From the January Left Hand Brewing Newsletter:
2009 Beer Releases
Oak-Aged Imperial Stout
Available - MARCH
Our limited edition Oak-Aged Imperial Stout is back for the 1st time in 2 years, but with a couple of new twists - instead of being aged in French Oak Wine Barrels, we opted to age it this year in Heaven Hill brandy barrels from the hills of Kentucky. (And like all of our Big Mo Limited Edition releases, it's available in 22 oz. bombers now instead of the 750ml caged & corked Belgian beer bottle.) We racked Imperial Stout into the barrels back in June of this year, and will blend it with un-aged Imperial Stout to woody perfection. At 22 degree plato and 10.4% ABV, it's the perfect warmer for those cold February, early March nights. Enjoy the complex flavors revealing hints of raisin, black licorice, coffee, dark chocolate, and, of course, a hint of brandy. Order quickly - we've decided on our blend already, and we'll only be packaging about 150 barrels of it this time around. So, in other words, get it when you see it, b/c who knows what type of barrel we'll try again in '11.
St. Vrain Tripel
Available - LATE MAY
Also back from a 2-year hiatus is our limited edition St. Vrain Tripel Ale. If you've been out to the brewery, you must have seen the 'raging' mighty St. Vrain Creek that churns due west of the brewery in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. Named after Ceran St. Vrain, an early settler to the valley who built a trading fort in the area. A reflection of this dedicated spirit can also be found in the beers of Belgium, where brewers, often monks, developed beer styles over the past 900 years of distinctive character. At 20.5 plato, St. Vrain is a classic Belgian Style Tripel. It's beautifully light in color and lightly bittered with Spalt hops. A touch of sweetness from clear Belgian candy sugar tempers the warm spiciness hidden within beers of this gravity. To maximize authenticity, the entire brewing staff shaved their heads and bathed in baptismal ecstasy on the banks of the St. Vrain. 9.0% ABV, 20 IBU's.
Oktoberfest Märzen Lager
Available - LATE JULY/EARLY AUGUST
The beer pours an alluringly clear copper color, with a short white head and good lacing. The malt bouquet is accented by toasty, bready aromas. As you lift your stein in high anticipation, your palate is well rewarded for its patience. The sweetness of the German malts dominate upfront, while the noble pedigree hops allow for a proper dry finish, true to style. Medium-bodied, with the subtle elegance of a well-balanced beer. Clean and crisp, this Märzen Lager can easily become your session beer this Fall. 6.0% ABV with 27 IBU's. Beer Advocate Magazine said of it in their October 2007 issue: "We sized this one up and it came through like a champ. A complex but drinkable malt bomb on the taste buds."
Snow Bound Spiced Strong Ale
Available - OCTOBER
Brewed once a year to fight cabin fever, this spiced strong ale uses all natural ingredients, including crushed cinnamon, chopped ginger, orange zest, cardamom and cloves. The addition of locally harvested clover honey, coupled with the sparing use of hops and a malty foundation, creates the illusion of a liquid cake. Deep red in color, this medium-bodied beer is a winter warmer - enjoy on a cold night in front of the fireplace. 8.6% alcohol by volume, and available in 22 oz. bombers & kegs. Beer Advocate's issue last year said "this is a spiced ale done right, nothing light and dainty about this beer at all - just the way we like our winter warmers." And Celebrator's issue this month called it Exceptionally Great, big sweet, spicy nose with hints of ginger and other spices.
Warrior Fresh Hopped IPA
Available - OCTOBER
The vibrant aromatics and flavors that are derived from the use of exuberant amounts of fresh flower hops are what helps create and set apart this most unique beer. While the addition of locally grown hops from the brewery's own hop farm contributes to the bright floral hoppiness, the majority of the hop volume comes from the Warrior hops that are overnighted from Yakima, WA. Yet true to the brewery's fundamental belief system, the strong hop character is balanced by a strong malt foundation, allowing for an approachable, drinkable IPA that finishes amazingly clean. The beer is full-bodied, bronze in color, and tips the scales at 6.6% alcohol by volume and 60 IBU's. Available in 22 oz. bombers and kegs. Modern Brewery Age's December 2007 edition said "Warrior IPA takes no prisoners. It slays lesser brews.superb in every respect."
Oak-Aged Widdershins Barleywine
Available - LATE NOVEMBER
And rounding out our limited edition Big Mo' Series of Beers for the year is Oak-Aged Widdershins Barleywine. And, just like it's brother Imperial Stout, we'll be aging this big beer in the same Heaven Hill brandy barrels from the hills of Kentucky. We'll rack Widdershins into the barrels in April of this year, and will blend it with un-aged Widdershins to woody perfection. Counter clockwise to the traditional American style barleywines, we designed this beer to be rounder and smoother than some less refined versions. Full of caramel and malt flavors, yet balanced with a variety of hop varieties, all vying for your attention. Oak aging and sparing use of specialty malt add complexity to this already deep beer. Full bodied, copper in color, Widdershins tips the scales at 8.8% alcohol by volume. And, just like Imperial Stout, get it when you see it, b/c who knows what type of barrel we'll try again in '11.
Old Ales were typically brewed for the winter months, to warm the drinkers against the cold and damp British winters. Cape Cod Beer’s “Old Man Winter” was made in that tradition. A ruby chestnut color, most people will experience hints of toffee, caramel, or molasses, all which come from the three varieties of barley used in this brew. “It’s a big beer for us” explains Brewmaster Todd Marcus. “Even with our new 15 barrel system, we have to use so much grain to brew this beer that we could only brew a 13 barrel batch! What makes it slightly different from other beers we brew is that this beer has more wine or a sherry-like characteristics than any of our other beers. That’s what makes it perfect for cold winter evenings.”
- Gravitation Belgian Quad (New Release) - early January, 2009
This is one of the finest brewers on the East Coast, and each edition of their Big Beer Series is limited and often hard to get if you don't act right away... Their Big A has been known to sell out of stores within a week of release (and some stores sell out in a day). This subscription will ensure you get some of each one.
We just received word from Mayflower Brewing Company that they will be releasing their much-awaited Bourbon Barrel Aged Porter this weekend, December 12th & 13th, 2008. The beer was aged in Buffalo Trace barrels and will be extremely rare. For more details, here's the email sent by the brewery:
We are pleased to tell you that we will be releasing our Bourbon Barrel-Aged Porter this week at the brewery. This unique version of our award-winning Mayflower Porter was aged in a Buffalo Trace bourbon barrel for a month this fall. The result combines hints of bourbon and oak with the rich flavor of our Porter to create a smooth and complex brew that will warm your soul. 
Sierra Nevada 2008 Chico Estate Harvest Wet Hop Ale
Sierra Nevada Harvest Wet Hop Ale
Port Brewing High Tide Fresh Hop IPA
Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA
Founders Harvest Ale
This is a great article from the New York Times about craft beer being brewed in Brooklyn. They focus a lot on Shane Welch (left side of the picture) and Sixpoint Craft Ales, but also mention Brooklyn Brewing Co. and Greenpoint Beer Works a little bit.