Craft brewery Alpine Beer Co. introduced its fan-favorite Willy Vanilly Ale to consumers nationwide in 12-ounce glass bottles. A vanilla-spiced American wheat ale, Willy Vanilly previously was a draft-only offering exclusively served in the Alpine Beer Co. tasting room and restaurant in San Diego. Willy Vanilly now will be sold as a year-round beer in six-packs across the country, the company says. Brewmaster Patrick McIllhenney added vanilla to enhance the flavors in the company’s mildly-hopped American Wheat Ale, Willy. In doing so, McIllhenney was hoping to develop a gateway” beer for those just beginning to explore the world of craft beer, but found that the balanced flavor profile of Willy Vanilly appeals to craft beer aficionados and novices alike, it adds.