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What to drink? What to drink?

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lagunitasThree breweries have/are entering the Eastern Iowa market in the next few weeks. Great Divide is here, New Holland Brewing is on their way, and Lagunitas has had a little trickle of their beers around but a big rollout is coming. Adding those three breweries along with all the others that are currently on our shelves, the wonderful dilemma of what to buy because there are so many choices is out there. Now, I know the talk of some oversaturation is out there and that is for a different blog post, but I would like to know what beer are you looking forward to the most from these breweries? We will be able to do the same thing once Surly, Southern Tier, and whoever else decide to enter the market. Would love to hear some comments as well!

 

Next Founders Backstage Series Release: Big Lushious Chocolate Raspberry Stout

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foundersFounders Facebook page has given their Backstage Series Release for this winter and I’m very excited to get my hands a bottle of this outstanding sounding brew. Here’s the brewery update:

Announcing the next beer in our Backstage Series: Big Lushious, a chocolate raspberry stout that will be released for the holidays.

We plan to introduce Big Lushious, a chocolate raspberry stout, this December to mark the eleventh installment in our Backstage Series. Like all of our Backstage Series beers, Big Lushious will be sold in 750mL bottles, with a suggested retail price of $16.99 per bottle.

Big Lushious is a deep, rich stout that’s packed with flavor: roasted malts, all-natural dark chocolate, a subtle suggestion of burnt coffee grounds and a kiss of tart raspberries. At 7.8% ABV, it’s big, sumptuous and extravagant, but also balanced.

“We thought Big Lushious would make a great release for the holidays,” said Co-Founder and Vice President of Brand & Education Dave Engbers. “It’s a luxurious beer for us. It’s meant for bringing to parties and is perfect for sharing with friends and family after a feast.”

Big Lushious will be released in limited quantities across our distribution footprint beginning on Monday, December 1, and will be available at our taproom that same week. This will be our last Backstage Series release in 2014—look for more in 2015.

7.8% ABV

Deschutes Zarabanda Ale coming this Fall

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deschutesA new brew coming this fall from Deschutes will join the likes of Jubelale, Hop Trip, Chasin’ Freshies, and The Dissident. Zarabanda is a collab beer with chef Jose Andres and will come in 22 oz bottles. It is a saison spiced with pink peppercorns, dried lime, lemon verbena, and sumac. Really looking forward to trying this!

Zarabanda

When: October

What: Collaboration Beer with Chef Jose Andrés (22-ounce bottles and draft)

An energetic and passionate combination of the culinary and craft brewing worlds, Zarabanda is a spiced Saison that’s been years in the making. Created through a unique collaboration between renowned chef José Andrés and Deschutes Brewery brewers. They worked together throughout this spiced Saison‘s development, infusing the final product with the authentic and distinctive flavors that represent Andrés’ innovation along with Deschutes’ enthusiasm for experimentation and adventure. Zarabanda provides a complex malt body formed from a generous use of Vienna and Spelt malts. A classic Saison yeast strain contributes light fruit esters, which are complemented by aromatic dried lime, flowery pink peppercorn, lemon verbena and savory sumac. Stay tuned for detailed launch event announcements.

Where: Limited year-round availability in most states where Deschutes is sold

Beer Geek Information: 6.1% ABV | 13 IBUs

Stone Smoked Porter with Chocolate in Orange coming in October

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stoneThe following information comes courtesy of http://www.beerpulse.com. Another variant added to Stone’s Smoked Porter repertoire.

We decided early on that we wouldn’t do seasonal beers for the sake of doing seasonal beers. Summer ales and winter lagers certainly have a ring to them. Big-beer focus groups prove consumers get a kick out of them, and macrobrew marketing analyses suggest they sell well. But for us, beer comes first, much as Stone Smoked Porter came first. Actually, it came second — oddly enough, in the form of a seasonal. Our co-founder and original brewmaster, Steve Wagner, thought it would be an innovative, warming creation suited for winter…and it was.

This version, released in the literally gray area separating sunshine and snowfall, incorporates dark chocolate and orange peel, making for a semisweet, citrus-nuanced porter that comes across like a break-apart chocolate orange enjoyed by a campfire. It’s not a seasonal-it’s just a phenomenal beer, regardless of the time of year. Throw out the calendar and enjoy.

