Beer Alert: New Mexican Dark Lagers And Wheat Ales

(Courtesy Ecliptic Brewing)

Summer is ON and American craft brewers are addressing the season with intriguing new offerings you’re gonna want to have around.

Brewing With A Legend (Portland, OR) – Ecliptic Brewing and Chico, California legend Sierra Nevada Brewing have joined forces to craft the brewery’s fourth Cosmic Collaboration Series release of 2023. Built on a sturdy foundation of Pale and Wheat Malts and abundantly hopped with Strata, Amarillo, McKenzie, and Citra, Ecliptic + Sierra Nevada Secchi Hoppy Wheat Ale is a 6.5% ABV citrusy seasonal that is tempered with fresh orange and lemon peel.

“When I first started brewing,” says John Harris, Ecliptic’s Owner and Brewmaster, “Sierra Nevada was it. I am honored to be able to do this collaboration with them and Ken Grossman, their Founder. We decided to make a hoppy wheat beer for June.” “Ecliptic Brewing’s founder, John Harris, has been a pioneer in West Coast craft beer for more than 30 years,” added Terrence Sullivan, Product Manager for Sierra Nevada added. “We’re honored to join forces on Secchi Hoppy Wheat Ale, highlighting the unique flavors of the Oregon landscape.”

(Courtesy Shiner Beer)

Perfectly Prickly (Shiner, TX) – Spoetzl Brewery, the independent, family-owned makers of the iconic Shiner Beer have returned something “prickly” that was first introduced in 2012. Back by popular demand and available once again in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida, Shiner Prickly Pear is a slightly tart, slightly sweet, 4.9% ABV Lager brewed with real prickly pear (a cactus native to Texas), as well as Citra and Golding hops, a blend of 2-row barley, malted wheat and the brewery’s proprietary lager yeast.

“Just in time for summer, we’re proud to re-introduce this cult-favorite and show our community how much we listen and appreciate them,” says Nick Weiland, Shiner’s Brand Director. “Prickly Pear is a special brew for us because it features uniquely Texan ingredients.”

Darkness, Darkness (Alexandria, VA) – One of Metro DC’s most acclaimed breweries, Port City Brewing, has returned an award-winning summer seasonal that draws inspiration from Mexican dark beers known as Oscura lagers. Pouring deep chestnut brown with white foamy head, Port City Mexican Dark Lager is a 5% ABV limited release with slightly sweet toasted caramel and nut tones and a crisp satisfying finish.