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Clean-up Begins @ Coney Island Brewing
31 October 2012
This is sad to see…the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy @ Coney Island Brewing…but I will be excited to see the results when they are back to normal again.
Lost Abbey - Vodcast # 37 - GABF Happenings
Before we ventured to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival this year we announced that our fellow Saint, Abbey, had gone missing.
From Lost Abbey:
We announced there would be a reward for the person to follow his tracks and catch him at his final destination. Thanks to the help of Michael Kearns, and several more, he was found. This video pertains some of his whereabouts and his finding, as well as our success that followed later at the GABF awards ceremony.
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Allagash Making Ghoulschip Again - First Time Since 2008
Just a quick photo from Allagash Brewing today showing of the fact that they are brewing Ghoulschip again for the first time since 2008. This from Allagash: Crushing pumpkins for the Ghoulship!! First time we've made it since '08 Will cool overnight in the Coolship.…
Mothers Brewing Thing 1 & Thing 2 Available Now
Just a quick note from Mothers Brewing Showing off 2013 Thing 1 (Pumpkin Porter) & Thing 2 (Smoked Baltic Porter)…both available now.
American Craft Beer Week 2013 - Craftbeer.com (Video)
From Craftbeer.com:
Considered The Mother of All Beer Weeks, American Craft Beer Week (May 13-19, 2013) recognizes one of America's true culinary arts and provides a platform for small and independent craft brewers to salute supporters and connect with their local communities. Tens of thousands of today's beer enthusiasts, beer beginners and hard core beer geeks will toast the week with brewery celebrations predicted to take place in all 50 states.
Visit http://CraftBeer.com/acbw to learn more.
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Anheuser-Busch Wins Right To Retain Partial Ownership of City Beverage Chicago
From the ChicagoTribune:
Anheuser-Busch Cos. can retain its minority ownership stake in one of Chicago's largest beer distributors, Illinois liquor regulators ruled Wednesday, allowing the beer maker to have some control over its sales.
The decision comes in a long-running standoff between Busch and the Illinois Liquor Control Commission over the state's three-tier system of selling alcohol, in which separate companies make the product, ship it and sell it to consumers.
In 2010, Anheuser-Busch informed Illinois regulators that it intended to buy out City Beverage, which has four distribution operations in the state. Busch has been allowed to distribute beer in Illinois since 1980 and had acquired 30 percent of City Beverage, which was majority-owned by Detroit-based Soave Enterprises.
Odell - La Calavera Pumpkin Chili Stout
Exciting news from Odell Brewing:
Odell Brewing and Rio Grande Mexican Restaurants got together to brew a chili pumpkin stout.
In celebration of this unique collaboration, Odell Brewing and the Rio will be hosting tapping parities on October 31st 2012.
The keg tapping festivities will begin at Odell's Tap Room,
800 East Lincoln Avenue, from 4:00pm and at 6:00pm.
Guests are encouraged to dress up and enjoy samples of the brew, local snacks, and live music by Lee Holiday and The Time Off.
The crowds will then be directed to the Rio patio, 143 WMountain Ave, where the festivities will continue with another keg tapping of La Calavera and live music by The Constant Tourists.
Wynkoop - Orville Barrel-Aged Belgian Returns
Good news from Wynkoop: Our barrel-aged Belgian favorite, Orville is back! But only at our 2012 Beers of the Year event in November.
Troegs Scratch # 80 Belgian Brown Abbey Ale Coming Soon
Just a quickie from Troegs….Scratch # 80 will be a Belgian Brown Abbey Ale to celebrate Chris’ one-year wedding anniversary.
DAM Gogh Biere de Garde Coming 11/2 (Video)
The original details are here and now…here comes the beer!
Stone Brewing - Packaging Hall Build Time-Lapse Video
From Stone:
It's not every day we build most of a building in a day. So from dawn to dusk on October 26th we thought we'd capture it with 1 frame, every 10 seconds.
The building, known locally as "The Packaging Hall," when finished will house our bottling and keg line. More importantly, all the beer we brew at the brewery will be piped under the parking lot via a series of tubes (similar to Sen. Ted Stevens' vision of the internet) to the new building.
Result? More fresh beer for you.
We thought it was kind of cool and wanted to share it with you. Oh, and while you enjoy it, dig the tunes from our friends Bad Veins (http://badveins.net/).
Friday BeerBuzz - 2 Nov 2012 The Teaser
Last week another Friday BeerBuzz dream cam true for me. It may sound silly, but Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale has always been one of my absoluter favorite beers, and it’s a beer we take to the beach every year; so the memories are very fond. Since the early days of the Friday BeerBuzz, I’ve wanted to feature Dale’s Pale Ale with Dale himself--Dale Katechis from Oskar Blues. I’m happy to report we had a great time talking to Dale last week on the show and an even better time tasting Dale’s Pale Ale with him. Cheers Dale and thank you!
So what will we be sampling this week? Hint: This week we’re keeping our guests closer to home…in fact both guests are local brewers and not only can you hear them on Friday, you can meet them on Saturday.
Tune in at 8:30AM and see what beer we sample on the Friday BeerBuzz on WILK…bringing good beers and good people together. (103.1FM or wilknewsradio.com)
Read more...
New Belgium Releasing Last Two 2012 Lips of Faith Beers: Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout & Biere de Garde
We brought you the labels for New Belgium Lips of Faith Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout and Biere de Garde and now today the official press release from New Belgium:
Ft. Collins, CO, October 31, 2012/mbb/ – New Belgium Brewing’s Lips of Faith Series (http://www.newbelgium.com/beer.aspx) is rolling out its fourth and final round of Lips of Faith beers for 2012. The selections are Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout and Biere de Garde, a collaboration ale with Michigan-based Brewery Vivant.
