The nights are getting chilly and the leaves are making their glorious transformation! As the days start to shorten, we find that it’s good to have a beer that is still crisp enough for sunny afternoons, but malty enough to keep us warm in the evenings.

For the month of September, we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite beers for Fall weather sipping. Some will be seasonals, but others are just perfect for this time of year. This will be updated each Monday so stay tuned, and as always, we hope you enjoy!

SHINER (Shiner, TX) – IT’S BOCK, BABY! – We are please to announce that we have partnered with the wonderful folks behind the classic SHINER BEERS! The Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, TX (pop. 2069) is the oldest independent brewery in Texas.

  • “We’ve been brewing SHINER BOCK for over 100 years, and it is our number one selling brew. Lightly- hopped with a sweet finish, hints of grain and a clean flavor make this American-style dark lager very drinkable and satisfying. And its medium-brown color and tan head bring out the subtle beauty of roasted malts. Our Bock pairs nicely with porch sitting, washer tossing and dog petting.” 4.4% ABV, 13 IBUs. Available now in 12oz/4/6 bottles.
  • SHINER LIGHT BLONDE“It’s Light Done Right!” – “We are proud of this refreshing, 99-calorie & only 3.8g carbs, addition to the Spoetzl family of beers. It’s brewed with the same handcrafted, small-batch pride you expect from Shiner, delivering a unique light beer. So when you’re looking for a smooth, easy-drinking brew, pick up an ice-cold Shiner Light Blonde.” Available now in 16oz/6/4 CANS
  • SHINER CHEER – “We hope you enjoy our Shiner Cheer, an Old-World-style Dunkelweizen brewed with Texas peaches and roasted pecans. The malty flavors of this dark wheat ale are enhanced through the use of malted barley and wheat. And Kräusening ensures a smoothness that makes the subtle peach and pecan flavors all the more satisfying!” Available now in 12oz/2/12 CANS

PEAK ORGANIC (Portland, ME) – AUTUMN IPA – Just because it’s Fall doesn’t mean you can’t still drink an IPA. Peak Organic has your back! Autumn IPA is our the newest seasonal release from Peak which combines a New England-style IPA with a Session IPA. The hazy, juicy body adds touches of peach and tangerine with bright floral notes flying off the nose. Hopping with a blend of Ctira, El Dorado and Azacca makes Autumn IPA the perfect companion as the leaves start to turn. 4.8%).

OMISSION (Portland, OR & Portsmouth, NH) – Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale is smooth and easy drinking, but full of flavor. Citrusy hops (Millennium, Citra, Galaxy) and a clean finish leave you wanting more. And with only 99 calories and 5 carbs, you can have another without feeling full. Like all Omission beers, Omission Ultimate Light Golden Ale is crafted to remove gluten. 4.2% ABV, 10 IBUs

BUD LIGHT (St. Louis, MO) – They’re here! PATRIOTS branded Bud Light Aluminum 16oz bottles are ready to ship

WEIHENSTEPHANER (Germany) – VITUS WEIZENBOCK – Vitus is full-bodied and sparkling with an effervescent mouthfeel and well-rounded taste. Unlike typical Bock Lagers, Vitus is a Bock Wheat Ale, showing a glorious golden color with a pleasant haze, as the beer is left un-filtered. Spicy esters are rounded out by fruity notes of ripe banana, dried apricots and citrus from the proprietary yeast strain. 7.7%

SMUTTYNOSE (Hampton, NH) Our friends in New Hampshire are well known for their Finest Kind IPA and their new Pinniped Vienna-style Lager, but when it comes to fall sippers, they really out-do themselves!

  • OLD BROWN DOG – This American Brown Ale is known all around the country as the best darn brown ale available for sale. Every year since it’s introduction in 1994, Old Brown Dog has seen positive sales growth. Think about that for a second…in a country where breweries are dropping their brown ales from the production schedule, Smuttynose Old Brown Dog continues to grow! I don’t think it’s far fetched (get it?) to say that this Old Dog can learn new tricks. Pair this American Brown Ale with grilled meats, such as sausages, steak or some BBQ ribs – or go Tex-Mex with chile relleno and enchiladas.
  • PUMPKIN ALE – “The beer drinker’s pumpkin beer!” Brewed since 2003, Smuttynose Pumpkin Ale is made with real pumpkin and a blend of classic pumpkin pie spices in tribute to our colonial forebearers. Recipes calling for the use of pumpkins have been found from early European settlers in New England, when brewers sought to extend their supply of costly imported malt with locally grown ingredients, such as squash and “pompions.” I’m not gonna say this is the best pumpkin beer on the market but…your customers might!

HARPOON (Windsor, VT & Boston, MA) – 100 BARREL SERIES #62: NANA’S NIGHT CAP – “This porter was inspired by a love of oatmeal cookies – and beer. A runner up entry in our annual employee brewing competition, The Owners Cup, this beer was too good not to brew again. With hints of nutmeg and vanilla, and a touch of caramel sweet, you’ll relish every single sip, of this malty, roasty treat!” 9% ABV, 35 IBUs.
UFO (Windsor, VT & Boston, MA) – CRANBEERY – This Hefeweizen is infused with cranberries right from the bogs of Massachusetts. A little tart, a little sweet, and a lot delicious, this cranberry Hefeweizen is a refreshing addition to leaf peepin’, hiking, or just hanging out around a camp fire (s’mores encouraged). 4.8% ABV.

