(Ithaca, NY) – Jeff O’Neil, Executive Brewmaster at Ithaca Beer Co., just confirmed on his brewer’s blog a quiet rumor that Ithaca Brute, the newest installment in the Excelsior! Series, will be released in stores this Friday. O’Neil reports that 250 cases of the sour ale will be available. Additionally, the brew will be featured at this weekend’s Belgium Comes to Cooperstown Festival along with a few other Ithaca “special treats.”

As we reported back in early June, Brute is the fourth rendition in the limited edition series of beers. For this one, Brettanomyces festered for nine months before a finish of three Champagne yeasts. The coin pictured is one in Rome to commemorate the death of Julius Caesar by Marcus Brutus. The name is also a play on “brut” champagne.

Though imperial porters looked strong early on, 2008 continues to be the year of the sour ale without a doubt. And for those unfamiliar with Ithaca Brewing, the brewery was crowned “Best Craft Beer Brewery in New York State” earlier this spring at the Tap New York Festival.