New Belgium recently began selling its products in Michigan, affording the opportunity to collaborate with Grand Rapids-based Brewery Vivant. The breweries first worked together to create Escoffier, which was met with high regard, and now they’ve created a beer for the Lips of Faith series. The bright and refreshing Biere de Garde ale has a citrus bite from the peels of oranges and bergamots, reinforced with Sorachi Ace hops. The copper-colored beer is brewed with pale malt, oats for creaminess, and a hint of clove from Vivant's house yeast, which brings a spicy bite to the finish. Alcohol by volume: 9%.
To read more about the friendship that has formed between the breweries, visit http://www.newbelgium.com/Community/Blog/12-09-13/Dear-Brewery-Vivant.aspx and http://www.breweryvivant.com/index.php/blog/.
Another match made in heaven – coffee and chocolate – is showcased in New Belgium’s other Lips of Faith selection, Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout. This strong stout is packed with Fort Collins’-own Cafe Richesse espresso, brewed with roasted barley and Midnight Wheat Malt, and spiced with fair trade cocoa nibs. The beer is an extra dark color with a mocha-colored head. Alcohol by volume is 10%.
“Lips of Faith has become a perfect venue for collaborating with brewing brethren around the country,” said New Belgium brewer Grady Hull. “We’ve always been inspired by Brewer Vivant’s beers and this collaboration speaks to our mutual respect.”
“Our Imperial Stout answers the call for beer drinkers seeking the rich, full character of a coffee stout,” added Hull. “The coffee and chocolate combine to offer a bold flavor with a warming brace of alcohol for those cold winter months.”
Imperial Coffee Chocolate Stout and Biere de Garde will be available in November within select markets. Pricing varies by location.
The Lips of Faith series features New Belgium’s more esoteric and palate-elevating creations. The beers are only available in certain locations and for about three months, or as long as supplies last.
To find New Belgium beers in your area, you can use the New Belgium Libation Location tool: http://www.newbelgium.com/beer.aspx. You can also follow New Belgium on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/newbelgium and Twitter @NewBelgium.
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Sierra Nevada - Hop Secret 644
Here’s a new keg label coming from Sierra Nevada for Hop Secret 644. This new brew comes in at 7%ABV and no word so far on whether this is a beer camp brew or not.
Green Flash - Cedar Plank Ale & Hamilton’s 6th Anniversary IPA
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Two new keg labels today from Green Flash Brewing…Cedar Plank Pale Ale (6% ABV) and Hamilton’s 6th Anniversary IPA (6% ABV.)
Read more...Boston Beer Co - Mr. Dooley’s Red Ale
Here’s another new Boston Beer Co keg label for Mr. Dooley’s Red Ale. No details on this beer but it is not a Samuel Adams release.
First Niagara Provides Victory Brewing With $33.1 Million Expansion Financing
We’ve highlighted Victory’s upcoming Parkesburg, PA expansion, and now some of the details on their financing. This from First Niagara:
PARKESBURG, Pa., Oct. 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/mbb -- First Niagara today announced it served as lead arranger and administrative agent in a $33.1 million financing package for Victory Brewing Company. The $33.1 million is being used to finance the build-out of a second brewery, located in a 212,000 square foot building in Parkesburg, Pa. The new brewery will feature a brewhouse capable of producing ten, 200-barrel brews per day, a 50,000 square-foot distribution center with increased efficiency and safety features, and 1,000-barrel fermentation tanks.
Based in Downingtown, Pa., Victory Brewing Company is a premier craft brewery that offers more than 20 varieties of beers.
"We have a long-standing relationship with First Niagara, and they understand our business objectives," said Ron Barchet, Brewmaster and CEO. "They were able to customize a financing solution that will allow us to successfully grow our business and meet the demand for the Victory brand."
"From the beginning, we recognized something very special about this organization," said Robert Kane, regional president at First Niagara. "Not only do they have a solid business plan, they also have a passion for their business. As bankers, we know it takes both to thrive in today's competitive business environment."
Victory Brewing Company has broken ground on their new facility and expects to open for tours in the summer of 2013.
About First Niagara
First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 430 branches, approximately $36 billion in assets, $28 billion in deposits, and approximately 6,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.firstniagara.com.
PR Newswire (http://s.tt/1rrqj)
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Dilewyns Vicaris Winter Coming To the U.S.
From Vanberg & DeWulf:
This November Vicaris Winter will make its first ever appearance in the United States. Available in Keg form only, don’t fail to try this rare and delicious Christmas offering from the ever-inventive Dilewyns.
Vicaris Winter ale pours an intense dark brown, almost black. The nose is a warming mix of licorice and ground coffee. Flavore of anise, sweet molasses and roasted coffee dominate the palate. Like all of Dilewyn’s offerings, Vicaris Winter is never filtered. Instead it is only cold clarified by lagering for at least one month. This is one reason why the beer is so well attenuated and smooth. You would never guess it was 10% ABV.
Dilewyns is winning more and more kudos and founder Anne-Catherine is being recognized as a rising star talent both in the world of Belgian brewing and the realm of women in the industry. Vicaris Winter is simply the latest proof of her prowess. Colin Hirsch of Serious Eats asserts that:
“Beer runs through Anne-Catherine's veins: her great-great grandmother founded a brewery here in the late 1800s, and her father, Vincent Dilewyns, is one of Belgium's most decorated home brewers. It's dad's recipes that inform such beers as the fruity, beguiling Vicaris Tripel, but it's Dilewyns' poise and hard work that are earning her beers accolades. (Somehow it makes sense that Dilewyn's beers are being imported by another industry veteran, Wendy Littlefield of Vanberg & DeWulf).”
