Lakewood releases new citrusy spring seasonal

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

The coming of spring has brought with it a new seasonal release from Lakewood Brewing Co. of Garland.

Tangerine Queen is a citrus wheat ale brewed with orange peel and tangerine purée. According to a press release, the beer is fermented with an American wheat yeast strain which leaves the finished beer lighter in body than either a German wheat or Belgian witbier, while also enhancing the citrus aroma and flavor.

“With the world reopening it’s time to grab a refreshing beer on a patio and drink in the sun,” says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “Tangerine Queen is a great beer for any beer drinker! It’s super low on the hops and high on the citrus. We’ve been having so much fun with our designs too. We’re making Seriously Fun Beers at LBC and our creativity is being unleashed in our recipes as well as our designs.”

Look for Tangerine Queen on draft and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans. The beer will be available statewide from March through August.

Deep Ellum rolls out bumped-up Bandito

Image credit: Deep Ellum Brewing Co./CANarchy.

Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas has announced the release of a new seasonal cerveza based off the company's year-round Mexican-style lager, Neato Bandito.

Cadillac Bandito (6% ABV) plays off the original Bandito by adding flavors of sea salt and lime. The citrus flavors join with a subtle touch of sea salt to balance the sweet flavor of malted Texas blue corn. What results is a beer light in color, but big in flavor, with aromas of blue corn tortilla chips and freshly-squeezed lime. 

“For me, this was a natural progression of Neato Bandito," says Brian Morris, head brewer at Deep Ellum. "How can we take what we love about this beer and amplify it? Lime and salt! People commonly ‘dress a glass’ or bottle around here. So, why not do it for them?"

Look for Cadillac Bandito to be available in six-packs of 12-ounce cans starting March 1. Pick it up at craft beer-friendly retailers across Texas, or grab some to-go at the Deep Ellum Taproom + Kitchen.

Deep Ellum debuts winter beer for Texans

Image credit: Deep Ellum Brewing Co.

With its latest release, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas is hoping to help Texans enjoy all the cozy flavors of winter without cold weather side effects like numb toes and frozen windshields. 

Deep Winter Golden Porter (7.3% ABV) is a seasonal brew bundling flavors of cocoa nibs and coffee. And, according to the brewery, it's as confusing as driving in Texas during winter, since it features plenty of sweetness and roast, even though it's light in color with no bitterness.

“Pulling inspiration and techniques from previous brews, we created a wonderful dichotomy of roasted coffee in a rich golden porter," says Brian Morris, innovation brewer at Deep Ellum. "Deep Winter is packed full of complex aromas and flavors extracted with a cold brew method using a custom selection of coffee beans from our neighbors at Oak Cliff Coffee Roasters.”

Look for Deep Winter Golden Porter on tap and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans. The beer is available now at select retailers across Texas, as well as at the brewery's taproom in Deep Ellum.

Rollertown launching “Hazy Gonna Set it Off” Turkey Day beer program

All images courtesy of Rollertown Beerworks.

It's already been a big year for fans of D-FW radio personalities Ben Rogers and Jeff 'Skin' Wade. The duo first debuted a new "Ben & Skin" show on 97.1 The Eagle in February, following that with the April opening of their own brewery and taproom, Rollertown Beerworks in Celina. Now, they're looking to generate even more excitement with the announcement of a special beer program meant to take Turkey Day to the next level.

Rollertown is launching its First Annual "Hazy Gonna Set it Off" program, a tribute to Rogers' legendary “Gravy Gonna Set it Off” story of personal Thanksgiving failure. Rogers retells the story on the air every year, and it has created a cult following among D-FW radio fans that, for many, signals the start of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“This story represents personal holiday failure on a grand scale,” says Rogers. “It has been a great way to make fun of myself over the years to lift people’s spirits and to get them ready for the Thanksgiving holiday.”

