Beer News

Could New Belgium sell?

New Belgium, a 100% employee-owned company, may be up for sale, according to Reuters.

Seem too crazy to happen? Probably. Reuters recently reported Atlanta, Georgia based SweetWater Brewing Company was prepping to go public, but months later, there still isn’t even Continue Reading →

Green Man Harvester Returns

Green Man Harvester returns to the North Carolina-based brewery’s rotating offerings this month.

Green Man Harvester is a unique reinterpretation of the German Märzen style beer, and is just in time for autumn with its rustic color with hints of toasted grain Continue Reading →

Posted in Beer News

Oskar Blues adds North & South Dakota, Oklahoma

Oskar Blues Brewery is expanding distribution to North Dakota, South Dakota, and Oklahoma over the next few months.

North Dakota and South Dakota will receive Oskar Blues lineup through Johnson Brothers (based in ND, SD, and IA). Expect the first shipments in early March. Launch brands include Pinner, Old Chub, Momma’s Little Yella Pils, and Oskar Blues IPA.

Oklahoma Beer Imports will handle the state of Oklahoma. This is an interesting situation per OB: Since the state operates as a 4-Tier state, OBI will sell to all Class B wholesalers and will represent the Oskar Blues brands throughout the entire state.

In addition to the core brands, Beerito, a 4% ABV beer, will be available throughout Oklahoma. Target launch is first week of April.

With these state editions, Oskar Blues will be distributed in 49 states, plus Washington D.C. 

That leaves just  Montana, hopefully later this year.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Brewers Association sends beer care package to Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos are the decisive winners of Super Bowl 50.  In a world of commercials, Anheuser-Busch was one of the most notable in the beer sector, taking another shot at small breweries.

The commercial wasn’t the talk the next day. It was Peyton Manning’s comments after winning SB50. The winner quarterback admitted (twice) he will be drinking a lot of Budweiser that night.

Anheuser-Busch went on record this week, stating that Manning was not paid for that endorsement.

The Brewers Association has dropped a care package to Manning this week. Featuring the following craft brews:

  • Black Bavarian (German-style Schwarzbier) | Sprecher Brewing Co. | Glendale, WI
  • Apricot Blonde (Blonde Ale) | Dry Dock Brewing Co. | Aurora, CO
  • Craft Lager (American Lager) | Upslope Brewing Co. | Boulder, CO
  • Colorado Kolsch (German-style Kolsch) | Steamworks Brewing Co. | Durango, CO
  • Racer 5 IPA (India Pale Ale) | Bear Republic Brewing Co. | Healdsburg, CA
  • Samuel Adams Boston Lager (Vienna-style Lager) | Boston Beer Co. | Boston, MA
  • Mojo IPA (India Pale Ale) | Boulder Beer Co. | Boulder, CO
  • Sawtooth Ale Nitro (Extra Special Bitter) | Left Hand Brewing Co. | Longmont, CO
  • Session Cream Summer Ale (Cream Ale) | Full Sail Brewing Co. | Hood River, OR
  • Graham Cracker Porter (American Porter) | Denver Beer Co. | Denver, CO

Whether or not he will drink them? That remains to be seen.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Don't Miss This, New Belgium

Could New Belgium sell?

New Belgium, a 100% employee-owned company, may be up for sale, according to Reuters.

Seem too crazy to happen? Probably. Reuters recently reported Atlanta, Georgia based SweetWater Brewing Company was prepping to go public, but months later, there still isn’t even a whiff of an initial public offering.

Advisory firm Lazard Middle Market is apparently advising New Belgium on on the sale, which could be worth more than $1 billion dollars.

Beer Street Journal have reached out to New Belgium and Lazard, with no responses.

The brewery was 41% owned by employees, with CEO Kim Jordan owning the controlling share, until January, 2013 when they transitioned to 100% employee ownership. At the time, Jordan was quoted as saying:

We have an opportunity to write the next chapter of this incredible story and we’re really excited about that,” said New Belgium CEO and co-founder, Kim Jordan. “We have always had a high involvement ownership culture and this allows us to take that to the next logical level. It will provide an elegant succession framework that keeps the executive team intact ensuring our vision stays true going forward.”

A New Belgium sale seems highly unlikely, but easier than you might think.Despite the fact they are 100% employee owned, in most cases of this type a majority vote would be the only thing needed to approve a sale.

