South Jersey Beer Scene

Flying Fish Brewing Company Releases “Stormy Skies” New England IPA

Posted on May 15, 2019

Flying Fish Brewing Company Releases “Stormy Skies” New England IPA

SOMERDALE, NJ (May 14, 2019) – Flying Fish Brewing Company, 10-time medal winners at the Great American Beer Festival, will be releasing Stormy Skies NEIPA, a beer that almost didn’tsee the light of day.

Flying Fish production employee, Mike Jadach, created this hazy, 7.3%, double dry hopped beauty for a home-brew competition. However, his entry in the competition was disallowed because of his brewery employment status.

Recognizing the beer was too solid not to release to the world, the Flying Fish team rallied around Mike to scale up his creation and will be bringing it to life as a limited release this June.

“Every time I would brew this beer on my system in my garage, the skies would open up in a predictable way, so I started calling it Stormy Skies from the get-go,” says creator Mike Jadach.“The ample haze in the liquid certainly fits the name, but that Citra and Mosaic dry hopping really leads to a nice pineapple and mango payoff.”

For the label, President Lou Romano knew they would have to do something unique. “Mike hasa healthy tattoo collection, and I felt the label should be reflective of the brewer. We tapped local tattoo artist Jeff Miller of Seven Swords to draw up a classic clipper ship for the primary label space. The look really gives this offering its own personality within our brand family.”

As the saying goes, “A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.” This beer certainly followed aunique passage to make it to shelves.

Flying Fish Stormy Skies NEIPA will be available in 4-packs of 16 oz. cans and limited draft in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland beginning at the end of May/Early June.

Flying Fish Stormy Skies New England IPA
ABV: 7.3%
Availability: On 5/31/2019, while supplies last, on draft and in 4-packs of 16oz. cans.

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Flying Fish Brewing Company, founded in 1995 by Gene Muller, is a 10-time medal winner atthe Great American Beer Festival and the Garden State’s largest craft brewery. With 463 solar panels, 19 solar tubes in the warehouse, recaptured steam in the brewing process, and raingardens on site, it’s also one of the most sustainable. Located in Somerdale, New Jersey, Flying Fish offers tours and tastings. The Tasting Room is open Wednesday to Sunday and features 15 taps. Visit www.FlyingFish.com or call (856) 504-3442.

10 Questions with Mike Frye of Frye Brewing Company!

Posted on May 13, 2019

Mike and Colleen Frye had always planned to start a business once their kids finished college. They knew they wanted to open the business in their home town of Point Pleasant Boro and there were several options they considered, including opening a bed and breakfast. However, when they realized the logistics of such an undertaking, their thoughts (like many of us in times of great decision) turned to beer!

So the overnight accommodation industry’s loss became the brewing world’s gain, as Frye Brewing Company was born in 2017 and will be celebrating their 2nd anniversary in June, just as the Jersey Shore starts to heat up

“Point Pleasant Boro has been our home for many years. Our kids grew up here, I know the people, the businesses, the area. I’ve also been home brewing here for over 10 years, so I know that the water profile was good for the styles I brew. Add all that together and we knew this is where we wanted to be!” The state of the art, 4 barrel electric system, enables Mike to do much of the brewing and kegging himself.

I also got a lesson in geography AND acronyms from Mike when we spoke. I knew there was 2 Point Pleasants, Boro and Beach. Frye is located in “Boro”… Beach is OTB…”Over the Bridge”.

“It is a different demographic in both towns”, said Mike. “Boro tends to be more of a local crowd.” Boro residents like their beer, but may not clamor for the latest IPA , which is reflected in Mike’s tap list, which has only a couple of NEIPA amongst, the blonde, stouts, reds and Belgians and he hopes to have a pilsner canned and ready for the 2 year anniversary.

Over a “Coffee in the Dark” I asked Mike the iconic, 10 QUESTIONS!!!

What was the first beer you brewed? How was it?

“A Black IPA….and it was a mess! I brewed it with my son and it was just awful, out of balance…aughh!!! When we opened the brewery, we actually adjusted the recipe and it was one of the first beers we made on this system and it came out good.”

What is your favorite beer to brew and why?

“I would say stouts. There is a lot of subtlety and more nuance than in some of the high abv or hoppy beers…at least that is my opinion!”

Do you look at ratings, like untappd, Beer Advocate, etc. and does it influence your recipes?

