Press Releases

Diamond Knot Suspends While Expanding (PR)

MUKILTEO, WA — As the original Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse undergoes major expansion, the management team has announced it will be suspending all operations at the waterfront location for about two months beginning in early January.

“We have to disturb several Continue Reading →

Ska Brewing Announces Hibernal Vinifera Stout Cans (PR)

DURANGO, CO — Ska Brewing is announcing the second release in its Seasonal Stout series: Hibernal Vinifera Stout, an oak-aged foreign-style stout brewed with Malbec grapes. The beer–in keeping with the series’ solstice and equinox release dates–will be released on the winter solstice, Continue Reading →

CRAFT VS. CRAFTY: A STATEMENT FROM THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION

Boulder, CO – December 13, 2012–The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers, issued the following statement regarding the increase in production and promotion of craft-like beers by large, non-craft breweries:

An American craft brewer is Continue Reading →

Posted in Press Releases

2nd Annual Omaha, Nebraska Beer Week (PR)

December 27, 2012 — Omaha, Nebraska – The second annual Omaha Beer Week, a ten day celebration of craft beer and craft brewing, will take place from Friday, February 15, through Sunday, February 24, 2013.  This second annual event includes hundreds of keg tapping and beer tasting events at bars, restaurants, and retailers throughout the community.

Established in February 2012 as the first event of its kind in Nebraska, Omaha Beer Week is a non-profit collaborative celebration designed to support local businesses and promote our community’s thriving craft beer culture, enhance beer knowledge and appreciation, and call attention to the rich tradition of local brewing.  More than one hundred events are in the works that include tastings, food pairings and dinners, limited edition keg tappings, leisure activities, educational programs, and a bus tour of participating venues.

The official Omaha Beer Week website, www.omahabeerweek.com, has all of the latest information.  This includes bus tour maps, venue locations, and event specifics.  Help us celebrate and appreciate our community’s beer culture!

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Diamond Knot Brewery, Press Releases

Diamond Knot Suspends While Expanding (PR)

MUKILTEO, WA — As the original Diamond Knot Brewery & Alehouse undergoes major expansion, the management team has announced it will be suspending all operations at the waterfront location for about two months beginning in early January.

“We have to disturb several walls adjacent to the Alehouse to enlarge our kitchen, which is forcing us to have to temporarily close the Alehouse,” said Diamond Knot President Bob Maphet. “We weren’t looking forward to this phase, although we are all excited about finishing this project which has been in the planning for several months.”

The alehouse project, which will include expanding the kitchen, adding family-friendly dining on the south side, as well as coffee and ice cream service, comes in response to an overwhelming demand to offer more opportunities at this popular, historic location at the corner of the Mukilteo Speedway and Front Street, across from the ferry terminal to Whidbey Island.

After the loss of Woody’s and the upgrades to Mukilteo Lighthouse Park, Diamond Knot was asked to consider expanding into the vacant half of the building to meet the needs of locals and visitors alike. To keep the disruption to a minimum, construction began several weeks ago on the vacant, south side of the building. The suspension of operations is slated to begin Jan. 7 and is expected to continue through the end of February.

“We have very loyal customers and employees we highly respect and care about,” Maphet said. “This is our family. Disrupting service at the alehouse is the last thing we want to do, but it will be 100 percent better when we reopen. We are trying to keep the time of disruption as short as possible. In the meantime, we’ve maintained health care benefits for our full-time employees and made sure unemployment benefits were available immediately.”

The disruption comes at Diamond Knot’s slowest time of the year: January and February.

“If there was a way to pour beer at the Alehouse sooner, we would,” said Andy Eason, V.P. of Retail Operations. “Until then our Taproom will be open daily from 3 p.m. and the Pizza House will staff up during this time and hours will be extended as needed. We will also be increasing our staff considerably when we reopen, so we will begin the hiring process in February.”

