Beer News April 2009 -- Beer Info

Craft Brewers Conference
Here for the Beer

Hop Valley Brewing's Grand Opening(April 30) - Hop Valley Brewing opened to rave reviews in the Gateway area of Springfield in February 2009. The name and location were chosen because of Lane County's extensive ties to the agricultural background of Hops. Complete Story

He'Brew The Chosen Beer(April 30) - He'Bew is the Chosen Beer. Before I say anything else, yes it's real and pretty tasty too. I saw this beer while shopping at a make your own six pack store. Beyond anything else, the bottle was so unique I has to have it. I was surprised at how good it was. Complete Story

Cape Cod Beer Expands Again(April 30) - Last year spring brought a new brewhouse and 9 new stainless steel tanks to Cape Cod Beer. This spring the brewery's gift to itself is *space* - and lots more of it. Complete Story

Pike beers latest to come down the Pike(April 30) - Beer lovers owe thanks to Charles Finkel, founder of the Pike Brewing Co. Sure, Finkel’s Seattle brewery makes some top-of-the-line beers, but that’s not all. Finkel did so much more before he even started a brewery – he is responsible for bringing dozens of European beers to the U.S. when the only choices beer drinkers had here were mass-produced, light lagers. Complete Story

American craft brewers inspired by Belgian-style sour beers(April 30) - Most of the time, commercial brewing is an exacting and predictable science. When Greg Hall, brewmaster at Goose Island Brewing Co., decides what day to brew Honkers Ale, the brewery's malty English bitter, he also can determine the exact dates he'll filter and bottle the finished product. Complete Story

Craft Brewers Get Public to Sign Declaration of Beer Independence While Celebrating American Craft Beer Week (May 11-17) (April 29) - America's small and independent craft brewers are making special plans for the annual American Craft Beer Week (May 11-17), a national celebration highlighting the culture and contributions of craft beer. These brewers want the week to inspire beer enthusiasts to declare their independence by supporting breweries that produce fewer than 2 million barrels of beer a year and are independently owned. In the works are special brewery tours, beer and food pairing events, special release craft beers and festivals all across the U.S. Complete Story

New Belgium Brewing Distributes Sunshine Wheat Beer in Aluminum Cans(April 29) - "People have been asking for a more portable Sunshine Wheat for awhile, so we're excited to make this our second canned offering," said Bryan Simpson, spokesperson for New Belgium. "Cans have many intrinsic benefits that New Belgium values; they are easily recyclable, transport lighter than glass and can be easily packed in and out when camping or enjoying the great outdoors." Complete Story

New Belgium Brewing Has “Georgia on Its Ride”(April 29) - New Belgium Brewing, the third-largest craft brewer in the U.S., today announced that 22-ounce bombers of Fat Tire, 1554 and Mothership Wit will be available throughout Georgia beginning May 11. The roll-out will begin with bomber bottles for approximately 60 days, to be followed by draft. Complete Story

Beer Before Liquor: Brooklyn Brewers Try Hard Stuff (April 29) -One of the city's premier beer brewers is planning to distill hard liquor. Tom Potter, co-founder of the Brooklyn Brewery, plans to distill gin and whiskey in Brooklyn -- in what will be the first legal still in the city since Prohibition, The Brooklyn Paper reported. Complete Story

Central Oregon beer business: Not bad, a little hoppy(April 29) - Central Oregon's craft brewers say their business has been growing through the recession, even though the rate has been not quite so stout as it once was. Deschutes Brewery, the first microbrewery established in Central Oregon more than 20 years ago, has plans to expand and increase brewing capacity within the next 12 months, marketing manager Jason Randles told The Bulletin of Bend. Complete Story

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Becomes First Corporation to Install Networked Charging Stations for Electric Vehicles(April 26) - Coulomb Technologies, the leader in electric vehicle infrastructure, today announced Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. has installed its ChargePoint™ Networked Charging Stations at its brewery in Chico, CA. The two charging stations are available for patrons and employees of the brewery with electric vehicles. Complete Story

