2008 September Beer and Brewery News -- Beer Info

Eating Yellow Snow

Full Sail Brewing Company celebrates 21st birthday will special release(September 30) - Oregon - As Oktoberfest celebrations near their fervent peak in Germany this week, Pacific Northwest beer fans should take note of another occasion worth celebrating - the Full Sail Brewing Company's 21st birthday. To honor the birthday, the brewery has recently released a delicious Doppelbock ale. Complete Story

Charlie Papazian's first five favorite beers(September 29) - Examiner - What’s the best beers with a thick juicy barbecued-to-perfection steak? You’ll have to read past this introduction. Complete Story

Beer ain't getting cheaper(September 30) - Baltimore - Well, in light of all the economic mess, I have some more bad news: The price of beer is going up. I've been hearing doomsday stories for about a year now of how suds are going to cost twice as much in five years. Complete Story

Best beer festivals in Northern Colorado(September 30) - Examiner - When you live in a state that produces more beer by volume than any other state in the nation there are bound to be a lot of local beer festivals hosted in any given year. Northern Colorado certainly has its share of award winning breweries and beers. Complete Story

Smuttynose ale gets high marks on men's journal list(September 29) - Fosters - The awards keep piling up for Port City brewery owner Peter Egelston of Smuttynose Brewery, who recently learned that his original brew, Shoals Pale Ale, has been listed at the top of the Men's Journal Best Beers in America list. Complete Story

Fort Worth-based Rahr Brewery releasing new pale ale(September 29) - Texas - Blind Salamander Pale Ale is an English style pale ale made with a generous portion of East Kent Goldings hops, it has a rich malt and nut flavors punctuated with a delicious hop finish. It’s not over the top though, nicely balanced. Complete Story

Fine beers fit to join fancy foods(September 28) - FREEP - Boston Beer Co. coined the term "extreme beer" in 1994 with the release of vintage Samuel Adams Triple Bock, then the strongest beer, made with 17.5% alcohol. Samuel Adams' limited-quantity runs of Utopias followed, escalating the price and elevating beer's status at $100 retail for a limited-quantity beer (27% alcohol) in a 750-millileter ornate copper-plated bottle resembling a brew kettle. Complete Story

Former Leinenkugel president dies at 87(September 26) - Wisconsin - Bill Leinenkugel, who expanded the markets of the tiny Chippewa Falls brewery his family founded in 1867, died Monday after a lengthy struggle with cancer, his family said Tuesday. He was 87. Complete Story

China Has Now Overtaken The US To Become The Largest National Beer Market In The World(September 26) - MarketWatch - The Chinese beer market has grown at an astounding pace in recent years, spurred on by the massive levels of foreign investment in the market, along with the rise in the average levels of consumer spending in China, thanks to the economic reform policies of the government. Complete Story

Kid Rock will get a signature brew(September 25) - MarketWatch - Drinks Americas has announced a partnership with Kid Rock to market a branded beer with his name. According to J. Patrick Kenny, CEO of Drinks Americas, "Kid Rock is a reflection of great American rock and roll music and the American spirit, and we think we can create a beer in that same image Complete Story

The 2008 Great American Beer Festival: America's Greatest Beer Celebration(September 24) - Denver - The 27th annual Great American Beer Festival (GABF) returns to Denver, Colorado on October 9, 10, and 11, 2008. The granddaddy of all U.S. beer festivals offers the largest collection of U.S. beer ever assembled, all served in 1-ounce tasting portions. Complete Story

Oktoberfest Cheap Outfits Outrage(September 24) - Germany - Munich's famous Oktoberfest beer festival is under way in Germany but the traditional lederhosen trousers are facing a new threat from cheaper foreign imports - and that's sending a chill up the exposed legs of Bavarian traditionalists. Complete Story

What's on tap: Santa Cruz's local beers(September 24) - California - Santa Cruz has four craft breweries, and visitors are welcomed by three: Seabright, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing and Santa Cruz Ale Works. Beer from the fourth, Uncommon Brewers, can be sampled at two excellent downtown pubs, the Red Room and 515 Kitchen & Cocktails. Complete Story

