The Crafty Cask is set to unveil a tantalizing journey through Arizona's burgeoning wine scene with its April SipScout kit. The subscription service, catering to aficionados of craft wine, beer, cider, spirits, mead, and sake, is thrilled to spotlight the vibrant flavors of Arizona wines in its upcoming offering.

Dive into the "Discover Arizona Summer Wines" kit, a curated selection showcasing the best pours from four innovative wineries:

• Chateau Tumbleweed
• Page Springs Cellars
• Omphalos Winery
• Bodega Pierce

Arizona's wine industry may fly under the radar, but its high-elevation vineyards and diverse microclimates have garnered attention from connoisseurs worldwide. This kit promises to uncover hidden gems perfect for summer sipping, offering subscribers a unique opportunity to explore the essence of Arizona wine.

Each SipScout kit includes four tasting pours for two, accompanied by print and digital resources to enrich the tasting experience. But that's not all – subscribers gain access to an exclusive live virtual tasting event hosted by SipScout's founder, Suzanne Henricksen, and certified sommelier, Evan Rothrock, alongside the four esteemed winemakers. This interactive session allows participants to engage with the makers and delve deeper into the world of Arizona wine.

Craft beer enthusiasts, rejoice! Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin has just unveiled its latest masterpiece: a barrel-aged imperial oatmeal stout. This rich, creamy stout has been carefully aged in Bourbon barrels for an impressive 22 months, resulting in a flavor profile that demands attention.

With a robust 13.8% alcohol by volume (ABV) and a balanced 28 International Bitterness Units (IBU), this brew promises a sensory experience like no other. Crafted using a blend of specialty malts including Belgian Dark Aromatic, Dark Caramel, and Chocolate Malt, each sip reveals layers of complexity and depth.

“This Imperial Oatmeal Stout sat in bourbon barrels for 22 months, just waiting to get into a snifter,” said Michael Stodola, Lakefront’s Brand Manager. “Rich mouth feel and deep chocolate meet barrel flavors of vanilla, oak plank, toasted almonds and dried cherries.”

Available wherever Lakefront Brewery beers are sold, this limited-edition Barrel-Aged Imperial Oatmeal Stout is set to captivate palates across the nation. Lakefront Brewery, Inc. proudly distributes its products to over 30 states, as well as international markets including Ukraine, Sweden, and Canada.

pFriem Family Brewers, the esteemed brewery based in Hood River, Oregon, proudly unveils plans for a captivating addition to its portfolio: a brand-new taproom nestled within the iconic Milwaukie City Hall building. This strategic expansion, slated to debut in April 2025, marks a significant stride for pFriem, renowned for its top-tier craft brews and unwavering dedication to community engagement.

Since its inception in 2012, pFriem has emerged as a beacon of brewing excellence, with a steadfast focus on both Pacific Northwest and European beer traditions. Garnering an array of accolades, not just for its exceptional brews but also for its unparalleled Tasting Room experiences, pFriem has secured its place as a four-time winner of the esteemed Oregon Beer Awards for Best Brewpub Experience. The brewery's commitment to crafting approachable yet distinctive libations has solidified its reputation as a paragon of quality and hospitality.

Josh Pfriem, Brewmaster and Co-Founder of pFriem Family Brewers, expressed his excitement about the new venture: "We’re extremely excited to be growing our future here in Milwaukie. The City has been incredibly welcoming, and we hope we can play an important part in growing the local business community downtown as well as providing the community a really cool space to come together in.”

Hello and welcome to the brand-new issue of The Beer Connoisseur Magazine! Issue 71 is chock-full of timely, engaging stories about the beverage you love the most: beer!

The issue begins with a story on Mike Tyson, one of the greatest boxers of all time. Did you know he now has his own brand of Delta 8 and Delta 9 THC gummies? That’s right! Mike Bites are available online and at various retailers around the country (where legally possible), and these fun gummies are sure to provide the relaxation and chill vibes that come with Delta 8 consumption. Also, did we mention they’re shaped like ears?

We follow that up with an engaging piece about Pickle Beer, which is an intriguing beer style that shouldn’t really work, but it does. If you’ve never tried a gherkin-flavored beer, this story might convince you to do just that.

Then, it's our Beer Recommendations for Spring 2024 (aka What We’re Drinking Now). This rotating story features some of the best brews for the spring season, including a few that won GABF gold medals near the end of last year, as well as a few that scored highly in our Official Review.

Embark on a beer journey in Portland, Maine, where the thriving brewery scene mirrors the city's eclectic charm. Nestled in the heart of New England, Portland boasts a dynamic array of craft breweries, each with unique flavors and stories. From hop-forward ales to rich stouts, this coastal city is a haven for beer enthusiasts.

Here, we will cover a brief history of the city's brewing past, a comprehensive list of Portland breweries, and a detailed review of the 10 best Breweries in Portland, Maine including each brewery’s address, location, operation hours, website, history, awards, signature beer styles, taprooms, ambiance, foods on the menu and mor. Enjoy, and cheers to the spirited taste of New England!

History and Overview of Beer and Brewing in Portland

Portland, Maine's brewing legacy is a tale woven into the city's history. In the 1800s, Portland's streets echoed with the clinking of beer mugs as brewing became a cornerstone of local culture.