The brewery has always been proud of its ownership. A company sale would strike at New Belgium’s core values.

Then again, few people saw the Goose Island purchase coming years ago.

That changed everything.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

World of Beer’s Fall Plates & Pints menu is tasty (Sponsored)

It started with us telling the chef how much we loved the pumpkin spice habanero wings at World of Beer. Next thing we know we have run down the entire Fall Bites menu.

Not every World of Beer location sells food. Some do, because some states (like Georgia, where we ate) say you can’t just sell beer. Some breweries and bars will sell microwavable food to comply. World of Beer has gone all in with a full-on kitchen, and creative chefs.

The pumpkin spice habanero wings, plus a Stone Barrel-aged Arrogant Bastard hooked us. Naturally, we ran down the whole menu.

The pimento cheese is topped with bacon, and comes with garlic toast. Goes perfectly with Highland Clawhammer Oktoberfest. Colorado chili (with chorizo) requires another Colorado specialty, Left Hand Milk Stout. (That beer is a go-to anytime we eat chili anyway)

That’s a cornbread skillet below, southwest style, with peppers and queso fresco. Founders Pale Ale paired fantastically with it.

The heartiest on the fall menu are the Dogfish Head Meatloaf sliders. The “off-centered” sandwiches are a collaboration with Dogfish Head Brewings & Eats Chef Kevin. The gravy is made with Dogfish Head Indian Brown, served on a brioche bun. We couldn’t decide which porter to pair, so we tried a couple Sixpoint Beast Mode, and Anchor Porter.

Without taking it to death, as you can see, World of Beer has taken time to put together food worthy of pairing with your beer. That’s something that really catches our attention.

This is sponsored by World of Beer. The opinions are solely those of Beer Street Journal.

 

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News

Don’t get drunk, break into a zoo, and pet a tiger

Drinking is fun. Like, really fun. We do it all the time. For most people, there are limited setbacks from a day night of drinking. (Maybe a bad hangover, or a regretful 2 am Taco Bell run).

Then… there are people that get drunk, break into a zoo, and try to pet a tiger. A freaking tiger.

The Washington Post reports that Omaha, Nebraska’s tiger Mai, is most famous for having a 3 legs after losing one to a poacher’s trap in the wild in Gambang, Malaysia. Now she is known for the harsh warning she gave to 33 year old Jacqueline Eide.

Around 7 am on Sunday, Eide somehow got into a secured area of the zoo, and stuck her delicious, meaty, drunken hand into the cage to pet Mai. The result is exactly what mother nature would have told Eide, had she drunk dialed her instead of going all covert ops on the zoo animals.

According to various news reports, this lady has a history of incredible decisions, including DUIs (at least 3), public vandalism, and now criminal trespass.

The bite is so bad, she could lose some fingers. No word if that is her drinking hand.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Small Town Brewery

Not Your Father’s Root Beer Released in Cans

Not Your Father’s Root Beer seemingly became a hit overnight. Small Town Brewery’s alcoholic root beer has made over $7 million dollars in the first half of 2015 alone.

Nationally, 12 ounce cans of the root beer are hitting shelves now alongside its 12 ounce counterpart.

If you haven’t had it, we can attest – it truly does taste like root beer. The 5.9% alcohol by volume is hidden quite well, making it dangerous for those with a sweet tooth.

Not Your Father’s Root Beer is a year round offering in bottles and cans.

Style: Hard Root Beer
Availability: 12oz Bottles, 12oz Cans

5.9% ABV

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Beer News, Seasonal Return

Green Man Harvester Returns

Green Man Harvester returns to the North Carolina-based brewery’s rotating offerings this month.

Green Man Harvester is a unique reinterpretation of the German Märzen style beer, and is just in time for autumn with its rustic color with hints of toasted grain and caramel flavors. Green Man Harvester displays a clean and bitter palate due to its combination of German Magnum and American Palisade hops.

“Balance is key to this style, and for Harvester the earthy malts and herbal hops meld seamlessly,”  says Green Man’s Head Brewer, John Stuart.

Green Man Harvester is a rotating seasonal offering.

Style: German Märzen, 
Hops: Magnum and American Palisade hops
Availability: 12oz bottles
Release: September, 2015

6.0% ABV, IBU: 30

by Reid Ramsay