The program is headlined by two new beers, limited edition merchandise tied in to the story, and limited edition 22-ounce bottles of three brews crafted to act as a tasting companion to your Thanksgiving meal. Beers is the program consist of:

Belgian Barnyard (4.2% ABV, 24 IBU): a crisp table saison with a sweet, light body and a hint of tartness. Bursting with flavors of pomegranate, yuzu, and lemongrass, Belgian Barnyard is designed to act as a Thanksgiving appetizer.

Hazy Gonna Set it Off Double IPA (9% ABV, 65 IBU): the program's namesake is double dry-hopped with Galaxy, Sultana, and Nelson Sauvin hops, along with Sauvignon blanc grape must. With notes of wine grapes, ripe pineapple, mango, grapefruit, and blood orange, Hazy Gonna Set it Off is designed to complement the main Thanksgiving course.

War Daddy (10% ABV, 55 IBU): a dark-as-night imperial stout with strong flavors of chocolate, coffee, vanilla, and cacao nibs. Cold-brewed through coffee roasted by KLLR Coffee, Wardaddy is designed to be served as Thanksgiving dessert.

Tune in to 97.1 The Eagle on Friday, November 20, where Ben & Skin will unveil the program live on-air around 2:05 p.m. They will retell the Thanksgiving story during Friday's show from 4-5 p.m., and then again during a socially-distanced event at the brewery on Wednesday, November 25.

Sales of the program elements go live at 2:05 p.m. on Friday by way of the brewery's website (click here), with customers able to pick up their purchase during taproom hours through Wednesday.

Collectible Hazy Gonna Set it Off bottles are $20 and limited to 750 units. Each bottle features a wax-dipped closure, a custom sticker designed by local artist Mik Jimenez, and is personally signed and numbered by Ben & Skin. Those who miss out on this limited bottle can still acquire 16-ounce crowlers of the namesake beer for their holiday enjoyment. Wax-dipped Belgian Barnyard and Wardaddy bottles will sell for $15.

For fans seeking the full production, the brewery is offering 100 “Set it Off” packages for $50. Packages contain one bottle each of Hazy Gonna Set it Off, Belgian Barnyard and Wardaddy, along with two Hazy-branded red reusable cups (a key component of the Gravy story). All of which is bundled in custom Hazy Gonna Set it Off carriers.

A portion of proceeds from Hazy Gonna Set it Off will go to benefit Grace Bridge, a Celina-based charitable organization providing food, clothing and other necessities to those in need. Rollertown also encourages consumers to donate directly to Grace Bridge via the organization's website at www.gracebridge.us.

Christmas coming early at Hop & Sting

Image credit: Hop & Sting Brewing Co.

Hop & Sting Brewing Co. of Grapevine is calling for an early Christmas with the release of its seasonal Christmas Cookie Ale. Previously a taproom exclusive, the beer is being packaged for the first time this year.

A press release describes Christmas Cookie Ale as "a tasty treat with sugar, spice, and everything nice." With an ABV of just 5%, the beer is of lower strength compared to other winter ales, making for an "easy drinking delight" you'll want to leave out as a treat for Santa.

“Christmas Cookie is an amber ale blended with cinnamon and vanilla to give you that taste of the holiday season, like a fresh-baked cookie on Christmas morning,” says Jon Powell, co-owner of Hop & Sting. “Our Taproom customers can’t get enough of this beer and actually ask about it year-round, so we’re thrilled to be able to share it across DFW and help get everyone in the holiday spirit.”

Christmas Cookie Ale will be available on draft and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans. Look for it at local bars, restaurants and retailers beginning this weekend, or stop by the brewery's taproom to enjoy it on tap today.

Deep Ellum releases fruit-forward football seasonal

Image courtesy of Deep Ellum Brewing Co.

With the promise of fall football just around the corner, Deep Ellum Brewing Co. of Dallas is inviting consumers to "go sideways this season with a new hazy IPA."

According to a press release, Lateral Haze (7.5% ABV, 25 IBU) is a tropical hazy IPA brewed in honor of the greatest game on earth - football. Billed as "the only part of game day guaranteed not to disappoint.," the beer is said to be dank, hoppy and fruit-forward with the flavor and aroma of fresh pineapples.

