I get a lot of craft beer newsletters and such. Here is a roundup:
From Great Lakes Brewing‘s latest, the 2009 Seasonal Schedule:
* Conway’s Irish Ale: January – April
* Blackout Stout: February – March
* NEW 6 PACK – Grassroots Ale (formerly Hale Ale): April – July
* NEW 4 PACK – Glockenspiel: May – June
* DRAFT ONLY – Independence Ale: June – July
* Oktoberfest: August – October
* Nosferatu: September – October
* Christmas Ale: November – December
So Great Lakes Holy Moses White Ale is gone. Hale Ale, a Farmhouse Saison, will come back as Grassroots Ale. Glockenspiel, a Weizenbock with a 4.17 avg. at Beer Advocate, will also return. These were previously only draft offerings.
Alaskan Beer Co. is soon shipping out its Barley Wine, this time to all of its distribution states this year (instead of just Alaska, Washington, and Oregon).
Out of SoCal, 2008/2009 Lightning Old Tempest Ale: This is our take on a traditional of UK-style Strong Ale or “Winter Warmer” that we craft solely with imported UK malt and hops, hardened local water, and our house strain of UK ale yeast. We have just finished bottling and kegging the beer for release this winter. Right now there are a limited number of bottles available at the brewery and then look for the balance at our retail location starting in January. Also, look for the kegged Old Tempest at finer bars around San Diego. Just be warned that this is a 9% ABV beer, so a smaller serving is suggested. Also, the bottled beer should just improve with cellaring over the next several years.
Fitgers Brewhouse in Duluth, MN, releases Sasquatch Scotch Ale and Farmhouse Special Reserve.
Sweetwater Brewing‘s first beer from its Dank Tank project (50 barrel tank dedicated to one-off beers) has earned some positive reviews thus far. The Creeper is a “potent Belgian Tripel packed up with heady hops,” and has been available at the brewery for tours since late November but just started making the rounds on tap in Georgia this month. The 10% ABV beer may still be available in some locations including Taco Macs around the state.
Finally, on the heels of new tank installations, Boston’s Harpoon Brewery has decided to bottle a second batch of Leviathan IPA in January.