Craft beer industry news.
Virtue Cider announces the launch of The Mitten, the company’s award-winning bourbon barrel-aged cider, in 12-ounce bottles this month. This cider joins Virtue’s lineup of 12-ounce bottles that include Michigan Brut and Michigan Harvest.
Spokane Symphony and No-Li Brewhouse collaborated to create “Beethoven Golden Ale” 22 oz. bottles (only 660 total bottles available) in anticipation of the Friday, March 10th Beethoven Symphony at The Martin Woldson Theater At The Fox Theatre…Spokane, USA.
Two San Antonio breweries have joined forces to release three special beers in celebration of San Antonio’s 300th anniversary. Ranger Creek Brewing & Distilling and Freetail Brewing Company, two breweries that have been leaders in San Antonio’s craft beer movement, will each release a beer this year leading up to the 2018 Tricentennial celebration. They will then come together to brew a special collaboration beer to be released during the Tricentennial.
After a protracted search for a new home, Brooklyn Brewery appears to be staying put in Williamsburg.
Worthy Brewing has launched Stratasphere IPA, a fruity India Pale Ale, which utilizes the new hop Strata, in kegs for distribution across four states, as well as in Worthy’s pub. Strata, formerly known as X-331, has been an ongoing collaboration between Indie Hops and Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. Strata is an open-pollinated Perle that expresses many of the oils associated with mango, oranges, and other fruits and herbs.
Sierra Nevada has announced a 36-state voluntary recall of several of its year-round and seasonal beers bottled at the company’s North Carolina brewery.
For the first time since its brewing inception more than a dozen years ago, Firestone Walker’s “Bravo” imperial brown ale is finally finding its way into the bottle, with a limited release set for early February across all Firestone Walker markets. Along the way, Bravo ($9.99) launches the transition of all Firestone Walker Vintage Reserve barrel-aged beers from 22-ounce bombers to individually boxed 12-ounce bottles in 2017, to include longtime stalwarts such as Parabola and the annual Anniversary Ale.
Des Moines’ Exile Brewing Company nears completion on 3,800 sq ft. expansion. Ground was broke in September 2016 and is on track to complete March 2017.
As Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. shifts its focus from bottles to cans, the craft brewery is also rolling out a new look for its year-round beers and some seasonal offerings. This year, Rahr’s Blonde, Texas Red and Ugly Pug, as well as Iron Thistle, Summertime Wheat, Oktoberfest, Winter Warmer and a new beer, Dadgum IPA, will get a brand new look and be available in cans – many for the first time.
DESTIHL Brewery, of Bloomington, Illinois, officially announced today that it will expand distribution of its beers in Florida beginning January 23. “Building the new production brewery is enabling us to move forward again with our expansion into new, exciting markets like Florida”, said DESTIHL’s Founder, Brewmaster and CEO, Matt Potts.
Racing back to shelves this week, Bear Republic’s seasonal release, Café Racer 15 will be returning in style. Marking the official launch of the Double IPA Series, Café Racer 15 makes its arrival for the first time in six-packs.
Massachusetts beer wholesalers are going on the offensive. After several years of fighting small craft brewers’ efforts to change state franchise laws, the Beer Distributors of Massachusetts today filed a bill that would enable beer companies making less than 30,000 barrels annually to sever relationships with wholesalers for no cause.
Buskey Cider will begin canning this week for a can launch date of January 21, 2017, producing the first 12 oz 6-pack of canned hard cider in Virginia.
Anheuser-Busch has officially announced its return as the exclusive category advertiser for the 2017 Super Bowl, marking its 28th consecutive year in the big game. The national brewer will feature four of its brands, bringing back last year’s advertisers Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA, and Super Bowl newcomer – Busch.
