Playa de Brooklyn goes year-round
Brooklyn Brewery is expanding its portfolio with the addition of Playa de Brooklyn, a bright lime lager first introduced as a small-batch Tasting Room release in 2022 that quickly became a fan favorite. The popularity prompted a move to the core portfolio this year.
Playa de Brooklyn’s nationwide launch, and twist of lime, comes just in time for spring and summer. Brewed with Hallertau and Saaz hops, Playa de Brooklyn delivers a perfectly balanced profile. At 4.8% ABV, this tasty lager pairs effortlessly with tacos, peach and goat cheese summer salads, jerk chicken, and Oaxaca cheese.
Playa de Brooklyn inspiration
“My summer Playa is in Brooklyn— in my own rooftop garden, lined with palm trees and drenched in sunshine, where Playa de Brooklyn is the star of my frequent barbecues,” said Brooklyn Brewery’s James Beard Award-winning Brewmaster Garrett Oliver. “And my winter Playa is in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, where I spend weeks every January recharging my solar battery until I’m back up on my roof. I created Playa de Brooklyn to capture that feeling—it takes me straight to that beautiful Mexican beach, puts sunshine on my face and palm trees over my head, no matter where I actually am. It’s a state of mind… my favorite one.”
Playa packaging
To highlight Playa de Brooklyn‘s refreshing character, Brooklyn Brewery is introducing it in clear glass bottles. The packaging showcases its inviting golden hue, complemented by bold sunburst graphics in a vivid green and pink color palette that reflect the beer’s bright, citrus-forward taste. A convenient twist-off cap makes it even easier to enjoy.
Playa with prizes
And what pairs better with Playa de Brooklyn than the perfect music? Brooklyn Brewery is giving away 50 custom Bose Soundlink Flex Bluetooth Speakers. The sweepstakes is open now and will close 7/31/25, with winners selected in early August — just in time to soak up the last stretch of summer. Enter at brooklynbrewery.com/playadebrooklynsweeps.
Von Ebert collaborates with Russian River for 7th Anniversary
Von Ebert Brewing was founded in 2018 by Tom M. Cook and Tom S. Cook in Portland, Oregon. Von Ebert Brewing is named after the family matriarch lovingly refer to as “Grandma Ebert.” The quintessential immigrant story, Grandma Ebert came to America from Germany via Ellis Island and relied on her grit and determination to create a successful life for her family here in the states.
Von Ebert Brewing is marking its 7th Anniversary with two highly anticipated collaboration beers with legendary Russian River Brewing Company, known for its Pilny series.
“While we make award-winning beer in many styles, it made sense for us to stick with what we’re most known for – German-style Pilsners and West Coast IPAs,” said Sam Pecoraro, brewmaster of Von Ebert Brewing. “Von Ebert Brewing is always looking to produce beers ‘where tradition meets evolution’ and so these collaborations are a perfect way to celebrate us doing that for seven years.”
The 7th Anniversary Pilsner is 5.0% ABV with floral and citrus notes, and the 7th Anniversary West Coast IPA is 6.8% with lime, guava, passionfruit and strawberry notes. Both beers will be available at all Von Ebert Brewing locations in draft and 16 oz cans, as well as in some Northwest retailers, restaurants and bars. And here are some tap takeover events featuring both beers:
- April 24, 5:30 to close, at Cascadia Taphouse, 13619 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR
- May 1, 4 p.m. to close, at Moon & Sixpence, 2014 NE 42nd Ave, Portland, OR
“I was excited to get the call from Sam to come to Portland to brew with the Von Ebert Brewing team just days after they opened their amazing new tasting room on N. Mississippi,” said Vinnie Cilurzo, co-owner of Russian River Brewing Company. “We both have a deep love and passion for craft beer so I’m very proud of what turned out to be some amazing collaborations.”
Elysian Brewing expands Space Dust Series
Elysian Brewing has set its phasers to stun with Phaze Dust, the new Imperial Hazy IPA in its legendary Space Dust Series. Phaze Dust is brewed with Luminosa hops, a rare hop variety from Oregon, and offers the signature citrus character and mischievous drinkability of Space Dust IPA.
“With each innovation in the Space Dust Series, we strive to create an IPA that is worthy of the Dust name, while being bold enough to stand on its own. Phaze Dust Hazy IPA does just that with its soft mouthfeel and sweet notes of candied peach, mango and tangerine,” says Brittney Hicks, Space Dust Brand Director. “Phaze Dust Hazy IPA carries the familiar hop profile of the Space Dust Series while offering an incredibly balanced taste and new dimension with the addition of Luminosa. When we found the Oregon-grown Luminosa hops, we knew they would create a special brew, and the result was an obvious choice for the next ‘Phaze’ of the Space Dust Series.”
Phaze Dust Hazy IPA is beginning its national rollout as part of the new Space Dust Series Variety Pack. The pack includes all three IPAs in the series – Space Dust IPA, Juice Dust Juicy IPA, and Phaze Dust Hazy IPA.
Space Dust history
Space Dust IPA was first brewed in 2012 as a small taproom experiment using a dusting of crushed hops and a touch of Elysian magic. Over the years it has evolved into Elysian Brewing’s most iconic beer, radiating pure starglow energy and spreading hop dust throughout the universe as the fourth best-selling IPA in the United States1. Brewed with a blend of Chinook, Citra and Amarillo hops, Space Dust IPA is bold yet smooth and balances the hop sweetness of candied grapefruit and mango with a medium body and dry finish. It is also the only IPA from the series that is available on tap at bars across the country.
