Beer notes NC: Highland Imperial Black Mocha Stout, Stone Brewing, Aviator Brewing, new taps

Highland Imperial Black Mocha Stout

If you are anywhere near Asheville, North Carolina, this weekend then you surely know about the Brewgrass Festival taking place today starting at noon, featuring a few dozen craft brewers. One of those breweries, Asheville’s own Highland Brewing will be following up the fest with its own mini-extravaganza, the sale of limited edition bombers of its Highland Imperial Black Mocha Stout. The sale starts this Sunday, 9/21, at the brewery from noon to 3 p.m. Bottles are $8 per person with no limit. Last year’s Imperial release did not sell out though it did the year before that so tread carefully.

Lots of other good stuff is happening around North Carolina as well:

Stone Brewing recently started distributing into the state and other parts Continue reading

Brewer’s Art Resurrection bottle release coming soon

The Brewer's Art Resurrection

(Baltimore, MD) – More fun for the Mid-Atlantic region today. The Brewer’s Art got label approval this week for Resurrection, its Abbey-style dubbel. The beer is another popular pick in the brewpub’s stable, sporting a 4+ average on Beer Advocate. From the description on the site, the beer sounds like a malt bomb, considering five different types are used. According to the brewer’s site, it is already out though no reviews indicate that it was “enjoyed from the bottle.” Looks like this should be out pretty soon.

The Brewer’s Art has been honored recently including being named one of the top 100 places to drink in America by Imbibe Magazine.

East End The Ugly American returns next month

East End The Ugly American

[10/10 Update -> From the latest newsletter: It all starts this Saturday, October 11th during our 12-5pm Growler Hours. And on this day only, we're pouring some Ugly American tasters to get you started.

You can pick up a bottle of The Ugly American for 15 bucks (including deposit), or pick up an Ugly American Print for $20 (These are limited edition giclée prints made with archival inks on museum-quality rag paper, individually signed and numbered by the artist, Wayno.) Or, you can take home BOTH Ugly Americans (the beer and the print) for just 30 bucks...or actually just 27 bucks when you return your bottle. So, not only do you get to remember exactly where you were when the historic returns came in, but you get two pieces of local original art to prove it - granted, one is in liquid form and may not last the week, but the other will definitely keep.]

(Pittsburgh, PA) – If you have visited East End Brewing‘s site recently, you would notice that the beer is not actually retired as indicated on Beer Advocate. A note on the site discloses that the hopped up Tripel will return early next year in October! (see Scott’s comment) Based on the timing, The Ugly American can be seen as a presidential ale of sorts, considering it will be out in time for the big November election. It debuted in late 2006 and has received positive beer reviews from the onset.

[Ed: Do political beers help breweries? I wonder whether, depending on the message that they are sending, they do more to alienate certain buyers than gain more loyalty from current ones. Your thoughts?]

Founders Old Curmudgeon and more Breakfast Stout; Capital Autumnal Fire and Americas Bourbon Barrel Stout

Quick note on some new beers now available online. Founders Breakfast Stout appears to again be available beginning Friday along with Founders Old Curmudgeon. West Lakeview Liquors is reporting that the two beers are in stock and doesn’t specify that they are for in-store sales only. See my previous post on WLV for recommendations on ways to complement your order here. Unfortunately, Nosferatu has sold out since that post but plenty of solid options remain.

Fellow Illinois retailer, Archer Liquors just updated its webpage with new arrivals. Among them are two of the top-rated beers at their respective breweries. One is Capital Autumnal Fire and the other is America’s Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout. Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA, another new brew, could make a nice addition to the order.

Liquid Solutions still appears to have Russian River Pliny the Elder, Blind Pig, and Damnation in stock as far I can tell.

Liquor Max Warehouse now has an extensive list of beers by both Port Brewing and The Lost Abbey.
South Bay Drugs is still the top choice for these brands considering its local roots in Southern California but Liquor Max now gives you another great option.

Lastly, I still do not see an out of stock sign for Deschutes the Dissident at the Bottle Trek site. This may be your last chance to get it.

Jim Gaffigan Pale Ale to invade the Midwest

Jim Gaffigan Pale Ale from Point Brewing

(Stevens Point, WI) – For better or for worse, this is one of the few posts you will see about what appears to be a new release of an ordinary pale ale. Only this is no ordinary pale ale- it dons the image and name of Comedian, Jim Gaffigan. Celebrity endorsement is no stranger to the beer world though I don’t recall seeing them on the actual labels all that often.