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Drake’s Jolly Rodger Returns 11/10, Black Robusto Now In Bottles & Barrel-Aged Beers Coming Soon
From Drakes:
As the winds rise and the chill begins to fall on the Bay Area, the brewers at Drake's beckon forth again their swashbuckling seasonal Jolly Rodger from the fog. On Saturday, November 10 at 12pm at Drake's Barrel House, this year's incarnation of our always bold Jolly Rodger will emerge from the tanks to greet craft beer fans on tap and in 22 oz. bottles.
Fans of Jolly Rodger will know that this brew has over the years taken many forms and styles. Now, after years of scallywagging about and dallying with any style that caught its fancy, good ole JR is returning to it's original form, an American Barleywine.
Originally crafted as a holiday brew that Drake's brewers could get behind, Jolly had all the warming powers of malt and alcohol, minus the strange holiday beer ubiquitousness of overpowering pie spices, and finished with the open handed smack of bold Northwest American hops.
The 2012 Jolly Rodger is full-bodied with rich caramel malt undertones and mild biscuit malt character. Sufficient additions of West Coast hops balance the malt with pine needle aromatics and satisfying bitterness.
Release Event Details:
When: Saturday, November 10 from 12-9pm
Where: Drake's Barrel House- 1933 Davis St., San Leandro, CA 94577
Food: Oakland's Fist of Flour Wood-fire Pizza
Beer Availability:
Jolly Rodger will be available on tap, on cask, in growlers (2 per person), in (very limited) 5 gallon kegs (1 per person), and in 22oz bottles (6 per person limit).
We will also be pulling some barrel-aged Barleywines from our barrels to put on tap at the Barrel House for a Drake's Barleywine Flight opportunity for the beer geeks to drool about.
Drake's Black Robusto Porter Now in Bottles
Bad Water Brewing Enters AZ w/Alliance Beverage
From Bad Water:
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bad Water branded beer has officially begun distribution of its signature Belgian style Saison beer by partnering with industry leader Alliance Beverage Distributing Company for statewide coverage.
"Our mission was to unveil this unique Saison recipe with all the bang we could and honestly we couldn't be more pleased with the results, to that we owe serious thanks to our outstanding brewers and distribution partners. Plus it's a great bonus we get to kick off in our own hometown," said President Lewis Kubitz.
The Bad Water brand has been building a local buzz with its unusual approach to marketing through edgy yet sophisticated artwork and advertisements commonly marked with a signature water splash. The unique Belgian style Saison beer balances the highest grade grains, hops, spices, and special blended yeast for a different taste and drinkability profile. The company’s decision to start with a Saison flavor was to fill a gap in the craft beer lineup and draw attention to a well deserving but not so well known style.
Alliance Beverage Distributing Company will be showcasing the product in multiple keg sizes, 24-Packs, 6-Packs, and single bottles available for retail stores, bars and restaurants. “We are thrilled to partner with this very creative group of local craft brewers,” added Troy Slicker, Alliance Beverage State Beer Manager. “This signature Belgian style Saison is uniquely differentiated in the market, bringing a fun new twist to craft beer and an excellent addition to our growing craft portfolio.”
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Cigar City Tapping Chocolate Good Gourd Tonight
Great news from Cigar City for anyone wanting to try Chocolate Good Gourd & Hunahpu’s Imperial Stout:
Trick or treat! Tonight we'll be tapping one keg of Chocolate Good Gourd! As you can imagine, it's Good Gourd Imperial Pumpkin Ale aged on cacao nibs. Quite the treat.
Of course we will not be tapping that until the keg of Hunahpu's Imperial Stout that we're tapping at 4pm kicks. So...you might wanna stop by tonight to help us get through that one!
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Schlafly Packaging Christmas Ale on Halloween
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ale @ Schlafly today as they package their 2012 Christmas Ale today on Halloween. 
Deschutes Founder Gary Fish Receives Civic Leadership Award
From Deschutes:
Earlier this evening, Deschutes Brewery founder and owner Gary Fish was awarded The Al and Pat Reser Civic Leadership Award at the 2012 Governors’ Gold Awards ceremony at the Oregon Convention Center. The award recognizes one individual each year who has shown a commitment to promoting quality of life in his or her community. Fish was chosen based on the recommendation of mayors from around the state who recognized his impactful support local art, music, natural resources and more.
In 1988, Fish founded Deschutes Brewery, a regional craft brewery which has brew pubs located in Bend and Portland, and a main brewing facility operating in Bend’s Old Mill District to fill distribution in 19 states and two provinces. Deschutes Brewery ranks in the top five craft breweries nationally for growth and volume.
Under Fish’s direction, the brewery gives back $1 per barrel to charitable causes each year, equaling more than a quarter million dollars. A cross-departmental team of passionate individuals help to guide community giving for the company. Earlier this year, Deschutes Brewery pledged to return 1 billion gallons of water to the Deschutes River each year through the Deschutes River Conservancy – the organization’s largest donation to date.
A strong proponent of community involvement, Gary has served on many local and regional boards, been recognized for community service and business operations by the Oregon Restaurant Association, and was previously named as Bend Chamber Citizen of the Year. Fish founded the popular Sagebrush Classic event, which has raised $3 million for Central Oregon children and family charities over the past two decades.