Boffin brews up 'Jurassic Park' beer(September 23) - California - A scientist at California Polytechnic State University has answered that most pressing of questions for would-be time travellers - assuming you survive the journey through the wormhole vortex back to the Eocene epoch, what's the beer going to be like when you get there? Complete Story Fossil Fuels Brewing Company

Brooklyn Oktoberfest Beer Review(September 22) - BeerAdvocate - The taste is very nice, with lots of caramel and breadiness. A nice burst of spicy hop flavor shows up about mid swallow. The beer has a quick, dry finish to it. The mouthfeel is nicely in the middle, with high carbonation. BeerAdvocate Reviews Brooklyn's Description

Flying Dog's Dogtoberfest Review(September 22) - BeerAdvocate - Tastes initially of caramel malts with toasted grain finish. Hops are ghost like and provide a bit of balance, but still finishes with a residual sweetness. Some light fruits and apple comes to mind. BeerAdvocate Reviews Flying Dog's Description

Samuel Adams Octoberfest Review(September 22) - BeerAdvocate - The beer is a clear reddish/orange color with a 2 finger head. There is decent head retention and little lacing. The smell is dominated by sweet malt and bread notes. The taste follows. A very drinkable medium bodied beer. A very solid Oktoberfest beer. BeerAdvocate Reviews

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Oktoberfest(September 21) - Germany - If this is your first time at the Oktoberfest, you will encounter a whole range of bizzare things. But don’t panic! We are going to guide you. Complete Story

Oktoberfest’s Original Big Six Beers(September 20) - WAAYTV - The region's five other breweries that, like Spaten, were the only ones permitted to set up tents and offer festivalgoers beer on the Oktoberfest grounds followed suit. Then, as now, these six breweries and their seasonal specialty brews are the only beers consumed at the festival.   Complete Story

The Local's guide to Oktoberfest(September 19) - Munich - Looking to head to Munich this year for Oktoberfest? The Local has put together a guide to the world’s biggest beer bash that might get you out of Bavaria alive. Complete Story

Anheuser-Busch launches new Budweiser American Ale(September 17) - St. Louis - Beer drinkers around the world have long appreciated Budweiser’s quality and heritage. Now fans of “The Great American Lager” are invited to discover the newest member of the Budweiser family – Budweiser American Ale. Complete Story

Minhas Craft Brewery is throwing a party(September 17) - Wisconsin - Please join the Minhas family and Brewery staff from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18th, in the Lazy Mutt Lounge, to celebrate the release of their new book “Brewing Up a Damn Good Story” and the launch of the new Swiss Amber Craft Beer just in time for Cheese Days! Complete Story

Beer Festival September 25th - FESTIV-ALE: A Celebration of Beer (September 17) - Chicago -Leading the fight against cystic fibrosis, the Greater Illinois Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation will host FESTIV-ALE: A Celebration of Beer. Join us Thursday, September 25th from 6pm-7pm for the VIP reception and 7pm to 10pm for All Access at Goose Island BrewPub. Complete Story

2008 Barley Wine Festival at the Toronado(September 16) - California - Lagunitas Gnarleywine takes 1st place at the Toronado. Very last post, but I just found out. Complete Story

Leinenkugel's Offers Oktoberfest Nationally(September 15) - Wisconsin - Since 2001, Leinenkugel's Oktoberfest has set the mood for crisp autumn evenings as a seasonal beer offering in the upper Midwest. Now craft beer enthusiasts across the U.S. will be able to find this traditional German Marzen-style bier on shelves in September and October. Complete Story

Plan a trip to the Oktoberfest - the world's biggest beer fest(September 14) - Germany - The Oktoberfest takes over Munich for two full weeks, bringing with it a unique atmosphere as revellers shrug off their daily trials and tribulations to concentrate on drinking beer instead. For those planning a last-minute visit, the good news is that there is still plenty of accommodation on hand in Germany's third-largest city. Complete Story

Celebrate Oktoberfest at Rochester Mills Beer Company(September 14) - New York - This family-friendly celebration, September 26-27, features German-style food and beer under a huge American-made tent. Come join more than 2,000 of your closest friends and family who are expected to enjoy the live music, dancing and children’s activities taking place behind the brewery during the two-day extravaganza.  Complete Story

