Current local beer recommendation: Cumulocitron Oat Cream IPA from Rebel Kettle Brewing Company (available from the taproom in 4-pack cans)
This week has a few new releases on tap around town as well as some different hours for the holiday. Let’s start with today’s release at Lost Forty Brewing, where the brew team is ringing in 2020 with a series of Hoppy New Year IPA pilot batches. Recipe #1 today is a 5.5% ABV West Coast IPA made with Columbus, Sultana and Amarillo hops. While West Coast IPAs tend to be on the more bitter side, Lost Forty says this batch has notes of orange, mango, grilled pineapple and other citrus. Batch #1 and all the Hoppy New Year releases will be draft only while Lost Forty gathers feedback and makes adjustments for a wide release later in the year. That means you’ll want to get to the taproom today to try it out. If you can’t make it, stop by for Hoppy New Year brunch on Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. In addition to the regular brunch menu, the kitchen will have a Hoppin’ John Pork Belly special made with black eyed peas.
Flyway Brewing wants you to celebrate the new year with its second strong cider release over the holidays. Tuesday’s release is Black Cherry Apple Strong Cider, a limited batch that will debut on New Year’s Eve at 11 a.m. We don’t know a lot about this cider, but last week Flyway released a Holiday Strong Cider that came in at 10.9% ABV. If you don’t get there tomorrow, you’ll have to wait until Thursday as Flyway will be closed on New Year’s Day to give staff time off to celebrate.
Stone’s Throw Brewing is keeping regular hours during this week, including opening both locations at 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day. For its #NewBrewFriday, Stone’s Throw is debuting its new Sabro Pale Ale. This 5.5% ABV is brewed with 100% Sabro hops, a relatively new hop variety that was developed almost two years ago. It features notes of tangerine, mango, coconut and tropical fruit. Sabro Pale Ale will be on tap at Stone’s Throw MacPark at 4p.m. on Friday.
No new release this week from Rebel Kettle Brewing Company, though I’ve been told to expect an announcement on a new canned brew very soon. In the meantime, stop by Rebel Kettle between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for brunch on New Year’s Day. Rebel Kettle will be closing early that day for the holiday.
Lastly, I’m going to start posting a different local beer every week that I’m currently enjoying and recommend you try. You can find it at the very top of the story. I will mix it up in terms of beer style from week to week, but the goal is to highlight some of the great work being done each week at our local breweries and let you know where to find it for yourself. Feel free to reach out to me with any comments or questions about my recommendations.
Do you have any beer news to share with us? Email steveshuler@gmail.com.
RIP Damgoode Pies
November 20, 2023
