Warped Wing Brewing Company And Pizza Bandit Collaborate On 420 Beer And Pizza

DAYTON, OH (April 7, 2021) – On Tuesday, April 20^th at 4:20pm, Warped Wing Brewing Co. and Pizza Bandit will be releasing their new collaboration beer & pizza - “Panama Red.” Why on 4/20 at 4:20, you ask? We’ll let you figure that one out.

“The beer idea really came from eating pizza with James, Brian, and Erin and trying to figure out what flavors we could do with the Pizza Bandit in regard to food and then what that might mean for the beer,” said John Haggerty, Brewmaster and Managing Partner at Warped Wing. "So, the pizza really came first and was inspired by our new Smokery out in Springboro. Of course, I love smoked beer as well, so it was sort of a no-brainer for me to do a smoked beer for this project. As far as brewing with Pizza Bandit was concerned, James came down and we spent 2 days working together. I really didn't know James before that but definitely a cool dude and can certainly handle his beer (and hot wort w/scotch at 9am!)  Anyway, it was a very enjoyable experience and I look forward to pairing the pie and the beer together.” Coming in at 5.3% ABV and 15 IBU, Panama Red Smoked Red Lager has a mild caramel sweetness and is smoky in aroma, with a crisp finish. 

Warped Wing’s GM and resident “culinary dude,” Erin O’Neill, worked with Pizza Bandit’s James Burton and Brian Johnson on developing a recipe that we felt not only represented the brewery but would also pair deliciously with a beer - and the Panama Red pizza was born. Panama Red is made with Pizza Bandit red sauce and cheese, with smoked brisket, smoked pulled pork, deep-fried smoked pork belly, Peppadew peppers, diced spicy pickles, and topped with Warped Wing’s housemade root beer barbecue sauce. From one culinary dude to another, Erin is excited for the unique opportunity to collaborate with other foodies in the Dayton area.

Copy on the Pizza Bandit exclusive bottle reads: “Hops and cannabis. Cousins. Buds. And Panama Red? Well, that’s an old-school cannabis classic. Settle into da couch with a Panama Red Smoked Red Lager. Toke the smoke and pair this burnout of a beer with a fresh slice of ‘za. Say, man, you got a Panama Red? It’d be a lot cooler if you did.”

Join us on Tuesday, April 20^th at 4:20pm for the release of Panama Red Smoked Red Lager at both Taproom locations (downtown Dayton & Springboro) as well as Yellow Cab Tavern. The first 24 pours of Panama Red beginning at 4:20 at the breweries will receive a complimentary slice of Pizza Bandit’s Panama Red pizza! Also tapping at downtown Dayton area bars and restaurants beginning 4/20. Bottles (375ml) of Panama Red will be available exclusively at Yellow Cab Tavern on 4/20.

Warped Wing Brewing Co. is a Dayton craft brewery inspired by Ohio’s rich history of innovation and invention. We are committed to carrying that spirit forward by brewing new proprietary beer styles along with original interpretations.

Fifty West Expands Offerings, Adding Craft Hard Lemonade With Meyer Lemons

Fifty West Brewing Company adds a new thirst-quenching option to the Cincinnati “beyond beer” space, with their Hard Lemonade, crafted with Meyer lemons.

Since Fifty West’s inception in 2012, the craft beer industry has seen enormous growth. Shelves at alcohol retailers around the country ballooned with new varieties, which in turn caused singular brand loyalty to shrink. Additionally, consumer interest towards non-beer options flourished, especially within the burgeoning markets of hard seltzer, hard kombucha, ready-to-drink cocktails, etc. The industry casually refers to this emerging category as “beyond beer” products.

This increased competition to grab drinker's attention in a more crowded marketplace created renewed pressure on craft brewers to innovate outside their traditional product space. When faced with this transitional issue, Fifty West began to speculate on how best to grow as a company and offer more diversity in their canned beverage line-up. Unfortunately, this pivotal moment came as a pandemic ravaged the nation.

