A rare chance to try beers from four legendary American breweries — Allagash, Hudson Valley, Other Half, and Magnify — is coming to the UK next week.
The three-day, multi-city showcase — from 27th-29th March — will take over some of the best craft beer venues in London and Manchester, offering UK-rare, world-class US craft beers.
Brewers and brewery representatives will pour their creations and connect with beer enthusiasts in a great meet the brewer/tap takeover experience. Expect a diverse selection of highly-acclaimed IPAs, hazy/juicy IPAs, fruited sours, a witbier and a stout!
The showcase is being spearheaded by the Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association representing small and independent American craft brewers. It is being curated in partnership with Crafted Exports, a leading USA craft beer exporter and brand builder, and the UK’s specialist beer importer since 1979, Cave Direct.
“The UK is an important export market for US craft beer, accounting for the third largest global destination,” said Lotte Peplow, the Brewers Association’s American craft beer ambassador for Europe.
“Many of the US craft beers pouring in London and Manchester are award-winning examples of their style, and the American Showcase Tour is a fitting tribute to the creativity, craftmanship, and brewing excellence that defines American craft beer.
“Our goal is to connect with British beer lovers and demonstrate exactly what makes American craft beer so highly sought-after, to ensure it remains top-of-mind and reinforces the UK’s position as a leading export market.”
Neil Kitching, managing director of Cave Direct, added: “Bringing world-class American breweries to the UK has always been a core part of what we do at Cave Direct. The American Showcase Tour is an incredible opportunity to highlight some of the most exciting breweries in the US — Other Half, Allagash, Hudson Valley, and Magnify — all of whom are pushing the boundaries of modern brewing.
“We’re passionate about making these exceptional beers more accessible to UK drinkers and supporting venues that share our love for high-quality craft beer. Importing and distributing these sought-after beers, for events like this, reinforce our commitment to championing independent breweries and giving the UK trade and consumers access to the best beer in the world.”
Qurban Walia, co-chief executive of Crafted Exports, said: “The UK is the first market we launched in ten years ago, so we are excited to bring four of our favourite breweries to the country next week.
“Other Half, Allagash, Hudson Valley, and Magnify exemplify what makes American craft beer so special, and have been committed to supporting the UK and its amazing craft beer community.”
Where and when: the showcase details
Thursday, 27th March: The Rake, Borough Market, London, from 4pm
The brewers: Eric Ruta, president/owner Magnify Brewing, Fairfield NJ; Jason Synan, co-founder/brewer Hudson Valley Brewery, Beacon, NY.
Pouring:
Allagash, White (5.2% ABV): witbier featuring a refreshing balance of citrus and spice. Wheat, coriander, and Curaçao orange peel flavours.
Hudson Valley, Peach Silhouette (5% ABV): A brunch-style sour IPA with wheat and peaches, hopped with Citra.
Hudson Valley, Bloom (8% ABV): a sour DIPA with wheat and oat, milk sugar, cherries, dark chocolatem and camomile, hopped with Citra and Nelson.
Magnify Brewing, Maine Event (6.5% ABV): a hazy/juicy IPA with Simcoe and Citra hops.
Magnify Brewing, Asking for a Friend (6.4% ABV): an IPA hopped with Citra, El Dorado, and Centennial.
Other Half, Header Juice (5.5% ABV): a hazy IPA brewed with Citra, Citra Lupulin, Anchovy, and Peacherine hops, giving notes of peach and watermelon candies, tropical juice, and tangerine.
Other Half, Greenbacks (6.8% ABV): a hazy/juicy IPA featuring a blend of Citra, Mosaic, and Azacca hops.
Other Half, Juice Pile (8% ABV): an imperial IPA (DIPA) featuring a blend of fruity, juicy hops: Citra, Strata, Nelson Sauvin, and Luminosa.
Thursday 27th March: Ghost Whale, Putney, from 4pm (ticket holders only)
The Brewers: Kevin Stoneroad, field sales representative and export specialist, Allagash Brewing Co, Portland, ME; Geriz Ramirez, hospitality specialist, Other Half Brewing Co, Brooklyn, NY.
Pouring:
Allagash, White
Hudson Valley, Bloom
Magnify, Main Event
Other Half, Juice Pile
Other Half, Instant Greens (6.2% ABV): a hazy/juicy IPA with Mosaic, Simcoe, and Nelson hops, and a hint of Sabro for tropical fruit and coconut character.
Friday, 28th March: Beer Merchants Tap, Hackney Wick, London, from 4pm
All brewery representatives attending.
Pouring:
Allagash, White
Hudson Valley, Amorphia (7% ABV): a sour IPA with wheat and oat, milk sugar, strawberry and vanilla, hopped with Citra.
Hudson Valley, Glycerin — Blackberry Peach (8% ABV): a double fruit sour DIPA with wheat and oat, milk sugar, blackberry and peach, hopped with Citra and Nelson.
Hudson Valley, Bloom
Magnify, Maine Event
Magnify, DDH Rock Me Dr ‘Saic (8% ABV): a DIPA, double dry-hopped with Mosaic pellets and lupulin powder.
Magnify, Peanut Butter Mind Over Matter (8% ABV): a double chocolate milk stout with vanilla, lactose, cocoa nibs, and peanut butter.
Magnify, Reserved (10.5% ABV): a triple IPA hopped with Mosaic, Galaxy, and El Dorado.
Other Half, Header Juice
Other Half, Instant Greens
Other Half, Hop Duos! (6.5% ABV): a hazy/juicy IPA.
Free tickets are available here
Saturday, 9th March: Café Beer Beermoth, Manchester
All brewery representative will be attending and pouring a selection of the above beers.
The work of the Brewers Association Export Development Programme (of which the showcase is part) is made possible by grants from the United States Department of Agriculture.
