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Another Peek Inside the Sierra Nevada Mills River, NC Facility (Photos)

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Sat, 25 May 2013 03:58:00 +0000

I know I want to see more and more photos from inside the new Sierra Nevada Mills River, NC facility, so when I get the chance to share them…I’m excited to show off what our pal Brian Grossman has going on. The full set of photos are here.

Above: Spiral-shaped pieces for the conveyor system are installed. They’ll guide finished cases of beer onto an overhead track and into the cold-storage warehouse.

Below: Workers install glass panels on what will eventually become the tour walkway alongside the packaging hall.

Workers fit parts onto the bottling system as the packaging hall inches toward completion. This complex machinery is one of the most labor intensive and tricky aspects of the entire brewing operation.

Friday BeerBuzz - 24 May 2013 Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:09:00 +0000

Stone Enjoy By 07.04.13 Coming To NorCal, SoCal, MO, TX, WA

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 14:42:00 +0000

Stone Enjoy By 07.14.13 will be bottled on 05/31 and will be coming to Northern California, Southern California Missouri, Texas and Washington. Expect the beer to hit these markets on 6/5.

WILK Friday BeerBuzz - 24 May 2013 - Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:55:00 +0000

I’ve never been known for featuring a traditional seasonal beer at the appropriate time on the WILK Friday BeerBuzz…and while sometimes I just prefer to fly in the face of convention, every so often it just seems like we should do it right. Today we chose to feature a traditional summer beer, with some really interesting historical roots and sample it right as summer appears to be reaching Northeastern PA.

Our beer today was Leinenkugel’s Summer Shady…and I know before I even type that and before I even speak those words on the radio, the craft-beer and anti-Shandy Armies are amassing at my borders…but wait before you slaughter me for featuring such a beer.

First off, realize that the shandy style dates back to 1922 in Germany. Based on the German Radler, the story goes that a group of cyclists entered a pub in Germany to enjoy a few beers. Not wanting them to drink and cycle, the bartender began cutting their wheat beers with the only thing he had available….Lemonade. The style became an instant classic and in fact the word Radler translates to “cyclist” in German.

Jump forward to 2012 and Jacob Leinenkugel’s introduces their Summer Shandy, and while the originals of the word Shandy may come from a different country, the style is a classic Radler. Summer Shandy is a Wheat Beer with natural lemon flavor and you’ll not only be surprised by how drinkable it really is, but also by how popular it has become.

Yes I know Jacob Leinenkugel’s is backed by 10th and Blake, the craft beer arm of SAB Miller, but even this will surprise you. Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy accounts for 40% of ALL sales coming from Leinenkugels. The sales for Summer Shandy have increased by 90% in 2012 and this beer is part of the largest TV advertising campaign ever to come from Leinenkugels. Even though cans and bottles are now available in ALL 50 states…Fasten your seatbelts because I expect you’ll see a lot more of the Summer Shandy Army in the future.

As if that wasn’t enough fun for one show, we decided to make our own Shandy in the South American tradition of cutting beer with lemon-lime soda. We sampled side by side, and while our base beer was different and our soda was not exactly the same as lemonade, it was still pretty interesting and still pretty drinkable.

No doubt Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy wins that comparison and despite what you may think of Leinenkugel’s or the Shandy style, I have no doubt you’ll bee seeing a lot more of it. Try this one for yourself….especially on a hot summer day and see if you agree.

Thank you to, Nancy, LA & Joe for yet another

fun Friday.

The Friday BeerBuzz…bringing good beers and good people together. As always you can check out the video on-line at the WILK Friday BeerBuzz page by clicking HERE.
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Avery - Ross’s’s’ Melange Barrel-Aged Wild Ale

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 11:02:00 +0000

Today we get to see the apostrophe's gone wild with release No 16 in the Avery Brewing Barrel-Aged Series. This is Ross’s’s’ Melange Barrel-Aged Wild Ale and no that’s not a typo. Ross’s’s’ Melange I an ale brewed with grape must and aged in Chardonnay barrels, it will be packaged in 12oz bottles (limited to 105 cases)and come in at 7.89% ABV. I’m sure there’s a story behind the multiple apostrophe’s, but based on the label I’d say Ross is their pessimistic warehouse forklift operator.
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New Belgium - Fat Tire Tour de Fat & Clips of Faith Packaging

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:11:00 +0000

Today we get a peek at the new packaging for New Belgium Fat Tire Amber Ale. This is a specialty limited run package for 12oz bottles that will feature both Clips of Faith & Tour de Fat schedule backer.

