GSN Brews News: May 3rd 2022 Edition

Diageo has released Smirnoff Ice Poco Pico variety pack, the latest extension to the flavored malt beverage brand. The 12-pack contains Spicy Tamarind, Mango Chili, Pineapple Jalapeño, and Spicy Margarita-flavored drinks, all at 4.5% abv. The Smirnoff Ice versions of these flavor follow last fall’s Smirnoff Seltzer Poco Pico 12-pack, which contained the same flavors in hard seltzer form. The new 12-pack is available for a suggested price of $16.

Texas-based Ranch Rider Spirits has launched a new Margarita RTD, the sixth release in the company’s portfolio of Tequila- and vodka-based canned cocktails. Ranch Rider’s Margarita comes in at 5.99% abv and is made with Reposado Tequila, orange and lime juices, sparkling water, and sea salt. Each 12-ounce can contains 129 calories and is available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans for around $14.

Bloomington, Indiana’s Cardinal Spirits has expanded its lineup of canned cocktails, adding the new Florita Tequila Soda to its portfolio. The 8.5% abv RTD is made with Tequila, the distillery’s own Flora liqueur (made with elderflower, jasmine, hibiscus, and raspberries), and citrus soda. The new release joins Cardinal Spirits’ four other RTDs and will be available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: May 3rd 2022 Edition

Hood River, Oregon-based Full Sail Brewing Company is releasing the latest in its Strong Current IPA Series. The new release is a West Coast style Double IPA called Believing is Seeing. It’s brewed with pale malt and oats alongside Azacca and Citra hops and promises notes of tropical fruit, mango, and tangerine. At 8.5% abv, Believing is Seeing Double IPA is available now through June in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans and limited draft.

Diageo-owned Lone River Beverage Company, maker of Ranch Water hard seltzer, is extending its brand with Lone River Ranch Rita. Made with agave nectar, the drink is a premium take on a canned Margarita-style beverage, at 6% abv. Lone River Ranch Rita is available in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans as well as 16- and 23.5-ounce single cans. Diageo acquired the brand last year for an undisclosed sum.

A team of celebrity partners has collaborated to launch a new cocktail brand, Thomas Ashbourne Craft Spirits. Named for a renowned Prohibition-era mixologist, the brand’s initial lineup includes four offerings, each aligned with one or several of its celebrity partners: Sarah Jessica Parker—The Perfect Cosmo; John Cena—The Classic Old Fashioned; Ashley Benson, Rosario Dawson, and Vanessa Hudgens—The Margalicious Margarita; and Playboi Carti—The Hardscatto. Thomas Ashbourne cocktails carry an average suggested retail price of $16 per 375-ml. bottle and $26 for a four-pack of 200-ml. cans. They’re launching this month in California, Texas, Illinois, Florida, Washington, and New York, with a national rollout slated for the summer. All four Thomas Ashbourne branded cocktails are kosher certified and gluten-free with a premium spirit base that ranges from 20%-25% abv.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: April 26th 2022 Edition

German beer importer Radeberger Gruppe USA will bring two new offerings stateside with the launch of Schöfferhofer Juicy Pineapple and Schöfferhofer Wild Cherry, the latter within the brand’s first national variety pack, known as the Schöfferhofer “Happy Pack.” The former is a 50/50 mix of German hefeweizen and pineapple juice that launches nationally this month in 6-packs of 12-ounce bottles, at just 2.5% abv. Wild Cherry, meanwhile, will be packaged along with Schöfferhofer Grapefruit, Pomegranate, and Passion Fruit in the variety pack.

Freshie Organic Tequila Seltzer is entering the Florida market, distributed by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. Freshie is made from organic Tequila, mineral water, organic lime essence, and organic agave nectar. The brand launched in the Chicago area in 2021 with one SKU (lime) and is now in more than 1,000 retailers and restaurants. Freshie 4-packs of 12-ounce cans retail at $11.

Malibu Rum is launching two new canned cocktails along with a new video ad. The new RTDs are Pineapple Bay Breeze Cocktail in a Can and Watermelon Mojito Cocktail in a Can, both of which are at 7% abv and retail for $13 a 4-pack. The two new flavors join Pina Colada and Strawberry Daiquiri in the Malibu Cocktail canned lineup.

