Drinking in a Cascade Apocalpse

MODSUB#97

Wotcha!

I’m curious— is there a beer you really wish had a non-alcoholic version?

One of mine came out a few months ago. See below.

Enjoy some great drinks this week.

Cheers, Myles

P.S. Did you know that by clicking on the link in the sponsor/advertisement section each week—this week it’s 1440 Newsletter—I get paid by the advertiser? This helps me cover the bills that keep this newsletter afloat.

I’d be very grateful if you could give them a quick click. You’ll discover more about these great companies, and I’ll get one step closer to breaking even!

In this week’s edition:

NAN
New NA Drink News

BEER
10 Barrel Brewing Co. - Apocalyse IPA NA

COCKTAIL
Parch - Spiced Piñarita

Read time: 5 minutes 23 seconds

NAN
New Non-Alcoholic Drink News

NORTH AMERICA

• SPIRIT: Make that three. Almave have expanded their tequila line to include Humo made with Espadin agave. (Link)

• SPIRIT: First teased in a ModSub issue back in early February, Oregon non-alcoholic spirit legends Wilderton has just announced a very limited run of a new Coffee Amaro. (Link)

• COCKTAIL: After last year’s fabulous NA Negroni release, Lapos have two new cocktails from their “favourite cocktail connoisseur”: NA Espresso Martini and NA Melograno Mule. (Link)

• COCKTAIL: My ears always prick up when I hear of a new Parch release. Sedona Spritz can be found exclusively at Sprouts Farmers Market and Fresh Thyme Market. (Link)

• BEER: A couple of new limited runs from Athletic Brewing, which are only available online. Tropical Reset, a Piña Colada sour, and an Italian-style pale, Vita Chiara. (Link)

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BEER

ModSub’s thoughts: I’m trying my best to stay focused on this article, but I’m losing the battle—right in front of me are three breathtaking mountains. It’s not a fair contest; the draw to be outside is unshakable.

The family is down in Central Oregon for the week at our short-term rental, and while it’s hot as heck, spending days exploring the lakes, floating on the river, and gawping upwards, wide-eyed, at the starlit night sky is exactly what you need when you’re trying to clear your head.

Bend is—or at least should be—a destination for any true beer lover. It ranks high in breweries per capita, with a staggering 30 breweries for the roughly 110,000 people who live in this mountain paradise.

10 Barrel Brewing Company has long been a favourite of mine, long before I even considered quitting alcohol. Founded in 2006 as Wildfire Brewing by twin brothers Chris and Jeremy Cox, the brewery was forced to change its name three years later due to naming conflicts. They settled on 10 Barrel, referencing the 10-barrel brewing system they were using at the time.

The brewery quickly expanded from 10 to 50 barrels, and word about their beer spread well beyond state lines. So much so that Anheuser-Busch* acquired them in 2014, much to the chagrin of locals. The backlash was short-lived, however, as the brewery did everything in its power to prove to customers that expansion wouldn’t water down the experience.

Today, the brewery has four taprooms in three cities, and their beer continues to be a favourite in the PNW. In April, one of my old favourites, Apocalypse IPA, was launched as an NA version—and I couldn’t have been more excited.

I’ll be completely honest: I don’t remember what Apocalypse IPA tastes like with alcohol, even though I used to be obsessed with it. Who cares though, because the NA version is quite spectacular in its own right. It’s properly hoppy on the nose, a precursor to the full blast of hops you’ll experience with the first mouthful. The pour is a dirty golden-orange, a sneak peak of bold citrus flavor that grabs your taste buds right at the door and doesn’t let go, even as it tangles with some bitterness on the exit. Boy, is this a cracking IPA.

Those of us who live in the Beaver State are lucky to have so many local breweries producing such phenomenal non-alcoholic beers. I’m pumped that 10 Barrel Brewing Company has added their name to that list with Apocalypse IPA NA.

If you’re planning on being in Central Oregon, do check out one of 10 Barrel’s taprooms—and forgive the shameless plug—but if you need a place to stay, you could come here and get distracted by the mountains too.

*Anheuser-Busch sold the brewery to Tilray Brands, Inc.

How does 10 Barrel describe their Apocalyse IPA NA: Introducing NA Apocalypse IPA, now without the buzz but packed with the same bold, hop-driven flavor. This non-alcoholic version delivers the signature punch of pine, citrus, and tropical notes that define our original IPA, minus the ABV. Perfect for when you want the full IPA experience without the alcohol—enjoy the end of the day, or the start of a new one, with a taste that’s big on hops and light on compromise.

BUY: I’ve linked the “Buy” button to the brewery’s online store. However, I don’t see the NA version of Apocalypse IPA on the page. I also noticed that other beers aren’t currently highlighted for purchase. Your best bet is to check the brewery’s store finder (linked above under “FIND”) or keep an eye on their website for updates.

COCKTAIL

ModSub’s thoughts: Next week marks the second anniversary of this newsletter, and to celebrate that milestone, I thought I’d go back to the very first recommendation I wrote on August 19, 2023—Parch’s Spiced Piñarita. This week also happens to be the beverage company’s third birthday which ties in quite nicely.

I often mention The Pathfinder as the drink that made me realize there could be great beverages without alcohol. Perhaps I should really give that credit to the Spiced Piñarita, which I first tried a few weeks beforehand.

Anyway, if you weren’t one of the 18 people subscribed to the newsletter at the time, here’s what I wrote:

As soon as I heard about Spiced Piñarita from Parch, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some. How to describe it? Well, if they were trying to bottle the flavor of the Southwest, they pretty much succeeded—except they put it in a can, not a bottle.

Take your first sip and you’ll be met with an immediate smokiness, followed swiftly by a delicate spicy kick from the cayenne, and then a full, fruity finish. It’s initially confusing, then slightly punchy, and ultimately a rewarding gift to the taste buds—one that will keep you coming back for more.

Wrapped in splendid packaging, the Spiced Piñarita offers a truly unique and special experience. Show up at a party with these under your arm, and they’ll be the center of attention all night.

This drink was a game-changer for me, and in addition to its sister drink, the Prickly Paloma—which I have yet to try—I’m so excited to see what other creations this distillery comes up with in the future.

How does Parch describe their Spiced Piñarita: A boldly smoky and spicy combination of Lush Golden Pineapple and Organic Blue Weber Agave, smoky Cayenne, juicy Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit, spicy Mole Bitters, Cocoa Extract and Desert Botanicals for an utterly unique taste. Infused with our proprietary stack of adaptogens: L-Theanine, Ashwagandha, and American Ginseng. All natural, no preservatives & never artificial. Vegan and Gluten Free.

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