Cluster's Last Stand Update- Release Now September 6

Hello Beer Drinkers,

This is just a quick note to let you know we've pushed back the Towle Farm Cluster's Last Stand release one week to Saturday, September 6 shipments to wholesalers will begin on Monday, September 8

We would have liked to stick to the schedule, but there was a delay printing the labels and we can not bottle without labels! Stay tuned to our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for pictures of bottling,: because seeing beer being packaged is almost as fun drinking it, but not really.  

We hope you all have a safe and happy holiday weekend. We'll be open our regular hours Saturday, Sunday and Monday, if you need a beer on your I-95 travels or cookouts.

Cheers!

Cluster's Rides Again September 1!

Just over a year ago, Smuttynose collaborated with Stone Brewing Co. to brew a beer called Cluster's Last Stand. Inspired by Mitch Steele's comprehensive book on India Pale Ale, this recreation of the original Ballantine IPA recipe was brewed for research purposes and so we could put to use a beer name we'd been sitting on for over five years. Luckily, Mitch, Greg Koch and Steve Wagner; the Stone brain trust, were on board for a 30 barrel batch.

Not very many folks got to drink Cluster's Last Stand, but a lot of people sure wanted to. Our email inbox and social media channels were full of messages from people far and wide who wanted to get this old school hoppiness in their beer glasses. We were certainly game to brew more Cluster's, but we simply didn't have the capacity at Heritage Ave. Now that we're up and running in our new home at Towle Farm, we called Team Stone for their second thumbs and we began taking pre-orders.

After doing some math, we scheduled 7 batches in order to make the 540 barrels of beer we needed. That's the equivalent of almost 100,000 22oz bottles in this limited edition re-brew. We will be splitting the batch into both 22-ounce bottles and kegs, so you can enjoy a pint at your favorite bar or restaurant, as well as in the comfort of your own home. Bottles will first release at our Towle Farm Smerch store for $9 each, with wholesaler orders rolling out shortly after.

Cluster's Last Stand Stats

8.8% abv 62 IBU
Malts: North American 2-Row, Flaked Maize, Munich 10L, C-60
Hops: Bittering- Cluster, Flavor- Brewer's Gold and East Kent Golding, Dry Hop-Bullion
Yeast: American ale yeast
Production: 540 barrels packaged in 22 ounce bottles, 5.2 gallon kegs and 15.5 gallon kegs.

Distribution: CA, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, Germany, IL, IN, Italy, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, SC, South Korea, TN, United Kingdom, VA, VT, WI

Smuttlabs: Schmutzig debuts August 23

The Smuttlabs train is really starting to roll! Our next release, Schmutzig, will be available in the Smerch Store at the Towle Farm brewery at 10am, Saturday, August 23rd. Schmutzig (6% abv) showcases the interplay between hefeweizen yeast and Sterling and Crystal hops. It's hoppy like an IPA, but firmly grounded in Bavaria, thanks to its hefeweizen roots. If you can't quite imagine what that's like, you've just given yourself a great reason to come and try it for yourself! The 375ml bottles are $6 each and we have 50 cases for sale at the brewery. There will also be sample tasters.

Shipments to all our markets, including 77 cases of bottles, begin on Monday, August 25. We brewed 100 barrels of Schmutzig, (our largest Smuttlabs release to date) which means it'll get farther out into the world than say Brett & I or Hugs 'n Rainbows, but it is still pretty limited. Stay tuned to social media for all our latest updates.

We'll see you at the Farm!

Schmutzig Stats

15 IBU, 6% abv
Malts: North American 2-Row, Wheat Malt, Munich 10L
Hops: Bittering- Magnum, Flavoring- Sterling, Dry Hop- Crystal
Yeast: Hefeweizen
Production: 100 barrels
Distribution: CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI

Big Beer Series: Tripel releases 8/16

As we look for inspiration for new Big Beers, the tendency has always drifted towards the next thing or an unusual ingredient. One style we had never done, which makes it seem like we overlooked something kind of obvious for 20 years, was the Belgian tripel. If you've had some of the classics of the style, then you know what to expect.

The golden color is misleading, causing the new tripel drinker to expect something subtle, if not downright benign, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Sweet, round and full of fruity esters from our distinctive Belgian-style yeast strain, Smuttynose Tripel is a perfect for sipping but also highly versatile at the table, pairing well with anything from salads and fish, to richly spiced entrees.