The Governors’ Gold Awards is a private, invitation-only dinner event that is held each year to recognize individuals, companies, organizations and communities that have contributed to the “greatness” of Oregon. The event benefits the Special Olympics Oregon, an organization serving Special Olympics athletes statewide since 1972.
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Chef & Brew Festival Coming To Denver 11/15
From BeerCraving:
Move over wine, the Craft Beer movement is in full force. The Chef and Brew Festival, happening November 15th at The Oriental Theater, is taking this movement to the next level. Twelve of Denver’s top Chefs and twelve of the city’s best Brewers will be challenged to celebrate and create the ultimate beer and food pairings. Guest will then have the opportunity to vote for the Overall Winner.
The mission of Chef and Brew is two-fold. First, we will create an evening of fun and festivities for beer connoisseurs and food-lovers alike. We also hope to introduce our guests to the myriad of food pairing qualities of beer and demonstrate that it can equal, or outperform wine as a synergistic beverage.
“Chefs and brewers are incredibly creative people and we really wanted to channel that in the festival format,” says Mike Burns, one of the festival organizers. Craft Beer is finally starting to take the main stage at the dinner table with many craft beers delivering as much if not more complexity than wine.
About 500 festival attendees are expected, making this a more intimate festival experience. Beer and Food will be served in a tasting format, 2oz beer pours paired with an appetizer from each chef. Guests will receive a souvenir festival tasting glass with full access to the beer and food once inside.
2012 Participants Include:
Elise Wiggins – Panzano, paired with Prost Brewing
Troy Guard – TAG Burger, paired with Wit’s End Brewing
Sheila Lucero – Jax Denver, paired with Funkwerks
Jensen Cummings - Row14, paired with Caution: Brewing
Chris Cina – Ghost Plate and Tap, paired with Breckenridge Brewing
Brendon Doyle – City O’ City, paired with River North Brewing
Jay Leandro – Pub 17, paired with Crooked Stave
Travis Masar – Uncle, paired with Hogshead Brewery
Victoria Vittori – Crock Spot, paired with Strange Brewing
Sean McGaughey – Aria/Opus, paired with West Flanders Brewing
Taylor Drew – Russel’s Smokehouse, paired with Elevation Beer Company
Cory Treadway – Wynkoop, paired with Wynkoop Brewing
Non-Profit Details:
The festival will be partnering with Diggity to host a silent auction and raffle. Diggity is a growing Denver non-profit that promotes fun, rewarding group events where people of all ages get active and get to know each other. Participants play together and work together to strengthen their communities and take ownership of their shared public resources. For more information visit: www.diggity.org
Event Details:
When: Thursday, November 15, 2012 from 6 to 9:30pm
Where: The Oriental Theater 4335 West 44th Ave
Tickets: $39 Advance/$49 Door
To purchase tickets visit: www.chefandbrewfestival.com
Fireman’s Brew Offering Stock to CA Residents
From Fireman’s Brew:
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 30, 2012 - Fireman's Brew, Inc. (www.FiremansBrew.com), a Los Angeles-based craft beer company founded by two firefighters, today announced that it is conducting a private offering of stock for California residents.
In accordance with the provisions of California Corporations Code Section 25102(n), the Company is offering 6,250,000 Shares of Common Stock at $0.80 per Share for an aggregate offering price of $5,000,000. The minimum purchase is 6,250 Shares for $5,000*. Prospective investors must be residents of the state of California and must be qualified purchasers as defined under California Corporations Code Section 25102(n)(2).
Fireman's Brew was born from the vision of two Los Angeles based firefighters after extinguishing a brushfire high above the Glendale Mountains. As the two were sitting on the hillside reflecting on their exhausting day on the fire lines, they had a vision to create a premium line of beverages that would quench their thirst and help them relax. From this vision emerged Fireman's Brew, a California corporation that produces and distributes the premium line of Fireman's Brew branded beers:
- Fireman's Brew: Blonde (Pilsner-style Lager; 5% ABV)
- Fireman's Brew: Brunette (German-style Doublebock; 8% ABV)
- Fireman's Brew: Redhead (Amber Ale; 5.5% ABV)
Fireman's Brew is distributed throughout California, Colorado, and Illinois. The Company also produces and distributes coffee and soft drinks.
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Alliance Beverage AZ Wins Diageo’s Distributor of the Year
From Alliance:
PHOENIX, Oct. 31, 2012 - Alliance Beverage Distributing Company has been recognized with one of the industry's highest honors awarded by Diageo-Guinness USA at the Ninth Annual Golden Bar Awards Event, held during the 2012 Diageo-Guinness National Distributors meeting, on October 11th in Dallas, TX. The Golden Bar Awards recognize distributors and brokers throughout the industry for their excellence in the marketplace, including social responsibility and overall portfolio performance. Alliance Beverage was distinguished out of over 400 other competing distributors to earn this prestigious honor as Distributor of the Year.
"Our associates have a genuine desire to constantly improve the supplier and customer experiences, and distinguish themselves from the competition," said Bob Smith, President and CEO of Alliance Beverage. "To be honored with this prestigious award from a leading premium imported beer company, in a market where we have strong competition for the distribution rights of beer, simply confirms that we have set a very high standard within our company that will dictate the future of distribution for premium and craft beer."