“Yes actually, our menu system is untappd, where customers can type in real time notes and comments about the beers they are drinking. Does it affect my recipes…not really. We have an older demographic at our brewery, so our top rated is probably the Summertime Blonde, our one of our specialty beers, Apple Pie Amber.”

How do you stay connected with local businesses in regards to sourcing ingredients?

“The coffee in “Coffee in the Dark” which you are drinking now is from Divi Tree Coffee, which is about a block from here. We have discussed working with some of the local maltsters and hop farms also, so we hope to do more of that in the future.” Mike also stays connected locally with his “First Fridays” where a dollar of each pint sold goes to the local First Aid squad or Fire Company.

What is one tip you would give to home brewers to make better beer?

“Take COPIUS notes! Write down everything, your successes and your mistakes!”

What advice would you give someone who wants to open a brewery?

“Do your research, talk to a lot of brewers and breweries. Luke from Pinelands was very helpful and spoke to me about location. Check with the town before you commit to a lease…what is their appetite for having a brewery, would they welcome the business. Being a long time resident of Point Boro, I was very familiar with the town and demographic, which was very helpful.”

If you were to brew a beer, regardless of production and sales cost, what would you brew?

“Hmm. I don’t have much more room here, but I would say start a barrel program. A barrel aged stout, definitely!”

From opening day forward, what has surprised you most?

“How hard it is to get a restaurant or bar to put your beer on tap….and to keep it on tap?”

Other than your own brew, what is your go-to drink after a long day (or night) at the brewery?

“Cape May Devil’s Reach! I love Belgians and this is a great example of the style, always consistent and delicious. Fat Tire is also a good everyday beer for me and I always try to support our local beers.”

Where do you see the brewery in 1 year…5 years?

“Let’s say 3 ½ years when my SBA loan is paid off! That will give me the freedom to transition to full time at the brewery and help increase our distribution. I had anticipated we be 65% of sales from the tap room and 35% distribution, but, because I am the brewer and distributor and have another full time job, we are at 90/10.”

BONUS QUESTION

What kind of music do you listen to when you brew?

“Oh, I’m all over the place. Bush was on when you came in, Jack Johnson playing now. I have a Dick Dale (the late king of surf guitar) album that we play in the summertime.”

So if you are visiting the Jersey Shore, before you go OTB to the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk, stop in the Boro and have a beer at Frye Brewing!

Podcast

Podcast Episode 32: Manafirkin Brewing Co Live from Vic’s Basement Bar!

Posted on May 9, 2019

News

Dogfish Head and The Boston Beer Company to Merge!

Posted on May 9, 2019

The Boston Beer Company and Dogfish Head Brewery to Merge, Creating the Most Dynamic American-Owned Platform for Craft Beer and Beyond

Cash and Stock Transaction, Valued at Approximately $300 Million, Combines Two Award-Winning Craft Beer Pioneers with Unrivaled Brewing Expertise and Portfolios of Leading Beer and “Beyond Beer” Brands

BOSTON, MA, May 9, 2019 – The Boston Beer Company, Inc (NYSE: SAM) and Dogfish Head Brewery today announced that the companies have signed a definitive merger agreement, bringing together two pioneering independent Craft breweries and two illustrious founders and brewers, Jim Koch and Sam Calagione.

Together, Boston Beer and Dogfish Head will create a powerful American-owned platform for craft beer and beyond. The new entity will possess more than half a century of Craft brewing expertise, a balanced portfolio of leading beer and “beyond beer” brands at high end price points, and industry leadership in innovation and quality. Following the transaction, the combined company will have a leading position in the high end of the U.S. beer market, bringing together Boston Beer’s craft beer portfolio and top-ranked sales team[i] with Dogfish Head’s award-winning portfolio of IPA and session sour brands.

The combined company will maintain its status as an independent Craft brewery, as defined by the Brewers Association. It will be better positioned to compete against the global beer conglomerates within the craft beer category that are 50- and 100-times its size, as well as other craft brewers, while still representing less than 2% of beer sold in the United States.

