WOODINVILLE, Wash. – After hearing numerous requests from craft beer drinkers across the country, Redhook Ale Brewery (Nasdaq: HOOK) will reintroduce the cult classic craft brew Double Black Stout for a limited time.

Originally created by the brewery in 1995, Redhook stopped producing Double Black Stout in 2000 and craft beer enthusiasts have been reminiscing about it ever since. This fan favorite is coming back as a limited release and will be available nationwide beginning the first week of November 2008 through February 2009, or until supplies run out.

“For eight years now, Double Black Stout fans across the country have clamored for its return. We decided to go one step farther and use it to launch an entire series of limited releases,” said Doug MacNair , brew master for Redhook Ale Brewery. “By giving Double Black another chance to shine, we’re raising a glass to our craft beer heritage – and we think our loyal drinkers will be very happy with the result.”

Double Black Stout is a smooth, imperial stout enhanced by the addition of rich, flavorful coffee and dark malts to create a big, roasted flavor. Redhook brewers recommend pairing the strongly malted beer with grilled beef or dark chocolate and strawberries to enhance its decadent undertones. The beer can be found at specialty food stores and beer markets for $4.99 SRP per 22 oz bottle.

Following Double Black Stout, Redhook will introduce three additional limited release beers in 2009. Developed by Redhook’s expert brewers, the unique craft beers will be different than anything the brewery has created in the past. The next limited release will hit shelves in March 2009.

Redhook Ale Brewery's Late Harvest Autumn Ale is back on store shelves, or soon will be, throughout the West Coast. Late Harvest, their Fall seasonal brew, is sporting a brand new label and bottle design too. Very nice. Here is the press release that came along with the samples.

Look for this one at your local retailer as a nice ALEternative to the array of Oktoberfest lagers being released this month.

The folks at Redhook Ale Brewery seem to be all geeked up about fantasy football. To prove it, they're going to help some lucky fantasy players/beer lovers celebrate the upcoming fantasy football draft day in true craft beer fashion with the Ultimate Fantasy Football Draft Day Party Sweepstakes! Here's an excerpt from the press release describing what the lucky winners will receive:

Two craft beer originators have finally completed the merger of their operations to create a new company called the Craft Brewers Alliance, Inc. Widmer Brothers Brewing Company out of Portland, Oregon, and Redhook Ale Brewery from Woodinville, Washington, will continue joint operations under the new moniker with a headquarters in Portland and management offices in Woodinville. The new company will continue to be traded on NASDAQ under the symbol HOOK.

Redhook CEO, David Mickelson, and Craft Brands Alliance (the sales & marketing arm of the newly-formed company) president, Terry Michaelson, will serve in the capacity of co-CEOs for the new company. Former Widmer Brothers co-founder, Curt Widmer, will become the company's board chairman. The merger creates what is very possibly the 2nd largest U.S. craft beer brewer, behind The Boston Beer Company. The new brewer is set to produce a combined 20.1 million gallons per year, while the Sierra Nevada Brewing Company produced 19.8 million gallons in 2006. Without 2007 data, it's a close call for the "true" 2nd largest company in terms of production.

While shareholders from each company will end up holding about 50% of the outstanding shares in the combined company, it's interesting to note that Anheuser-Busch will remain a distribution partner with the new company. What impact an InBev buy-out of Anheuser-Busch will have on this partnership, if any, is anyone's guess.

WOODINVILLE, Wash. – June 26, 2008 – Redhook Ale Brewery today announced new packaging for its Long Hammer IPA, the nation’s number-one selling India Pale Ale. With a smooth, clean finish, Long Hammer IPA embraces the traditional strong hop profile, while remaining approachable and easy to drink.

“With our rich history in the Pacific Northwest and a long-standing commitment to consistently high quality craft brews, our fans have come to expect a lot from Redhook,” said Doug MacNair, brew master for Redhook Ale Brewery.

“We’ve worked hard to perfect the art of crafting an ideal IPA every beer drinker can appreciate. We’ve mastered the technique of dry-hopping Long Hammer with Cascade hops at the end of our brewing process to impart a wonderful aroma without creating an overpowering taste.”

Long Hammer’s approachability is reflected in the new packaging, scheduled to hit store shelves in late July and early August. The new look is bright, bold and clean and will continue to focus on the iconic hammer emblem. Redhook Long Hammer IPA is available in 22 oz. bottles in select states, as well as in 12 oz. bottles and on draft nationwide.

In addition to Long Hammer IPA, packaging for the other Redhook craft beer varieties will be redesigned as well, appearing on shelves late summer.

About Redhook Ale Brewery, Inc.