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Allagash, Crowns & Hops collab to support racial equity and more beers to know this week

January 10, 2023Chris Crowell

Allagash Brewing

Portland, Maine’s famed Allagash Brewing Co., and Crowns & Hops Brewing Co., the celebrated Black-owned brewery in Inglewood, Calif., are launching a collaboration beer, Cur-8, at the start of Black History Month, with proceeds from sales going to generate opportunities for Black-owned beer brands.

“Allagash has been a brand that we have long admired, and partnering with them to launch Cur-8 is a natural fit,” said Beny Ashburn, CEO and Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops.

Cur-8 is part of the new Eight Trillion Allies Collaboration Series that partners established breweries with Black-owned beer brands to accomplish true representation in the brewing industry. Cur-8 pairs the crisp flavor of Crowns & Hops’ 8 Trill Pils pilsner with notes of bourbon, vanilla and oak from Allagash Curieux.

“We’re able to draw from our respective signature beers to create something new and exciting, while also joining forces to support important initiatives that we care deeply about,” states Teo Hunter, COO & Head Beer Operations and Co-Founder, Crowns & Hops.

Proceeds from sales will specifically go to the 8 Trill Initiative, a development fund launched by Crowns & Hops co-founders Beny Ashburn and Teo Hunter, which is dedicated to generating opportunities for Black-owned craft beer brands while demonstrating the benefits and fiscal impact of racial equity.

“8 Trill Pils” is named after a statistic from a W.K. Kellogg Foundation report, “Business Case for Racial Equity.” The report suggests that the U.S. stands to realize an $8 trillion gain in the national GDP by closing the racial equity gap by 2050.

Cur-8 and the partnership between Allagash and Crowns & Hops is an extension of the two breweries’ long-standing relationship and mutual appreciation. Allagash Curieux was actually the first craft beer that Teo Hunter tried, and was key in sparking his interest in craft beer. The two breweries were also paired up in August 2022 for a ‘Fresh from the Barrel’ offering exclusive to Barrel & Flow Fest. With their latest partnership, Allagash and Crowns & Hops aim to create a lasting contribution for the 8 Trill Initiative, united in their mutual desire for progress.

“We have huge admiration for Beny and Teo’s passion and commitment – not just for brewing outstanding beer, but for building community and for civic engagement,” said Rob Tod, Founder, Allagash. “Our breweries’ core values align, and the release of Cur-8 reflects our respective efforts to make a positive impact through beer. We loved collaborating with them on this and look forward to working together with them to achieve more racial equity in craft beer.”

Allagash’s dedication to community and social justice initiatives is ongoing. The B-Corp certified brewery collaborates with multiple philanthropic and nonprofit partners, including through giving back 1% of the company’s annual revenue to multiply their efforts. Internally, Allagash has also made the commitment to Crafted For All, a framework built to help diversify and expand the craft beer community.

Voodoo Ranger prepared for Fruit Force takeoff

Voodoo Ranger Fruit Force

Voodoo Ranger’s new Fruit Force IPA is landing around the country this week at a mighty 9.5% ABV. Demand for Hazy Imperials has skyrocketed over the past year, and Voodoo Ranger, the number one IPA brand in the country, needs to keep pushing for those new heights.

Fruit Force’s predecessor, Juice Force, was one of the top beer releases of 2022. Fruit Force takes key features of the American-Style Hazy Imperial IPA with a fruit forward hop aroma and flavor, and a fruit punch twist. Fruit Force boasts a lighter body compared to most hazy imperials, with a hint of fruity sweetness.

“People love Juice Force. But even that unique and highly sought-after creature – the highly drinkable, Hazy Imperial IPA – needs a wingman,” said Dave Knospe, Director of Core Brands. “Fruit Force is a natural addition to expand the Voodoo Ranger family with a new, unexpected flavor, and we can’t wait to see how fans respond.”

Rick’s Near Beer debuts second beer for Dry January

Rick's Near Beer

Rick’s Near Beer launches Rick’s Hazy, the second in its lineup of non-alcoholic craft beers (contains less than 0.5% ABV). Rick’s Hazy, full of citrus and tropical fruit flavor and aroma, is brewed with premium malted barley, flaked wheat, loads of Pacific Northwest hops, and Rocky Mountain water. 

Founded by Certified Cicerone Josh Hare, the entrepreneur behind Texas-based beverage brands Hops & Grain Brewing and Pint & Plow Brewing, Rick’s Near Beer launched in December 2022 with its initial low strength offering, Rick’s Original.

