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The Belgian ale Duvel is so revered and respected, that it birthed a whole new stylistic category of beer – the Belgian Golden Strong Ale. It’s the flagship creation from Brouwerij Moortgat, a world-famous brewery that’s remained family owned and operated since 1871. To celebrate the soccer fever that will soon be sweeping North America, Duvel released a limited-edition gift pack with a commemorative chalice. The brew within isn’t the traditional Duvel, but rather an amped up Imperial Blond that clocks in at an impressive 10% ABV!
Duvel Imperial Blond Soccer Gift Pack
Sparkling brilliant golden in the glass and topped with a tall head of white foam, fruity and spicy aromatics abound here, with pronounced pineapple and peppercorn. Luxuriously plush upon the tongue, it begins with a burst of honeyed malt, that gives way to flavors of lemon peel and banana bread. Bottle conditioning produces a lively carbonation, enhancing its seductively silken mouthfeel. The finish is invigoratingly bold and bright - culminating with a subtle floral hop note that’s accented by a streak of sweet dessert spice.
TV is on, your team takes the pitch, what’s in your glass? If a 10% ABV Belgian ale seems a bit too big for the occasion, Off Color has a lager that’s built to refresh from the start of play till the end of extra time. Beer for Kicks is crafted with Victory barley malt from Briess, a fifth-generation family owned malthouse in Chilton Wisconsin. It adds a unique biscuity quality you don’t often come across in craft lager. Don’t let this limited release get past you. Stop in and score some while you can.
Off Color Beer for Kicks
Pouring light amber in color and sparkling in the glass, this medium bodied lager begins with a pronounced bready malt character, topped with a deep honey richness. A touch of unrefined Demerara sugar imparts a caramel character that compliments the biscuity malt flavor. Zuper Saazer and Helios hops impart a bit of floral and herbaceous hop bitterness that keeps the sweetness in check. Another exceptional lager from Off Color.
How do you like your hops? Juicy? Maplewood has you covered. Their wildly popular Son of Juice hazy IPA is part of a juicy new mix pack, alongside a West Coast style IPA, a DDH IPA, and a West Coast style Pilsner. Four different brews, all dripping with juicy hop flavor.
Maplewood Variety Pack
Cuz of Juice
Cuz features the same hop bill as Son of Juice but is built in the modern West Coast IPA style. Sporting sparkling gold clarity and adorned with a crown of white foam, flavors of tangerine, mango, and papaya wash across the palate. The finish is refreshingly bright and bold, with a lasting note of bittersweet grapefruit.
Lil' Pulpy
Think Big Pulpy, but at a sessionable 5% ABV. It’s hard to believe no actual fruit juice is employed here. Looks a bit like pineapple juice in the glass and offers bright pineapple aroma and flavor. This creamy DDH IPA also delivers flavors of guava, grapefruit, and tangerine. There’s enough hop bitterness to keep this balanced, with lasting notes of pomelo, tangerine, and honeydew melon on the finish.
Driptide
Driptide delivers big fruity hop flavor, but with the crispness and clarity of a pilsner. Light in body, Mosaic hops impart a massive wave of fruity hop flavor that races across the palate. Mango, blueberry, and white grapefruit give way to a refreshingly crisp finish. At 5% ABV, this West Coast style Pilsner is a warm weather crusher.
Son of Juice
Last, but not least, Maplewood’s hazy flagship. The nose here brims with tropical hop aromas, delivering pronounced pineapple and guava. Two types of oats help produce a pillowy soft mouthfeel, leaving the tongue awash with mango and papaya. The finish is long and citrusy, with lasting grapefruit and honeydew melon.
Warm weather calls for refreshing beer, and wheat ales often fit the bill. Avery’s latest highlights the citrusy magic of yuzu. The interplay of sweetness and acidity makes it an irresistible thirst quencher. Move over shandies, Yuzilla is the new king of the summer cooler.