Sun King Brewery - GFJ

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Here’s your first look at a new 16oz can coming from Sun King Brewery called GFJ. This beer is a tribute to 1955’s Blackboard Jungle and it’s an IPA loaded with fruit flavors (passionfruit, tangerine, apricot, grapefruit & orange zest). No word on ABV or release details.
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Stone / Rip Current Co-Brewing Coconut IPA Today

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:47:00 +0000

We Re-tweeted this an hour ago but just a quick tweet from our pal Mitch Steele at Stone saying that he is co-brewing a Coconut IPA with Rip Current Brewing, Robert Masterson and Ryan Reschan. Stay tuned for more details.
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Grimm Brothers Over My Dead Body India Pale Lager Coming 5/31

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:40:00 +0000

From Grimm Brothers Brewhouse:

Loveland, Colorado, May 24, 2013/mbb/: Grimm Brothers Brewhouse, never one to be told what to do, will debut Over My Dead Body, an India Pale Lager (IPL) on Friday, May 31^st, 2013. This will be a draft only release and generally available at that time in our Taproom and throughout our market.

“An IPL is not a typical beer for us”, stated Don Chapman, President of Grimm Brothers. “We’re more focused on German styles and in fact I’ve been known to say that we’d brew a beer like this ‘over my dead body’. Things change, I’m still alive.”

The IPL recipe was developed by Grimm founder Aaron Heaton and was championed by Director of Marketing/Adult Supervision (yes, that’s his real title), Paul Ferguson, who participated in the brewing. “We decided to let the marketing guy take a shot at a brew”, added Chapman.

“Lead Brewer, Michael Becker had a firm hand on the controls at all times.”, Ferguson emphasized. “My roll was closer to head cheerleader than quarterback. It was hugely fun and we managed to create a great beer!”

According to Heaton, “It’s close to an American IPA but uses our signature lager yeast instead of an ale yeast. With the softer and more rounded character of this yeast, we emphasize the up-front grapefruit and other citrus notes to showcase the hops. A touch of malt and caramel and a light zing from the bitterness brings balance, but don't be fooled, this is a hop forward IPL using Centennial, Citrus, Cascade, Amarillo, and Sorachi Ace”

The name, Over My Dead Body, was inspired both by Chapman’s earlier sentiments and by the Grimm Brothers’ Fairy Tale, The Three Snake-Leaves (Die drei Schlangenblätter). It’s a clever tale of deceit, betrayal, and ultimate redemption.
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Universal Studios Adding Simpsons Theme Park With Duff Beer

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 09:02:00 +0000

Funny news from touringplans as Universal Studios Florida will be opening a Simpsons-based theme park complete with Mo’s Tavern AND Duff Beer!

The expansive, new area within Universal Studios will be anchored by the mega-attraction, The Simpsons Ride, and will allow guests to enter the world of The Simpsons like never before. It will be the only place in the world where guests can walk the streets of Springfield. It will include a brand-new outdoor attraction, places and foods pulled right from the show and two new Simpsons characters who will make their debut with the new area – Krusty the Clown and Sideshow Bob.

And yes – there will be Duff Beer, brewed exclusively for Universal Orlando.

Alter Ego Brewing Starts indiegogo Campaign in Harrisburg, PA

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 08:51:00 +0000

Alter Ego Brewing in Harrisburg. PA are heading to indiegogo to fund their new brewery. The campaign can be found here (video below). From Alter Ego:

For years brewing was just for fun, a way for us to keep busy. Unlike sports or other hobbies there are very few rules, we are only limited by our imaginations. For us, brewing is a way to be creative and express ourselves. Let’s face it; everyone knows that we can’t draw to save our lives.

So the grain became our brush, the hops our paint and the water our canvas. As we journeyed through our little artsy world of artisanal libations, more and more of our friends (who benefitted greatly from our little hobby) began to ask when we were going to quit our day jobs and make our delicious brews full time.

After a while of laughing, and not taking the idea seriously, we realized that hey- wait – people actually like us and they want to buy what we are giving away for free. We realized that life is too short to slave away at our 9-5 jobs until retirement just to look back and realize that we missed the opportunity to embrace what we love. We realized that we love great beer, we love to brew, and we make a damn good product.

As a result of that epiphany almost two years ago, we decided to start following our dream. After all, if you don’t try, you will always fail – Always.

Don’t get us wrong, our day jobs are just fine, without them we would never have been able to start this endeavor. But, like you, we want to be something more than our desk jobs. No one has aspirations of being Clark Kent do they? No, we all want to be Superman; and Superman could not succeed without his Alter Ego.

Beer of Thrones - Game of Thrones Parody (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:59:00 +0000

A great play on Game of Thrones called Beer of Thrones…
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Urban Growler, Bang Brewing & Burning Brothers All Opening Near New Surly Brewery

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:55:00 +0000

Interesting news coming from BizJournals as Surly Brewing’s new destination brewery seems to be attracting other breweries:

TC Daily Planet reports on plans by Urban Growler Brewing Co., which has signed a lease for a 6,200-square-foot space at 2325 Endicott St. in St. Paul for its new headquarters.

