MKE Brewing Introduces New IPA Named Litta Bitta

The 2014 year-round and seasonal calendar for MKE Brewing Co. will be the most innovative for the young microbrewery in its’ history. To commemorate the occasion they are launching the first new seasonal in over a year. Litta Bitta White IPA will lead off this exciting calendar year in fine fashion.

Available while supplies last over the next 2 months, Litta Bitta’s inviting light pepper and citrus aromas abound up front and blend well with lemon and grapefruit flavors as a result of a lemongrass infusion. This balanced and refreshing White IPA finishes with a touch of wheat that beckons you back for more. Clocking in at 50 IBUs and 6.5% ABV this will be the perfect White IPA to brighten up the winter doldrums and get everyone thinking about spring.

The recipe for Litta Bitta is a result of friendly internal brewery competition in 2013 where the brewers challenged themselves to create different recipes for the “12 months of IPA’s”. Each IPA was brewed and served at the Milwaukee Ale House, MKE Brewing Co.’s brewpub. This particular recipe for White IPA, created by lead brewer Brian Blazel, was so popular that it was the only IPA recipe to be repeated throughout the year. “I am both honored and excited to have one of my recipes make it into the line-up this year” says Blazel.

Owner Jim McCabe added, “Our company culture attracts and fosters passion and creativity. The Litta Bitta release spotlights what our team is up to every day. We all feed off of incredible collaboration and our fans get to enjoy this glimpse of real craft brewing.”

The name Litta Bitta ia a reference to the brutal feud between the two founding fathers of Milwaukee, Solomon Juneau and Byron Kilbourn. In the mid-1800’s, the respective leaders of Juneautown west of the river and Kilbourtown east of the river could not come to a resolution to unite their two settlements with a common bridge.

The Bridge War, as it came to be known resulted in a bloody feud lasting more than a year, until the two settlements came together for a unified resolution for the future of Milwaukee in 1846. Interestingly enough, this is why all of the bridges Milwaukee are slightly askew and none run directly east and west.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Stochasticity Project Launches with Grapefruit Slam IPA

This is the first official transmission from the headquarters of the Stochasticity Project, a first-of-its-kind, broad-scale experiment exploring the limits of imagination and the concept of randomness through the craft of brewing. On February 10, the first beer to be developed via the Stochasticity Project will arrive on store shelves throughout the United States. The inaugural beer from the project, Grapefruit Slam IPA, is a big-bodied, yet refreshing India pale ale marrying hand-zested grapefruit peel with the inherent citrusy bitterness of Centennial hops from the fertile bines of Washington state.

A one-time offering available on draft and in 22-ounce bottles, Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA ushers in what, according to years of studies and supporting data, will be the next enthralling chapter in the history of American craft brewing.

Dry, earthily bitter and packed with the character of sun-kissed fruit, Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA seems natural in its cohesive perfection, but it is a beer birthed from iterations both numerous and varied. Though new to the world at large, the fermentation engineers at the helm of the Stochasticity Project’s brewing laboratory and research facility have been at work for years, testing ale and lager recipes, calling on centuries-old techniques and implementing modern processes. These recipes will satisfy palates of nth degree beer nerds searching for the ultimate in flavors and innovations from the craft brewing revolution.

Wide-ranging information on Stochasticity Project Grapefruit Slam IPA and several beers which will be released in its wake can be found at Stochasticity.com. Casual beer imbibers should be forewarned that this is not a forum for passive enthusiasts.

What awaits at the Stochasticity Project’s official site is an exploration behind the science of beer, and cutting edge theories and ideas governing the direction of this ongoing program. A visit, no matter how brief, is certain to expand one’s knowledge and understanding of the brewing process, rendering it impossible to see beer the same way ever again. But that is one of the many, big-picture, big-reward ambitions of the Stochasticity Project.

This ambitious undertaking starts today with the release of Grapefruit Slam IPA, descending on this nation like a lupulin-laced, banner-hoisting standard bearer for the new age of craft beer.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Kermit the Hop Debuts as Bison Brewing's First-Ever Double IPA

It isn’t always easy being green. Sexy organic hops haven’t always been easy to come by—a challenge that Bison Brewing has been fighting for over ten years.

