(Courtesy Deftones/Drinksip)

We don’t think anyone expected Cosco, a mega-retailer with a fanatical following, to offer its own limited edition barrel-aged stout for the holidays. We’ve that, “Words to Drink By,” and more.

First N/A Rock Band Beer

Music festivals, concerts, and even the jukebox at your local dive sound better with a beer in hand. So it’s not all that surprising that bands like to co-brand with breweries and lend their names to beers.

But if you think that these ‘collaborations’ are actual collaborations and that band members are working the mash tuns you’re dreaming…No matter the spin the brewery or band is putting on these collaborations this is MARKETING 101 at its most straightforward. But that doesn’t mean that these beers can’t be decent…and in some case they’re even better than that.

But none of these beers have  been non-alcoholic, but the California-based, alternative-metal band, Deftones, who have done at least a dozen collaborations with Belching Beaver in the past have now changed all that.

Produced for Deftones by Drinksip, Deftones Tone Zero is a crisp Non-Alcoholic Rice Lager that marks an interesting departure from the band’ longtime alliance with Belching Beaver.

Words to Drink By

“Just because you love it, that doesn’t mean you’ll make any money doing it.”  – Bob Lefsetz, Music industry writer and media analyst

(Credit: Eric Sovereign on Untappd)

New Cosco Kirkland Barrel-Aged Stout

Cosco, one of America’ biggest retailors with an almost fanatical cult following, has released a special beer for the holidays under the company’s signature Kirkland brand  that has beer lovers in a frenzy.

Produced by Bend, Oregon-based Deschutes Brewery and packaged in a classy old-school big bottle box, Kirkland Signature Vintage Ale is a massive 12% ABV Stout that was crafted using dark chocolate malt, milled oats and Dutch cocoa, before being aged 9 months in oak barrels previously used to produce Kentucky Bourbon.

“We were discussing with the Costco team ideas that they had always wanted to bring to life to deliver something really special for members for the holidays,” explains Peter Skrbek, Deschutes Brewery CEO told VinPair. “For quite some time, the Costco team had the vision of creating something that could be recurring from year to year that members would get excited about. A beer that could become a tradition and part of the season.”

“The team at Costco was very thoughtful in collaborating with us to construct a flavor profile that would be exciting for both members familiar with barrel-aged beers and those new to the style.”

“[We] agreed that it would be excellent if the final beer could be cellared and the tradition of vertical tastings with each release could be established for members,” Skrbek added. “It’s the idea of: Buy one to drink with friends and family now, gift a few, and keep a few to cellar.”

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