"With Lateral Haze, we set out to make the perfect companion for football season," says Brian Morris, head brewer at Deep Ellum. "A triple-option of sorts, Lateral Haze is triple dry-hopped with three different hops (Amarillo, Simcoe and Idaho-7) that come together to provide a beautifully tropical drinking experience."

Lateral Haze is available now through October in six-packs of 12-ounce cans. Look for the beer at select retailers across Texas.

A winter IPA renewed and a decadent debut to come from Lakewood

Images courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co

Adding to its popular Seduction Series, Lakewood Brewing Co. (LBC) of Garland is set to introduce Salted Caramel Temptress.

The Seduction Series takes Lakewood's best-selling Temptress Imperial Milk Stout and infuses it with different flavors. Past iterations have included Peanut Butter Temptress, Raspberry Temptress, French Quarter Temptress and Coconut Temptress.

“We’re always pushing the boundaries and making some 'Seriously Fun Beer' here at LBC,” says Wim Bens, founder and president of Lakewood. “This time of year calls for a decadent beer and Salted Caramel Temptress checks all the boxes. We loaded her up with a punch of extra vanilla and lots of salted caramel flavor and aroma. And we’re super excited to share it with our fans!”

Look for Salted Caramel Temptress on draft and in four-packs of 12-ounce bottles starting in December.

---

Also on the way, Cold Front IPA is making a late fall return. It's said to be the beer perfect for sitting around the fire pit or enjoying the crisp air out on the patio with friends.

“Last year’s debut of Cold Front IPA flew off the shelves,” says Bens. “So this year we made plenty to make it through to Spring.”

Cold Front IPA will be available on draft and in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles from November through March.

Harvest launching growler program and new seasonal beer, September 20

Brewers Toby Thomason and Bob Lang inspect hop vines
at Water Boy Farms (Harvest Seasonal Kitchen).

Harvest Seasonal Kitchen is embracing fall with the introduction of a new seasonal beer next week, an event that will coincide with the debut of a beer-to-go option at the restaurant in Historic Downtown McKinney.

Brewing operations got underway at Harvest in early 2017. Since then, brewers Toby Thomason and Bob Lang have released a couple of limited small-batch offerings in addition to a regular brew called Farmer's Daughter (a honey blonde ale). That beer, like the new one to come, features Texas-grown ingredients, some of which are produced on the company's farm, Water Boy Farms.

"In the kitchen at Harvest, we are dedicated to using as many local ingredients as possible, so our beer is no different using Texas grains, hops and honey from our farm," says Thomason.

Regarding the newest addition to Harvest's portfolio, Red River Rye is a red ale brewed with Texas grains and rye. The beer is dry-hopped, then naturally-conditioned with local wildflower honey to produce the finished product.

As for availability, Red River Rye and Farmer's Daughter will be on tap and ready to take home in signature 64-ounce growlers beginning Thursday, September 20. That evening, a launch party will take place at the brewpub from 5-8 p.m., during which attendees can try the brews and meet the team behind the beer.

Shannon set to deliver Blackberry Crystal Wheat

Image courtesy of
Shannon Brewing Co.

Wanna see somethin' purple?

Come March, that's a question the folks at Shannon Brewing Co. are likely to ask someone looking to try something new. The new thing in this case being a spring/summer seasonal beer by the name of Blackberry Crystal Wheat (6.2% ABV).

Available statewide beginning March 14, Blackberry Crystal Wheat is a kristallweizen brewed with real blackberry puree. The infusion is said to give the beer a refreshing and subtly dry fruit flavor, not to mention a striking purple color.

The official launch of Blackberry Crystal Wheat will coincide with the brewery's annual St. Patrick's Day Celebration, set to occur on Saturday, March 17 (click here to purchase tickets). In addition to food and live music, the event will feature over 20 Shannon beers on tap, including a number of barrel-aged varieties.

Beyond that, consumers can expect to find Shannon Blackberry Crystal Wheat on tap and in six-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Rahr & Sons readies new year-round offerings, moving Midnight Cab to cans

 Image credit: Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth has announced additional details related to the release of three beers appearing on its 2018 production calendar.