If you are not familiar with Gaffigan’s work, you can check out the Youtube clip of his bit on how we celebrate religious holidays (see below). Continue reading

North Coast Twentieth Anniversary Ale coming later this year

North Coast Twentieth Anniversary Ale

(Fort Bragg, CA) – In short, North Coast Twentieth Anniversary Ale still remains a bit of a mystery. A small photo of the label popped up on the North Coast Brewing site recently with a ‘Coming Soon’ message over it. And the twentieth anniversary party was earlier this month. One would think there would be more info on the beer available at this point but that isn’t the case. After brief correspondence with President and Brewmaster, Mark Ruedrich, the release appears to be a wait-and-see thing. What we do know about the Twentieth Anniversary Ale is that a) it is an “ale brewed with agave nectar,” b) it will be released only at the brewery in 500 mL bottles, and c) it has an ABV of 11.8%. Signs would appear to point to an old ale of some kind since that seems to be North Coast‘s specialty. I’ll provide another update when I have more.

Alesmith Speedway Stout: Where to Buy It

Alesmith

A wealth of positive beer ratings has established Alesmith Speedway Stout in the upper echelon of sought-after craft beers. Unless you are in Southern California, it may seem difficult to find, as is the case with Alesmith’s other offerings. After some sleuthing, I managed to track down close to ten online retailers that are carrying the brewery’s lineup, and more importantly, Speedway Stout.

Not sure where all of the California retailers are based but South Bay Drugs may be the only place that is local to Alesmith (which makes it the ideal site to look for fresh Yulesmith when it comes out). Yulesmith (summer version) and even Decadence 07 are still both available at Liquid Solutions. Some of these sites also sell Old Numbskull, Horny Devil, Grand Cru, and others.

Getting back on point, here are the other seven stores, in addition to SBD and LS just mentioned, that sell Speedway Stout: California – Liquorama, Hi-Time Wines, Wally’s Wines and Spirits, San Dimas Wines, and La Bodega Wines. Out of Oregon, Bottle Trek carries it as does Ohio-based Rozi’s Wines if you are on the East Coast and want a (possibly) cheaper shipping option. Look for the links to these stores on the right sidebar.

Tyranena Hop Whore Update; Blueberry Lambic-style beer will return

(Lake Mills, WI) –

Tyranena Brewing

Tyranena Brewing’s latest newsletter provided that Hop Whore is on its way to areas like the Twin Cities, Milwaukee and Green Bay. 534 cases, which were bottled on Monday, should be available soon. The beer was tapped over the weekend at the brewpub and there are a few different release parties taking place next week in the Twin Cities. You can view the newsletter online here for more details.

The newsletter also references a beer that is actually called, “Deb and Glenn’s Bourbon Barrel-Fermented/Aged Blueberry Kinda Lambic.” There are a handful of reviews at RateBeer from a prior release for those curious about tasting notes. The beer is a product of a brown ale base used for Rocky’s Revenge, two bourbon barrels, eighty pounds of blueberries, and innoculation “with a Lambic yeast/bacteria blend.” Don’t expect this to be bottled; it should be kegs-only as early as next summer.

Nogne O Dark Horizon Second Edition ships to the U.S. next week

(Lillesand, NORWAY) – Norwegian brewers, Nogne O, are nearly ready to send the Second Edition of Dark Horizon Imperial Stout to the U.S. According to Head Brewer, Kjetil Jikiun, around 12,000 bottles have been sitting at the brewery since January, some of which will soon be imported through the Shelton Brothers. This is double the production of the first edition.

Dark Horizon First Edition was an extremely successful batch considering that it landed in the top Continue reading

Great Lakes Barrel-Aged Blackout Stout release is Oct. 15

Great Lakes Blackout Stout

(Cleveland, OH) – Great Lakes Barrel-Aged Blackout Stout arrives on Wednesday, Oct. 15, as part of a Mug Club Members Only party with the beer being available on tap and for sale in bombers (limit of six per person). The Rackhouse Ale, an American Strong Ale that has earned high marks in the beer community, will also be tapped for the event. If you aren’t in the Mug Club already and want in, the fee is $35. However, the brew will be made available to the open public on Oct. 16. More info on the release at Great Lakes’ site.

