Shiner Beers Donates $500,000 to Hurricane Harvey Relief

Courtesy of Spoetzl Brewery

Shiner, TX – Sept. 1, 2017 – The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, craft brewer of Shiner Bock, announced today a $500,000 contribution to nonprofit organizations throughout Texas to support relief efforts for Hurricane Harvey. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, and severely impacted the Texas Gulf Coast, the greater Houston area and parts of East Texas as a tropical storm with catastrophic rain and flooding. 

The $500,000 contribution has been diversified among several nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross, Greater Houston Community Foundation, United Way of Greater Houston, Coastal Bend Community Foundation, United Way of the Coastal Bend, Feeding Texas (formerly Texas Food Bank Network) and Team Rubicon, which supports emergency response teams comprised of first responders and veterans. All funds are specifically designated to support the Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.

In anticipation of Hurricane Harvey, Shiner’s brewery shut down production and temporarily closed on Friday, Aug. 25, 2017, to ensure the safety of its local employees. The brewery reopened the following Monday with minimal damage.

Jimmy Mauric, Shiner’s brewmaster, said, “All of our employees have been affected in some way by this disaster. Nearly all of us have family or loved ones in Houston and along the Texas coast where the impact has been most devastating. We are praying for all those affected.”

In the wake of similar past catastrophes, Shiner Beers and its ownership have helped charitable organizations in the most affected areas.  The most recent contribution was targeted for relief after the catastrophic flooding in Central Louisiana in 2016. Prior to that, Shiner contributed to the relief efforts for Hurricane Sandy in 2012, Hurricane Ike in Houston in 2008 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Courtesy of Spoetzl Brewery

About Shiner and the Spoetzl Brewery

The Spoetzl Brewery was founded in Shiner, Texas (population 2,069), in 1909, brewing beer with old-world traditions and recipes for the many German and Czech settlers in Central Texas. Since then, the brewery has grown to be one of the largest independent craft brewers in the country, available in 49 states and Mexico. But every drop of our award-winning beer is still brewed right where it all started 108 years ago. Visit us at www.shiner.com.

Lompoc Brewing announces release party for Oktoberfest and Hot Rack IPA

Courtesy of Lompoc Brewing

PORTLAND, Ore. – Lompoc Brewing will release two beers on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m. at its Sidebar Tasting Room: Oktoberfest and Hot Rack IPA. Sidebar is located at 3901 N Williams Ave.

Lompoc Oktoberfest is a German style lager that is pale orange in color. It has a clean malt flavor balanced by a touch of Perle hops. A portion of the grain used was roasted in the oven at Lompoc’s Fifth Quadrant, giving a slight biscuit flavor. It comes in at 5% ABV. There will also be German themed food specials available at the event.

Hot Rack IPA is the “Pride of Cascadia” winning entry from the third annual Timbers Army Duane Graf Memorial Homebrew Competition, held earlier this year. Brewed with winner Chuck Macaluso, this rye IPA is pale orange in color and features a big grapefruit aroma and flavor that finishes slightly spicy. It comes in at 7% ABV. Sidebar will also host a viewing party that day for the New York City FC vs. Portland Timbers beginning at 2:30 p.m.
 
About Lompoc Brewing

Lompoc Brewing creates eight flavorful year-round beers, plus a ridiculous number of seasonals. You can find Lompoc Beers in 12-ounce and 22-ounce bottles, 12-ounce cans, and on draft at locations in Oregon and Washington, and at its five Portland neighborhood pubs: Fifth Quadrant and Sidebar in North Portland, Hedge House and Oaks Bottom in Southeast, and the Lompoc Tavern in Northwest. For more information, visit LompocBrewing.com, follow @LompocBeer on social media, or call 503-289-3996. All beers are proudly brewed in Lompoc, Oregon, a state of mind; if you’re here, then you're already there.

