A new campaign has taken place within the last month called Flagship February. The idea emerged as a calling to all beer lovers to remember their roots and the beers that have helped shape the craft beer scene throughout the years. These days, breweries are releasing new beers at a rapid pace, which is excellent, but the classics are quickly cast aside because they aren’t trendy or modern, despite being some of the most consistent beers still in existence. These beers are still mass produced for a reason, so we want to highlight some of the all-time greats as a reminder that flagship beers never fail as a go-to option in a pinch.
- New Belgium Fat Tire
A bike trip through Belgium in 1988 inspired a young couple to launch New Belgium Brewing Co., bringing the flavors of centuries-old Belgian beer styles to the little town of Fort Collins, Colo. In June of 1991 came New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber Ale. This easy-drinking Amber Ale, a 5.2% ABV, born in Colorado from New Belgium Brewing Company, the 100% employee-owned leader in environmental stewardship.
- Sam Adams Boston Lager
Back in 1984 Jim Koch leaped to get into the beer business and started The Boston Beer Company. The company inserted itself into the industry with their Samuel Adams Boston Lager, a 4.8% ABV Vienna Lager, and Koch himself was going bar to bar to sell his beer into pubs. This beer started a revolution, and Sam Adams Boston Lager became a household name that is still going strong. The beer itself brought a new flavor to the craft lager scene and took off with beer drinkers, making Sam Adams a household name.
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Sierra Nevada was one of the craft beer pioneers with their flagship Pale Ale. Brewed initially back in 1980, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale was something that the beer scene hadn’t seen at the time. The beer contained Cascade hops and delivered a balanced blend of hops and malt. Sierra Nevada’s Pale Ale is a smooth-drinking 5.6% beer that is still a perfect gateway into the wide world that is now craft beer. No matter the situation, this beer is something that you can always fall back onto.
- Yuengling Lager
Hailing from the oldest operating brewing company in the U.S., Yuengling Lager is a king of the category. If you step into a bar in Pennsylvania and ask for a lager, you’re going to get a Yuengling, which is never a bad thing. This flagship was introduced back in 1987 and is still going strong today, counting for most of the brewery’s sales. Yuengling’s Lager is a staple in the beer world, and a delicious lager is a great option that can carry you throughout an entire day.
About Kramer Beverage
Kramer Beverage is South Jersey’s largest beer wholesaler, owned and operated by four generations of the Kramer family since 1924. Kramer Beverage is based out of Hammonton, Atlantic County, and services eight counties in southern New Jersey with top brands from MillerCoors, Constellation, Yuengling, Boston Beer, Heineken USA, Pabst, Diageo, FIFCO and more. Kramer Beverage also distributes a wide variety of craft beers, from suppliers such as New Belgium and Sierra Nevada, to local favorites including Flying Fish, Double Nickel, Evil Genius, Glasstown, Sly Fox, and 2SP. For more information on Kramer Beverage, please visit www.kramerbev.com.