Diamond Knot Craft Brewing first began operations at this location back in 1994, when they brewed and distributed their signature India Pale Ale out of the 300-square-foot space in the rear of the building that used to be a bus barn for local transit. In 1999, founders Maphet and Brian Sollenberger expanded Diamond Knot into the space occupied by Cheers Too!, where the Alehouse is today. It has since become a popular spot; so popular in fact, that the kitchen and alehouse cannot keep up with demand.

“We know our customers don’t want the Alehouse to change from its current state,” Eason said. “We don’t want it to change either. We are doing our best to minimally impact that side of the building.”

Diamond Knot owns and operates three restaurant locations and two breweries. The Brewery & Alehouse is complemented by the Pizza House at 403 Lincoln Ave. and the Taproom & Brewery at 4602 Chennault Beach Rd., both in Mukilteo. Diamond Knot Camano Lodge is located at 170 E. Cross Island Road on Camano Island. During the suspension of operations, there will be construction updates and videos posted to the Diamond Knot Website (diamondknot.com) and Diamond Knot Craft Brewing Facebook page.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases, SweetWater Brewing

SweetWater Unleashes The Gimp & Happy Ending (PR)

ATLANTA (December 2012) — SweetWater’s brewers are at it again, tapping into their dark side to cook up another one- hit wonder to unveil from the brewery’s infamous Dank Tank series. The team has had this freak show marinating for a while, and is finally ready to party.

This Old Ale promises to tease the senses, giving off sweet scents of caramel and toffee mixed with warming sensations of alcohol and malt, all well-balanced with a low-voltage dose of hops. It’s advised that this brew be stashed in cellars for a few months before consumption, but once broken out, its submissive deliciousness will be sure to please. Warning: this brew gags up 10.3% ABV so it’s suggested to ease in to The Gimp with caution.

For Southeastern sippers salivating for their turn to dance with the newest Dank Tank, fret no more. SweetWater is bringing out The Gimp in 22-ounce bottles and a limited supply of kegs just in time for Christmas. Cage them up while ya can, this brew is a limited-time run.

And that’s not all. SweetWater’s brewers are going out with a bang, serving up Happy Endings for all as 2012 comes to an end (or the whole world if you believe the Mayans). As part of the brewery’s Catch and Release seasonal lineup of brews, Happy Ending returns with a mouthful of bliss in every sip.

The Imperial Stout is brewed with Centennial and Willamette hops, and finished off with a dry-hop addition of Cascade and Simcoe hops. Measuring out to a whopping 9% ABV, the award-winning beer is a true dry-hopped stiffy with an explosive finish.

The brew will hit shelves in sixers and 22-ounce hand-waxed bombers, and on draft in select locations by the end of the year. Drinkers will be able to stock up through the New Year, but the brew cleans up shop in late February, so snatch ‘em up before they’re gone!

In honor of the “end of the world”, this Friday, Dec. 21, Happy Ending will make its draft debut at SweetWater’s tour ensuring their nearest and dearest go out with a smile on their faces. Kicking off at 5:30 p.m., guests can enjoy $10 tour admission which includes a souvenir pint glass, tours and six 5.5-ounce sample tickets.

For more on The Gimp, Happy Ending and SweetWater Brewing Company, visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com. ###

MEDIA CONTACT:

Francesca Zeifman | Communications Manager | 404.691.2537 ext. 227 | [email protected]

ABOUT SWEETWATER BREWING COMPANY:

SweetWater Brewing Company is an Atlanta-based craft brewery living by the motto “Don’t Float the Mainstream!” SweetWater’s brews are unpasteurized and designed to be consumed fresh so distribution is limited to the Southeast. The award-winning lineup of year-round brews includes SweetWater 420, IPA, Exodus Porter, Blue, LowRYEder and Georgia Brown. SweetWater also features a Catch and Release series of beers available on a limited basis throughout the year, and an experimental, one-time-only Dank Tank series. The SweetWater Brewery, open for tours every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 2:30-4:30 p.m., is located at 195 Ottley Dr. NE, Atlanta GA 30324. For more information about SweetWater Brewing Company, please visit www.sweetwaterbrew.com. For more of a social relationship with SweetWater Brewing Company follow @sweetwaterbrew on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook: www.facebook.com/sweetwaterbrew.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in New Belgium, Press Releases