Avery Yuzilla
The nose here offers an alluring preview of the tantalizing citrus flavors to come. Yuzu delivers a lively mix of Meyer lemon, white grapefruit, and calamansi. Light in body and soft across the palate, the finish is refreshingly zippy and bright, leaving the tongue watering for another sip. Delicious as is, Yuzilla is also great as a quick cocktail mixer. Try adding a splash of your favorite tequila or mezcal.
The Spoetzl Brewery of Shiner Texas opened doors in 1909. Founded by Czech and German immigrants, they’ve remained committed to old-world brewing heritage for over a century. They’ve brewed a wide variety of lagers in that time, but none more beloved than their bock. First introduced as a special release in 1913, demand became so great that they began producing it year-round in 1973. Texans love their BBQ, and the rich malty character of Shiner Bock makes it a staple alongside plates of brisket. Whether you’re smoking brisket, pulled pork, or ribs – level up your backyard BBQ with a cooler full of bocks.
Shiner Bock
Pouring dark amber in color, aromas of caramelized malt and dark cocoa float above a head of tan colored foam. Medium in body, it glides softly across the palate, delivering a toasty malt character with toffee accents. The finish is smooth and well-balanced, concluding with a nutty malt note topped with bittersweet chocolate.
It’s not just a clever slogan, at one point this iconic Indiana favorite was so popular that it carried a million dollar insurance policy. First released in 1902, Champagne Velvet managed to weather Prohibition, yet like many other beloved American beer brands, it failed to survive the competition and consolidation of the decades that followed. Aided by the discovery of a handwritten recipe found on a scrap of paper, Indiana’s Upland Brewery proudly resurrected this Hoosier favorite. When it comes to American lager, the word “Premium” gets thrown around a lot these days. Yet when Champagne Velvet sports the moniker, know it’s crafted in the pre-prohibition American lager tradition, with whole grain barley, corn, and American grown Cluster hops. No syrups or extracts - this is full flavored American lager as it once was.
Upland Champagne Velvet
Pouring straw colored gold and featuring sparkling clarity, this pre-prohibition style pilsner is medium in body, offering crackery malt character, along with a touch of corn sweetness. The finish is crisp and clean, with American Cluster and German Tettnang providing an herbaceous hop cut that leaves the palate refreshed, yet eager for another sip.
American Light Lager – it’s grown into the most consumed beer style in the US, but it’s a relatively new creation. First introduced in the 1960s, low calorie “light” beer didn’t really take off until Miller Lite launched a wildly successful marketing campaign in the 1970s. Soon other large American breweries launched their own versions, and the big brands have been battling ever since. As of late we’ve noticed an influx of smaller breweries launching light lagers. So who does it best? Should craft be playing in this space? Do “premium” examples live up to that moniker? To find out, we compiled a list of light lagers, all made in the US by a mix of craft brewers, contract breweries, and big industry veterans. We assembled a tasting panel of Binny’s Beer Consultants and tasted the beers blind, so we could evaluate the lagers purely on the merit of the liquid, free from the influence of price or brewery reputation. For a deeper dive into the experiment check out our blog. The Barrel to Bottle crew also gave them a taste – give a listen to our podcast here.
#1 Coors Light
Coming in at #1, it’s the iconic beer from the Rockies. Clocking in at 4.2% ABV, 102 calories, and 5g carbs - Coors Light delivers a bit of barley and yeast character while finishing crisp and clean. Of note, Coors mentions using American grown Moravian barley, which alludes to the classic lagers brewed in what is now Czechia. Corn syrup (which ferments out completely) is employed to keep the body light and the finish dry. Several tasters noted a subtle apple note and a very refreshing finish.
#2 Miller High Life Light
In second place, we have the light version of “The Champagne of Beers”, which clocks in at 4.1% ABV, 107 calories, and 6.2g carbs. Introduced in 1994, 91 years after the debut of Miller High Life, it’s made with a proprietary strain of Galena hops which are light stable, so you don’t have to worry about getting a skunky beer when drinking out of their iconic “Champagne” style clear glass bottles. Dextrose (corn sugar) is employed here to keep the body light, and tasters noted that High Life Light delivered a touch more malt sweetness than many of the other entries.