Full Sail Celebrates 21 with 21(September 13) - Oregon - Twenty-one years ago, we dreamed of opening our own little brewery. Somewhere really cool. Somewhere like, oh, Hood River, say. That dream became a reality, and now here we are celebrating our 21st birthday. Yeah, we're finally old enough to drink our own beer. Complete Story

Beer of the Week: Three Floyds Moloko Milk Stout(September 12) - Chicago - Moloko isn't your typical Three Floyds hop bomb. Actually, it's the complete opposite. Moloko is far and away the sweetest beer Three Floyds brews. Complete Story

Pennsylvania's own Yuengling #2 (September 11) - LDNews - The deal, announced July 13 and expected to be completed by year's end, would end the St. Louis, Mo.-based company's roughly 150 years of independence as an American brewer and move D.G. Yuengling & Son—America's oldest brewery—to the No. 2 domestically owned brewery. Complete Story

New Belgium's Tour de Fat ready to roll(September 11) - Colorado -Costume-clad cyclists are rolling through north Fort Collins this morning for New Belgium Brewing's annual Tour de Fat, a celebration of "all things bicycle." Complete Story

Taste of Deschutes Brewery(September 11) - Colorado - While there, I was surprised by how much it reminded me of Fort Collins, from the polite people and the mountains to the look and feel of the town and the amazing breweries, one of which is Deschutes Brewery. Complete Story

2008 Lagunitas IPA and RRBC Damnation Ale(September 10) - Montana - My “go to” beer has to be LAGUNITAS “IPA.” This Pilsner style from Petaluma is super crisp, clean, bracingly bitter and wonderfully balanced. Complete Story

Grand Lake Brewery finds new recipe for success(September 10) - Colorado - The makers of Wooly Booger, White Cap Wheat, Trail Ridge Red and Plaid Bastard, among others, have brewed up ways to augment beer and bottling production. Complete Story

Great Divide Completes Major Brewery Expansion(September 10) - Full Pint - Great Divide Brewing Company (one of America’s most acclaimed craft breweries) has now completed a major expansion of its Denver brewing facility. Complete Story

Late Harvest Autumn Ale(September 10) - Alabama - In one of many brave moves Stile has made in the last month, none were as surprising as ditching the vodka martini or Jameson and Coke last night for a bottle of Red Hook Late Harvest Autumn Ale. Complete Story

Review - Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale 2008(September 9) - FullPint - A few times a year, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. makes some affordable treats for us beer lovers. We get the Bigfoot Barleywine and Celebration IPA in the winter months, a crisp lager in the form of Summerfest, and their Anniversary Ale. Complete Story

No beer for submarine(September 9) - New Hampshire - A federal agency has declined a request for Smuttynose Brewery Co. to release a commemorative beer honoring the new submarine's arrival, and now the committee working to raise money to assure a grand celebration for the commissioning of the sub next month is struggling to find the necessary funds. Complete Story

Beer of the Week - Barley Days Summer Light Ale(September 9) - Canada - Before we get to the beer, though, it’s worth talking a bit about the brewery, Barley Days, as they are likely unfamiliar to many Torontonians given their fairly low profile in the city. Complete Story

Alaska breweries cope with international hops shortage(September 9) - Fairbanks - Beer connoisseurs, especially those who enjoy the brisk and strong flavor of a beer packed heavy with hops, could have cause to fear. Local breweries have confirmed the threat of an international shortage of the essential beer ingredient — hops — has in fact made a local impact. Complete Story

Craft beer reigns at Great Lakes Brew Fest(September 8) - Wisconsin - Although there is a fairly hearty menu of roasted pig, beer brats, turkey legs and burgers available, if you're heading down to the annual Great Lakes Brew Fest in Racine on Saturday, Sept. 13, do as the regulars do and build yourself a dangling necklace of pretzels to wear during your day-long tasting adventure. Complete Story

Oktoberfest reigns, but Munich about more than beer(September 7) - Germany - They belong among the Seven Wonders of the World of Beer: hundreds of Bavarian waitresses who carry up to 22 liters at once. Complete Story

Empire Brewing making special beer for premiere(September 7) - New York - The Empire Brewing Company will debut a new beer to honor Ernie Davis and Syracuse University. Brewer Tim Butler says it will be a fun and unique twist on all the festivities taking place Friday. Complete Story

