Dominion Brewing in Delaware and Dawson’s Liquors in Maryland have collaborated on a beer they call Monk Czech, a Czech Pilsner inspired Belgian-style Ale. A press release states there’s a legend that a beer like this was first brewed in 1840 using black market malt smuggled out of Plzeň by monks. This brewer/retailer collaboration utilizes Saaz, Tradition, Motueka and Nelson Sauvin hops and pilsner malt for a 5.2% ABV beer with 45 IBUs. The beer is fermented with a Belgian yeast, imparting fruity aromas and flavors, as well as a restrained spiciness.

– Kona Brewing in Hawaii has renamed Wailua Wheat, simply calling it Wailua Ale and making it available in all 36 states where Kona beers are sold. First brewed in Hawiia as Kiliko’i Wheat, the beer is made with real passion fruit. It contains 5.4% ABV and 15 IBUs.

– Full Sail Brewing made Pacific Northwest Wit using the hops it received as a partner in Ales for ALS. The Hood River brewery is one of 38 participaing in the campaign that supports of the ALS Therapy Development Institute’s mission to discover and develop effective treatments for ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Participating brewers receive a special blend of experimental hops donated by both B.T. Loftus Ranches and Hopunion. From these hops each participating brewery brewed a unique beer, donating a portion of the sales to ALS TDI. “Our brewers got creative for a great cause and brewed a Pacific Northwest Wit. It’s a mash up of different influences resulting in a delicious, complex, refreshing pint that blurs traditional style categories,” said Barney Brennan, the company’s brewery supervistor. The 6%, 65 IBU beer will be available exclusively on tap at Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, Oregon.

– Having learned a lesson in 2012, Alaskan Brewing produced plenty more of its seasona; Alaskan Raspberry Wheat Ale this year. It took the brewery’s gift shop only an hour last year to sell out of the entire initial bottling. Brewers use more than 3,000 pounds of real raspberries in making the Raspberry Wheat, which in 2010 was the inaugural release in Alaskan’s Pilot Series. “There are almost fifty types of wild berries in the state,” said Alaskan brewer Jessie Perry, “so they’ve long been a staple in the diet of both Alaskans and the many bears that live here. Brewing a beer that features some of our favorite berries is a natural fit.” With additional beer on hand, the brewery planned to celebrate the release with a pancake feed, featuring raspberry syrup and special flapjacks prepared by its Brew Crew.

Shmalz Brewing has introduced the Hops In HE’BREW Hoppy Variety Pack, made up of Genesis Dry-Hopped Session Ale, Hop Manna IPA, Bittersweet Lenny’s R.I.P.A. and HE’BREW’s first seasonal lager — David’s Slingshot Hoppy Summer Lager.

“It’s fascinating how craft beer is surging while big beer companies are trying to catch up by marketing look-alike ‘craft’ beers,” said Shmaltz founder Jeremy Cowan. “Our first HE’BREW lager, David’s Slingshot, is our way of stepping into the action in mainstream settings — with an obvious signature Shmaltz style — our chosen shtick!”

– Dominion Brewing has released a Pinup Pack, a variety 12-pack containing three of its popular Bomber Girls. The Pinup Pack contains Double D IPA, Morning Glory Espresso Stout and GiGi’s Farmhouse Ale. Originally bottled in 22-ounce bombers last year, Double D and Morning Glory made the switch to 12-ounce bottles earlier in the year. GiGi joins them in the 12-ounce format exclusively for the Pinup Pack. She will be replaced by Candi, a Belgian Tripel, in September. “Our goal with the Pinup Pack is to introduce more people to Double D, Glory and GiGi,” Jim Lutz, president of Forham and Dominion Brewing, said. The variety pack gives us a great platform to showcase each beer’s unique personality.”

– Terrapin Beer Co. has packaged its first beer in cans, RecreationAle, a hopped-up session-strength beer. To emphasize how well cans go with outdoor activities, Terrapin is partnering with Osprey Packs. An online raffle (details here) offering consumers the chance to win an Osprey backpack will open in early June, coinciding with the beer’s release. Each month, four winners will take home an Osprey pack. RecreationalAle is a 4.7% ABV beer with 42 bitterness units, and made with all “new world” hops — Bravo, Centennial, Zythos, Amarillo, and Galaxy.

– F.X. Matt Brewing has added two new beers to the Saranac 12 Beers of Summer package. They are Wild Hop Pils 5.2% ABV, 28 IBU), which is made with Belma hops, found growing wild on a hop farm in Washington, and Session Ale (4.5% ABV, 30 IBU).

Imperial Smoked Porter is the second in Deschutes Brewery’s Class of ’88 collaboration series, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of craft breweries around the country that were founded in 1988. Deschutes and Great Lakes Brewing developed the recipe together, then made versions at their respective breweries. Their year-round porters, Deschutes Black Butte and Great Lakes Edmund Fitzgerald, are among the most highly regarded in the country.

The imperial collaboration is 9.5% ABV, with 50 bitterness units (IBU). The two breweries both distribute in Minnesota and Illinois, so those are the places to go for side-by-side tastings. Meanwhile the best way learn about the beer is this video.

– Firestone Walker Brewing used traditional German ingredients and West Coast dry-hopping technique to create Pivo Pils (5.3% ABV, 40 IBU). “Lighter beer styles like pilsner have been hijacked by industrial lager beer in the United States, and it’s time for craft brewers to take it back,” brewmaster Matt Brynildson said.

“A lot of pilsners have the malt element down, as well as the dryness and drinkability, and even the bitterness — but they lack hop aroma,” Brynildson said. Pivo Pils is brimming with aroma. He said he took inspiration from Birrificio Italiano’s Tipo Pils. “Ever since I first tasted it, I’ve been dreaming about making a dry-hopped pilsner.”

– O’Fallon Brewery in Missouri has launched a rotating series of 4-pack 12-ounce beers this week called the Brewer’s Stash. The first beer in the series, Sticke It To The Man, is a darker, hoppier, 7.5% ABV version of the traditional Dusseldorf Alt style, according to the St. Charles County-based brewery. “The beer has a medium to full body, notes of caramel and toasted, nutty malt complemented with floral German Noble hops,” O’Fallon brewmaster Brian Owens said.

– New Belgium Brewing’s newest Lips of Faith beers are now available: Paardebloem, the latest collaboration with Red Rock Brewing in Salt Lake City, and Pluot. Paardebloem brings together a diverse set of ingredients ranging from peach juice to dandelion greens. It blends Brettanomyces with New Belgium’s house Belgian ale yeast, and includes a touch of wood-aged sour beer and Grains of Paradise. Paardebloem pours a light, hazy gold and is 9% ABV. Pluot is a subtly sweet ale made from pluot juice, which is a hybrid of a plum and an apricot. Pluot is light golden and 10% ABV, delivering fruity aromas and distinct esters. It is also created with house Belgian ale yeast and Brettanomyces, bringing a hint of spice and a malty backbone.