The first of these is Adiós Pantalones, a beer brewed with lemon and lime that Rahr & Sons is billing as a Cerveza de Sesión (session ale). One of two new entries into the brewery's year-round lineup, Adios Pantalones is described as a refreshing, light-bodied beer that can be enjoyed with just about anything.

Also set to join Rahr & Son's regular rotation is Paleta de Mango, a mango and lime beer crafted with Mexican pequin chiles. Originally brewed as a collaboration with Casa Cervecera Morenos of Mexico, it was created for the Cerveza México trade show in Mexico City this past November. The result proved to be popular, so the decision was made to brew it again and make it a new full-time fixture.

These two beers will debut during a special Cinco de Mayo event to be held at the Fort Worth brewery on May 5, 2018. Tickets for the event, which includes an appearance by the world's first metal mariachi band, Metalachi, are on sale now at the following location: https://rahrandsons-brewing-company.ticketleap.com/metalachi/.

As for the last of the aforementioned three beers, Rahr & Sons will package the seasonal favorite, Midnight Cab, for the first time this year. For those who may not be familiar, Midnight Cab is a black saison that's been aged in French oak cabernet barrels. Featuring notes of white pepper, black tea and currants, the beer will hit the market beginning in April. Look for it on tap and in four-packs of 12-ounce cans.

Rahr & Sons taps Jack Daniel's for 2017 BBAWW release

Image courtesy of
Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

It's a year of firsts for one of Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.'s most popular beers, as the Fort Worth brewery readies the 2017 release of Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer (BBAWW).

Due next month, this year's batch of BBAWW was aged 100% in Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey barrels. In the past, Rahr & Sons has blended the aged beer with a fresh batch of Winter Warmer (the base beer) to fine tune the flavor, but the 2017 edition of BBAWW will be the first to emerge in unblended form.

On top of that, Winter Warmer was brewed to a higher strength ahead of the aging process in order to withstand the alcohol present in the barrels. As a result, consumers should expect BBAWW to have a stronger overall flavor profile.

“Jack Daniel’s has a storied history as the first registered distillery in the country,” says Rahr & Sons owner Fritz Rahr. “We are thrilled to work with such a recognizable brand and utilize their whiskey barrels to create our delicious, bold Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer.”

According to a press release, Rahr & Sons partnered with Jack Daniel’s as part of the distillery's barrel program, in which whiskey barrels are supplied to select independent brewers to utilize in making craft beers. As part of the program, Jack Daniel’s produced a video about Rahr & Sons’ process of brewing BBAWW to promote the beer’s launch (click here to view).

Also a first, BBAWW will roll out to retailers in 4-packs of 12-oz cans. Look for it, as well as Angry Santa (which will also be canned for the first time), to hit shelves in November.

Go beerserk with Rabbit Hole's newest brew

Graphics for Shield Biter recall the rooks of the the Lewis chessmen - a set of game pieces
discovered on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland during the year 1836 (Rabbit Hole Brewing).

Are you ready to go beerserk? If so, then you'll want to reach for the latest offering from Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin.

Shield Biter is a strong Scotch ale (otherwise known as a wee heavy) that's described as an animalistic 8% ABV brew, with notes of lightly-toasted bread and biscuity malt complimenting ruthlessly rich caramel and dark fruit flavors.

Signature Shield Biter glassware will be available while supplies last at
launch events occurring on Thursday, September 14 (Rabbit Hole Brewing).

According to a pre-release note, the inspiration for the beer is drawn from the Viking Age - a period that dates from the late 8th century to the mid-11th century in Northern European and Scandinavian history.

"Old Norse literature paints the picture of a Berserker, a near mythical warrior, as wild and fierce as an animal. So resilient, their skin was said to be able to resist fire and iron, and so savage, they are traditionally depicted as gnawing on their own shields!"

Look for Shield Biter to be available on tap for a limited time beginning Thursday, September 14. Launch parties are scheduled at a number of establishments on Thursday as well, with festivities set to occur at Dallas Craft Co. Keller, East Side Denton and LUCK.

