INDEPENDENCE, OR, September 1, 2010 --  Rogue Ales has begun our annual harvest of GYO Certified hops from the Rogue Farms Micro Hopyard in Oregon's Wigrich Appellation.  We honor our cultivation, growth, and harvest by using 5 different varieties and 2,200lbs of fresh hops from our 42-acre farm to create this year's Chatoe Rogue Wet Hop Ale.
                                                                 
Like any farmer sowing seed in soil, the success of our hops lies a great deal in the hands of Mother Nature.  Master Brewer John Maier had planned to add a sixth variety to the brew, but our Alluvial Hops did not produce this year.

After being cut from the trellises, the hop cones are separated and loaded into 250lb burlap sacks, driven 77 miles to the Brewery in Newport, OR, and immediately pitched into the brew kettle. Total elapse time: approximately 2 hours, 17 minutes.

Due to the massive quantity of wet hops used in the brewing process we create three small batches, and then blend them to form our Wet Hop Ale.

    -  Batch One August 23:  250lbs of Revolution Hops and 250lbs of Liberty Hops    
    -  Batch Two August 24: 500lbs of Freedom Hops and 250lbs of  Independence Hops   
    -  Batch Three August 26: 1,000lbs of Rebel Hops

Wet Hop Ale is brewed with 11 ingredients: Carawheat, Carafoam, and Rogue Micro Barley Farm Dare & Risk Malts; Rogue Micro Hopyard first growth Freedom, Revolution, Independent, Rebel, & Liberty Hops; Pacman Wet Hop AleYeast & Free Range Coastal Water.

Wet Hop Ale will be available in select markets on October 1st, 2010.  Rogue remains dedicated to saving the terroir of Oregon hops and barley, one acre at a time, by growing our own.
 
For more information on Chatoe Rogue releases, Tasting Room hours, Hopyard tours, or overnight stays at the Hop 'n Bed, please contact the Rogue Department of Agriculture at 503.241.3800.

San Diego, CA – September 1, 2010- Karl Strauss Oktoberfest is back!  The company’s original award winning seasonal beer is a reminder to Southern Californian’s that fall is just around the corner.  “We brew Oktoberfest as a tribute to Karl’s heritage and as a toast to the world’s largest beer party in Munich,” says Paul Segura, Karl Strauss Brewmaster.  “This beer has a ton of rich, malty flavor, but it’s smooth enough to be enjoyed by the liter.”

Unlike most beers that begin with base malt and add specialty malts for flavor, Karl Strauss Oktoberfest is made from 100% specialty malts.  A flavorful blend of Vienna, Munich, and Carahell malts create a toasty, nutty flavor that is characteristic of the style.  To balance out the sweetness from the malts, the brewers stayed true to tradition using imported Hallertau Perle hops for a spicy finish.

After cold fermenting for several weeks, the golden hued lager is cellared at 50-degrees for an additional three weeks, creating an incredibly smooth finish.  Weighing in at 5% ABV, this exceptional session lager is a great complement to traditional Oktoberfest fare, including grilled meats, burgers, and of course, sausages.

Due to an increase in demand, the Company will be brewing 33% more Oktoberfest than last year.  Karl Strauss Oktoberfest is available in six-packs and on draft across southern California.  Whether you’re rocking lederhosen at the bar or celebrating with friends, enjoy this beer while you can because this party only happens once a year.  Prost.

Specs:
5.0 % ABV   
15 SRM                 
20 IBU         

Ingredients:
Malts: Vienna, Munich, Carahell
Hops: Hallertau Perle      
Yeast: South German Lager

Label Copy:
We brew Oktoberfest in tribute to the world’s biggest beer party. Vienna and Munich malts produce the deep golden color, nutty undertones, and toasted malt flavors characteristic of this renowned Bavarian beer style. Perle hops imported directly from the Hallertau region of Germany give the beer a smooth balanced finish. This celebratory lager puts the ‘fest’ in the month of October.

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About Karl Strauss Brewing Company
This year Karl Strauss Brewing Company turns the big 2-1, the most important year in a beer drinker’s life.  This coming of age will be celebrated throughout 2010 with a diverse lineup of 35 beers, including 6 year-round favorites, 3 seasonal offerings, and a host of innovative special brews.  Located in San Diego and distributed exclusively in Southern California, Karl Strauss currently ranks #40 on the list of Top Craft Breweries in the country.  In addition to handcrafting quality beers, Karl Strauss is a leader of the beer and culinary connection at their six local brewery restaurants.  For more information visit karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739.  http://twitter.com/karl_strauss; http://facebook.com/KarlStraussBrewingCompany

Oskar Blues’ Special Release Beers & Not To Be Missed Events
 
Boulder, Colo. –The 2010 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) sold out in record time.  If you don’t have a ticket join Oskar Blues Brewery for a mess of beer soaked events from the Boulder County Brews Cruise, OB Bus trips, Beer Inspired Movies, Beer Dinners, Special Releases & the Tasty Trifecta. Oskar Blues continues to rattle the status quo with great canned craft beer & events. Catch them at one of the following:
 
