New Holland Brewing Co. in Holland, Michigan has announced a new beer/seltzer hybrid called Watermelon Spritz. According to the brewery, "this hybrid beverage is the result of brewing a wheat beer that is high in fruity esters, combined with natural watermelon and fizzy seltzer for a bubbly, crisp and slightly tart beverage with bold fruit flavor."

Full details are below.

Holland, MI -- New Holland Brewing is ignoring Punxsutawney Phil’s disheartening winter prediction for 2021 and today announces an exciting and refreshing new style of craft beverage, Watermelon Spritz.

The brewery best known for innovative and progressive flavors, from their top rated Dragon’s Milk Bourbon Barrel Aged Stout to their better-for-you Lightpoint Functional White Ale, adds to its beer program with a spring-friendly taste explosion that’s one part seltzer, one part sparkling ale, and a healthy splash of natural watermelon. 

Wild Leap Brew Co. in LaGrange, Georgia has announced that it has added Charleston, South Carolina to its distribution network. Full details are below.

LAGRANGE, GA: In its third year of operation, Wild Leap is proud to announce the expansion of its distribution to select markets in South Carolina. Wild Leap began distributing craft beer in the Southwest Georgia market in 2017 and has grown distribution to cover three states. Wild Leap’s craft beer and spirits will be available in Charleston, South Carolina and surrounding areas through Southern Eagle Distributing beginning today.

“Efforts to expand distribution have been more labor intensive with COVID-19 precautions and setbacks, but it’s definitely a labor of love!” says Anthony Rodriguez, Wild Leap’s CEO and Co-Founder. “The craft beer and spirits culture in Charleston is thriving and we’re thrilled to share our products with our South Carolinian fans.”

Wild Leap started as a small-town brewery with local distribution, but Co-Founders Rob Goldstein and Anthony Rodriguez had dreams to go bigger. In three short years, the independent, fast-growing brewery extended its product line to include craft spirits and is now available statewide in Georgia and select markets in Alabama and South Carolina.

Stone Brewing Co. in Escondido, California has announced that it has expanded distribution in Southern California. Full details are below.

ESCONDIDO, CA – Stone Distributing Co. (SDC) announces plans to expand its SoCal operation marked by its move to a significantly larger distribution warehouse in San Marcos, CA. SDC, founded by Stone Brewing, is among the nation’s largest distributors of independent craft-centric beverages. 

SDC’s new distribution headquarters, a former AB Inbev warehouse, will accommodate 100,000 square-feet of cold storage capacity for its portfolio of brands including Modern Times, Oskar Blues, Pizza Port, Juneshine, Victory, AleSmith, Cigar City, Societe Brewing and Duvel among others.  

The Beer Connoisseur is excited to announce the debut of its Official Review’s branded medals and seals for beer and cider ratings as well as for its annual “Best Beers of the Year” and “Best Breweries of the Year” awards. The new medals and seals allow brewers to distinguish their brands by showcasing their achievements.

According to recent audience feedback, consumers are eighteen times more likely to choose a brand that has an independent rating or award displayed on its label or packaging when shopping in retail stores.

Breweries can now proudly promote their independently evaluated ratings and awards on labels and packaging, helping consumers to connect to their brands on crowded retail store shelves.

“Premium branded ratings and awards have been a missing component of our Official Review and we are excited to have invested the time to develop them,” says Lynn Davis, founder, editor and publisher of The Beer Connoisseur.

Yardley Brother Craft Brewery in Hong Kong has announced its first CBD-infused beer in partnership with Open Book Extracts. Full details are below.

HONG KONG – Yardley Brothers have partnered with Open Book Extracts (OBX) Asia to release its first CBD infused beer. Lo/Hi Mango Cheesecake CBD Sour is the first installment in a range of CBD beers planned by Hong Kong’s most creative craft brewery.

In partnering with OBX, Yardley Brothers can utilize OBX ingredients produced from organically grown hemp from family-owned, U.S.-based farms by farmers with generations of experience. The OBX network of hand-selected farmers have pioneered hemp cultivation, production, and agricultural technology with environmentally friendly, Good Agricultural Practices-compliant growing methods.

“I’ve long been a fan of Yardley Brothers’ craft beers and am excited to work with them on their newest creative venture,” said Laurie Goldberg, CEO of OBX Asia.

Lo/Hi Mango Cheesecake CBD Sour is brewed with 66mg of CBD per litre using Hydrobond, OBX’s proprietary Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-free, water-soluble CBD developed in partnership with global ingredient supplier Prinova. Available by the keg, Lo/Hi Mango Cheesecake CBD Sour illuminates the glass with a saffron yellow hue for a juicy, refreshing, and super chilled out low alcohol (0.9% ABV) craft beer reminiscent of a fresh slice of creamy, mango drenched vanilla cheesecake.