Allagash Brewing is opening up its playbook in 2025 to hit key growth areas within craft.
The Portland, Maine-based craft brewery’s lineup for next year includes the addition of Allagash Lager and Hazy IPA to the company’s year-round lineup, as well as a year-round variety pack that will be available across the company’s Northeast footprint of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New Jersey.
Both beers were first introduced this past summer in the brewery’s Portland tasting room before graduating into distribution.
Hazy IPA checks in at 6.7% ABV with “tropical and citrus aromas, a pillowy mouthfeel and a touch of sweetness,” per the announcement. The beer will be sold in 12 oz. can 6-packs and on draft starting in early 2025 in the Northeast.
Allagash Lager (5% ABV) is a “classic pilsner” made with a portion of New England craft malt. Look for it in 12 oz. can 6- and 12-packs and on draft in New York, Massachusetts and Maine this month before expanding across the Northeast in November.
Both new beers along with flagship Allagash White and Tripel, will be included in Allagash’s first year-round variety 12-pack. It also marks Tripel’s debut in cans. The pack is expected to be released across Allagash’s Northeast footprint in late 2024.
“We’ll be sharing these new beers exclusively with markets closer to home, allowing us to build momentum where we are the strongest,” Allagash sales director Josh Fruchtman said in the announcement.
Allagash brewmaster Jason Perkins added: “Our team at the brewery really embraced – and excelled at – the challenge to deliver our unique perspective to familiar beverage styles.”
The company is also taking its first non-alcoholic (NA) beyond beer offering to market as a year-round offering in the Northeast. Hop Water, which was first released in the tasting room in June, is available in 12 oz. can 6-packs and produced with orange peel, Citra and Crystal hops.
And returning for a second year will be Allagash’s unified seasonal lineup of “House” beers, including Ski House winter white ale (7.5% ABV), Surf House summer lager (5.5% ABV) and Haunted House hoppy dark ale (6.6% ABV). Each of those beers will be sold in 12 oz. can 6- and 12-packs.
Allagash teased more to come for 2025 as the brewery celebrates its 30th anniversary.
“It has been such an eventful ride, and as we hit our third decade, we can’t wait to share more of the innovative beers, events, and initiatives that celebrate the spirit of who are, and are sure to excite fans new and old,” founder Rob Tod said in the press release.
2025 will also see Allagash sponsor the inaugural season for the Portland Hearts of Pine pro soccer club in the USL League One. Their first season begins in spring 2025.
In 2023, Allagash was the country’s 15th largest craft brewery by volume, according to the Brewers Association (BA). Its output was roughly flat, at 119,878 barrels of beer, following a year of +2% growth in 2022.
Dollar sales of the Allagash brand family at off-premise retailers tracked by market research firm NIQ have declined -4%, to $28.5 million, in the 52-week period ending September 7. Volume has declined -3.8%. NIQ’s data set includes multi-outlet grocery, convenience, liquor, club and mass retail stores, but excludes some independent retailers, as well as bars and restaurants.