Press Releases

Weihenstephan Vitus Named “World’s Best Beer”

(Atlanta, GA) – Acclaimed importer and supplier of fine wine, beer and premium spirits, Total Beverage Solution (TBS) is thrilled to announce Germany’s Weihenstephan Vitus beer received the most coveted industry accolade of “World’s Best Beer” at the 2011 World Beer Awards, Continue Reading →

Noda Brewing Announces Expansion

(Charlotte, NC) — NoDa Brewing Company is pleased to announce after 120 days of operations, it is expanding its brewing capacity by 120% with the purchase of three — 30 barrel fermenters.

“We have been absolutely pleased and amazed with the tremendous reception Continue Reading →

Savor 2012 Details

Starting on April 5th, tickets will be available for purchase to the general public starting at 12:00 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.

Important Details:

Savor will be held June 8th and 9th from 7:30 — 11:00 p.m. ET at the National Building Museum in Washington Continue Reading →

Full Sail Releasing Existential Alt

HOOD RIVER, OR – In 2008 Full Sail Brewing created their small batch Brewer’s Share series as an opportunity for each of their individual brewers to express their creations to be shared on tap exclusively in their pub. Since their crew came up with so Continue Reading →

Kona Heads To Alabama

KAILUA-KONA, HI – Craft beer drinkers in Alabama will soon be able to experience Liquid Aloha when Kona Brewing Company’s flagship Longboard Island Lager and the rest of the portfolio will be made available throughout the state this spring. Alabama will Continue Reading →

Posted in Press Releases

Weihenstephan Vitus Named “World’s Best Beer”

(Atlanta, GA) – Acclaimed importer and supplier of fine wine, beer and premium spirits, Total Beverage Solution (TBS) is thrilled to announce Germany’s Weihenstephan Vitus beer received the most coveted industry accolade of “World’s Best Beer” at the 2011 World Beer Awards, recognized as the “unofficial world beer championship.”

The World Beer Awards select the finest internationally recognized beer styles from ale, lager, wheat, stout and porter beers through a series of blind judgingevents held in Europe, Asia and the United States. The winning beers from each style in each region compete for the title of “World’s Best Styles,” which are then tasted against each other to select the “World’s Best Beers” within each style category. The world’s best categories are then tasted against each other to select the “World’s Best Beers.”

The light-colored, spicy single-bock wheat Weihenstephan Vitus was rated first in each of its three categories, sweeping awards for “World’s Best Wheat Beer,” “World’s Best Strong Wheat Beer” and “Europe’s Best Strong Wheat Beer, and ultimately was honored with the competition’s most prestigious title of “World’s Best Beer.”

Professor Josef Schrädler, director of the Bavarian state brewery Weihenstephan believes, “a premium beer must have a unique flavor and a distinctive character, and we are proud to achieve such status with our brews. These awards represent a great reward and confirmation of our endeavors forwhich we are particularly appreciative.”

Established 1040 A.D. and the oldest existing brewery in the world, Weihenstephan combines tradition and craft to producehigh-quality premium brews. Occupying the top of Weihenstephan Hill in the Bavarian city of Freising and surrounded by the relatively young Weihenstephan Science Center of Munich’s University of Applied Sciences, the brewery is aseamless blend of tradition, custom, proven knowledge and modern science lauded with an incomparable identity and a corresponding dedication.

“We are extremely honored to represent and market Weihenstephan Vitus in the U.S.,” says Total Beverage Solution president and chief executive officer Dave Pardus. “With a distinguished reputation and widespread international recognition, the brand continuously exceeds our expectations and produces brews characteristic of the industry’s highest honors.”

Weihenstephan received a number of international awards for a variety of its products throughout 2011. The brewery’s flagship beer Hefe-Weissbier received its fourth consecutive gold medal at the Australian International Beer Awards while the Kristall Weissbier was awarded silver, and the Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel, Korbinian and Vitus received bronze. At the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival, the brewery secured a gold medal for the Hefe-Weissbier and a bronze for the Vitus. Weihenstephan Hefe-Weissbier was honored with a bronze medal at the International Beer Challenge in London,England, and the Dunkel was named third place in its category at the Great International Beer & Cider Competition inProvidence, R.I.

Weihenstephan’s complete portfolio includes: Vitus, Hefe-Weissbier, Hefe-Weissbier Dunkel, Korbinian, Kristall Weissbier, Original Lager, Festbier and Hoplosion. For more information on Weihenstephan, please visit www.brauerei-weihenstephan.de or the Facebook page. For more information on Total Beverage Solution and its brands, visit www.totalbeveragesolution.com.