We'll be releasing 22-ounce bottles of Tripel for $6 at Smuttynose on August, 16 at 11am and shipments will begin that Monday, August 18.

See you at the Farm!

Smuttynose Tripel Stats

8.2% abv 25 IBU 19° Plato
Malts: North American 2-Row, Aromatic, Wheat, Carapils
Hops: Sterling
Other Ingredients: Clear Belgian-style candi syrup
Yeast: Trappist Ale Yeast

Malt, Hops Rules!

The East Coast vs. West Coast Punk Rock Brew Tour kicks off its fourth year on August 12 at Idle Hands in New York City.

The antidote for a near endless run of template tap takeovers, EC/WC is brought to you by four of America's leading breweries: Smuttynose, Lagunitas, Sixpoint and Sierra Nevada.

How is EC/WC different? 1) Each brewery will be bringing an IPA and a lighter offering (think pilsner, kolsch, summer beer). Any other beers (and there WILL be other beers) will be aged, rare or in some cases, brewery-only. The lists will vary for each event. 2) Tour stops will feature either live punk, metal or stoner rock bands or DJ sets spinning heavy tunes from both coasts. 3) Sunday events are afternoon matinees. 4) There are 18 events in 3 weeks.

All dates will feature additional guest breweries, like Dark Horse, Bronx Brewing, Great Lakes and Troegs. Sunday shows will be brunch matinees and seven or eight events will feature live bands. 

Unlike Warped Tour, we'll have much better beer, no underage kids and certainly no signs telling you not mosh or crowd surf. This is the summertime heavy music experience you really want!

For updates and some of our favorite videos, make sure to follow East Coast West Coast on Facebook.

Smuttlabs: Brett & I returns!

Heads up, funky beer junkies!

Brett & I, the newest Smuttlabs release is packaged and ready to go.

We'll be releasing bottles at the Towle Farm brewery on Saturday, August 2 at 11am. The crown-finished, 375ml bottles are $12 each and there is no bottle limit. There are 24 cases, which maths into 288 bottles. We won't be filling growlers with Brett & I, due to the limited amount of beer we have.

If you don't live near the brewery, fret not. Kegs will begin shipping to wholesalers in CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NY, PA,VA, and VT on Monday, August 4.

What is Brett & I? Brett & I is a 6%, barrel-aged, golden beer that takes 13 months to make. After an initial fermentation with our house Trappist ale yeast, the beer is transferred to red wine barrels where it ages with a Brettanomyces Bruxellensis, a yeast first discovered in British beers. "Brett Brux" adds the slightly sour, earthy accent which makes Brett & I such a rare treat.

We've released Brett & I twice in the past, which means some of you have been waiting patiently for this next release. We hope you enjoy this release too.

T for Tennessee!

 Thank you, Tennessee!  We're happy to be within your friendly confines!

Beginning tomorrow, July 1, beer drinkers in a nine county area radiating from Chattanooga will be able enjoy Smuttynose beers wherever craft beer is sold.  We've signed on with Carter Distributing, who will now distribute Smuttynose beer throughout Bradley, Hamilton, McMinn, Marion, Meigs, Monroe, Polk, Rhea and Sequatchie counties.  

Tony Giannasi, Carter's Craft Brands Manager has set-up a great string of roll-out events that will feature some combination of Smuttynose's year round beers; Finestkind IPA, Old Brown Dog, Shoals Pale Ale, Bouncy House IPA, Vunderbar Pilsner and Robust Porter, as well as current seasonal release, Summer Weizen.  Big Beer Series releases will be coming to Carter in the near future. 

In the meantime, please come out and join us for a Smuttynose; you'll be glad you did!

7/1 Heaven and Ale “Beer of the Month” kickoff with six beers on tap, plus glassware
      and prize giveaways; for the rest of the month, there will be three Smuttynose beers on tap.
7/2 Tremont Tavern tasting with glassware giveaways
7/8 Meet The Founder at Heaven and Ale with prize giveaways
7/10 Brewhaus tasting and glassware giveaway
7/18 Riverside Beverage growler fill specials
7/25 Sigler’s Craft Beer and Cigars Tap Takeover
8/1 Sturmhaus Pint Night
8/8 Universal Joint Tap Takeover

Untappd users, don't forget that you can earn an exclusive Bouncy House IPA badge when you check in our new session IPA during the month of July!

