Maltose Falcons

Too many breweries in the U.S.?

A controversial blog post by World Class Beverages yesterday sparked quite a bit of discussion. Per the article:

“Are there too many brewers in the US? Are there too many beers? It sounds a little bit like crazy talk, but there are a fair number of brewers who seem to feel that this may be the case.”

Really interesting given that we were just celebrating how well craft beer has done in 2009 and now the question is asked . . . is the industry doing too well? Greg Koch from Stone Brewing chimed in as both a brewery owner and a distributor. Lots of talk about this over at RateBeer as well. Finally, some great insight from Erik at Top Fermented.

By the way, cheers to World Class for diving headfirst into our little web community. It’s great to get their perspective considering many of us aren’t in the industry. I wish that more distributors would start blogs even if it is to just identify and/or update what brands they carry.

Pennsylvania Beer Raids

Joe Sixpack wrote yesterday about the disclaimer on the PCLB beer brand registry more or less proclaiming not to use the list. It is funny how burdensome the PLCB has made it for the industry to follow its rules though no one has made it burdensome for them to enforce them (until now, I suppose). Wouldn’t it just be grand if retailers, brewers and distributors rang their phones off the hook next week because the registry disclaimer clearly implies that people shouldn’t go by the list? Spin it right back in their direction . . .

More state representatives are speaking out against the raids and a hearing could be scheduled on April 13th. Is there a live web feed for these things for the rest of us?

Jack Curtin is reporting that he’s hearing that there are rumors that the PLCB is trying to smooth things over “behind the scenes.”

Lew Bryson’s Abolish the PLCB Facebook group is now 3,000 strong.

Craft Beer in Japan

CNN just ran a story on a craft beer bar in Tokyo, Japan, and the main picture shows Three Floyds, Southern Tier, Great Divide, Stone Brewing, Green Flash Brewing and Coronado Brewing on tap.

On one hand, it’s an incredible display of how far craft beer has come but on the other hand, how does it make those who can’t get these beers right in the States?

Weekend Reading: Too many breweries, Pennsylvania raids, Craft Beer in Japan

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

After the furor caused by the state police raids on three Philadelphia bars, and a subsequent raid on a beer distributor, there does appear to be a backlash coming. Several people predicted that was one possible outcome — I believe Don and Lew both mentioned it — and now it may indeed be playing out [...]

Please indulge me for a moment as I go off topic, beery news will follow. Regular Bulletin readers will know I’m a huge fan of the late stand-up comedian Bill Hicks, who died in 1994. Even though he’s been gone 16 years, his comedy is as fresh and relevant as it was then, a testament [...]

Thursday’s ad is for the Spoetzl Brewery, makers of Shiner Bock. Today is their 101st anniversary. This isn’t too old, but I like the concept of it. It has an old-time look and feel to it and it’s part of a larger series that focuses on the actual brewery workers. If you’ve ever been to [...]

Since we’ve been in the Middle East and Afghanistan, we’ve struggled with how to keep our soldiers happy and yet respect local laws and customs. In March of 2006, General Abizaid of the U.S. Central Command, signed General Order No. 1 to help clarify and determine how our men and women fighting overseas are permitted [...]

(Boston, MA) – Quick note regarding The Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project.

According to its Facebook page, you will find Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbits Hoppy Tripel 22 oz. bombers on shelves as early as next week. The beer was launched on draft last night in Cambridge.

Pretty Things February 27th, 1832 Mild Ale, the first in its Once Upon a Time Series, just hit shelves recently as well.

The video below from the 1832 release shows the quirky personality of this little brewery.

Pretty Things Fluffy White Rabbits coming soon

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

Full Sail Hop Pursuit: next in Brewmaster Reserve Series

NOLA Hurricane Saison coming next week

Batemans Mr. George’s Ruby Porter incoming to U.S. market

Olde Main Brewing lets fans decide first high proof beer brewed

Kona Brewing announces new lightweight bottle

Wild Rose Czech Pils returns

Press Releases: Full Sail, Kona, Olde Main, Batemans, NOLA, Wild Rose

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

NOLA Brewing Releases First Seasonal Ale

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA–MARCH 9, 2010 – NOLA Brewing, a local craft brewery located in New Orleans, Louisiana will release their first seasonal beer, a French Saison style ale named Hurricane Saison, on March 16. This selection, available in 5 gallon kegs, as well as 2.25 gallon draft packs that are available directly to consumers, will run through the mid-June.