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Boulder Flashback Appears on “Parks & Recreation”
It’s exciting to see craft beer gaining product placement in movies and TV series. Today comes word that Boulder Beer Flashback appeared on Parks & Recreation. Details from Westword:
In the most recent episode, titled "Halloween Surprise," Leslie Knope's love, Ben Wyatt, drinks the beer from his new gig in Washington, D.C. We won't give you any spoilers here, but we'll just say there's no telling if the beer helped Adam with the important decision he makes soon after sipping it.
We do have the full story on how the beer got to the set, however. "What happened was that someone in L.A. was a fan of our beers and decided to give us a call for placement in a movie," explains Boulder Beer spokesman Doug Christie.
The interested party in LA was Legacy Entertainment, which specializes in placing products in movies and on TV shows. "We went them a few different beers from our lineup...Hazed and Infused, Mojo, Flashback and Sweaty Betty," Christie says. "But we didn't know anything about Parks and Recreation. It was a surprise. I think what happens is that they are sitting around and other people can use them if they want to."
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West Seattle Brewing Coming Soon
From SeattlePi:
Now, Kevin Fawcett is one of the owners at West Seattle Brewing. (Follow them on Facebook.) The company is awaiting the final approval from the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) and West Seattle Brewing will be 100 percent legal. That all-important letter from the federal government could arrive in the mail any day. In the meantime, I stopped by the brewery at the corner of Fauntleroy Way SW and SW 36th Street yesterday and chatted with Kevin about his plans.
The space still looks rough, though you can see the potential. The space is being converted into a brewery and taproom. Constructed in the 1920s, the building was originally an auto showroom. Most recently it was a mini-mart. There is still a lot of work to do before a public opening. The first order of business, they demolished the ugly, dropped ceiling and exposed the original, old-growth beams and 15 foot-high ceilings.
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Samuel Adams' Jim Koch on CNBC (Video)
30 October 2012
Our Pal Jim Koch from Samuel Adams on CNBC
Read more...Hurricane Sandy Is No Match For Sixpoint Brewing UPDATE
Here’s a photo courtesy of our pal Shane Welch @ Sixpoint showing off the brewery post-Hurricane-Sandy. According to Shane the waters moved some kegs around and “Sandy was a bitch!” Once power is restored operations will resume
UPDATE…I’m hearing more from our pal Shane Welch and it looks like the brewery was hit hard. Over 4-Feet of water, lots of damaged inventory, even a boat pushed u against the building. Shane is awaiting word from FEMA but they are off-line until further notice..
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The Bruery - Black Tuesday Sells Out 3000 Bottles In 10-Mins
Despite the web-issues some were complaining about, The Bruery’s Black Tuesday Bottle release ended in about 10-minutes today with 3000+ bottles being sold.
Russian River Gives Away a Pink Vespa & More
From Russian River:
Our Annual Halloween Bash and culmination for our month-long fundraiser was a blast on Saturday night! I spent 6 hours getting ready for the party- 2 hours on hair, almost 3 hours for make-up, and 1 hour to get dressed. And it was all well worth it! My Bride of Frankenstein costume was a huge hit and really fun! Thank you to Melinda and Lainy for piecing me together!
And the winner is.... The drawings were held publicly on October 27th at our brewpub in Santa Rosa. I had someone neither involved with the brewery nor participating in the raffles draw the tickets. Pat Jordan drew the winning tickets for all our raffle prizes on stage in front of 200 people and I read the winning names! It was as random as random can be! A big thanks to The Pat Jordan Band for rockin' the house, and Wild Card Belly Dance for just being fabulous! Also, thank you to everyone who contributed to our fundraiser all month long. Here is the list of winners and corresponding photos:
Pink Vespa LX50- Kai Schade (and it was her birthday!)
Pink Beach Cruiser- Nicole Buwen (so excited!!!)
West Coast Pedal Board- Krysten Hommel (husband will love it!)
Custom Pink Electric Ribbecke Guitar- Gabe Rivera as Mexi-Finn (the picture says it all!)
Congratulations and thank you to everyone! We are all winners for helping others in their fight against Breast Cancer! Opening the barrel and talleying everything up later this week. Presenting the "BIG CHECK" to the Sutter Breast Care Center on Wednesday, November 7th at about 7pm. Please come by for the big presentation on my favorite night of the year!
Read more...Twisted Pine - Artisan Ale Modern Day Pine-eer Coming 11/3
From Twisted Pine:
Twisted Pine’s Modern Day Pine-eer, an India Pumpkin Ale
Number 11 in Artisan Ale Project released November 3rd
Boulder, Colorado – October 29th 2012/mbb/ – As the trees around us shed their prismatic plumage, beer drinkers don their winter wear and shop great shelves swollen with pumpkin ales. The esteemed seasonal style has ridden a meteoric surge in popularity this last decade, and proved a perfect fit for Twisted Pine Brewing Company’s Artisan Ale Project. On November 3rd, the brewery will release an India Pumpkin Ale named Modern Day Pine-eer, the eleventh offering in this year’s series. The project recently garnered nationwide attention when April’s West Bound Braggot bested 32 other beers to secure gold in the Specialty Honey Beer category at the 2012 Great American Beer Festival.
For November’s edition, the brewers added over 500 pounds of pumpkin into the mash as well as the kettle, where a mixture of fresh-milled spices joined Pilgrim and Columbus hops in the boil. The ale colors the glass like fossilized amber topped with a silky, persistent head of eggnog hue. Aromatic sprays of allspice, clove and baked pumpkin mingle with sharp, earthy bitter notes from the Columbus hops and stimulate the nostrils while the mouth salivates, awaiting the first sip. Once through the lips, Modern Day Pine-eer hugs the palate, embraced in turn by each set of taste buds. In keeping with the India-style way, the beer is drier than most of its peers, though the mouthfeel is remarkably firm and the finish crisp, but lingering. Pine-eer weighs in at 6.4% ABV and 45 IBU.
