Introducing the East Brother Beer Co. Seasonal Release Series: A Commitment to Timeless Craftsmanship

At East Brother Beer Co., we believe in brewing classic styles with unwavering dedication to quality. We don’t chase trends — we honor tradition, refining each recipe to bring out the best in every beer we craft. That philosophy is at the heart of our new Seasonal Release Series, a curated lineup of four beers that seamlessly blend heritage and craftsmanship.

Why the change? Our previous seasonal lineup featured a broad range of lagers and ales, but we wanted to refine our focus—to create four distinctive beers, each given the time, attention, and precision it deserves. The result? A thoughtfully curated mix of lagers and ales, designed to celebrate the seasons while staying true to what we do best: brewing timeless, expertly crafted beers.

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Meet the Seasonal Release Series

Each beer in this series pays homage to classic styles, brewed with a deep respect for their origins while using the finest ingredients available.

Belgian-Style Tripel – Bold, Complex, and Golden
ABV: 8.6% | IBU: 30

A tribute to the legendary Belgian Trappist brewing tradition, our Belgian-Style Tripel is a golden ale that balances effervescence, complexity, and smooth drinkability.

A Tripel is deceptively smooth, making it a perfect sipper for those who love deeply flavorful, yet balanced ales.

Festbier – The Spirit of Oktoberfest
ABV: 5.8% | IBU: 24

Traditionally brewed for Bavaria’s famous Oktoberfest celebrations, Festbier is smoother and more drinkable than its Märzen cousin, yet still rich in malt complexity.

This is the beer that pairs perfectly with crisp autumn air, great company, and good times.

Pre-Pro Lager – A Classic Reborn
ABV: 5.5% | IBU: 38

Before Prohibition, American lagers had more character, more body, and a crisp, balanced finish. Our Pre-Pro Lager pays homage to this bygone era, blending six-row barley, flaked maize, and classic Cluster hops for a clean, refreshing brew with a touch of nostalgia.

If you’re looking for a light-bodied beer with depth and history, this one’s for you.

Munich Dunkel – Rich, Toasty, and Smooth
ABV: TBD | IBU: TBD

A traditional Bavarian dark lager, Munich Dunkel is all about deep malt character—showcasing toasted bread, caramel, and a whisper of chocolate. It’s a clean, refreshing dark beer that proves malt-forward styles can still be crisp and easy to drink.

If you think dark beers are heavy, this one will surprise you—it’s rich, yet delightfully drinkable.

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The East Brother Beer Co. Approach: Tradition Meets Precision

At East Brother Beer Co., our brewing philosophy is simple: stay true to classic styles, honor their heritage, and execute them with precision. We don’t reinvent the wheel—we perfect it, ensuring every beer we produce is timeless, balanced, and endlessly drinkable.

The Seasonal Release Series embodies that approach. By focusing on four thoughtfully crafted beers, we ensure each one gets the attention it deserves—from sourcing the best ingredients to dialing in every detail of the brewing process.

This series is more than just a lineup—it’s a celebration of time-honored brewing traditions, made for those who appreciate classic beers brewed right.

Find Your Favorite

The Seasonal Release Series is now available at our Richmond taproom and select retailers. Whether you’re reaching for a crisp Pre-Pro Lager, a bold Belgian Tripel, a smooth Festbier, or a malty Munich Dunkel, there’s something here for every craft beer lover.

Which one will you try first? 🍻 Let us know in the comments or tag us on Instagram with #EastBrotherBeer!

Small Cans, Big Vision: How East Brother's 12oz Evolution Is Reshaping Craft Beer Accessibility

In today’s craft beer landscape, where hazy IPAs and pastry stouts dominate conversations, we take pride in charting our own course. At East Brother Beer Co., our commitment to classic styles defines us as craftsmen of the conventional—we believe that traditional doesn’t mean boring, and accessibility never has to compromise quality.

This philosophy guides our latest evolution: expanding our 12oz can lineup to include our Mexican Lager, joining the Blonde Ale, which made the shift to this smaller format last year. For us, this move represents both growth as a brewery and a deeper understanding of how craft beer consumption is evolving in Northern California.

The 16oz Standard and the Craft Beer Revolution

The 16oz can has long been craft beer’s calling card—a symbol of rebellion against macro-brewery conventions. For years, this larger format helped craft breweries stand out on shelves dominated by 12oz offerings from industrial producers. Like many breweries of the mid-2010s, East Brother embraced this format when we opened our doors in 2016. And we didn’t stop there—we went bigger with our Sequoia Cans: 19.2oz of Bo Pils and Gold IPA for those moments when a pint just isn’t enough.

