(Chandler, AZ) – SanTan Brewing Company has played a huge role in advancing the craft beer movement in Arizona by producing innovative brews, promoting local collaborations, participating in regional and national beer competitions and by utilizing the latest technologies in craft beer canning. The canning process at SanTan Brewing Company is about to get slammed into high gear in January, 2012. Cask Brewing Systems Inc., a Canada based canning technology company, has selected SanTan Brewing Company as the beta test site for their new and improved five head automatic canning system.
SanTan Brewing Company, named 2011 Best Brewery by Phoenix New Times, purchased their first Cask brand automatic canning system (ACS) in 2010, producing around 28 cans per minute. Since then, SanTan’s four core brands, Hopshock IPA, Devil’s Pale Ale, Epicenter Arizona Amber and Hefeweizen have exploded in sales. The growth in distribution has reached over 300% year-to-date with 40% of that volume in canned beer sales. “We couldn’t be happier with our existing canning machine and with our relationship with Cask. The new ACS system will crank out around 35-37 cans per minute, allowing for a 20% increase in production” said SanTan Brewing Company owner and head brew master, Anthony Canecchia.
In addition to beta testing the automatic canning system, SanTan Brewing Company will also test a new fully automated depalletizer called the AD2. The new automated depalletizer will take up less space than the current shaker table that SanTan Brewing Company uses to move the empty cans onto the fill conveyor.
Cask Brewing Systems Inc. has been working to improve their existing machines and found that by improving the efficiencies in the timing sequence on the seaming wheels they could reduce the length of some of the strokes to achieve further speed increases without sacrificing stability. Cask machines have the lowest package and beer waste of any automated packaging line on the market and they plan to keep it that way with improved technologies. When asked why SanTan Brewing Company was selected as the beta testing site for the new ACS machine, Jamie Gordon of Cask Brewing Systems Inc. said, “We’ve had a great working relationship with Anthony for years and since SanTan Brewing Company has been working our canning machine to their full capacity for some time now, we felt they would benefit from any additional efficiency we could provide”.
About SanTan Brewing Company
Open since 2007, SanTan Brewing Company has made a name for itself as Arizona’s favorite craft beer destination, operating with a commitment to advance the culture of craft beer. SanTan Brewing Company accomplishes this goal through beer production using the highest quality ingredients and methods. In addition to great beer, SanTan has gained a loyal following of craft beer enthusiasts in the Arizona area by offering delicious food, happy hour specials, live music and participating in beer festivals. Visit SanTan Brewing Company at 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ. They’re open Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight and Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Also, check out SanTan Brewing Company online atwww.santanbrewing.com and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SanTanBrewingCo or follow them www.twitter.com/SanTanBrewingfor more information on upcoming specials and promotions.
About Cask Brewing Systems Inc.
Cask Brewing Systems Inc. has been involved in the craft brewing industry since 1984 when they began making 5 bbl brewing systems, training brewers and developing recipes for the emerging brewpub scene. Cask developed their first manual can seamers and fillers in 2001 and built their first compact automated line in 2004. They have now sold and shipped over 100 of them worldwide. For more information about Cask visitwww.cask.com.
A more immediate ‘move’ will be the introduction of cans in 2012. Caruso confirmed that the brewery will be launching new metal packaging next March. The first beer to get canned is Underdog, a sessionable east coast pale ale that will check in between 4.5 and 4.8 percent ABV.
Cavatica Stout just hit 16 oz. cans. The official Portland release of Cavatica Stout will take place at The Beermongers (SE 12th and Division) on Thursday, November 17th, at 6pm. Fort George will be out to pour samples of Cavatica […]
Special Edition: Allies Win the War! by 21st Amendment Brewery and Ninkasi Brewing: Among the coolest labels that I have ever seen though I can’t tell what the actual beer name is.
Label copy…”In a surprising turn of events, rival superpowers have joined forces to bring a beer of might to the world. According to top-secret documents, recently unclassified, brewmasters for 21st Amendment in California and Ninkasi in Oregon began their brewing careers together many years ago.
Leaders from the two breweries reunited recently at a secret camp in the Sierras to devise their master plan. ‘We are more alike than we are different,’ said 21st Amendment’s Shaun O’Sullivan. ‘We must united in our common cause,’ added Ninkasi’s Jamie Floyd. The resulting collaboration, an ale brewed with California dates, an aggresive arsenal of all-Northwest hops and an unmistakable aroma of victory, deals a unified blow to unoriginal beers around the world.”
To be distributed through 21st Amendment’s network. More info at BSJ.
New Belgium Prickly Passion Saison: Label copy…”Peter [Bouckaert, Brewmaster] picked a prickly pear and paired it with a passion fruit. ‘Perfect! Pitch it in!’ he proclaimed. Now we have this pleasing prickly passion saison brewed with fruit juices and french saison yeast to our brewmaster’s picking.”
