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So many beers, So little time…Newbies is your essential map to the “best of the best” and the hottest new craft beers rolling out each week, and this week we’re all about the cold-weather seasonals. From DC Brau’s Model Citizen to Ninkasi’s Dawn of the Red, we’ve got all kinds of new releases you’re going to want to chase down. So welcome to another edition of Newbies – your ultimate guide to great new craft beers!
Dawn of the Dead (Eugene, OR) – Our friends at the Ninkasi Brewing Company just announced the newest addition to their Special Release Series and it sounds scary delicious. Dawn of the Red is a big 7% ABV India Red Ale that was crafted by Ninkasi’s six-member brewing team, who worked together to make sure this beer possessed the right amount of color without being excessively sweet. The label was designed by Tony Figoli and takes its lead from the zombie cult classic movie “Dawn of the Dead.” This hopped-up and fruity special release will be available in 22 oz. bottles, in Ninkasi’s 22 oz. variety 4-pack, and on draft starting in January.
DC Brau a Model Citizen (Washington, DC) – The boys at DC Brau Brewing have released a second beer made with legendary ska band “The Pietasters.” Model Citizen is a draft-only Cream Ale that carries the name of a track off the band’s first studio album, released in 1993. And at 5% ABV, it’s a sessionable, low hop, and sweet malt alternative to the big, high-gravity holiday beers that are out there right now.
Runoff Red Returns for the First Time (Fort Collins, CO) – In January, Odell Brewing will release Runoff Red IPA – a beer that was formerly known simply as “Red Ale.” Runoff Red is the same recipe with a new name and label and part of the brewery’s seasonal series of beers. The name “Runoff” is a nod to the late winter and early springtime snows in Colorado. The label art also depicts that season along with a vibrant red alpenglow that mirrors the color of the beer. Brewed with a complex malt backbone, Runoff Red IPAwill be available in 6-packs and in the Winter-Spring Montage variety pack.
Drinking Foreign Style (Boulder, CO) – Upslope Brewing Company has announced the limited re-release of a popular winter seasonal. Brewed as their first anniversary ale a few years ago, the 6.9% ABV Foreign Style Stout is a remarkably well-balanced blend of smooth roasted flavors and Uplsope’s signature Patagonian hops.
The Class of ’88 (Bend, OR & Chicago, IL) – Deschutes Brewery and Goose Island Beer Company, both founded in 1988, have come together to create a Belgian-style ale to celebrate their shared silver anniversary. This beer is the third and final in Deschutes Brewery’s Class of ’88 collaboration series, which celebrates the anniversary of craft breweries around the country that were founded in 1988. Class of ’88 Belgian Style Ale was aged for nine months in Muscat oak barrels and is now ready to make its 2013 holiday debut. This exotic collaboration was brewed with Michigan Riesling and Oregon Pinot Noir grapes, hops from Mt. Hood, and pilsner malt. Since last spring, 100% of the beer has been barrel-aging. As with all of the Class of ’88 series releases, each brewery will produce its own version of the brew in bottles and on draft.
