(Independence, OR) – Rogue Ales has begun our annual harvest of GYO Certified hops from the Rogue Farms Micro Hopyard in Oregon’s Wigrich Appellation. We honor our cultivation, growth, and harvest by using 5 different varieties and 2,200 lbs of fresh hops from our 42-acre farm to create this year’s Chatoe Rogue Wet Hop Ale.

Like any farmer sowing seed in soil, the success of our hops lies a great deal in the hands of Mother Nature. Master Brewer John Maier had planned to add a sixth variety to the brew, but our Alluvial Hops did not produce this year.

After being cut from the trellises, the hop cones are separated and loaded into 250lb burlap sacks, driven 77 miles to the Brewery in Newport, OR, and immediately pitched into the brew kettle. Total elapse time: approximately 2 hours, 17 minutes.

Due to the massive quantity of wet hops used in the brewing process we create three small batches, and then blend them to form our Wet Hop Ale.

- Batch One August 23: 250lbs of Revolution Hops and 250lbs of Liberty Hops
- Batch Two August 24: 500lbs of Freedom Hops and 250lbs of Independence Hops
- Batch Three August 26: 1,000lbs of Rebel Hops

Wet Hop Ale is brewed with 11 ingredients: Carawheat, Carafoam, and Rogue Micro Barley Farm Dare & Risk Malts; Rogue Micro Hopyard first growth Freedom, Revolution, Independent, Rebel, & Liberty Hops; Pacman Yeast & Free Range Coastal Water.

Wet Hop Ale will be available in select markets on October 1st, 2010. Rogue remains dedicated to saving the terroir of Oregon hops and barley, one acre at a time, by growing our own.

Chatoe Rogue Wet Hop Ale returns in October

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(Cleveland, OH) – Some interesting tidbits learned from a recent interview . . .

Great Lakes Brewing Brewmaster, Luke Purcell, appeared in a recent interview with Mike Schwartz from Belmont Party Supply.

First off, the brewery has expanded capacity, nearly doubling it. Purcell noted that the brewery produced 80,000 barrels in 2009 and capacity will be at 150,000 barrels for 2011.

Purcell discusses each beer that the brewery does in bottles but most interesting is a new beer going on tap this month. Great Lakes Jabberwocky will be on at the pub only on Tuesdays (may want to call ahead to verify). This beer is a sour ale fermented with with Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus and cherries. It’s been aging in sherry casks for six years. Jabberwocky actually started out as a Belgian Tripel that just didn’t attenuate so Purcell and Co. took matters into their own hands. There are only three barrels of it.

Purcell muttered something about a Strong Ale going into Merlot wine barrels but nothing more than that. Nosferatu will return to shelves this month and Christmas Ale, the brewery’s second-best selling beer will be available later this fall.

Great Lakes Brewing doubles capacity, puts sour ale on tap this month

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(Lexington, MA) – Clown Shoes Beer recently released its fourth creation, an Imperial Amber ale dubbed Eagle Claw Fist. A release party was held on August 16th at Deep Ellum’s in Alston, Massachusetts. Eagle Claw Fist, like its predecessors, is available in 22 oz “bomber” bottles, as well as sixth barrel and ½ barrel kegs.

At its base, Eagle Claw Fist uses Canadian Two Row, English Crystal, and a little Black Patent malt to provide a sweet, balanced backbone and healthy amber color. The unique hop profile is a result of the perfect marriage between Simcoe, Centennial, and Citra hops. The Simcoe and Centennial hops work together to provide the bitter side of the beer (it weighs in at over 100 IBU’s!), while the Citra hops provides aromas of tropical fruits. The same Chico yeast that shaped Eagle Claw Fist’s sister beers (Hoppy Feet and Brown Angel) is utilized.

Eagle Claw Fist provides an intense bitterness that manages to leave your mouth in one piece and is harmonized by flavors of tropical fruits and flowers. Basically it has the power and grace of a Shaolin Monk. Eagle Claw Fist is best served chilled rather than cold to allow the bitterness more time to mellow.

Clown Shoes Beer continues to show respect to what craft beer should be with its small batch, artisan approach. All four beers have gotten tremendous reviews from both casual drinkers to the hardcore craft beer fanatics. Hoppy Feet Black IPA, the brand’s flagship, was released in January 2010 to great reviews. Expectations were high as Brown Angel (a hoppy double brown ale) and Clementine (a Belgian Wit) were released in the spring and summer, respectively.