FREE Beerituality Movie Premier – Thursday, September 16 at 6:30 PM in the Oskar Blues Tasty Weasel Taproom. Beerituality is the new film by Jeff Cioletti and Lou Tambone. Beer will prevail in this film about a prohibitionist mayor on a mission to ban alcohol and a pub owner who finds a loophole to serve alcohol in a church. http://www.beeritualitymovie.com/
 
The Tasty Trifecta! Beautiful Beer, Sumptuous Sweets and Creamy Cheese & Food Tasting - Wednesday September 15th.  Ginger Johnson, of Women Enjoying Beer & Chelly Vitry, of Denver Gourmet Tours will be hosting a special Women’s event with the OB Can Can Girls Beer Club at The Tasty Weasel Taproom.  We’ll be pairing OB Beer with cheeses and desserts. If you’ve never tried it, here’s your opportunity!  Tickets & Info:  http://www.denvergourmettours.com/2010/08/tasty-trifecta.html
 
Boulder County Bruise Crews – Wednesday, September 15. Bus 1 departs at 8:00 AM and bus 2 departs at 9:30 AM from the Colorado Convention Center. This beer extravaganza will feature founding breweries Left Hand Brewing Company, Oskar Blues Brewery, Avery Brewing, and Boulder Beer Company for the breweries hit on bus one. Bus two will feature newcomers Asher Brewing Company and Upslope Brewing who will be joining Boulder Beer, Left Hand and Oskar Blues. The Cruise gives riders a chance to try some of the state’s best beers at their source, and showcases the wonderful spirit of cooperation among the area’s craft breweries. http://lefthandbrewing.blogspot.com/p/bcbc-tickets.html
 
Oskar Blues Beer Lunch Tour – Thursday, September 16th.  OB Blues Bus ride from Falling Rock Taphouse in Denver to Oskar Blues Grill & Brew in Lyons.  Buffet style lunch including freshly smoked meats from Oskar Blue’s original Midnight Toker, beer infused ice cream, and a flight of special OB Pilot beer tastings. Then jump on the bus for a tour of the Oskar Blues Brewery in Longmont and a free beer from the Tasty Weasel Taproom.  The Bus will return to the Falling Rock Taphouse.  Register via  http://www.oskarblues.com/shop
 
GABF Silent Disco –September 16 – 18 from 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM on the GABF tasting room floor. Come hear top DJ’s spin tunes while dancing away at the silent disco. Oskar Blues knew beer lovers needed to dance but allow others to chat about beer so they developed the Silent Disco. With cordless headphones everyone who chooses to shake it on the dance floor will hear the same tunes the DJ is spinning, while others roam the floor uninhabited by the music.
 
Additional Oskar Blues Denver Beer Week Events: 

Monday, September 13th
Oskar Blues Home Made Liquids & Solids Alaskan Brewery Beer Dinner, Longmont, CO
George’s Beer Dinner, Boulder, CO

Tuesday, September 14th
Corner Office Beer Dinner, Denver, CO

Wednesday, September 15th
Meet the Brewer at Duo Restaurant, Denver, CO

Thursday, September 16th
Oskar Blues Brewery/Tasty Weasel Taproom Open House
GABF Farm-to-Table Dinner featuring OB Hoppy Seconds (American Style Belgian Ale) & Ten FIDY Imperial Stout with gourmet meal from 5:30 to 9:30

Friday, September 17th
Oskar Blues Brewery FREE Beer Shuttle, Falling Rock Taphouse to OB 11am to 2pm
FIRKIN FRIDAY at The Tasty Weasel Taproom featuring Fresh Hopped Pilsner 5pm.
Alpha King Challenge at the Falling Rock Taphouse featuring Wet Hopped Deviant IPA, Wet Hopped GORDON ALE, Double Dry Hopped GUBNA Imperial IPA.
GABF Farm-to-Table Dinner featuring OB Hoppy Seconds (American Style Belgian Ale) & Ten FIDY Imperial Stout with gourmet meal from 5:30 to 9:30

GABF Colorado Brewers Guild Booth featuring Oskar Blues Deviant IPA &
S. Bus Imperial Brown (8pm to 10pm) www.coloradobrewersguild.com

Saturday, September 18th
GABF Pro-Am Booth pouring OB Columbian Supreme Coffee Porter
 
For more details on the GABF visit www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com  
Find additional Information on Denver Beer Festival Week at www.denverbeerweek.com
 
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ABOUT OSKAR BLUES
Three-dimensional brewing since 1999, Oskar Blues began the “Canned Beer Apocalypse” in 2002 when Dale’s Pale Ale became America’s 1st CANNED craft beer.   For additional info, interviews, images or samples please contact Chad Melis at chad@oskarblues.com, # 720.273.8888 or visit www.oskarblues.com

Brewery To Expand Distribution In 2011

(Paso Robles, CA) – Firestone Walker Brewing Co. will soon be offering several rare beers called the Proprietor’s Reserve Series outside of their West Coast home. The Series will be distributed, when available, in 22oz bottles as well as a very limited release of kegs.