Like its Artisan Ale predecessors, Modern Day Pine-eer’s release party at the brewery on Saturday, November 3rd will double as an exhibit for Colorado Springs-based photographer Shannon Ripley. The party runs from noon to 9pm and the artist will be on hand throughout the afternoon to sign wax-dipped 750ml bottles for collectors. Ripley’s artwork will adorn the walls of Twisted Pine’s Ale House for the remainder of the month. In addition to bottles, the beer will be available on tap at a handful of local accounts.
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Left Hand Fade To Black Volume 4
From Left Hand:
(Longmont, CO) – Fade to Black. That time of year when the light fades away. In the fourth year of the renowned winter series, Left Hand introduces a Rocky Mountain Black Ale as Volume 4. Showcasing the duality of dry roasted malts and hop bitterness, Colorado Centennial hops take center stage of this pitch black ale.
Volume 4 looms overs its predecessors with a sharp bitterness and dry roast, celebrating the darkness and leering in the face of warmer days. The ale pours black as a winter night with an off white head. Your first inhale is dominated by citrus and roast, as slight sweet malt gets pushed back by initial citrusy hops followed by powerful Italian Amaro, Gentian and hop bitterness. The Rocky Mountain Black Ale finishes with a pleasant duality of dry roasted malts and hop bitterness.
Brewed for the darkness, Fade to Black speaks in volumes. Volume IV is the latest edition of Left Hand’s esteemed winter seasonal series. The Fade to Black family made its presence known beginning in 2009 with Volume 1, when the Foreign Export Stout won GABF Gold. The following years have presented our handsmoked Smoked Baltic Porter in 2010 and last year’s Pepper Porter featuring Chipotle, Serrano, & Ancho chiles, as Volume 2 and 3 respectively. This year’s Rocky Mountain Black Ale takes its place in the Fade to Black series, standing apart as the dry and bitter cousin. Perfect for those chilly winter nights, Left Hand’s Fade to Black is a cult favorite, as fans eagerly seek out each year’s offering.
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France Increases Beer Tax 160%
Bad news from AP:
President Francois Hollande is pushing through legislation to increase taxes on beer by 160 percent to help fund struggling social programs as France tries to contain a budget deficit hit hard by the economic crisis.
The tax would affect local brews and the 30 percent of imported beer the French drink.
The change means the price of a beer will increase by about 20 percent in bars and supermarkets, said Jacqueline Lariven, spokeswoman for the French brewer's federation Brasseurs de France.
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Olde Rabbit’s Foot Bourbon Imperial Stout Coming 12/8
From Foothills:
It’s almost time for the fourth annual release of the famous collaborative brew Olde Rabbit’s Foot. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, December 8.
For those who don’t already know, the Olde Rabbit’s Foot is a truly unique brew crafted from the labors of three different NC microbreweries. Duck Rabbit, Olde Hickory, and Foothills each contributed the wort from their signature imperial stouts; the combined brew was then aged in Pappy Van Winkle barrels with honey and cocoa nibs to produce a libation guaranteed to sweeten your countenance and enhance your reputation.
The bottles are 22 oz. and $20 each, and will go on sale at 10am. As with past bottle releases, we do recommend being very early to wait in line– there is a limit of four bottles per person, but supplies are still limited, and we cannot guarantee or reserve bottles for anyone.
Already available at the pub and in stores are the Carolina Blonde, Carolina Strawberry, Cottonwood Endo, and Cottonwood Pumpkin. Cottonwood Frostbite will go on tap at the pub sometime this week, and will enter the market in a couple weeks.
Available in 22oz bombers right now: Seeing Double IPA, Hoppyum IPA, Torch Pilsner, Carolina Blonde, Cottonwood Endo, People’s Porter, and Bourbon-Barrel Aged People’s Porter.
Available in 6-packs now: Carolina Blonde, Cottonwood Endo, and Carolina Strawberry.
Available in 6-packs soon: Cottonwood Frostbite.
Available in 6-packs this winter: Hoppyum IPA, Torch Pilsner, and People’s Porter.
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BRU Handbuilt Ales Releases Citrum IPA & Obitus American Brown
From BRU:
(Boulder, CO): Beer Chef / Founder Ian Clark of BRU handbuilt ales has been busy since he got his new three-barrel system up and running.
He started bottling Citrum, an IPA handbuilt with fresh lemon zest and juniper, now available at Boulder Wine & Spirits, North Boulder Liquor Store, Cured, Bottles, and Alfalfas in Boulder. And just a few weeks later he added Obitus, an American Brown handbuilt with dates and caramelized sugar to the bottle lineup. He also spent a very busy weekend brewing a special beer with Centro Latin Kitchen & Refreshment Palace.
Citrum IPA handbuilt with fresh lemon zest and juniper
ABV: 7.2%
SPECS: an unfiltered, naturally carbonated american india pale ale with fresh lemon zest and juniper
Availability: Centro Latin Kitchen, Cured, Bottles, Alfalfas, North Boulder Liquor Store, Boulder Wine & Spirits
Obitus American Brown Ale handbuilt with dates and caramelized sugar
ABV: 7.6%
SPECS: an unfiltered, naturally carbonated american brown ale with dates and caramelized sugar
Availability: Centro Latin Kitchen, The West End Tavern, Cured, Bottles, Alfalfas, North Boulder Liquor Store, Boulder Wine & Spirits
Bull Jagger's Tom Bull - Seacoast Beverage Lab (Video)
In this edition of the Seacoast Beverage Lab podcast, Bull Jagger Co-Founder, Tom Bull, talks about his small Maine brewery and the release of Dirigo Crimson Lager.
