Craft Brewing and Distilling News for August 11, 2017
August 11, 2017•New Belgium Brewing Co. has partnered with Elysian Brewing founder Dick Cantwell and Belgian lambic producer Oud Beersel to acquire San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewing Co. Magnolia will become a majority-owned subsidiary of New Belgium, with Cantwell and Oud Beersel joining as minority partners (Cantwell and New Belgium founder Kim Jordan are a couple). Cantwell will oversee brewing operations and work alongside Magnolia founder Dave McLean, who remains onboard. New Belgium expects to build on the brand’s existing tap lineup, while Oud Beersel plans to ship its lambic beer to San Francisco for blending with Magnolia-produced brews. Magnolia, which declared bankruptcy in late 2015, operates two facilities in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury and Dogpatch neighborhoods, as well as a pair of adjoining restaurants. The brewer is best known for its flagship Kalifornia Kölsch and Proving Ground IPA, as well as its Bonnie Lee’s Best Bitter and SaraRuby’s Mild labels.
•Oregon’s Ninkasi Brewing Co. has debuted First Rule IPA, the newest addition to its Special Release Series. First Rule, a 7.5%-abv ale brewed with six varieties of hops, was first featured in Ninkasi’s Rare & Delicious Series in March 2017 and is now launching in six packs of 12-ounce bottles, 22-ounce bottles and on draft. First Rule IPA will be available throughout Ninkasi’s distribution footprint until December.
•Brittany, France’s Louis Raison Cidre will launch in the U.S. on August 15. The cidery, handled by LR Imports LLC, will release two ciders on draft in Oregon and Washington, with 11.2-ounce bottles to follow in early 2018. Louis Raison’s Rouge Delice is a 5.5%-abv rose-colored cider made with indigenous French apples. Organic Dry is a 4.5%-abv entry made with bittersweet apples. Louis Raison intends to expand beyond Oregon and Washington in 2018.
•Everett, Massachusetts-based Down the Road Beer Co. will release two limited edition IPAs in mid-August. Billed as New England-style IPAs, Golden City and Dreamtime are both at 7%-abv. Golden City features El Dorado and Bru-1 hops while Dreamtime is made with two Australian hop varieties: Ella and Vic Secret. The two beers will be available on draft and in 16-ounce cans through early fall. Down the Road’s beers are available throughout Massachusetts.
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