Old Hat brewmaster Tom Fuller turns 44 today; his brewery to start bottling in a month(September 5) - Michigan - In other Old Hat news, it sounds like Fuller & Co. are about one month away from bottling beers. Fuller said they'll begin by selling six-packs of Bees Knees Honey Ale, the brewery's gluten-free beer, and 750-ounce bottles of Scotch Ale. Complete Story

Left Hand Brewing Company’s beers have arrived in Alaska(September 4) - Alaska -   Left Hand Brewing of Longmont, Colorado just celebrated its 15 years of success. Like most other breweries, the establishment’s roots are in homebrewing. Complete Story

Los Angeles International Beer Competition(September 4) - California - Results

Medals for Sprecher(September 4) - Wisconsin - Sprecher Brewing Company in Glendale reports that it recently won eight medals at the 2008 Los Angeles International Beer Competition. Two beers, Pipers Scotch Ale and Abbey Triple, made it to the final round of 12 for the Best of Show award. Complete Story

Tuatara takes out top beer award(September 4) - New Zealand - Tuatara Brewing has been crowned the best brewery in New Zealand, the first time a "champion brewery" had been selected. Complete Story

Beer's outlaw image leaves bad taste in critics' mouths(September 4) - USAToday - A new beer named after the patron saint of drug traffickers is brewing up controversy in Mexico, where the government is locked in an increasingly bloody battle against drug gangs. Complete Story

Frederick's Flying Dog makes it big in Maryland(September 3) - Maryland - Maryland's largest brewery, Frederick's Flying Dog, is a relative newcomer to the state. The company started as a brewpub in Aspen, Colo., in 1990 and opened a 50-barrel brewery in Denver in 1994. It acquired the Frederick brewery in 2006, moving its brewing operations there in January. Complete Story

Magnolia Pub and Brewery(September 3) - California - The Magnolia Pub and Brewery opened in 1997 as a lively restaurant serving beers brewed on the premises and hearty pub food; it was decorated with an exuberant and beloved mural. Complete Story

Beer maker wins fight to market 'Legal Weed'(September 2) - California - Vaune Dillmann took on federal regulators this year when they ordered his Mt. Shasta Brewing Co. in the Northern California town of Weed to stop topping beer bottles with caps bearing the play on words, "Try Legal Weed." Complete Story

Brick Brewing announces partnership with Latis Specialty(September 2) - Canada - Brick Brewing Co. Limited announced today they will be partnering with Latis Imports' to launch its specialty craft import portfolio. Latis currently imports brands from PALM Breweries,Belgium's largest independent brewer, including PALM Ale and RODENBACH. Complete Story

Sweet and soothing organic beer - Weisen Edel-Weisse(September 2) - California - Private Weissbier-Brauerei Georg Schneider and Sohn brews and bottles Weisen Edel-Weisse in Bavaria, Germany. Manneken Brussel imports the genuine German hefe-weizen. Georg I. Schneider began the brewery in 1872. The 136 year old brewery remains family owned and operated. Georg VI. Complete Story

Coors Light, Official Beer Sponsor of the NFL(September 2) - Colorado - “Coors Light is answering the demands of NFL fans by giving them unique access to any game, all season long, with the Silver Ticket program,” said Lee Dolan, vice president, Coors Family of Brands, MillerCoors. Complete Story

Flying Dog Releases The Hounds of Dogtoberfest(August 29) - Dogtoberfest is our annual fall tribute to one of the greatest beer traditions in the entire world, Oktoberfest. Complete Story

Asheville’s Highland Brewing to produce home brewer’s contest-winning cream ale(August 29) - North Carolina - In a few weeks, Highland will deliver its most limited brew yet — nectar called Schenk’s Cream Ale. Complete Story

Review - Firth Of Forth Ale(August 29) - Tart cherry or grapes, bread crust, bitter hops, and finishes with something similar to an Amarillo hop. After a few more sips, I found small notes of chocolate up front. Complete Story

Pyramid Breweries sells 85% of shares to Magic Hat(Aug 27) - Seattle - Magic Hat's parent company paid $2.75 in cash for each share of Pyramid, which last traded at $2.73 on Friday. It will buy the remaining shares at the same price per share, and will no longer be traded on Nasdaq, Pyramid's filing said. Complete Story