Weekend Beer: Small-Batch Wonders And Summer Lagers

(Courtesy Tröegs Independent Brewing)

The seasons are shifting and craft brewers are keeping things interesting with a slate new beers you’re gonna want to chase down as things warm up.

Lolli-Hopped (Hershey, PA) –Tröegs Independent Brewing has returned a fun spring release that began as a Small Batch Series project and is now seeing much wider distribution. Built upon a sturdy foundation of Pennsylvania-grown Rustic pale malt from nearby Double Eagle, Tröegs LolliHop, is an 8.2% ABV Imperial IPA with a slightly hazy character, bright notes of pear, citrus and a hint of melon, as well as otherworldly label art from Baltimore, MD-based artist and Art of Tröegs alum, Devin Watson.

“The inspiration for LolliHop begins in the hop fields of Yakima Valley, Washington, during the brewery’s annual pilgrimage to this hop-growing hotbed,” explains Tröegs co-founding brother and brewmaster, John Trogner. “There’s only a handful of beers that have an ‘a-ha’ origin, and LolliHop is one of them,” says John Trogner, “Hop selection is key in finding the right Citra hops, and we build upon that with Azacca’s bright pear and melon notes.”

(Courtesy Stone Brewing)

The Batch Is Back (Escondido, CA) – Stone Brewing’s latest single-batch series release originated at Stone Liberty Station from brewer Kris Ketcham, who decided to craft a beer using only hops that began with the letter S. Crafted with Simcoe, Strata and Sabro hops, Stone Simcoe & Strat & Sabro Oh My!, is a super-approachable 7.2% ABV Hazy IPA with big notes of passion fruit, melon, peach and berries.

You might find yourself pouring this beer and thinking “This hazy IPA doesn’t look so hazy.” And you wouldn’t be wrong. While this beer didn’t go through Stone’s centrifugation or filtration process, it still came out a bit more clear than expected. That’s the thing with Stone’s One Batch Dispatch Series beers, they’re brewed once, and they turn out like they turn out.

Hey Lighten Up! (Chippewa Falls, WI) – Leinenkugel’s has a new light-bodied seasonal that according to the brewery was made to be enjoyed all day. Brewed with tradition hops and select Munich malt, Leinenkugel’s Sunshine Light Lager is a light-bodied 3.4% ABV refresher with just the right amount of bitterness and a bright, crisp finish.

, Weekend Beer: Small-Batch Wonders And Summer Lagers ###