A hoppy imperial stout at 85 IBUs, the beer is named after “named after the infamous ‘Blackout of 2003′ that left the northeastern United States in complete darkness” (Wikipedia link – check out the before and after shots via satellite). As far as accolades, the brew is in the top 100 beers at both Beer Advocate and RateBeer. It also won bronze in the 2008 World Beer Cup and gold in 2006.

Midnight Sun Berserker Imperial Stout, Saturn to be released in October

Midnight Sun Berserker Imperial Stout

According to the latest newsletter, Midnight Sun added a couple more beers to the fall schedule since our last report. The Humpback Jack release has been moved up to 9/26 to make room for Midnight Sun Berserker Imperial Stout, a bourbon oak barrel-aged imperial stout that is among the brewery’s top beers. This will likely sell out at the brewery shortly after the Oct. 3rd release.

For 10/31, the brewery will release the next installment in its Planet Beer Series, Saturn, will be a Belgian-style Fresh Hop IPA though the site description reads that the beer is “dry-hopped” with Cascade and Centennial [ed: Color me confused]. This will be in bottles and on draft.

Port Panzer Imperial Pilsner in the works

Port Brewing logo

(San Marcos, CA) – Another week, another new beer for Tomme Arthur and Company at Port Brewing. Arthur revealed last night that he has brewed ‘Panzer Imperial Pilsner.’ The recipe comes from Southern Californian musician and
Long Beach Homebrewers Club President, Julian Shrago, who was there to help brew it on July 3rd. Considering that lagering time for an imperial pils can take several weeks, the beer is still in process. A search for recipes on the LBHB website came up empty. Arthur projects less than 200 cases total and little, if any distribution, outside of the SoCal area.

Click here for the full backstory on the beer as Arthur also provides a Port High Tide update.

Dogfish Head Theobroma shipping to wholesalers Tuesday

Dogfish Head Theobroma

[9/22 Update: Began arriving in some stores this past weekend. Check the boards and call around to your local shops!] (Milton, DE) – Vice President, Mariah Calagione, says that she is told that Dogfish Head Theobroma will start shipping to wholesalers beginning Tuesday. Would hitting Pennsylvania stores this weekend be an unreasonable timeframe for the beer to pass through the three-tier system? If so, next week would probably be when people first start to see it. Much has been written about this beer already; click to see our initial story.

Great Lakes Nosferatu and Three Floyds Moloko Plus now available through West Lakeview Liquors

Southern Tier OatIllinois-based West Lakeview Liquors just started shipping beers online recently. I sent out an email in hopes of getting some info on what their shipping policies are. The store did get some good stuff in this month: Southern Tier Oat, Great Lakes Nosferatu, Three Floyds Moloko Plus, and Capital Autumnal Fire. I immediately checked to see if Goose Island Bourbon County Stout was in but couldn’t determine either way. They keep a handy list of new arrivals and have posted a semi-updated inventory list. Here is the link.

On a side note, fellow Illinois retailer, Internet Wines, now has Barley Island Black Majic Java Stout in stock.

Deschutes Hop Trip, Founders Harvest Ale, and the 2008 Fresh Hop beers

Deschutes Hop TripBridgeport Hop Harvest Ale

[The September calendar and other months have again been updated. Too many fresh hop beers and other fall seasonals are coming out in order to let it sit too long without an update. I ran out of time before I could get to updating pictures. The calendar now extends to about 200 beers coming out since 9/1 through next year so there is a lot to which we look forward!]

I have at least 10 or so fresh hop beers coming out now or soon in bottle on the calendar. This does not include the dozens of fresh hop beers going on tap all around the country (I’ll let you dig for those). Here is a rundown of the growing list of bottled versions in no particular order:

Deschutes Hop TripHere is John Foyston’s original report. And an article appeared in yesterday’s Bend Bulletin on Deschutes’ hop harvest, revealing that the brewery is making an astounding seven different fresh hop ales for its pubs in addition to Hop Trip.

Rogue IndependenceRogue Independence Hop AleSee our story from 9/4/08 here. Fair warning: these Flickr pics of the harvest will make you salivate. The beer will be released in late September and be one of a few of these to also appear at GABF.