This seasonal ale will be brewed with five different types of malts, including one un-malted raw wheat, pilsner and aromatic malts. Hurricane Saison contains three types of hops: Sterling, Kent Goldings, and Styrian Goldings. While most Belgian ales don’t usually have this many hops, founder Coco says, “Much of the hops in Hurricane Saison are for aroma rather than for added bitterness, and the use of various wheat malts makes for a smooth, balanced beer.” NOLA Brewmaster, Peter Caddoo also uses a unique blend of spices added in the kettle that includes cumin, black pepper and grains of paradise.

This beer’s name comes from first the word Saison is the Flemish word meaning “season” and was originated in Wallonia in southern Belgium. This style of ale was brewed at the beginning of winter in a farmhouse brewery in order to quench the thirst of the farmhands who worked the fields in the summer. These beers had to survive the spring heat without becoming too infected by summertime, which is why this type of beer is fermented at higher temperatures.

The next seasonal NOLA beer will be released in time for Summer 2010, and will be called 7th Street Wheat – an unfiltered wheat beer dry-hopped with lemon-basil.

New Orleans Lager and Ale – a.k.a. NOLA (also a nickname for New Orleans, Louisiana) is the only commercial brewery located in the city of New Orleans and just celebrated its one year anniversary on March 3, 2010. Coco says, “I am passionate about bringing the entrepreneurial spirit of New Orleans to life and the community response to NOLA Brewing has been tremendous since our launch in 2009. The introduction of this seasonal beer, Hurricane Saison, is the first of many seasonal beers you will see from NOLA Brewing.”

NOLA Brewing has three additional fine ales distributed throughout Louisiana. NOLA Blonde, NOLA Brown and Hopitoulas IPA.

For more information visit: http://www.nolabrewing.com or follow them on twitter at @NOLABrewing.

NOLA Hurricane Saison coming next week

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

SBS IMPORTS & BATEMANS ANNOUCNE ARRIVAL OF MR. GEORGE’S RUBY PORTER TO USA MARKET

Seattle, WA. March 5, 2010 – Batemans Brewery of Wainfleet, Lincolnshire, England and SBS Imports of Seattle, Washington are pleased to announce the premiere arrival of Batemans Mr. George’s Ruby Porter to United States market. Mr. George’s joins regularly available items Triple XB (XXXB) Classic Pale Ale, Combined Harvest Multigrain Beer, and the seasonal Rosey Nosey Holiday Ale.

Founded in 1874, Batemans is one of the few remaining multi-generational family brewers in England. Now under the guidance of fourth-generation of family management, the Brewery has prospered not only on the strength of its flagship Triple XB (XXXB) but also by an imaginative expansion of the range of bottled ales.

Mr. George’s is identical to the beer sold in England known as Batemans Dark Lord, but re-named for the U.S. market due to a trademark conflict. Dark Lord has been one of Batemans most awarded beers. In both 2007 & 2008 it was named among “The World’s Fifty Best Beers” at the Drinks International Beer Challenge.

Dark Lord has a deep black color with reddish hints and is capped by rich creamy foam. The aroma features roasted grain notes with spicy-citrus hop notes. The palate is roasty with hints of coffee and licorice and an underlying fruit accent and long finish. It will be sold in cases of 12/16.9 ounce bottles, with a suggested retail price of $4.99. 5% alcohol by volume.

“Our Father (known at the Brewery as Mr. George) was keenly interested in having our brand return to the USA after a lengthy absence. We’re pleased to name the beer in his honor to celebrate our second year back in America,” noted Marketing Director Jaclyn Bateman.

“Ruby Porter is a rare style that I believe is very well-suited to the American specialty beer consumer’s palate,” commented SBS Founder and President, Alan Shapiro. “I am thrilled to add this beer to the SBS portfolio.”

SBS-Imports was created in 2003 by specialty beer industry veteran Alan Shapiro. In addition to Batemans, SBS represents Aspall English Cyders from Suffolk, England and the De Proef Brewmaster’s Collection from Lochristi, Belgium. SBS also is a partner in Reunion – A Beer for Hope, which raises funds for the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research. More information is available at www.sbs-imports.com.

