Widmer Brothers today announced its full 2018 lineup, including two new beer series that were born in our innovation brewery and the return of two fan favorites as new seasonals.

Hefe X Series

Building on the popularity of Widmer Brothers flagship Hefe, which is Oregon’s favorite craft beer, the brewery is launching its first ever “Hefe X” series in 2018. The series will feature 13 experimental Hefe concoctions that the brewers have developed in our innovation brewery. The first experimental Hefe is brewed with Mosaic hops to amp up the hop profile with a decidedly hazy tropical character and smooth citrusy mouthfeel. In addition to Hefe X Mosaic in bottles, this series will include 12 draft-only variations sold exclusively at our pub.

“Hazy beers are all the rage right now, and with Hefe, we’ve had a true hazy beer since 1986. The idea behind the Hefe X series is to bring that signature haziness of Hefe to life in a hoppier way, while remaining true to the original,” said Widmer Brothers Innovation Brewmaster Parker Penley. “We’ve always loved the bright haze of Hefe, and wanted to bring to bottle something that provided that same haziness in a hoppier version.”

Portland Pub Series

Hefe X is one of four beers in Widmer Brothers’ new Portland Pub Series 12-pack, which will highlight beers born out of its Innovation Brewery on Russell Street in Portland, Oregon. These beers all began as experiments launched on draft at the pub and quickly became fan favorites, leading Widmer Brothers to expand availability in bottles.

Joining Hefe X in the Portland Pub Series are Russell Street IPA, PDX Pils and Steel Bridge Porter. Each beer features new packaging in 2018 that celebrates Portland with colorful illustrations.

“The Innovation Brewery gives us a chance to experiment and truly get feedback direct from the public about what they love,” said Bleigh. “Each of these four beers have been big hits in our pub, so it made sense to combine the four as part of our Portland Pub Series.”

Fan Favorites Deadlift, Green & Gold Kölsch return as Widmer Brothers seasonals

Originally brewed in 2010 under a different name, Deadlift is Widmer Brothers imperial IPA brewed with a quartet of hops — Nelson Sauvin, Cascade, Willamette, and Alchemy. The beer is a burst of intense hop flavor and aroma that is balanced out by a slightly sweet caramel malt character. At 8.6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV), the beer packs a flavorful hop punch that belies a smooth finish. Deadlift Imperial IPA will be available in 6 packs, 12 packs, and draft in the spring.

Green & Gold Kölsch was born from a love of soccer and beer. The beer was originally created by Portland beer industry staple and longtime Timbers Army/107ist Member Abram Goldman-Armstrong. Goldman-Armstrong won the Timbers Army annual homebrew competition in 2013.

As a long-time Portland Timbers partner, Widmer Brothers collaborated with Goldman-Armstrong to bring the beer to life on a broader scale as a limited release on draft and in 22oz bottles at the team’s home games in 2013 and 2014 – which was a big hit among Timbers fans.

Widmer Brothers is bringing Green & Gold back as its summer seasonal available in 6 packs, 12 packs, and draft. Green & Gold is a golden-colored beer with aromas of strawberry and cracked black pepper, a soft sweet bready malt flavor, a creamy body and a crisp, dry finish.

Deadlift Imperial IPA

Deadlift boasts the strong hop flavor of an Imperial IPA that is balanced by a citrus and berry hop notes and a malty backbone.

Malts: 2-Row, Caramel 10

Hops: Alchemy, Nelson Sauvin, Cascade, Willamette

ABV: 8.6%

IBU: 70

Green & Gold Kölsch

Green & Gold Kölsch is a classing German-style Kölsch first brewed in honor of the Portland Timbers’ inaugural MLS season. A soft, sweet, bready flavor and aromas of strawberry and black pepper belie a crisp, dry finish.

Malts: Weyermann Pilsner, Weyermann Acidulated

Hops: Magnum, Hallertau

ABV: 5.2%

IBU: 35

Hefe X

The Hefe X series features dry hopped versions of the Original American Hefeweizen, focusing on a single hop varietal to highlight the inclusion of specific and unique hops. Hefe X Mosaic Hops amps up the hoppiness with a unique tropic flavor.

Malts: Pale, Wheat, Extra Special

Hops: Alchemy, Mosaic

ABV: 4.9%

IBU: 58

Hefe seasonals

On the heels of successful 2017 launches, all three Hefe seasonals will be back in 2018 starting with Hefe Hopfruit, a deliciously hoppy citrusy version of Hefe, returning as a spring seasonal; Hefe Berry Lime is back as a summer seasonal; and Hefe Twisted Citrus returns as the winter seasonal.

For more information on Widmer Brothers Brewing, visit widmerbrothers.com or see what the brewery is up to on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Read more at source Beer Pulse