Mug Club Olympics, Double Dry Hopped Pliny, and Scottish Soccer Fans Empty Boston Beer Taps

CraftBeerRepublic
2 days ago
3 min read

Double Dry Hopped Pliny, New Glarus, and Mug Club Ideas Take Center Stage

The latest episode of Craft Beer Republic covers a mix of craft beer travel, notable beer releases, and beer industry stories. Flex reports back from a visit to New Glarus Brewing in Wisconsin, while Greg discovers Double Dry Hopped Pliny on draft in San Francisco and comes away with a renewed appreciation for the beer.

The episode also includes a discussion about modern mug clubs and what breweries can do to make membership programs more engaging beyond simple discounts and larger pours.

Double Dry Hopped Pliny Brings New Life to a Classic IPA

While visiting The Beer Hall in San Francisco, Greg found Double Dry Hopped Pliny on draft. Although Pliny the Elder remains one of the most influential West Coast IPAs ever brewed, he noted that the double dry hopped version added brighter aromatics and a lighter presentation that stood out compared to the original.

The conversation highlights how dry hopping techniques continue to shape IPA development and influence consumer preferences across the craft beer industry.

New Glarus Visit Includes Pear 26 Fruit Beer

Flex made a stop at New Glarus Brewing after a family trip to Cave of the Mounds in Wisconsin. The brewery remains one of the state's most recognizable craft beer destinations and offered a chance to sample beers not commonly found outside the region.

One standout was Pear 26, a fruit beer featuring multiple pear varieties. The beer combined fresh pear character with balanced tartness, drawing inspiration from Berliner Weisse-style brewing while maintaining a highly drinkable profile.

Could Mug Clubs Be More Than Discounts?

A discussion about a local brewery's mug club program turned into a broader conversation about brewery membership programs and customer engagement.

Ideas included member-only beer releases, brewery trivia events, stein-holding competitions, voting on beer names, secret beer offerings, and dedicated member events. The goal was simple: create experiences that encourage community participation rather than relying solely on discounts and merchandise perks.

Scottish Soccer Fans Cause Boston Beer Shortages

One of the biggest craft beer news stories discussed involved Scottish soccer fans visiting Boston for FIFA Club World Cup matches.

According to reports, bars throughout the city experienced record beer sales, with some locations running completely out of beer. Sam Adams Boston Lager reportedly sold at several times its normal volume, forcing emergency deliveries to keep taps flowing throughout the weekend.

Booze News Roundup

Busch Light Lime Returns

Following strong sales of Busch Light Apple, Anheuser-Busch has brought Busch Light Lime back for another summer release.

Heineken and Heinz Launch Promotional Collaboration

Heineken and Heinz announced a limited-edition package pairing beer and ketchup in a single six-pack promotion, creating one of the more unusual beverage and food partnerships of the year.

British Airways Investigates Crew Incident

A British Airways crew was suspended after an incident involving a flight attendant at a hotel bar during a layover in Belfast. The story prompted a discussion about the airline's long history of alcohol-related crew incidents.

Episode Content Highlights

Beyond the beer news, the episode includes Flex's visit to New Glarus, Greg's experience finding Double Dry Hopped Pliny, a brainstorming session for improving brewery mug clubs, and a call from Intern Brian offering legal commentary on a Florida man who was stopped while driving his vehicle backwards on a highway.

The episode also settles an important debate: Flex loves ketchup, but not on broccoli.

Featured Beers

Pear 26 â€” Fruit Beer â€” New Glarus Brewing
Separation Anxiety â€” Hazy IPA â€” Mother Earth Brewing Company
Double Dry Hopped Pliny â€” Double Dry Hopped IPA â€” Russian River Brewing Company