Choc phasing out four beers
You may have noticed on a recent trip to the liquor store that some of the standard offerings from Choc are no longer hanging around on the shelves. This is no accident. Choc is phasing out four of its long-time offerings from its Story Beers series:
-Basement Batch
-Pietro Piegari
-Waving Wheat
-Miner Mishap
Choc officials say the moves are being made to react to consumer trends and to allow the brewery to concentrate on its Signature Series and seasonal offerings.
You’ll see in your liquor store that Choc’s offerings should soon, if not already, consist of 1919, Last Laugh (which is not being phased out), the new OPA and whatever seasonal is in, as well as the regular lineup of Signature Series bombers.
For my money, from the four of those being phased out, I’m sorry to see Miner Mishap go the most. I’m told Choc has not shut the door on re-brewing any of the four sometime down the road, however, as a special occasional offering.
Black Mesa debut party planned tonight at TapWerks
Oklahoma’s newest craft brewer, Black Mesa Brewing Co., will make it’s international debut tonight at TapWerks. Festivities will kick off at 6, with the star of the night being the brewers’ first offering, Black Mesa Blonde. For more information about Black Mesa, check out this interview I posted last week.
And for a little more on Black Mesa Blonde, here’s an excerpt from that interview:
“Our Blonde is best described as an American Blonde Ale. It has this very subdued fruitiness (almost floral) that is first detected in the aroma and also provides the initial flavor profiles which give way to distinctively German malts that are the heart of the beer. It finishes crisp with a slight spice note. It’s how Black Mesa does summer.”
Black Mesa brews at the OKCity Brewing cooperative. You can learn more about OKCity Brewing right here.
Mustang releases label art for new Saddlebag Series offering
Mustang Brewing will release its first offering in its Saddlebag Series, a vanilla imperial porter named Brandy’s Imperial Sundae, this fall. The release date on the 9.1 percent ABV beer is set for Oct. 1 in 22 oz. bombers and in a limited number of kegs. The beer is described as having “rich, dark, malty flavors that combine with hints of vanilla, chocolate and mild finish of American oak.” Also of note, Brandy’s Imperial Sundae will be brewed at Choc Beer Co. headquarters in Krebs. Here’s a look at the label art:
U.S. brewery count at highest level since late 1800s
The Brewers Association today released mid-year data on the U.S. craft brewing industry, which showed a 14 percent increase in dollar sales and 12 percent jump in volume in the first half of 2012. Additionally, the total U.S. brewery count is now at 2,126 breweries — the highest since the late 1800s.
You can see the brewery count in this graphic, and read the full report below:
BOULDER, Colo. — The Brewers Association, the trade association representing the majority of U.S. brewing companies, has released strong mid-year numbers for America’s small and independent craft brewers. Dollar sales were up 14 percent in the first half of 2012, while volume of craft brewed beer sold jumped 12 percent during that same time period.
Barrels sold by craft brewers for the first six months of 2012 are an estimated 6 million barrels. Despite a number of challenges, including decreased overall beer sales, the mid-year numbers show signs of continued growth for craft breweries. The industry currently provides an estimated 104,000 full-time and part-time jobs, contributing significantly to the U.S. economy.
“Generally, most craft brewers are continuing to see strong growth in production, sales, brewing capacity and employment, which is to be celebrated during challenged times for many of today’s small businesses,” said Paul Gatza, director, Brewers Association. “Plus it’s a fact that beer drinkers are responding to the quality and diversity created by small American brewing companies. India pale ales, seasonal beers, Belgian-inspired ales and a range of specialty beers are just a few of the beer styles that are growing rapidly.”
The U.S. now boasts 2,126 breweries — an increase of 350 additional breweries since June 2011. The Brewers Association also tracks breweries in planning as an indicator of potential new entrants into the craft category, and lists 1,252 breweries in planning today compared to 725 a year ago. Additionally, the count of craft brewers was at 2,075 as of June 30, 2012, showing that 97 percent of U.S. brewers are craft brewers.
“Beer-passionate Americans are opening breweries at a rate faster than at any time since the day Prohibition ended for the beverage of moderation,” Gatza added. “There is nearly a new brewery opening for every day of the year, benefiting beer lovers and communities in every area across the country.”
See TapWerks’ special IPA Day food menu
We’re a little more than 24 hours away from the casks being tapped at TapWerks’ second annual IPA Day celebration, and The Thirsty Beagle has obtained a copy of the special food menu planned for the occasion. Check it out:
Appetizers:
-Charcuterie plate with select meats and cheeses, served with an IPA mustard and sweet cherry jam
-IPA-infused mango salsa w/jalapeno chips
-IPA-infused queso and chips
Salad:
-Mixed greens salad with goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, toasted sunflower seeds, grape tomatoes, red onion and an IPA vinaigrette
Main:
-Pulled pork sandwich topped with IPA cole slaw
-Fish tacos with IPA beer batter, mango salsa and IPA cole slaw
-Fish and chips with IPA beer batter
-Burger topped with IPA-infused queso and sautéed onion
And if you’d like a look at the list of cask offerings from Oklahoma brewers, click right here.
