GSN Brews News: November 9th 2021 Edition

Proximo Spirits’ Hangar 1 vodka has entered the RTD market with a new line of Botanical Seltzers. The 3.5% abv brand extension is launching with four flavors—Makrut Lime, Buddha’s Hand Citron, Mandarin Blossom, and Rosé—with all coming in at 72 calories per 12.6-ounce serving without any sugars or carbs. The new seltzers are available exclusively in California with individual bottles retailing for around $4 and 4-packs for $16.

New England neighbors Harpoon Brewery and WhistlePig Whiskey are collaborating on a release for the third year running. Called Harpoon Green Mountain Ryed, it’s a blended New England Rye IPA created by mixing a barrel-aged Imperial Rye Ale with a New England Rye IPA, both of which were brewed with rye from the WhistlePig estate. The Rye Ale was also aged 12 weeks in recently emptied WhistlePig PiggyBack 100% Rye barrels. The end product is a 7% abv hazy IPA available this month only in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans and on draft at Harpoon’s Boston and Vermont locations.

Texas-based Austin Eastciders has launched Spiced Peach Cider, a new release the company describes as “cobbler in a can.” The 5% abv cider is flavored with peaches and mulling spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, and does not contain any artificial sweeteners. Austin Eastciders Spiced Peach Cider is now available for a limited time on draft, in 12-packs, and in the cidery’s Winter Variety Pack across the company’s 22-state distribution footprint.

Oklahoma’s Coop Ale Works and Sonic Drive-In have expanded their collaborative hard seltzer to six new markets: Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Nebraska, Missouri, and Arizona. Sonic Hard Seltzer features popular flavors from the restaurant’s menu and comes in two variety packs—Tropical (featuring Ocean Water, Melon Medley, Mango Guava, and Orange Pineapple flavors) and Citrus (Cherry Limeade, Original Limeade, Classic Lemonade, and Lemon Berry)—with each can at 5% abv and 100 calories. 

Firestone Walker Brewing Company is launching Cinnamon Dolce Nitro Stout, a new seasonal beer infused with Saigon cinnamon sticks and Madagascar vanilla beans. The base stout is brewed with dark-roasted specialty malts. Rolling out across Firestone Walker’s 22-state footprint, Cinnamon Dolce Nitro Stout is at 6% abv and is debuting in 12-ounce can 6-packs and on draft.

Brooklyn Brewery has teamed up with uptown Manhattan’s Harlem Hops to create Harlem Hopes HBCUHomecoming. The porter is aged in Uncle Nearest Bourbon barrels and the can features art by Harlem-born artist Roosevelt “Black Rose” Taylor. The beer is now available on tap and in 16-ounce cans, at Harlem Hops, the Brooklyn Brewery Tasting Room, Bierwax, Sampler BK, Camela’s Tasting Room, Draught Industries, Beer Noggin, The Local Nyack, Eddie’s Roadhouse, Mohawk Taproom, Luke’s Lobster, Whitman’s Hudson Yards, and Wolf & Warrior.

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: August 31st 2021 Edition

Novo Fogo Cachaça is bolstering its line of canned cocktails with a new Brazilian Old Fashioned Highball RTD. It’s made with Novo Fogo’s one-year aged Chameleon cachaça, making it the first canned cocktail in the brand’s lineup to contain an aged spirit, along with vanilla syrup, orange and aromatic bitters, water, and carbonation. Following in the footsteps of Novo Fogo’s Sparkling Caipirinha RTD line, launched in 2017, the Old Fashioned Highball is at 9% abv and is available nationwide for $3 a 200-ml can or $12 a 4-pack.

Boston, Massachusetts’ Harpoon Brewery is continuing its partnership with Dunkin’ and will release three collaborative beers this fall. The three new releases—Blueberry Matcha IPA (6.6% abv), Maple Crème Blonde Ale (5.5%), and Midnight American Porter (6%)—will join the companies’ prior collaboration, Harpoon Dunkin’ Pumpkin Spiced Latte Ale. The new beers will be available staring in September throughout Harpoon’s distribution footprint in a new variety 12-pack.

Escondido, California-based Stone Brewing is launching Orange Scream Hazy IPA, the inaugural release of its new One Batch Dispatch Series. Inspired by creamsicle popsicles, Orange Scream is brewed with orange and vanilla to weigh in at 8.8% abv. On sale September 2, it’s a highly limited release, as all installments in the One Batch Dispatch Series will be, because each beer will be brewed just once and be made available only at Stone locations and online. The Dispatch Series will initially ship only to California, followed by Nevada, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, and Washington D.C, with others coming afterward.