Space Dust expansion
In April 2024, Elysian Brewing expanded the Space Dust Series by introducing Juice Dust Juicy IPA, an innovation bursting with vibrant orange and citrus flavors. Brewed with Chinook, Citra, and Amarillo hops, and a squeeze of real orange, this variant showcases a multidimensional taste experience, featuring aromatic notes of orange, guava, and tropical fruits, complemented by rich hop flavors, balanced bitterness, and a subtle hint of sweetness. Now available nationwide, Juice Dust Juicy IPA quickly secured its position as the #4 best-selling craft beer innovation based on total U.S. sales in 20242, earning a dedicated following and new national distribution beginning in March 2025.
Continuing this tradition of experimentation, Phaze Dust Hazy IPA is crafted with a blend of Chinook, Amarillo, Citra Incognito, and Citra Cryo hops, alongside the rare, citrus-forward, Oregon-grown Luminosa hops. The result is an IPA that carries the familiar citrus notes found throughout the Space Dust Series, complemented by a soft bitterness and pillowy mouthfeel with sweet hints of candied peach, mango, and tangerine. Phaze Dust Hazy IPA is 8.2% ABV, matching the same ABV as its counterparts in the Space Dust Series
It will be available on the West Coast and in the Midwest as a 12-pack of 12oz cans starting in March, with a 24-pack of 12oz cans arriving at select warehouse club stores nationwide in late April. This variety pack invites IPA enthusiasts to explore the multidimensional flavors offered by the Seattle brewery’s iconic Space Dust Series.
And this year’s Mr. Irrelevant is ….
To commemorate the 2025 NFL Draft in Wisconsin, 3 Sheeps Brewing of Sheboygan is partnering with Green Bay’s Badger State Brewing to release Mr. Irrelevant. A nod to the final pick of the NFL Draft, Mr. Irrelevant will be available exclusively at Badger State Brewing – “one beer’s walk” from Lambeau Field – and 3 Sheeps’ Taproom starting April 24, the first day of the NFL Draft.
“Combining our missions – 3 Sheeps brews what Wisconsin drinks and Badger State Brewing brews beer that brings people together, our partnership goes together like football and beer,” said Grant Pauly, head brewmaster and owner of 3 Sheeps Brewing.
Headlands Brewing sources Salmon Safe Kölsch
California-based Headlands Brewing is dedicated to giving back to the planet and its community. To commemorate Earth Day this year, Headlands Brewing brewed the Earthbound German-Style Kölsch using Oregon-grown Salmon-Safe barley and hops. In addition to the limited beer release, Headlands will also be donating 10% of its beer garden proceeds during its Earth Day celebrations at all three of its locations (Lafayette, Berkeley, Walnut Creek) on Saturday, April 19.
Part of Headlands’ Explorer series, Earthbound exclusively sources Salmon Safe hops from Crosby Farms and Salmon Safe barley grown alongside the John Day River and Thirty Mile Creek protected by The Western Rivers Conservancy, along with malted by Admiral Maltings – all in support of the Salmon Safe Farm Program, the nation’s leading peer-reviewed certification program linking farming practices with the conservation of agricultural watersheds.
Schlafly Beer goes down under
Schlafly Beer in St. Louis debuted Imperial Passionfruit Tasmanian IPA (9.0% ABV), a passionfruit-flavored take on Schlafly’s iconic Tasmanian IPA. The Australian brew exudes intense notes of pineapple and citrus and is juiced to imperial strength with the addition of passionfruit during fermentation. This new release is available now through the end of the summer in six-pack cans across Schlafly’s distribution footprint as well as on draft and retail six-packs at Schlafly’s two brewpubs: Schlafly Tap Room in downtown St. Louis, and Schlafly Bottleworks in the Maplewood neighborhood of St. Louis.
“With Imperial Passionfruit Tasmanian IPA, our brewers have embraced bold innovation while honoring our tradition of crafting exceptional beers,” CEO David Schlafly explains. “This release builds on the legacy of our ground-breaking Tasmanian IPA, which is one of the first in the nation to showcase Australian-grown Galaxy hops, by adding vibrant passionfruit for a tropical twist. It’s an exciting addition to our summer lineup, offering a refreshing yet powerful flavor experience for craft beer enthusiasts.”
Heavy Seas reveals Lost Navigator after great marketing promo
I received a mysterious email on April 21 from Heavy Seas Beer that said “Lost? Good. That’s where the adventure begins.” Intrigued I clicked, and saw a rad animated gif that hyped a big reveal on April 25 at the brewery. “Something is lost … but not for long.” I then clicked to “Join the Search Party.”
I don’t live near Maryland brewery, so I didn’t actually join the “Search Party,” but really dug the entire roll out of this new Lost Navigator series of Double IPAs — brewed for the bold and the curious. Each release explores a different hop portfolio.
Hazy | A juicy, hop-soaked Double IPA brewed with Citra, Mosaic, Cashmere, and Sabro hops. Bursting with vibrant notes of mango, ripe pineapple, citrus zest, and a hint of coconut, this brew finishes soft with a cloudy haze that beckons another sip. It’s a haze you’ll be happy to get lost in.
Dank | A bold, resinous Double IPA featuring Chinook, Centennial, and Simcoe hops. Dank and piney with classic West Coast attitude, this brew delivers earthy bitterness, hints of grapefruit rind, and herbal funk, all leading to a dry, snappy finish. For those who like their hops loud, unapologetically bold, and full of character.
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