If you’ve ever taken a sip of beer and noticed notes of citrus, pine, or even dank herbal vibes, you’re probably tasting terpenes—the naturally occurring aromatic compounds found in plants like hops, citrus fruits, and even cannabis. These tiny but mighty compounds are becoming increasingly popular in the craft beer scene, and our newest release, Blackberry Kush Milkshake IPA, is a perfect example of how terpenes can transform the flavor experience.
Let’s break down what terpenes are, why they’re used in beer, and what to expect when you crack open a can of Blackberry Kush.
What are terpenes, and where do they come from? Terpenes are organic compounds found in the essential oils of plants. They’re responsible for the distinctive scents of pine trees, citrus peels, lavender, and yes—certain strains of cannabis. Terpenes are not exclusive to cannabis; hops, a key ingredient in beer, are also rich in them. Common beer-relevant terpenes include myrcene (herbal/mango), limonene (citrus), and pinene (piney/fresh).
Are terpenes from cannabis? And do they make you feel high? Great question! While the terpenes in Blackberry Kush come from Abstrax BrewGas, known for cannabis-inspired terpene blends, terpenes themselves are non-psychoactive. That means they don’t get you high. They’re purely used for flavor and aroma enhancement. So while the name “Blackberry Kush” might sound like it came straight from a dispensary, what you’re really getting is a juicy, fruit-forward IPA with a complex and modern twist—not a trip.
Why are terpenes added to beer? Brewers use terpenes to enhance and complement a beer’s flavor and aroma. While hops naturally contain terpenes, adding specific ones—like in our Blackberry Kush IPA—amplifies certain notes that might otherwise get lost in the brewing process. Think of it like turning up the volume on the most flavorful parts of your beer. It’s a modern technique that brings more depth, complexity, and intentionality to the final product.
How do terpenes interact with hops? Hops and terpenes are a natural match. Both contribute to aroma and flavor, and when used strategically, they can create a symphony of sensory effects. In Blackberry Kush, Columbus and Mosaic hops bring citrus and tropical notes that pair beautifully with the blackberry and terpene blend. The result? A layered beer experience where every sniff and sip reveals something new.
How It All Comes Together: Blackberry Kush Milkshake IPA Our latest limited release, Blackberry Kush, is a 6.5% Milkshake IPA made with real blackberry, milk sugar, oats, Mosaic and Columbus hops, and a custom blend of terpenes from Abstrax’s Blackberry Kush Brew Gas. It’s creamy, dreamy, and packed with juicy flavor and aromatic intrigue.
Expect blackberry candy on the nose, a subtle dankness on the finish, and a sipping experience that’s as unique as it is easy to love.
Final Thoughts: Terpenes are the future of flavor in craft beer—and Blackberry Kush is our love letter to their potential. Whether you’re a hop head, a terp-curious drinker, or someone who just loves a bold, fruity brew, this one’s for you.
Grab a 12oz pour or a 4-pack while it lasts.
If you’ve ever scanned a beer menu and paused at “Kölsch,” you’re not alone. It’s a style that’s crisp, light, and incredibly easy to love—but still leaves a lot of people wondering: Is it an ale or a lager? Where did it come from? And how exactly do you say it?
With our newest beer release, Give It Time, we’re diving into the world of Kölsch. Whether you’re totally new to the style or just curious about what makes it special, here’s everything you need to know.
What is Kölsch beer and how is it different from a lager?
Kölsch is one of those styles that doesn’t fit neatly into one box. It’s technically an ale, but it’s brewed in a way that borrows from both ale and lager traditions:
– Fermented like an ale – using top-fermenting yeast
– Conditioned like a lager – cold-aged for a clean, crisp finish
So what’s the difference from a classic lager? While lagers tend to be a bit more neutral or bready, Kölsch often has a slightly fruity aroma, delicate hop bitterness, and a soft malt presence. It’s like a hybrid—bright and refreshing with just enough complexity to keep you sipping.
What does Kölsch beer taste like?