The Proprietor’s Reserve Series includes Double Jack, a double IPA based off of Firestone’s award winning Union Jack IPA; Walker’s Reserve, a bottle-conditioned robust porter; Parabola, a barrel-aged Russian Imperial Stout; and Abacus, a barrel-aged barleywine, as well as their anniversary blend.

“Every brewer relishes testing the outer limits of their creativity and equipment,” said Matt Brynildson, Brew Master at Firestone Walker Brewing Co. “We have been honing these beers for a while, but I wasn’t sure that we would ever produce them at any appreciable level. The brew team is fired up!”

This year’s anniversary beer, “14″, will be released in November kicking off the Reserve Series. Double Jack and Walker’s Reserve will be released in January and be available year-round, while Parabola and Abacus are one-time limited releases for later in 2011.

Firestone Walker Brewing Co. will also be sending its Proprietor’s Reserve Series east, said John Bryan, (aka Guardian of the good stuff) “Export” Director at Firestone Walker Brewing Co.

“The Reserve Series will be in States where we currently distribute (which includes New York, New Jersey and Virginia) and we are perusing other markets along the East Coast as beer becomes available,” he said.

The Proprietor’s Reserve Series will also be made available in Colorado, the first time any Firestone Walker beers have been distributed there.

“Firestone Walker Brewing Co. is a regional player on the West Coast, but we think that these unique beers have a strong appeal and a constitution that will support the travel away from our local markets. The volume will not be large, it just helps save some of our loyal customers an East Coast flight to Cali.,” co-owner David Walker said.

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Founded in 1996 on California’s Central Coast, Firestone Walker Brewing Company is a regional brewery committed to brewing the World’s best pale ales. Firestone Walker Brewing Company remains the only American brewery to ferment beer in a union of oak barrels, a classic British brewing method that dates back to the mid-19th century. Firestone Walker Brewing Company was named “Champion Brewery” for the category of Mid-Size Brewing Company at the 2010, 2006 & 2004 World Beer Cup, and was also named “Mid-Size Brewing Company of The Year” at the 2003 & 2007 Great American Beer Festival.

Fort Collins, Colo. – On September 13, 2010, Odell Brewing will release the latest batch of its Bourbon Barrel Stout. Part of the brewery’s Single Serve series of beers, Bourbon Barrel Stout is an Imperial Stout aged in oak Bourbon barrels.
 
This summer, three Odell brewers traveled to Kentucky to hand select the aging barrels for Bourbon Barrel Stout. They visited a variety of distilleries examining thousands of different barrels and decided on barrels from the Maker’s Mark distillery.
 
Bourbon Barrel Stout was aged in these charred oak barrels for months and then blended to create the final batch. The 10.5% ABV stout was then bottled in 750 ml cork and cage finish bottles where it conditioned for another two weeks.
 
“The delicate vanilla and maple candy Bourbon aromas give way to a panoply of smells that include chocolate, caramel, roasted almonds and coffee,” said Andrew Nagy in his review of the beer for Cigar Aficionado. “The stout is well balanced to the palette as molasses, mocha and chocolate flavors start and then turn to the familiar whiskey taste of wood, vanilla and root beer candy, followed by a finish of coffee and toasted marshmallow.”
 
Odell Brewing will celebrate the return of Bourbon Barrel Stout, with an uncorking party on Saturday, September 11th from 4 – 6 p.m. in the brewery’s tap room. Guests can enjoy samples of the beer as well as live music by Better Than Bacon, and Acoustic Gripweed. Bourbon Barrel Stout is available in the brewery’s nine state distributor region at a suggested retail price of $14.99 per bottle.
 
Odell Brewing was recently named “Brewery of the Year” by 5280 Magazine and is an award winning brewery, nationally and internationally: 2010 North American Beer Awards – gold medal for Woodcut No. 3, silver medal for India Barleywine, silver medal for Red Ale, and bronze for 5 Barrel Pale Ale. 2010 Australian  International Beer Awards – silver for 5 Barrel Pale Ale, silver for 90 Shilling, and bronze for IPA.  2010 World Beer Cup® - bronze for Red Ale. 2010 Denver International Beer Competition – silver for IPA, and silver for 5 Barrel Pale Ale. 2009 Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival – silver medal for 5 Barrel Pale Ale, bronze medal for 90 Shilling. 2009 BrewNZ Awards – gold for 5 Barrel Pale Ale, silver for 90 Shilling, and silver for IPA. 2008 World Beer Cup® – gold for IPA, silver for Double Pilsner, silver for Cutthroat Porter. 2007 Great American Beer Festival® – gold medal for IPA, silver medal for Easy Street Wheat, bronze medal for Extra Special Red.