“We’re brewing a line up of beers that can be enjoyed morning, noon, and night,” says Hare. “Rick’s Hazy is for every beer lover, whether you’re celebrating the New Year with a resolution to cut back on your alcohol intake, or you’re looking for a delicious beer to enjoy during happy hour before a commute home after work.”

Huss Brewing starts 2023 with two new beers

Huss Brewing

Arizona’s Huss Brewing Co. is rolling out two new craft beers, Papago Blueberry Wheat and Rio Salado Mexican Lager.

Papago Blueberry Wheat (5% ABV | 12 IBU’s) is bursting with natural blueberry flavor and color, and is a welcome addition to Papago’s family of fruit beers that include Papago Cherry Blossom and Papago Orange Blossom. The Blueberry Wheat is balanced and smooth with a crisp, slightly sweet finish.

Rio Salado Mexican Lager (4.7% ABV | 16 IBU’s) is Huss’ first Mexican Lager, brewed with malted barley, flaked maize, and Vienna malt. Their take on the popular beer is delicious, crisp light lager that pays homage to the former brewery (Rio Salado Brewing) where Huss’ Tempe brewery and taproom currently reside.

Our Mutual Friend brings back Thanatoid

Thanatoid Our Mutual Friend

Our Mutual Friend Brewing (OMF) is kicking off 2023 with the return of Thanatoid, the brewery’s revered Bourbon Barrel-Aged Stout that last made its appearance at OMF in 2020.

“Thanatoid is special to us because at the heart of it the beer is a simple but decadent whiskey barrel-aged stout, but with each release we try to improve on it,” says OMF Co-Owner and Head Brewer Jan Chodkowski. “This release is by far our best!”

Thanatoid rested on Laws Whiskey Four Grain Barrels for 14 months and then was aged on a pound per barrel of Madagascar vanilla beans. The result is a slow sipper, with notes of vanilla, marshmallow, nugget, toffee, dark chocolate and whiskey-soaked oak, and clocks in at 15.3% ABV. To celebrate the release of Thanatoid, OMF will also have a limited-edition Thanatoid glow-in-the-dark tumbler available for purchase; stout lovers can get the beer and glass for $20.

Neshaminy Creek Brewing brings back Pineapple Shape of Haze to Come

Neshaminy Creek Brewing

Starting off the year strong, Neshaminy Creek Brewing Co.’s first beer release of 2023 marks the return of the popular Pineapple Shape of Haze to Come hazy DIPA. As one of The Creek’s most beloved concoctions, this double dry-hopped behemoth starts with a base of white wheat, flaked oats, and flaked wheat. Then, brewers harnessed the mystical powers of Simcoe, Ekuanot, and Mosaic hops to combine with the enchanting flavors of pineapple for a truly spellbinding brew at 8.8% ABV.

It is available at Neshaminy Creek Brewing Company’s taprooms in Croydon, Dublin and New Hope, PA with distribution to follow throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Shiner Bock breaks Trail Ale from Variety Pack

Shiner Bock Trail Ale

Shiner Bock just released Trail Ale, originally part of Shiner’s Bonfire Brewski variety pack.  Stemming from the brand’s love of the outdoors, Shiner was inspired to create a trail mix inspired brew. Now back by popular demand, this time as a stand-alone brew, Shiner’s Trail Ale is a robust ale, brewed with nuts, dried fruit and chocolate for a sweet and savory finish. 

Tröegs releases annual fav Nugget Nectar with cool, original art prints

Nugget Nectar Troegs Independent Brewing

Tröegs Independent Brewing announced the release of its once-a-year cult classic, Nugget Nectar. Excessively dry-hopped, this Imperial Amber Ale celebrates the arrival of “fresh-off-the-bine” Nugget hops from the brewery’s annual trek to Yakima, WA, for hop selection.

Nugget hops take center stage, adding dank notes of pine and grapefruit. Simcoe chimes in with hints of ripe mango and creamsicle, and it’s all balanced with enough kilned malt to add body and a touch of sweetness.

Tröegs is reviving its popular First Squeeze events to celebrate the release of this iconic beer. Fans can enjoy fresh Nugget Nectar on draft, pick up limited glassware and take home illustrated art prints from hand-picked artists. A handful of events will also feature Nitro Nugget on tap and limited-release draft pours of Double Nugget Nectar.

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