Belgian brewer Lindemans is celebrating its 200th anniversary with Cuvée Francisca, a new lambic beer. The 8% abv brew is a blend of 4-year-old lambic drawn from three casks (90%), with young lambic making up the remaining 10%. The beer is first fermented in oak before bottling and fermenting again for a year. Cuvée Francisca, named for one of the brewery’s founders, is available in limited quantities across the U.S.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Review: OLDKNOW Bev Co. Spirited Seltzers

OLDKNOW Bev Co., the spirited seltzer distillery using mountain water and all natural spirits, recently released their Verte Absinthe Spirited Seltzer, the first Absinthe-based seltzer in the United States.

Absinthe is an herbaceous elixir with a long tradition of lore, intertwining the romance of the spirit and its use by artists, writers and bohemians throughout the centuries. Absinthe was created in the 1790s by Pierre Ordinaire, a French doctor living in Switzerland. Ordinaire created absinthe with the intent for it to be used as an alcohol-based elixir distilled from the bitter-tasting herb Artemisia absinthium, or wormwood.

Today, OLDKNOW Bev Co. is producing its own interpretation of “fairy water” with its Verte (colorized by fresh herbs) Absinthe Spirited Seltzer made from their combination of clean and crisp mountain water, spirit, and fresh herbs and have lower ABV compared to other RTDs at 5%.

“Absinthe has often been mispresented and drinkers might have been fearful or completely had the wrong impression of this classic spirit. Our Verte Absinthe Seltzer is the first of its kind. We wanted to take a different, more natural approach to seltzers. It is Herbaceous and will take you by surprise. We are bringing an old-world style of drinking to a new generation,” adds co-founder Mary Catherine Matheny. 

OLDKNOW Bev Co. was founded in 2021 by Mary Catherine Matheny (MC) and Ryan Warner Wood, located in Rabun Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia.

Verte Absinthe Seltzer – GSN’s Remarks: This was by far our favorite seltzer of the three. Having had many absinthe cocktails over the years, this was delightfully refreshing and light. Perfectly balanced and uniquely carbonated, we would easily buy a case of these for summer drinking. The first of its kind, and a welcome addition in a very crowded market. GSN Rating: A+

Vodka Seltzer – GSN’s Remarks: Not only vodka, but also oolong tea, grapefruit and lychee flavors are melded together in this seltzer. This gave it a tinge of flavor that added to the experience. We enjoyed this beverage as well, but it is a simpler drink for all of its ingredients. Stiil, we give it a GSN Rating of: B

Gin Seltzer – GSN’s Remarks: Again, this is not simply a gin based seltzer, but it has the addition of cucumber and mint flavors. We enjoyed the herbal quality and a light touch with the vegetation. Another nice beverage for the summer, we give this a GSN Rating of: B+

For more information go to: OLDKNOW Bev Co

#oldknowbevco

 

GSN Brews News: April 19th 2022 Edition

Atomic Brands has extended Impact “Hot Brand” Monaco Cocktails with a Watermelon Crush flavor. Made with Tequila and fresh watermelon, the newcomer is at 9% abv and joins Lime Crush, Sun Crush, Purple Crush, Blue Crush, Citrus Rush, Tropic Rush, Cranberry, Black Raspberry, and Mango Peach in the Monaco Cocktails lineup, which jumped 26% to 1.9 million cases in the U.S. last year. Monaco Watermelon Crush is debuting at convenience stores nationwide, retailing at $2.50 to $3 a 12-ounce can.

Onda Tequila Seltzers has released its Pineapple and Mango offerings in 4-packs of individual flavors. Previously, the pineapple- and mango-flavored seltzers were only available as part of a variety pack. Both flavors are at 5% and are made with Blanco Tequila, fruit juice or puree, and seltzer water, plus natural flavors. Onda is available in 31 states across the U.S. and retails at $11 a 4-pack.

Connecticut-based Luneau USA is launching Ed Hardy RTD Sparkling Flavored Tequila. The new range features Ed Hardy Sparkling Tequila Blood Orange/Pomegranate and Orange/Pineapple offerings packaged in 12-ounce cans which showcase the artwork of the brand’s celebrated tattoo artist namesake. Both flavors are at 4.5% abv and have 99 calories a serving, with the initial launch numbering 20,000 cases.