ROGUE (Newport, OR) – HAZELNUT BROWN NECTAR – A nutty twist to a traditional European Brown Ale. This iconic Brown Ale is brewed with Oregon-grown Hazelnut extract. Dark brown in color with a hazelnut aroma, a rich nutty flavor and a smooth malty finish. An absolute perfect pairing with fall dishes like Smoky Chipotle Butternut Squash Soup, Red Beans & Rice or Pumpkin Pie! 5.6% ABV, 33 IBUs.
LONG TRAIL (Bridgewater Corners, VT) – It’s back! HARVEST BARN ALE – “The culmination of a long growing season, the autumn harvest comes once a year. We mark the end of summer with the release our seasonal brown ale, Harvest. Vermont maple syrup added during the brewing process yields a lasting sweetness on the palate that’s guaranteed to warm your soul alongside the rich, chocolate profile and earthy hop character. Raise a glass and enjoy the spirit of the season. Pairs well with wood-splitting, leaf-raking and pumpkin carving.” 4.4% ABV, 18 IBUs. Available now

HARPOON (Windsor, VT & Boston, MA) – Also returning this year: FLANNEL FRIDAY! “There’s nothing that says “Fall is here! Fall is here!” louder than that first day at the brewery when everyone shows up in flannel. This Hoppy Amber Ale is our tribute to the quintessential season of change. A bright hop aroma from late hop additions plays with its strong malt backbone. Amber hued, medium bodied, with hints of citrus and pine, this ale is made for the crisp days (and nights) of fall.” 5.7% ABV, 35 IBUs. Available now

GROENNFELL MEAD (Colchester, VT) – “AUTUMN SPICE is based on Nana’s Hungarian Apple Cake, with a perfect balance of chamomile tea, nutmeg, anise, and cinnamon in a crisp, clean mead. Whose Nana? The Meadmaker’s Nana! And she was a Hungarian-trained chef. So there. This is the perfect pint for cool Autumn days and the first flakes of the coming Winter.” Ingredients: Water, Honey, Egyptian Chamomile, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Nutmeg, Sulfites. 5.7% ABV. Gluten-Free. Available this year in 16oz/6/4 CANS

 

VERMONT OKTOBERFEST BEERS

ZERO GRAVITY (Burlington, VT) – OKTOBERFEST – German Munich & Vienna malts and Tettnang hops along with a long lagering give this German-style Märzen Lager impeccable drinkability. The superb malt flavor is balanced by just a hint of hop bitterness. PROST! 5.4% ABV, 26 IBUs.

14th STAR (St. Albans, VT) – OKTOBERFEST – “Our Oktoberfest is brewed with German malts and hops  in the classic Märzen style. This malt forward lager will  give you exactly what you need as the fall weather sets in. A beautiful golden orange color with the aroma of bread, spice, and slight pineapple. The favor starts with sweet malt, then gives way to a slightly spicy bitterness. Finishes semi- sweet. Make sure to fll your stein with this fall classic before it’s too late!” 5.9% ABV, 22 IBUs.

QUEEN CITY (Burlington, VT) – OKTOBERFEST – “Full-bodied, yet refreshing, Queen City Oktoberfest is a traditional German Märzen-style Lager, with a complex, toasty malt profile and clean finish. 5.5% ABV, 30 IBUs.

SARANAC (New York) – HAUS LAGER – “When our great-grandfather/founder F.X. Matt emigrated to America in 1878, he brought with him his brewing knowledge and a thirst for great beer. After founding our Brewery, he created a lager that his family and employees could enjoy during and after work. This is the beer that helped create our Matt Family motto…We drink all we can, the rest we sell!” This 4.9% ABV Helles Lager is brewed with Pilsner and Caramel Pils malts, a touch of wheat and German Magnum & Tettnager hops. Prost!

ARROGANT BREWING (Escondido, CA & Richmond, VA) – WHO YOU CALLIN’ WUSSIE – “For far too long the tyrannical industrialized beer overlords have disgraced and cheapened the noble heritage of the Pilsner with their relentless multi-generational downward drive to commercialized homogenization. Over decades, this once vaulted style has been slowly and methodically gutted, bringing forth a soulless and anemic result, all the while spending billions in advertising to convince the unwitting public that their fizzy yellow end result was beer. Well, I will not have it. We are striking back for true craft by stealing the Pilsner back from their evil clutches, and restoring it to its almighty glory. They do it cheaply. We do it right. Choose vapidity, or choose righteousness…but whatever you do, choose wisely.” 5.8% ABV, 47 IBUs. Available now in 16oz/4/6 CANS

Experts Weigh In on the Best Oktoberfest Beer You Can Buy – In case you’re not on a plane to Munich

September is also Vermont Wine Month!

