Beer News

AB Drops ABV Of Big Brands In UK

If you’re drinking Stella Artois, Budweiser, & Beck’s in the UK, the alcohol by volume will be  a bit lower.  The reduction is an attempt to cut the sting of rising industry costs, and lower duty (tax) costs.

 “Our decision to Continue Reading →

Anheuser-Busch Chief Steps Down

David Peacock, chief of  Anheuser-Busch has resigned.  Per Harry Schumacher of Beer Business Daily (requires paid subscription):

Dave was only the second non-Busch to hold the title of CEO, and he is among the last of the legacy Anheuser-Busch executives groomed under the Continue Reading →

Hopslam Watch 2012: Atlanta

Here is your master list of Hopslam tappings & sightings in Atlanta.  You want this tasting imperial IPA? Check here first to find it on & off premise.

UPDATE: 1/24/12, 11 am

Hopslam 6 packs hitting Green’s Beer on Ponce, Continue Reading →

Look For New Belgium’s Cocoa Mole This Week

The latest Lips Of Faith creation from New Belgium Brewing – Cocoa Mole hits shelves and on premise accounts in Atlanta this week.   Mole combines chocolate and chilis for a flavor roller coaster in a glass.

Chocolate, cinnamon and chilies combine for a sweet and spicy burst of Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News

Starbucks Adding Beer To Atlanta Locations

Starbucks has already been experimenting with beer and wine additions in stores in Chicago and the west coast.  The company announced yesterday that they plan on adding beer to as many as 25 stores in southern California and Atlanta by the end of the year.  Starbucks hasn’t revealed which Atlanta locations, or what breweries will be sold yet.  One would assume they would be looking at local options, right? (Terrapin, SweetWater, Red Brick, Wild Heaven, Monday Night, Red Hare.)

The strategy is part of a broader experiment to find ways to lure Starbucks customers and even non-coffee drinkers into stores during slow periods of the day, especially afternoons and evenings. The trick will be doing it without alienating core customers, said Bill Chidley, a Centerville, Ohio-based senior vice president at Interbrand, a brand consulting firm.

Starbucks profits started slipping in 2008, prior debut the initiative to add beer and wine to some stores.  An expanded menu with cheese & bread plates, combined with the addition of beer and wine have put Starbucks stock on the “stocks to watch” list according to Bloomberg.[SFGate]

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Starbucks Adding Beer To SoCal, Atlanta

Starbucks has already been experimenting with beer and wine additions in stores in Chicago and the west coast.  The company announced yesterday that they plan on adding beer to as many as 25 stores in southern California and Atlanta by the end of the year.

The strategy is part of a broader experiment to find ways to lure Starbucks customers and even non-coffee drinkers into stores during slow periods of the day, especially afternoons and evenings. The trick will be doing it without alienating core customers, said Bill Chidley, a Centerville, Ohio-based senior vice president at Interbrand, a brand consulting firm.

Starbucks profits started slipping in 2008, prior debut the initiative to add beer and wine to some stores.  An expanded menu with cheese & bread plates, combined with the addition of beer and wine have put Starbucks stock on the “stocks to watch” list according to Bloomberg.[SFGate]

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Beer News

AB Drops ABV Of Big Brands In UK

If you’re drinking Stella Artois, Budweiser, & Beck’s in the UK, the alcohol by volume will be  a bit lower.  The reduction is an attempt to cut the sting of rising industry costs, and lower duty (tax) costs.

 “Our decision to bring Stella Artois, Budweiser and Beck’s to the UK market at 4.8% abv during 2012 is in line with evolving UK category trends,” said a spokeswoman.

The Stella, Bud & Becks will drop from 5% to 4.8% ABV in the United Kingdom. Expect the change in April.  [TheGrocer]

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Anheuser-Busch, Beer News

Anheuser-Busch Chief Steps Down

David Peacock, chief of  Anheuser-Busch has resigned.  Per Harry Schumacher of Beer Business Daily (requires paid subscription):

Dave was only the second non-Busch to hold the title of CEO, and he is among the last of the legacy Anheuser-Busch executives groomed under the Busch regime, following several other veterans out the door including Tony Ponturo, Bob Lachky, Keith Levy, and Evan Athanas.  He was also viewed as the “distributor whisperer” — a key conduit of communication between A-B and its wholesaler network, as Dave is nearly universally well-liked and respected among wholesalers.  This is indeed a big change.