Smuttynose Spreads Beer-therly Love

Philly Beer Week was founded in 2008 and has set the benchmark for beer weeks around the world. It's a giant pile of awesome that we're excited to add some Granite State flavor to the mix. There'll be Bouncy House, Finestkind, Smuttlabs and a few other limited releases for your drinking pleasure during some of the most creative beer events we've seen. Take a look, plan ahead and join Joanna for tons of fun!




Smuttynose Philly Beer Week Events:

Fri., 5/30- 5pm-Lucky's Last Chance- Smuttynose & Oskar Blues Tap Takeover

Sat., 5/31- 4 to 7pm- Bar 31- Smuttynose vs. Heavy Seas vs. Stone

Sat., 5/31- 9pm- Xfinity Live-Smuttynose vs. Heavy Seas vs. Stone

Sun., 6/1- 6pm- BarLy- Girl Power Hour! 60 tap takeover celebrating the women of craft beer, featuring Allagash, Dogfish Head, Ommegang, Yards, Great Lakes, Sly Fox, Flying Fish, Evolution, Smuttynose, Oskar Blues, Sam Adams, and Firestone Walker.

Mon., 6/2- 5 to 7pm- Druid's Keep- Corn Hole Tournament with Smuttynose, Flying Fish and Ithaca

Mon., 6/2- 5 to 10pm- BarLy- Several super 'S'-breweries serving suds. Smuttynose, Shawnee Craft, Sixpoint, Susquehanna Brewing Co, Sly Fox. Surprise stars! Special snacks!

Tues., 6/3- 6 to 9pm- Whole Foods Plymouth Meeting Rooftop- "Hips & Hops, a Yoga, Music and Beer Experience"  This collaborative event produced by Whole Foods Plymouth Meeting, Yoga Home and Smuttynose, is perfect for downward dogs, warriors and trees who want to enjoy a few beers after some time on the mat.  Book your space ahead of time at http://ouryogahome.com/hips-hops-a-yoga-music-philly-beer-week-event/.

Weds., 6/4- 5 to 8pm- Spinnerstown Hotel- Smuttynose hosts 3rd Annual Beard and Mustache Competition!  Come enjoy some Smuttynose on draft and show off your mustache. If you don’t have a mustache, you can raise your glass to those who do!  $15 buys you a special glass that can be filled for two hours. Judging for the competition will be held at 8pm by the professionals at Modern Male Barber in Sellersville.

Weds., 6/5- 10pm to 2am- Varga Bar- Lip Sync with Smutty and Southern Tier!

Thurs., 6/6- 7 to 9pm- Bottle Bar East- Beer and Burlesque

Friday., 6/7- 7 to 9pm- Bottle Bar East- Brews and Tattoos

Saturday., 6/8- 12 to 2pm- The Foodery on 10th and Pine- Smuttynose Tasting!

Smuttlabs Satchmo and Hugs 'n Rainbows

I'm a little behind on this update, but with a the new brewery opening (Saturday May 31 at 10am), we're all spinning a few extra plates here at the 'Nose.

There are two new Smuttlabs beers available now: Satchmo and Hugs 'n Rainbows. This post has information on them both. Shipments have begun so you should see these in bars and stores soon, if you haven't already.

This is our second batch of Satchmo, Smutty's first culinary collaboration beer. Initially conceived with Chef Evan Mallet, three time-James Beard semi-finalist of Portsmouth's Black Trumpet Bistro and Newmarket's The Joinery, Satchmo is a brown porter brewed with black trumpet mushrooms from New Hampshire's forests. These unique mushrooms (below), also known as black chantrelles, can't be cultivated, so we called the New Hampshire Mushroom Company in Tamworth, who sourced 36 pounds of dried fungus for the brew.

The result is a 4.9% full-bodied, full-flavored beer that lacks the roasted astringency typically found in porters and instead highlights fudgy, chocolate notes and rich, but subtle earthiness from the mushrooms. The malt character is the perfect compliment for the fungus. When we poured the beer at SAVOR in Washington DC, even self-professed "mushroom haters" surprised themselves by how much they enjoyed it.