Longmont, Colorado-based Oskar Blues Brewery announced The Works, a new nationally distributed mix pack of three of the brewery’s best sellers. The Works comes as a 12-pack composed of six cans of Oskar’s Lager and three each of flagship Dale’s Pale Ale and new release Double Dale’s Imperial IPA. Oskar’s Lager is at 4% abv, Dale’s Pale Ale is at 6.5% abv, and Double Dale’s is at 9% abv. The Works is on shelves nationwide now.

Anheuser-Busch is launching Neon Burst, a new fruit-flavored sparkling hard drink. Launching in convenience channels, the brand is available in the flavors Punch Blast–featuring flavors of pineapple, passionfruit, orange, raspberry, cherry, and apple–and Grape Blowout, composed of grape and citrus flavors. Both options are at 8% abv. Neon Burst is available now in 25-ounce cans nationwide and in 16-ounce cans in many states.

William Grant & Sons is targeting the white-hot premixed cocktail market with a new brand, Batch & Bottle. The line draws from Grant’s U.S. portfolio to create classic cocktails and includes four offerings: Monkey Shoulder Lazy Old Fashioned, Glenfiddich Scotch Manhattan, Hendrick’s Gin Martini, and Reyka Rhubarb Cosmopolitan. All four are available for a suggested price of $17 a 375-ml. and are rolling out now across the U.S.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: April 12th 2022 Edition

Paso Robles, California-based Firestone Walker has introduced Mind Haze Light, a hazy IPA with 100 calories per can. Rolling out in six-packs of 12-ounce cans, Mind Haze Light is at 4% abv. It uses the same yeast strain as the original Mind Haze, as well as a grist bill that employs wheat and oats. The dry hopping blend is also similar, but with Mosaic and El Dorado hops pushed to the forefront. Firestone Walker’s Mind Haze brand family also includes Double Mind Haze and the Mind Haze Tropical Hazy Mixed Pack.

Cleveland-based Platform Beer Co. has debuted Odd Future, a new Imperial IPA. Clocking in at 8.6% abv, Odd Future is a new year-round brew with an aromatic and citrusy profile, according to the company. Platform has two locations in Cleveland and one in Cincinnati. Its beers are distributed to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Indiana, New York and New Jersey.

Cayman Jack, part of the Mark Anthony portfolio, has released a new Margarita Variety Pack with flavors including Margarita, Strawberry, Mango, and Watermelon. The flavored malt beverage brand’s new pack includes three 12-ounce slim cans each of those flavors, which are at 5.8% abv.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: April 5th 2022 Edition

Providence, Rhode Island’s Narragansett Beer has released this year’s Del’s Shandy variety pack, the latest collaboration between the brewery and the frozen lemonade maker. This year’s box contains four 12-ounce cans each of the original Lemon Shandy and Del’s Watermelon Shandy, and also marks the return of Del’s Black Cherry Shandy. All three brews are at 4.7% abv and will be available on the eastern seaboard from North Carolina on up, as well as in Kentucky and Ohio. The 12-pack retails for between $17 and $19, depending on the market.

Don Sebastiani & Sons’ Flybird Cocktails, a line of agave wine-based RTDs, has added two new flavors and now offers two of its original releases in cans. The new flavors—Piña Colada and Mojito—come in at 15% abv and are available in 750-ml. bottles for around $13 each, joining Passion Fruit, Watermelon Cucumber, Blood Orange, Prickly Pear, and Paloma, plus Baja Lime and Strawberry Margaritas in the brand’s portfolio. Additionally, the brand has released Flybird cans, 8.45-ounce versions of its Margaritas at 9% abv.

Constellation Brands has launched Svedka Tropics Tea Spritz, a new line of spirits-based RTDs. The line is kicking off with three flavors—Pineapple Guava, Raspberry Kiwi, and Orange Mango—all made with tea, fruit flavors, sparkling water, and vodka. The trio are canned at 5% abv and come in an 8-can variety pack (four Pineapple Guava and two each of the other two) and 4-packs of individual flavors for around $20 and $13, respectively, with individual cans carrying a suggested price of $3. Svedka’s new RTDs are now available across the U.S.