#3 Busch Light
Next we have Busch Light, which tasters lauded for its remarkably clean aroma and flavor. The nose here was completely free from any of the fruity or vegetal aromas that were prominent in many other entries. Debuting as Busch Light Draft in 1989, it’s 4.1% ABV, 95 calories, and 3.2 carbs. Interesting to note, unlike other entries which rely on corn syrup, sugar, or rice as fermentable adjuncts, Busch instead uses corn grits. Perhaps that’s the key to this popular light lager.
#4 Yuengling Light Lager
New to the Chicago market, Yuengling Light stood out from the pack with its copper color and subtle notes of caramel malt sweetness. At 4% ABV, 99 calories, and 3.2 carbs it proves brewers can still deliver some color and character while keeping the calories and carbs very low.
#5 Miller Lite
In 5th place we have the beer that started it all, a brew that promises to taste great, but be less filling. Celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary in 2025, Miller Lite is brewed with the same yeast strain that Frederick Miller carried with him from Germany in the 1850s. Of note, Miller mentions it utilizes Saaz hops, the prized noble variety that’s synonymous with Czech pilsners. 4.2% ABV, 96 calories, and only 3.2g carbs - tasters enjoyed the subtle herbal hop character on the finish.
This week we welcome back Revolution’s homage to summer in the city. Sun Crusher’s label design is a nod to the many sandy beaches that dot the Lake Michigan shoreline, and the name is a celebration of the solar panels on the roof of the brewery that help offset energy usage. Brewed with flaked oats and red wheat, this soft and citrusy refresher is a welcomed reminder that summer is so close we can taste it.
Revolution Sun Crusher
When the weather gets warm, a hoppy wheat is one of our go-to beer styles to pack in the cooler. Revolution Sun Crusher exudes citrusy hop aromas, with Amarillo, Crystal, and Mosaic imbuing notes of tangerine, kumquat, and ruby red grapefruit. The wheat portion of the grain bill shines here, imparting a soft bready character to this thirst-quenching brew. With very little bitterness on the finish, this easy drinking summer ale is aptly named.
2026 marks thirty-five years of brewing at New Belgium! During that time, they’ve built a broad portfolio of award-winning beers, but none more iconic than their first. Fat Tire is the deliciously satisfying brew that put New Belgium on the map. A few years ago, Fat Tire was re-imagined as a golden ale. In celebration of their 35th Anniversary, we’re excited to announce the return of the original Fat Tire recipe, if only for a short time. If you love this amber ale as much as we do, let the brewery know. Time to stop in and stock up, before it disappears.
New Belgium Fat Tire Classic Recipe
Pouring Deep amber in color and topped with a generous head of foam, the aroma of richly caramelized malt is accented by a wisp of spicy and herbaceous hops. Medium in body, a biscuity malt character is accented by notes of toffee and a hint of peppery hop spice. The finish is refreshingly dry, with woodsy hops giving way to lasting notes of hazelnut and apricot. A poignant reminder that balanced beer is a beautiful thing. Classic Fat Tire is one of the most fool-proof options when it comes to food pairing. Be it pizza, burgers, tacos, BBQ… the caramelized malt character of Fat Tire amber ale pairs marvelously with nearly anything on the table.
Calumet Queen - now there is a name we have not heard in a very long time. Last time we poured 3 Floyds’ refreshing Kolsch, it was from a bomber bottle! Thankfully Floyds opened the archives to celebrate their 30th Anniversary. Three Floyds motto is “It’s Not Normal” but their Kolsch is pretty true to style. Floyds unique touch – expect a bit more hops on the finish. A refreshingly crisp Kolsch that’s perfect for the warmer temps to come.