But, the organic hop landscape has changed dramatically since Bison received its organic certification in 2003. The organic hop quality and variety available is the best its ever been. This year, Bison was able to contract a huge allocation of organic Simcoe®, finally allowing Daniel Del Grande, Bison’s owner and brewmaster, to brew his first-ever Double IPA using 100% organic hops.

“Kermit The Hop is more than just a beer to me,” explains Del Grande. “It celebrates the huge strides that have been taken by organic hop farmers in reaction to organic brewers in the last decade.”

With over 3 pounds of hops per barrel, Kermit The Hop is super aromatic and crisp with bright flavors of citrus and pine. Tongue-tingling bitter, Kermit The Hop pleasantly numbs the gums, finishing clean and ultra dry. Boasting over 100 IBUs, Kermit The Hop is one of the hoppiest, if not the hoppiest, organic beers ever brewed.

“The rest of the craft beer world is crying about a hop shortage and, for the first time ever, I’m not. It’s incredibly refreshing,” says Del Grande.

Kermit the Hop will make its grand debut this evening at the San Francisco Beer Week Opening Gala Celebration—and it just might be the freshest beer there. “We are kegging Kermit first thing this morning. The beer will literally be going from tank to keg to festival floor.” Del Grande boasts, “It doesn’t get much fresher than that.”

Bison will also be making its first-ever appearance at the 14th Annual Double IPA Festival on Saturday where, yet again, Kermit the Hop might be the freshest beer on tap. For more information about Kermit the Hop and for a full list of Bison’s beer week events, contact Ashley@bisonbrew.com

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Indeed Brewing Company Releases Burr Grinder Coffee Ale

Indeed Brewing Company will release its 2014 Burr Grinder Coffee Ale at Bryant Lake Bowl on Saturday, February 15 when doors open at 8 am. “We wanted to do something a little different for the release of this beer,” said Indeed Brewing co-founder Rachel Anderson. “Burr Grinder delivers an intense coffee punch, so we thought a breakfast release was the perfect introduction.”

Burr Grinder is a collaborative beer created by Indeed Brewing Head Brewer Josh Bischoff and Dogwood Coffee. It is a unique take on a coffee ale, using ground coffee in the brew kettle, in addition to being topped with concentrated cold-press at the end of the brewing process.

Following the release event at Bryant Lake Bowl, Burr Grinder will be available on draft and in 750 ML bottles the week of February 17. Burr Grinder will make its debut at the Indeed Brewing Company taproom on Thursday, February 20.

“We are very happy to be working with our Northeast neighbors at Dogwood Coffee on Burr Grinder for the second year,” said Indeed Brewing co-founder Nathan Berndt. “There are a lot of early mornings in brewing, so coffee is a big part of our lives. Dogwood brews some of the best coffee around, and we pride ourselves in using the best possible ingredients in our beer.”

“It was great working with Indeed Brewing on Burr Grinder again,” said Stephanie Ratanas, Coffee Buyer for Dogwood Coffee. “We chose coffees that we thought would work well for the brewing process as well as the cold brew element that gets added at the end, then we let Indeed do their thing. I’m looking forward to tasting the results from this year.”

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Breakside Salted Caramel Stout Beer to be Released in Bottles

Portland and Milwaukie, Oregon’s Breakside Brewery fresh off celebrating 100 beers in 2013 is excited to announce just the 2nd release in their new seasonal bottle releases with the uber popular Salted Caramel Stout.

Salted Caramel Stout Bottle Release Party
Thursday Jan. 30th 5-8pm
Belmont Station
4500 SE Stark
Portland, OR

Join the Breakside Brewery team to celebrate its release on Thursday June 30th at Belmont Station in Portland, OR. Wanderlust IPA and Oude Noir will join Salted Caramel Stout on tap for the event and brewers will be pouring free samples from all of Breakside’s current bottled beers.

About Salted Caramel Stout:
A collaboration with Salt & Straw Ice Cream, Salted Caramel Stout has been one of our most popular draft seasonal brews now for the first time available in bottles. A rich stout base mixes with sea salt and specially­ made salted. this beer is rich and balanced with a luscious caramel flavor in the mid palate, a hint of salt in the finish, and a smooth roastiness.

