can release

Common Space Brewery 1st Anniversary Photos

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at the Common Space Brewery and Tasting Room in Hawthorne, where they celebrated their first anniversary with several hundred of their fans. The event featured their first can release, an anniversary beer, several food trucks, live music, and games that were enjoyed by adults and children alike. And there were dogs; lots and lots of dogs.

While I try to visit as many of the local breweries as possible, there has been so much growth around here that it just is not possible for me for me to visit everyone as much as I might like; Common Space would be one of those. One thing I noticed right away was that Common Space has become a very family and dog friendly taproom to visit. I think it would be safe to say that a large portion of the people attending had either a dog or a kid with them, and while I see a lot of whining on social media about kids and dogs at breweries, it was obvious that Common Space welcomes both with open arms. Continue reading

State Brewing 1 Year Anniversary Photos

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon in Gardena, at the 1st Anniversary of the State Brewing Company tasting room. If it seems like you have been drinking State’s beer for longer than a year, there is a very good chance of that as they have been brewing since at least the beginning of 2016. It was not until last February that they officially opened their tasting room to the public.

The anniversary event, which is still going on as I write this, featured over 20 beers from State Brewing, some of them being very small batches, food from Hotville Chicken and Tacos Bravo, a can release of their Cherry Moon Disco IPA, a DJ and Los Angeles area rapper, Murs (he came on after I left). Continue reading

Photos from the 2nd Anniversary Block Party at LA Ale Works

These photos were taken Saturday afternoon at Los Angeles Ale Works (LAAW), in Hawthorne, where they celebrated their second anniversary with an 80s themed block party featuring several food trucks, DJs, live music, pop rock beer slushies, candy necklaces, Micheladas, a laser light show, a double juicy IPA can release, and lots of other L.A. Ale Works beers.

I arrived about an hour after the official start time and the block party was already filling up with LAAW fans along with their families and dogs. DJ Sundy was providing music and food was being served up by Bartz BBQ, Kogi Korean BBQ, Hustle & Dough, and Scoops on Tap.

Inside the tasting room, there were at least 25 beers on tap, including the two beers featured in their can release, Lazer Star and Night Beams. There was an outdoor bar set up for their Reserve Beers, featuring options like Celestial Blüme Berliner with tea, Channel Conditions Brett Saison, and Olivera Blanc and Olivera Noir, their beer/wine hybrids. Also available were the 2017 and 2018 Rush’n Attack Imperial Stouts, Heavy Impulse Barleywine, and Sled Dog Imperial Stout. The outside bar is also where you would go for the pop rock slushies and Micheladas. Continue reading

A Beer For The Times: Ska Brewing Presents Moral Panic Brut IPA

Moral Panic

Moral Panic – Now in cans!

Moral Panic, a Brut IPA from Ska Brewing, debuted at the brewery in cans on Friday, November 30 and hit the brewery distribution footprint beginning December 7. This refreshing, dry finishing IPA satisfies brewery Co-Founder and CEO Dave Thibodeau’s urge to name a beer Moral Panic and quenches palates gravitating toward this emerging trend.

“In sociology, moral panic is the process of arousing social concern over an issue, legitimate or not,” Thibodeau says. “On one hand we may be referring to Mods & Rockers, Satanism or Dungeons & Dragons, or the Haze craze — no matter what comes of the Brut IPA style, we certainly are enjoying drinking it right now.”

Over its 23 years in business Thibodeau and crew have witnessed its evolution and ultimate subcategorization. “We’re excited about this emerging Brut category because these beers are everything we love about IPA without any lingering bitterness, which makes them super approachable.” Continue reading

Cigar City Brewing Releases Mixed 12-Pack Featuring Space Pope IPA

Space Pope IPA

Space Pope IPA – Cigar City Mixed 12-Pack

Cigar City Brewing (CCB), one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in the U.S., has announced the addition of the CCB Mixed 12-Pack to its year-round offerings. The new format includes 12oz cans of CCB’s most successful brands – Jai Alai IPA, Guayabera Citra Pale Ale, and Florida Cracker Belgian-style White Ale – plus Space Pope IPA, a vibrant and citrus-forward IPA brewed with Galaxy and Nelson Sauvin hops, packaged exclusively for the Mixed 12-Pack.

The introduction of the CCB Mixed 12-pack follows the successful launch of Jai Alai IPA 12-packs and the CANarchy Mixed 12-Pack Vol. 1, which features Jai Alai IPA and flagship brands from CANarchy portfolio-mates Oskar Blues Brewery, Perrin Brewing and Squatters Craft Beers. CCB looks to expand its presence in the 12-pack can segment as 12-packs of craft beer continue to grow in U.S. grocery*.

Most craft beer lovers are familiar with Jai Alai IPA, a 7.5% ABV American IPA dry-hopped with Simcoe hops and currently the second-best selling craft six-pack can nationwide*. Guayabera Citra Pale Ale, CCB’s second best-selling brand, brings a lower-alcohol yet hop-forward offering to CCB Mixed 12-pack, clocking in at 5.5% ABV; while Florida Cracker, a crisp Belgian-style White Ale of 5.5% ABV brewed with coriander and orange peel, is a refreshing wheat beer addition. Continue reading

Dust Bowl Brewing Introduces Dump Truck of the Gods

dump truck of the gods

Dump Truck of the Gods released by Dust Bowl Brewing

Dust Bowl Brewing Co. continues to expand its specialty can portfolio with the introduction of Dump Truck of the Gods. The Mega IPA was first offered in draft in August 2014 and rolls out to retailers this month in the 16 oz./pint can format. It’s on the schedule for another run in May. Dump Truck of the Gods features a hefty 11.7% ABV and 130 IBUs. Huge aromas of candied orange, papaya and a little booziness accompany the full-bodied, caramel malt sweetness.