ABV: 5.9%
Distribution: Nationwide
Release Date: Starting 10/6/14

Restaurant Review: 30hop; Coralville, IA

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30hopThe trend of some excellent craft beers and tasty food continues to strike in Eastern Iowa, this time in the Iowa River Landing area in Coralville. A location that already hosts Backpocket Brewing the newly opened Winestyles continues its impressive dedication to craft beer and food with 30hop. More from their website:

Trendy and yet a comfortable, urban-industrial, dining and drinking establishment will feature the area’s first rooftop patio. The contemporary menu will focus on simple, fresh, delicious offerings and will include 60 beers on tap on the main level and 30 beers on the rooftop. Through constant focus on superior service, exquisite food, and craft beers, guests will be eager to make 30hop a new hangout. Welcome to the newest addition to Iowa River Landing, Coralville’s gateway to the corridor.

photo 2 (13)As you approach it’s hard to ignore the rooftop seating and the view that you will experience when you get up there. But once you get in it’s hard to ignore the view of the 60 beers on tap! A fantastic looking chalkboard with ever-rotating lines of deliciousness greets you as you enter. I think I was too busy focusing on the board of beer as the hostess was trying to ask how many in my party, but eventually she got through to my beer-numbed mind and we took a spot near the back wall with the sweet looking giant American flag. photo 1 (13)

The beer menu was up-to-date and I noticed Toppling Goliath pseudosue, which I photo 3 (11)hear is good:), so I order a glass of greatness as my wife and I pondered our food move. So many things that looked intriguing and unique but I usually test a place by their wings. It might be a bit cliche but damn, I love wings. These were called Firecracker wings and they had an asian flare to them. Soy, sesame, cilantro with a cool blue cheese dipping sauce and fried crisp to perfection was the perfect starter and went well with my Sue.

photo 4 (6)And then it was on to the beast. Now, it wasn’t a huge burger size wise, but it was huge in flavor. The 50/50 burger at 30hop is 50% beef and 50% bacon and is mouth watering delicious. My wife and I agreed we would share it, (I could eat 2 by myself and then die a happy heart-attack death) and after our first few bites she made me promise I wouldn’t order it again because…..IT WAS SO FREAKING AWESOME! I loved this burger! A bit messy, but you really can’t go wrong with that mix of ingredients. Burger went terrific with a Deschutes Black Butte Porter and the trip overall was great. Was happy to meet a few beer lovers there as well!

After leaving I took a trip to Winstyles and picked up a few bottles of brew. (Evil Twin BA Imperial Biscotti Break!) This area really has it all, great food, shopping, and not too far from University of Iowa athletics. We will be back (and have been!).

Boulevard Joins up with Brewery Ommegang for Collaboration #4 Saison!

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Boulevard-Ommegang-Collaboration-No-4-SaisonThe following information comes courtesy of the thefullpint.com:

Kansas City, MO – There is no sibling rivalry between Duvel Moortgat’s US-based Boulevard Brewing Company and Brewery Ommegang. The sister craft breweries recently partnered on Boulevard’s newest edition of its Collaboration series. Collaboration No. 4 is a Spiced Saison, which will be distributed in 750mL bottles and 1/6 barrel kegs throughout Boulevard’s distribution network later this month (Kansas City distribution begins on September 22nd for draught and September 23rd for bottles; other markets to follow soon after) .

Ommegang’s brewmaster Phil Leinhart traveled to Kansas City in July to make the beer alongside Steven Pauwels, brewmaster at Boulevard and his team of brewers. After the brewing process, the wort was transferred into two fermentation vessels. Boulevard’s primary Belgian yeast strain was added to one, and the other tank received Ommegang’s house yeast strain. The two batches were blended during the filtration process resulting in Collaboration No. 4. In addition to a variety of malts and hops, sweet orange peel, lemon peel, coriander and grains of paradise played key roles in the beer’s characteristics.

“Brewery Ommegang excels in using spices to add complexity and character to their Belgian-style beers while we’ve become known for our saisons at Boulevard,” said Pauwels. “The mutual admiration each brewery has for the other worked well as we combined our strengths into a complex, yet approachable beer that serves to reintroduce our breweries as Boulevard joins the Duvel Moortgat family.”