Rabbit Hole ready to release "The Rabbit"

Image credit:
Rabbit Hole Brewing

This week, fans of Rabbit Hole Brewing will begin a quest to "snare the hare," as the Justin-based brewery releases it's newest creation, El Conejo (4.6% ABC, 25 IBU).

Translating from Spanish to English as "The Rabbit," El Conejo is a pale Mexican-style lager that derives most of its flavor from a recipe designed with a mix of German ingredients. And, while some may wonder about how a taste of Germany makes its way into a Mexican beer, it should be noted the development of Mexico's brewing industry can be tied to an influx of German settlers that arrived in the country during the late 19th century. In other words, many of today's Mexican lagers are borne of either German or Bohemian influence.

As for El Conejo, the beer is fermented for an extended time with a traditional lager yeast. According to a pre-release notice from the brewery, this is said to give the beer a crisp, dry finish, which coupled with the beer's clean flavor profile, makes El Conejo perfect for drinking during hot summer days and nights in Texas.

Look for El Conejo to be available on tap beginning Wednesday, July 26. A release party for the beer has been scheduled as well, with that occurring on Thursday, July 27, at Dallas Craft Co. in Keller.

Lakewood shipping summertime drinkable duo

Image courtesy of Lakewood Brewing Co.

Summer seems to finally have arrived in North Texas, and with it comes two seasonal releases from Lakewood Brewing Co.

The first of these offers a new spin on an old favorite, as Zomer Pils (draft, cans) is now dry-hopped with Lemondrop and noble hops to give the beer a touch of citrus flavor, along with a grassy element. With the changes, consumers should expect a beer that maintains its thirst quenching quality, but now with an added flair.

"We're excited to re-release Zomer with this little hoppy twist," says Wim Bens, founder and president of the brewery. "We honestly didn't think this beer could get any more refreshing, but we proved ourselves wrong with this brew."

As for the other summertime beer, Artsy Tartsy (draft only) has been tapped for wide release after first being a taproom/special event-only beer. This time, though, Lakewood has added peaches in order to take the beer to another level. 

"Artsy Tartsy is just as refreshing, with a slightly fruitier spin on it," says Bens. "We chose a Berliner weisse since the style pairs so well with fruit, and nothing screams summer quite like fresh peaches. The added tartness, low ABV and bitterness make the beer highly drinkable."

Look for both beers to be available throughout DFW beginning this week, with shipments to other markets happening in the coming weeks.

Revolver releases Full-Tang for the first time in bottles

Image credit: Revolver Brewing.

After first appearing on the scene last summer as a draft-only offering, Full-Tang IPA from Revolver Brewing is out this week for the first time in bottles, and it's likely already resting on a retail shelf near you.

Full-Tang (7.2% ABV, 50 IBU) is an IPA that's brewed with tangerine peel, along with four different hop varieties (Saphir, Mandarina, Apollo and Citra), to fulfill the brewery's "tangerine-fueled" quest to design a stellar IPA.

In fact, two of the hop varieties used - Mandarina and Saphir - are noted for their tangerine qualities, with Mandarina sometimes being described as a "tangerine machine." Brought together with flavors imparted by the addition of Apollo and Citra hops, the resulting brew features a mix of tropical and citrus fruit flavors backed by an engaging floral essence.

Packaged in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles, Full-Tang IPA's official release date was May 8, with availability forecasted to last through July. After that, expect to see Redshift Spiced Red Ale to land on local shelves, with bottles of that beer slated to hit the market during the first week of August. For more on that and other products to come later this year, check out Revolver's complete 2017 release schedule on the brewery's website.

Franconia releases RoughRiders Red in bottles

Label graphics for RoughRiders Red Ale feature the classic Franconia logo, but bold lettering and a
distinctive red color allows the beer to stand out from the brewery's standard design (Franconia Brewing Co.).

Just in time for Opening Day of the baseball season, Franconia Brewing Co. and the Frisco RoughRiders have announced the return of RoughRiders Red Ale.