Deschutes Bond Street Series Red Chair IPA(April 25) - The newest member of the Deschutes Brewery Bond Street Series is set to debut in mid-May: Red Chair IPA. Like the other beers in the Bond Street Series, Red Chair IPA began at the community Pub on Bond Street in downtown Bend, Oregon. Complete Story

Sweetwater IPA makes a splash this summer(April 25) - The IPA in question is the Sweetwater IPA. Having already raved about the Sweetwater 420 Pale Ale, I wondered why in the world the Sweetwater Brewery would risk putting another pale ale out there for public consumption. Complete Story

Lawton's Old Hat Brewery to release seasonal Maibock(April 25) -The Old Hat Brewery will release its powerful Maibock May 1.The seasonal brew, typically released to coincide with spring celebrations and festivals, will be tapped beginning at 4 p.m., head brewer Tom Fuller said. Complete Story

2009 Craft Brewers Conference Daily Updates(April 24)- My new friend, Jeff from Drink Craft Beer.com has been doing daily blogs on what is going for the past three days. Complete Story

Brooklyn Brewery co-founder Tom Potter plans to open first New York distillery since Prohibition(April 24) - Brooklyn may be getting the first legal distillery to open in the city since the Prohibition era, the Daily News has learned. Tom Potter, who co-founded Brooklyn Brewery 22 years ago, is looking to get into the gin- and whisky-making business this summer with New York Distillery Company.   Complete Story

Front Street Brewery thriving in tough economy(April 23) - Front Street Brewery may deserve a toast for doing what a lot of other restaurants aren't: increasing sales, says its owner, and thriving amid a withering recession. On a day when City Tavern had to close at Mayfaire Town Center, the downtown brewery and restaurant's sole owner, Tom Harris, said his sales in 2009 through Wednesday are up 38 percent from the same period in 2008. Complete Story

Support for Oregon beer tax increase foaming up(April 23) - Coming on the heels of positive poll numbers and an endorsement by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, a proposal to raise the Oregon beer tax for the first time in 32 years is attracting more support. Complete Story

Guinness Celebrates 250th Birthday With A New Beer(April 23) - Guinness beer is turning 250 years old and it is giving us the presents. A brand new flavor called the 250th Anniversary Stout. The new beer is said to have a new look and taste to it, and is brewed entirely in Ireland. This will be the first new stout they have made in over 40 years. Complete Story

Brewers Association 2009 Achievement Award Winners(April 23) - The Brewers Association Recognition Award went to Ken Allen, founder of Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, CA and former chair of the Association of Brewers, a precursor organization of the Brewers Association. Complete Story

Craft beer is an escape during Great Recession(April 23) - The Brewers Association reports that international sales by craft brewers were up 25% by volume and 38% in dollars for 2008. For the sixth consecutive year US craft beer exports increased substantially with solid growth in virtually all markets. Complete Story

Craft beers have plenty of followers(April 23) - The craft beer community is fairly small and very friendly. But there are often bursts of fierce competition. I was reminded of that during the recent AJC Beer Bracket, when online readers chose Boulder Beer Co.’s Mojo India Pale Ale as their favorite from a field of 16 American IPAs. Complete Story

American craft brewers inspired by Belgian-style sour beers(April 23) - Most of the time, commercial brewing is an exacting and predictable science. When Greg Hall, brewmaster at Goose Island Brewing Co., decides what day to brew Honkers Ale, the brewery's malty English bitter, he also can determine the exact dates he'll filter and bottle the finished product. Complete Story

Pike Brewing Company continues to improve(April 22) - Beer lovers owe a lot of thanks to Charles Finkel, founder of the Pike Brewing Company. Sure, Finkel's Seattle brewery makes some top-of-the line beers, but that's not all. Complete Story

Beer Wars movie behind the scenes part two(April 22) - Director, editor, producer, entrepreneur Anat Baron deserves tremendous credit for high standards and her ability to have made Beer Wars Movie and Event happen. Complete Story

Exclusively Fluid: Dale's Pale Ale(April 22) - Oskar Blues Brewery brews and cans Dale's Pale Ale in Lyons, Colorado. The company formed in 1997. Two years later, the brewery became a brewpub. Complete Story