Fort Collins The Incredible Hop Imperial Belgian-Style IPA
Deschutes Horse Ridge IPA
Black Husky Three Scrutineers
Tallgrass Velvet Rooster Belgian-style Tripel
Choc Beer Winter Stout
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(Fort Collins, CO) – New Belgium Brewing is pleased to announce it is breaking ground on a 16,000 sq. foot can line addition to its bottling hall. The new system, manufactured by KHS, will increase New Belgium’s canning volume capacity six fold.
“Cans have been a great addition to the packaging portfolio for us,” said New Belgium spokesperson, Bryan Simpson. “We first introduced Fat Tire cans in 2008 and we’ve since added Sunshine Wheat and Ranger IPA. Sales have been ahead of projection and we’re fortunate to be able to accommodate demand.”
New Belgium’s current can line features a 9-head filler with a capacity of 60 cans per minute while the new system will feature a 40-head filler capable of filling 360 cans per minute. The system can package both 12-oz and 16-oz cans.
The addition itself will be constructed just east of New Belgium’s current bottling facility on the brewery’s fifty-acre campus in Fort Collins, CO. The building process should run through the end of the year with first beer off the line some time in January. Neenan Company of Fort Collins is contracted for construction.
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces eight year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Ranger IPA, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases. In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship. For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(San Francisco, CA) – 21st Amendment founders Nico and Shaun need to break out of Alcatraz. And fast. The Hop Syndicate is hoarding hops in a remote warehouse, depriving the People of their right to hoppy, aromatic beer. This is Not Cool. Shaun and Nico have to do something. They need to Free the Hops!
21st Amendment Brewery today announced the release of Hop Crisis, an oak-aged Imperial IPA with big malt flavor at 9.7% alcohol by volume and 94 IBUs (International Bittering Units – that’s bitter!). A few years ago, when hop prices shot through the roof and many brewers were forced to skimp on hops, the folks at 21A decided there was only one thing to do. They made a bigger, hoppier IPA and then aged it on oak for good measure.
21st Amendment co-founder and Brewmaster Shaun O’Sullivan says of the idea behind the beer, “We really wanted to do something different with an Imperial IPA. Aside from the higher alcohol and intense hop bitterness, we felt aging the beer on oak would add some additional layers of flavor. Because oak can overwhelm the hops, we chose a light, subtle oak character to accentuate the dry hop bitterness and add a unique character to the beer.”
“The graphics on our four-pack box tell the story of convicts Nico and Shaun’s adventure to Free the Hops,” noted co-founder Nico Freccia. “A daring escape through the sewer pipe, surfing monster waves while being chased by a great white shark and a high speed getaway on the San Francisco cable car are all part of the adventure,” he adds. “We just really felt we had an opportunity to have some fun with this beer.”
Last year, Hop Crisis won the silver medal at the 2010 Great American Beer Festival in the “Imperial IPA” category against some stiff competition (the third largest of all categories with 96 entries).
Hop Crisis is the second installment (after the highly acclaimed Monk’s Blood) in the 21st Amendment’s Insurrection Series, a limited edition, once-in-a-while, four-pack release of a very special beer that rises up in revolt against common notions of what canned beer can be.
Hop Crisis is available in four-pack cans and on draft starting June 16 at better bars and stores in all fifteen of 21st Amendment’s current distribution territories, which include CA, OR, WA, AK, ID, MN, OH, MA, NY, NJ, DC, MD, PA, VA, and GA. For up to date availability, events and promotions, visit 21A’s website at www.21st-Amendment.com.
About 21st Amendment Brewery
Who the heck are these guys? Hey, we’re Nico & Shaun. We live for great beer. In 1920, there were thousands of breweries across America making unique hand-crafted beer. The passage of Prohibition wiped out this great culture. After thirteen years without beer, the states ratified the 21st Amendment, ending Prohibition in America. At the 21st Amendment Brewery, we celebrate the right to brew beer, the freedom to be innovative, and the obligation to have fun.
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
Back from the long weekend. Some new beer labels to start the week…
Hoppin’ Frog Naked Evil BBW: Label copy…”A naked version of our Deliver Us From Evil, before aging in our traditional oak vessels. Sweet malt flavors will become smoother and rich dark fruit characters will build with time to add a wonderful complexity and depth of flavor. Fermented with both British and Belgian yeasts for a lightly spicy twist on this old-world beer style.”
Finch’s Threadless IPA: New Chicago-based brewery has an IPA coming to 16 oz. cans; it debuts on tap this week
Other approvals:
Birra Amiata ComunAle Golden Ale (Italy, Importer: Vanberg and DeWulf) Explosion BOOM Chocolate Stout Porter (Czech Republic, Importer: Doyna LTD) Catawba Valley Farmer Ted’s Farmhouse Cream Ale (cans) Argus Pullman Palace Car IPA
Lost Rhino New River Pale Ale
Lost Rhino Blacksburger Pils
Skull Coast Sea Witch
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
North Coast Grand Cru: Brewed with Agave Nectar and aged in bourbon barrels. Slated for 500ml bottles.
