Summer is in full swing, and so are the beer releases. This week, we’re tracking oak-foeder IPAs, community-minded pilsners, soda-shop crossovers, and more collab-fueled creativity from California. Let’s dive in.
Dragon’s Milk Emerald IPA marks a new era for New Holland’s barrel program
New Holland Brewing Co. just expanded its legendary Dragon’s Milk lineup — and for the first time, the dragon drinks IPA. The all-new Dragon’s Milk Emerald IPA is a bold, hop-forward addition to the family, and a fascinating evolution of a brand best known for bourbon barrel stouts.
Emerald IPA was fermented entirely in large oak foeders, where it picked up natural vanilla, soft oak character, and a round body before even touching hops. But the hop bill — led by Lotus hops — brings it to life: Think orange blossom, floral spice, and citrusy zing in a medium-bodied package.
“We have always explored how time and oak shape flavor, and this time we applied that philosophy to hops,” said Brett VanderKamp, New Holland’s founder. “Emerald IPA is a new direction, but it carries the same spirit that defines every Dragon’s Milk release.”
This isn’t a typical barrel-aged IPA. It’s not heavy or boozy. Emerald IPA brings a layered, bright flavor from the oak forward, not backward. The result is a refined and expressive beer that bridges hop lovers with the deep, patient complexity Dragon’s Milk fans expect.
Emerald IPA is currently available on draft at New Holland’s brewpubs in Holland and Grand Rapids, and will see wider distribution in California, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Connecticut. It’s also available for nationwide shipping through the brewery’s online store.
Karl Strauss x Green Cheek bring Squawk Box IPA back with charitable twist
San Diego’s Karl Strauss and Orange County’s Green Cheek Beer Co. are giving fans a second round of Squawk Box IPA — a 6.6% ABV West Coast citrus bomb loaded with orange and stone fruit flavor. Originally released in 2023, the collab brew returns this week to all nine Karl Strauss brewpubs and Green Cheek’s four tasting rooms.
A portion of proceeds from launch day pint sales — and 1% of total California sales — will go to Restaurants Care, a nonprofit fund supporting hospitality workers.
“Brewing Squawk Box together is a celebration of SoCal’s rich craft brewing culture,” said Karl Strauss Brewmaster Paul Segura. “We created this tropical IPA to represent both San Diego and Orange County craft lovers.”
Pelican Brewing adds hop-soaked hard seltzer and craft soda to its coastal lineup
Pelican Brewing is diversifying its beachside beverage options with two new releases: Hard Hops — a hop-infused hard seltzer — and Craft Sodas in Root Beer, Cream Soda, and Marionberry.
Hard Hops Blackberry is brewed with Strata hops, bringing floral aromatics and berry tartness to a breezy 5% ABV seltzer with under 1g of carbs. It’s inspired by Pelican’s popular NA Sparkle Hops and available in 6-packs at Pelican’s Oregon locations.
Meanwhile, longtime fans of the brewery’s house-made sodas can now find them on shelves. Marionberry is the highlight — a uniquely Oregon flavor that ties fruit-forward refreshment to Pelican’s Pacific Northwest roots.
Original 40’s People’s Crown is a crisp Bavarian nod to pilsner tradition
San Diego’s Original 40 Brewing Co. just added People’s Crown, a Bavarian-style pilsner, to its “On the Lighter Side” tap list. The 5.1% ABV lager is brewed with Tettnang and Perle hops for delicate herbal and floral notes, wrapped in crisp bitterness and light sulfuric edge.
“Bavarian pilsners are very pale in color and characterized by their low ester production — due to the lower fermentation temperature — and a very light sulfuric taste,” said head brewer Kyle Fjalstad. “This, coupled with German hops, creates a light lager with subtle floral notes that is extremely crisp and refreshing.”
Available on draft and in 16-oz can 4-packs at the North Park brewpub.
Penguin City resurrects a Youngstown classic with Old Bavaria Pilsner
According to the Youngstown Business Journal, Penguin City Brewing is teaming up with the Renner family to revive a hometown favorite: Old Bavaria, originally brewed by the Renner Brewing Co. in Youngstown, Ohio, from 1913 to 1962.
This heritage beer is based on Renner’s original recipe and brought to life by Penguin City co-owner Richie Bernacki and Carl James, a Renner descendant. The beer is described as a darker-than-average Bavarian-style pilsner with a strong malt profile — brewed to honor the family’s German roots and the working-class spirit of the Mahoning Valley.
Old Bavaria will be tapped on June 27 at Penguin City’s downtown taproom, with representatives from the Mahoning Valley Historical Society and Youngstown Cityscape present. Cans and commemorative pint glasses will be available, and future Renner recipes may follow if demand is strong.
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