Smuttynose Old Brown Dog Ale contends with the canine as man’s best friend(April 22) - Old Brown Dog pours looking fizzy and dark rusty brown. A short stack of almond tinted foam quickly reduces to a thin layer of tiny bubbles, leaving only the slightest traces of lacing down the sides of an American pint glass. Complete Story

New Belgium Brewing Cruises into Wisconsin(April 21) - New Belgium Brewing, the third-largest craft brewer in the U.S., today announced that 22-ounce bombers of Fat Tire, 1554 and Mothership Wit will be available in the Milwaukee and Madison, Wisconsin areas beginning May 4. Complete Story

Beer Wars movie behind the scenes part one(April 21) - Five minutes before the end of the movie we left the audience to take our places on stage. Six of us were still digesting the Beer Wars movie which we had just seen for the first time. Complete Story

Atlantic Brewing buys cross-town competitor(April 20) - Founded in 1991, Atlantic Brewing Co. now has two production facilities in Maine and distributes its beers to multiple locations on the East Coast. And earlier this month, with its purchase of cross-town competitor Bar Harbor Brewing, Atlantic has added a few other well-known Maine beers to its roster of brews. Complete Story

Blue Hill Brewery gets smooth launch in Canton(April 19) - Named after the nearby slopes, the company is the newest addition to Greater Boston's vibrant microbrewery scene. But if European history had been a little different, the partners today could be brewing on the other side of the Atlantic. Complete Story

Redhook Ale Brewery unveils 'Slim Chance'(April 19) - Craft brewer Redhook Ale Brewery has announced the launch of Slim Chance, a light ale with the full-bodied flavor of a craft brew. With a name inspired by a daredevil kiteboarding trick, Slim Chance Light Ale is a craft beer for people with an active lifestyle and an appetite for adventure. Complete Story

Make beer not war: the Beer Wars screening(April 18) - The documentary was very informative (as it gave more stats than a high school sex ed class) about how the big guys in the beer world have bullied the independent brewers. Complete Story

Pyramid Breweries making changes to brews(April 18) - The Seattle brewery said its popular Hefeweizen will become “Haywire Hefeweizen” and its Apricot Ale will become “Audacious Apricot Ale.” Complete Story

New Brews from Wild Rose Brewery(April 17) - Wild Rose Brewery, Alberta's own craft brewery, has launched two new beers in six-pack boxes. Wild Rose WRed Wheat and Wild Rose S.O.B. hit the shelves of Alberta liquor stores at the beginning of April. Complete Story

Coon Rock Cream Ale from Lake Louie Brewing(April 17) - A beer enthusiast cannot merely live on big robust dark brews all the time. Those looking for a lighter beer, yet with solid flavor, would do well by picking up a six pack of Coon Rock Cream Ale made by Lake Louie Brewing. Complete Story

Avery makes plans for sweet Sixteen(April 16) - "Well, we got her started and decided to add a few things to the tank. SIXTEEN is a harmonious combination of jasmine, peaches and honey fermented with an unmistakable Belgian yeast strain all weaving a marvelously spicy and fruity, massively estery and dry, saison ale. Thanks to all of you for the most excellent 16-year joy ride!" Complete Story

Boulevard Brewing's Lunar Ale bubbles to perfection(April 16) - Boulevard Brewing Company of Kansas City has hazarded the pit fall of bottle conditioning with their Lunar Ale and have came out much more successful than my Andy, my old boss. Lunar Ale is a sweet, chocolate brown concoction that fizzes a little more than one would expect, a benefit of cask conditioning. Complete Story

Summit’s Horizon Red Ale(April 16) - Summit Horizon Red Ale is an emerging American hybrid ale that crosses the boundaries of Amber and IPA styles. This red-hued ale projects an intensity of complex hops – yet allows the drinker to experience the balance and character of the malt along with notes of apricot, pine, and grapefruit. Complete Story

'Beer Wars' documentary turf war between micro- and big breweries(April 15) - There is a beer battle brewing in America, according to first-time filmmaker Anat Baron. Her new movie "Beer Wars" documents the struggle of independent breweries to gain a little market share in a country dominated by Miller and Budweiser. Complete Story

