So many beers, So little time…Newbies is your essential map to the “best of the best” and the hottest new craft beers rolling out each week, and this week, we’re all about the seasonals. From Eel River’s Onyx Black IPA to Abita’s Grapefruit Harvest, we’ve got all kinds of new releases you’re going to want to chase down. So welcome to another edition of Newbies – your ultimate guide to great new craft beers! 

Harvest Time in Louisiana (Abita Springs, LA) – It’s harvest time down South and our friends at the Abita Brewing Company are all about it! Abita Grapefruit Harvest is a brilliant golden IPA with a subtle zest of grapefruit flavor and a strong hop character. This bright, 6% ABV special release is made with real Louisiana Ruby-Red grapefruit; pale, pilsner, and caramel malts; and cascade hops. And it’s out there now – so you know what to do.

Payette Gets Busted! (Boise, ID) – Okay, maybe we should explain – the Payette Brewing Company will be releasing a special holiday brew next week and 100% of the proceeds from its sales will be donated to the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s Utah and Southern Idaho Chapter. Busted Wagon Holiday IPA is a hopped-up winter amber with a sturdy malt backbone. They’ll be tapping it for the first time at 6 pm next Monday, Dec 9^th at the Payette Brewing tasting room.

A First and a Last from Beachwood (Long Beach, CA) – Southern California’s Beachwood Brewing is set to release its first bottled beer ever and it also happens to be their last seasonal beer of the year. Beachwood’s Tovarish Russian Imperial Espresso Stout will be available on draft at both Beachwood BBQ locations on December 27^th and will be sold in 22 oz. bombers at serious craft beer retailers across Los Angeles, Orange, and San Diego counties.

Organic Onyx (Fortuna, CA) – Eel River Brewing Company’s newest in their lineup of seasonal craft beer offerings has just been released and it sounds awesome! Onyx Black IPA is an organic 6.8% ABV dry-hopped black Pale Ale with a light hint of coffee and just enough Pacific Northwest-grown hops to make you crazy.

Sweet Sixteen (Ithaca, NY) – With much hoopla and cause for celebration, the Ithaca Beer Company has announced a special anniversary brew – and they just released it yesterday. Excelsior! Anniversary Sixteen is a Belgian inspired farmhouse ale, dark as night, and brewed with local wildflower honey. As per tradition, Ithaca Beer releases its Excelsior! Anniversary beer one year in advance of the anniversary itself, and this iteration marks 15 years of brewing at Ithaca Beer.

A Truly Worthy Adversary (Minneapolis, MN) – The Fulton Brewing Company has announced the return of something truly worthy next week. Worthy Adversary is their legendary winter seasonal, a Russian Imperial Stout that’s rich, roasty, and enormous at 10% ABV. Starting on Monday, December 16, Adversarial kegs will begin flowing into bars and restaurants and 750 mL bottles will start appearing on retail shelves.