 

“We were in the early throes of COVID. We had to pause our future business plans, get lean, and then risk everything on our new concept, now known as The Fifty West Burger Bar,” said Managing Partner Bobby Slattery. “While trying to keep our staff and customer morale high, I changed our marquee to read “When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemonade,” which offered some unintentional foreshadowing. Luckily, the new space became a success, and those words rang true. People came pouring into the Beer Garden and we couldn't be more thankful and proud of our team for the work they put into it.”

 

This new space generated lots of attention but also provided an added layer to the brewery’s established brand identity. Optically, the Burger Bar brings a modern take on nostalgia, with a concept inspired by American root beer stands and 1950s carhops. Under this newfound landscape, the team at Fifty West had a revelation, to design a drink based on their own backyard as their first foray into "beyond beer".

“We landed on taking a chance with Hard Lemonade after considering many options. We did a lot of market research and had conversations with our wholesaler and retailer network, but most importantly, we liked that we were bringing liquid to shelves that fit our evolving brand image, “ said Vice President Max Fram. “Imagine holding a cold Hard Lemonade on a sunny Summer day while sitting in the Beer Garden. You're with your friends, your dog, and an overflowing plate of crinkle-cut French Fries. It just feels right.” 

This new creation is brewed like a sweeter hard seltzer with Meyer lemon juice and natural flavors. Meyer lemons are known to be less acidic with a nuanced citrusy lemon depth. “It’s the most R&D we’ve ever put into a beverage. We tasted countless flavors and juice combinations until we landed on something that tasted special and we liked calling our own," said Fram.

 

Fifty West Hard Lemonade is available in 12oz 6-packs for $8.99, 12-packs $15.99, and 16oz singles at your favorite craft beer locations.

Ohio Craft Brewers Association Media Statement Press Release

 

Media Statement

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Below is a media statement from Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association:

"One year ago, the state of Ohio ordered brewery taprooms, bars and restaurants to shut down, an effort to stem the tide of the growing coronavirus pandemic. We knew very little about the virus at the time, which meant there was a great deal of uncertainty about what it would take to fight it. Since then, we’ve weathered several surges of infection and endured tragic losses, most notably the nearly 18,000 Ohioans who have lost their lives to COVID-19.

"While the past year has brought an enormous amount of struggle and grief, it has also brought the knowledge and determination necessary to overcome our shared hardship. One year after taking an unprecedented measure to combat an unknown and formidable foe, we finally have some cause for optimism for the year ahead.

"To understand how COVID-19 specifically impacted breweries, you have to know a little bit about the economics of the craft beer industry. Approximately 300 breweries have opened in Ohio over the past seven years; the basic business model of the vast majority of them relies on sales of beer by the glass to customers in their taprooms. The sustainability of the small brewery is rooted in the taproom experience: the freshest possible beer, crafted by a member of your community and served in a welcoming atmosphere. The popularity of the taproom experience transformed the craft beer industry, and it has become a proven business model that works in big cities and small towns alike.

"Deemed essential businesses at the outset of the shutdown, breweries could continue to make beer and sell it in cans, bottles and refillable growlers for carry out, as well as through wholesale distributors and retail stores. Packaging and distributing beer adds significant expense that a small brewery ordinarily may not find wise to take on. Breweries were faced with an impossible choice: pay the additional cost to sell a product with less profit potential, or shut down completely and wait until customers could return to taprooms.

"In response, brewers did what they do best: adapt and innovate.

"Ohio breweries had a couple of advantages that helped them stay afloat during the shutdown. The beer you find in your local grocery aisle, convenience store or bottle shop is generally delivered by a wholesale distributor that carries dozens of beer brands. The smallest craft breweries usually can’t afford to give up close to a third of the retail price of their beer to enlist a distributor’s services, but the state of Ohio allows our craft breweries to self-distribute to stores that want to carry their beer. Ohio breweries are also permitted to deliver their beer directly to a customer, giving craft beer fans the option to continue supporting their favorite breweries without venturing away from home.

"Only 15 breweries were forced to close their doors permanently in 2020 – not significantly more than in prior years – but it’s impossible to say what that number may have looked like if not for these ways of getting beer into the hands of consumers.