VT beer lovers boast most breweries per capita(April 15) - New England beer lovers have something to be proud of today. States in this region have more breweries per capita than most other states do. According to the brewers association, New Hampshire ranks 11th, Maine 4th And Vermont is first. Complete Story

Dogfish brewery always learning new tricks(April 15) -'There isn't a single ingredient we wouldn't consider putting into our beer," says Sam Calagione, Greenfield native and founder of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Delaware. Complete Story

Organic Eel River beers pass the taste test(April 15) - Eel River, of Fortuna, Calif., was the first certified organic brewery in the United States, co-founder Margaret Frigon said. Just for the record, I did not follow the brewery's motto of "Be Natural - Drink Naked." I was fully clothed almost all of the time. Complete Story

Touring Clipper City brewery(April 15) -Each "tasting" is about a half glass of beer, depending on the alcohol content of the suds you're drinking. The bartenders pour you less of the Heavy Seas Holy Sheet because it's 9 percent alcohol. YEEE HAW! Complete Story

James Squire Porter provides a rich, roasty experience(April 15) - It's time for a visit to the land down under. Australia is not the first country people think of when it comes to dark beers, but James Squire Porter is a worthwhile addition to the style with some notable features. Complete Story

Brewers Association Releases Top 50 Breweries List(April 14) Brewers Association, which represents the majority of brewing companies in the USA, announced the annual list of top 50 brewing companies. Released are lists for both Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies¹ of small and independent craft brewers plus a Top 50 Overall Brewing Companies list. Rankings are based on sales volume in 2008. Complete Story

Brewery Ommegang's heart is in Belgium(April 14) - Brewery Ommegang may be physically in Cooperstown, N.Y., but their brewing heart is in Belgium. Brewery Ommegang takes traditional Belgian-style ales and puts its own twists on them, making Ommegang one of the best U.S. breweries today. Complete Story

New Samuel Adams LongShot Variety Six-Pack Hits Shelves(April 14)As America's interest in homebrewing and craft beer is at an all time high, Jim Koch and the brewers at Samuel Adams are proud to foster the talents of aspiring homebrewers by offering their unique recipes to craft beer drinkers across the country as winners of the 2008 Samuel Adams American Homebrew Contest. Samuel Adams Founder and Brewer Jim Koch, was joined by a panel of industry experts to select California-resident Alex Drobshoff's Traditional Bock in the final round of judging. Alex's beer bested more than 1,300 consumer entries. Complete Story

Old Guardian-- Stone Brewery's powerful but good barley wine(April 14) Old Guardian from Stone Brewing is a very powerful barley wine style ale. "Powerful" refers not just to the beer's alcohol content (a fairly high 11.3%), but also the bitter flavor of the ale-- which clocks in at a strong 95 IBUs. This beer is strong, but that is its best quality. Complete Story

Venerable Oregon Brewers Festival celebrates 22 years of American craft beer (April 13) - It’s the event that brings together 80 craft breweries, 2,000 volunteers and 70,000 beer lovers for a four-day summer celebration of American craft beer. The 22nd annual Oregon Brewers Festival, one of the nation's longest-running and best-loved craft beer festivals, will take place July 23 through July 26 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland.   Complete Story

Small brewers battle ‘evil empire’ in ‘Beer Wars’ film(April 13) - In “Beer Wars,” the new film by Anat Baron, the director is never able to persuade Anheuser-Busch heir August Busch IV to sit for an interview. But Baron does try talking to one of the famed Budweiser Clydesdales. Complete Story

Guinness to offer new stout for limited time(April 13) - The makers of Guinness are touting a new stout beer in the U.S., a maltier, fizzier version of its older, creamier sibling, the world's best-selling stout. Complete Story

Evolution Craft Brewery Opens(April 13) - On Thursday, John and Tom Knorr of Southern Boys Concepts opened their newest venture, Evolution Craft Brewery, a full-production boutique operation. The brewery is the company's fifth project and fourth in the area, including SoBo's Wine Bistro, the Red Roost and Boonie's in Tyaskin. Complete Story

Summit Brewing Company Introduces Horizon Red Ale(April 13) - Summit Brewing Company is proud to present Horizon Red Ale, an emerging American hybrid ale that crosses the boundaries of styles. This red-hued ale projects an intensity of complex hops - yet allows the drinker to experience the character of the malt along with notes of apricot, pine, and grapefruit. Complete Story

