DRAFT Magazine

Imperial IPA in a can? That’s just crazy talk.

Not anymore.

Oskar Blues Brewery, proponents of canned brews worldwide, are releasing GUBNA Imperial IPA in convenient four-packs. The brewery hosted a launch party on March 4th, and we’ve been told they didn’t drink the entire run. Pick up some of the beer wherever you find other Oskar Blues products.

According to a release, “The GUBNA Imperial IPA will greet beer drinkers with a pungent citrus blast, provide a spicy, yet round middle, and finish with a brisk, clean bitterness.” Yeah it will. And here’s a video that explains the thought process behind the beer. There is a method to Oskar’s madness.

Sitting back with an ice cold brew is about so much more than just sitting back with an ice cold brew. There’s a calmness, the relaxation that comes from knowing you’ve done a good job and you deserve that drink.

Firestone Walker Brewing Co.’s dealing up the perfect beer to sip alongside your sense of satisfaction. Solace, the first seasonal release ever bottled by the Paso Robles, CA company, is a combination Hefeweizen and Belgian Saison. Brewmaster Matt Brynildson jokingly said, “I call it a Summertime Belgo-Bavarian Zwickle Saison.”

Regardless of the style, the beer features hints of banana and clove while finishing with a tang that will surprise you. You may even be inspired to get up out of your seat and complete another task just so you can find Solace once again.

Normally we don’t give spirit news so much as a turn of the head, but history was made on March 11 in the world of whiskey. It all began in a distillery long, long ago and far, far away…

In 1938, a seed was planted. Planted in Spanish oak, ex-bodega sherry hogshead, to be more specific. Planted — to be exact — in Gordon and MacPhail’s Mortlach Distillery in Scotland, where it would germinate for 70 long years. Until today. (Drum roll, please.)

The oldest single malt whiskey in the world, Mortlach 70 Year Old, is now available, but only in exclusive quantities: 54 full-sized decanters, 162 smaller decanters, and that’s all she wrote.

The whiskey’s epic presentation is fit for royalty: a teardrop shaped decanter encased in silver trim holds the liquid and a replaceable silver cap helps you dispense the beverage that was literally a lifetime in the making.

Getting thirsty? We hope not. This whiskey, which should get its own “Space Odyssey: 2001” theme music, is sold for a whooping £9999.00… which, according to currency calculators, is roughly $15,059.53 USD. If only we’d starting saving up 70 years ago.

– Mariah Beckman

Spring is just so… nice, isn’t it? The weather’s getting better, the sun’s coming out (unless you live in San Francisco where it’s shockingly, disconcertingly, awesomely always shining), the people are happy.

Which brings us full circle to Full Sail Brewing Co. The brewery is set to release Hop Pursuit, the latest in its Brewmaster Reserve line-up. According to a release, the beer is a “crisp, orange blonde extra pale ale with a medium malt body that’s chased by a ton of hop flavor and zing of bitterness.” Its made with Cascade, Willamette, and Mt. Hood hops that traditionally have a smoother mouthfeel. Just nice, you know? the perfect beverage for spring.

Thomas Hooker Brewing Co. has done it again. The Bloomfield, CT brewer is releasing two new beers: Imperial Porter and Liberator Doppleback Lager.

The first offering features “roasty malt flavor and rich malt sweetness is smooth and drinkable, chocolate overtones balance perfectly with the hops to offer a beer that pairs well with rich desserts,” while the latter brew “blends huge amounts of imported Munich, Vienna, Moravian and various dark roasted malts to achieve a rich and creamy full-bodied flavor, with a touch of malty sweetness.”

Our work here is done. Now it’s your turn. Get to the store.

Last week, Goose Island Beer Company’s Matilda went west. Now the Chicago-based brewery is expanding into New York.

Goose Island Reserve Beers — Matilda, Sofie, Juliet, and Pere Jacques — are now available in Batman’s home town and beyond.

The brews work well with food, an intentional plan.

“Belgian-style beers are food-friendly to begin with; we used different techniques to enhance each of their profiles,” brewmaster Greg Hall said in a statement. “For instance, by aging Juliet in cabernet barrels and adding the blackberries, we achieved new layers of flavors.”

Go to New York. Eat, drink, and be merry.

On St. Patrick’s Day, Dundee Beer plans to release two new versions of its excellent craft beers.

What’s coming down the pipeline? Two styles: Irish Red Lager (spring seasonal. Sweet, malty Irish Red, available February-April) and Summer Wheat (summer seasonal. American-style Hefeweizen, available May-July).

But wait, there’s more. The brewery is adding a stout and a Kolsch-style Ale to its famous craft beer pack. The pair join an IPA and a pale bock lager. Drink up. Enjoy. Tell your friends. Rinse, wash, repeat.

Westward ho, yo!

Goose Island Beer Co. is bringing its Matilda brew to Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Colorado, and New Mexico.

How does brewmaster Greg Hall feel about the news? Great, obvi.

“Matilda is proving that American craft brewers are making Belgian Ales better than Belgian breweries,” he said in a statement. “I can’t tell you how many times I have heard that Matilda has made its way into people’s list of favorites by bumping a Belgian off their list. It’s also versatile enough to appeal to the Western palate and appetite for exquisite beer pairings, and I’m proud this Chicago favorite Belgian Ale is heading west.”

And scene.