Batemans Mr. George’s Ruby Porter incoming to U.S. market

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

The Golden Elixir is Back . . . Wild Rose Brewery’s CZECH PILZ

March 9, 2010 – Calgary, AB – Alberta craft brewer, Wild Rose Brewery, is looking forward to Spring and with it, the launch of their latest Seasonal Release, CZECH PILZ, on March 12, 2010. This straw coloured lager is crisp, clean and refreshing and sold out in only three weeks when it was released in 2009.

Once again, this lager has been crafted to satisfy. With a distinct hop aroma and flavour, Wild Rose CZECH PILZ entices with its easy drinkability. Canadian Superior Pilsener malt cleverly mingles with a generous blend of Saaz and Vanguard hops to create a pure and natural European-style Pilsener. The alcohol is 5.5% alc./vol.

When asked about how this brew of CZECH PILZ differs from last year’s interpretation, Wild Rose Brewer, David Neilly says, “This year we used Vanguard as the bittering hop compared to Hallertau hops.” Despite the success and popularity of last year’s brew, Neilly wanted to make the 2010 batch even better, “by using a new Bohemian yeast and by changing the hop profile our CZECH PILZ will be drier and more crisp than ever before.”

The official launch of CZECH PILZ will take place at the Wild Rose Brewery & Taproom on Friday, March 12th. Two cask conditioned kegs, each with the addition of a different variety of hops, will be tapped at 4:00pm MST. Crafted in limited quantities, Wild Rose CZECH PILZ will be available in 500ml flip-top bottles at select liquor stores in Alberta, on tap at a handful of watering holes including The Ship and Anchor in Calgary and at Wild Rose Brewery & Taproom.

Established in 1996, Wild Rose Brewery is a local Calgary craft brewery, which is passionate about creating great tasting beers, and is dedicated to using only the freshest ingredients. Available throughout Alberta in bottles and on tap, all of Wild Rose’s beers are all natural, unpasteurized and preservative free. This quality is reflected in Wild Rose Brewery’s brews including Wild Rose Velvet Fog, Wild Rose SOB, Wild Rose WRaspberry Ale, Wild Rose WRed Wheat, Wild Rose Brown Ale and Wild Rose IPA.

The Seasonal Release Program evolved from Wild Rose Brewery’s desire to brew small amounts of interesting beers to further educate Albertans about the vast range of beer styles. Crafted in limited quantities these unique brews are available only until each batch runs out.

Wild Rose Brewery & Taproom is located on the Currie Barracks at #2, 4580 Quesnay Wood Drive SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3E 7J3. www.wildrosebrewery.com

Wild Rose Czech Pils returns

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

I was just at the Church Brew Works this afternoon (I'm out here with my daughter's school robotics team at the FIRST regional competition), sampling a Burly Friar Barleywine (seen at right, talked about here, and it was good: not bourbony, but drier wood spice and a little vanilla, and certainly not a flabby beer at all; I had Brant's Czech Pils, too, and it was very nice, body was about perfect). I'm talking with Brant (ran into him on the steps out front, it was a gorgeous day here), when Church owner Sean Casey walks up. We chat, he says he can't talk long, there's a state senator coming for a tour. We talked a little beer raid smack, and in walks the Senator.

And Sean introduces me. Next thing I know, I'm talking about the beer raids with Senator John Pippy (R-37), who is the chairman of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, the folks who oversee the PLCB in the Senate. Good guy to know! That's when he told me that his committee and the House Liquor Control Committee will be holding joint hearings on the beer raids on April 13. There will be representatives from the PLCB, the State Police BLCE, Monk's Cafe (I assume as the owner of one of the seized brands), and Origlio Beverage. Not mentioned, you'll notice, is Brendan Hartranft and Leigh Maida, the owners of the bars that were raided first. There's more on this at Don Russell's Joe Sixpack site, and Don also has an excellent piece on just how worthless the brand registration list is; go read that now, because it will really piss you off.

A couple titbits to add. First, I asked him just what purpose brand registration serves. He told me that it was for consumer protection, to tell you where the beer came from. But all that's right on the label, I said. Well, there's not that much on a beer label, he began...and I decided to let it go. More on that at the other blog later. Second, and of more interest to Philadelphians, we talked about the source of the original complaint. It seemed odd that an anonymous complaint would be taken so seriously, I said. Did the BLCE really do that on the basis of an anonymous tip, or are they just keeping the identity confidential? They know, he said; they said they had a "complaint." That means they know who made the complaint. Interesting.