First introduced in May 2015, RoughRiders Red Ale is an Irish red with an easy-drinking style and a low ABV (4.5%), making it a perfect beer for drinking at the ballpark on a warm spring day.

RoughRiders Red Ale is a smooth,
malty brew with balanced flavors
and a light finishing bitterness
(Franconia Brewing Co.).

"We are very proud of this collaboration as we feel strongly about our local community, and what better way for our company to show that pride than by partnering with the RoughRiders," says Dennis Wehrmann, founder of Franconia." Coincidence or not, the color of the RoughRiders matches the color of the beer, so we celebrate the team and the bier from here."

Originally, RoughRiders Red Ale was only available on draft at Bull Moose Saloon in Dr. Pepper Ballpark. And while it will still be offered in that format at RoughRider games during the season, this year's edition will packaged in bottles for the first time.

"Taking RoughRiders Red Ale beyond the friendly confines of Dr. Pepper Ballpark is an extremely exciting venture for us and our good friends at Franconia," says Scott Burchett, chief operating officer of the RoughRiders. "We look forward to quenching thirsts around North Texas with a taste of RoughRiders Red."

According to a press release, RoughRiders Red Ale will be available on tap and in six-packs of 12-ounce bottles. Distribution will be limited to Frisco and Collin County, with the beer to be sold at Kroger stores, as well as at select retailers, restaurants and bars.

As for RoughRiders Opening Day, that happens on Thursday, April 6 at 7:05 p.m. Tickets for the game may be purchased online at RidersBaseball.com, or by calling or visiting the RoughRiders Ticket Office (972-731-9200).

Rabbit Hole unleashing JabberBock, January 20

Image courtesy of Rabbit Hole Brewing.

Starting the new year with a new beer, Rabbit Hole Brewing of Justin has announced an upcoming seasonal offering brewed in the style of a German maibock.

The JabberBock, as the beer will be called, brings to mind the fictional Jabberwock character from Lewis Carrol's nonsense poem, Jabberwocky. The work appeared in the novel Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There, a sequel to Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Fans of the brewery will no doubt recall that beers like Tweedleyum and Off With Your Red found inspiration in the same book, based on the appearances of the characters Tweedledum and the Red Queen.

As for JabberBock, a press release describes the beer as a "malty maibock that sports a clean and smooth mouthfeel, with a gentle warming and a subtle hop character lurking beneath a bready German malt base." It's designed to be rich and somewhat strong, but not overbearing, being the type of beer best enjoyed during the spring transition from the cold of winter to the warmth of summer.

Look for JabberBock to be available on draft, and only for a limited time, with deliveries beginning on January 20.

JabberBock

Style: Maibock

ABV: 6.9%

IBU: 30

Malts: Pilsner, Munich and Vienna
Hops: Perle, Tettnang

Winter is coming: Rahr & Sons Angry Santa joins BBAWW in bottles

Images courtesy of Rahr & Sons Brewing Co.

Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. of Fort Worth has announced it will release two seasonal specialty beers this month, both of which are based off the brewery's popular Winter Warmer recipe.

The first of these is Bourbon Barrel-Aged Winter Warmer, a beer that has become a North Texas tradition since it kicked off the brewery's "To Thee" series in 2010. As has been the case in prior years, the beer will once again feature updated label artwork, with the 2016 edition sporting a red, gold and metallic silver design that incorporates a static hologram.

As for the other beer, Angry Santa will be packaged in bottles for the first time after appearing as a limited draft-only product last year. Crafted with mulling spices, vanilla beans and honey to create a brew reminiscent of gingerbread cookies, it's a beer that Craig Mycoskie, vice president of brewing operations, based on baking recipes.

"The gingerbread baking philosophy gives Angry Santa a sweeter taste than Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer, though both are equally delicious," says Mycoskie. "We use ingredients in both beers that are typically associated with the holidays and nicely compliment the notes found in our Winter Warmer English dark ale."

According to a press release, each beer will be the featured pour at an upcoming tour at the brewery, with Bourbon Barrel Aged Winter Warmer being poured Wednesday, November 23, and Angry Santa scheduled to be served on Wednesday, December 21.