The new brewery will be a bit east of Surly's planned brewery and taproom; both companies were drawn by the nearby light rail line that will connect the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul. And there are two other breweries also setting down roots in the neighborhood: Bang Brewing Co. at 2320 Capp Road and Burning Brothers Brewing at 1750 Thomas Ave., both in St. Paul.
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Former Orioles Baseball Star Chris Ray Opens Center Of Universe Brewing In Ashland, VA

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:37:00 +0000

From CBS Sports:

Ray, 31, pitched in Triple-A last summer before deciding to retire from the game over the winter. His post-baseball life has led him to establish a family-owned business with older brother Phil: Center of the Universe Brewing Company in Ashland, Va.

Although Mike Killelea, formerly of Legend Brewing Co., now heads up the brewing at COTU, the Ray brothers still do pilot batches. They developed some of COTU's beers – Ray Ray's Pale Ale and Pocahoptas IPA, for example – while trading recipes across the country.
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Mystery Brewing Co Wins $50K On CNBC’s New Crowd Rules Game Show

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:29:00 +0000

Exciting news coming from Mystery Brewing Co in Hillsborough, NC:

In case you missed it, Mystery was recently featured as a contestant on CNBC’s new show Crowd Rules. In it, we competed against two other companies for a $50,000 prize, voted on by a studio audience. We were lucky enough to take that prize home.

So what happens now?

Well, we’re happy to report that our taproom is open. It’s called the Mystery Brewing Public House and we’ve already gotten at great shoutout in Durham Magazine. This weekend we celebrate its Grand Opening with a full Saturday of live music, new beers, and great pizza (yeah, Pie Pushers!), but that’s not it – we’re hosting the incomparable Scott Barkan and Kira Velella on Friday night, and we’re releasing beer Friday, Saturday, Sunday, AND Monday.

We’re also happy to report that we’ve already invested in more kegs. Our first batch arrived just this last week and we’ve been busy filling them with beer since then. What’s more, you can expect to see Mystery Brewing Company beer in bottles (no – not stubbies, yet – probably bombers) by the end of the summer.

Finally, we’re looking at growing! Over the course of the next year we’re planning on adding way more fermentation, putting way more kegs on the market, and getting smaller and smaller (and maybe someday even smaller) bottles. In addition, we’re looking at the possibility of a new seasonal brand, which means 5 offerings every season, and – of course – a lot more experiementals and one-offs.

We hope you can join us, it’s going to be a lot of fun.

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Founders Dave Engbers Talks Beer Food Pairing (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:17:00 +0000

From Founders Brewing via ELFCO.
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Lakewood - The Legendary Series: Release No. 2 -- La Dame du Lac (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:12:00 +0000

From Lakewood Brewing:

La Dame du Lac is the second release in our Legendary Series. It's a Biére de Garde, and it pays homage to one of White Rock Lake's most popular legends, the Lady of the Lake, whom is said to haunt the area to this day.

Film and editing by: Cory Canady Check out his site www.pintsofwisdom.com for more behind the scenes details.
Music: "Under the Weeping Moon" by Opeth
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Widmer Brothers - Downward Spiral & Bitter Abbot IPA

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:12:00 +0000

Two interesting new keg labels coming today from Widmer Brothers. Downward Spiral is an Imperial India Style Pale Lager aged on oak spirals (9% ABV) and Bitter Abbot is an IPA (7.3% ABV).

Maine’s Beer Experiences Double Digit Growth

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:08:00 +0000

From BangorDailyNews:

According to data recently obtained from the Maine Department of Public Safety’s Liquor Licensing and Inspection Unit, output by Maine breweries in 2012 increased by more than 20 percent for the third year in a row. Over a three-year period, from the end of 2009 through 2012, beer production by Maine breweries has increased from 4.1 million gallons to 7.9 million, or by more than 90 percent.
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Crux Fermentation Project - Off Leash & Impasse

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:04:00 +0000

This morning we get to see two new 500ml bottles coming from Crux fermentation Project. Off Leash is a Northwest Session Ale named after Bend,OR’s reputation as “Dog Town USA". This beer uses local Citra, Centennial and Crystal hops and it comes in at 4.5% ABV. Impasse is a Saison that uses open fermentation and comes in at 6.6% ABV.

Just 'Blipp' It: Budweiser Using Augmented Reality App as Part of Unique Summer Philanthropy Program for Military Families

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:44:00 +0000

From Anheuser-Busch:

ST. LOUIS, May 24, 2013 /mbb/ -- For more than 150 years, Anheuser-Busch, its employees and family of wholesalers have supported America's armed forces through numerous programs and philanthropic efforts. These include lending resources, raising funds for veterans and assisting dependents of military families.