Diageo and Sean “Diddy” Combs have announced the launch of Cîroc Vodka Spritz. It’s the brand’s first step into the ready-to-drink space. The new line will comprise four flavors initially: Watermelon Kiwi, Sunset Citrus, Pineapple Passion, and Colada, all at 7% abv. Cîroc Vodka Spritz will be a permanent addition to the brand’s portfolio and will be on shelves nationwide beginning April 1, priced at $17 a 4-pack.

Delaware’s Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, part of the Boston Beer Company, has launched Mandarin & Mango Crush, the latest release in the brewery’s Off-Centered Art Series. The 6% abv fruit beer is made with its namesake fruits and is inspired by the Crush cocktail. The bottles feature art from Missoula, Montana’s Max Mahn and the beer is available in 6-packs of 12-ounce bottles nationwide. In addition, the brewery has released the latest batch of its 120 Minute IPA in 4-packs of 12-ounce bottles.

Constellation Brands has introduced a new boxed cocktail brand, Next Round Cocktails. Made from wine and real fruit juice, Next Round is debuting with Salted Lime Margarita (13.5% abv) and Strawberry Lime Sangria (10% abv) expressions. The new brand is rolling out across major retailers nationwide in a 1.5-liter bag-in-box format retailing at approximately $17 and a 500-ml. Tetra box positioned at $6.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: March 29th 2022 Edition

Pennsylvania’s Boardroom Spirits has added two new flavors of vodka soda to the distillery’s line of canned RTDs. Both flavors—Cherry Berry and Pineapple Mango—come in at 4.5% abv with 99 calories per 12-ounce can, and join Cranberry Lime and Grapefruit Citrus in Boardroom’s vodka soda lineup. The new releases are available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans for around $13.

Michigan-based Perrin Brewing is introducing several new offerings this month. They include Dream Seeker Raspberry Blonde (4.8% abv), Willow Wheat (5.6% abv), Pineapple Upside Down IPA (8.5% abv), Nitro Black (5.8% abv), a Float Drinks variety pack, and returning spring seasonal Grapefruit IPA (5% abv). Perrin’s latest launches are debuting at its pub in Comstock Park, with wider Michigan distribution to follow.

Phreshly, a new brand of spirits-based RTDs inspired by the flavors of Ghana and New Orleans, is launching with two cocktails—G’iddem and Bay Lemonade—each at 6% abv. G’iddem brings together blueberry, rum, and lemongrass; and Bay Lemonade is made with Bourbon, strawberry, and lavender. Phreshly is now available nationally through the brand’s website, with Georgia distribution coming soon.

Yes Way Rosé has launched Blueberry + Lavender Spritz, the third canned RTD from the rosé-focused brand. The 5% abv wine-based spritz is made with French rosé, and has 5 grams of sugar and 93 calories per can. It joins Pink Lemonade and Peach + Ginger in Yes Way Rosé’s RTD portfolio. The newest spritz is now available in 4-packs of 250-ml. cans for a suggested price of $13 in select retailers across the U.S.

Lagunitas Brewing, part of the Heineken portfolio, is introducing Disorderly TeaHouse spiked and sparkling tea. Brewed with guayusa tea leaves from Indigenous farmers from Ecuador, the newcomer has 100 calories a serving, zero grams of sugar, and is debuting in Yuzu Lemon Squeeze and Mixed-Up Berries flavors. Lagunitas Disorderly TeaHouse comes in 19.2-ounce single-serve cans for $3 and single-flavor 6-packs of 12-ounce cans for $12. It is available nationally at various retailers, including Sprouts, Meijer, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Safeway, among others.

New York’s Southern Tier Distilling Company has released Vodka Transfusion, a new canned RTD. The 8% abv cocktail is made with vodka, lime, ginger ale, and grape, and is based on a cocktail popularized by former president Dwight D. Eisenhower. Vodka Transfusion is now available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans at Southern Tier’s Lakewood, New York distillery as well as in retailers in New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Maine.