"The bar and restaurant shutdown lasted nearly two months, but as coronavirus continued to spread some taproom customers were understandably slow to return. Breweries have taken extraordinary measures to make their taprooms as safe as possible: reducing seating capacity to ensure physical distancing, constructing barriers to minimize risk of infection, requiring masks on entry and when away from tables, rigorously sanitizing frequently touched surfaces, offering touchless ordering and payment, installing advanced air filtration systems, and much more.

"All of these changes come with a cost, which is why the Ohio Craft Brewers Association, the Brewers Association and other advocates for the hospitality industry have been working relentlessly to lobby the state and federal governments for targeted relief. Ohio has offered relief payments to all liquor permit holders and delayed license renewal fees. Congress has passed legislation to make grants and forgivable small business loans available, including $28.6 billion in the latest COVID relief bill specifically tagged for hospitality businesses. We continue to work to find ways to alleviate financial burdens and modernize alcohol regulations to serve both Ohio’s breweries and craft beer enthusiasts.

"For the first time in a year, we can envision what a return to normal may look like. With more and more Ohioans receiving their doses of vaccine, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are finally trending in the right direction. The statewide curfew that had been in effect during the worst surge of the pandemic has been lifted. The Ohio Department of Health has set the target level of COVID-19 incidence necessary to remove all mandated public health measures. As spring's warmer weather rolls in, Ohio breweries are re-opening and expanding outdoor seating areas – and continuing public health best practices – to welcome patrons back and safely accommodate everyone in their taprooms.

"None of us can say when we can officially declare victory over this devastating pandemic, but the craft brewing industry is moving forward with a much-needed sense of optimism. We can’t wait to see you out at your favorite Ohio breweries, gathering with friends and neighbors, remembering those that we’ve lost, and celebrating what we’ve achieved together."

Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote, preserve, diversify and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; to promote safe, responsible enjoyment of Ohio craft beer; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers.

Urban Artifact New Beer Release

 

Astronaut Food Press Release

We're extremely excited to announce the launch of Astronaut Food, our newest line of beer which will be releasing in early March. Over the past year our brew team here at Urban Artifact has been experimenting with ways to saturate our beer with as much fruit as humanly possible. Our solution was to look to the stars (or maybe more like the International Space Station). 
 

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During the Space Race of the 1960s, NASA and scientists around the world were desperately trying to get astronauts into space. But, due to the unknown effects of zero-gravity on the body they were unsure of whether humans were capable of consuming food while out there. Once they saw that humans were indeed capable of eating in space (thanks John Glenn!) the next problem was figuring out how to get enough food on board for a long mission. 
Their solution was to freeze-dry all food that would be taken on a mission, this allowed them to not only store the food for long periods of time, but also reduced the weight of the food by almost 90%. Which is critical because weight is a huge factor when launching rockets into outer space. Freeze-drying food allows the water to be removed completely, through a process called sublimation, while the nutrients and taste remain.

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Now this is where our team comes in. We knew that freeze-drying food was a great way to retain taste and keep it around for a very long time. But we weren't sure how the process would work with brewing beer. After a year of testing different freeze-dried fruits and brewing processes, we finally settled on a product we're extremely proud of. The end result is an intense fruit taste that is impossible to achieve with normal fruit puree. And due to there being almost zero water in the fruit, the alcohol content is at 15%

Our first release in this new line of beers is brewed with 600 lbs of freeze-dried red raspberries and 400 lbs of freeze-dried blackberries per 1,000 gallon batch, the equivalent of 11,000 lbs of fruit when fresh! The concentrated flavors of raspberry and blackberry hit you immediately on first taste, with an almost candy-like intensity. To balance out the over-the-top fruit flavors, a pronounced tartness and gentle warming alcohol are present. Drinks wonderfully fresh and ages beautifully.

Ohio Craft ExBEERiences Auction To Benefit Brewing Industry

 Two dozen Ohio breweries donate exclusive experiences to raise funds.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Craft Brewers Association (OCBA) has some unique gift ideas for the craft beer enthusiast on your holiday shopping list. The inaugural Ohio Craft ExBEERiences Auction features dozens of beer-centric experience packages donated by Ohio breweries and other supporters of the state’s brewing industry. Available experiences include canoe and bike trips with brewers, private brewery tours, opportunities to create and brew new beers, and much more.