Lucas Bols has introduced Bols Ready to Enjoy Cocktails, a new line of RTDs soon to be available in 200-ml. tubes as well as 375-ml. bottles. The new cocktails come in four varieties—Margarita Azul (14.9% abv), Espresso Martini (14.9% abv), Red Light Negroni (21.9% abv), and Very Old Fashioned (30% abv)—and are made with Bols spirits and liqueurs plus added natural flavors. The new line will launch in the fall with 200-ml. tubes retailing for around $7 and 375-ml. bottles going for around $13.

Minnesota-based Indeed Brewing Co. is introducing Boon hard kombucha in cans. Indeed originally released Boon Blueberry Basil on draft in its Minneapolis and Milwaukee taprooms in January, where it received overwhelmingly positive feedback from patrons. Boon (8.2% abv) will be debuting in cans in the Twin Cities area starting August 30, with Wisconsin distribution to follow. Indeed’s portfolio is anchored by its flagship Day Tripper Pale Ale, and also includes newer offerings like Flavorwave IPA and Mexican Honey Light, as well as a Wooden Soul series of wild, sour, and barrel-aged beers.

Comstock, Michigan-based Bell’s Brewery is releasing Rind Over Matter, the first official release in its new Wheat Series. It’s an American Wheat Ale brewed with lemon and orange zest at 5% abv. Available now across Bell’s Brewery’s distribution footprint, supplies will last through October when it will be followed by Belgian-inspired Bright White in November.

Blue Moon Brewing Company is joining the explosive hazy beer category with its new release Moon Haze. Brewed with dried whole oranges, it’s the first nationally released pale ale from Blue Moon, as the company’s flagship release is a wheat beer. Moon Haze is at 5.7% abv and is available now nationwide in 6- and 12-packs of 12-ounce cans. 

Information courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: December 15th 2020 Edition

Frederick, Maryland-based Flying Dog Brewery and Gaithersburg, Maryland-based Waredaca Brewing Co. are releasing a collaboration called Watch Me Neigh Neigh Spiced Red Ale. Brewed in celebration of Waredaca’s fifth anniversary, the name is a reference to the equestrian history of Waredaca’s farm. It was brewed with cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and orange peels to capture the holiday season. The release is available now, for sale at Waredaca’s tasting room.

Baltimore, Maryland-based DuClaw Brewing Company is releasing Hoppy Together, a sour ale, as the first in its quarterly release series for 2021. It was made with Mosaic, Azacca, and Simcoe hops as well as lactose. It is at 7.1% abv and will be released in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans beginning in January. Founded in 1996, DuClaw distributes to 19 states and Washington, D.C.

San Clemente, California’s Left Coast Brewing is releasing the fifth edition of its annual South County IPA. The beer is a collaboration between Left Coast and nearby Artifex Brewing and Pizza Port Brewing. It is a limited-edition West Coast-style IPA brewed with Simcoe, Cascade, Centennial, Mosaic, Nelson, and Amarillo hops with forward notes of blueberry and gooseberry. It is available in 4-packs and on tap at Left Coast’s locations in San Clemente and Irvine and on tap in select restaurants in the area.

Elk Rapids, Michigan-based Short’s Brewing has added its Lil’ Huma session IPA to its year-round lineup. Named in comparison to Short’s Huma Lupa Licious IPA, it debuted last summer in the brewery’s Refreshin’ Session variety pack at 4.5% abv and 95 calories. It will be the brewery’s first low-abv year-round offering. Lil’ Huma is currently available on draft and in 12-ounce cans, with 12-packs in market and 6-packs shipping now. It will replace Juicy Brut in the Short’s flagship line up.

Traverse City, Michigan-based North Peak Brewing Company is relaunching Berserker Imperial Stout after a multi-year hiatus. The 10.1% abv behemoth returns with a tweaked recipe and a Bourbon barrel aged variant. Its flavor profile includes cocoa, dark fruit, currants, and cinnamon. Berserker is available now in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans for a limited time throughout Michigan. Bourbon Barrel Berserker will be available on tap at select locations this winter. North Peak Brewing is part of Northern United Brewing Company and distributes throughout the state, with limited distribution elsewhere.

Boston, Massachusetts’ Harpoon Brewery and Vermont’s WhistlePig have teamed up to create the Bock Hog, a new barrel-finished beer. The lager comes in at 9% abv, and is finished in the Spanish oak and South American Teakwood barrels used to mature WhistlePig’s the Boss Hog VII: Magellan’s Atlantic. The limited release is now available in individual 22-ounce bottles and on draft at Harpoon’s breweries in Boston and Vermont.