With the arrival of Eagle Claw Fist for the fall Clown Shoes has cemented itself as one of the new breweries to keep an eye on in New England. A multi-state expansion is underway as well as several new beers that will continue to push the craft beer boundaries. Breaking Clown Shoes news can be found on their Twitter (@clownshoesbeer) or Facebook (Clown Shoes Beer) accounts.

Clown Shoes Eagle Claw Fist debuts

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More labels . . .

First up is a beer that won’t be available for a while but, for hopheads, will be another worthy option in the Imperial IPA style. Sneaky Pete, a 10% ABV DIPA brewed by Idaho-based Laughing Dog, will make its debut on shelves in select markets around the country beginning March 1st of next year. Kysela will be the primary distributor for this one.

Breckenridge Lucky U IPA is going into cans on a year-round basis according to the brewery’s Terry Usry. “Lucky U in cans will be out around October 1. We are focusing primarily on the Colorado market with Lucky U in cans to further promote locally our contribution to the Tivoli building through the portion of proceeds from sales of Lucky U.”

Lastly, two beers, Elysian Dragonstooth and Bi-Frost, will be returning to shelves at some point with an upgrade in label art.

Beer labels II: Laughing Dog, Elysian x2, Breckenridge

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Some new label approvals . . .

Ballast Point Brewing is getting a slight upgrade on its Victory At Sea label. Love the artwork here…

Harpoon Brewery will debut Leviathan Barley Wine this November and will re-release Baltic Porter around the same time.

Blue Point Brewing will release its first-ever Pumpkin Ale in bottles very soon. The beer debuted on tap last week.

Finally, Pretty Things Beer just released Hedgerow Bitter, described as being, “Inspired by British raw materials and beers: a dry and bitter beer made with hedgerow variety hops.” It’s available in 22 oz. bottles.

Beer labels: Ballast Point, Blue Point, Harpoon, Pretty Things

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Unlike most beers that begin with base malt and add specialty malts for flavor, Karl Strauss Oktoberfest is made from 100% specialty malts. A flavorful blend of Vienna, Munich, and Carahell malts create a toasty, nutty flavor that is characteristic of the style. To balance out the sweetness from the malts, the brewers stayed true to tradition using imported Hallertau Perle hops for a spicy finish.

After cold fermenting for several weeks, the golden hued lager is cellared at 50-degrees for an additional three weeks, creating an incredibly smooth finish. Weighing in at 5% ABV, this exceptional session lager is a great complement to traditional Oktoberfest fare, including grilled meats, burgers, and of course, sausages.

Due to an increase in demand, the Company will be brewing 33% more Oktoberfest than last year. Karl Strauss Oktoberfest is available in six-packs and on draft across southern California. Whether you’re rocking lederhosen at the bar or celebrating with friends, enjoy this beer while you can because this party only happens once a year. Prost.

Specs:
5.0 % ABV
15 SRM
20 IBU

Ingredients:
Malts: Vienna, Munich, Carahell
Hops: Hallertau Perle
Yeast: South German Lager

Label Copy:
We brew Oktoberfest in tribute to the world’s biggest beer party. Vienna and Munich malts produce the deep golden color, nutty undertones, and toasted malt flavors characteristic of this renowned Bavarian beer style. Perle hops imported directly from the Hallertau region of Germany give the beer a smooth balanced finish. This celebratory lager puts the ‘fest’ in the month of October.

Karl Strauss Oktoberfest worth the wait

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(Boston, MA) – A new beer is coming this fall to pair with your Thanksgiving turkey.

Harpoon Brewery has a new seasonal release, a 5.9% ABV Cranberry Ale, coming this fall in 6-packs. According to Harpoon Brewery’s Liz MelbyHarpoon Grateful Harvest will be available starting in early October. We plan to distribute in New England, NY, MD, DC, VA, NC, SC, FL, GA, TX, IL and possibly a couple more of our markets.” Here is the beer description:

“Brewed using locally-grown cranberries, this beer captures the spirit of a true New England Thanksgiving: the harvest celebration and the sharing of food amongst friends. Fermented with a traditional ale yeast that lets the cranberries provide the signature aroma, this beer is balanced by the ‘bready’ notes of the Vienna and Munich malts.”

Harpoon Helps, the charitable arm of the Harpoon Brewery, will donate #1 for every 6-pack sold to a local food bank. The beer is made with cranberries grown and donated by AD Makepeace, Wareham, MA.

Harpoon Grateful Harvest debuts this fall

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