Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Secures Future with Sale of Company Assets

Courtesy of Speakeasy Brewing Co

San Francisco, CA - (May 8, 2017) 
Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is happy to announce that the company’s brewing equipment and beer brands have been purchased by Hunters Point Brewery, a new company founded by Ces Butner, former owner of Horizon Beverage Company in Oakland, CA. Beers by Speakeasy Ales & Lagers will continue being produced at the San Francisco brewery, securing twenty years of independent brewing history and tradition. The deal was finalized on May 8, 2017, and terms of the purchase were not disclosed.

“I worked with Speakeasy Ales & Lagers for five to six years as a distributor,” said Ces Butner. “We were one the first companies to expand their distribution beyond San Francisco. There was a tremendous amount of growth and interest in the Speakeasy brands. It was one of the best craft breweries we worked with and the beer quality is very high. I thought it would be a shame if the brand, and one of the few production breweries left in San Francisco, disappeared because of financial problems. Keeping Speakeasy’s San Francisco born and brewed tradition alive is very important to me.”

Sam Cappione has been appointed Vice President and General Manager to oversee all aspects of company operations. The eight employees who remained at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers during the sale of company assets will continue working at the brewery. Additional staff will be hired in the next few weeks and months to fill key positions in operations, sales, packaging, the tap room, and brewing departments. The tap room will be opened as soon as possible.    

There will be no changes to the Speakeasy beer lineup at this time. According to Ces Butner, “The beer quality will remain the same and we have every confidence that the current distribution network and territories will stay intact. We’ll be working closely with all the distributors. Right now we just need to revive the Speakeasy brands, and I’m prepared to do just that.”
 

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers to Cease Operations Indefinitely

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (March 10, 2017) 

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has been forced to immediately cease brewing, packaging, and tap room operations at their San Francisco brewery for an indefinite period of time. Difficulty securing capital investment and outstanding debt obligations led to this difficult and painful decision. The company’s primary creditor will determine the future of the brewery and brand, and no decision or further information is available at this time.

According to Speakeasy founder and CEO, Forest Gray, “The brewery has worked with multiple investment banking groups and have had numerous meetings. One fact has become central to the process, and that is the company is financially insolvent and requires new capital to move forward. Whether that will happen is unclear, but I do hope the brewery and brand will persist.”

Speakeasy would like to thank all of the wonderful customers, distributors, vendors, and retail partners who have supported the brewery, as well as current and former staff for their hard work and dedication. The remaining inventory of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers beer has been shipped to distributors and will be available in local and international markets while supplies last. Grab a six-pack of Big Daddy IPA or any other Speakeasy beer to savor the history of this pioneering brewery.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Murky Business APA

San Francisco, CA - (March 6, 2017) 

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is set to release its first new beer of 2017, Murky Business APA, the latest addition to the brewery’s draft only Perfect Crime Series. Murky Business APA is not your father’s malty American Pale Ale. The almighty hop takes center stage with a big juicy punch of tropical fruit.

Notes of pineapple, grapefruit, papaya, and lychee dominate Murky Business APA. A small amount of white wheat and flaked oats were added to give the beer some body, while a touch of rye and Maris Otter add a hint of spice and lightly toasted malt. Straw to pale gold in color, Murky Business APA is dry with no caramel sweetness, and finished at 5.3% alcohol by volume with 20 IBUs.
Speakeasy has never made a beer like Murky Business APA. While the brewery has created plenty of pale ales over 20 years, none of them have contained such a low amount of hop bitterness, which has been dialed down to an absolute minimum. Murky Business APA is focused on the delicious flavors and aroma found in Citra, Mosaic, and Nelson Sauvin hops.

Murky Business APA is the first beer created by Speakeasy’s new Beer Development Committee, from concept to recipe and brewing. The committee includes staff members from all facets of the brewery. They’re tasked with the research and development of small batch beers that could play a larger role in the company’s future.
Murky Business APA will be released at the Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Tap Room on Saturday, March 18th. Since this beer will only be served on draft, growler fills will be available. Following the Tap Room release, a limited quantity of Murky Business APA kegs will be shipped to Speakeasy’s distribution territories.  