Wine in the Green Mountain State is a growing industry. More and more vineyards are gracing fields and hillsides throughout the state.

We, at Farrell Distributing, are proud to represent some of the best wineries in Vermont.

Flavorful, cold hardy grapes like Frontenac, Marquette, and La Crescent are key ingredients to Vermont’s delectable wines. Hand-crafted varieties of reds, whites, and dessert wines offer a wide range of styles, as do fruit wines made with blueberries, rhubarb, apples and raspberries. Also, dessert ice wines are not to be missed. These are made from grapes harvested after the arrival of winter, when the juice of the grapes is highly concentrated and super sweet.

 

For the month of September, our focus will be on some of our Vermont wineries. You can always check out our entire Made in Vermont Portfolio as well. Another great resource is the Vermont Grape and Wine Council, A Guide to Vermont Wines: Growing, Vinting, and Drinking.

But first, check out Donald on #winedownwednesaday –  Donald MacDonald is giving a taste of Vermont wines from all around the state.

 

FEATURED & NEW ITEMS

“What’s on Tap?” with Eden Specialty Ciders

Brittney Hibbs chats with Eleanor Leger about her award-winning ciders!
Watch this short video to learn more about these wonderful Vermont ciders.
NEW IPA 15 packs
21st AMENDMENT (San Leandro, CA) – BLOOD ORANGE BREW FREE OR DIE! 15pk CANS – “Four hop varieties and seven blood oranges ago, our founders brought forth in this brewery, a new beer, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that not all IPAs are created equal. Because sometimes, real fruit just makes things even more delicious. Blood Orange Brew Free! is brewed like our original west coast style Brew Free! or Die IPA, but with an abundance of fresh blood orange puree and a twist of citrusy dry hops. Refreshingly different. As Abe would say, ‘Whatever you are, be a good one.'” 7% ABV, 70 IBUs. 15pk cans

GOLDEN ROAD (Los Angeles, CA) – WOLF AMONG WEEDS Double IPA – “Gold in color, this full-bodied IPA is a balanced showcase of the majestic hop specie, in Latin, Humulus Lupulus, which translates “Wolf Among Weeds”..  At 8%, Wolf will sneak up on you from behind the dank earthy hop notes and subtle rye spice.” Brewed with Golden Promise & malted rye and hopped with Simcoe, Chinook and CTZ.

DROP-IN (Middlebury, VT) – DUDE, ARE YOU OK? Imperial IPA –  After the unfortunate loss of the original name for our brewery, co-owner Christine McKeever embarked on a quest to find the perfect new name by watching snowboarding videos on YouTube. After dozens of clips, she noticed that she kept hearing a single, simple phase over and over again: “Dude are you OK?” As you can tell, we didn’t name our brewery “Dude, Are You OK? Brewing LLC”, but we knew we wanted to save it for a beer. Weighing in at 8.0% ABV,  “Dude” is brewed with a lot of American hops including Chinook, Mosaic & Simcoe. Fermentation was successful, leaving it with a clean profile and a dry finish. We haven’t filtered this beer, preferring to “fine” it instead. Fining produced a clear beer without compromising hop character. (We used vegan-friendly fining agents so no animals were harmed making this beer.)

SIERRA NEVADA (Chico, CA & Mills River, NC) – Did you ask if Sierra Nevada CAN dig it? Yes..they…CAN! In fact, these new line-priced CANS are now in stock and ready to ship out!

  • TROPICAL TORPEDO
  • OKTOBERFEST 1
  • and coming soon…  CELEBRATION 

Also in from Sierra is 2017 Narwhal Imperial Stout… Big and Bold at 10.2% ABV..  This year instead of 4 packs.

STONE (Escondido, CA & Richmond, VA) – New collaboration Double IPA in from Stone… FRUITALLICA – “Like a legendary band on a world tour, we traveled the globe to find breweries capable of collaborating on such an immensely delicious lightning storm of a beer (and trust us, you’ll want to take a ride). Masters of brewing Beavertown (UK) and Garage Project (New Zealand) worked with us in California to brew this double IPA with kiwi, yuzu fruit and habanero. A massive hop character tips the scales at 80 IBUs, while maintaining a fruit-forward character and juiciness for all. Be sure to have your pint glasses ready–you’ll want to fill ‘em all.”

SHOCK TOP (St. Louis, MO) – SUNSET ORANGE – A new Belgian-style Wheat Ale brewed with coriander and citrus peels, including blood orange! 5.0% ABV.

September Featured Beers

FOR OUR VERMONT DLC LICENSED RETAIL PARTNERS ONLY

UPCOMING TASTINGS

FALL BEER & CIDER PORTFOLIO TASTING
Monday, September 18th – 2pm-5pm
at The Essex Resort & Spa

(70 Essex Way, Essex Junction, VT 05452)

FALL WINE PORTFOLIO TASTING
October 23rd – Noon-4pm
at Taconic Hotel

(3835 Main St, Manchester Center, VT 05255)