But until now, Budweiser has never used social media to help direct where in the United States a portion of this support could go. That's all changed with a new summer program just starting that uses a free smartphone app called Blippar.

This summer, as Budweiser donates up to $1.5 million to the Folds of Honor Foundation*, the brand is asking its customers to help choose which U.S. states could receive a portion of the proceeds.

How does it work? The iconic brand is asking adult beer lovers to:

Download Blippar from the iPhone store or Google Play.
"Blipp the Bowtie" by opening the app and aiming the smart phone screen at the Budweiser bowtie logo found on all Budweiser packaging, including the new "red, white and blue" packaging now in stores. This then triggers the interactive mobile experience.
Pick a U.S. state to help determine where a portion of the philanthropic support could be directed as they learn more about the Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to the families of soldiers wounded or fallen while serving their country.

"The 10 states with the most support are eligible to receive a total of $100,000 of dedicated scholarship funds in 2014," saidLori Shambro , director of Budweiser. "So we are taking $100,000 of our larger donation and asking people to help us direct where that portion goes. And perhaps more importantly, the app also drives awareness for the Folds of Honor Foundation, which Budweiser has supported with more than $5 million in donations since 2010."

Watch a demonstration of the app here.

Through a series of videos available through the Blippar app, Budweiser drinkers get a chance to "meet" some of the men and women who have benefited from the support of Folds of Honor.

Each Folds of Honor scholarship has an approximate value of $5,000, allowing Budweiser to provide up to 300 scholarships from coast to coast from this summer 2013 program.

At the end of the summer, the top 10 states chosen by consumers will be allocated two Folds of Honor 2014 scholarships for eligible applicants based on the Blippar program.

"We've used Blippar for other brand programs, but never in a philanthropic program designed to generate awareness of a non-profit while encouraging consumers to support their local community," said Lucas Herscovici , vice president of digital for Anheuser-Busch. "This program gives us a unique way to use technology to enhance our longstanding relationship with the Folds of Honor Foundation in a way that Budweiser drinkers can share the experience with friends through Twitter, Facebook, email and Google Plus."

In recognition of the company's long history of service to the men and women of the military and their families, the Department of Defense presented Anheuser-Busch with the Secretary of Defense Outstanding Public Service Award in 2009.

"Blippar is excited to be part of this incredibly worthwhile Budweiser campaign and proud to use our innovative technology to help direct financial support to deserving military families," said Jess Butcher , Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder of Blippar. "Our technology enables static images – like Budweiser's iconic logo – to come to life instantly, connecting the physical with the digital and allowing the user to actively engage with the Budweiser brand."
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Brutal Brewing - Sir Taste-A-Lot Cans

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:41:00 +0000

From Brutal Brewing:

Based on the craftsmanship and science behind the art of brewing, we developed a design that truly stands out on the shelf. A copper can with illustrations of the characteristic man himself: Sir Taste a Lot. Offering you an exquisite and full-bodied aroma of Magnum, Perle and Amarillo hops, to be enjoyed at a slow pace." This design is by Neumeister Strategic Design.

Hanson’s Mmmhops Beer Debuts @ Hangover 3 Premier Party

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Fri, 24 May 2013 04:20:00 +0000

We brought you the news of this beer in Nov 2011 and now the beer created by the band Hanson has premiered…..and yes it’s called Mmmhops. The beer showed up at the Hangover 3 premier party where the band mixed with the cast of the movie and sampled Mmmhops. The beer was brewed by Mustang Brewing in Oklahoma and it is a Pale Ale. Stay tuned for release details & label approval.

Below is Taylor Hanson with El Helms of Hangover 3.

Guinness To Launch Red Harvest Stout Seasonal In 14.9oz Cans

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:16:00 +0000

Here’s your very first look at the new 14.9oz can coming from Guinness for a new seasonal beer called Red Harvest Stout. This beer celebrates SAMHAIN (saw-wen), and ancient Celtic Festival to mark the end of the fall harvest. Red Harvest Stout uses lightly roasted barley & sweet Irish malt. Oddly enough with is is a Ball Corp can, the label says brewed & “bottled” so stay tuned for more packaging to come.
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Samuel Adams / Alchemy & Science Just Beer Project - IPA Bottles

noreply@blogger.com (mybeerbuzz) — Thu, 23 May 2013 14:10:00 +0000

Here are the first two bottle labels coming from the Samuel Adams Alchemy & Science Just Beer Project. You can see the family resemblance to Samuel Adams in the label shape and layout and today we have IPA India Pale Ale. Just IPA will be packaged in 12oz and 22oz bottles as well as kegs and no word on ABV so stay tuned.