Vermont-based Lawson’s Finest Liquids has launched Double Sunshine Double IPA to its nine-state distribution footprint. The 8% abv ale, the brewery’s spring seasonal release, is made with grapefruit must, purée, and grapefruit peel through the kettling and brewing of the beer, and is seeing wider distribution for the first time this year. Double Sunshine is now available for a limited time in Vermont, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: March 22nd 2022 Edition

Casalú, a new rum-based RTD, is set to hit shelves across Miami later this month. The 5.9% abv drink will launch with one flavor, Limón, which is made with dark rum, lemon, natural flavors, and seltzer. Initially, the Miami-based brand will self-distribute the RTD. On its launch, Casalú will be available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans for a suggested price of $13.

Brown-Forman is upping its presence in the thriving premixed cocktail category with this month’s debut of Up Or Over cocktails in select markets. The 375-ml branded cocktails are made with all-natural flavors and Brown-Forman spirits, and are ready to serve up or over ice. Up Or Over’s offerings include a Classic Dry Martini made with Fords Gin, Whiskey Sour made with Gentleman Jack Tennessee Whiskey, Premium Margarita made with Herradura Tequila, and Ginger Citrus Old Fashioned made with Old Forester Straight Bourbon Whiskey, all retailing for approximately $15. Packaged in 375-ml. glass bottles with rounded shoulders, Up Or Over’s back label details recommendations on how to serve and garnish the cocktail. The four expressions will be available initially in Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Oregon, and Washington.

Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Tröegs Independent Brewing has introduced LolliHop, a new double IPA. LolliHop began as part of the brewery’s small-batch Scratch Series, and is made with Citra, Mosaic, and Azacca hops; rustic pale malt; and a portion of wheat and oats. LolliHop is at 8.2% abv and is available on draft and in 16-ounce cans across Tröegs’ distribution footprint.

Middlebury, Vermont’s Woodchuck Hard Cider has released a new mixed 12-pack, featuring brunch inspired ciders. The variety pack includes Woodchuck’s existing Pearsecco and Mimosa ciders plus two newcomers: Bellini and Paloma. Pearsecco is at 6.1% abv and the remaining three are all at 5.5% abv. Woodchuck’s Brunch Box is now available in select states and will soon roll out across the U.S. for a suggested price of $18-$19. The new 12-pack is a permanent addition to the cidery’s portfolio.

White Claw Hard Seltzer has expanded its lineup with four new flavors. Launching under the White Claw Surf banner, the newcomers include Citrus Yuzu Smash, Tropical Pomelo Smash, Watermelon Lime Smash, and Wildberry Acai Smash, all at 5% abv and debuting in a 12-can variety pack.

Mike’s Hard Lemonade has debuted a new line of slushy-flavored RTDs, all based on flavors popular in the 1990s. The line, which comes in four varieties—Blue, Red, White, and Pink Freezes—are all at 5% abv and will be available in variety 12-packs of 12-ounce cans and as individual 23.5-ounce cans. To support the launch, the company has kicked off a new 90s-themed and nostalgia-driven ad campaign featuring era-appropriate boy-band music dedicated to the new drinks.

Watertight Cocktails, a new brand of agave wine-based RTDs, has launched in Texas. The new RTDs come in three flavors—Beach Margarita, Guava Paloma, and Mango Sipper—and are all at 6% abv and 130 calories per 12-ounce can. Watertight Cocktails are made with sparkling water and fruit juices, in addition to the agave wine. The new brand is now available in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans in grocery, convenience, and liquor stores across Texas for around $10.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: March 15th 2022 Edition

Beam Suntory’s On the Rocks cocktail brand has added Classic Daiquiri to its line. The new cocktail is bottled at 20% abv and is made from a mix of Cruzan’s dark and light rums, lime, and sugar. On the Rocks’ Classic Daiquiri is now available across the U.S. in 375-, 200-, and 100-ml. bottles with the largest size retailing for around $13. The new release joins On the Rocks’ Cosmopolitan, Mai Tai, Old Fashioned, Margarita, Jalapeño Pineapple Margarita, and Aviation—all made with Beam Suntory spirits—in the brand’s portfolio.

San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company has launched a new West Coast IPA to celebrate the brewery’s 125th anniversary. The 7% abv ale is made with Nugget, Citra, Sultana, and Cascade hops, and is available in 6-packs of 12-ounce bottles and on draft throughout the brewery’s distribution footprint.