New cans…
Grand Canyon Wheat and Pilsner
Joseph James Hop Box Imperial IPA (more info here) Piney River Missouri Mile IPA
New kegs…
New Belgium Down Under (brewed in Seattle which means this is probably a Trip series beer) Southern Tier 215 Pale Ale (brewed for Philly Beer Week – 215 is a Philadelphia area code) The Prodigal Prognosticator Doppelbock The Prodigal Sacopee Pils Highland Footloose Belgian-style ale Breaker 5 Wistle Wheat
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
North Coast Grand Cru: Brewed with Agave Nectar and aged in bourbon barrels. Slated for 500ml bottles.
New cans…
Grand Canyon Wheat and Pilsner
Joseph James Hop Box Imperial IPA (more info here) Piney River Missouri Mile IPA
New kegs…
New Belgium Down Under (brewed in Seattle which means this is probably a Trip series beer) Southern Tier 215 Pale Ale (brewed for Philly Beer Week – 215 is a Philadelphia area code) The Prodigal Prognosticator Doppelbock The Prodigal Sacopee Pils Highland Footloose Belgian-style ale Breaker 5 Wistle Wheat
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
(Providence, RI) – The Famous Narragansett Beer introduces, for the first time in its 120-year history, the seasonal release of a summer craft brew, Narragansett Summer Ale. Distributed throughout New England, Southern New York, and Philadelphia at leading package stores, bars and restaurants, Summer Ale will be available on draught and in ‘Gansett’s signature 16oz. Tallboy cans.
Narragansett Summer Ale is brewed under the supervision of award-winning Brewmaster Sean Larkin at Trinity Brew House in Providence, RI, Cottrell Brewery in Pawcatuck, CT, and High Falls Brewery in Rochester, NY. This easy-drinking light session ale features two row pale malt and citra hops, a very popular, newer variety of hops with very evident aromas of citrus and passion fruit that complement the pale malt perfectly. Golden blonde in color, its pour produces a generous white head and balanced carbonation. A supremely drinkable summer craft brew, the malt flavor is smooth and subtle, balanced out by a crisp hop bitterness, perfect for the beach, boat or ballgame. Summer Ale is 4.2% Alcohol by Volume and 24 IBUs.
“‘Gansett Summer” is the first Ale to be produced by Narragansett Beer since the 1970s. Known best for its signature Lager, a wide variety of Ales were once available, beginning in the late 1800s. The original brewery devoted an entire four-story building to the “Ale Department,” and staples like the Pale Ale, Select Stock Ale, and Banquet Ale outsold Lager until the 1940s when American tastes changed as a result of thousands of GI’s returning home from Lager-drinking European countries during World War 1 & II, and a wave of Lager-drinking immigrants.
The Summer Ale Tallboy can features iconic imagery of the famous Narragansett Towers. Once part of the Narragansett Pier Casino, the Towers remain a historic landmark, having endured two great fires in 1900 and 1965 and three tremendous hurricanes. The surfer catching waves in the foreground symbolizes Narragansett Bay’s reputation as one of the region’s top summer surfing destinations.
For further information on Narragansett Summer Ale or to find a retailer near you, visit: http://www.narragansettbeer.com/products/summer-ale.
ABOUT NARRAGANSETT BEER:
Narragansett Beer….. Brewed since 1890, ‘Gansett is a straight-forward, quality beer that has been a New England tradition for generations, producing a classic family of award-winning American lagers & ales. Today ‘Gansett is produced at top-rated breweries in Rochester, NY and Latrobe, PA, with their craft-brews being produced in Providence, RI and Pawcatuck, CT. Narragansett Lager is available for purchase in local restaurants, bars and liquor stores throughout New England, Florida, Southern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Western North Carolina.
Thirsty for more? Visit: www.narragansettbeer.com.
[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]
In addition to beta testing the automatic canning system, SanTan Brewing Company will also test a new fully automated depalletizer called the AD2. The new automated depalletizer will take up less space than the current shaker table that SanTan Brewing Company uses to move the empty cans onto the fill conveyor.
production using the highest quality ingredients and methods. In addition to great beer, SanTan has gained a loyal following of craft beer enthusiasts in the Arizona area by offering delicious food, happy hour specials, live music and participating in beer festivals. Visit SanTan Brewing Company at 8 S. San Marcos Place, Chandler, AZ. They’re open Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight and Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Also, check out SanTan Brewing Company online atwww.santanbrewing.com and become a fan on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/SanTanBrewingCo or follow them www.twitter.com/SanTanBrewingfor more information on upcoming specials and promotions.