Quick Facts

Style: American Pale Ale ABV: 5.3% IBUs: 20 Grain: Two Row, White Wheat, Flaked Oats, Maris Otter, Rye Hops: Chinook, Nelson Sauvin, Mosaic, Citra Availability: March - June Series: Perfect Crime Series Formats: Draft only

About the Perfect Crime Series

The Perfect Crime Series features ingenious, small batch, and experimental beers that are carefully contrived and executed by Speakeasy brewers. Each release is limited to draft only, and may only appear once, so the perpetrator can’t be brought to justice. 

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Pop Gun Pilsner Oak-aged & Unfiltered for SF Beer Week

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (January 17, 2017) 

SF Beer Week is a marathon, not a sprint. Ten days of drinking sour, double, triple, and barrel-aged beers is wonderful, but exhausting, making it hard to reach the finish line. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers will be your palate cleansing aid station. The brewery is set to release Pop Gun Pilsner Oak-aged & Unfiltered, a small batch, draft only, limited edition of their classic session beer. The beer will debut at the SF Beer Week Opening Gala on Friday, February 10th, and then be released at the Speakeasy Tap Room in San Francisco on Saturday, February 11th.

Created exclusively for SF Beer Week, Pop Gun Pilsner Oak-aged & Unfiltered was aged on oak spirals and lagered for three months. Packaged unfiltered, the beer has a more robust body and a toasted oak character, with layers of honey and a touch of malty sweetness. German Magnum, Hallertau, and Saphir hops balance the malt with a crisp bitter finish and infuse the aroma with tangerine, spice, and floral notes. The beer is refreshing, delicate, and sophisticated.

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

“We love drinking all the big beers that debut during SF Beer Week, and we’ll be offering plenty of our own at events and the Speakeasy Tap Room, like barrel-aged Scarface Imperial Stout, Old Godfather Barleywine, and Fixed Fight Old Ale. But you can’t drink those beers all afternoon with friends and stay on your feet. You need a good session beer to extend the party. The additional lagering time, oak spirals, and 4.7% ABV, make Pop Gun Pilsner Oak-aged & Unfiltered an ideal choice,” said Brian Stechschulte, PR & Media Director at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers. “

Pop Gun Pilsner Oak-aged & Unfiltered is a draft only release that will be distributed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Head to the Tap Room release party at Speakeasy Ales & Lagers on Saturday, February 11th. The Burnt Ends BBQ food truck will be on site and Speakeasy will be offering brewery tours. Visit the Speakeasy Ales & Lagers website for a complete list of SF Beer Week events taking place at their Tap Room.

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is located at 1195 Evans Ave in San Francisco, CA.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Debuts Three New Cans this Fall

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (September 27, 2016) 

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is excited to announce the release of three new cans this fall, including their best selling flagship beers, Big Daddy IPA and Prohibition Ale. By popular demand, Betrayal Imperial Red Ale will also return in a can to Speakeasy’s Limited Series lineup. All three beers will be packaged and shipped to distributors in October.

Speakeasy started filling cans in 2015 with the debut of their Session Series, followed by Double Daddy Imperial IPA in the spring of 2016. The success of those releases, coupled with more consumer interest in canned beer, made canning flagship and seasonal beers an easy choice. Moving forward, Speakeasy fans can expect an even larger portfolio of canned beer, excluding barrel-aged releases.

According to Forest Gray, Speakeasy’s founder and CEO, “We’ve always believed cans are a better package. They don’t allow light or oxygen into the beer, they’re portable, and easier to recycle. When someone goes into a market to pick up a six pack of beer, I can’t find a good reason for them to walk out with something that weighs twice as much and provides the same experience, if not better, in a can."

Prohibition Ale and Big Daddy IPA will be available year-round in cans. Prohibition Ale was the first beer Speakeasy bootlegged back in 1997. Year after year it’s been an award-winning staple, recently receiving a gold medal in the amber/red category at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival. Big Daddy IPA joined Speakeasy’s lineup in 1999, and helped establish the popularity of West Coast IPAs.