“The 16oz can was a statement,” explains Rob Lightner, East Brother’s co-founder. “It said, ‘We’re different, we’re craft, we’re providing more value.’ But as the market has matured, we’ve realized that being different isn’t always about being bigger—sometimes, it’s about being smarter, more accessible, and more in tune with how people actually enjoy beer in their daily lives.”

A Year of Learning

When we introduced Blonde Ale in 12oz cans last year, it wasn’t just a packaging change - it was an experiment in meeting our community where they are. The results were eye-opening. Our sales data revealed that the smaller format didn’t cannibalize our 16oz business; instead, it opened entirely new occasions and customer segments.

We discovered that the 12oz format was attracting new consumers to craft beer. People who might have been intimidated by craft beer’s typical formats and flavor profiles found Blonde Ale to be an approachable entry point.

The Mexican Lager Evolution

The story of Mexican Lager isn’t just ours to tell—it’s a style that has brought people together since the late 1800s. German brewers in Mexico created a unique fusion of European brewing traditions with local ingredients and tastes. Bright, clean lagers became the backbone of Mexico’s brewing heritage, standing the test of time.

Our take on this classic style hit draft lines in late 2024, and the response was overwhelming. Both consumers and retail partners were eager for a packaged version. Adding it to our 12oz lineup felt like the natural next step. As one of our most popular beers, Mexican Lager has always served as a bridge between craft beer enthusiasts and those more comfortable with mainstream lagers. Its clean, crisp profile and cultural resonance make it a perfect fit for the more familiar 12oz format.

Mexican Lager is a craft beer that celebrates the traditional characteristics of Latin American lagers while incorporating modern brewing techniques and quality ingredients. Offering it in 12oz cans makes it even more accessible to a broader audience.

Beyond the Can

This format expansion is more than a packaging decision—it’s a statement about craft beer’s evolution. As the industry matures, the distinction between craft and macro beer is increasingly about quality and intention rather than format or size. East Brother’s approach underscores that true craft credentials come from what’s inside the can, not its dimensions.

The success of our 12oz program has reinforced our vision of craft beer’s future: one where traditional brewing values meet contemporary consumer needs, and where accessibility doesn’t mean compromise.

At East Brother Beer Co., we see this as another step in our mission to make great beer that brings people together — no matter the package.

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East Brother Beer Co. is Richmond, California’s premier craft brewery, specializing in classic beer styles. Founded in 2016, we are committed to brewing award-winning beers that brings people together. Visit our taproom at 1001 Canal Blvd, Richmond, CA 94804. Stay tuned for our upcoming San Francisco location, opening later this year.

A quick word on our Oatmeal Stout

We’ve always taken pride in being a no-nonsense company, and as such, we strive to be as transparent as possible. This is one of those moments. Recently, we’ve had a few reports of our Oatmeal Stout cans expanding when stored at room temperature. We took these reports seriously and immediately began a thorough investigation, discovering that a small amount of yeast was making its way into some of the cans, triggering additional fermentation as the beer warmed up and causing some cans to pop. Rest assured, yeast is a natural product, and the beer is perfectly safe to drink, but we want to make sure that every can of Oatmeal Stout out there is the best representation of our company.

We identified the issue, a batch canned back in July, and made the necessary updates to our internal processes. After rigorous testing, we are confident that the problem has been fixed. And while we believe that the chances of this happening with beer that’s been sold are very low, and even lower if the beer is kept chilled, we also believe it’s important to be proactive. Customer satisfaction is our highest priority, so we’re offering to replace any Oatmeal Stout that was canned on or prior to October 2nd. Here’s how you find out when your Oatmeal Stout was canned: 

1. Flip your can over, each can has a printed batch number and canning date

2. You’ll see something like :

O STOUT 287-11 [ Style ] [Batch Number]
02-OCT-20 [ Canning Date]

If the canning date at the bottom of you your can is 02-OCT-20 or prior we’ll be happy to replace it for you. Click here to submit your exchange request.

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FAQS:

Is the beer safe to drink?

Absolutely! The issue is caused by yeast, a naturally occurring and perfectly safe ingredient found in all beers.

I keep my Oatmeal Stout in the fridge, should I replace it?

If you have stored your Oatmeal Stout in the refrigerator your beer is not affected. However, we will still happily replace it if you wish.

Can I bring my beer back to the store where I purchased it for a refund or replacement?

No. Please submit a replacement request using this link and we will send you a replacement 4-pack as soon as possible.

Are any other East Brother Beer styles affected?

No. The issue is only with our Oatmeal Stout. You can store all our other beer styles wherever is most convenient for you. That said, we always encourage you to keep your beer chilled in order to preserve freshness and flavor.