Vital Stats for Satchmo
4.9% abv  25 IBU  25 barrels brewed
Malt: North American 2-Row, Munich 10L, C-60, Brown, Chocolate
Hops: Willamette
Yeast: American Ale Yeast
Other Ingredients: Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Red Wine Barrels

Hugs 'n Rainbows joins Brett & I and our two Short Weiss beers in the 'non-traditionally fermented" category. This red beer began in stainless steel tanks where it was fermented exclusively with Brettanomyces, a non-traditional brewer's yeast that does excellent things to beer and makes winemakers quake in their boots. After fermentation ended, we moved the beer in whiskey barrels for eight months of aging, to be sure we got the beer we wanted: tart, yet fruity with a subtle malty note in the finish to keep the beer from drying out your mouth. We look forward to bringin more sour beers to you in the future, as we grow Smuttlabs plans.

Vital Stats for Hugs 'n Rainbows
6.5% abv  8 IBU   32 barrels brewed
Malt: North American 2-Row, Aromatic, Caramunich 2, Brown Malt
Hops: Willamette
Yeast: Brettanomyces
Other Ingredients: Dark Candi Syrup, Oak Barrels

We have a few cases of each of these beers saved for our Smerchendise boutique at Towle Farm, but we expect they'll go fast once we open the doors.

See you at the farm! 

Big Beer Series: Frankenlager

Smuttynose Frankenlager is on its way to a beer store near you, if it isn't there already. 

Smuttynose is on the verge of opening our long-awaited new brewery at Towle Farm in Hampton, but we have been brewing for a little while now, putting our brand new equipment to work. Frankenlager, an India Pale Lager, is the first Big Beer to come from our new home, which means our brewing staff has been able to make decisions that weren’t possible before. 

When you pour Frankenlager into a glass, you’ll be struck by its deep golden color, clarity, a signature grapey aroma and clean malt character.

Our new, automated, German brewhouse gives us excellent controls over mash profiles, so we’ve decoction-mashed this beer, which helps with the extra clarity, but more importantly, adds the unique grape-like character. It’s a traditional German technique for lager brewing and we’re very excited to be able to use it here. A more efficient boil means a cleaner malt taste and a brighter, smoother beer. By automating, we control all the times and temperatures.  On a brewhouse like this, it really is all about the recipe. Our new centrifuge spins out residual yeast and solids to the level we choose, which also means that we reduce waste, while cleaning up the visual appearance of our beer, another significant step forward.

Don't forget, we begin brewery tours on May 31, 10am at the new brewery.  We'll see you soon!

Frankenlager Vital Stats

6.1% abv   60 IBU   15° Plato

Malt: North American 2-Row

Hops: Bittering- Magnum, Flavor and Dry Hop- Saphir

Yeast: WLP-920 Old Bavarian Lager

Suggested Food Pairings: Spicy dishes such as curries, chicken satay with peanut sauce, spicy tamales

May 15: Big Apple, Big Bouncy House Debut on May

The Bouncy House IPA debuts keep popping up!  This post lists all the places in the five boroughs wher you can enjoy a pint of this new, year-round offering. All of these accounts will be tapping Bouncy House on May 15, so please join us for a hoptastic, 4.3% pint of liquid gold from Granite State!

There will be a separate posting of accounts that will happily sell you a six pack the same day if you're into drinking outside of bars or you like colorful packaging.

Manhattan:

Ulysses

Shorty's Pearl Street

Tribeca Tap House 

Keg 229

Growler

Amity Hall

Slainte

Coopers

Marshall Stack

DBGB

Blind Tiger

One-Mile House

DBA

UCB East

Proletariat

Ginger Man

George Keeley’s

Jacobs Pickles

Good Beer

City Swiggers

Beer Authority

Rattle n Hum

The Jeffery

Fools Gold

Amsterdam Tavern

Amsterdam Ale House

3rd Ave Pub

Spring Lounge

The Wren 2 1/2

ABC Beer

Top hops

Valhalla

Pony Bar East

Mudville 9

Beer Culture

Guilty Goose

Dive 96

Stag’s Head Saloon

Cannibal

Taproom 307

Brooklyn:

The Gate   

Toby’s 

Bierkraft 

Mission Dolores

Owl Farm

Bar Great Harry

4^th Avenue Pub

Fulton Grand

Strong Place

Gutter

Barcade

Uncle Barry’s

South

Greenwood Park 2 ½

Double Windsor

Brooklyn Crab

Glorietta Baldy

High Dive

Seawitch

Queens:

Alewife Queens

Astoria Beer and Cheese on Ditmars Ave

Oliver's

Sunswick

Crescent and Vine 

Bronx:

Bronx Ale House

Long Island:

Big Z Beverage

Black Sheep

Mr. Beery’s