Returning after a 2 year hiatus, Betrayal Imperial Red Ale will be Speakeasy’s first seasonal can release from October to January. “It’s a celebration of rich malt in harmony with aromatic hops,” said Zambo, Speakeasy’s Director of Brewing. The recipe was slightly tweaked, adding more hops and layers of malt flavor to make it even more delicious and memorable.

Fans of Speakeasy’s Limited Series beers like Betrayal can also expect a more varied lineup in the year’s ahead. According to Forest Gray, “We’re looking at switching some of the beers around to provide diversity and variety year to year. While it won’t be made this year, look for the return of Butchertown India Black Ale in 2017.”

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is located at 1195 Evans Ave in San Francisco, CA.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Two New Beers to Celebrate 19th Anniversary

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (June 16, 2016) 

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is celebrating its 19th Anniversary with the release of two new beers at their San Francisco brewery and tap room. Bronze Anniversary Ale and Fixed Fight Barrel-Aged Old Ale will be sold for the first time during Speakeasy’s 19th Anniversary Raise the Stakes Weekend, July 14-17. In addition to the new releases, the four-day celebration will feature rare beers, a cellar sale, firkin festival, a ticketed VIP session, live music, food, and more.

Bronze Anniversary Ale is a quaffable summer beer that’s bronze in color with balanced notes of roast chestnut, biscuit, lightly toasted bread, and orange zest. This draft only release is the first new beer created by Zambo, Speakeasy’s new director or brewing. The beer is 6% alcohol by volume with 24 IBUs. The malt bill includes Two Row, Biscuit, Carafa, English Amber, and Crystal Malt. The beer is low in bitterness, achieved using Magnum hops, with a touch of Cascade to produce a crisp clean citrusy finish.

Fixed Fight Barrel-Aged Old Ale is one heavy hitter. It pounds the taste buds with a wide range of rich and complex flavors, including dried stone fruits, raisins, caramel, anise, toffee, and dark wheat bread. Twenty percent of the beer was aged in American bourbon barrels from 12 to 24 months, adding oak, whiskey, toasted coconut, and vanilla overtones. The beer is 10.5% alcohol by volume and contains just 19 IBUs. The recipe includes German Munich, Carafa Type 2, and European Crystal Malts, while German Magnum, Merkur, and American Chinook hops dial down the sweetness and add a touch of citrus to the warming finish. Fixed Fight Barrel-Aged Old Ale will be available on draft and sold in 22oz bottles, exclusively in the Speakeasy Tap Room.

Bronze Anniversary Ale will be served on Thursday, July 14. Fixed Fight Barrel-Aged Old Ale will be available on draft and 22oz bottles Friday, July 15. Both release parties will take place in the brewery’s tap room and are part of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers 19th Anniversary Raise the Stakes Weekend, July 14-17. Additional festivities include the seasonal release of Blind Tiger Imperial IPA, the Old Godfather VIP Session, an IPA Day, and firkin festival. Visit the Speakeasy website for more information about the brewery’s entire anniversary celebration.  

 

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

QUICK FACTS

 

Bronze Anniversary Ale

Style: American Bronze Ale
ABV: 6%
IBUs: 24
Color: 21 SRM
Grain: Two Row, English Amber & Crystal Malt, Biscuit, Carafa
Hops: Magnum, Cascade
Yeast: California Ale
Availability: July-September
Series: Perfect Crime Series
Formats: Draft only
Distribution: California and a limited number of states (TBD)

Fixed Fight Barrel-Aged Old Ale

Style: Barrel-Aged Old Ale
ABV: 10.5%
IBUs: 19
Color: 22  SRM
Grain: German Munich, European Crystal Malts, Carafa 2
Hops: German Magnum & Merkur, Chinook
Barrels: American Bourbon (20% of blend with fresh beer)
Yeast: California Ale
Availability: July-September
Series: Infamous Series
Formats: Draft and 22oz bottles (Bottles sold only at Speakeasy’s Tap Room)
Distribution: California and a limited number of states (TBD)

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Hires David Szamborksi as New Director of Brewing

Courtsey of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers - David Szamborks-Director of Brewing

San Francisco, CA

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is happy to announce that David Szamborksi has joined the brewery as its new Director of Brewing. Szamborksi, better known as Zambo in the beer industry, arrives with over 10 years of high quality, award winning, brewing experience. The position was recently vacated by Kushal Hall, who decided to return to Southern California.