ABOUT TOTAL BEVERAGE SOLUTION (TBS)

With an impressive portfolio of wine, beer and premium spirits, Total Beverage Solution supplies the U.S. market with some of the world’s most unique brands. Founded in 2002, the company represents brands with market presence and a strong potential for growth. Total Beverage Solution’s first sizeable supply contract was Greene King brewers, the producers of Old Speckled Hen and Abbot Ale. Currently, the portfolio includes such brands as Germany’s Weihenstephan Beer, from the world’s oldest brewery; Birra Moretti, an acclaimed Italian beer; Affligem, a historic Belgian Abbey beer; Tohu Wines from the Marlborough region of New Zealand, the only Maori-owned wine company; Colombo, a D.O.C fine Marsala wine, Edradour Distillery, Scotland’s smallest distillery andSouthampton, one of the most award-winning craft breweries in America. Passionate about quality and craftsmanship, the company strives to work with producers of the finest products and create value and demand for each brand based on itsindividually unique qualities. With this philosophy, Total Beverage Solution has quickly earned a reputation for its market expertise and proven sales results. The company earned a prestigious spot on Beverage Industry’slist of “Top 100 Beverage Companies of 2010.” Additionally, in the midst of another challenging year for the beverage industry, TBS surpassed $30 million in revenue in 2010. Total Beverage Solution is headquartered at 1671 Belle Isle Ave. Suite 125, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464. For more information, visit www.totalbeveragesolution.com or call (843) 881-0761.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Budweiser Renews Sponsorship of U.S. Olympic Committee and Team USA

(St. Louis, MO) — Budweiser and the U.S. Olympic Committee today announced that the iconic beer brand is extending its exclusive malt beverage sponsorship and renewing its commitment to the USOC and Team USA through 2016.

Budweiser’s partnership with the USOC spans nearly three decades and includes 14 Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games. Budweiser has been an Olympic supporter since 1984 when the brand served as the official beer sponsor of the Los Angeles 1984 Olympic Games.

“This is great news for Team USA,” said Scott Blackmun, chief executive officer of the USOC. “Budweiser has a long history with us, and we are grateful for their continued support of our U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes. Budweiser’s commitment will allow our athletes to compete to the very best of their ability, and that is what the Olympic Movement is all about.”

In line with previous commitments, Budweiser will continue to support its USOC sponsorship with significant media buys on NBC and affiliated networks during the Olympic Games. Additionally, Budweiser will receive entitlement of the Bud Deck at the London USA House, a private facility that hosts members of the USOC, the U.S. Olympic Team, corporate partners, sponsors, suppliers and licensees.

“Team USA athletes define commitment to excellence and we are proud to show our support for them as they represent the United States in competition.” said Rob McCarthy, vice president, Budweiser. “With the London 2012 Games only months away, Budweiser will join all Americans in celebrating the success of Team USA.”

Budweiser will also be featuring five U.S. Olympic hopefuls — Tony Azevedo, water polo; Jordan Burroughs, wrestling; Hyleas Fountain and Leo Manzano, track & field; and Sarah Groff, triathlon — on point-of-sale retail materials and will introduce a limited edition Olympic-themed 16 oz. aluminum bottle in June.

In addition to the USOC partnership, Budweiser is the official beer sponsor of the U.S. Soccer Federation and the U.S. Ski and Snowboarding teams. The beer brand will also sponsor the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for diving in Federal Way, Wash., from June 17-24; swimming in Omaha, Neb., from June 25-July 2, and gymnastics in San Jose, Calif., from June 28-July 1.

About the USOC

Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colo., the U.S. Olympic Committee serves as both the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States. As such, the USOC is responsible for the training, entering and funding of U.S. teams for the Olympic, Paralympic, Youth Olympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games, while serving as a steward of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements throughout the country. For more information, visitTeamUSA.org.

About Anheuser-Busch

Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.7 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world’s largest-selling beers. Anheuser-Busch also owns a 50 percent share in Grupo Modelo, Mexico’s leading brewer. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in NoDa Brewing, Press Releases

Noda Brewing Announces Expansion

(Charlotte, NC) — NoDa Brewing Company is pleased to announce after 120 days of operations, it is expanding its brewing capacity by 120% with the purchase of three — 30 barrel fermenters.

“We have been absolutely pleased and amazed with the tremendous reception our beer has received in the Charlotte market since we opened our doors on October 29, 2011,” says Todd Ford, Owner and Brewery Manager of NoDa Brewing Company. “Our beer is currently available in over 80 local establishments, and that number is growing each week. To keep up with production, we needed additional fermentation vessels.”

As luck would have it for NoDa Brewing Company, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, also in Charlotte, was experiencing growth and looking to expand.