New Belgium Brewing Expands Tank Farm With 16 New Vessels (PR)

Fort Collins, CO, December 17, 2012 – Two cranes, 16 tanks, six days. New Belgium Brewing will install 12 new fermentation vessels and four bright beer tanks (all 2,200 hectoliter) between December 17 and 22. The additional capacity will help New Belgium achieve a potential capacity of 840,000 barrels of beer production in Fort Collins. The increased volume will help bridge the gap until New Belgium’s second facility in Asheville, North Carolina comes online in 2015. The Asheville facility is slated for groundbreaking in spring of 2013 and will have an initial capacity of 400,000 barrels.

“We needed additional tank space to address demand for the next couple years before Asheville is up and running,” said New Belgium spokesperson, Bryan Simpson. “This will give us a little breathing room.”

Ziemann Group of Burgstadt, Germany fabricated the tanks. The Fort Collins cellar expansion project will cost around $10 million. New Belgium will utilize some of the expanded capacity to add distribution to Alaska and Louisiana in spring of 2013.

About New Belgium Brewing Company 
New Belgium Brewing Company, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, began operations in a tiny Fort Collins basement in 1991. Today, the third largest craft brewer in the U.S., New Belgium produces nine year-round beers; Fat Tire Amber Ale, Sunshine Wheat, Blue Paddle Pilsner, 1554 Black Ale, Abbey, Mothership Wit, Ranger, Belgo IPA and Trippel, as well as a host of seasonal releases.  In addition to producing world-class beers, New Belgium takes pride in being a responsible corporate role model with progressive programs such as employee ownership, open book management and a commitment to environmental stewardship.  For more information, visit www.newbelgium.com.

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by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases, Ska Brewing

Ska Brewing Announces Hibernal Vinifera Stout Cans (PR)

DURANGO, CO — Ska Brewing is announcing the second release in its Seasonal Stout series: Hibernal Vinifera Stout, an oak-aged foreign-style stout brewed with Malbec grapes. The beer–in keeping with the series’ solstice and equinox release dates–will be released on the winter solstice, December 21st.

“Winter weather causes most of us to start craving heartier food, and beer is no exception. This beer is 8% Alcohol By Volume (ABV), and the Malbec grapes and oak aging will complement that with a richness and depth that are perfect for the winter season,” said Ska Brewing Overlord of Brewing Operations Bill Graham. “This will be a great beer to have during the cold, short days ahead.”

The packaging for the Hibernal Vinifera Stout, pictured below, features a black, 12-oz. can, with Ska’s True Blonde character as the Sumerian goddess of grapes and the cold season, Ngeshtin-ana. As with all four of the stouts in the Seasonal Stout series, the beer will be released in cans, and distributed in all of Ska’s markets.

According to Ska President and Co-founder Dave Thibodeau, Ska will complete the Seasonal Stout series with two more new, canned seasonal stouts in March and June of 2013. “The Hibernal Vinifera Stout follows on the heels of our Mayan-themed stout, and assuming the 12/21/12 calamity-howlers are wrong, we’ll all live to see its release. Come to think of it, we probably ought to name a beer ‘calamity-howler,’ in honor of all the crazy predictions that don’t come true.”

About Ska Brewing:

Based in Durango, Colorado, Ska Brewing was founded in 1995 and now produces over a dozen medal-winning beers including the Pinstripe Red Ale, True Blonde Ale and Steel Toe Stout. Four Ska beers are now widely available in cans: ESB Special Ale, True Blonde, Modus Hoperandi IPA and the winter seasonal Euphoria Pale Ale. For information, music and a good time, visit www.skabrewing.com. Chat us up and get the latest news at facebook.com/skabrew and twitter.com/skabrewing.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

CRAFT VS. CRAFTY: A STATEMENT FROM THE BREWERS ASSOCIATION

Boulder, CO – December 13, 2012–The Brewers Association, the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers, issued the following statement regarding the increase in production and promotion of craft-like beers by large, non-craft breweries:

An American craft brewer is defined as small and independent. Their annual production is 6 million barrels of beer or less and no more than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled by an alcoholic beverage industry member who is not themselves a craft brewer.