Zambo started homebrewing at the age of 19. He’s a graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Siebel Institute in Germany. Zambo has held brewing positions at BJ’s Restaurant and Brewery, Karl Strauss Brewing, and was head brewer for the last six years at 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco. In his previous role, Zambo’s efforts led to numerous awards at the Great American Beer Festival and World Beer Cup.

According to Zambo, “It was an easy choice for me… to lead a team of people that have achieved 19 years of success. Speakeasy makes great classic styles and is continuing to explore new horizons in beer, all while expanding their reach in the craft beer market. I’m looking forward to working with the team, growing, and taking the brewery to the next level together.”

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers will celebrate Zambo’s arrival with a Brewer’s Picnic on Saturday, June 25, at the brewery Tap Room. During the event Zambo will lead a beer and food pairing session, tap a special firkin, and mingle with attendees. More info about this event will be published on the Speakeasy website as details are finalized.

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers
In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is located at 1195 Evans Ave in San Francisco.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Juice Joint Kettle Sour

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (May 3, 2016) 

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is excited to announce the release of their first ever-sour beer, Juice Joint Kettle Sour, celebrating the infamous nightclubs and secret watering holes owned by gangsters during prohibition. Go behind the velvet rope to enjoy this draft only release. It’s the latest member of Speakeasy’s Perfect Crime Series, featuring ingenious, small batch, and experimental beers, that are carefully contrived so the perpetrator can’t be brought to justice.  

The creation of Juice Joint Kettle Sour began with a mash consisting of two-row barley, dark wheat, acidulated malt, and flaked barley. These grains add a wonderful biscuit flavor and counterpoint to Juice Joint’s sharp acidity and citrus zest. After mashing in, the resulting wort was transferred to the boil kettle and spiked with Lactobacillus brevis, a strain of bacteria that soured the wort over 48 hours. Then the wort was boiled with Pacific Gem and Helga hops, and fermented with a blend of Saison yeast and Saccharomyces "Bruxellensis" Trois. When fermentation ended, dried lemon, lime, and orange peels were added, loading the beer with juicy citrus flavors.

Juice Joint Kettle Sour is a spectacularly complex beer. Crystal clear and straw in color, the aroma smacks you in the face with candied fruit tartness, reminiscent of tropical Jolly Ranchers or Sour Patch Kids. The flavor is equally compelling. Layers of citrus flavors wash over the tongue. Lemon, lime, and orange push to the front, with subtle hints of mango and pineapple. The sour acidity is soft and pleasant. Sip after sip is refreshingly tart, clean, dry, and not sweet. Malt reappears at the end, giving the beer a flaky piecrust finish. Juice Joint Kettle Sour is 6% alcohol by volume and low in bitterness at 32 IBUs.

“Adding a sour beer to Speakeasy’s lineup has been a longtime goal and I’m really proud of our first effort,” said Kushal Hall, Speakeasy’s Director of Brewing. “Traditional beer souring techniques, using barrels, bacteria, and aging over long periods in our brewery, hasn’t been possible because of the risk of cross contaminating non sour beers. The kettle souring technique allows us to create an equally wonderful beer in a shorter amount of time, and since the souring bacteria is boiled in the kettle, we don’t have to worry about infecting other beers.”

Juice Joint Kettle Sour will be served for the first time during a release party at the Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Tap Room on May 7th. Then the beer will then be distributed throughout California and a very select number of distribution territories. Juice Joint Kettle Sour is a draft only release and very limited, so don’t miss the opportunity to try it on tap at bars, restaurants, or the Speakeasy Tap Room when available.   

QUICK FACTS

Style: Sour Ale ABV: 6% IBUs: 32 Grain: Two Row, Dark Wheat, Acidulated Malt, Flaked Barley Hops: Pacific Gem, Helga Late Addition: Lemon Rind, Orange Rind, Lime Rind Availability: May-June Series: Perfect Crime Series Formats: Draft only Distribution: California and a limited number of states (TBD)

 

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers to Release Cans of Double Daddy Imperial IPA with New Recipe

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (February 17, 2016) Speakeasy Ales & Lagers will raise the stakes this spring by releasing cans of Double Daddy Imperial IPA, with a hoppy makeover. Brewed since 2003, Double Daddy has only been available on draft or in 22 oz. bottles. This April Speakeasy will start shipping six packs of 12 oz. cans to all its distribution territories. The beer’s hop profile has also been reformulated, giving it new complexity and punch. All just in time for summer at the beach or camping excursions.  