Brewmaster, Don Oliver, reflects on the first brew, “In the quest for ever hoppier beers, I was formulating two brews, one a standard IPA with the largest hop load we had tried, which also incorporated hop extracts, and a double IPA using hops named after gods – Apollo, Zeus and Merkur. That exercise lead me to combine the two ideas for a high-gravity Mega IPA, which quickly became a hit at our taprooms.” Continue reading

Dust Bowl Brewing Introduces Pancho Imperial Stout

Pancho Imperial Stout

Pancho Imperial Stout available in cans

Dust Bowl Brewing Co. kicks off 2019 with the introduction of Pancho Imperial Stout, available in 16 oz. cans and draft. The limited release brew is made with cacao nibs, Ancho chiles, and cinnamon. Pancho offers a smooth finish despite the hefty 10.1% Alcohol by Volume.

“As we approach the colder winter months, a big stout with depth of character seems appropriate,” shares Don Oliver, Brewmaster. “We follow the trend of the pastry stout and offer a lower bitterness imperial stout with a heavy punch of chocolate, cinnamon, and a subtle layer of roasted Ancho chiles.”

Featuring bright colors, the Pancho label showcases Dust Bowl Brewing Co.’s refreshed logo nestled in the company’s new specialty can label system. The story of Pancho is nearly as good as the beer itself. Founder Brett Tate is never short on family tales. According to Tate family “history,” Brett’s great-great uncle went looking for Pancho Villa in the early 1920s, most likely to collect the bounty. He never returned and his fate remains a mystery to this day. Brett likes to think he got distracted by something (or someone!) and enjoyed a long life on the beach of Mexico. Continue reading

Founders Brewing to Release Azacca IPA in Cans

Founders Azacca IPA Founders Brewing Co. has announced the return of seasonal favorite, Azacca IPA, to its lineup. Available through March 2019, Azacca IPA features an updated can design that showcases the artwork inspired by the beer’s namesake and singular hop character. First introduced to the brewery’s seasonal lineup in 2016, Azacca IPA features Azacca hops from Yakima-based Roy Farms and celebrates the versatility of a single-hop in an American-style IPA.

Named after the Haitian god of agriculture, the Azacca hop has an intense tropical aroma with hints of citrus and mango. A touch of caramel malt gives a sweet backbone to support the righteous fruit character of this beer. Showing a burnt orange color and registering at 7% ABV, your taste buds will worship this heavenly, single-hopped delight. Azacca IPA is exclusively available in cans and on draft. The suggested retail price for Azacca IPA is $17.99 for the 15-pack cans and $8.99 for the 6-pack cans. Continue reading

Dust Bowl Brewing Introduces Mouthful of Miracles

mouthful of miracles IPA

Now available from Dust Bowl Brewing

Dust Bowl Brewing announced recently the release of Mouthful of Miracles, the Northern California craft brewery’s first Brut IPA. The new limited release beer comes in big at 8.5% Alcohol by Volume. Mouthful of Miracles is packaged in 16 oz. cans and draft.

“For our first release of a canned Brut IPA, we chose to take it to the imperial end of the style,” shares Don Oliver, Brewmaster. “At 8.5% alcohol, it still has a very dry finish and a crisp hop note with grapefruit and passion fruit up front.”

With Brut IPAs trending, the timing was welcomed by Dust Bowl Brewing Co.’s wholesaler network. According to Founder and Owner, Brett Tate, “Mouthful of Miracles is just a glimpse of what’s ahead for us. Now that we are settled into our new brewery, we are able to manage growing production of our core brands while being nimble in the specialty category. This keeps the portfolio interesting to our distributors and consumers alike.” Continue reading

Dust Bowl Brewing Introduces Taco Truck Lager in Cans

Dust Bowl Taco Truck

Taco Truck Lager – Now in 12oz Cans

Happiness is having the UPS guy at the front door with another package from Dust Bowl Brewing Company; yesterday the package included Dust Bowl’s first introduction of Taco Truck Lager in 12 oz. cans. Taco Truck Lager was first introduced in 2016 in 12 oz. bottles/six-packs and draft. Targeting the easy-drinking, “backyard beer” fan, Taco Truck Lager quickly pulled into the top-selling spot for the Northern California craft brewery. As someone that is not particularly a fan of lagers, this one was quite tasty; I could easily drink more than one, and that is saying something when it comes to lagers.

Available year-round, the Mexican-style beer has resonated with loyal lager fans as well as beer drinkers who are new to craft. It’s approachable and sessionable at 4.7% ABV. The brewery’s data provides every indication that the cans will be well received. Wholesalers and consumers alike want more cans and the summer launch falls in line with outdoor activities – the number one draw for can consumption.

“Taco Truck Lager is a great all-occasion beer,” shares Don Oliver, Brewmaster. “With the summer upon us, it made sense to offer Taco Truck Lager in cans. Whether you’re heading to the beach, mountains or simply poolside in your own backyard, cans provide the ultimate in convenience for the beer fan. Active, outdoor lifestyles demand it.” Continue reading

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