(Courtesy Firestone Walker)

The seasons are changing and craft brewers are keeping things fun with interesting new beers you’re gonna want to chase down this weekend.

A Great Ride (Paso Robles, CA) – Firestone Walker has a new addition to its Barrel-Aged Vintage Series, a high-concept hybrid ale modeled after the Sidecar cocktail. The traditional Sidecar is made with Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon juice.

Firestone Walker Gold Rider is built on a base beer that was infused with Central Coast white wine juice, then fermented and aged in 500-liter XXO French Cognac barrels for two years, with a separate portion matured in orange bitters barrels.

“My love for the Sidecar cocktail goes right in line with my appreciation for Cognacs,” said Barrel Program Manager Eric Ponce. “This is a beer I’ve long wanted to make, and I finally got the perfect barrels to do it.” These ‘extra, extra old’ barrels come from one of France’s great Cognac houses. You get this refined Cognac character that can only come from barrels like these.”

(Courtesy Guinness)

Eye Opening (Dublin, Ireland) – Guinness the brewers of the world’s most popular nitro stout, is now combining everything we love about coffee and beer in a permanent addition to its US portfolio that began appearing on US shelves in March and is now expanding nationwide.

The latest US release from the St. James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, Guinness Nitro Cold Brew Coffee Beer is a rich 4% ABV nitro-infused Dry Stout that elegantly balances bitter and sweet roast coffee flavors with a smooth and creamy mouthfeel.

“Nitro Cold Brew Coffee beer is a welcome addition to the Guinness family, and the response so far has been incredible,” said Nikhil Shah, Guinness Brand Director. “Now that it’s officially iced coffee season, we’re excited to give consumers a coffee-forward beer to enjoy during their spring and summertime occasions.

New From The N/A Corner (California) – Non-Alcoholic beers have come a long way’s since your uncle was stuck with O’Doul’s. And there’s a Northern California brewery, Best Day Brewing, which makes a great Kölsch that just happens to be non-alcoholic. Brewed using a smart combination of Cologne and Pilsner malts and Hallertau Traditional hops, Best Day Kölsch is a crisp and perfectly balanced refresher that won’t leave you buzzed.

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