Summit Brewing Co. Announces 2020 Brand Release Calendar
A new decade brings new changes as Summit Brewing Company enters its 34th year.
Here at Summit Brewing Company, we’re all about innovation. In addition to brewing up our award-winning, tried-and-true brews all year long, we’re always asking ourselves how we can create inventive new flavors and styles. What’s the newest brewing technology? How can we incorporate the next greatest ingredient? What can we do to wow you? This year, we think we’re on to something. In addition to adding Summit Slugfest Juicy IPA to our year-round line-up, we have another new face joining the year-round team, along with two new seasonals. Some beers may be taking a break, but be sure we’re always brewing up something new. With that, we give you our 2020 Brand Release Calendar.
QUICK RECAP
January 2020
New Year, New You
As we entered a new year, and a new decade, we felt it was time to bring something new to our line-up. Enter: Summit Twenty-One IPA.
Our luckiest brew yet, Summit Twenty-One IPA was created when each of Summit’s seven brewers brought one malt and one hop to the kettle. Big aromas of bright citrus and bold pine mix with flavors of spice and biscuit. It’s brewed collaboratively to be enjoyed collectively.
Available in 6- and 12-packs of 12oz. cans, in 12oz. cans in The Summit Go Box and on draught, Summit Twenty-One joins the line-up as our new spring seasonal. Replacing Summit Maibock Blonde Bock, it will be available January – March, 2020.
But – Maibock lovers, fear not! Also released in January was The Summit Go Box. Our first 2020 iteration includes the new Summit Twenty-One IPA, Summit Dakota Soul Craft Lager and Summit Maibock Blonde Bock. This 24-pack contains eight 12oz. cans of each style and, just like last year, has limited distribution to big-box, club-type stores.
February 2020
For the Love of IPA
During this month of love, we felt it was an appropriate time to release a new variety pack that features craft beer drinkers most beloved style – the India Pale Ale.
In the beginning of February, we released the new Summit Mixed Pack IPA Edition. Complete with four different variations, this 12-pack contains three 12oz. cans of each.
No IPA collection would be complete without our favored Summit Saga IPA – a fully hopped ale with notes of tropical kiwi and pineapple. Of course, we also included last year’s standout, Summit Slugfest Juicy IPA – the undeniably repeatable juicy ale with citrus and orange. The new Summit Twenty-One IPA makes an appearance, and we couldn’t release a new variety pack without a brand new, limited-edition brew Elderflower IPA. This full-bodied, unfiltered IPA rounds out the group with notes of honeydew, lavender and bubblegum.
This 12-pack is available February through April.
March 2020
It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye
Just as the new year brought exciting, new changes, it also brings some transitions.
After 30 years, we’re giving Summit Maibock Blonde Bock a break to make room for some new brews. This beautiful German bock will be available through March in The Summit Go Box, and on draught exclusively in the Summit Ratskeller, but only for a limited time.
Another Summit staple is taking a bit of a hiatus. Summit Great Northern Porter will be taking a brief respite at the end of March. But, this brew is scheduled to make a return later on in the year. So, keep reading!
April 2020
Hatching a New Summer Seasonal
Surprise! We’re not just releasing one new seasonal, but TWO new seasonals!
After a successful release in the Summit Block Party Box 2019, Summit Cabin Crusher Kölsch-Style Ale with Lime is returning as our new summer seasonal! This traditional Kölsch-style ale is spiked with lime peel and puree, plus citrus-forward hops to make it highly crushable on hot summer days. With aromas of honey and citrus, this low-alcohol beer was made for cabin country.
Replacing Summit Summer Ale, Summit Cabin Crusher Kölsch-Style Ale with Lime is available in 6- and 12-packs of 12oz. cans, 16oz cans and in the second variation of The Summit Go Box and on draught from April through August.
May 2020
Celebrate Good Times
We’re really excited to share this next release, as this brewty will be joining our year-round line-up!