Three Floyds Calumet Queen
Pouring golden into the glass, aromas of fruity yeast and grassy hops float above a crown of white foam. Medium in body, bready malt sweetness glides softly across the tongue, balanced by the soft bitterness of herbaceous noble hops. The finish is refreshing crisp, with a lingering touch of floral hop spice.
This week it’s all about the retro rebrews! Available for the first time since the bomber days, it’s time to crack open a Coup D’Etat! This big spicy saison clocks in at 8% ABV, so make sure to pay attention to how you space the cans. Got that Otto?
Revolution Coup D'Etat
Sparkling golden in color and topped with a generous head of fluffy white foam, notes of coriander, clove, and thyme float from the glass. Soft and spritzy across the tongue, its honeyed malt character is accented by notes of allspice and lemon peel. The finish is big and spicy, delivering lasting notes of white pepper, lemongrass, and bubblegum. Try serving alongside Pad Thai, chicken tikka masala, and mole verde.
Surly 20th Anniversary Variety Pack
For their 20th Anniversary Surly is celebrating with a fan curated variety pack. Alongside their iconic Furious IPA, you get three blasts from the past, all voted in by fans: Cynic Belgian-style Pale, Overrated West Coast IPA, and Bender Brown Ale. We’re particularly excited for the return of Bender. The very first brew that Surly released back in 2006, Bender is a testament to the beauty of malt complexity, with Belgian and British malts delivering rich flavors of toffee, chocolate, and hazelnut. Hops are used judiciously, providing just a touch of bitterness to keep everything balanced. A helping of oats imparts a silky-smooth finish to this impeccably brewed beer. In stock and on sale, don’t miss out on this classic mix of beloved brews.
Interest in West Coast IPA is on the rise, perhaps in part because it’s a style that continues to evolve. In Southern California, several brewers are redesigning the classic West Coast template, steering away from caramelized malts and focusing squarely on generous additions of vibrant new hop cultivars. Curious about this new approach, we wanted to bring one to our shelves, but would the leaner golden malt lattice be strong enough to support the massive hop bill of the modern DIPA? Could we shoot that curl, or would it all come crashing down? Naturally we turned to our friends at Half Acre, renowned masters of all things IPA. In the process of designing the recipe, we hand selected an all-star lineup of hops. Two standouts from our last collaborative project (Strata and the newly named Krush) once again won us over. They’re joined by Nelson Sauvin and Riwaka - a pair of legends from New Zealand. The final brew is quite a ride. Grab this gem before it’s gone and read more about this stellar collab here.
Half Acre Under The Falls collaboration with Binny's
Pouring deep golden in color and sparkling in the glass, the vibrant aromas of fresh guava, mango, and green gooseberry float above a crown of white foam. Medium in body, it glides softly across the tongue, leaving the palate awash with flavors of pineapple, passionfruit, and nectarine. The big juicy finish is refreshingly bold, with lingering notes of gooseberry, golden raspberry, and white grapefruit.
The English love a good session ale; in fact, they invented the term. English bitters, browns, and milds are low in alcohol, allowing for lengthy drinking sessions at the pub, without getting snookered. Beer for Tote Bags is a collaborative project with WBEZ Radio, and a nod to their iconic membership drive gift. Moderate in ABV, this artfully balanced ale pairs wonderfully with classic pub fare and long conversations. Crack open some cans, fill up your pint glasses, and turn the FM dial to 91.5.
Off Color Beer for Tote Bags
Make sure to serve pub ales at cellar temperature (around 50 degrees) for the fullest expression of aromas and flavors. Pouring pale copper in color, fruity and floral aromatics float from the glass, with pronounced notes of lemon balm and thyme. Medium in body, it begins with a toffee-tinged toasted malt character that’s accented by notes of orange blossom honey and apricot. English East Kent Golding hops impart a lovely bittersweet marmalade flavor to the finish, followed by lingering notes of golden sultanas and a touch of herbaceous hop spice. A lovely partner for fish and chips, crab cakes, and aged cheddars.