Sauza is getting into the RTD game with the launch of Sauza Agave Cocktails. The new line of canned drinks comes in four flavors: Lime Crush, Tropical Twist, Strawberry Breeze, and Black Cherry Smash (all 8% abv). They are malt-based and also contain agave nectar. Although Sauza is part of Beam Suntory, the RTDs will be produced by Boston Beer Company as part of a long-term strategic partnership between the two companies. Sauza Agave Cocktails are available now, priced at $18 a variety 12-pack, $10 a single-flavor 6-pack, and $3.50 for a single 24-ounce can.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: March 1st 2022 Edition

Boston Beer Co. has introduced Hard Mtn Dew, its collaboration with PepsiCo. Debuting in Florida, Iowa, and Tennessee, the 5% abv line initially includes Original Mtn Dew, Baja Blast, Black Cherry, and Watermelon flavors with no caffeine or added sugar and 100 calories per serving. Boston Beer is producing the brand—which is launching in 24-ounce cans and mixed 12 packs of 12-ounce cans.

Shiner Beer has released Strawberry Blonde, a new brew made with strawberries from Poteet, Texas. In addition to strawberries, the 4.3% abv lager is brewed with nugget hops and two row, Munich, caramel, and wheat malts. Shiner Strawberry Blonde is now available in 6- and 12-packs of 12-ounce bottles for around $9 and $15, respectively. 

Oregon-based 2 Towns Ciderhouse has announced Craftwell Cocktails, a new line including Pineapple Margarita, Grapefruit Paloma, Blueberry Cosmo, and Strawberry Margarita offerings. Each is 10.5% abv and will be available in 12-ounce cans at retail stores, bars, and restaurants beginning March 1 in Oregon and Washington. 2 Towns’ flagship ciders include Blueberry, Tropical, Cosmic Crisp, Brightcider, and Pacific Pineapple, among others.

Austin, Texas-based BeatBox Beverages has added a new flavor, Juicy Mango, to its lineup of wine-based RTDs. The new addition, the brand’s eighth flavor, will be available in both BeatBox’s flagship 11.1% abv line and its 6% abv zero sugar line. Juicy Mango will be rolling out across BeatBox’s distribution footprint this month in 500-ml. Tetra Paks.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: February 22nd 2022 Edition

Diageo has expanded Crown Royal’s RTD portfolio with a new Whisky Lemonade. The limited time offering comes in at 7% abv and joins Whisky & Cola, Washington Apple, and Peach Tea in the brand’s RTD portfolio. In addition to releasing the new product, Crown Royal’s RTD portfolio is expanding to national distribution this month. All of Crown’s RTDs are available for a suggested price of $15 a 4-pack.

Paso Robles, California-based Firestone Walker has introduced Hopnosis IPA. The 6.7% abv brew’s hop profile includes varieties from New Zealand and the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on Mosaic Cryo Hops as well as Idaho 7 and Nelson. Mosaic Crypto Hops are made by collecting the concentrated lupulin from whole-leaf hops, which contains pure resins for bitterness and aromatic oils. The double dry-hopped Hopnosis is now rolling out to all Firestone Walker markets in 6-pack and 12-pack (12-ounce) cans, 19.2-ounce cans, and on draft.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: February 8th 2022 Edition

Downingtown, Pennsylvania’s Victory Brewing Company has announced Berry Monkey, the latest offshoot in the Monkey family of Belgian-style Tripels. Berry Monkey is a 9.5% abv sour Tripel made with raspberries and natural flavors. The beer will be available mid-February in 6- and 12-packs of 12-ounce bottles as well as on tap and will be promoted through the brewery’s upcoming “It’s Monkey Time!” initiative, set to kick off in the spring. Victory—along with Southern Tier, Bold Rock Cider, and Sixpoint—is part of Artisanal Brewing Ventures.

Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Tröegs Independent Brewing is releasing Double Nugget Nectar, a modified version of its Nugget Nectar Imperial Amber Ale. Brewed primarily with Simcoe hops alongside Columbus and Nugget hops, Double Nugget ups the beer to 9.5% abv. It’s available now on draft and in 16-ounce cans in extremely limited supply throughout Tröegs’ distribution footprint.