The two beers will also be available on tap and in 22-ounce bombers at establishments around the Metroplex.

Rahr & Sons shifts The Fort Worth to year-round status

Looking to keep up with the growing demand for canned craft beers, Rahr & Sons of Fort Worth recently installed a new, larger canning line capable of producing up to 1200 cases per day. The move, which doubled the brewery's capacity, was no doubt a precursor to an announcement today related to changes in the packaging and availability of two of its beers.

The Fort Worth will be the sixth beer in Rahr & Sons' year-round lineup.

The first of these changes involves The Fort Worth, a beer named in honor of the U.S. Navy's littoral combat ship, USS Fort Worth. It was first released as a seasonal brew in August 2015, but going forward The Fort Worth will be offered year-round, both on draft and in 12-ounce cans. As was the case upon its introduction, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer will go to the USS Fort Worth Support Committee, an organization which provides moral support for the ship's crew and families.

According to a press release, Rahr & Sons will celebrate the release of The Fort Worth by hosting a tasting at the brewery on Armed Forces Day to benefit The USO. Happening Saturday, May 21 from 1 to 3 p.m., all who attend will receive a red, white or blue commemorative pint glass. General admission is $10, with past or present military members paying only $5 admission with identification.

Commemorative red, white and blue pint glasses will also be given away
during a release party at Lola's Trailer Park in Fort Worth on Saturday, May 28 at 1 p.m.

As part of the festivities, Rahr & Sons will present the USS Fort Worth Support Committee with a check for more than $2,000 based on sales of the beer during its initial release.

“The Rahr & Sons brew crew is honored to be able to give back to the USS Fort Worth crew,” said owner Fritz Rahr. “The Fort Worth is just a small way to support those who make big sacrifices to serve our country.”

Summertime Wheat is brewed with Warrior hops and four different types of malt.

Also revealed today, Rahr & Sons will package Summertime Wheat in cans for the first time in May. The beer, which is described by the brewery as an American wheat ale, has been a staple of Rahr & Sons' seasonal lineup since it debuted in 2006.

Cedar Creek now sporting Tighty Whities

The background of the Tighty Whities logo features the chemical structures for
humulones (alpha acids) and lupulones (beta acids) contained in hops (Cedar Creek Brewing Co.).

Fans of the television series Breaking Bad are probably familiar with the character Walter White and his propensity for wearing tighty whities during the show's five year run, but who would have thought such a thing might one day play a role in the naming of a beer?

While that's not the sole inspiration behind the newest seasonal from Cedar Creek, the beer now known as Tighty Whities is indeed an homage to the award-winning drama. The name is also a play on the style of beer that Tighty Whities represents, which in this case is a session white IPA.

The session part of the equation comes from the fact that the beer has an ABV of only 4%, with the white IPA part varying a bit from what consumers might expect. Where other interpretations of a white IPA have sought to bring together the elements of a Belgian witbier and a hoppy pale ale, Cedar Creek has taken a slightly different approach.

Pale wheat malt is used to give Tighty Whities a bready element, as well as its hazy "white" color, but the brewery chose to use something other than a witbier yeast to ferment the beer. That means you won't pick up any spice phenols due to the yeast in Cedar Creek's take on a white IPA, which leaves it to the hops to be the star of the show.

On that note, the brewery describes the beer as "a citrusy session white IPA," that offers "lots of hop flavor, without being too bitter. Calypso hops impart notes of lemon and pear, while experimental hop 06277 (a.k.a. Nuggetzilla) adds tropical flavors." It's said to be "perfect for a summer day," which suggests it's coming out at an appropriate time given the early arrival of warmer temperatures.

For now, Tighty Whities is only available at the brewery in Seven Points, but look for it to begin showing up at draft accounts around North Texas over the next couple of weeks.


Tighty Whities
Style: Session White IPA
ABV: 4.0%
IBU: 45
SRM: 5
Hops: Calypso, Nuggetzilla (06277)
Malts: 2-Row, Pale Wheat, Dextrin
Other: Coriander