Kells Brewery to debut its IPA in cans, announces “Golden Ticket” release party

Courtesy of Kells Brewery

PORTLAND, Ore. – Kells Brewery is canning its popular IPA for the first time. The brewery will release six-packs of 12-ounce cans on Sept. 14 at 6pm at the brewery, located at 210 NW 21st Ave. Select distribution to area bottle shops and grocery stores will take place later this month.

Kells is marking the occasion with a "Golden Ticket" release party, which will take place at the brewery on Sept. 14 from 6pm to 8pm. Six-packs will be available for sale at special pricing, and three of the packs sold will contain a Golden Ticket, redeemable for dinner for two (up to $50) and a private brewery tour.

Golden blonde in color, Kells IPA features a juicy personality, highlighted by aromas of ripe melon and fresh peeled citrus; it comes in at 6.7% ABV. Kells IPA is one of eight year-round styles for Kells, and is also available in 500ml bottles and on draught. 

 

Courtesy of Kells Brewery

About Kells Brewery

Kells Brewery is an Irish family-owned and operated 10-barrel brewery located in the heart of Northwest Portland. The brewery, which offers a full service bar and restaurant, is open to all ages from 11:30 a.m. to close seven days a week. Learn more at www.kellsbrewery.com and @kellsbrewery on social media. For more information, call 503-719-7175.

Reuben’s Brews Growth Rate Eclipses Top Brands in Washington State

Courtesy of Reuben's Brews

Continued growth spurs new hires for taproom and brewing team

 

SEATTLE, August 24, 2017 – Reuben’s Brews in Seattle’s Ballard District is reporting growth across the board with an increase in production, recent expansions and new hires.

Highlights 2017 for the brewery include:
 

• Industry-leading growth in Washington State. In IRI data for the six months ending 6/30/17, Reuben's Brews was growing at 104 percent in dollar sales - the highest growth rate among the top 30 brands in Washington.
• Production is on track to increase by more than 50 percent compared to 2016.
• A Pacific Northwest distribution footprint has been built by adding Northern Oregon, Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho.
• The brewery has continued to win awards for its brews, with more than 30 awards received in 2017 so far. 
• Numerous new beers have been brewed, including Reuben’s Crush Series, the release of Pilsner in cans, and the launch of the annual Hop Idol Pro-Am competition and release.

Given all of this, Reuben's Brews needed to bolster its existing staff by adding key leadership positions and promotions to add strength and depth to its already amazing team. 
 

• Grace Robbings, Co-Founder: Although she’s always had a hand in things behind the scenes, Grace Kim Robbings (aka Reuben’s Mama), officially joined the team earlier this summer. She left her teaching position at Bellevue College to focus more on the business side of the brewery. She’s managing the taproom and administrative teams, running communications, and building a sustainability program at the brewery. She will continue her work on tax compliance and running the brewery’s charitable programs, in particular the Thank You Thursday program
   
• James McDermet, Head Brewer: James joined the company last April and came to Reuben’s from Fremont Brewing. He has been using his experience at a fast-growing brewery to help Reuben’s Brews’ continued growth with a focus on brewing the highest-quality beers. Leading production, he’s working closely with co-founder Adam Robbings, along with Mike Pfeiffer and the rest of the brewing team.

• Mike Pfeiffer, Production Manager: As the brewery has grown Mike’s role has also grown. Mike helped open the brewery – he literally built large parts of the original brewery, he now regularly brews production batches while also managing the production schedule to ensure the right beers are brewed and packaged in the right format. Not an easy task with five distributors and 23 fermenters!
   
• Thor Stoddard, New Beer Manager: Previously the taproom manager, Thor now helps founder Adam Robbings manage new beers, particularly with the barrel program and the development of the sour and brett program. Thor has a hand in the brewing process, brewing small batch beers and production size batches, while also experimenting with infusions and the cask program.