Luiz Redmond will assume leadership of the United States business unit, and Peacock will remain in an advisory role.  Feel free to weigh in on the this change.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Hopslam Watch 2012: Atlanta

Here is your master list of Hopslam tappings & sightings in Atlanta.  You want this tasting imperial IPA? Check here first to find it on & off premise.

UPDATE: 1/24/12, 11 am

Hopslam 6 packs hitting Green’s Beer on Ponce, today, Tuesday around 1 pm.

Green’s – Buford Highway  – receives today, by 1 pm.

Tower Buckhead, and Buford Highway receive by 12- 1pm.

Update: 1/24, 3:35pm

Green’s Ponce sells out in under an hour.   Tower Buford Highway – All on hold.  None for in store sale.  Tower Buckhead, sold out.

Ale Yeah! – In stock, 1pm.   Update. Sold out by 3pm.

Hop City  – Thursday, 1/26.  Sells out in 52 mins. More shipments in February.

Decatur Wine & Spirits – Cases in stock 3 pm

1/26 – 2 pm.

Midway Pub  -Taps keg today

Square Pub – Keg & 6pm

Fred Bar –  7pm

2/1/12 

Hopslam Cask, 6pm at Taco Mac Lindburgh

 

 

 

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Look For New Belgium’s Cocoa Mole This Week

The latest Lips Of Faith creation from New Belgium Brewing – Cocoa Mole hits shelves and on premise accounts in Atlanta this week.   Mole combines chocolate and chilis for a flavor roller coaster in a glass.

Chocolate, cinnamon and chilies combine for a sweet and spicy burst of fun in the newest Lips of Faith offering, Cocoa Mole. Brewed with pale, cara-mel-80, chocolate, dark chocolate malts and healthy dash of chocolate rye, Cocoa Mole presents midnight dark with a subtle reddish hue, lifting a pillowy, burnished head. The cocoa and cinnamon accompany plentiful ancho, guajillo and chipotle chilies to bring the mole merriment to the forefront. Cocoa Mole starts on the tongue with the sweet and finishes with the fine-spun heat of peppers. A worldly contrast in a glass, this beer will get you dancing with Mexican Hats. Ole!

Style: Chili Beer
Availability: 22oz bombers, Draft
Arrival: Currently hitting shelves, last week of January, 2012.

9% ABV 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Pretty Things X Ale Brewed from 18th Century Recipe

Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project, echoing popular British styles from the 1800’s, brings these beers from history back to life.  In collaboration with and thanks to the research of Mr. Ron Pattinson out of Amsterdam, X Ale is slated to be brewed in February 2012.

Mild was a hugely popular style for more than a century (1800-1900s).  Here, we have released two milds side-by-side, which represent beers from opposite ends of that period.  Over those years, Mild changed considerably: something these beers amply demonstrate.  Though bearing the same name, X Ale, in character they could hardly be more dissimilar.  

The 1830’s saw the beginning of a boom in Mild ale brewing, which in 30 years became England’s favorite beer.  This beer, 1838 X Ale is a typical London Mild of the era: bigger and more robustly hopped than modern versions.  Brewed from 10% pale malt and Kent hops, this is a straightforward, uncomplicated beer, much like the working classes who first drank it.  The color is also much paler than you might expect.  From this original form, Mild was to undergo many transformations, culminating in the second beer in this series, February 22nd, 1945.  Drink them side-by-side to compare how this beer style evolved

-Ron Pattinson, January 2012

First brewed Nov 22nd, 1838
This batch brewed Feb 13th, 2012

Style: English Mild
Availability: 22 oz bombers
Arrival: Spring 2012

ABV: ??

by Reid Ramsay