Pick Six for Tilray

The purge continues!  Not to say that I told you so but any brewery selling to SABInBev had to know that it was not a marriage of love but rather financial convenience.  And when the money flow trickled, well as ‘N Sync would say, “Bye, bye bye”.

And now Tilray Brands and their CBD, THC, Kush, weed money has peeled off six breweries and one cidery from SABInBev. Shock Top, Breckenridge, Blue Point (the first purchased brewery if I am not too mistaken), 10 Barrel, Redhook, Widmer and Square Mile Cider.  

They will join the power conference of SweetWater, Montauk, Green Flash, Alpine and the new Good Supply Lager which I did not even know existed.

Before rejoices are sung. I do not know if this is a good change or not. These breweries all have different strengths and weaknesses and need investment and most importantly patience. I am cautiously pessimistic because one company can’t have all the tools to help this disparate group.

But at least they are out from the thumb of Bud.

Maybe Tilray can buy the four remaining Pac- 12 schools next

Fishy Strategery

Now, I am all for craft beer tie-ins and promos. Game of Thrones beer? Sure. Beer Cheese? OK, fine. But it really does have to be tied to something equally craft driven. Which is why I can’t get behind this whole Carl’s Jr. Fish Sandwich collaboration with Redhook.
carls-jr-redhook-beer-battered-cod-fish-sandwich-get-hooked-large-9
“Now you can have your beer and eat it, too. Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® today announced a partnership with Seattle craft brewery Redhook® to bring the gastropub flavors of beer-battered cod to their menus. Featuring the distinctive flavor of Redhook’s ESB (Extra Special Bitter) ale, the Redhook Beer-Battered Cod Fish Sandwich is now available at Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants.”

Even though it might bring beer awareness to a larger/different audience, I just wish they had partnered with say Chipotle or another chain of a bit higher pedigree. I mean, Rubios is advertising Stone beer. Sounds snobby and I know that everyone (myself included) has our guilty pleasures of processed foods. I just wish Redhook had aimed higher. (especially considering the male-centric sexist advertising that Carl’s specializes in)

Change the Game

“Buffalo Wild Wings partners with Redhook Brewery on Game Changer

Redhook Gamechanger AleRedhook Brewery is partnering with the casual dining Buffalo Wild Wings to produce a new beer called Game Changer this summer.

This from the press release, “Redhook has become savvy when it comes to pairing strategic partnerships with beer brands. The company launched Audible Ale with The Dan Patrick Show earlier this year and previously created a beer for the Seattle Sounders soccer team.”

Now, the rest of the release details economic numbers and talks about locations and margins.  And that makes me not want to even look at this on a store shelf.  The first, second and third paragraphs should be about the beer.  And only the beer.

It could be the best beer in the world but it wasn’t made except for monetary reasons.

Early Winter Forecast


Craft Brew Alliance will offer three beers from each CBA brewery (Redhook, Widmer Brothers and Kona) in the same package for the first time this fall. The 12-pack will feature Widmer Brothers Brrr, Redhook Winter Hook and Kona Pipeline Porter.

I am a big fan of this style of pack because it allows you to sample solid craft beer from more than one brewery and see which one you like. And if there is one you don’t like it is easier to give away three to other friends in beer who may like it as opposed to a full 12 pack that will sit in your ‘fridge forever.

30

Redhook has been changing labels and bottles but the outside doesn’t matter as much as the inside. And I am glad to see the ESB added to the new Blueline Series. Of course the “B” in this case stands for Birthday, as in 30th.

Here is the info… “a highly modified version of ESB that replicates the flavor profile of Redhook ale in the early 80s, lovingly referred to by Seattle locals as “banana beer.” A Belgian yeast is used to create these spicy banana notes. This special brew has a deep red color, bold hops, and rich malty body.”.

Sean Suggests for September 2010

September in the world is a transition to cooler weather patterns, unless you are in LA. This is the start of second summer in my book. So my choices for this month are a bastard hybridization of fall and summer with some spring thrown in there for good measure.

So take a look at my light, medium and dark choices from Stone Brewing, Redhook Brewing and Ayinger of Germany!

Prost!

September 2010 Beers

from PDX with beer

DSCN7085

TSA approved beer!

Twice now I have ferried beer via airline from Portland to Los Angeles. This is the second part. A new red ale from the organic folks at Hopworks, a special release from Redhook and a Full Sail specialty Belgian with the awesome name of Sanctuary.

Can’t wait to try these goodies.

Oh and here is my official grainy video of the opening of OBF 2010. The Year of the Superbrewer!

Redhook Eisbock

Both Karl Strauss and Redhook were craft pioneers who seemed to get passed by or considered too big and not micro cool.

Well now both are coming out swinging. Strauss with some good IPA bombers and Redhook with their 8-4-2 Expedition and now with this…
redhook-eisbock-28-bottle

It is described on the label as, “Aged for months at temperatures well below freezing, Eisbock 28 is extraordinarily smooth and malt with a bittersweet complexity achieved by ice processing.”

New NW Beers – part 1

red-hook-big-ballard

Ballard’s Bitter was one of the early craft brews back when I was a young lad. A lot of beer has been brewed since then and Redhook seems to be losing favor among the beer geeks.

But there appears to be signs of life this year. New releases are coming. I hope it portends better to come.

8-4-1

Redhook-8-4-1-Expedition

On the heels of Treblehook comes news of this Redhook addition….
Redhook Brewery will release the next beer in its Limited Series, 8-4-1 Expedition Ale, in sometime in March.

The tiny print on the label reads, “Hand crafted by eight brewers working in four teams, this Imperial Brown Ale was developed from their individual recipes carefully blended into one distinctive ale. Rich and flavorful, brewed with cherry-wood smoked malts and brown sugar.”