Category: Beer in the news

Great articles that you should read.

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It’s a Living

For those who wondered what would happen when Modern Times shuttered locations, well, one space will see new life.  Actually a third regeneration, when Modern Times PDX (formerly The Commons Brewery) will become Living Haüs Beer Co.

Founded by former brewers at Modern Times Beer and the highly regarded pFriem Family Brewers.  Now wait to see if the other locations can find new brewing life as well.  Most notably for my purposes, the narrow DTLA space that could serve a brewery with some rent money nicely.

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Weinhards Resurrection

Looks like Henry Weinhard’s Private Reserve has made a convoluted journey back to Oregon.

You can read the full press release from Molson Coors HERE. In broad strokes, Weinhards was a fairly large regional that got passed around like a hot potato. The beer wasn’t even brewed in Oregon for the last twenty odd years. Somehow the brand alone ended up in Molson Coors hands and has been passed down to one of their subsidiary breweries, Hop Valley.

As for the beer itself, it is a ” 4.7% alcohol-by-volume lager, first brewed in 1976 and acquired by Miller Brewing in 1999, will be brewed using its original recipe and Cascade hops from Oregon.”

By the time that I could legally drink, the allure of Weinhards was trending down. I still have brand affection but it is not based on the beer so much as nostalgia. How Hop Valley converts new twenty-one year olds is a bit of a mystery especially after their parent company essentially put the beer in the freezer and walked away.

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One Pint at a Time

First, I want you to head to HERE to watch the trailer for One Pint At a Time.

And then make sure to check the website, like I have to keep tabs on possible future showings in Los Angeles.

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The Sun is Setting

**unverified rumor alert**

It looks like, barring some late save, that Sunset Beer Co. will be forced out of their corner bottle shop and bar in Echo Park. Personally, “losing their lease” is both worded wrong and makes it a little too bloodless. And those who rally around the no gentrification cause should spend more energy here.

Back to beer. This shop has been my main go-to. I buy beer elsewhere but Sunset Beer Co. is where I can find the widest selection. I look forward to their weekly newsletter every Friday and usually have to fight the urge to just leave work and browse.

L.A. beer fans should send this iconic beer spot out on a high. Amp up your beer runs over the next couple months.

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On the Vista

Don’t go out looking for a single hop pale or IPA just yet but there is a new hop varietal in the pipeline to look forward to, Vista

The link above is for a dedicated website just for it. You can even buy Vista merch. As for the hop itself, melon and stone fruit are the hallmarks of what it brings to the mash kettle.

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A New Look Fig

Figueroa Mountain has performed a label refresh of their beer line-up and it looks good. Vibrant colors, good font choices and art but take a look at the right side of the line…

…that is Hiker’s High Hazy IPA – a new “bright and tropical IPA that’s as hazy as those foggy mornings at the top of your favorite peak. The new 6.8% beer is now available in 6-packs of 12oz cans throughout the state”, as well as at their other California locations, my closest is Westlake Village.

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Blue and Yellow

To the Universe: When I said to myself that I could not wait until Covid wasn’t the lead and only story, I didn’t mean that I wanted something worse. So, please help Ukraine, OK Universe.

In the meantime, drinkers from all over can help in three different ways by visiting one website, Drinkers for Ukraine.

There is a collaborative brew for brewery owners, an auction for beer fans as well as a live stream fundraising event later this month. Hopefully, this will be resolved in Ukraine’s favor before then.

You can also be on the lookout for local, to you, events where proceeds go to assist the Ukranian people. I have already seen at least one beer in a blue can with yellow accents.

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The Dog has Retired

Looks like Alan Sprints has decided to retire which means that Hair of the Dog Brewing, the much lauded Portland brewery will be retiring as well.

From a video that Sprints posted, he will be done in the summer, there will be a few more new beer releases but mostly, it will be selling what is in stock until the last bottle is sold.

This is a legendary brewery and I highly recommend snaring a bottle or two to have for special occasions.

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Will the Next Haze Please Stand Up

Cascade Lakes Brewing may have put a name to a new IPA trend, Red Haze.

Here is their description, “Our Seasonal NW Red is full of sticky, dank tangerine hop character with just the right amount of malt to accompany you through to warmer days ahead.”

Is the current IPA customer needing a turn back to dank, will the malt add enough sweetness. We will see of 2022 brings more of the red haze.

Or, who knows, maybe French Pilsner is the next new thing.

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Sweeter California

SweetWater Brewing Company recently announced expansion all across California. The march west includes the opening of SweetWater Colorado in Fort Collins plus the acquisition of passed around San Diego beer brands, Alpine Beer Company and Green Flash Brewing Company.

The Georgia based brewery is the nation’s 11th largest craft brewer and is turning 25th this year, both impressive numbers but I don’t think if you asked California beer fans to name five out of state breweries they would like to see here that SweetWater would make the list except for Marvel movie crew members who shuttle from L.A. to Atlanta.