Weekend Beer: New Springtime Refreshers And Red Ales

(Photo credit: Leslie Shore)

Spring has sprung and American craft brewers are addressing things with exciting new beers you’re gonna want to have around.

Pike Peaks (Seattle, WA) – Pike Brewing is celebrating all things Washington State with the release of a new seasonal beer that’s brewed using 100% locally sourced ingredients. Crafted with Opera pilsner and oats from Skagit Valley Malting, Purple Egyptian, Elwha Spelt, and Gazelle Rye from LINC Malt, Mosaic and Simcoe from Yakima Chief Hops and Azacca from Roy Farms, Peak Mountains Out is a 7% ABV IPA with candied tangerine and lime, alpine berries, and pine notes that linger.

“Mountains Out is a classic Northwest IPA and perfect to take on outdoor excursions,” said Leslie Shore, head brewer at Pike Brewing. “This beer will keep you company with hop notes of citrus, berry, and flowers that will have you dreaming of hiking in the mountains and enjoying the first flowers of spring.”

(Courtesy Switchback Brewing)

Switchback Upgrades Two Classics In 16oz Cans (Burlington, VT) – Switchback Brewing Co., home to Vermont’s iconic Switchback Ale has released two classics in 16oz cans for the first time. Unfiltered and 100% naturally carbonated, Karsten Premium Lager is a 5.1% ABV year-round which is lagered a gracious 6-weeks to ensure the ultimate in clean, crisp taste.

The second beer ever released by the Vermont brewery, Switchback Roasted Red Ale is a 5.6% ABV deep mahogany seasonal release with a rich caramel maltiness balanced with a bold hop signature, and delicate cocoa roasted finish.

“With the recent addition of a new high speed labeler, the brewery now can create out-of-the-box labels that truly fit the personality of each beer,” says Brewery Founder and Brewmaster, Bill Cherry. “The new equipment eliminates color and print limitations of mass-produced pre-printed cans which we used to have to order by the truckload.

Hop Freak’s Delight (Boulder, CO) – After months of innovation and taproom trials, Avery Brewing, the first brewery to package an “India Pale Ale” in Colorado almost thirty years ago, is launching the Hop Freaks Exploration Series – a new line of IPAs brewed by hop freaks for hop freaks. One of two new India Pale Ales to be released in the new series, Avery Nomadic Dreamer is a deeply hazy 6.7% ABV New England-Style IPA with layers of juicy hop flavor and a tranquil finish.