zmanPLAN said:
Talking to a Bud employee last Friday, I found out that they might be trying the "craft swill" business, much like Blue Moon from Coors. <sarcasm hat on> Can't wait to try that!...<sarcasm hat off>
Well, much to the surprise of most craft beer enthusiasts out there, some of the recent A-B test markets for their craft beers seem to be getting decent reviews. I know Boston and Columbus, Ohio are two areas that will start seeing some of these test brews. These guys have really good brewers at their disposal, it's just a matter of letting them brew.
Here are the three test beers currently being developed:
Stone Face Ale
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29/30065/?ba=bros
(New England-style Brown Ale. 6.7%)
Devil's Hop Yard IPA
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29/30064/?ba=bros
(American IPA. 6.4%)
Leaf Peeper Pils
http://beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/29/30063/?ba=bros
(Imperial Pils. 8.0%)
And technically, I guess they have one less really good brewer at their disposal as
Stone Brewing out of San Diego has recently hired one of the A-B brewers who was pretty much at the forefront of their test beers. He should bring some great large scale experience to the new (and much larger) Stone facility.
BeerAdvocate Article
Just stay away from that miserable excuse for a stout that they put out a couple of years ago and is starting to see wider distribution, Bare Knuckle Stout +o( . I believe it is served on a nitro tap which creates a nice creamy texture and helps hide some of its lack of body.
But if you are in Denver and want to see what some of the Coors guys can brew, definitely stop in to the
SandLot Brewery at Coors Field. They are constant GABF award winners and rightfully so, but are not constrained by the overbearing Coors corporate hammer in Golden.
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On a different note,
Flying Dog brewery out of Denver is expanding by buying Frederick Brewing out of Maryland. I believe they will continue to produce their own beers under the new name of Wild Goose Brewing plus take on some of the Flying Dog portfolio in order to get fresher Flying Dog to the east coast.
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And don't forget that next week, May 15th through the 21st is
American Craft Beer Week! (and my birthday, but I suppose that is just coincidence!) 1300 craft breweries and brewpubs across the country are celebrating with special promotions and one time beers. Avery in Boulder will have tasting room only beers that have been brewed on a small pilot system just for the week and probably never to be seen again. A great chance to support your local brewer!!