Kölsch is known for being incredibly drinkable. It’s light in body and color but offers more flavor than your standard domestic light beer. Here’s what you can expect in a typical glass:
– Crisp and clean finish
– Gentle malt sweetness (think honey or crackers)
– Mild hop bitterness that balances things out
– Subtle fruity esters from the ale yeast
With our Give It Time, we’re using Riverbend Chesapeake Pilsner as the base grain, bringing in notes of bread crumbs and honeysuckle, plus a noble hop blend of Saaz and Hersbrucker for a soft herbal touch.
What food goes best with Kölsch?
Kölsch is a versatile pairing beer. Its clean profile and mild bitterness make it a great match for all kinds of dishes:
– Grilled bratwurst or sausages
– Roast chicken or pork
– Mild cheeses like Havarti or Swiss
– Seafood—especially white fish or shrimp
– Salads with citrus vinaigrette
– Soft pretzels (because why not?)
At Reformation, we love it with anything salty, savory, or slightly smoky (BBQ? Queenies? Owens & Hull? *wink* *wink*). Kölsch doesn’t overpower—it complements.
How do you pronounce Kölsch and what does the word mean?
It’s pronounced “k’oolsh” (rhymes with “bullsh” but nicer). The word “Kölsch” refers to something that’s from Cologne (Köln), Germany—which is the only place in the world where a beer can legally be called Kölsch under German law.
It’s a style with centuries of tradition and regional pride. While we’re not in Cologne, we honor that spirit by giving it the patience and care it deserves—hence the name, Give It Time.
Ready to try a Kölsch for yourself?
Our newest beer release, Give It Time, is our tribute to the Kölsch style: crisp, balanced, and full of subtle character. At 4.8% ABV, it’s the perfect companion for long afternoons, rooftop hangs, and backyard cheers.
We brewed this one with purpose—and just like the name suggests, it’s worth slowing down for.
👉 Find it now on draft and in package at Reformation Woodstock, Smyrna, & Canton.
Or come chat with us in person, ask questions, and let your curiosity (and your pint) run free.
About Riverbend Malt House
At Riverbend Malt House, tradition meets innovation. Their team combines age-old floor malting methods—including hand-raking grain during germination—with state-of-the-art GKVs (Germ-Kiln-Vessels) to produce some of the most exceptional craft malt in the industry.
All of their grains are sourced within 500 miles of their Asheville, NC, malt house, building strong relationships with regional farmers and delivering high-quality, locally-sourced grain to brewers and distillers across the Southeast.
Whether you’re after a small-batch experimental malt or a large-scale custom order, Riverbend’s team of experts is ready to collaborate and craft flavor to fit your vision. Up to 4,000 lbs. of malt can ship same-day (if ordered before noon, Monday–Thursday), and local orders can even be delivered free of charge in Asheville.
Every batch undergoes extensive testing, including sensory evaluation and third-party analysis, to ensure top-tier performance and flavor.
They believe their malt is the best in the business—but as they say, you’ll have to try it to find out.
We’re honored and thrilled to announce that Reformation Brewery – Woodstock has been voted the Best Local Brewery & Distilleryand awarded Best Craft Beer Selection in the 2025 Best of Cherokee awards! 🍻
This recognition means the world to us—and it’s all thanks to our incredible community who shows up, shares a pint, and supports local craft every day. Whether you’re a longtime regular or just discovered your new favorite brew, this win is your win too.
From all of us at Reformation Woodstock: thank you for raising a glass with us and making this place something truly special.