Speakeasy’s first foray into cans started with the Session Series in 2015. According to Speakeasy founder and president, Forest Gray, “At the time we decided not to put anything in a can that would be redundant in 12 oz. glass. So we created new beers optimized for cans, meaning low in alcohol for day drinking outdoors. After evaluating our objectives and sales data, the logical step was to start transitioning all our beers into 12 oz. cans, excluding those that are designed for aging. Double Daddy was at the top of the list.”  

In addition to the new package, Speakeasy decided it was time to reconsider Double Daddy’s recipe. “There are a lot of hop flavors and aromas that weren’t around 20 years ago. We want the beer to evolve, and at the same time, not disappoint people who are familiar with Double Daddy’s legacy,” said Forest Gray. After careful consideration, Speakeasy’s director of brewing, Kushal Hall, decided to substitute Nelson for Chinook hops in the whirlpool addition, and add Mosaic hops in place of Citra during dry hopping.

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

The changes will be noticeable. Kushal Hall said, “Double Daddy is moving away from being all about hops that are citrus and pine focused. Nelson adds more complexity and diesel fuel components that are found in Southern Hemisphere hop varieties. Mosaic will give it more tropical and stone fruit character. Double Daddy will also showcase the enhanced hop character in our beers, achieved by using our new centrifuge, which retains a higher quantity of hop oils.”

Double Daddy Imperial IPA pours a fiery orange with a creamy white head. Dry-hopped with Amarillo, Nelson, Simcoe, and Mosaic, the aroma is lush and pungent, with notes of grapefruit, apricot, mango, tangerine, pine, and a hint of diesel fumes. Fresh pale malts deliver a touch of biscuit, orange marmalade, and push the beer to 8.5% alcohol by volume. Balancing the bold bitter hops that yield 85 IBUs.

Cans of Double Daddy Imperial IPA will be shipped to Speakeasy’s distributors in April. The beer will be available in California first, then head east to Las Vegas, New York, and Boston. The full distribution footprint is listed below. Speakeasy also plans on hosting a can release party at their Tap Room. The details will be finalized in soon.

 QUICK FACTS

Name: Double Daddy Imperial IPA
URL: http://www.goodbeer.com/the-usual-suspects/
ABV: 9.5%
Style: Imperial IPA
Malt: Two Row Pale, Light Munich, Crisp Dextrin
Hops: Apollo, Nelson, Amarillo, Simcoe, Mosaic
Availability: Year-round
Formats: Draft, 12 oz. cans, and 22 oz. bottles
Distribution: AZ, CA, DE, PA, MA, NH, NY, NJ, NV, OR, RI, VA, WA

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Massacre Imperial Stout for Valentine’s Day

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (February 2, 2016) Valentine’s Day is not just about greeting cards. Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is releasing Massacre Belgian-style Imperial Stout with Cherries, just for the holiday. This draft only release, the latest installment of Speakeasy’s Perfect Crime Series, delves into the dark side of Valentine’s Day.

In 1929, the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre was one of the bloodiest days in the history of organized crime. Seven gang members were gunned down in a garage, allegedly by Al Capone’s henchmen. No one was ever convicted. The crime was a national sensation and led to the downfall of Capone, who became Public Enemy No.1.  

Massacre Belgian-style Imperial Stout with Cherries marks this horrific and historic moment with a powerful balance of dark roasted malt, fruit forward hops, and Montmorency cherries. Layers of dark chocolate, caramel, burnt sugar, and dried fruit flavors make Massacre a wonderfully complex beer. The yeast imparts some additional fruit, a touch of spice, and a slightly tart finish at 9.5% ABV and 42 IBUs.

Massacre is a very limited draft only release. It will be served for the first time at Speakeasy’s Tap Room on Saturday, February 13, during a release party. Then a small allocation will be distributed throughout California, New York City, and Las Vegas.  