In addition to these leadership changes, Reuben’s has further strengthened its taproom team and brewery team. Regulars to the taproom may have noticed some new faces with team members Dave Patania, Jess Keller, Matt Ellis and Ashley Hermosillo. Many of these new hires were (and still are) regular customers of the taproom, they’ve just shifted roles!  And in the brewery, Khris Lloyd recently joined in a cellar role, and Nigel Lassiter has joined part time too.
 
About Reuben’s Brews
After the birth of their first child Reuben, Adam and Grace embarked on a mission to brew bloody good beer. Originally from the UK, Adam turned a passionate hobby into a family-run brewery crafting nationally and internationally recognized beers in a wide variety of styles. Since opening in 2012, Reuben’s has won awards for its beers around the world including at the Great American Beer Festival, the World Beer Cup, the US Open and was named Mid-Sized Brewery of the Year at the 2015 Washington Beer Awards. Find Reuben’s Brews in Western Washington and at its taproom located at 5010 14th Ave NW in Ballard, open 7 days a week. For more information, visit www.reubensbrews.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@reubensbrews).

Loyal Husky Returns as New Year-Round Beer at Alaskan Brewing

Courtesy of Alaskan Brewing

JUNEAU, Alaska  – In response to the popularity and near-cult following it gained this spring as a seasonal beer, Husky IPA returns, joining the pack as Alaskan Brewing Company’s newest year-round beer. Husky IPA is a celebration of Mosaic hops and their unmistakable tropical and fruity aroma. 
 
“Experimenting with Mosaic hops, we knew we wanted to brew an IPA with them, something that highlights the juicy Mosaic flavor, without being too overpowering or overly sweet,” said Tyler Lindquist, brewer at Alaskan Brewing. “These hops are celebrated for their complex, broad aroma, backed by clean bittering, which makes a big impression. This beer really stands out from the pack when you’re looking at the selection of IPAs available out there.”

Known for their incredible endurance and power, the Alaskan husky is a working dog, able to pull heavy loads over long distances. Mosaic hops also pull their weight as the heart (and tail) of Alaskan Brewing’s latest addition to the year-round lineup. This brew was created with the goal of highlighting Mosaic hops’ tropical and stone fruit flavors. It is a Juicy IPA with the bright aroma of tangerine and papaya.

In early 2017, Alaskan Brewing supported animal organizations with the Ales for Tails program, where participating locations made donations to local animal organizations in honor of Husky IPA.

“Life in Alaska isn’t just about the place, it’s about the creatures we share it with,” said Lindquist. “Huskies have been a part of the Alaskan lifestyle for a very long time, and we wanted to recognize that.”
Alaskan Brewing introduced Husky IPA as 2017’s spring seasonal just eight months ago and chose to reintroduce it as part of the permanent lineup in response to popular demand.

“This is a beer that’s moved from seasonal to year-round within one calendar year, partly because the story of the husky really resonates with fans,” said Lindquist. “The beer is great, the community connection has been great, and the response has been incredible. We are excited about this beer and how it brings a different expression of the IPA style to our lineup.”

Husky IPA will be available beginning September 1^st where Alaskan Beer is sold. The Ales for Tails program will resume in 2018.

Cascade Brewing releases Sang Noir 2016 in bottle and draught

Courtesy of Cascade Brewing Co

PORTLAND, Ore. – Cascade Brewing has released its Sang Noir 2016 project in both bottle and draught. The beer is currently available at its two Portland pubs – the Cascade Brewing Barrel House and the Raccoon Lodge – as well as through its regular distribution channels.

Sang Noir is a blend of imperial red ales aged in bourbon and wine barrels for up to two years with Bing cherries. The darkest in Cascade's series of “Sang” projects, Sang Noir features flavors of dark roast malts, bourbon, black cherries and port wine. It comes in at 10.1 percent alcohol by volume.

Sang Noir is a Tier Two offering; Cascade’s new bottles have distinct label styles for each of the three Cascade Brewing pricing tiers, with each label within the tier utilizing distinctive colors to clearly differentiate each beer. The tiers differ by the style of beer used in the product, the type ingredients contained within, the time aged in the barrels and types of barrels used.

