Beer News

New Belgium Accused Of Copycatting?

Just got sent this.   @WorkLabs, based in Richmond, Virginia looks to be slinging a little mud in the form of a copycat claim.  It’s about New Belgium’s new Shift Pale Lager and their new advertising.  See the art above, Continue Reading →

Total U.S. Brewery Count Breaks 2,000

I knew any day now this would become official.  There are now more than 2,000 breweries operating in the United States.   According to data released by the Brewer’s Association today – the craft industry saw a 13% rise Continue Reading →

Bell’s Oberon Returns Today. Now In 12 Packs

Bell’s Oberon Ale officially returns as of today (or midnight last night if you want to split hairs.)  New packaging format is being added this year- 12 packs.  Starting in the northwest, the brewery will rollout 12 packs to Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Continue Reading →

Idaho Passes Small Brewery Bill

A new bill has just passed in Idaho.  Lawmakers have passed a plan that will lift longstanding restrictions on investing in more than one company that brews beer.   New jobs can now be generated, as brewers that produced less Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News

Atlanta To Get 1st New Belgium Festival In June

Atlanta will get its first New Belgium Tour De Fat event this June.  Tour de Fat unites bike lovers for a day of two-wheeled revelry (PARTY!) while raising money for local nonprofits. Tour de Fat includes a costumed bicycle parade, New Belgium beer, bands, local food, unusual bike contests and more.  Could it sound any more fun?

For those looking for a real earth friendly challenge – there is a Car-For-Bike Swapper Challenge.  An individual will volunteer to trade in their keys for a shiny new bike.   In trade, the person chooses a bike shop to help make the ultimate car replacement bike. ($2,250 budget).   Cars traded will be auctioned by Vehicles For Charity.

A little bit more about Tour De Fat:

  • Start sewing, collecting and dreaming up something to wear as Tour de Fat encourages embracing your inner costume-loving self. Come dressed up to help put on the most colorful, respectful and creative bike parade ever witnessed in each city.
  • Tour de Fat seeks to leave as small an environmental imprint as possible and composts and recycles waste. Bring only what you need and watch for proper receptacles. We’ll do the rest!
  • All performers grab your attention from alternatively empowered stages decked out in recycled materials; trucks and transport use biofuel sourced from recycled waste oils; and all vendors operate off the grid.
  • This is a pro-bike celebration, not an anti-car rally. Non-cyclists are more than welcome to join the festivities.

Tour De Fat Atlanta will be held on June 3oth, 2012 in the Historic 4th Ward.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Drink A Beer For Michael Jackson, Who Would Have Turned 70 Today

If you love beer,  you are familiar with a different MJ.  Michael Jackson (The Beer Hunter) spent his live doing what most of us wish we could do for a living.  Drinking and writing about beer.  Born March 27, 1942 in England, Jackson became a journalist first writing about whiskey in Edinburgh, Scotland.   In 1977, he published the book The World Guide To Beer, putting his name on the beer map.  After the book, Jackson hosted a show called The Beer Hunter, airing in multiple countries including North America, the United Kingdom.

He spent the better part of 30 years drinking in virtually every country in the world, describing beer and their cultural contexts.  He past away at in August of 2007 at the age of 65.   A movie is in the works, celebrating Michael Jackson and his life.  Over 60 hours of footage was released by his estate.  The movie will premiere this fall.

Thanks for all the inspiration Michael.  Happy Birthday.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, New Belgium

New Belgium Accused Of Copycatting?

Just got sent this.   @WorkLabs, based in Richmond, Virginia looks to be slinging a little mud in the form of a copycat claim.  It’s about New Belgium’s new Shift Pale Lager and their new advertising.  See the art above, see the tweet below.   Talk amongst yourselves.  Thanks Mike for the tip.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Total U.S. Brewery Count Breaks 2,000

I knew any day now this would become official.  There are now more than 2,000 breweries operating in the United States.   According to data released by the Brewer’s Association today – the craft industry saw a 13% rise in overall volume.  Thats a total barrel increase of 1.3 million barrels (40, 300, 000 gallons of beer.)

Perspective.  The small beer industry (less than 6 million barrels annually) only represented 5.68% of the volume of the United States beer market in 2011 (up from 4.97 in 2010.)   That’s an estimated $8.7 billion alone from the small brewery side of the industry.  Increased retail sales  among the craft sector account for just 9.1% of the entire United States beer industry, whose revenue tops $95.5 million dollars annually.

Small brewers employed approximately 103,585 workers in the U.S in 2011.

Note:  All numbers are preliminary. The Association will publish its full 2011 industry analysis in the May/June 2012 issue of The New Brewer, highlighting regional trends and sales by individual breweries. Additionally, a more extensive analysis will be released during the Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, Calif., from May 2-5.

[PressRelease]

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Bell's Brewing, Seasonal Return

Bell’s Oberon Returns Today. Now In 12 Packs

Bell’s Oberon Ale officially returns as of today (or midnight last night if you want to split hairs.)  New packaging format is being added this year- 12 packs.  Starting in the northwest, the brewery will rollout 12 packs to Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Missouri and Arizona, then Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Ohio, Washington DC and Pennsylvania.  Specific dates will be announced soon.

“We are excited and thrilled to be able to offer this additional packaging option to our customers,” said Laura Bell, Marketing Director for Bell’s Brewery, Inc.

Oberon will be available on draft, 6 packs, 12 packs, and mini kegs.  Mini kegs will arrive in the coming months.  Also, look for 12 packs of Bell’s Amber Ale.  Recently, the brewery redesigned the label.  Look for 12’ers by the end of summer.

Expansion

A 12-pack bottling line was just added to Bell’s production facility in Comstock, Michigan.  Part of a major renovation and expansion project that will also add a new 200-barrel brewhouse as well as fourteen 400-barrel fermenters. The new brewery is expected to open in May.

[Presser]

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Idaho Passes Small Brewery Bill

A new bill has just passed in Idaho.  Lawmakers have passed a plan that will lift longstanding restrictions on investing in more than one company that brews beer.   New jobs can now be generated, as brewers that produced less than 30,000 barrels of beer per year can expand.  The measure passed 58-5.  [OPB.org]

 

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Finch’s Beer Co Officially Arrives In ATL

Atlanta has a new brewery gracing its beer shelves – Finch’s Beer Co.  The Chicago based brewery is officially shipping to the state.    Initially two beers are now available on draft and in 16 oz cans.

Golden Wing Blonde Ale – Blonde Ale, 4.7% ABV.  (Medium bodied, malty, touch of citrus.) Draft, 16 oz cans.

Cut Throat Pale – Pale Ale, 5.5% ABV.  (Crisp, bitter, balanced pale ale.)  Draft, 16 oz cans.

A few stores received these two this week, with more coming in the next 7 days.  What’s next?  Expect Threadless IPA to follow shortly.  Finch’s is distributed by United.

by Reid Ramsay