The Ohio Craft ExBEERiences Auction will be held online from Dec. 3-12, 2020 at http://ohiocraftbeer.org/auction. Many of the donated experiences are designed for individuals or small groups in order to comply with protocols designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Several have an outdoor component or can be redeemed at a future date when public health conditions are favorable. Proceeds from the sale of each package benefit OCBA, the non-profit organization formed to promote, protect, diversify and unify Ohio’s craft breweries.

In normal times, OCBA relies on income from popular beer tasting events like Winter Warmer Fest in Cleveland and Six One Pour in Columbus. OCBA uses those funds to advocate for craft beer-friendly legislation at the Ohio statehouse, provide educational resources to member breweries, offer valuable marketing reach through programs like the Ohio On Tap app, and to facilitate collaboration and cooperation among Ohio’s breweries so they can continue to make world class, award-winning beer.

With state and local restrictions on large gatherings still in place to slow the spread of coronavirus, OCBA has been forced to cancel several fundraising events in 2020 and 2021. To generate revenue crucial to furthering the organization’s mission, OCBA has launched several new campaigns this year. Ohio Brew Haul was rolled out in May to encourage craft beer fans to order beer for carry out and delivery from their local breweries. Ohio Pint Day followed in October with more than 110 breweries offering a collectible pint glass with art by Adam Hernandez. OCBA is also offering limited edition sweatshirts in connection with next year’s planned Winter Warmer Cask Day, to be held in place of a large public tasting event.

“Craft beer has always been about more than just the liquid in the glass,” said OCBA executive director Mary MacDonald. “Our members have graciously donated their time and effort to create these unique experiences to connect with craft beer fans. We greatly appreciate the support of our breweries and Ohio beer enthusiasts as we continue to navigate the challenges brought on by the pandemic.”

 
Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote, preserve, diversify and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers.

Athens Brewery To Find New Home In Downtown Dayton

Little Fish Brewing Company signs a letter of intent to open taproom and brewery on Webster St.

ATHENS, OH – Athens, Ohio-based brewery Little Fish Brewing Company announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with the Windsor Companies to develop a second location in downtown Dayton. Construction is projected to begin in the spring of 2021.

The Windsor Companies acquired the buildings at 112 Webster Station, formerly known as Midwest Tools, along with a few surrounding properties in September 2020. The brewery is the first tenant to sign on to the project, which is within walking distance of downtown, Day Air Ballpark, the Riverscape and the Fire Blocks District.

“Downtown is really growing into an exciting hub for small and independent restaurants and bars, shopping, entertainment and living,” said Carli Dexter of The Windsor Companies. “We couldn’t be more excited that Little Fish is going to be a part of that.”

The future Little Fish location will be dedicated to the production of wood- and barrel-aged sour beers. Patrons will be able to enjoy these, as well as other Little Fish beers from the Athens location at the taproom and beer garden. Also featured will be a farm-to-table kitchen developed by Little Fish’s Executive Chef, Becky Clark.

Stockwell and White are no strangers to the Dayton area. Little Fish distributes beer here to local craft beer-centric bars, breweries, and bottle shops.

“Dayton is growing, and we very much look forward to being part of its future,” said Jimmy Stockwell, Co-Founder of Little Fish. “We’re excited to become part of the vibrant restaurant and brewery scene and to bring a piece of the spirit of Athens to this strong Community.”

About Little Fish Brewing Company

Little Fish Brewing Company was founded in 2015 by Athens natives Sean White and Jimmy Stockwell. While the brewery brews many styles of beers, it focuses on farmhouse and sour ales made with Ohio-grown and processed ingredients. Notable awards include the 2016 World Beer Cup Gold Award for Belgian- and French-Style Ale, 2018 World Beer Cup Bronze Award for Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer, 2020 Great American Beer Festival Silver Medal for Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer, and RateBeer’s Best New Brewer (Ohio) for 2015 and 2016. In 2018 Little Fish opened its own farm-to-table kitchen along with an expanded production area.