of Clifton Park, New York has joined Artisanal’s exclusive brand management portfolio.

Founded as “a Jewish celebration craft beer” in 1996 by proprietor Jeremy Cowan, Shmaltz is beloved for its award-winning brews and quality shtick. The brewery currently offers a variety of year-round, seasonal, barrel-aged and specialty beers, including singular brands such as He'brew -- The Chosen Beer® and Star Trek commemorative beers exclusively licensed through CBS Studios.

“We are excited to partner up with Shmaltz,” says Artisanal Imports President Sean Knoll. “I have known Jeremy Cowan since the beginning and have always admired his work ethic and his drive to create and maintain He’brew Beer. Nobody does it like Shmaltz! We share a great many distributor and retail customers already, so this partnership will allow both of us to strengthen those relationships.”

Artisanal Imports will enhance nationwide sales support for Shmaltz’s craft beer portfolio by providing a team of 14 highly experienced representatives working in tandem with the brewery’s in-house sales team ‒ more than doubling Shmaltz’s current sales staff.

Additionally, Artisanal’s comprehensive support with distribution, logistics, fulfillment, point of sale, marketing, chain store management, street representation and other services will expand Shmaltz’s distribution footprint beyond its existing 30-state network to bring exceptional seasonal and year-round releases to new markets nationwide. The retail presence and draft availability of Shmaltz’s releases will be elevated through existing and new accounts at select stores, restaurants and bars.

“How exciting to hook up with a world-class organization selling world-class beer” says Jeremy Cowan, founder and owner of Shmaltz Brewing. “Their experienced regional sales force of 14 in addition to our dynamic Shmaltz sales and marketing crew gives us new blood to be able to bring beer to our existing markets as well as new markets across the country in the upcoming months. This partnership allows us to continue my unorthodox business model of wide, wide, wide...and a little deep at home too. We'll have new staff to hit the streets and the beer will be more available to the tribe nationwide. What more could we want?!"

 

About Shmaltz Brewing Company: Founder and owner Jeremy Cowan established Shmaltz Brewing in San Francisco in 1996. The first 100 cases of He'brew Beer® were hand-bottled and delivered throughout the Bay Area from the back of his Grandmother's Volvo. Shmaltz Brewing now sells He'brew Beer across 30 states, through 40 wholesalers and in nearly 5,000 retailers.

After 17 years of being an outspoken cheerleader for contract brewing, Cowan and staff opened their own New York State production brewery in 2013 in Clifton Park, 10 minutes north of Albany. Shmaltz's home boasts a 50-barrel brewhouse with 30,000 barrels of annual capacity and packages a diverse and tasty variety of core and seasonal favorites in 12 and 22-ounce bottles and kegs. The Shmaltz Tasting Room is open five days a week (Wed-Sun) and offers tours, barrel-aged previews, beer-to-go, and special releases.

RateBeer.com ranked Shmaltz as one of the "Top 100 Brewers in the World" in 2013, and the brewery brought home 1 platinum, 10 gold and 6 silver medals from the World Beer Championships in the past several years. Learn more about the brewery at http://shmaltzbrewing.com/.

Pyramid Brewing Co. Introduces Its First Tart IPA

Courtesy of Pyramid Brewing Co

SEATTLE (April 16, 2018) – Pyramid Brewing Co. today announced its all-new, year-round addition to the Outburst family of beers with Berry Tart IPA. This pioneering IPA provides an exciting enhancement to Pyramid’s traditional brewing by incorporating berry fruits into craft beer.

Outburst Berry Tart IPA joins Outburst Imperial IPA and Outburst Citrus. An explosion of flavor, Berry Tart was brewed with the most adventurous beer lovers in mind. Pyramid took inspiration from the Northwest’s most popular Imperial IPA – Outburst –and added hibiscus, cranberries and black currants to give it an unparalleled, thirst-quenching tartness. Its unique berry notes, combined with the region’s juicy and flavorful hops, make Berry Tart the perfect addition to the Outburst portfolio.

IPA remains the largest segment of craft brewing. With numerous style variants and hybrids of IPAs, Pyramid sought to develop a novel recipe at the leading edge of brewing innovation. After three decades of brewing some of the Pacific Northwest’s favorite ales and lagers, Pyramid is thrilled to introduce this inventive beer.

“We’re really excited to debut Berry Tart to the Outburst line,” said Head Brewer Ryan Pappe. “Our brewing philosophy celebrates passion for adventure and craft brews, and we’re taking it to the next level. Adding berry fruits to beer is a first for us! The result is a great balance of tartness and hoppy-ness of an IPA with a beautiful crimson color.”