Come celebrate with a pour—cheers to many more! 🥂
Vote for Reformation Brewery in the Best of Cherokee Awards! 🎉
Exciting news! The Cherokee Tribune’s Best of Cherokee voting is live, and we’re honored to be nominated in three categories:
✅ Best Coffee ☕ ✅ Best Craft Beer 🍻 ✅ Best Distillery 🥃
This is a huge moment for us, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing community—you! ❤️
How to Vote 🗳️
Voting is easy and only takes a few seconds! Show your support for Reformation Brewery and help us bring home the win! Links below:
Our coffee journey wouldn’t be the same without Alma Coffee! They’ve been an incredible partner, providing the freshest, ethically sourced beans that help us craft some of your favorite coffee-inspired brews. If you love our coffee, you’ve got them to thank! 🙌
Thank you for being part of our journey. Let’s make it official—go vote, and let’s celebrate together soon! 🍻✨
As the winter chill settles in, there’s nothing better than slowing down and savoring the comfort of rich, hearty flavors. At Reformation Brewery, we believe that good food and great beer bring people together, creating moments worth celebrating. This season, we’re embracing the coziness of winter with slow-cooked favorites like beef stew, perfectly paired with our Belgian Dubbel, Cadence. Its notes of caramel, fig, and dark fruit add depth to every bite and sip. Ready to bring warmth to your table?
We reached out to Atlanta-based, James Beard-nominated writer Stephanie Grant to share her take on cozy winter cooking with craft beer—keep reading to discover how she crafted a rich, comforting beef stew made with our Cadence Belgian Dubbel.
I like to find joy in all aspects of life. I love the slowness of winter after the bustle of the holidays. Spring encourages us to come back outside and enjoy how nature comes alive around us. In summer, though the heat and humidity can be unbearable, it’s easier to tolerate when there’s an abundance of peaches and tomatoes at the farmers’ market. While I can find joy in each of the seasons, I have a favorite: winter. I get giddy when the winds of winter arrive, bringing a beautiful chill with them. It feels like everyone breathes a sigh of relief after enduring the dog days of summer.
Even though I miss the long summer days where the sun shone brightly until 8 PM, I love the cozy nights of winter. When the sun starts to slip away before I’ve even finished cooking dinner, I know it’s time to dive into my bag of winter favorites. Everything seems better in the winter, especially the food.
Just as summer’s sweltering weather demands fresh, bright, and refreshing flavors, the chill of winter calls for something rich, cozy, and warm. Winter food is hearty and comforting, embracing the soul, which is exactly what you want when the chill creeps into the air. Roasted, caramelized, and braised foods of winter encourage us to go deep and get cozy. The dishes get richer and simmer longer, perhaps because the nights are cold and long.
Once the temperature drops, it’s time to crank up the oven and pull out the Dutch oven and sheet pans for some delicious fun. By September, I’m roasting every vegetable that comes my way—brussels sprouts, radishes, carrots, potatoes, broccoli, butternut squash, and more.
Like my sheet pan, my Dutch oven rarely gets a break. I’ve been craving chili since July, but am trying to hold off on making it until the high of the day dips down to at least 60 degrees. But my Dutch oven has already been put to work braising pork shoulders and chicken thighs until they’re tender and flavorful. But nothing beats beef stew for me. This simple and versatile dish is a must-have every winter, whether I use classic chuck roast or go for rich and decadent short ribs.
Sometimes I crave Kalbi Jjim, a Korean beef stew with deep flavors, while other times, I want classic American beef stew, so straightforward I can make it with my eyes closed. And of course, I’ve made the French classic, beef bourguignon several times. As someone who enjoys vegetarian dishes just as much as meaty ones, I’ve even made mushroom bourguignon.
This year, I’m excited to try All-American Beef Stew by J. Kenji López-Alt, a culinary genius known for bridging the gap between science and food. I love how he examines every ingredient and technique to achieve the optimal results.
What makes this recipe special is how it intensifies the umami with the addition of tomato paste, anchovies, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. This combination enriches the dish, making it richer and more satisfying. The addition of gelatin creates a silky texture that makes the stew a joy to eat. Usually, I serve my beef stew with creamy potatoes or grits, but for the first time, I served toasted bread with my stew. The silky sauce in this recipe deserves to be soaked up with a piece of toasty, buttered bread.
While I usually adjust recipes to suit my taste preferences, I followed Kenji López-Alt’s recipe to the letter, except for swapping out the wine for Reformation Brewing’s Cadence. Cadence is a dry, easy-drinking Belgian Dubbel with deep fruit aromas, hints of caramel, figs, and Belgian candi sugar.
