Press Release: Victory Brewing Cage Radler Release

Victory Brewing’s Cage Radler will make its 2017 debut this week and I wanted to give you some facts on this refreshing summer drink!

·       Similar in flavor to the more commonly known British shandy, a radler consists of a 50/50 blend of beer (often helles lager) and sparkling lemon soda or lemonade, to be served in beer gardens during the summertime.

·       The style of beer comes from the German word for cyclist: radler.

·       Our Cage Radler –so named for the water bottle “cages” attached to most bike frames– is actually formulated quite simply. In keeping with tradition we mix our own Victory Helles lager with sparkling lemon soda. The result is a light and crisp, malty drink with an abundance of zesty lemon flavor, enjoyed perfectly at home, on the trail in a can, or in a summer beer garden by the litremas.

·       We taste tested many different blending proportions around the brewery to find the perfect blend of lemon and lager, but ultimately we all together decided on the traditional 50/50 split as the best tasting.

Beer Run Video: A Look Inside PartyTown

So I decided to make a beer run and thought it would be fun to bring you guys along for the ride. Party Town in Florence, Kentucky is one of the stores in my beer rotation and often proves to be a nice store for finding many beers, and especially beers from other countries. There always seems to be some good choices and deals around, and it’s always fun to find them. Come along inside as I take a look! And if you are in the Cincinnati area then here is their website if you decide that you may want to visit: https://partytownky.com/.

Samuel Adams Ella Blanc IPL: Some Hops With That Lager

I do like a hoppy lager and happened to stumble across this one on a past beer run. The Ella Blanc IPL from Samuel Adams is an India Pale Lager that comes in at 6% ABV and 65 IBU, so yeah, hops were standing by. A nice color of a beer, this one ended up being a pleasant surprise for me. In all 5 hops are used as well as 3 malts, and a decent balance is definitely achieved. But enough with my rambling check out my video here to see all of my thoughts on this seasonal brew.

Brewer Notes:

The hoppiness of an IPA and the crispness of a lager collide in this IPL. Australian Ella hops add notes of orange peel, pine, and tropical fruit while German Hallertau Blanc create hints of floral, grassy, and herbal basil. Together, their playful and inventive hop character makes for a complex, unique flavor.

STYLE - Indian Pale Lager

AVAILABILITY - Seasonal

HOP VARIETIES - CTZ (Columbus Tomahawk Zeus), Cascade, Centennial, Ella, Hallertau Blanc

MALT VARIETIES - Samuel Adams two-row pale malt blend, Caramel 60, and Flaked Oats

COLOR - Deep amber, SRM: 12

ALC. BY VOL/WT - 6.0% ABV - 4.8% ABW

IBUs – 65

CALORIES - 194

CBP #C19 - Saddle Mountain's Aviation & White Claw's Black Cherry Hard Seltzer, Rod J Beerventures, Wicked Weed Buyout - Cold Brew Podcast | podcast garden

This past week I had the opportunity to speak with the Cold Brew Podcast and discuss all things beer. You can hear what was discussed by checking out the link below which of course I encourage, but also take time to listen to many of the other topics as well as they put on one great show.

CBP #C19 - Saddle Mountain's Aviation & White Claw's Black Cherry Hard Seltzer, Rod J Beerventures, Wicked Weed Buyout - Cold Brew Podcast | podcast garden

Malt Liquor Monday: Natty Daddy

A recent hangout with my buddy Eric from EricALionsFan talking Natty Daddy and some other beer oriented topics. Yeah we may have chosen a brown bag beer for this one, but we had a blast and covered other topics affecting the craft beer market. Check out the video here!

Beer Review: Flying Dog Bee Beer 7% ABV

What’s the buzz all about? Well in this case it is about the Bee Beer from Flying Dog Brewery. This beer was a part of the Brewhouse Rarities series, and was designed to bring a voice to the bees and the how their collapse poses a threat to our ecosystem. This Golden Ale comes in at a nice 7% AVBV and 35 IBU, and is brewed with honey and bee pollen. Check out my video here to see my thoughts and if this one leaves a nice sting. Unfortunately though as a rarity, it is no longer in production.

Brewer Notes:

Our Brewhouse Rarities series gives everyone in the brewery a voice. Our Flying Dog University Professor, Justin, wanted his to be heard not just for a new beer concept, but the critical threat bee colony collapse poses to our ecosystem. At least one Brewhouse Rarities release every year is an agricultural collaboration, and his pitch to craft a bee beer brewed with local bee pollen and honey immediately appealed to our powers that bee.


The beer incorporates Dutch Gold Buckwheat Honey and local bee pollen from Lord Byron’s Honey Apiary into an American Saison base. The golden color shows off the honey sweetness, which is present yet balanced. Justin chose buckwheat honey for its strong flavor. Strength is important because a lot of honey character ferments out during the process. The choice to use bee pollen was easy once he learned about its health benefits. (It’s high in protein and can be metabolized quickly.) A lot of breweries brew with honey, but few use bee pollen, as well, and Justin found that it adds a unique floral sweetness. Elevate your experience by drinking it alongside fresh chèvre with dried apricot and honey. (If you don’t understand what half of that meant, try pairing it with a non-factory cheesecake.)