Mashing-In News: PNW Media Partnership, Riwaka Science
GOOD MORNING, SOUTH PUGET SOUND!
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 — Johnny Knoxville turns 55 today!
Today’s craft beer news spans Northwest media partnerships, Seattle taproom shifts, hop science from New Zealand, a Chicago brewery merger, and the enduring charm of the classic neighborhood pub.
Sip Publishing and The New School Announce Media Partnership
Sip Publishing and The New School have announced a strategic media partnership that will combine Sip Magazine and Cidercraft’s storytelling with The New School’s breaking news and analysis to expand coverage of the Pacific Northwest beverage industry. (New School Beer + Cider)
Dirty Couch Brewing to Close Magnolia Taproom This Summer
Seattle’s Dirty Couch Brewing will close its Magnolia taproom this summer after its lease ends and the property owner plans a new use for the space, though the brewery says it is exploring options for a future location. (Washington Beer Blog)
Riwaka: The Science Behind New Zealand’s Most Unique Hop
Riwaka, a New Zealand hop bred from Saaz genetics and grown in the unique terroir of the Nelson region, is considered the country’s most chemically distinct hop, prized for its powerful tropical, citrus, and thiol-driven aroma profile shaped by intense UV exposure, varied soils, and isolated growing conditions. (Shan.Ferments)
Half Acre and Maplewood Announce Chicago Craft Beer Merger
Chicago breweries Half Acre Beer Company and Maplewood Brewery & Distillery have announced a merger that will combine operations and resources while keeping both brands, taprooms, and beer lineups independent. (Beer Street Journal)
Brewer Explores Global Vanilla Varieties for Barrel-Aged Beer
Horus Aged Ales founder Kyle Harrop highlights the diverse flavor potential of vanilla from different global origins and explains how brewers carefully use it in barrel-aged beers without letting it overpower the barrel character. (Craft Beer & Brewing)
Sutton Arms Shows the Future of the Classic London Pub
London’s Sutton Arms in Clerkenwell has become a model modern pub by blending traditional hospitality and atmosphere with a diverse, well-kept beer selection under the multigenerational stewardship of landlord Mick Duignan and his son Jack. (Pellicle)
LINK: Peaks & Pints beer and cider cooler inventory