Cascade Brewing has two upcoming releases in September: One Way or Another, a collaboration with Bruery Terreux, which will release on Sept. 12; and Vitis Noble 2016, which will be available on Sept. 19.

About Cascade Brewing
Cascade Brewing has been a pioneer in the sour beer renaissance since 2006 and the proud innovator of the Northwest Sour Ale. Its distinctive sour beer blends feature fruit forward, barrel-aged ales with an emphasis on project year-to-year variation. These beers offer a complex array of flavors derived from the acid, the fruit and the residual flavors present in the barrels in which they age. The resulting beers offer a complex array of flavors and aromas derived from with each project year release capturing the unique subtleties of that year’s growing season. Cascade Brewing’s sour ales are brewed and blended in Portland, Oregon. For more inforamtion, visit CascadeBrewing.com and join the brewery on social media @CascadeBrewing. Cheers to the sours; enjoy in a profoundly wise manner.

Hopworks Release Mt. Angel Volskbier For The 52nd Mount Angel Oktoberfest

Courtesy of Christopher Chad Brigman

Preview the Beer and Purchase a Limited-Edition 22 Oz. Bottle at the SE Powell Brewpub On August 31^st to Receive a Coupon for $2 Off Mount Angel Oktoberfest Admission

Portland, Oregon – Celebrating Bavarian culture at Mount Angel Oktoberfest is a tradition dating back more than a half-century. This year, a special collaboration with Hopworks Urban Brewery (HUB) means festival goers can enjoy a unique Pacific NW take on a Bavarian Session Ale with the limited edition release, Mt. Angel Volksbier. It is an easy-drinking session ale brewed with German ale yeast along with Hull Melon and NW hops. Mt. Angel Volksbier is one of five HUB beers poured at the four-day event (all other beer is imported from Germany).

Available for a limited time prior to the festival, Mt. Angel Volksbier officially releases on Thursday, August 31^st at 6 pm at HUB’s SE Powell  brewpub. Purchase a 22 oz. bottle for $5.99 at the beer release party and receive a coupon good for $2 off the festival admission, which can be redeemed at the Mount Angel Oktoberfest Biergarten admission gate between September 14-17. Mt. Angel Volksbier is expected to run out quickly at the HUB pubs and various Roth’s Fresh Market stores; after that, it will be available exclusively on tap at the 52^nd Annual Mount Angel Oktoberfest.

“Volksbier means ‘the people’s beer’ and that’s why we are excited to collaborate with our local Bavarian family for one of the greatest beer events in the country,” said Christian Ettinger, Hopworks Brewmaster and Founder. “I look forward to donning my lederhosen and proudly raising a stein as we celebrate harvest, this collaboration, and enjoy the best ingredients sourced from the Hallertau region of Germany and the foothills of Mt. Angel for this sessionable ale.”

“Mount Angel Oktoberfest is pleased to partner with Hopworks Urban Brewery,” said Monica Boschler, Mount Angel Director of Marketing and PR. “Giving back to our communities and supporting family are highly valued shared goals. Both groups work similarly; there is a shared mindset as we approach our labors with an attitude of fun, diligence, and a focus on high quality. Shared values as well as shared fun is moving this collaboration from a partnership to friendship.”

Courtesy of Christopher Chad Brigman

Mt. Angel Volksbier Bavarian Session Ale

Mt. Angel Volksbier brings together hops sourced from the Hallertau region of Germany and the foothills of Mt. Angel in the Willamette Valley. Spicy, tropical and fruity aromas complement the honeydew and stone fruit flavors all derived from hops and traditional German Ale yeast. This beer is sure to delight the NW palate.

ABV 5% / IBU 40

Availability: Starting August 31, 22 oz. bottles for $5.99 and on tap at HUB locations until it runs out. Also available at various Roth’s Fresh Market stores throughout the Willamette Valley. Find Mt. Angel Volksbier and five other HUB beers on draught at Mount Angel Oktoberfest, September 14-17.