New York-based Spritz Society’s line of wine-based sparkling cocktails is now available at retail, with the brand partnering with chains like Total Wine and BevMo. The move will immediately bring the cocktails to Florida and California ahead of a wider expansion plan for the rest of 2022. The brand, which launched last August through its DTC program, is projecting 2022 volume of 100,000 cases in the U.S. Spritz Society’s drinks are available in four flavors—grapefruit, blood orange, pineapple, and lemon—with each coming in at 6% abv and 120 calories per 8.4-ounce can.

Wine-based RTD brand BeatBox is launching a new 6% abv Zero Sugar line nationwide. The Zero Sugar line has lower alcohol by volume, fewer calories, and fewer carbs than BeatBox’s existing 11.1% Party Punch. The line extension will be hitting shelves in March in both single-serve Tetra format and a six-flavor variety pack. BeatBox added five new states to its footprint last year and says it now has distribution in over 23,000 retailers nationwide, including chains like Walmart, 7-Eleven, and Kroger

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: December 14th 2021 Edition

Paso Robles, California-based Firestone Walker is releasing a new brew from their R&D location, the Propagator, in Venice, California. The company’s latest experimental beer is a play on the pairing of chocolate chip cookies and milk, called Kookie Monster. At 8% abv, it’s a double milk stout brewed with vanilla beans, cocoa nibs, and brown sugar. It’s available at Firestone Walker’s three California locations and from the brewery’s website, where previous Propagator releases went for $20 a 4-pack.

Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Founders Brewing Co. revealed the final entry in its Mothership Series for the year. It’s a festive edition of previous Mothership release Blushing Padre called Blushing Claus. Like its progenitor Blushing Monk it’s a raspberry Belgian ale aged, like Blushing Padre, in Tequila barrels and finally finished with cranberries and orange zest to evoke holiday flavors. Blushing Claus is at 11.9% abv and, like previous Mothership releases, will be available only at Founders taproom locations beginning December 15, priced at $20 a 6-pack.

Scottish brewer Innis & Gunn is bringing back its Irish Whiskey Cask beer for St. Patrick’s Day. First brewed a decade ago as a straight Scottish Stout, this year’s edition of Irish Whiskey Cask was formulated as a Scottish Oatmeal Stout for enhanced creaminess and mouthfeel. It’s at 6.1% abv and will be available in the U.S. next year.

San Luis Obispo, California-based SLO Brew is releasing Holidaze IPA. It’s a 7% abv India Pale Ale made with orange peel, Citra hops, and spruce tree tips for Christmas tree flavor. The limited edition release is available throughout California and at the SLO Brew tasting room in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans for $11. SLO Brew is the craft beer brand of SLO Brewing Co., which also produces Tio Rodrigo craft micheladas, Porch Pounder canned wine, and Rod & Hammer’s SLO Stills craft whiskey.

Roust Corporation’s Russian Standard vodka has launched a new canned Moscow Mule cocktail, using the brand’s namesake vodka. The RTD comes in at 5.8% abv and is also made with ginger, lime, and mint. Russian Standard Moscow Mule is now available nationwide in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Baltimore, Maryland-based DuClaw Brewing Company is releasing an escape from deepening fall chill with its latest. Its new beer is called Cloud Mango and features tropical flavors to put consumers in mind of balmier climes that include mango and coconut, along with subtler strains of vanilla and oak. At 7.1% abv, its label also features a QR code that, when scanned, directs to a Spotify playlist of beach tunes. Cloud Mango is billed as a sour and is available now on draft and in 12-ounce cans at select locations. DuClaw currently distributes to 24 states in the eastern half of the U.S.

Yobo Soju is launching a new line of soju RTDs. The canned cocktails will be sold under the Hunni Sparkling Soju name and will initially come in four flavors: Yuzu and Elderflower; Korean Pear, Perilla Leaf, and Lime; Peach and Chili Pepper; and Grape and Ginger. All are at 4% abv and contain approximately 100 calories a can. Accompanying the cans is Hunni K. Town, 16% abv versions of the same flavors in 750-ml. bottles meant for sipping or cocktail mixing. The RTDs are launching nationwide this month for $17 a 4-pack while the K. Town bottles launch early next year. Founded in 2015, Yobo Soju is produced in New York’s Finger Lakes region from Catawba grapes.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily