Newest 22 oz. release from Alaskan brewed with nearly one pound of raspberries per gallon

JUNEAU, Alaska (April 12, 2010)— Alaskan Brewing Co. announces the launch of their new “Pilot Series” of limited edition specialty beers with Alaskan Raspberry Wheat Ale, set to be released May 1. The Alaskan Pilot Series will feature a rotating collection of big, bold and distinctive brews packaged in 22 oz bottles and will be available throughout the 10 states where Alaskan beers are sold.

“Each new recipe is first created on our 1-barrel experimental brewhouse, perfected in our 10-barrel pilot brewhouse, then put to the test through our Rough Draft series of draft-only beers distributed in Alaska,” explains Alaskan Production Manager Dave Wilson. Those special brews that stand out to the Brew Crew and their fans in Alaska graduate to a limited release in the Alaskan Pilot Series.

“Alaskan Raspberry Wheat has been one of our favorite Rough Drafts.” Alaskan Raspberry Wheat is an American-style wheat ale highlighting the bright flavors and inviting aroma of more than 3,000 pounds of real raspberries added during fermentation. The tart flavor of raspberries balances the full-bodied wheat profile and malt sweetness of this enticingly red-hued brew. Bigger than most traditional fruit beers, Alaskan Raspberry Wheat has a little extra kick to its dry and effervescent finish.

“Years of local demand through Alaskan’s Rough Draft program of draft-only releases and a Silver medal from the 2008 Great American Beer Festival made our Raspberry Wheat the perfect brew to officially launch the ‘Pilot Series’,” says Wilson.

In 2010, Alaskan plans to release two more Pilot Series beers in addition to the Raspberry Wheat — a black imperial IPA in October, and a re-release of the Alaskan Barley Wine— which just won a Bronze medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup on April 10 – in late December. Limited edition favorites like the Alaskan Baltic Porter may also make new appearances as Pilot Series brews.