Pyramid prides itself on seeking the best homegrown ingredients. The amazing Pacific Northwest regional resources like glacial water runoff and flavorful hops grown in our backyards of the Yakima and Willamette Valleys provides an incredible amount of inspiration to brew and enjoy craft beer. Berry Tart is brewed with Nugget and Centennial hops, dry-hopped with Calypso and Denali and infused with hibiscus, cranberries and black currants. The key ingredients for Berry Tart are sourced locally with exclusively Pacific Northwest hops and cranberries and black currants from Oregon Fruit Products in the Willamette Valley.

“Our team is incredibly passion about craft brewing and worked hard to bring Berry Tart to market,” said General Manager Robert Rentsch. “This hop-forward tart IPA is not a sweet or sour IPA, but the distinct flavor was made for those beer lovers who crave adventure.”

Outburst Berry Tart IPA is available in 6-packs cans and 22 oz. bottles at your local grocer as well as on tap at the Pyramid Alehouse in Seattle’s SoDo neighborhood. Please share and enjoy Pyramid beers responsibly. For more news and events, follow Pyramid Brewing Co. on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @pyramidbrew and share your adventures with #findyourpyramid. 

About Pyramid Brewing Co.

Born in the Pacific Northwest, Pyramid Brewing Co. crafts some of the PNW’s favorite brews from its year-round ales and lagers to the seasonal and Brewer’s Reserve series. In 1984, Pyramid discovered a new way of crafting beer, bringing together adventure, friends and bold new flavors and innovation. Today, Pyramid shares this spirit through its craft beers, and at its breweries and alehouses in Seattle and Portland. Pyramid Brewing Co. is part of the North American Breweries (NAB) family of breweries and brands with a purpose. To find your Pyramid, visit:www.pyramidbrew.com.

New Belgium Brewing Announces Bicycle Kick Kolsch, a Collaboration of Global Proportions

Courtesy of New Belgium Brewing Co

 Six Breweries from Six Countries Come Together for One Limited Release in 40 Countries

(FORT COLLINS) As the world prepares to unite over a soccer-packed summer, New Belgium Brewing has come together with five breweries from five continents to create Bicycle Kick Kolsch, a crisp and refreshing beer crafted by an international dream team.

This all-star brewing roster consists of Adnams (England), Baird (Japan), Bodebrown (Brazil), Devil’s Peak (South Africa) and Primus (Mexico). As key players from each brewery collaboratively formulated a recipe, the question frequently kicked around was how to best capture the beautiful game in a beer. The answer came in the form of two unique ingredients – chamomile, the national flower of Russia, where soccer fans will turn their attention this summer, and lemongrass, representative of playing turf.

“We decided to brew a kolsch because we wanted to make something light and sessionable that allowed us all to experiment while staying true to our craft roots,” said Ross Koenigs, New Belgium Research and Development Brewer. “This easy drinker is perfect for the pitch, especially if your team is playing across the globe with a start time of 7 a.m.”

Bicycle Kick Kolsch pours a very light gold color with a light haze and a creamy sip. This light-bodied beer starts with a hint of sweetness before hitting the back of the net with a bitter finish.

Bicycle Kick Kolsch
Malts: Caramel and Pale
Hops: Nugget and Willamette
ABV: 5.1%
IBU: 12

Special Ingredients: Chamomile and lemongrass
Availability: Now globally for a limited time in 12 oz. cans and draft
 

Each participating brewery will brew and distribute Bicycle Kick in their respective markets, making for a true global collaboration.

“It is so satisfying and enjoyable to be a part of this global community of friendly and collaborative craft brewers,” said Bryan Baird, Brewmaster at Baird. “It’s even better being a beer lover with a keen affinity for crisp and refreshing styles like kolsch, particularly ones deftly and creatively spiced or fruited. I can’t wait to tear into several pints of Bicycle Kick Kolsch this summer while cheering on my team.”

For more information about New Belgium or any of its beers, visit www.newbelgium.com.

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, one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses and tops Bicycling Magazine’s Best Companies for Cyclists. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire Amber Ale, New Belgium brews sixteen year-round beers: Citradelic Tangerine IPA, Fat Tire Belgian White, The Hemperor HPA, Voodoo Ranger IPA, Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA, Voodoo Ranger 8 Hop Pale Ale, Voodoo Ranger Juicy Haze IPA, Sour Saison, Honey Orange Tripel, Dayblazer Easygoing Ale, Tartastic Fruit Beer Series, 1554 Black Lager, Bohemian Pilsner, Abbey Belgian Style Ale, Trippel and a gluten-reduced beer, Glutiny Pale Ale. To learn more, visit NewBelgium.com and follow the brewery on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.