The community of small and independent craft brewers has grown as beer enthusiasts embrace new, diverse beers brewed by their neighbors and friends who are invested in their local communities. Beer drinkers are voting with their palates and dollars to support these entrepreneurs and their small and independent businesses.

In 2011, small and independent craft brewers saw their industry grow 13 percent by volume; in the first half of 2012, volume grew by an additional 12 percent. Meanwhile, the overall beer industry was down 1.3 percent by volume and domestic non-craft was down 5 million barrels in 2011.

Witnessing both the tremendous success and growth of craft brewers and the fact that many beer lovers are turning away from mass-produced light lagers, the large brewers have been seeking entry into the craft beer marketplace. Many started producing their own craft-imitating beers, while some purchased (or are attempting to purchase) large or full stakes in small and independent breweries.

While this is certainly a nod to the innovation and ingenuity of today’s small and independent brewers, it’s important to remember that if a large brewer has a controlling share of a smaller producing brewery, the brewer is, by definition, not craft.

However, many non-standard, non-light “crafty” beers found in the marketplace today are not labeled as products of large breweries. So when someone is drinking a Blue Moon Belgian Wheat Beer, they often believe that it’s from a craft brewer, since there is no clear indication that it’s made by SABMiller. The same goes for Shock Top, a brand that is 100 percent owned by Anheuser-Bush InBev, and several others that are owned by a multinational brewing and beverage company.

The large, multinational brewers appear to be deliberately attempting to blur the lines between their crafty, craft-like beers and true craft beers from today’s small and independent brewers. We call for transparency in brand ownership and for information to be clearly presented in a way that allows beer drinkers to make an informed choice about who brewed the beer they are drinking.

And for those passionate beer lovers out there, we ask that you take the time to familiarize yourself with who is brewing the beer you are drinking. Is it a product of a small and independent brewer? Or is it from a crafty large brewer, seeking to capitalize on the mounting success of small and independent craft brewers?

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Avery Brewing Co. Puts Minnesota Distributing on Hold (PR)

Boulder, CO, 12/10/2012 — Projecting a 20% increase in production in 2012 over 2011, Colorado craft brewery Avery Brewing Company seeks solutions to meet a growing demand for its assortment of esoteric beers.  While the brewery finalizes plans and begin construction on a new facility in its hometown of Boulder, brewery managers have incorporated new equipment and processes to bring the current facility to a potential maximum volume of 65,000 bbls per year.  Once completed, the new facility will offer an immediate capacity of 100,000 bbls with expansion to 350,000 bbls possible, and completion is estimated for late spring/early summer 2014.

In the mean time, National Sales Director Ted Whitney plans to base Avery’s sales strategy on maintaining inventories with key partners in order to ensure consistent turnover and the freshest beer possible.  The decision to pull out of Minnesota did not come easy, as Avery’s relationship with Chisago Lakes Distributing was a close one.  Of the departure, Whitney said, “We love Minnesota dearly, and Chisago always represented us with the highest standards.  Until we finish our new brewery, we’re forced to limit our markets.  When we do come back to Minnesota, and we will, it will be with quality rep support, tons of fresh beer and even more tons of excitement to be drinking with those guys again.”  The departure marks another example of the managed-growth philosophy shared by many American craft breweries.

Established in 1993, Avery Brewing Company has developed a reputation as being one of the most daring and visionary breweries in the nation.  They are the brewers of Avery IPA, The Maharaja Imperial IPA, White Rascal Belgian Wheat Ale, Mephistopheles’ Stout and eighteen other year-round and seasonal beers.  Please go to www.averybrewing.com for more information on Avery beers.

by Reid Ramsay