Lord Hobo Outsourcing Production, Fat Tire Returns, and Michelob Ultra Wins Cinco de Mayo

Lord Hobo Brewing and Lone Pine Brewing are preparing to shift production to Isle Brewers Guild in Rhode Island, adding another example to the growing trend of contract brewing in the craft beer industry. Craft Beer Republic also covers New Belgium Brewing bringing back the original Fat Tire recipe, Michelob Ultra becoming the top draft beer on Cinco de Mayo, and Boston Beer Company launching 15% ABV “electric coolers” in glow-in-the-dark plastic light bulb containers.

The episode also includes a discussion about brewery soft openings, saison beer, West Coast IPA trends, and a surprisingly long conversation about coffee stout brewed with kopi luwak coffee beans.

Lord Hobo and Lone Pine Shift Production to Isle Brewers Guild

Evergreen Collective, parent company of Lord Hobo Brewing and Lone Pine Brewing, plans to move production to Isle Brewers Guild in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. According to the discussion, the transition will leave Lord Hobo’s taproom and event space operating while shutting down production at its 10,000-barrel brewhouse in Woburn, Massachusetts.

The move results in 18 lost jobs and continues a broader craft beer industry trend toward contract brewing and shared production facilities. Greg and Flex discuss how contract brewing has become more common for regional craft breweries looking to reduce operating costs while maintaining distribution.

The conversation also touches on how breweries like Epic Brewing and Second Chance Brewing have used contract brewing models while keeping taproom operations active.

New Belgium Brings Back Original Fat Tire

New Belgium Brewing is reviving the original Fat Tire Amber Ale recipe for the brewery’s 35th anniversary. Greg and Flex talk about Fat Tire’s long history as one of the few nationally distributed craft beers that could reliably be found almost anywhere in the United States.

The discussion also revisits an earlier Craft Beer Republic listener “Fat Tire drink-up” episode that featured listener reviews and tastings of the classic amber ale.

The return of the original Fat Tire recipe comes as New Belgium continues to see major success with the Voodoo Ranger brand, which remains one of the largest-selling craft beer lines in the country.

Michelob Ultra Becomes Cinco de Mayo’s Top Draft Beer

BeerBoard data showed Michelob Ultra gained the most draft volume share during Cinco de Mayo celebrations nationwide. The increase pushed Michelob Ultra to the top spot among draft pours tracked during the holiday.

Greg and Flex discuss the increasingly mainstream beer trends surrounding Cinco de Mayo, along with their own stories involving margaritas, tacos, and regrettable drinking decisions from earlier years.

The segment also includes a discussion about how many bars and restaurants suspend happy hour pricing during Cinco de Mayo due to increased demand.

Boston Beer Company Launches 15% ABV Electric Coolers

Boston Beer Company is introducing a new line of 15% ABV flavored malt beverages called “Lytt Electric Coolers.” The products are packaged in glow-in-the-dark resealable containers shaped like light bulbs.

Flavors include strawberry margarita, blue raspberry, peach mango, tropical punch, grape, and Long Island iced tea. The products are launching in Florida, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Illinois.

Greg and Flex compare the products to BuzzBallz and discuss the growing market for high-ABV flavored malt beverages and RTD alcohol products.

Brewery Soft Openings and Saison Beer Discussions

Greg shares details from a recent brewery soft opening visit where multiple house beers reportedly tasted nearly identical despite being different styles. The discussion focuses on breweries opening before recipes and production processes are fully dialed in.

Flex reviews Supermoon Beer Company’s Saison, a farmhouse ale brewed with spelt oats and aged hops. The beer becomes the surprise winner of the night after two earlier beers, including a peach Berliner-style beer, end up being drain pours due to strong metallic flavors.

Greg also reviews Altamont Beer Works’ Cali Hop Trip, a West Coast IPA collaboration with Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Hollingbery & Son Hops.

The conversation compares older malt-forward West Coast IPA profiles with newer lighter-bodied modern West Coast IPA trends.

Coffee Stout Brewed With Kopi Luwak Coffee Beans

The episode also revisits one of craft beer’s stranger ingredient stories involving Mikkeller’s Beer Geek Brunch Weasel imperial stout.

The beer used kopi luwak coffee, which is made from coffee beans that pass through the digestive system of civet cats before being cleaned, roasted, and brewed. Greg and Flex discuss the popularity of unusual adjunct ingredients in craft beer and whether novelty ingredients still matter in modern beer culture.

Featured Beers

Supermoon Beer Company Saison

Farmhouse ale brewed with spelt oats and aged hops with crisp carbonation and light funk.

Altamont Beer Works Cali Hop Trip

West Coast IPA collaboration with Firestone Walker Brewing Company featuring cannabis-like hop aromatics and pineapple notes.

Listen to the Episode

The latest episode of Craft Beer Republic is available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app!