[10/15 Update: RateBeer is back!]

An extended version of Beer Notes. In this issue: Schlafly beers headed to the East Coast, Boulevard Smokestack update, St. Arnold Christmas Ale, Columbus IPA, Atlanta Double Chocolate, Legacy Bruin Ale, GABF winner Cascade Kriek…phew. Here goes…

Mike at StlHops posted big Schlafly news on his blog today: “St. Louis Brewery has shipped out 2007 Schlafly Reserve Bourbon Barrel Imperial Stout and Schlafly Reserve Barrel-Aged Barleywine to New York, New Jersey and Boston, Massachusetts.” Apparently, distribution may expand into some other areas, too. More at his blog.

Not far from St. Louis Brewery, some rumors also arose regarding the future of the Boulevard Smokestack Series on BA. I caution as I do not know who the poster is though this is allegedly the tentative ’09 Smokestack schedule-> ” Spring: Russian Imperial Stout, Summer: TBD, Fall: Dopplebock, Winter: Barleywine.” Texas apparently won’t see the release of BBQ or Brett-Saison this time though I haven’t been able to verify with the brewer yet.

Continuing on with the Texas theme, Saint Arnold Christmas Ale is now hitting stores. This is beginning to be a common theme with seasonals; I’m seeing it with other breweries as well. The Oktoberfests did well to the point where some beermakers had to get out the next seasonal right away. Despite this, there are surprisingly still a few cases of Divine Reserve 7 out there so phone your local beer store.

Moving eastward through the Deep South, we get to Georgia where Atlanta Brewing made an announcement with respect to two of their seasonals that goes into effect now: “Because of popular demand, last year’s Winter Brew, which was a Double Chocolate Oatmeal Porter, has been added to the year round roster beginning in mid October, so you can drink it all 12 months of the year […] The new Winter Brew for this season is going to be a Belgian inspired dark strong ale. Brewed with four Belgian specialty malts and fermented using White Labs “Trappist Ale Yeast”, this will be a sweet and malty beer with low hop aroma and nice and warming at 8.2% ABV.

Heading up the East Coast, Legacy Brewing in Pennsylvania is supposed to add a draft selection this month: “The Bruin Ale is our version of a classic Dark Farmhouse Flemish Ale. The appearance is a hazy dark brown with a nice creamy head. The initial smell of nuts and toffee fades into a fruity aroma from the Belgian ale – a Saison yeast blend. The phenolic, spicy, earthy, and clove-like flavors blend nicely with the dark caramel malts for a smooth flavor and dry finish.”

In adjacent Ohio, Columbus Brewing looks poised to release Columbus IPA in bottles at some point, given it recently attained federal label approval. The brewery also got a new website recently though the beer page reads more like your generic menu descriptions. [ed: Is this a single hop beer?]

Lastly, over on the West Coast, I was alerted by a press release that the bronze medalist sour ale, Cascade Kriek, is available in 750s, along with Cascade Blackberry, Apricot, and Cuvee, at the Raccoon Lodge and Brewpub, as well as Belmont Station and John’s Market in the Portland area.

Look for more tips soon on where to buy some of the 2008 GABF winners.