Newport, Oregon’s Rogue Ales & Spirits announced its first release of 2021. January 1 will be the debut of Colossal Claude, a new year-round Imperial IPA featuring a sea monster on the can. Brewed with Cascade, Chinook, Citra, and Strata hops, it’s at 8.2% abv and will join Batsquatch Hazy IPA in the brewer’s monster-themed lineup. It will be available nationwide in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans, 19.2-ounce cans, and on draft. Colossal Claude and Batsquatch will face off in Rogue’s Monsters of IPA campaign this spring, with more details forthcoming next year.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: June 2nd 2020 Edition

Holland, Michigan-based New Holland Spirits will enter the burgeoning hard seltzer category with its new line of Lake Life Seltzers. The distillery’s Lake Life Vodka, itself first released last year, serves as the seltzer’s base and is combined with fruit flavors. The line will debut this month in Michigan in two flavors, Cranberry Lime and White Peach Honey, with additional entries planned for the future. Lake Life Seltzer is at 4% abv and retails in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans. New Holland Spirits is part of New Holland Brewing, best known for its Dragon’s Milk Stout line.

Michigan-based Founders Brewing is launching a new entry in its “Brewed for MI” series. Cerise is a ruby red, cherry ale brewed with 100% tart, Michigan cherries. It’s rolling out in six-packs of cans for $10 at the company’s taprooms, as well as in limited quantities across the state. Each offering in the Brewed for MI collection is intended to raise awareness for Michigan non-profits. Cerise is promoting Fair and Equal Michigan, a coalition dedicated to fighting discrimination against the LGBTQ community.

Magic Hat Brewing Company has released its newest seasonal beer: Bartlett Bay Margarita Gose. The 3% abv sour is brewed with orange, lime, and salt for a balanced beer that comes in at 99 calories per serving. Bartlett Bay Margarita Gose is available now through September in 6-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Boston-based craft player Harpoon Brewery, part of the Massachusetts Bay Brewing Company, has redesigned the packaging for its IPA. The new look features scenes from Windsor, Vermont and Boston—the locations of the company’s two breweries. The updated packaging also places greater emphasis on Harpoon’s employee ownership. The recipe for the 6% abv ale, however, remains unchanged. The new packaging is now available across Harpoon’s distribution footprint in 6- and 12-packs.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily

GSN Brews News: March 3rd 2020 Edition

Grand Rapids, Michigan’s Founders Brewing Co. has announced that KBS, the brewery’s barrel-aged imperial stout, will now be available year-round. The 12% abv stout is brewed with coffee and chocolate and is blended from beers aged between nine and 15 months, according to brewmaster Jeremy Kosmicki. KBS will be available in 4-packs of 12-ounce bottles and on draft throughout the U.S.—except for in Utah (on draft) and Mississippi (not at all)—beginning in March.

Hershey, Pennsylvania-based Tröegs Independent Brewing is releasing Haze Charmer Hazy Pale Ale, its first new year-round offering in four years. The brewery developed the hazy base through a combination of various malts, which they say helps retain hop oil in service of delivering bigger flavor without needing to load up the abv. Indeed, Haze Charmer is only 5.5% despite being brewed with Citra, Lotus, and El Dorado hops like many IPAs that often skew higher. Retailing for $11 a 6-pack, it’s now available in Pennsylvania and will expand distribution along the eastern seaboard by mid-March.

Pottsville, Pennsylvania’s D.G. Yuengling & Sons has announced the March launch of Flight by Yuengling, the brewery’s newest light beer. The 4.2% abv beer has 95 calories and 2.6 grams of carbs per 12-ounce serving. The company describes Flight as crisp and easy to drink. Initially, Flight will be available 12-ounce bottles across Yuengling’s 22-state footprint with a draft release coming in the second half of the year.

Boston, Massachusetts’ Harpoon Brewery has launched DragonWeisse, a new light take on a Berliner Weisse beer. The 4.6% abv beer is made from a wheat base with added dragon fruit, hibiscus, maca root, sea salt, and flaxseed. DragonWeisse is now available across the company’s distribution footprint on draft, and in 4-packs of 12-ounce cans and 6-packs of 12-ounce bottles for $9 and $10, respectively. Along with UFO, Harpoon is part of the Massachusetts Bay Brewing Company.

Golden Road Brewing founder Meg Gill and Anheuser-Busch InBev are launching a new organic hard seltzer label called Maha. Launching this month in 11 Western states, Maha is at 4.2% abv and 110 calories a 12-ounce can. It will debut with Raspberry, Tangerine Yuzu, and Black Cherry flavors, sold in variety 12-packs. The brand is made with organic fruit juice, cascara, cane sugar, and sea salt and includes a proprietary blend of vitamins and minerals including potassium, calcium, and magnesium. The Maha brand plans to expand with other food and beverage product lines later in the year.

Courtesy of Shanken News Daily