(Sacramento, CA) – Odonata Beer Company (OH-DOE-NAH-TA) will release its first flagship beer in bottles next month: Odonata Saison. There’s been much written about the startup brewery, named after the order that encompasses all dragonflies and damselflies, hence the logo. It is headed up by Rick Sellers of Pacific Brew News and formerly the Draft Magazine Beer Editor and Peter Hoey, former Brewmaster of Sacramento Brewing (now closed). For more background on them and the brewery, I’ll turn you to the links at the bottom of the post rather than rehash the history here.

According to K.M. Weaver from HopPress, Odonata Saison “will be based on Peter’s GABF gold-medal-winning recipe, with the first batch being aged in stainless steel (due to the difficulty in acquiring enough white wine barrels at this time of year), while the subsequent batches will enjoy some relaxing time inside of some barrels.”

Some additional Saison notes off of the brewery’s blog can be found here.

I asked Sellers a few additional questions about what is new as the brewery gets ready for the release of Saison:

1) What’s the size of the brewhouse? Or are you brewing these at another facility?

a. We’re currently partnering with several breweries. Our full production beers (Saison) are brewed on a 50bbl system. We’re hoping to have an official “Alternating Premise” license in the weeks to come, which allows us to pour at festivals and do more in the way of marketing. As is, we work with breweries and take over the brewdeck when they have an open fermentor. To be sure though, it’s Peter that makes every drop of beer we have. It is our goal to have our own facility in Sacramento by the end of 2010, we’re currently putting a plan together to make that happen. Ideally, that would be a 30bbl brew house.

2) How will your beers be packaged?

a. Being that we want to focus on Belgian-style beers, we’re primarily going to be bottled to allow for bottle conditioning. We will have a handful of kegs at any given time for accounts that we want to promote the brand. Also, we’ll have small batches of one-off beers that will find their way into kegs around NorCal – we’ve already done this with Water Witch (Belgian Dark Strong) and our sour ales (Beersel & Rosa). Still, the vast majority of what we want is bottle conditioned beers. Our Saison will be in 22-ounce bottles and our Reserve Series beers will be in 750ml cork-and-cage packages.

3) Where will these beers be available?

a. We want to focus on being a local brewery first and foremost. We may send the occasional palate to another market, but we really want our focus to be on our own back yard with accounts we can visit, shake hands with and have a lasting relationship with. We’re just two guys and we really believe in face-to-face support, if we can drive there in a few hours we’d love to sell you a beer.

4) Water Witch: when do you plan to release this one in bottles?

a. We’re hoping this will be ready for an Autumn release. It’s a 9.5% beer, which makes it a more challenging beer in the hot summers we have in Sacramento. We think this will be our second Reserve Series beer (Rories Ale was our first) – putting it in a 750ml cork-and-cage bottle.

5) Anything else newsworthy that I can mention?

a. We are a sister company to Odonata Wines, which is headed up by Peter’s brother Denis Hoey. His wines are fantastic and get pretty amazing reviews. It’s our long-term goal to age as many beers as possible in Denis’ wine barrels, to really blur the lines of beer and wine and to really celebrate our love of both beverages.

b. Most of our beer names will have significance – if you’re well read on Odonata (the dragonfly) you may know that in old Europe dragonflies were commonly referred to as Water Witches. We’ve also got some fun names for beers in the works – they’re not just catchy. I personally love things like that.

c. Our labels too – they tell a story. If you take a look at our Saison label you’ll find a lot of homage paid to the tradition of the beer and the world-class brewers of the style. In fact, there isn’t anything on that label on accident. Many beer geeks have picked up on a few items, but we hope our labels tell the story of the beer – not just the name. Oh, the labels rock, by the way! Thanks to Damian Fagan for that – the man is a genius when it comes to labels and I’m proud that Odonata is his first commercial label. If you can check out the labels he’s done for his homebrews, you’ll see why we wanted him to help us out with our labels. An amazing and talented artist with a real passion for beer.

d. Can I mention our glassware? Yeah, we thought about that as well. Our Water Witch glass was chosen because the shape really enhances the aromas of the beer – no, we’re not unique in this. However, when you see our Saison glass… I hope a deeper story comes out. You see, we see Saison as a working-class beer, perfect for a refreshment after a day outside under the sun. The beer is sturdy, functional and elegant. We wanted a glass that was all these things as well. It’s a heavy glass, for starters, a solid piece of glass when held in the hand – a burly glass if you will. Yet, it has some elegance to it as well, just like our beer. We’re not the only company that has this particular glass, but we certainly chose it deliberately to further tell the story of our beer.

e. We’re geeks.

f. We appreciate all the support we’ve received from beer enthusiasts from everywhere – it’s truly a blessing to work in an industry like this with fans that are polite and entertaining. Seriously, the people make all this a truly amazing ride.