Coral Gables brewery celebrates 10-year anniversary(April 13) - When owner Kevin Rusk first opened the doors of Titanic Restaurant and Brewery, he wanted to bring something to South Florida it never had: its own specialty beer brewed in Coral Gables. Complete Story

U.S. Beer Imports Lose Their Fizz(April 11) - U.S. beer imports fell 19% in the first two months of the year, one of the steepest declines in years and the latest indication that the weak economy is hurting even hardy industries. Complete Story

The Beer Authority, Seattle's newest beer shop(April 10) - Their motto is "All Things Beer Sold Here", and they don't disappoint. Along with a wide selection of beers in coolers lining two walls, the store offers kegs to go, glassware, brewery apparel, locally produced beer "munchies" and more. Complete Story

The Return of New Belgium's Biere de Mars(April 10) - With a sour flash of Brettanomyces yeast, citrusy notes of lemon verbena and a dry finish, New Belgium's Biere de Mars evokes the hearty character of the Belgian countryside. Brewed with barley, oats and wheat malt, Biere de Mars is the latest offering in the brewery's newly created Lips of Faith program. Complete Story

The 10 hottest beers(April 10) - Brewers from around the world are eager to tap the hip Boston beer market, so Bostonians have more options than most beer consumers. We asked the city’s suds sophisticates, from buyer to brewers to beer journalists, for the 10 hottest beers. Complete Story

Hopworks celebrates first year April 14th with Anniversary Cream Ale(April 10) - Our cream ale is nitrogenated in the serving tank creating a silky smooth texture and an irresistible honey-like malt finish. Simcoe dry hops round out the palate with a touch of pine and citrus. Complete Story

Sierra Nevada To Launch Wild Rivers Campaign(April 9) - “Our beer is a product of our surroundings,” said Ken Grossman, Founder and President of Sierra Nevada Brewing and member of the board of directors for Western Rivers Conservancy. “Sierra Nevada is not just the name of our brewery, but also a place with its own unique environment. We need to do our part in protecting that environment for generations to come.” Complete Story

Companies square off in 'Beer Wars'(April 10) - Told from an insider's perspective, this documentary is directed by Anat Baron, an accomplished filmmaker who in a past life was the general manager of Mike's Hard Lemonade. In her "Beer Wars," she shows that the big companies -- Miller, Budweiser and Coors -- are actually being given a run for their money by small, independent brewing companies from all over the United States. Complete Story

Avery Reverend, Quadrupel Belgian Ale Review(April 10) - If you choose to crack your Reverend before the four year mark (and who could blame you), you'll notice a strong clove and coriander scent, rounded out by pronounced citrus and a strong whiff of alcohol. It pours thick and heavy, with a deep orange and red honey hue and a foamy, lacey head. Complete Story

MacTarnahan's Brewing Limited Edition Release Summer Grifter(April 10) - MacTarnahan's Brewing Co, brewers of award winning MacTarnahan's Amber Ale, introduces SUMMER GRIFTER™ India Pale Ale to compliment a growing portfolio of distinct, bold, and original offerings. Complete Story

Sierra Nevada and ChicoFest 2009: Proving that green beer does taste good!(April 8) - Sierra Nevada has a different approach to green beer. The brewery, which was founded in 1980, is set to dedicate a new 1.5 megawatt solar array during ChicoFest 2009 on April 26. Complete Story

Deschutes Brewery's Twilight Ale To Be Released In May(April 8) - Twilight Ale is a straw-colored ale with a vigorous hop essence and a subtle, wafer-like body that complements the flavor of this special seasonal brew. It is a unique blend of four hops and malts: Cara-Pils and Carastan malts with the late addition of whole flower Cascade, Amarillo and Tettnang hops. Complete Story

Full Sail Brewing Keelhauler Scottish Ale(April 8) - This is another in a long line of brewmaster reserve/special release beers from Full Sail. They've really done a great job pushing their regular lineup of solid beers, while still keeping us happy with a variety of special releases.   Complete Story