Special Offer Only Available for the Beer Release on 8-31:

When purchasing a bottle at the beer release party on August 31^st at the SE Powell location, receive a coupon for $2 off Mount Angel Oktoberfest admission. This offer is honored at the Biergarten admission gate only. 

About Hopworks Urban Brewery

Hopworks Urban Brewery strives to revolutionize and inspire the brewing industry with practises that drive quality, protect the environment and improve the community we live in. Utilizing organic malts and a combination of locally-sourced, organic and Salmon Safe hops, the company’s 20-barrel brewery in Portland produces 13,500 barrels of beer and cider a year for HUB’s brewpubs and for distribution throughout the West. Hopworks is a family-owned and operated business, the first Certified B Corporation brewery in the Pacific Northwest, a gold-level bike friendly business, and Long Root Ale received Brewbound’s “Marketing Initiative Award of the Year” in 2016. More info at: hopworksbeer.com

About Mount Angel Oktoberfest

In the heart of Oregon's hop growing region, Mount Angel's Oktoberfest brings 350,000+ people to the Bavarian village every September. The Northwest's oldest and best loved Folk Festival - celebrates the fruits of the harvest, with a nice focus on hops! German style biers, Northwest craft brew favorites, lots of wine, and a bit of cider are served in 4 Biergartens, each showcasing different favorites. There is something for everyone at the Mount Angel Oktoberfest. For more information visit: http://www.oktoberfest.org

Bale Breaker Brewing Co. plans new year-round beer release for late September

Courtesy of Bale Breaker

Yakima, WA - Leota Mae IPA (6.2% ABV 50 IBU) will be Bale Breaker Brewing Company’s fourth year-round beer, available in six-packs and on draught starting in late-September.  This Yakima brewery’s new beer is expected to be available in most national, regional, gourmet, and independent grocers throughout Washington and northern Idaho by the end of October.

“Bale Breaker may only be four years old, but our story really began in 1932 when our great-grandparents first planted hops in the Yakima Valley,” said Meghann Quinn, business manager and one of three sibling-owners at Bale Breaker.  “My great-grandmother and the matriarch of our family, Leota Mae, worked sunrise to sunset cultivating the land we still farm today. As our family starts our 86^th consecutive hop harvest, this new IPA pays tribute to our family’s legacy and the woman who started it all.”

Courtesy of Bale Breaker

Meghann, along with her brothers Kevin Smith, and Patrick Smith and her husband, Kevin Quinn, started Bale Breaker in 2013.  It is now among the largest independent breweries in Washington State.  Their beers, including three other flagship year-round beers, Field 41 Pale Ale, Topcutter IPA and Bottomcutter Imperial IPA, showcase the world-class hops grown in the heart the Yakima Valley.  Today, the Yakima Valley is responsible for producing about 75% of America’s hop crop.  

Learn more about the family hop farm
 
Watch the Bale Breaker series on hops, “Ground to Glass”
 

About Bale Breaker:

Bale Breaker Brewing Company makes handcrafted ales that showcase the world-class hops grown in the heart the Yakima Valley. Hops are in the family's DNA: the great-grandparents of sibling-owners Meghann Quinn, Kevin Smith, and Patrick Smith first planted hops in the Yakima Valley in 1932, the year before Prohibition ended. Over four generations, their love of hops has evolved into a passion for craft beer. Today, Meghann, Kevin and Patrick are in the midst of running a brewery surrounded by their family’s hop fields, just down the road from where they were born and raised.
Bale Breaker opened the doors to its 30-barrel production brewery in April 2013. The now 27,000 square foot facility features an onsite taproom, hosts frequent food trucks and occasional live music, with a beautiful outdoor patio and lawn area, perfect for enjoying the Yakima sunshine here in Washington state.