 

About the Perfect Crime Series

The Perfect Crime Series features ingenious, small batch, and experimental beers that are carefully contrived and executed by Speakeasy brewers. Each release is limited to draft only, and may appear just once, so the perpetrator can’t be brought to justice. 

Quick Facts

Name: Massacre Belgian-style Imperial Stout
URL: http://www.goodbeer.com/perfect-crime-series/
ABV: 9.5%
IBUs: 42
Style: Belgian-style Imperial Stout
Format: Draft Only
Availability: Feb. - Mar. 2016
Distribution: CA, New York City, Las Vegas

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Barrel-Aged Old Godfather Barleywine

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (January 13, 2016) 

Normally content to sit back and rule his empire from a distance, pulling the strings of crime and punishment, the Old Godfather has decided to make a rare appearance, and a gesture of good faith. He’s authorized Speakeasy Ales & Lagers to release a limited batch of Barrel-Aged Old Godfather Barleywine, which has never been bottled or served on draft to the public. Until now, the beer was only used as blending component in Speakeasy’s Syndicate Series.   

The beer will be sold for the first time on January 23 during a release party at the Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Tap Room, coinciding with the start of San Francisco Beer Week. It will be available for purchase on draft and in bottles. Then Barrel-Aged Old Godfather will be shipped to all of Speakeasy’s distribution territories.

Barrel-Aged Old Godfather Barleywine is a fifty-fifty blend of fresh barleywine and vintage batches that were gracefully aged in High West bourbon barrels from 1 to 2 years. The beer pours a reddish amber with beige lacing. Aromas of tropical and dried fruit, vanilla, and a touch of bourbon dominate, giving way to complex blend of flavors reminiscent of raisins, nuts, and dark bread. A spicy hop bite of citrus peel rounds out the rich mouth feel. The beer finished at 9.5% ABV and 85 IBUs.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers recommends pairing this beer with bacon wrapped dates, manchego cheese, and quince jam. Or simply enjoy this barleywine as a digestif after a hearty meal. Barrel-Aged Old Godfather Barleywine is a heavy sipper that can stand alone, and will benefit from years of cellaring, developing new refinements in character over time.

Quick Facts Name: Barrel-Aged Old Godfather Barleywine URL: http://www.goodbeer.com/infamous-series/ ABV: 9.5% Style: Barrel-Aged Barleywine Ale Barrels: High West Bourbon Blend: Fifty-fifty Fresh Barleywine & Aged 1-2 years Availability: January - March Formats: Draft & 22oz. bottles Distribution: AZ, CA, DE, PA, MA, NH, NY, NJ, NV, OR, RI, VA, WA

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

 About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Discreet Wheat Ale

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (December 23, 2015) 

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers is preparing to release Discreet Wheat Ale, it’s first new beer of 2016. Discreet Wheat Ale will arrive during SF Beer Week, taking place January 22-31. The beer joins a cast of suspicious characters that have conspired to resurrect the Perfect Crime Series, featuring ingenious, small batch, and experimental beers that have been carefully executed by Speakeasy brewers.    

Discreet Wheat Ale may appear reserved, but don’t be deceived. Straw in color with a hazy appearance, this American-style Wheat beer is armed with a special weapon. Calypso, Amarillo, and Mosaic hops have been combined with lemongrass herb to deliver doses of grapefruit, lemon, pine, grass, and mango. Discreet Wheat Ale is moderately bitter at 42 IBUs, has a dry finish, and is 5.7% alcohol by volume.

Discreet Wheat Ale was created by Speakeasy brewer Brandon Nash and his girlfriend Pilar Odom, winners of Speakeasy’s 2nd Annual Employee Homebrewing Competition. A panel of judges, including Speakeasy Founder Forest Gray and Director of Brewing Kushal Hall, selected the team’s beer for limited release. Nash and Odom combined their individual expertise and knowledge to create Discreet Wheat Ale.

According to Nash, “I designed the recipe to be simple and chose high quality ingredients, letting different flavors speak for themselves. I also wanted to include a unique ingredient. My girlfriend Pilar, who is very knowledgeable about herbs, suggested adding lemongrass to give the brew an extra kick of citrus and grassy flavors.”