Heavy Seas - Uncharted Waters: Brandy Aged Holy Sheet, Siren Noire…and 3 Beers Coming to Cans
Some exciting Heavy Seas news tonight. Holy Sheet Brandy Aged will be added to the new Uncharted Waters Series (Belgian-Style Strong Ale, 22oz bottles, 9% ABV). It will be joined by Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout in the Uncharted Waters Series (22oz bottles, 8% ABV). This is the former Mutiny Series of beers and the lineup will be rounded out with Dig DIPA, hang Ten, Letter of marque, Aarsh Red, Yule Tide, Plank I & II, Great Pumpkin & Below Decks.
As if this isn’t fun enough, Heavy Seas announced that Loose Cannon IPA, Marzen Lager & Davy Jones Lager will all be coming in cans in 2013…stay tuned for details.
From Heavy Seas:
Heavy Seas announces its product line for 2013. A number of modifications have been made to the 2013 portfolio to better reflect the Heavy Seas' brand and its focus, including: an overhaul of our Mutiny Fleet beers; preliminary plans for canned beers; expanded cask ale offerings; changes to select year-round products; and a new seasonal beer.
The biggest change Heavy Seas has in store for 2013 is the repositioning of our line of higher gravity beers (the Mutiny Fleet). This line will now be known as the Unchartered Waters line and all of the beers under that category will be influenced by wood in one way or another. Siren Noire Imperial Chocolate Stout aged in bourbon barrels will come out in January 2013. In March, we will release Oak Aged Big DIPA (double IPA). Holy Sheet Über Abbey Ale aged in brandy barrels will be released in May. Great'ER Pumpkin (our imperial pumpkin ale aged in bourbon barrels) will be released in September. Yule Tide, our November release, will take the place of our ongoing Plank project―aging beers on wood. That style will be determined closer to November of 2013.
We have preliminary plans to release three products in cans in 2013. While we haven't determined availability at this juncture, we will be offering Loose CANnon, Davey Jones' Lager, and an Oktoberfest style in cans this year.
As the largest producers of cask ale in the country, Heavy Seas is focused on expanding the number of offerings for retailers. We will continue to offer dry-hopped firkins of Loose Cannon and Powder Monkey (pale ale) year-round. We will also incorporate preset quantities of all seasonal beers and Unchartered Waters beers.
Year-round, we will continue to offer Loose Cannon, Small Craft Warning, and Peg Leg. In order to better reflect our brand personality, we have renamed our Clipper Fleet beers: Heavy Seas Märzen will now be Cutlass Amber; Heavy Seas Pale Ale will now be Powder Monkey; Heavy Seas Gold Ale will now be Gold. Heavy Seas Classic Lager will be discontinued.
Seasonally, we will offer Black Cannon in January through March. We wanted to add a new style to our seasonal catalog, therefore Dubbel Cannon will be replaced by Riptide White IPA, which is currently in formulation; Riptide will be offered April through June. Red Sky at Night, our saison, will be offered July through September. Winter Storm Imperial ESB will be offered October through December. Additionally, the new seasonal lineup will include 12 oz. bottles of Great Pumpkin, offered in Sunken Sampler packs exclusively in August and September.
Russell Breweries Inc. Announces Fiscal 2012 Results
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 30, 2012) - Russell Breweries Inc. (TSX VENTURE:RB), a producer of premium craft beer in Western Canada, releases its financial results for the fourth quarter and Fiscal 2012, ended June 30, 2012. "We are pleased with the significant improvement of the Company during our 2012 fiscal year," says Brian Harris, CEO. "We have continued to grow in a highly competitive market. Our margins have improved and cost controls and other initiatives implemented have resulted in an improved bottom line. The Company is $32,970 EBITDA positive for fiscal 2012 compared to a negative EBITDA of $730,267 for fiscal 2011. The company also achieved, first time ever, earnings of $6,521 after adjusting for items not affecting cash for fiscal 2012 compared to loss of $804,801 for fiscal 2011, a significant improvement of $811,322." Fiscal 2012 Highlights ("2012F YTD") Russell Breweries Inc. generated $8,416,964 gross sales for 2012F YTD up $659,656 or 8.5% compared to $7,757,308 for the year ended June 30, 2011 ("2011F YTD"). Sales in British Columbia increased 14% while Manitoba and other sales territories maintained at the same level of 2011. Net Sales for 2012F YTD were $6,477,995 up $604,123 or 10% compared to $5,873,872 for 2011F YTD. The gross margin for 2012F YTD increased $644,255 or 23% to $3,423,420 compared to $2,779,165 for 2011F YTD. The gross margin percentage of 2012F YTD was up 6% to 53% compared to 47% for 2011F YTD. The increase in gross margin is primarily a result of the continued sales growth in higher margin premium and super premium