Most importantly, this combination brings together two of the leading founder-brewers in the United States, Jim Koch of Boston Beer and Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, both of whom will continue to lead brewing innovation for the newly-combined company. Sam and Mariah Calagione, Dogfish Head’s two co-founders, have elected to take substantially all of their merger consideration in the form of SAM stock and will collectively become the largest non-institutional shareholders after Jim Koch following the close of the transaction. Sam Calagione will join Boston Beer’s board of directors and Dogfish Head’s band of off-centered co-workers will join the Boston Beer team and continue to be heavily involved in beer and “beyond-beer” projects, as the companies expand opportunities for future innovation.

“We believe we are creating the most dynamic and diverse American-owned platform for craft beer and beyond,” said Jim Koch, founder and Chairman of The Boston Beer Company. “Dogfish Head has a proud history as a craft beer pioneer with a brand that is beloved by American consumers and highly respected by the industry. Sam and I have stood shoulder to shoulder in some of the defining efforts in Craft brewing including the creation of the Brewers Association, the craft beer definition, the craft brewer seal and the creation of the SAVOR food and beer event. This combination is the right fit as both Boston Beer and Dogfish Head have a passion for brewing and innovation, we share the same values and we will learn a lot from each other as we continue to invest in the high-end beer category. I am very happy that Sam will join the Board of Directors at Boston Beer. He is a tremendous friend, innovator and brewer, and I could not be more excited to work together with him for many years to come.”

“Not only are Dogfish Head and Boston Beer two original American breweries, but Jim Koch and I worked hard with other leading craft brewery founders and the Brewers Association to develop and champion what defines independent American brewers,” said Sam Calagione, founder and brewer of Dogfish Head. “This merger better positions Dogfish Head and our co-workers to continue growing within this definition for many years to come. In fact, Mariah and I believe so much in the future of our merged companies that we are all in, and personally we’re reinvesting nearly all of the proceeds back into the combined entity. We’re also proud to announce that we intend to devote a percentage of the Boston Beer stock that we receive to establishing a foundation and funding various local charitable programs.”

The combined company will be led by Boston Beer CEO, Dave Burwick. “This is a formidable combination of brands, incredible brewing talent, and leaders who remain 100 percent focused and committed to the long-term health of our breweries and growing the beer industry. United, we will have the highest quality, most distinct, high-end portfolio, from both a price-point and product perspective with the top-ranked sales organization to bring it to market. We expect that we’ll see more consolidation in the Craft industry over time, and we’ll be in the best position to take advantage of those changes.”

Boston Beer is recognized for helping launch the craft beer industry after opening its doors and brewing the first batch of Samuel Adams Boston Lager in 1984. From the launch of craft brewing to 2019 Sam Adams continues to be the most award-winning craft brewer in the world. In addition to its iconic Sam Adams beer, the company now offers nationally other leading brands such as Angry Orchard hard cider, Truly Hard Seltzer and Twisted Tea. Founded 23 years ago, Delaware-based Dogfish Head’s family of beers includes the continually-hopped 60, 90, and 120 Minute IPAs, and robust sour beer program led by SeaQuench Ale. Dogfish Head is recognized as an early leader in bringing culinary innovations to the U.S. craft beer scene, and Sam Calagione was named ‘Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional’ by the prestigious James Beard Foundation. Following the opening of their brewery and tasting room, Dogfish Head also established one of the first Craft distilleries in America, Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats brew pub, Chesapeake & Maine restaurant, and the Dogfish Head Inn. The newly combined company will maintain a significant presence in Delaware.

Terms of the Transaction and Impact on the Boston Beer Company’s 2019 Financial Outlook

The transaction is expected to close late in the second quarter of 2019, subject to customary closing conditions. Sam Calagione and his family will receive approximately 406,000 shares of Boston Beer stock based on a share price of $314.60. Dogfish Head shareholders will also receive $173 million in cash, most all of which is for the benefit of Dogfish Head’s financial investors, with the exception of certain transaction-related expenses.

Boston Beer expects that its current cash on hand and available line of credit will be more than sufficient to fund the cash component of the transaction. It is expected that Sam Calagione will join Boston Beer’s Board of Directors beginning in 2020. A copy of the definitive transaction agreements will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Dogfish Head is on pace to sell nearly 300 thousand barrels for the full year 2019, which would represent high single digit growth versus the prior full year. Net sales for the full year 2019 are expected to be between $110 and $120 million. Dogfish Head employs approximately 400 employees, produces most of its beer at its brewery in Milton, DE, and sells its beer in more than 40 states. Boston Beer plans to consolidate Dogfish Head results into Boston Beer’s financial results beginning late in the second quarter of 2019 and Boston Beer currently estimates that the transaction will be neutral to slightly accretive in 2019 and will not have a material impact on full-year 2019 earnings per diluted share.