Discreet Wheat Ale will be a very limited draft only release. The beer will be served for the first time during the Discreet Wheat Release Party, January 24th, at Speakeasy’s Tap Room in conjunction with SF Beer Week. It will then be distributed throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The Perfect Crime Series will continue with more special small batch releases during 2016

About the Perfect Crime Series

The Perfect Crime Series features ingenious, small batch, and experimental beers that are carefully contrived and executed by Speakeasy brewers. Each release is limited to draft only, and may appear just once, so the perpetrator can’t be brought to justice.  

Quick Facts

Name: Discreet Wheat Ale
URL: http://www.goodbeer.com/perfect-crime-series/
ABV: 5.7%
IBUs: 42
Style: American Wheat Ale
Format: Draft Only
Availability: Jan. - Feb. 2016

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.

Speakeasy Ales & Lagers Releases Syndicate No. 03: Rare Barrel-Aged Blend

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ale & Lagers

San Francisco, CA - (December 7, 2015) 

Powerful, decadent, united by barrels and graceful age, Syndicate No. 03 is ready to break from the shadows. This long awaited beer by Speakeasy Ales & Lagers, the third installment of the Syndicate Series, features a blend of strong ales aged in American spirits barrels for no less than twelve months. Syndicate No. 03 will be released in a limited number of 22 oz. bottles and kegs beginning December 11th in their Tap Room.

Syndicate No. 03 is a blend of seven different strong beers matured between 13-37 months in bourbon barrels. Every barrel in Speakeasy’s collection was sampled and carefully considered to create the final blend. Together they form an elegant, delicious, and complex brew, that won’t be repeated.  

Blend:
Scarface Imperial Stout, aged 13 months (46%)
Imperial Black Hand, aged 37 months (18%)    
Experimental Stout II, aged 20 months (12%)      
Experimental Stout III, aged 19 months (11%)
Imperial Payback Porter, aged 19 months (10%)
Scarface Imperial Stout with Philz Coffee, aged 13 months (2%)
Joe’s Ale of Strength, aged 18 months (1%)

The beer pours black as night with a golden brown head. Aromas of vanilla, coffee, oak, molasses, licorice, dark chocolate, and toffee, rise from the glass. Upon first sip, chocolate and coffee flavors continue to build, coalescing with raisins, dates, currants, a touch of black pepper, and tobacco. This beer is dessert, reminiscent of rum cake and tiramisu, but it’s not overly sweet. It’s balanced, creamy, medium to full bodied, with a toasty finish at 10.5% ABV.   

Syndicate No. 03 will be released for the first time on draft and in bottles at Speakeasy’s Tap Room on Friday, December 11, at 1pm. It will start arriving in stores the following week, first in the San Francisco Bay Area, then throughout a select number of U.S. states. Speakeasy recommends aging Syndicate No. 03 for at least six months. It will reveal new flavors and complexity over time. Serve the beer at 50-55° to enjoy its full character.

About the Syndicate Series

Each Syndicate Series release is a blend of strong ales that have been aged in American spirits barrels for no less than twelve months. Each year the blend is unique and will never be repeated. The Series was launched in 2013 with the creation of Syndicate No. 01.

Quick Facts

Name: Syndicate No. 03
URL: http://www.goodbeer.com/syndicate-series/
ABV: 10.5%
Style: Barrel-Aged Vintage Ale
Availability: 22oz. bottles
Blended: Nov 19, 2015
Distribution: AZ, CA, DE, IL, MA, NH, NY, NJ, NV, RI, VA,

Courtesy of Speakeasy Ale & Lagers

About Speakeasy Ales & Lagers

In 1997 a wily band of bootleggers led by homebrewer Forest Gray were inspired to bring their exceptional brews from the underground to the masses, defiantly producing small batches of beer in a secret warehouse in San Francisco. Starting with a single, iconic beer, Prohibition Ale, Speakeasy now brews a wide array of acclaimed beers including Big Daddy IPA, Payback Porter, Double Daddy, Scarface Imperial Stout and many more, which are distributed across the entire West Coast and other major U.S. markets.