The heritage trend does have some good points – the main one being that people are putting stock into locally made produce again. Especially when that produce is beer, something everyone can get behind, trend or no trend. Saint is a new beer that’s made in London and tastes prettttaay, pretttaaaay good. Take a leap to see some images of it in production. (Saint)

Bend, Oregon’s Deschutes Brewery might anger some – mostly because of lack of availability on the East Coast – but the critics are regularly wowed by the operations offerings. Twilight, the summer brew, is a two time gold medal winner. “A lighter, yet full-flavored, aromatic Ale for the long days of summer. Twilight’s solid malt foundation pairs with distinctive Amarillo hops for flavors every bit as intriguing as bigger, heavier ales. A back porch, lingering sunset wonder.”

Find a bottle.

Alaska Brewing Company’s Summer beer is based off the traditional style of Cologne, Germany’s Kölsch beer. “Alaskan Summer Ale balances a softly malted palate with the clean freshness of hops. In the tradition of the style, neither overpowers the other. Both hops and malt come together to refresh and renew the palate. The straw-gold color and easy drinkability are an enjoyable way to celebrate summer.”

Need confirmation of quality? Alaskan Summer Ale won a gold medal at the 2008 World Beer Cup. The ale will require some exploring to get your hands on, but remember the best things in life ain’t easy.

Given that there is a holiday weekend on the horizon and you probably don’t want to end up drinking Coors Original, here’s our tip – buy some Wacko  from Vermont’s Magic Hat. “Wacko is the liquid song of Summer: Crisp like the morning, cool like the evening and quenching all day long. Pop the top and set your Summer loose. Wacko is a delicious Summer beer with a big malty aroma, a subdued hop bite and a clean, slightly sweet finish.”

It’s an English ale at 4.5abv (good for sessions and setting your Summer loose) and only available through the end of July.

The City of Ottawa was founded in 1855. Prior to that year, the Ottawa River went by the name of Kichesippi – great river. Today that name is proudly employed by Ottawa’s local craft brewery. Family owned and operated, Kichesippi produces local beers of global distinction. The brewers began working in the industry in 1995, learning at first from folks in Halifax before cutting their teeth in Toronto. Well versed in styles from around the world, the brewery is highlighted by a famed Natural Blonde Ale.

Loving Canada (and beer) as we do, we sent Andrew Szeto along to photograph Kichesippi Beer Co. More images of the Kichesippi brewery follow after the jump.

The biggest beer news this week comes from Sixpoint Craft Ales, who have announced (finally!) the release of their canned beers. The breweries four core beers – Sweet Action, Bengali Tiger IPA, Righteous Ale and The Crisp – are housed in 16oz cans with clean, direct graphics. To learn more about Sixpoint’s move to cans check out this interview with founder Shane Welch.

More cans after the jump.

21st Amendment excels in dreaming up particularly charming graphics. Luckily, these are backed up by solid suds. For Summer, the SF-based brewery offers their version of a wheat beer – the Hell or High Watermelon Wheat.

Here’s what they say about their warm weather tipple, “Hell or High Watermelon Wheat is our summer seasonal beer available from April through September in six pack cans and on draft. We start by brewing a classic American wheat beer, which undergoes a traditional secondary fermentation using fresh watermelon. A straw-colored, refreshing beer with a kiss of watermelon aroma and flavor.”

Of course, and as with all 21st Amendment Beers, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat comes in a slick can.

If I’m reading my translation correctly, it would seem that the new “Copen hagen” by Carlsberg beer is a clean re-package of the green bottled beer for women. And why the hell not. If football gents across the globe “enjoy” the taste of Carslberg, why not market it for women? Who’s to say a little bit of a re-package will not entice the femmes to guzzle it down? The choice, though, can be hard sometimes. Remember Budweiser USA being sold exclusively during the 2006 World Cup at ALL German stadiums? The “choice” became simple.

More looks after the click.

Dogfish Head loves music. And, well, music goes pretty well with beer.

Celebrating the 100th birthday of blues legend Robert Johnson, the Delaware brewery connects for a second time with Sony Legacy for a limited edition batch – Hellhound on My Ale. Using 100% centenial hops, the beer is (as you might assume) super hoppy, and finishes with a nice citrus edge. Available nationally at Whole Foods in limited quantity. 10 ABV.

The full story is available at a rather impressive dedicated site. (Added plus, the site plays terrific music).

Get ready for the Royal Wedding in the most appropriate possible way – by getting your hands on a bottle of Brew Dog’s limited (to 1000) Royal Virility Performance Ale.

“A limited-edition beer containing Viagra to mark the forthcoming royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton on April 29th. Brewed using various well known aphrodisiacs, the limited edition artisanal beer will only be available to buy from the BrewDog.com website.”

Amazing. More looks at the packaging after the jump.