Summer Seasonals Get Canned

Three top 15 craft breweries today announced the first-ever release of their canned summer seasonal offerings.

Boston Beer Company, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company and Shipyard Brewing Company, ranked no. 1, no. 2 and no. 15 (respectively) on the Brewers Association Top 50 craft brewery list, plan to offer 12 oz. cans of their summer seasonal beers in 2013.

Sierra Nevada Summerfest lager will be made available in 12-packs before the Memorial Day holiday and Shipyard Summer Ale is already available throughout New England and Florida. Shipyard said it plans to extend the distribution of Summer Ale to additional markets in 2014.

Boston Beer Company told Brewbound.com that it plans to make cans of Samuel Adams Summer Ale available, in 12-packs, on a limited basis. Jessica Paar, a spokeswoman for the brewery said that New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Minnesota and Colorado will receive shipments.

More details on the Sierra and Shipyard releases are included in two separate press statements below.


Sierra Nevada Adds Summerfest to Can Lineup

Chico, CA—April 23, 2013—Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is releasing a limited run of Summerfest lager in 12 oz. cans (12-packs). Summerfest follows the successful spring 2012 launch of Pale Ale and Torpedo Extra IPA in cans. Within 10 weeks of its introduction, Pale Ale 12 oz. cans (12-packs) topped the craft can category, and Torpedo 16 oz. cans (4-packs) currently reside in the top 10 SKUs. This year’s limited Summerfest can release will be a test for possible future production.

“We’ve been near production capacity in Chico, but we found a short window and felt it made sense to share one of our most sessionable beers in a new package,” said Ken Grossman, Sierra Nevada’s founder. “We love the versatility of cans, and if last year was any indication, it seems craft drinkers are on board. We hope they’ll speak up and let us know if they’d like to see more Summerfest in cans in the future.”

Sierra Nevada plans to ship Summerfest cans before Memorial Day, but it doesn’t envision the small barrelage extending through summer. The brewery is looking to fans to use social media channels to give their vote on whether or not to increase production in coming years; it will keep its eye on Twitter and Instagram for the hashtag #summerfestbeer, and it welcomes Facebook feedback.

Also aligning with Summerfest in cans is Sierra Nevada’s “Where’s Your Can Been?” contest that invites fans to take a photo of their adventures—anything from a BBQ on their back porch to a weekend hike—and submit it at PaleAleCan.com for the chance to win a Sierra Nevada T-shirt. Hundreds of photos are in the contest gallery now, and each photo can be shared via social media.

“Whether it’s in a cooler, daypack or raft,” said Grossman, “we’re excited to see Summerfest among the cans going where bottles can’t.”

About Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is one of America’s premier craft breweries, highly regarded for using only whole-cone hops and the finest quality ingredients. The pioneering spirit that launched Sierra Nevada spans more than three decades, with innovation emerging from both the brewhouse and sustainability initiatives. Sierra Nevada has set the standard for artisan brewers worldwide as a winner of numerous awards for its extensive line of beers including Pale Ale, Torpedo┬«, Porter, Stout, Kellerweis┬« and a host of seasonal, specialty and limited release beers. Learn more at www.sierranevada.com.


Shipyard Brewing Company’s Summer Ale Now Available in Cans

PORTLAND, ME — (April 23, 2013) — Shipyard Brewing Company’s award-winning seasonal brew, Shipyard Summer Ale, is back for the season on draft, in bottles, and, for the first time — in cans.

This summer, 6-packs and 12-packs of 12oz. cans will be available in New England and Florida, with plans to expand distribution in 2014.

In 2010, this traditional American wheat beer was named Best in the Northeast in the United States Beer Tasting Championship. It also received a silver award at the 2007 Los Angeles County Fair.

With its inviting golden color and mellow malted wheat flavor, Shipyard Summer Ale is sure to please those looking for a clean, cool taste sensation on long, hot summer days.

More about Shipyard Summer Ale:

  • Malt: 2-Row British Pale Ale, Light Munich, Malted Wheat
  • Hops: Hallertau
  • Yeast: Top-Fermenting English
  • Color: Golden
  • OG: 1.058
  • ABV: 4.8%
  • Food Pairings: Seafood
  • First Brewed: June 1995
  • Availability: April – August
  • Available: 12oz Bottles, 12oz Cans, Keg

The suggested retail price for bottles and cans is $8.50 for 6-packs and $16.50 for 12-packs.

About Shipyard Brewing Company:

Founded in 1994, Shipyard Brewing Company is located on the historic waterfront in Portland, Maine and produces 17 varieties of award-winning English style and seasonal beers. Its products are distributed in over 35 states. The Brewers Association ranks Shipyard as the 15th largest craft brewery in the U.S. and 23rd overall. In 2012, the brewery produced 158,441 barrels (1,781,260 cases) of its award-winning brews.