We spoke with Upland Brewing President and Head of Brewery Operations Pete Batule about Oak & White.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe? 
The blend for this beer was a collaborative effort made by myself, Eli Trinkle and Adam Covey.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)? 
This beer has a distinct white wine character with spice, pear, stone fruit and honey notes.

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
This is one of 3 beers that we make exclusively with grapes from our friends and neighbors at Oliver Winery. Each beer is aged in oak and this particular beer we utilized Traminette grapes. White is a reference to the white grape.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
I love this beer, and it is one of my favorite beers we make, however, I would likely stick to a nice hoppy pilsner for my desert island beer.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Wood-aged sour ale aged on Traminette grapes with dry finish.

We spoke with Upland Brewing President and Head of Brewery Operations Pete Batule about Oak & Rosé.

BC: Who came up with this beer’s recipe? 
The blend for this beer was a collaborative effort made by myself, Eli Trinkle and Adam Covey.

BC: What’s your favorite aspect of this beer (flavor, aroma, etc.)? 
Nuanced grape and berry aromas infuse with pear, citrus and barnyard notes of the base beer. 

BC: Where does this beer’s name come from?
This is one of 3 beers that we make exclusively with grapes from our friends and neighbors at Oliver Winery.  Each beer is aged in oak and this particular beer we utilized Chambourcin grapes. Rosé is a reference to the color and Chambourcin grapes are also what Oliver uses to produce their Rosé wine.

BC: Is this your “desert island beer?”
The balanced acidity and flavor in this beer would make for a way better alternative to a desert island wine, however, I would likely stick to a nice hoppy pilsner for my desert island beer.

BC: Can you describe this beer in 10 words or less?
Wood-aged sour ale aged on Chambourcin grapes with dry finish.

We spoke with Brauhaus Riegele Brewer Sebastian Priller-Riegele about Privat.

Imperial Cabinet, a sour/wild ale that's meant to be a recreation of an early 20th century cocktail called the Ramos gin fizz, has returned in extremely limited quantities.

The beer is a collaboration between The Bruery and Jester King Brewery and took over a year to make. Brewed with lemon, lime, oranges, botanicals and sweeteners, the beer clocks in at a powerful 9.3 percent ABV and is available in extremely limited quantities here.

The full release from The Bruery is below.

Many things can happen when collaborating breweries come together.

Bell's Brewery in Comstock, Michigan has announced the upcoming release of a new beer called Official American Wheat IPA.

The beer is a fragrant and interesting double dry-hopped IPA with Mosaic, Citra, Azacca, Amarillo and El Dorado hops. The beer will be available in 4-packs of 16-ounce cans, 4-packs of 12-ounce cans and bottles and on draft starting in February. The full release from the brewery is below.

COMSTOCK, Mich. – A brand new beer will join Bell’s Brewery’s year-round lineup early next year: Bell’s Official American Wheat IPA.

Official brings pungent American hops and wheat malt together in the brewhouse. Double dry-hopped, Bell’s Official uses a combination of Mosaic, Citra, Azzaca, Amarillo and El Dorado hops.

Beer fans will enjoy notes of peach, stone fruit and tropical hop characteristics with a dry finish and balanced bitterness; a refined beer for those who love hops and for those who prefer wheat beers.

“We do American IPAs really well. We also do wheat beers very well. Official brings the best of both and combines them in a way that is approachable and enjoyable no matter what you prefer,” said Larry Bell, Bell’s President and Founder.

“The name of the beer is simple, yet it makes a statement. This is our interpretation of what a hoppy wheat beer should taste like,” he said.

According to BMI Research (a unit of Fitch Group), Nigeria's new excise taxes on beer, wine and spirits has affected the country's projected growth in the market -- slowing growth considerably, but not crippling the industry's long-term outlook in the country.

To defend against these taxes, Nigerian companies will look to cut costs by refocusing production in other markets in West Africa, and by investing in local, cheaper ingredient sources. The full report from BMI Research on this issue is below.

Industry Trend Analysis - Revised Excise Duties A Risk To Nigeria Alcohol Sector But Not Ruinous

Nigeria Food & Drink

Key View:

We have revised down our growth forecasts for Nigeria's alcoholic drinks sector following the implementation of higher excise duties on beer, wine and spirits.

In addition to passing on the duties to consumers, companies will also look to cut costs by refocusing production in other markets in West Africa, and by investing in local, cheaper ingredient sources.

Forecast Changes: