American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
So many beers, So little time…With so many craft breweries, releasing so many beers, we thought it might help to provide a weekly update on all the new beers that are hitting the streets …..So welcome to this week’s edition of Newbies – your guide to great new craft beer releases!
A Legend Returns (Kalamazoo, MI) – With winter just around the corner, Bells Brewery has announced the return of a seasonal legend. Bells Expedition Stout was one of the first Imperial Stouts to be brewed in this country and it still ranks as one of the nation’s most popular. This is a beer made for aging. Aggressively bitter when fresh, it grows smoother and fruitier when aged. Be forewarned – this year’s expedition is a monster clocking in at an unforgiving 10.4% ABV.
Mission Brings in the Big Guns (San Diego, CA) – Mission Brewery is on a mission and they are now the first American craft brewery to be releasing two of their most popular beers, El Conquistador & Shipwrecked Double IPA in quart cans – which they refer to as their quart “Cannons.” El Conquistador Extra Pale Ale is a low-alcohol hoppy showcase. It drinks like a big IPA, but is an ultra-quaffable ale at just 4.8% ABV. Shipwrecked Double IPA is at the opposite side of the spectrum – it’s an enormous IPA that’s hopped out of its mind and weighs in at an aggressive 9.25% ABV.
Anchor Pleads the 5th (San Francisco, CA) – Anchor Brewing Company has just released the fifth in their popular Zymaster series and we’re all about it. No. 5: Harvest One American Pale Ale is a 7.2% ABV American Pale brewed using an unnamed hop variety that lends this brew its distinct bitterness and lively aroma. This one’s available now on draft and 22 oz. bombers in select California markets and will roll out nationally over the next couple of months.
Newbie Parade at Dogfish Head (Milton, DE) – Like planes lined up on a congested airport runway, Dogfish Head’s got three newbies ready for release. The newest in their Ancient Ale series, Kvasir is a 10% ABV “tart and herbaceous hybrid Scandinavian grog,” brewed with lingonberries, cranberries, birch syrup, and herbs. Next in line is Olde School: A bone-crushing 13-16% ABV Barleywine followed by Hellhound on My Ale: A super-hoppy 10% ABV Double IPA tribute to the blues legend Robert Johnson’s mentor, Blind Lemon Jefferson.
Adoration Time (Cooperstown, NY) – New York State’s Brewery Ommegang also has a winter favorite making its way to retail. First brewed in 2009, Ommegang Adoration Strong Winter Ale is a traditional 10% ABV Strong Dark Belgian, brewed with time-honored spices: coriander, mace, sweet orange peel, cardamom, and grains of paradise. 2013’s Adoration is dark, malty, big, and warming and it’s being released this year for the first time in 4-packs.