Previous beers in Boulevard’s Collaboration series include an “Imperial Pilsner” made in 2010 with esteemed Orval brewmaster Jean-Marie Rock, a “White I.P.A.” with Deschutes in 2011, and a “Stingo” with Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project in 2012.

Distribution Rumor: Is Victory Brewing next to hit Iowa shelves?

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victoryI’ve heard from multiple sources that Victory Brewing Company representatives have visited the state of Iowa and may be looking to have their beers enter the state. No timetable or deal is in place but they were here so take it for what it is worth. I wouldn’t mind having some Dirtwolf, Storm King, or White Monkey on the shelves! This would lead to more talk of our market having too many beers to choose from, which will be a future topic to discuss. 

Victory Brewing Company opened its doors to the public on Feb. 15, 1996. What was once a Pepperidge Farm factory became home to a 144-seat restaurant, 70-foot-long bar and a full-scale brewery. In its first year, Victory Brewing Company brewed 1,725 barrels of beer.

Since then, Victory has increased the size of the restaurant to 300 seats. The brewery has also expanded, producing  93,196 barrels of beer in 2012. As loyal craft beer drinkers continue to show their dedication to flavorful, quality beer, Victory plans to continue its own growth. Onward to Victory!

http://www.victorybeer.com/beers/

Great Divide Brewing at Reds Alehouse Sept. 18!

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redsJust found this on Reds Alehouse Facebook page:

We just received some awesome, awesome news! Great Divide Brewing Company will be in the state of Iowa next Thursday 9/18. More specifically, be at Reds Alehouse next Thursday 9/18! First place in Eastern Iowa to get your Yeti on! Or maybe your Titon on! Or Hercules if that’s what your flavor is. Maybe some BBA Yeti?? I don’t even know, I’m too excited to think!!
Stay tuned for a more detailed post on what we’re getting!

Great Divide coming to Iowa via Johnson Brothers

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great divideA couple of great sources have told me that Great Divide is coming to Iowa and being distributed by Johnson Brothers. The official announcement should come around September 18th. More good beer to hit our shelves soon! Yeti was one of the first Imperial Stouts I’ve ever had and I had it from the source. Baseball trips to Denver would find us rushing across the street to Great Divide to enjoy a pint or 10 on their patio. Looking forward to more! Here’s more about Great Divide:

ABOUT

During the late 80s, Brian Dunn spent 5 years overseas building farms in developing countries.  Having grown up in a family that appreciated good food and drink, Dunn expanded his knowledge and passion for beer during his travels.  Dunn eventually returned to Colorado, started homebrewing and went to graduate school.  Upon graduation in 1993, when Denver’s craft beer scene barely existed, he set out to found what would eventually become one of America’s most decorated and celebrated craft breweries.

Beginning with a marketing study and a business plan, Dunn saw an opportunity in Denver’s Ballpark Neighborhood to brew uniquely balanced, flavorful beers.  With financial help from family, friends and a loan from the City of Denver, his dream of brewing commercially became reality in 1994.

The brewery started small and in the beginning Dunn was the only full-time employee…brewing, bottling and selling to accounts all in the same day.  As the brewery grew, the beer spoke for itself.  Dunn’s beers were balanced, flavorful and representative of a lifestyle that is uniquely Colorado.  While Great Divide’s ethos may be globally-inspired, our beers are distinctly Denver.

Since 1994 we’ve brewed all sorts of exciting beer styles, added lots of brewing capacity and we’ve assembled a great staff.  In 2001, we bought our building – which used to be an old dairy processing plant – and set out for over a decade of exponential growth.

Thanks to our 45 hardworking, creative and passionate employees, Great Divide has grown into what it is today: winner of 18 Great American Beer Festival medals, recipient of 5 World Beer Cup awards, 12th in Ratebeer.com’s 2013 “Best Brewers in the World,” Ratebeer.com’s 2013 Top Brewer in Colorado, and 7th in Beer Advocate’s 2010 “All-Time Top Brewers.”

Join us for a beer at 22nd and Arapahoe in downtown Denver. We do it because we love it – come see how.

And the beers: 

http://greatdivide.com/beers/#all