Craft Beer News: Terrapin Brewing Changes, Samuel Adams Apple Spice Ale and Kegs in the Sun

Craft Beer Republic's new episode, "Kegs in the Sun," covers brewery news involving Terrapin Brewing Company and Tilray Brands, new fall beer releases from Boston Beer, and tasting room closures at JuneShine. Greg and Flex also get into fruited IPAs, questionable keg storage, and two very different 8% double IPAs.

Tilray Brands to Move Brewing Out of Terrapin's Athens Facility

Tilray Brands plans to shift brewing operations away from Terrapin Brewing Company's 100,000-square-foot brewery in Athens, Georgia, beginning September 25. According to the news discussed on the show, production will move to other facilities within Tilray's brewery network.

Terrapin's Athens taproom, warehouse, and repack operations are expected to remain open. The change comes after Terrapin became part of Tilray's brewery portfolio following its previous ownership by Molson Coors.

Greg notes Terrapin's long history in craft beer and recalls interviewing co-founder John Cochran on an earlier episode of Craft Beer Republic. Greg and Flex also revisit Terrapin's Hopsecutioner, an old-school IPA they both remember favorably.

Boston Beer Adds Samuel Adams Apple Spice Ale for Fall

Boston Beer's fall beer lineup is already appearing on shelves, including Samuel Adams Pumpkin Ale and Dogfish Head Punkin Ale. This year, the company is also adding Samuel Adams Apple Spice Ale, a 5% ABV seasonal beer included in the Fall Legends variety pack.

The Apple Spice Ale is scheduled for nationwide release alongside a non-alcoholic Octoberfest. Flex is curious enough about the apple beer to consider trying it, partly because an apple seasonal from Leinenkugel's was one of the first beers he remembers enjoying.

JuneShine Plans Two California Tasting Room Closures

JuneShine will close its Santa Monica and Scripps Ranch tasting rooms on August 28. The hard kombucha brand said its products will continue to be available in bars and on retail shelves.

The news reminds Greg of his first hard kombucha at a beer festival while pouring alongside intern Brian. After trading beer with the neighboring hard kombucha booth, Greg decided one sample was plenty and happily kept supplying the other booth with beer without requiring anything in return.

Fruited IPAs Become a Brewery Bar Debate

Fruited IPA preferences become unexpectedly personal after Greg visits Institution with his wife and dog. When a bartender describes a summer IPA as juicy and potentially made with added fruit, Greg decides to order something else.

Greg explains that he prefers IPA fruit character to come from hops rather than added fruit, with sour IPAs occupying a different category for him. His polite rejection of the fruited IPA receives a noticeably colder response from the bartender, giving Greg the impression that he may have rejected one of her favorites.

Skunky Beer and Kegs Stored in 95-Degree Heat

A listener beer story gives "Kegs in the Sun" its title. Dan writes in about ordering draft beer at a beach bar and receiving a beer that tasted and smelled like a skunk.

After Dan reports the bad beer, his server reveals that the bar stores its kegs outside behind the building. The temperature was around 95 degrees. Dan switches to a bottled beer, while Greg and Flex try to understand why draft beer kegs were being stored outdoors in summer heat.

The story also brings back Greg and Flex's fascination with Budweiser's Beechwood aging process. They consider taking an Anheuser-Busch brewery tour together in St. Louis, although their odds of making it through the tour without repeatedly asking about Beechwood aging appear questionable.

Featured Craft Beers: Sierra Nevada and More Brewing Company

Sierra Nevada Cosmic Little Thing IPA

Greg drinks Sierra Nevada Cosmic Little Thing IPA, an 8% hazy double IPA brewed with Comet, Eureka, Helios, Simcoe and Strata hops. He gets citrus and an unexpected cotton candy character, while noting that the 8% ABV is remarkably well hidden.

More Brewing Company Orange Cream Double Marbles

Flex drinks Orange Cream Double Marbles from More Brewing Company in Illinois. The 8% milkshake-style double IPA uses Amarillo and Citra hops with milk sugar, orange and vanilla, producing the orange creamsicle character promised by the beer's name and can art.

Greg's Tattoo Assignment and a Very Bad Night at Crazy Horse

Greg confirms that his long-delayed tattoo appointment is finally happening. A Michelangelo reference gives Flex an idea for the occasion: Greg now has two weeks to find a Ninja Turtle beer and photograph it with the new tattoo.

The episode also includes the story of an intoxicated 44-year-old man who gets into an altercation with a bouncer at Crazy Horse in Brook Park, Ohio. After being turned away for failing to provide identification, the man refuses to leave, spits and swings at the bouncer, and is punched in the head.

His 22-year-old companion then picks up the man's wallet and leaves with it. Police later recover the wallet, and nobody involved chooses to pursue charges. The story leaves Greg and Flex discussing Crazy Horse, strip clubs, and the peculiar rules governing alcohol and nudity.

Listen to Kegs in the Sun

"Kegs in the Sun," the latest episode of Craft Beer Republic, is available now. The episode features craft beer news, brewery industry updates, Sierra Nevada and More Brewing Company beer reviews, and another listener submission about beer gone very wrong. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app!