Originating from Belgium, Dubbels are dark brown ales with strong flavors of dark fruits like raisins, prunes, and dates. They pair well with espresso, soft cheeses, rich sauces, vegetable soups, or root vegetables. With beef stew, Dubbels complement the rich broth created from simmering vegetables and seared beef. The sweetness in the Dubbel contrasts beautifully with the rich, savory, and umami flavors of the stew. This winter, I encourage you to cook up your favorite beef stew or mushroom bourguignon recipe and pair it with Cadence.
Stephanie, a James Beard-nominated writer based in Atlanta, has been immersed in the beer industry since 2018. Her writing has graced the pages of publications such as CraftBeer.com, Good Beer Hunting, and the New Brewer. In 2023, she founded The Share Community, an online platform dedicated to fostering support among Black and Brown women and non-binary individuals pursuing careers in craft beer. Stephanie also provides content strategy and creation services to companies in the food and beverage space, serving both B2B and B2C audiences.
Watch John from Westside Pizza Share His Thoughts on Reformation Brewery’s Oktoberfest!
In this special testimonial, John from Westside Pizza in Smyrna dives into what makes our seasonal Oktoberfest release a standout choice for the fall season. From its rich, malty flavor to its perfect pairing with your favorite pizza, John gives us the inside scoop on why this brew deserves a spot in your fall lineup.
Join us as we celebrate the season with one of our most beloved brews. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes content and brewery updates!
Cheers to Oktoberfest and great company!
Transcript:
Hey, I’m John Miller, the general manager here at West Side Pizzeria and Bar. We’ve been around since, believe it or not, 2004. We’re now located at the West Side Village Shopping Center off Marietta Boulevard, and we’re approaching our 20th year serving craft beer.
We always want to support the local guys, and we probably have some of the best pizza you’ll find in Atlanta.
I’ve worked for the company for a long time, which has given me the opportunity to try a lot of different beers and meet a lot of great people.
One of those great beers is definitely Reformation’s Oktoberfest. This is my favorite time of the year for beers, especially craft beers, because breweries always put out their best versions of classic styles. Märzen styles are definitely my number one favorite, and Reformation puts out the best Oktoberfest every year. I feel privileged and lucky to try all different styles from various breweries—imports, crafts, local—and to have them at my bar and at home.
It’s perfect out of the can and perfect on tap. I love having it as an option and introducing it to others. I encourage you to try other Oktoberfests, but if you want a standout choice, Reformation’s Oktoberfest is the best option.
They make other great beers and have excellent locations, but this is the one I always go to. It has the perfect amount of maltiness and drinkability. People like to throw around the term “session beer,” and this is truly a perfect session Oktoberfest.
It’s a beer you can enjoy one after another, with a good, toasty, hoppy mouthfeel. It’s my favorite time of year.
We’re headed to Yonah Mountain with the next release in our Base Camp Series! A Hazy IPA series with rotating hops, this beer is made in collaboration with Visit Woodstock GA to encourage you to explore North Georgia destinations with us!
Coming in at 6% ABV, this version highlights Elani and El Dorado hops for big citrus notes and nice tropical undertones with notes of pineapple, guava, white peach, lime, and orange zest. Grab a beer, make some friends, & let’s explore Yonah Mountain this season!
About the destination:
“With incredible views, steep drop-offs, and a moderately challenging but ultra-scenic climb to the summit, the Yonah Mountain Trail delivers one of North Georgia’s best and most popular hikes. Yonah rises from the foothills of Georgia’s southern Appalachian Mountains, jutting skyward from the rolling landscape between Cleveland and Helen. The mountain’s asymmetrical, iconic shape and massive, exposed rock outcrops near the summit lend to its popularity with hikers and climbers.”
This Friday, May 17, 2024, our Reformation Lemon Shandy releases – on tap and in 6-packs at all three taprooms (Canton, Woodstock, and Smyrna).
This fresh Lemon Shandy is your go-to companion for warmer months ahead. Poolside, lakeside, or simply chasing the Summer sun – this mix of light lager & fresh lemon pairs well with all your warm-weather adventures. 4.4% ABV. Available from May through August wherever Reformation beer is sold.
