Hop Valley Brewing and its flagship Bubble Stash IPA are poised for a North American distribution and marketing expansion next year, the
Springfield brewery’s corporate parent Molson Coors said this week.
According to Molson Coors’ beer blog Beer & Beyond, Hop Valley’s significant growth – 21% in 2020 – has positioned it to compete nationally. The brewery has surged even during the pandemic on the strength of its chain distribution, which accounts for 80% of its sales.
Bubble Stash, part of the hop-forward brewery’s Stash series collection of IPAs, this year has seen 40% growth in the Pacific Northwest region, which includes Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The brewery’s beers are also distributed in California and Vermont.
Hop Valley, founded in Springfield in 2009, was purchased in 2016 by megabrewery MillerCoors, which is now Molson Coors, and is part of the corporation’s Tenth & Blake craft division.
“We felt, based on the brand, our momentum, our point of difference, that the time was right to expand across the United States and Canada,” Adrian Benkovich, Hop Valley’s president, says in Beer & Beyond. “It’s an opportunity to share our incredible beers with folks across North America.”
Molson Coors last year named Benkovich as Hop Valley president, replacing Chuck Hare, one of the brewery’s co-founders. Hare was named chief executive officer.
“Hop Valley has become a powerhouse in the Pacific Northwest, one of the birthplaces of craft beer,” said Paul Verdu, Tenth & Blake’s president. “The strength of the business and the brand gives them an incredibly strong foundation to expand across North America.”
Oregon’s North Coast Craft Beer Trail, which spans Astoria to Cannon Beach, has launched a mobile passport for beer and cider enthusiasts.
The passport allows participants to use their cell phone to check in at the locations or buy to-go offerings to earn exclusive offers and gifts from the businesses, many of which are struggling through the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The alliance of 12 breweries, specialty shops and taprooms along Oregon’s northern coast includes well-known spots such as Fort George Brewery & Public House, Buoy Beer and Rogue Public House in Astoria; Pelican Brewing in Cannon Beach; and McMenamins Sand Trap Pub in Gearhart. Other locations include Public Coast Brewing in Cannon Beach; Hondo’s Brew and Cork, Astoria Brewing and Reach Break Brewing in Astoria; and Seaside Brewing, U Street Pub & Eatery, and The Wine and Beer Haus in Seaside.
Participants must be 21 or older, along with other rules that apply for using the passport.
The Lucky Labrador has learned yet another new trick: home beer delivery.
The pandemic has forced the Portland brewery to close and open its doors numerous times (it remains closed at the moment), and in September owner Gary Geist started canning beers for the first time – even building his own canning machine. Now the Lab, as it’s known to devoted patrons, is bringing beer to doorsteps, as other Portland breweries were forced to do to survive the COVID-19 economic downturn.
“We’re regrouping -- I have a feeling it’s going to be a long winter,” Geist said. “I’m guessing after Thanksgiving and after Christmas we’re going to have another surge, plus pub business in winter is pretty miserable anyway.
“I’m not sure when we will open back up, just because people are bashful about coming out,” he said. “It’s going to take the vaccine and once it’s out and around and people feel more comfortable, then yeah, we’ll see.”
So until then, the Lab will focus on door drops.
The Lab is offering a minimum purchase of a case of 16-ounce cans for $69, with free delivery. Options include:
- Sled Dog Winter Ale, a new beer just brewed for the first time
- Super Dog IPA
- Wag Hazy IPA
- Copperopolis amber ale
- Schludwiller Beer pilsner
- Black Sheep CDA
- Tropical Punch Hard Cider
Orders for delivery can be placed by calling 503-333-5278. Pickup is also available at the original Southeast location (order by calling 503-803-3658) and at the Northwest location (503-752-7697).
Cocoa Cardamom by Cascade Brewing
Cascade Brewing of Portland today releases Cocoa Cardamom, which it says is a blend of sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels and foudres for up to two years, then infused with Dutch cocoa powder, cardamom seeds and fresh orange zest.Cascade Brewing
Cascade Brewing of Portland on Friday releases a new sour ale project: Cocoa Cardamom 2018. The brewery says the beer is a blend of sour blond ales aged in oak wine barrels and foudres for up to two years, then infused with Dutch cocoa powder, cardamom seeds and fresh orange zest. From the brewery: “From notes of dark chocolate to bright citrus fruit and fragrant cardamom, this limited release captures a remarkably complex spectrum of flavors that belie the simple golden hue of the ale.”
Details: ABV ranges from 8.7% in bottles and kegs to 9.8% in 250 ml cans; released Friday, Dec. 4, in 250ml slim cans ($6; $24 four-pack), 500 ml bottles ($12) and draft kegs. Available through Cascade Brewing’s distribution network and at the brewery’s two Portland-area pubs: Cascade Brewing Barrel House, 939 S.E. Belmont St., and The Lodge at Cascade Brewing at 7424 S.W. Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy.
$6/single can $24/4 pack $12/500ml bottle
-- Andre Meunier; ameunier@oregonian.com
Subscribe to Andre’s text service and get ongoing alerts about beer releases and news from the Portland and Oregon beer scene. And check out Andre’s beer reviews on Untappd, where he’s andremeunier13, and follow him on Instagram, where he’s @oregonianbeerguy.
December 04, 2020 at 10:02PM
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Oregon beer news and notes: Hop Valley continental expansion planned by parent Molson Coors - OregonLive
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