“We’re selling these tanks to make room for larger ones in order to keep up with the exploding demand for our beer in Charlotte,” says John Marrino, Owner of Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. “When NoDa told me they also needed more tanks to fuel their rapid growth, it was a no brainer for us to make a deal. After all, we share a goal to make beer a local product once again in Charlotte. It’s a win-win-win situation. The third win is for Charlotte.”

Currently, NoDa’s fermentation capacity at any given time is 75 barrels (2,325 gallons), in 3 fermentation vessels. With the addition of these 90 barrels, its fermentation capacity, at any given time, is 165 barrels (5,115 gallons).

“We couldn’t be happier with the direction of the brewery and the ever growing craft beer culture in Charlotte,” says Suzie Ford, President of NoDa Brewing Company. “We feel honored to be a part of the craft beer movement locally. Shop local, buy local, eat local and drink local is the only way to go,” adds Ford.

About NoDa Brewing Company

NoDa Brewing Company currently has five year-round beers available on-tap at local bars & restaurants and the brewery tap room. In spring 2012, their first seasonal, Monk’s Trunks, a Belgian Pale Ale with seeds of paradise, will be added to the line-up. Its on-site tap room sells beer by the glass & take-home growlers and provides brewery tours as well as hosts special events. Look and ask for NoDa on tap at your local restaurant and bar.

For more, visit www.NoDaBrewing.com.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Savor 2012 Details

Starting on April 5th, tickets will be available for purchase to the general public starting at 12:00 a.m. ET via Ticketmaster.

Important Details:

  • Savor will be held June 8th and 9th from 7:30 — 11:00 p.m. ET at the National Building Museum in Washington D.C.
  • Guests will also be able to sample a variety of artisan cheese offerings and visit The Choptank Oyster Company oyster bar, in addition to sampling beers from 74 different craft brewers.
  • General Admission Ticket: $120 per ticket (Limit of 4 total tickets per customer)
  • Private Tasting Salon and Educational Salon Tickets: $30 (General Admission ticket purchase for same night of the Salon required. Limit of 4 per customer.)
  • Attendees will receive a limited edition collaboration beer from Boulevard Brewing Company and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company as an exit gift.
  • All guests will receive a 2012 SAVOR commemorative tasting glass.

Supporting partners include: Abita Brewing Company, Brewery Ommegang, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery and Samuel Adams, Craftbeer.com.

Supporting breweries include: Allagash Brewing Company, Boulevard Brewing Company, Brooklyn Brewery, Devils Backbone Brewing Company, Flying Dog Brewery, Full Sail Brewing Company, New Belgium Brewing Company, Rogue Ales, Saranac Brewery, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Dundee Irish Red Lager Back In Time For St. Paddy’s

ROCHESTER, NY- Craft beer drinkers won’t need the luck of the Irish to enjoy Dundee Irish Red Lager – they just need to stock up by the end of March. Dundee Ales & Lagers has brought the popular Irish Red Lager back for another limited engagement that coincides with the largest annual celebration of Irish culture, St. Patrick’s Day. Available now in stores, the Irish Red Lager is sweet and malty with a slight dry finish and a sweetness that is well-balanced by the hops.

“Dundee Irish Red is a smooth drinking lager with a lot of character. It has full-bodied taste, but is easy to drink at 5.0 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and 30 on the International Bittering Units (IBU) scale,” said Jim McDermott, lead Dundee Brewer. He also joked, “It’s specifically brewed to be the perfect accompaniment for corned beef and cabbage.”

The label of the Irish Red Lager features of one Dundee’s trademark, distinctive label characters–a sheep that is being painted red by an Irishman. For centuries, farmers have painted sheep in Ireland and Scotland to make them easier to find.

“We have a great line-up of beers and a fun cast of characters to tell each brew’s story,” said Janine Schoos, brand manager, Dundee Ales & Lagers. “The characters represent our beers in a fun and approachable way. We hope to provide a “little entertainment” to our beer drinkers as they get together and enjoy Dundee.”

Dundee Ales & Lagers brews and releases four seasonal beers for a limited time throughout the year. The Irish Red Lager will be followed by the return of Summer Wheat this April. The seasonal specialties will be available on draft at bars and restaurants, and in sixpacks at convenience and grocery stores across the United States.

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Full Sail Releasing Existential Alt

HOOD RIVER, OR – In 2008 Full Sail Brewing created their small batch Brewer’s Share series as an opportunity for each of their individual brewers to express their creations to be shared on tap exclusively in their pub. Since their crew came up with so many great beers, they decided to share a selection of them with beer lovers everywhere. The second beer in the series is “Phil’s Existential Alt,” developed by Brewer Phil Roche, and will be released in 22oz. bottles and on draft in March.

