Craft beer industry news.
In this week’s edition of Last Call, New Belgium delays its Asheville brewery opening, a pair of Michigan craft brewers expand their distribution footprints and Asahi Holdings moves to buy the Peroni, Grolsch and Meantime brands.
Devils Backbone Brewing Company introduces Cran-Gose, a tart cranberry ale (4% ABV) that launches the 2016 Daypack Series. Based on the traditional gose brewing style, Cran-Gose is light, fruity and pink hued with a cranberry aroma and a naturally refreshing finish.
Brian Weslar joined the Denver Beer Co. team in February as Director of Sales. In this new position, Weslar will lead the Denver Beer Co. sales team, manage Denver Beer Co.’s relationship with Breakthru Beverage, and create a strategic plan for Denver Beer Co.’s growth statewide.
On the verge of being a nationally distributed craft brand, Oskar Blues Brewery yesterday announced it would expand distribution into three new states. The Colorado-headquartered company, which operates a second brewing facility in Brevard, NC., has signed agreements with wholesalers in North Dakota, South Dakota and Oklahoma and will begin distributing to the new markets over the next two months.
It’s half mermaid, half bear, and entirely fantastic. MerBear Rye IPA, the new love child of SoCal icon Coronado Brewing and NorCal heavyweight Bear Republic, is set to hit shelves mid-February. The friendship began a few years back when president Rick Chapman and Brewmaster and COO Richard “Ricardo” Norgrove, of Coronado and Bear Republic respectively, met for beers at a local San Diego beer bar where they discussed the idea of the two creating something special.
Spring is a time for new beginnings… and a new chapter at Cape May Brewing Company. Starting the first week of March, Jimmy Valm – formerly of Brooklyn Brewery — will take over as CMBC’s Director of Brewing Operations, responsible for overseeing fermentation, maturation and packaging.
Hydro Flask, the award-winning leader in high-performance, insulated stainless steel flasks, is excited to introduce 11 new refreshingly bold colors across its hydration, coffee, beer and food collections. The new hues include Cobalt, Lava, Graphite, Forest, Plum, Pacific, Mango, Kiwi, Tangelo, Citron and Mint. The new colors complement old favorites like Black, White and Classic Stainless.
Hoping to capitalize on a slew of successful fruit-forward IPA introductions, Boston Beer Company this week began nationwide distribution of Samuel Adams Rebel Grapefruit IPA. Brewed with real grapefruit and grapefruit peel, the latest Rebel line extension has a “tart, sharp character,” according to the company. In an effort to “round out bitterness from the peel” and add “sweet juiciness,” Boston Beer also adds grapefruit juice before filtering the beer.
Like so many other small U.S. producers, Seattle’s Fremont Brewing is at a crossroads. On the verge of opening a second brewing facility that will eventually enable the company to produce upwards of 250,000 barrels, and flush with interest from distributors around the U.S., brewery founder Matt Lincecum has two options: step on the gas pedal and expand distribution nationwide, or grow in a more controlled fashion, methodically building out distribution into contiguous markets.
Two Roads Brewing Company of Stratford, CT announced today that the brand will be rolling into the state of New Hampshire and they are pleased to be teaming up with Bayside Distributors and Amoskeag Beverages. The launch will begin the week of February 15th with a series of kick-off events throughout the state. New Hampshire is now the ninth state to distribute the Two Roads brand.
Known for its lineup of well-balanced craft beers, Ninkasi Brewing Company announces its Rare & Delicious Series available for the first time in 22-ounce bottles with various releases throughout the year. Previously released on draft only, these small-batch beers offer craft beer drinkers a unique variety of styles while giving Ninkasi brewers a forum to explore and experiment. The first release, Velocihoptor Double IPA, will debut mid-February, followed by Tart & Soul, a Blackberry Sour, available in March.
In the wake of the recent departure of Barrel Program Head Adrienne Ballou from Jester King, we’re pleased to announce that we’ve made some in-house promotions. We’re excited to announce that Averie Swanson has been promoted to Brewery Production Manager! In that role, she will orchestrate beer making at Jester King so as to make our creative vision a reality.
Just in time for NYC Beer Week 2016 and Saratoga Beer Week 2016, Shmaltz Brewing Company releases a new limited edition seasonal exclusively in New York State, Brewers Wanted Pale Ale — Work For Beer® (5.5% ABV). With the number of U.S. breweries growing to more than 4,000 in 2015 — for the first time since the 1870s — and New York State producing 238 breweries of its own, the demand for skilled brewers is at a record high. Shmaltz helps raise awareness of New York’s need for passionate men and women to learn the craft of brewing with a portion of proceeds from Brewers Wanted Pale Ale® directly supporting their new brewer training program.
Ecliptic Brewing welcomes Spring with the release of Zenith Grapefruit Gose and Deimos Imperial Red Ale. These beers are part of Ecliptic’s Seasonal and Special Release Series respectively. Zenith Grapefruit Gose and Deimos Imperial Red Ale will be available in March. “With loads of dry hops, Deimos is a deliciously hoppy imperial red ale and Zenith is crisp, tart, and refreshing,” said owner and head brewmaster John Harris. “We are excited for these new beers to be released.”