Advisors

Nixon Peabody served as legal counsel to Boston Beer in this transaction. Dogfish Head was advised by McDermott Will & Emery LLP, and Arlington Capital Advisors.

About the Boston Beer Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 when Founder and Brewer Jim Koch used a generations-old family recipe to brew beer in his kitchen. Inspired and unafraid to challenge conventional thinking about beer, Jim brought the recipe to life with hopes drinkers would appreciate the complex, full-flavor and started sampling the beer in Boston. He named the flagship brew Samuel Adams Boston Lager in recognition of one of our nation’s founding fathers, a revolutionary man of independent and pioneering spirit. Today, Samuel Adams is the world’s most award-winning Craft brewery and remains focused on crafting the highest quality beers through innovation and experimentation in the relentless pursuit of better. Our portfolio of brands also includes Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Twisted Tea, Truly Hard Seltzer, Marathon Brewing Company, Wild Leaf Hard Tea and Tura Alcoholic Kombucha as well as several other craft beer brands brewed by A&S Brewing, our craft beer incubator. For more information, please visit our investor relations website at www.bostonbeer.com, which includes links to all of our respective brand websites.

About Dogfish Head Brewery

Dogfish Head has proudly been focused on brewing beers with culinary ingredients outside the Reinheitsgebot since the day it opened as the smallest American craft brewery 23 years ago. Dogfish Head has grown into a top-20 craft brewery and has won numerous awards throughout the years including Wine Enthusiast’s 2015 Brewery of the Year and the James Beard Foundation Award for 2017 Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional. It is a 400 coworker company based in Delaware with Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats, an off-centered brewpub and distillery, Chesapeake & Maine, a geographically enamored seafood restaurant, Dogfish Inn, a beer-themed inn on the harbor and Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, a production brewery and distillery featuring, The Tasting Room & Kitchen. Dogfish Head supports the Independent Craft Brewing Seal, the definitive icon for American craft breweries to identify themselves to be independently-owned and carries the torch of transparency, brewing innovation and the freedom of choice originally forged by brewing community pioneers. Dogfish Head currently sells beer in over 40 states and Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.dogfish.com.

[i] #1 in Tamarron Supplier Survey – 2018

Beer Release Breweries News

Workhorse Brewing Company of King of Prussia Announces Flights To Go

Posted on May 7, 2019

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa – Workhorse Brewing Company is thrilled to announce the release of Flights To Go, craft beer’s first portable beer flight. Each “Flight” is comprised of six 8 oz. cans featuring three ales and three lagers, handcrafted by Workhorse’s award-winning brewmaster Nate Olewine. The variety packs will be available for purchase at Workhorse’s 70,000 square foot production facility and Taproom in King of Prussia, as well as select bars, restaurants, bottle shops and distributors throughout greater Philadelphia.

In a market with a myriad of options for the beer drinker, our goal from day one has been to create an accessible, approachable portfolio of no-nonsense beers,” said Workhorse CEO/co-founder Dan Hershberg. “Rather than seek to differentiate our brand through unique styles and over-the-top can labels, we’ve maintained a focus on consistency of product and highlighting our core beers as dependable, reliable options for the local consumer.”

Featuring six, year-round styles — New England IPA, West Coast IPA, Pale Ale, Helles, Vienna Lager and Pilsner — Flights To Go showcases a broad array of hop-forward ales and clean, crisp lagers designed to appeal to a wide variety of craft fans. The smaller, 8 oz. can provides tasting size portions for those either unfamiliar with the brand, allowing them to sample and choose their favorite, or those interested in consuming a few different flavors without having to drink substantial quantities in one sitting. The variety pack is perfect for parties, and the portable nature of the cans means that they’re ideal for the golf course, picnics or the beach.

To help celebrate this exciting release, Workhorse has created a two-week “Launch Plan” featuring nearly a dozen events both at the Taproom and with local partners. Highlights include “Flights and Flights,” an indoor skydiving and beer sampling at iFly King of Prussia, a small plates beer dinner with True Food Kitchen and an Easter candy pairing at the brewery. For more details on the full schedule of events or to learn more about Flights To Go, please visit our website at www.workhorsebrewing.com.

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