Time to catch up on some beers coming out later this month: Lost Abbey The Angel’s Share, Lost Abbey Carnevale, Avery Brabant, and Harpoon Catamount Maple Wheat. Here are some newsletter/web site clips . . .

Via the Avery newsletter:

Avery Brabant

“Brabant, which is #1 in our new Barrel-Aged Series, will debut at a Pre-Release Party at the AVERY TAP ROOM on Wednesday, February 18th from 5-8 PM. Due to extremely limited quantities of this brew, 12oz. single bottles will be sold for ONE NIGHT ONLY at the AVERY TAP ROOM Pre-Release Party, with additional cases available at a select group of stores across Colorado and the country. The Pre-Release Party on 2/18 will be the only way to GUARANTEE you get your hands on some bottles of this rare, mysterious brew.

This free event will feature President/Brewmaster Adam Avery, who will be on hand in the barrel-ageing room signing a limited number of bottles and answering questions on Brabant and other upcoming installments in the Barrel-Aged Series.

All of us here at the brewery are very proud of this beer, as it stands as the product of over four years of experimentation with the oak-ageing of beers. Since we have such limited quantities of this brew, Brabant will NOT be on tap at the Pre-Release Party. Instead, those who attend will have the opportunity to purchase up to 6 bottles of Brabant and sample two other brand new, barrel-aged brews that will be on tap only at the Avery Tap Room.”

Lost Abbey The Angel’s Share Brandy Barrel

(^ a little more info on this year’s release)

Via The Lost Abbey blog
“At 10am on Saturday, February 28, 2009 Port Brewing will release the 2009 Brandy barrel-aged version of it’s much lauded Angel’s Share English-style Barleywine. Consistently rated one of the world’s best beers, this third release of the beer was barreled in March of 2008.

Unlike previous years, this release will be available in both 375ml and 750ml bottles. The 375ml bottles will only be sold at the brewery. 750ml bottles will be available directly from the brewery and in areas in which Port Brewing and Lost Abbey beers are distributed.

Location: Port Brewing / The Lost Abbey, 155 Mata Way, Suite 104, San Marcos, CA 92069
Price: $15 per cork finished 375ml bottle, $30 per cork finished 750ml bottle
Limits: Maximum of six of each bottle size (total of 12 bottles per person)”

Lost Abbey Carnevale Ale

Via The Lost Abbey blog
“Lost Abbey will celebrate the 2009 release of Carnevale Ale with its second annual Venetian-style masquerade celebration on February 28, 2009 from 7pm to 11pm.

To encourage people to celebrate, everyone who attends the masquerade in costume will be admitted FREE to enjoy live music and great food courtesy of our in-house Italian chef, Vince Marsaglia. (Those without a costume will be admitted for a nominal $10 charge.)”

Harpoon Catamount Maple Wheat

Via Harpoon’s website:
“The pure maple syrup used in this beer came from two syrup makers in the Green Mountain State. The Baker Family in East Dummerston has been boiling maple sugar since the 1950s. Dave Gavett also provided syrup from his Scrag Mountain Sugar House in Waitsfield. John’s recipe, along with top quality syrup from these two Vermont maple sugar operations, resulted in a crisp wheat ale that is warming and delicious. It is mildly hopped to profile the distinct aroma and flavor of real Vermont Maple Syrup. Hopped with Willamette. Brewed by John Baker.”

Available in February.