There will be no 2016 vintage of Cascade First Harvest, Carlton & United Breweries’ fresh hop beer that debuted 15 years ago.

The annual release of First Harvest became an increasingly important marketing initiative for CascadewhenCUB undertook to reposition itas a craft beer brand.

But the beerwas downgraded to a draught-only releasefor the2015 vintageand wasnot produced at all in 2016,with priorities having changed for Cascade last year.

“CUB hasn’t produced a Cascade First Harvest this year, however given the interest from drinkers and the passion for it from our brewers it’s something we will assess over coming months,” a CUB spokesperson told Australian Brews News.