You can subscribe to brewery updates on both Facebook, Twitter and their blog.

Further learning:

New Brewery Spotlight by K.M. Weaver

Brewmaster, Peter Hoey, on Basic Brewing Radio (direct audio link)

Saison Brew Day pics

Odonata Saison set to debut in bottles

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

HOP PURSUIT A NEW BREWMASTER RESERVE BEER FROM FULL SAIL BREWING COMPANY

Hood River, OR – As the sun rises earlier and stays out longer, the Full Sail crew celebrates the coming of spring and the sprouting of this year’s hop crop with a new beer in their Brewmaster Reserve line-up. Hop Pursuit is a crisp, orange blonde extra pale ale with a medium malt body that’s chased by a ton of hop flavor and zing of bitterness. It was brewed with the less aggressive, old school craft brewing hops- Cascade, Willamette, and Mt. Hood- to celebrate more of the hop flavor and less of the hop bitterness. These give the beer a nice and fresh citrus herbal character without a lot of intensity; instead it has a softly flavorful character with touches of orange and lemon. The beer was dry hopped for two weeks to amplify these delicate hop flavors. It will be available in specialty beer stores and pubs throughout the Pacific
Northwest from March to June in 22oz bottles and draft. ABV 6% IBUs: 55

The next beer in Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve line up will be Spotless IPA to be released in June. For a full list of Full Sail’s Brewmaster Reserve Beers please visit

http://www.fullsailbrewing.com/FullSailBrewmasterCalendar.pdf

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 47 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, Session and Session Black Premium lager. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 22 years. Committed to brewing great beer and sustainable practices their award winning brews are now available in nineteen 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. www.fullsailbrewing.com.

Full Sail Hop Pursuit: next in Brewmaster Reserve Series

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

Kona Brewing to use lighter bottle in an effort to curb environmental impact

Kailua-Kona, Big Island of Hawaii, March 9, 2010 . . . In a move to minimize environmental impact, Kona Brewing Company has announced its award-winning beer will be produced in glass bottles that are 11% lighter than before. The company, Hawaii’s largest brewer, has reduced its bottle weight from 8 ounces to 7.3 ounces for all Kona brands. The new lightweight Longboard Island Lager bottles will begin hitting shelves of grocers and specialty beer stores in late February, and the new bottle will be virtually identical to current bottles in look and feel. The new weight Fire Rock Pale Ale and Wailua Wheat Ale bottles will be on shelves by late March, 2010.

The famous flavors of Kona brands will be completely unaffected, and no changes will be made to the brewing process, quality or recipes of the beers. Like many sustainability programs the brewer has implemented, such as its new solar energy generating system at the brewery in Hawaii, the savings on the new lightweight bottle will be great for both the company and the environment. The reduction in bottle weight will save 3,375 tons of CO2 emitted per year, which is the same as the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a car traveling 8 million miles and equates to taking 511 cars off the road for a year. Seen another way, the savings also equates to easing the workload of 154,688 trees, which would have been taxed with offsetting the CO2 emitted by production of bottles, shipping and fuel.

“I am absolutely thrilled this day has come,” said Kona Brewing Company’s president and CEO Mattson Davis. “As we have gained in popularity on the Mainland, sustainability is even more important in getting our beer out there responsibly, and I’m proud Kona has found ways to protect the flavor of our beers while reducing use of unnecessary materials.”

Kona Brewing Company was started in the spring of 1994 by a father and son team that 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. Recently Kona announced the installation of a 229 kW solar energy generating system at its Kailua-Kona brewery and pub on Hawaii’s Big Island. The company 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 28 states and Japan. The brewery was named the fastest growing top-50 craft brewing company in the country based on 2008 sales figures. It posted 19.8 percent year over year growth in 2009. For more information call 808-334-BREW or visit www.KonaBrewingCo.com.

Kona Brewing announces new lightweight bottle

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

AMES, Iowa (March 10, 2010) – Gov. Chet Culver signed a bill today to allow Iowa breweries to manufacture and sell higher-proof beers up to 12%. Out of state breweries were already selling these higher-proof beers in Iowa, but in-state breweries were restricted to a 5% cap. A movement for Iowa Beer Equality arose to remove the competitive disadvantage Iowa breweries faced. The passing of SF 2088 now allows Iowa brewers to sell many more styles of beer.

