American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
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 Firestone Walker’s brilliant §ucaba to a new collaboration from Two Beers, New Belgium Brewing, and the Seattle Cider Company, 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!
Firestone Walker Drops A Big One! (Paso Robles, CA) — Firestone Walker Brewing Company dropped a big one yesterday when it released its first Proprietor’s Vintage Series beer of 2014. §ucaba is their confoundingly unpronounceable yet eminently drinkable English barleywine that’s been aged in oak barrels for a year or more. §ucaba was one of the first components created as part of Firestone Walker’s annual barrel-aged Anniversary Ale blend starting in 2006. Longtime fans know §ucaba by its original name, which was undone by a legal challenge – but whatever its name – it’s awesome!
Hello Goodbye (San Francisco, CA) – It’s bittersweet news from the Anchor Brewing camp, as they’ve just announced the final return of their annual spring seasonal that’s just rolling out now and will be retired in March. Anchor Bock Beer is a rich satin brew that’s all about the roasted barley, and it’s a unique west coast take on the strong German beers that traditionally mark the beginning of spring.
West Flanders Staff Caught Engaging in Recreational Smoke (Boulder, CO) – In honor of Colorado’s history-making new laws (legalizing you know what), Colorado-based West Flanders Brewing released a celebratory new beer over the weekend. Recreational Smoke is a homegrown, fully legal, 6% ABV American-style porter that’s brewed using beechwood smoked malts from Bamberg, Germany. “Since we opened last year,” says Head Brewer Brian Lutz, “many of our customers have told us they wanted to be able to enjoy Recreational Smoke here at our brewpub. In light of recent events, we decided the time was right for us to make that happen.” Recreational Smoke is now available for growler fills as well as on draft at the West Flanders compound in Boulder-so you know what to do.
With Saint Patrick’s Blessings (Newport, OR) – Rogue Ales stands in unity with their Irish brethren in their commitment to honoring one of the most important holidays for serious beer drinkers–Saint Patrick’s Day–and they’ve brewed up the perfect craft beer with which to honor it. Award-winning Rogue Irish Lager is said to have been brewed with Saint Patrick’s blessings, and it’s crafted in true Irish Lager fashion and brewed for drinking volumes.
The Apple of their Eyes (Seattle, WA) – Two Beers Brewing,Seattle Cider Company, and New Belgium Brewing have joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind graff, a unique style combining unexpected hops and malt with small batch cider from Washington state. GRAFF(T) is an India Pale Lager (IPL) brewed with 100% Pilsner malt, Mosaic hops from Yakima Valley, Nelson Sauvin hops from New Zealand, and a 10% by volume addition of unfermented apple juice (also known as “must”) from Seattle Cider Company. After fermentation, this 7.3% ABV IPL is then dry hopped with Nelson Sauvin hops to give it that perfect nose. Seattle-area beer and cider lovers can find GRAFF(T) on tap and in 22 oz. bottles beginning January 12.