Beer Specs:
6.7% ABV 28 IBU
malts: Two Row, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, CaraMunich, Flaked Barley
hops: Newport
special ingredients: salted caramel; sea salt

available 2/1/2014­ – 4/1/2014 on draft and in 22 oz bottles in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia and Japan.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Saison de Wench Latest Seasonal Beer from Bison Brewing

After turning his ever-popular Honey Basil Ale into a year-round offering, Bison Brewing’s brewmaster, Daniel Del Grande, was challenged to replace it with an equally interesting seasonal brew. Del Grande turned to his Director of Awesomeness, Ashley Routson (aka “The Beer Wench”) for inspiration. Together, they created Saison de Wench––a farmhouse ale brewed with botanicals.

“It might sound like a modern-day concept, but people have been brewing with flowers and herbs for thousands of years,” explains Routson. “Hops are actually the more contemporary flavoring agent.”

“Herbs, like basil and lemongrass, have been a major part of Bison’s brewing history since we started in 1989,” boasts Del Grande. “I welcomed the opportunity to continue this tradition with Saison de Wench.”

Using Bison’s gold medal award-winning farmhouse ale recipe as the base, Saison de Wench features a botanical blend of organic roses, organic hibiscus and organic lemongrass—each strategically added in various stages throughout the brewing process, including the mash.

“We put all of the hibiscus in the mash in order to extract as much flavor and color as possible. The lemongrass and roses were added in the whirlpool to capture otherwise volatile aromas,” notes Del Grande. “The result is pink-hued, refreshingly tart and slightly fruity ale with a bright floral nose and spicy, dry finish.”

Saison de Wench will make its grand debut the 2nd week of February on draft and in stylishly sleek, yet gender-neutral pink 4-packs. “As with all my beers, the packaging showcases the main ingredients––which, in this particular case, are pink,” explains Del Grande. “It’s not meant to attract or alienate either gender.”

“No one else has put a beer into pink carriers,” says Routson. “From a marketing perspective it’s quite original and, dare I say, brilliant.”

Saison de Wench will officially release during San Francisco Beer Week. Official release party is TBD.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.

Breckenridge Brewery Release New Spring Seasonal Named Ophelia

Breckenridge Brewery will ring in 2014 with a new spring seasonal, Ophelia. Like its namesake from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this beer is sweet and innocent. The unique hoppy wheat beer weighs in at 5% ABV (alcohol by volume) and offers a refreshing crispness with tropical fruit whispers. It’s worth noting, however, that unlike Shakespeare’s character, Ophelia, there’s no tragic ending with this beer. Quite the opposite, the beer’s light and hoppy finish leaves you wanting another.

“Craft beer is all about diversity, of course” explains Todd Usry, Breckenridge Brewery’s Brewmaster and Director of Brewing Operations. “Strong, complex, flavorful beers have made the craft industry what it is today, but there’s a growing desire for interesting and sophisticated, equally flavorful, session beers. That’s what we want to present with Ophelia – an approachable new beer, accessible by many.”

Ophelia hits the palate with a slightly aggressive hoppiness that’s balanced with light, fruit flavors. Subtle hints of mango, papaya, and guava round out the aroma of Mosaic and Palisade hops. Malted white wheat lends the fullness people expect in a craft beer, even a lighter one. Ophelia joins Avalanche, Vanilla Porter, Agave Wheat, Oatmeal Stout and SummerBright in Breckenridge Brewery’s line of session beers at 5% ABV or less.

The brewery’s complete portfolio runs the gamut from strong, hoppy beers like 471 Double IPA and strong, malty beers like Christmas Ale and Autumn Ale down to its session beers. Its small batch, barrel aged, and nitro programs bring additional variety to its offerings.

Ophelia will hit the market in 6-packs and kegs in early January everywhere Breckenridge Brewery beer is sold, and it will be available as the brewery’s spring seasonal through April.

About Breckenridge Brewery:

Breckenridge Brewery was founded in 1990 in Breckenridge, Colorado. In the past two decades Breckenridge Brewery has grown from a small 3,000-barrels-a-year brewpub to one of the most successful craft beer and restaurant companies in the nation. It now handcrafts more than 52,000 barrels of fresh beer annually and owns and operates five brewpubs and ale houses in the state of Colorado. For more information visit BreckBrew.com.

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Jeffrey Dale Starr is a beer enthusiast, oil painter, and owner of mobile software company Purple Falcon.