2017 Celebration of Beer at Skamania Lodge - Saturday, September 16th

Courtesy of Skamania Lodge

With Fall comes the official start of beer festival season and Skamania Lodge is bringing back its annual Celebration of Beer to toast the area’s illustrious brew masters.

The event will take place on Saturday, September 16th on the resort’s Cascade Lawn, offering sweeping views of the Columbia River Gorge.

The current lineup of taps includes signature and seasonal beers from a dozen local brewers.
Tickets for the Portland-area event are available at the door for $25 per person.

Time:  12 pm until 5 pm

Included in Ticket Price:  Five tasting tokens and a commemorative beer mug. Additional tasting tokens will be available for $1 each.

In addition to the brewery booths on the lawn, there will be musical entertainment featuring Moe Dixon from 1 pm until 4 pm and plenty of vendors with food for purchase to enjoy alongside the local drafts.

Don't worry about driving, book a room and extend the fun with our Celebration of Beer Overnight Package.

Call 844-432-4748 for more information or to book your overnight stay.

Featured Brewers:
                
54-40 Brewing
                         
Full Sail
                                   
Everybodys
                               
Walking Man
                                                             
Double Mountain
                 
Pelican Brewery
                     
Cointoss brewing
                   
Freebridge Brewing               

Backwoods Brewing
               
Dru Bru
                              
Thunder Island

Wine - Garnier Vinyards

Cider - Jester & Judge
 
SPECIAL EVENT
Vine Gogh at the Gorge will be at the Lodge teaching us to paint on beer growlers.  If you are interested in attending the class, click here for more information.

No-Li Brewhouse is announces its second-annual No-Li FrostFest

Courtesy of No-Li Brewhouse

SPOKANE, USA -- Don’t worry, it’s still summer, but in one corner of the Inland Northwest, things are already getting chilly. No-Li Brewhouse is announcing its second-annual No-Li FrostFest, which this year has grown to take over the Spokane Arena concourse with all proceeds going to benefit our region’s heroes.

No-Li FrostFest is slated for Dec. 9 from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Spokane Arena and is No-Li Brewhouse’s biggest one-off beer fest to date. There’s ice carving and winter carnival attractions! Games! Music! Your awesome costumes! Food! And, of course, a dozen never before tasted No-Li beers!

Tickets to this one-of-a-kind event are PRESALE ONLY at ticketswest.com and the $30 price includes a t-shirt, tasting glass and 5 four-ounce pours of these outrageous beers. Since No-Li FrostFest went on sale, tickets have been selling far faster than expected and No-Li fans are encouraged to get their tickets before they’re sold out, because it would be a bummer if you got left out, right?

Those who buy tickets before Friday, Sept. 1 will receive a bonus Born & Raised T-shirt at the No-Li pub when they provide their proof-of-purchase for each ticket. That's right, you'll get two shirts with your ticket if you act quickly!

There's also another bonus: you can add a ticket to the Dec. 9 Spokane Chiefs game (the annual Teddy Bear Toss game vs. the Seattle Thunderbirds) for only $10 extra.

No-Li’s lead brewer Ryan Brookhart announced the first two of the dozen new beers this week. The first is called ‘Tis the Saison. It’s a red saison with festive spices but a smooth finish. There’s also the Tritamorphasis Barley Wine. This big ol’ barley wine weighs in at 12% ABV and is No-Li’s first foray into using locally grown Triticale grains.

You're encouraged to come in your most festive, ridiculous or classy holiday costumes and you’ll be up for a prize. No-Li will be handing out free memberships to the No-Li mug club ($100+ value) to the best dressed folks. Start preparing your outfit now!

Again, all proceeds from No-Li FrostFest go to a good cause. We’ll be donating all proceeds from this event to the upkeep of the Fallen Heroes memorial sculpture at the Spokane Arena.

Tickets are available only at ticketswest.com and are PRESALE ONLY. No tickets will be sold at the door.

No-Li Brewhouse, founded in 2012, is an independent, family-owned brewery located at 1003 E. Trent Ave. in Spokane, Washington