With May comes the start of summer (well, almost). So, what better time to release our most celebratory brew – Triumphant Session IPA! Triumphant Session IPA more of what you want and less of what you don’t. Hopped up in flavor, but not in calories, this low-cal, low-carb brew clocks in at just 95 calories, 3.5g of carbs and 4% ABV. A light-bodied, drinkable IPA with tropical aromas of pineapple, grapefruit and apricot, it finishes refreshing and clean. It’s all of the flavor and none of the guilt – so go ahead, celebrate your everyday triumphs! It is a Beer for the Triumphant™.
Summit Triumphant Session IPA will be available in 6- and 12-packs of 12oz. cans, in 12oz. cans in the Summit Block Party and on draught starting May 2020.
The party keeps on going as Summit Block Party returns in 2020! No neighborhood gathering would be complete without the flagship Summit EPA. Our first brew, Summit EPA mixes caramel malts with an earthy hop bit for balance in every sip. Summit Dakota Soul Craft Lager joins the crew this year, too. A refreshingly, crisp and full-flavored pilsener comes straight to your glass from grain country. Of course, newcomer Summit Triumphant Session IPA is making an appearance, as well as another new beer – Summit Cabin Crusher Kölsch-Style Ale with Lemon! Brewed with Meyer lemon peel and puree, this tart, tangy Kölsch-style ale is the perfect companion to the original brew. It’s like…well it’s like the lemon to its lime.
The 12-pack variety box includes three 12oz. cans of each style. It’s available starting May and through August 2020.
Turns out, May is a big month around here! To round it out, we’re also releasing the second iteration of The Summit Go Box. This time, this 24-pack includes eight 12oz cans each of Summit Slugfest Juicy IPA, Summit Dakota Soul Craft Lager and Summit Cabin Crusher Kölsch-Style Ale with Lime. Available starting May 2020, get it through August 2020.
June & July 2020
Keep on Keeping On
We’re giving you a few months to soak in all the changes and, of course, enjoy tried-and-true Summit favorites:
- Extra Pale Ale
- Saga IPA
- Dakota Soul Craft Lager
- Slugfest Juicy IPA
- Keller Pils
- Oatmeal Stout on Nitro
Along with the new brews, of course.
August 2020
Raise Your Steins High
A fan favorite makes its jubilant return in August 2020. Our best-selling seasonal, Summit Oktoberfest, will hit the shelves in late summer.
This beloved brew will be available in 6- and 12-packs of 12oz. bottles and 12-packs of 12oz. cans through the middle of October 2020. Get it while you can!
September 2020
Let’s Get the Party Started
Once again, we’re taking our neighborhood party and moving it indoors! Summit House Party is pumpin’ up the jams again in 2020. Dropping needles, and hitting shelves, in September, this variety pack includes Summit Saga IPA, Summit Keller Pils, Summit Great Northern Porter and the return of Summit Dark Infusion Coffee Milk Stout. Yes, this sought-after milk stout will make a return in 2020 but as a limited-edition in our final variety pack of the year. Get your hands on our boldest brew before it returns to orbit. The House Party Variety Box is also giving drinkers a sneak peek into when Great Northern Porter will return…this time in cans!
This 12-pack variety box includes three 12oz. cans of each style. The party will be raging through December 2020.
Our third, and final, edition of The Summit Go Box will be released in September as well. We’re still deciding which beers we want to feature, so stay tuned for updates!
October 2020
Hello, Darkness My Old Friend
Great Northern Porter returns! This time, in cans! This dark, delicious porter makes its long-awaited return in October 2020 in 6- and 12-packs of 12oz. cans. It will be available through the end of the year.
Also making a glorious return is our winter seasonal, Summit Winter Ale. This velvet, chocolate warmer will be available in 6- and 12-packs of 12oz. bottles and 12-packs of 12oz. cans starting mid-October. Get it through December 2020.
December 2020
While you’re enjoying a Summit Winter Ale, or one of our amazing seven year-round brews, we’ll be cooking up new recipes for 2021 – our 35th anniversary year!
Disclaimer: It wouldn’t be the craft beer industry if it weren’t always changing and evolving! So, in this Wild Wild West that is brewing beer, we have to stay nimble and flexible to any change that may come our way. With that, we note, almost everything in this release is subject to change.