“As an independent and employee owned brewery, you know that we put our hearts and souls into every drop. With Brewer’s Share we’re proud to showcase the people behind our award winning brews by introducing our individual brewers by name and beer,” said Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s CEO and Founder.

When asked what his inspiration was for Phil’s Existential Alt, Roche replied, “Altbier is indigenous to Dusseldorf and Neanderthal man is indigenous to Dusseldorf. The ancient Germans thought a lot about their existence. Early myths contain some 200 verses about the creation of the world. The ancient Germans thought even more about beer, with 400 verses about beer making. “Phil’s Existential Alt” celebrates our existence through our most celebrated beverage…beer!”

According to Phil, a generous amount of Munich and Vienna malts give this beer its copper color and toasty-caramel aroma. German noble hops provide complimentary bitterness and a clean, dry finish. The beer has been cold-conditioned for six weeks and goes down smooth. ABV 5.1%, IBU 43

The inspiration for the name “Brewer’s Share” came from that mysterious portion that vanishes from a barrel during aging that brewers refer to as the “angel’s share,” and that led to “Brewer’s Share,” an equally mysterious offering that appears during inspiration. Brewer’s Share can also mean a unit of ownership, as in stock. Consider this program to be an Initial Pub Offering (IPO). Whenever you purchase a Brewer’s Share you get a unit of ownership — one share of the batch.  As a shareholder you have the right to consume the beverage. In doing so you will also be investing in the public good — as each brewer not only chooses the recipe, they choose a local charity or organization that will benefit from each bottle sold — which can bring an excellent Return on Ingestion (ROI).

Full Sail’s Brewer’s Share small batch offerings will be available in 22oz. bottles and on draft.  The other beers in the 2012 line-up include Extra Special Barney (ESB), Chris’s Summer Delight Berliner Weiss and Big Daddy J’s Malt Liquor. Full Sail will release one Brewer’s Share at a time and a new beer will be released for each season.

With each Brewer’s Share series beer, Full Sail picks a local charity or organization to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. Phil has chosen to support Friends of the Children, so every barrel of his Existential Alt benefits this organization. Friends of the Children (FOTC) is a revolutionary mentoring program that provides paid professional mentors, called Friends, to the community’s most vulnerable children. FOTC selects youth in kindergarten and mentors them through high school graduation (12 ½ years). Through the support of Friends, children are learning the skills to become healthy members of our community.

About Full Sail Brewing Company:

The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment our specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Wassail, Session Premium, Session Black, and Session Fest lager. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 25 years.  Committed to brewing great beer and sustainable practices their award winning brews are now available in 29 states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week. Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view.  http://www.fullsailbrewing.com

by Reid Ramsay
Posted in Press Releases

Kona Heads To Alabama

KAILUA-KONA, HI – Craft beer drinkers in Alabama will soon be able to experience Liquid Aloha when Kona Brewing Company’s flagship Longboard Island Lager and the rest of the portfolio will be made available throughout the state this spring. Alabama will mark the 31st state where Kona Brewing Co.’s beers are available.Beginning the week of April 2nd, Kona beers and will be available in stores and on draught in such cities as Birmingham, Montgomery, Mobile, and Huntsville.

Kona Brewing president Mattson Davis said of the expansion; “Liquid Aloha has officially spread from the Big Island to the Heart of Dixie! Handcrafted brews like ours are a natural fit as Alabama’s appetite for craft beer grows. And Alabamans who enjoy camping, fishing, boating and hiking will soon see that Kona goes hand-in-hand with adventurous lifestyles, thanks to the availability of Longboard Lager in cans.”

Craft beer drinkers will find Kona at bars and restaurants throughout Alabama with craft beer offerings, as well as in specialty beer shops, liquor stores and regional grocery store chains. Kona Brewing’s Longboard Island Lager will be available in bottles, on draught and in 12 ounce cans for better portability where glass bottles typically aren’t allowed — like on Gulf Shores beaches or by the pool. In addition to Kona’s other year-round offering Fire Rock Pale Ale, Kona’s full seasonal line up of Aloha Series beers will also be available beginning with the spring seasonal in the series, Koko Brown.

About Kona Brewing:

Kona Brewing Company was started in the spring of 1994 by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa, who had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. It is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. This helps to minimize its carbon footprint by reducing shipping of raw materials, finished beer and wasteful packaging materials. The brewery is headquartered where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island. It has grown into Hawaii’s largest brewery, has three restaurant sites in Hawaii and beer distribution reaching 30 states and Japan. It is the 13th largest craft brewery in the country. For more information call 808-334-BREW or

by Reid Ramsay