brands. Selling, general and administration expenses for 2012F YTD decreased $102,760 to $3,711,816 from $3,814,576 of 2011F YTD. Other expenses for 2012F YTD were up $3,263 to $361,098 compared to $357,835 for 2011F YTD. In transitioning to IFRS, the Company has reclassified the depreciation charge for manufacturing property and equipment to cost of sales and certain selling and distribution costs to selling, general and administrative expense. For 2012F YTD, $321,366 of $460,038 depreciation has been reclassified to cost of sales compared to $331,928 of 460,193 for 2011F YTD. The Company had a net loss of $788,166 for 2012F YTD compared to the net loss of $1,521,511 for 2011F YTD, a decrease of $733,345 or 48%. The decrease in net loss is primarily a result of $644,255 increase in gross margin which is offset by $102,760 increase in selling, general and administrative expenses which is offset by an increase of $3,263 in other expenses. For 2012F YTD, the Company accrued deferred income tax expense, first time ever, for $321,000 in comprehensive loss compared to $nil for 2011F YTD. The deferred income tax expense accrued is a result of using the asset and liability method of accounting for future income taxes related to Fort Garry Brewing Company Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary being profitable for the last four fiscal years. It is more likely than not that the future income tax liabilities will be realized in the near future. Fourth Quarter Highlights ("Q4 2012F") The Company generated $2,352,848 gross sales for Q4 2012F up $304,838 or 15% compared to $2,048,010 for the three months ended June 30, 2011 ("Q4 2011F"). Net Sales for Q4 2012F were $1,812,981 up $443,956 or 32% compared to $1,369,025 for Q4 2011F. The gross margin for Q4 2012F increased $284,145 or 42% to $963,601 compared to $679,456 for Q4 2011F. The gross margin percentage of Q4 2012F was up 3% to 53% compared to 50% for Q4 2011F. The increase in gross margin is primarily a result of the continued sales growth in higher margin premium and super premium brands. Selling, general and administration expenses for Q4 2012F were $1,255,263 down $108,739 or 9% compared to $1,364,002 for Q4 2011F. Other expenses for Q4 2012F were down $54,537 to $92,271 compared to $146,808 for Q4 2011F. The Company had a net loss of $177,442 for Q4 2012F compared to the net loss of $614,672 for Q4 2011F.
Hurricane Sandy - Brewery Updates (Attention PA Weather Geeks) Photos Too
29 October 2012
I will continue to post any updated from Breweries affected by Hurricane Sandy over the next 48-hours. Assuming our power remains on (yes right now we’re in the center of the projected cone), I’ll update this thread.
-Dogfish Head Rehoboth 10/29 closed. (The Sierra Nevada Torpedo is SAFE!)
-Sixpoint -10/28 moving grains & perishables to higher ground
-Brooklyn Brewery Closed for business 10/29 & 10/30
-Earth Bread & Brewery closed 10/29
-Troegs Closed 10/29
-All Iron Hill locations closed 10/29
-Nodding Head Closed 10/29
-Victory Closing 10/29 @ 3PM
-Turkey Hill Closing tonight 10/29
-Redhook Portsmouth Pub Closing 3PM 10/29
-Harpoon Brewery closing @ 3PM 10/29
-Stoudt’s 10/29 Closing Tonight
-
Cape May Brewery closing at 6PM 10/29
-Bethlehem Brew Works 10/30 Power Out-Closed
Some weather stats for Weather Geeks (Northeastern PA-1390ft)
| Time | Temp | Hum | Baro | Wind | Rain Tot | Power* |
| 10/28-21:30 | 48F | 91% | 1009.7mb | 1 mph N | .06 in | ON |
| 22:00 | 49F | 90% | 1009.5mb | 8mph NNE | .06 in | ON |
| 23:00 | 49F | 88% | 1008.7mb | 4mph N | .06in | ON |
| 24:00 | 49F | 87% | 1007.6mb | 1mph NNE | .00in | ON |
| 24:45 | 49F | 88% | 1007.9mb | 2mph ENE | .00in | ON |
| 10/29-9:00 | 49F | 87% | 1001.7mb | 3mph ENE | .00in | ON |
| 10:30 | 49F | 91% | 998.5mb | 7mph NNE | .01in | ON |
| 12:00 | 49F | 91% | 995.7mb | 5mph NNE | .06in | ON |
| 13:00 | 48F | 92% | 992.9mb | 18mph N | .07in | ON |
| 14:00 | 49F | 93% | 990.9mb | 21mph N | .08in | ON |
| 15:00 | 49F | 93% | 986.9mb | 22mphENE | .18in | ON |
| 16:00 | 49F | 93% | 985.0mb | 22mph N | .25in | ON |
| 17:00 | 49F | 94% | 982.4mb | 22MPH NE | .33in | ON |
| 19:00 | 51F | 95% | 977.1mb | 24mphNE | .47in | ON |
| 21:00 | 54F | 96% | 975.0mb | 24mphNNE | .54in | ON |
| 23:00 | 55F | 90% | 974.9mb* | 27mph NE | .59in | ON |
| 24:00 | 53F | 85% | 976.2mb | 30mphNE | .59in | ON |
| 10/30 | OFF |
*If updates suddenly stop, you can assumer Power=OFF
1PM-Sideways rain, big branches down!
*Lowest pressure recorded in 2012 @ my location
11PM-Sustained winds increasing
Power out from 12:20AM until 4:30PM
Photos (various sources & locations):
 Ocean City NJ |  Atlantic City, NJ |  Ocean City, MD |  Atlantic City, NJ | |
 Kitty Hawk, NC |  Avalon Pier, NC |  Kitty Hawk, NC |  Avalon Pier, NC | |
 Kitty Hawk, NC |  Indian River Bridge-Delmarva, DE |  Corolla, NC |  Uncle Bills Avalon, NJ | |
 Kitty Hawk, NC |  Duck, NC |
. Read more...
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