It has certainly been a busy beer week. Here are the biggest stories and what to look out for going into next week.
Announcements/Releases
Stone Imperial Russian Stout continues to filter through parts of the US (and will now be distributed in 12 oz bottles (international only). ? Possible report forthcoming over the weekend – or is this old news and I’ve been living under a rock? 6:15pm EST update: Greg Koch confirmed that these will only be available to the international market and in limited quantities; great news for them but bad news for a featherweight like me!).
Nick Floyd of Three Floyds revealed some details about Dark Lord Day 2008.
Russian River beers went on sale online (virtually unannounced) and Temptation was made available at the brewery.
Lost Abbey Serpent’s Stout and Port Moon Lit Sessions hit store shelves early this week in California. The beers are surprisingly expected to get limited distribution in Massachusetts as well, possibly as soon as next week.
Deschutes announced Black Butte XX as its next beer in the Special Reserve Series.
Surly Bitter Brewer will be released in cans beginning April 14.
The Mikkeller X Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout auction began on Monday (shipping is expensive if you live in the US).
Label Approvals
The collaboration between Mikkeller and Nogne O, Tyttebaer
Rogue XS Imperial Porter 2008 will become the newest beer in the XS line.
Events
If you live anywhere near Peoria, Illinois, Night of the Barrels is lining up to be quite an event to take place next Thursday (report forthcoming this weekend).
The Duck-Rabbit Brewery will be holding a release party on Saturday night for its Rabid Duck Russian Imperial Stout at the brewery (North Carolina).
Flossmoor Station (Illinois) is holding its “Repeal of Prohibition” event on Saturday night in which it will launch its bottled beers for the first time. Note: A late surprise? The brewery just got approval for its Sheol Barleywine to be released in bombers. The beer looks like it was hastily-labeled. Despite few reviews, early indications are that this beer is getting some respect; it will become the highest-rated beer in Flossmoor’s bottled lineup to date. It is possible that this will either be made available for the event tomorrow or more likely, ready in time for Dark Lord Day.
Finally, John Foyston notes in his blog, “The Beer Here,” that there will be a Belgian beer event involving 15 Oregonian breweries taking place all Saturday at Root Organic Brewing.
[4pm update: There is also an event in Superior, Wisconsin called the Gitchee Gumwee Brewfest. The fest is celebrating its 11th year with 120 beers on tap from 30 breweries. Apparently, it is sold out though except for VIP tickets which run $75.]