Bridgeport Hop Harvest – An Imperial IPA that is triple hopped. This Continue reading

Founders Breakfast Stout for sale online from New Jersey stores

[SOLD OUT AT CANAL's (or at least no longer listed so you may try calling)]

Remember how I mentioned recently that the one shot you might have at finding Founders Breakfast Stout online would be at Canal’s (based in New Jersey)? Well, here you go. It appears as though Canal’s has four packs in stock at $10.49. The best part of this is that the ship to all but five states (AL, AR, MD, MA, UT – sorry!) so there is a good chance that you are eligible to order. Here is the link.

You might consider complementing it with Captain Lawrence Xtra Gold Tripel. It is the first time that I have ever seen a Captain Lawrence beer for sale from a retailer online. I also haven’t seen the Sly Fox beers anywhere else. Or…they carry virtually the full line-ups from Southern Tier, Weyerbacher, and Dogfish Head. Shipping is reasonable if not “cheap,” too.

Another couple New Jersey options for where to get it:

Laurenti Wines – Total order would have cost a bit more for me here

Liquor Factory – Site says ‘Please Inquire’ so may not have in stock

Liquor Outlet Wine Cellars – Not listed on the site but a) they ship and b) recently had it available at the actual store so worth checking out

Archer Liquors – Based in Illinois: Appears as though they haven’t got it in yet but watch for it; they also carry Three Floyds, Goose Island, etc.

Port Brewing aging Santa’s Little Helper in Bourbon Barrels

Port Brewing Santa's Little Helper

(San Marcos, CA) – From the My Beer Pix blog this morning, there is news of Port Brewing aging its Santa’s Little Helper Imperial Stout, pictured above, in Bourbon Barrels. Depending on whether you consider Old Viscosity to be a stout, would that potentially make this the first-ever barrel-aged stout for Port Brewing or The Lost Abbey? Per the blog, the beer, brewed early last month, was placed into fourteen barrels this week. They will likely stay there for at least two to three months before being released to the masses for the holiday season close to a year (see comment).

Barley Island releases Black Majic Java Stout; Beastie Barrel Stout coming

Barley Island Black Majic

(Noblesville, IN) – Barley Island Brewpub has released its Black Majic Java Stout, its highest-rated beer at RateBeer. The brew, an amped-up coffee version of its oatmeal stout, gets its ‘java’ from a local shop, the Noble Coffee and Tea Company. Judging by this Beer Advocate thread, the beer has received a limited level of distribution considering 30 cases reportedly hit Pennsylvania yesterday (looks like that thread was referring to Voodoo Black Magic, another beer that is quite similarly named).  Click below for info and a pic of the new Beastie Barrel Stout label.

Continue reading

Alpine Beer Co. Update: More on Ichabod and BORIS, Expansion

Alpine Beer Co.

Update: Bad timing on my post yesterday! Alpine Beer Co. sent out a newsletter last night telling more about the brews I wrote about Friday, Ichabod and BORIS, as well as news on Alpine Duet and Alpine O’Brien’s IPA growler fills. Let’s just say I wish I lived within a half hour of the brewery right about now. Rather than attempt to paraphrase this particularly informative edition of the newsletter, click ‘Continue On!’ below to read the full edition (in the blogosphere, that “Continue on”/”Read More” link is also known as the “jump”). Anyway, I recommend that you visit the brewery website to get these updates directly.

Continue reading

Alpine BORIS Imperial Stout and Alpine Ichabod arrive this fall

Alpine BORISAlpine Ichabod

(Alpine, CA) – Alpine Beer Co. is coming out with two new beers later this fall according to South Bay Drugs. Alpine Ichabod will be a Pumpkin Dunkel Weisse this year, different than it has been in the past (American Wild Ale according to Beer Advocate) and will “soon” be available in bombers per SBD. The other, Alpine BORIS Imperial Stout, will come out later in early November. The latter brew happens to share the same name as imperial stouts from Hoppin’ Frog and (formerly) Heavyweight Brewing. This one is aged in 10-year Heaven Hill Bourbon Barrels, one of the suppliers for The Lost Abbey’s barrel program, and will have a coffee emphasis. SBD will probably be the only option to purchase online; for the locals, here is a list of Alpine’s accounts.