Olde Main Brewing Co. is turning to fans to decide the first high proof beer the Ames-based brewery will brew. Voting is taking place online at http://www.oldemainbrewing.com/poll.html and at the restaurant and brewpub until March 24th. The following beers are being voted on: Double IPA, Dopple Bock, Russian Imperial Stout, Barleywine, Wee Heavy Scottish, or fans can submit their own recommendation.

# # #

About Olde Main Brewing Co.
Ames-based Olde Main Brewing Co. & Restaurant opened in 2004 and has become one of the fastest growing breweries in Iowa. It is the only Iowa-based restaurant & brewpub that also bottles their beer. Olde Main currently distributes to most of the state and brews six styles of beer, along with a root beer and various seasonals throughout the year.

Olde Main Brewing lets fans decide first high proof beer brewed

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

Yesterday on Don Russell’s Beer Radar, he had the basic information on a second raid by the PLCB and Pennsylvania State Troopers. As promised, a fuller account was published today, with additional reporting by Bob Warner, in the Philadelphia Daily News. Here’s the account, entitled In Another Raid, State Police Hit Beer Distributor, Origlio’s, in [...]

Wednesday’s ad is for a presumably short-lived New York City brewery, Brewer’s Best Associates, Inc., which was located at 620 Fifth Avenue. The ad for their Pilsener Beer is from 1947. The normally authoritative American Breweries II doesn’t even have a listing for the brewery, which is odd. It’s the first time I’ve looked up [...]

(Grand Rapids, MI) – Though Portsmouth Kate the Great was all the buzz last week, Founders Brewing is releasing a behemoth beer of its own this weekend.

Founders plans to hold a launch party for Kentucky Breakfast Stout on Saturday, March 13th, at the brewery. The party starts at 9:30 pm with a couple bands playing.

In the past, bottles have arrived at a handful of stores early though I’m not so sure that is the brewery’s intention. I checked Twitter for KBS or “Kentucky Breakfast Stout” and there are some sightings in New Jersey and Georgia so far. There’s a thread up at Beer Advocate for sightings as well.

This is the week to start asking your local stores if they know when they are getting it; if you’re a loyal customer (or even if you aren’t), see if they will reserve you some since some stores don’t even put this out on shelves. Many stores only get a case or two (if any) but it’s possible that, with the brewery expansion, that Founders made more of this. I haven’t confirmed though I’d be curious to hear from distributors as to whether they are getting more this year.

Founders Kentucky Breakfast Stout arrives

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]

I probably shouldn’t speak for you, but this is certainly my worst nightmare. I tweeted this yesterday, but thought it still deserving of a snarky comment again today. Somewhere near Manchester, England is the Alcohol-Free Shop, a store dedicated to all things non-alcoholic. They carry non-alcoholic beer, wine, cider, ready-made cocktails and celebration drinks. They [...]

De Dolle mashtun before the fire; everything done by hand (via Travlr on Flickr)

(West Flanders, BELGIUM) – Still a developing story as the information out there is, for the most part, in Dutch at the moment. De Dolle Brouwers has released an official statement on its website. Here is what I have gathered from a combination of Babelfish and Google translations . . .

From De Dolle’s website:

A hot water tank caught fire.
Part of the structure has burned out; there is also damage to the new roof.
The bottling and brewing are intact as well as the tank room.
It will delay bottling of Oerbier and Arabier. De Dolle Bos Keun and Oerbier Reserva are, however, available for sale.
The “oerbar” has smoke damage so the bar has been moved to the former brewhouse. Tours will continue (miraculously?!).
Spread the word.

P.S.: The “seriously injured” is already at home and will come back Monday. Wish for a speedy recovery.

Dutch news sources on the fire:

Deredactie.be with short video
HLN.be

RateBeer thread

[Editor's note: I purchased my first bottle from De Dolle this week and drank it (Arabier) last night. Strange timing. I wish the brewery and the injured person the best.]

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Photo Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/travlr/ / CC BY-NC 2.0

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Fire at De Dolle Brouwers in Belgium, brewery’s official statement translated

[Disclaimer: Beernews.org is a leader in craft beer news and is the original source of this article. If you would like to check out more, please visit the original site. Thanks!]