New Beer Release: Perpetual Saison

When we're talking about craft beer and craft breweries, little compares to the excitement of a new beer release. As fall winds into winter, tap selections start to rotate, and brewers start designing new recipes. This change of season finds us introducing our latest release, the Perpetual Saison.

Saisons are farmhouse ales traditionally brewed in Belgium at the end of winter to be consumed throughout the summer months by farm workers. Historically, the farm workers were given a one liter bottle daily ration. "We brewed this Saison in November and it seemed like day after day of 85 degrees and sun, we were stuck in perpetual summer, thus the name," said head brewer Ryan Morrill. "The end result is a beer with high fruitiness and moderate hopping with a light-to-medium body that weighs in with 5.4% abv and 25 IBUs. Think a combination of fruity, hoppy, and spicy, but not too strong to be refreshing.

There's a unique flavor spectrum found only with Belgian beers, and this is the first of three Belgium beers we will be brewing. The first keg of Perpetual Saison will be waiting for you at the brewery Wednesday, November 26.

1st Annual Tri-Brewery Volksmarch and Canned Food Drive

1st Annual Tri-Brewery Volksmarch and Canned Food Drive

With the number of craft beer breweries in this seaside town now equaling the number of stoplights (that would be 3), Island Brewing Company, Rincon Brewery, and BrewLAB are teaming up for the 1st Anuual Tri-Brewery Volksmarch and Canned Food Drive. The idea is simple: embrace the old German tradition of the 'Volksmarch', or people walk, and hike a 2.3-mile route from brewery to brewery to brewery in the aim of supporting our local Santa Barbara Food Bank (http://www.foodbanksbc.org/) while promoting fitness, fun and fellowship.

The walk starts Sunday, November 16, at 1:30 pm at Island Brewing Company. All participants will be required to donate two cans of food, after which they receive passports that will be stamped at each brewery. The first stop will be a visit to the newly opened Rincon Brewery, followed by a walk to the other newly opened BrewLAB, following the final leg back at Island Brewing Company for more food, frivolity, and a commemorative medal.