PORTLAND, MAINE (August 31, 2011) – To keep up with an unprecedented consumer demand for this fall favorite, Shipyard Brewing Company is extending the season for Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale through November.
“We usually stop brewing Pumpkinhead around Halloween,” said Master Brewer Alan Pugsley.  “This year, we brewing began it a bit earlier and will end after Thanksgiving.”
Based on last year’s growth, the brewery prepared for this year’s production by expanding its brewing capacity to 10,000 additional cases per week.
President Fred Forsley noted that “Even with this expansion and operating the brewery at full capacity since July 1st, distributors are finding it difficult to keep up with the demand for Pumpkinhead.  The brew house crew is literally working around the clock to fill the pipeline.”  
That pipeline also includes Shipyard’s full line of year-round beers, which sales are on the rise for as well.  In the first half of this year, brewery sales grew by 25% over the same period in 2010.   
“We’re responding directly to consumer requests,” continued Forsley. “Pumpkinhead pairs well with fall foods and traditional Thanksgiving fare.  And, over the years we’ve learned that people stock up on this beer for the winter.  Adding an additional month of production gives people extra time to stock up.”
Customers can request local retailers and on-premise accounts to bring in Pumpkinhead while supplies last.  Distributors will be able to order this product from Shipyard through the end of November.  Shipyard Pumpkinhead Ale is currently available in 33 states, including:  AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NV, NY, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, VT, and WA.

Smashed Blueberry is the newest beer in Shipyard Brewing Company's Pugsley's Signature Series line.  This beer is a hybrid between a Porter and a Scotch Ale and has a rich mouth feel and a body of complex intensity.  Upfront, there are distinct flavors of coffee and chocolate beautifully accentuated by the aroma of fresh blueberries. The finish features a delicate balance of sweet fruit and dry hops.   

This beer pairs well with glazed duck, ribs, barbeque, chocolate, and blueberry deserts.  To fully experience all the flavors, Smashed Blueberry is best drunk at 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

More about the beer:
Malts: Pale, Crystal, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Light Munich, Torrified Wheat
Hops: Summit, Tettnang, Cascade
Yeast: Top-Fermenting English
Color: Dark Brown
OG: 1.087
ABV: 9.0%
Available: 22oz Bottles, Kegs

This is the first beer to be added to the internationally award-winning Pugsley’s Signature Series line since Smashed Pumpkin was released last fall.  Other beers in this series include Barley Wine Style Ale, Imperial Porter, and XXXX IPA.  The beers in this series have received awards at the San Diego County Fair, West Coast Brewers Festival, Stockholm Beer and Whiskey Festival, and Australian International Beer Awards.

Pugsley’s Signature Series is named after Shipyard Brewing Company’s master brewer, Alan Pugsley.   Pugsley is from England where he worked with Peter Austin at the world-famous Ringwood Brewery before moving to the U.S. in 1986.  Since then, Pugsley has assisted with the establishment of more than 65 brewpubs and microbreweries throughout the world.

More about Shipyard:  

Shipyard Brewing Company is located on the historic waterfront in Portland, Maine and produces 17 varieties of award-winning English style and seasonal beers.  Its products are distributed in over 35 states.  A full list of Shipyard Brewing Company’s distributors can be found at this link:  http://www.shipyard.com/pdf/distrolist.pdf.