American craft brewers inspired by Belgian-style sour beers(April 8) - Most of the time, commercial brewing is an exacting and predictable science. When Greg Hall, brewmaster at Goose Island Brewing Co., decides what day to brew Honkers Ale, the brewery's malty English bitter, he also can determine the exact dates he'll filter and bottle the finished product. Complete Story

Samuel Smith's Organic Fruit Beer(April 7) - Merchant du Vin and Samuel Smith's Old Brewery are excited to announce the introduction of a new line: Samuel Smith’s Organic Fruit Beers - Cherry, Raspberry, and Strawberry. These innovative, handcrafted USDA Certified Organic beers will be available nationally in April, just in time for summer. Complete Story

Monk’s Uncle Tripel Ale Released As A Year ‘Round Offering From Pike Brewing(April 7) - There once was a little boy. He didn’t want to be a racecar driver, a cowboy or a fireman.When he grew up he wanted to be a monk. Not just any monk, but one who brewed beer. He expressed his ambition to his parents. “But son, we’re Jewish!” they told him. He became an artist instead. Being Jewish didn’t stop Charles Finkel from introducing Orval Trappist Ale into the USA years later. Complete Story

Five great American beers(April 7) - From the home of R.E.M. and the best college mascot on the planet comes a gigantic wheat beer "brewed with a obscene amount of locally grown Tupelo and Sourwood Honeys from Savannah Bee Company." Athens, Ga., just keeps getting better. Complete Story

Terrapin Beer celebrates its seventh anniversary(April 7) - In April 2002 Cochran and Buckowski tapped the first kegs of Terrapin’s signature Rye Pale Ale at the Classic City Brew Fest in Athens, GA. A series of awards, including The Gold Medal at the Great American Beer festival in 2002 for the Rye Pale Ale, created a demand that has propelled the company forward. Complete Story

Brewers call for National Beer Day(April 7) - Campaigners on Monday issued calls for a National Beer Day as part of a plan to save the "great British pub." More than 200 MPs and TV celebrities including Melanie Sykes and Oz Clarke have backed appeals by brewers for April 6 to be recognised as an official celebration of the nation's favourite tipple. Complete Story

Singletrack Copper Ale heralds Spring with robust refreshment(April 6) - After hard work on a warm day, one of the warmest so far for 2009, its good to come and relax with a refreshing beer. Tonight’s choice is Boulder Beer Company’s Sidetrack Copper Ale.   Complete Story

Lagniappe Brewing Company taps fresh FLorida market(April 6) - If you're someone who enjoys a fresh and locally produced brew, you might want to sample one of Lagniappe Brewing Company's beers. Head brewer and co-owner Brad Banker opened his tasting room, complete with lounge-type seating, at 60 Center St. Complete Story

Breckenridge Massive Beer Festival Next Saturday(April 5) - KSMT "The Mountain" will present the 3rd annual Breckenridge Massive Beer Festival on Saturday, April 11 at Main Street Station Plaza in Breckenridge. The event will provide locals and visitors to the Colorado ski resort town with brews, views and free live music in a benefit for the Family and Intercultural Resource Center. Complete Story

Heavy Seas Holy Sheet-Uber Abbey Ale Review(April 4) - From the centuries-old tradition of Belgian Abbey monks comes our “Uber Abbey” Ale. Aromatic and full bodied, pouring deep burgundy in color, it’s bold, it’s Heavy Seas. Grab a line…Holy Sheet!…or you’ll be swept overboard. Seasonally available in February while supplies last. Complete Story

Utah legalizes homebrewing(April 5) - The United States state of Utah has legalized homebrewing of beer and wine. H.B. 51, "Exemption for Alcoholic Beverage Manufacturing License", was signed into law by Utah governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. on March 24 after being passed by large majorities in both houses of the State Legislature. The bill was introduced by Salt Lake City representative Christine A. Johnson (D-25th district) and will take effect on May 12.  Complete Story

Oakshire Brewing Expands, Adds Brewmaster(April 4) - Oakshire Brewing Company of Eugene is nearing completion on a 2,000 square foot addition to its production brewery in Northwest Eugene. The additional space will allow for the installation of three 30-barrel fermentation tanks arriving from Georgetown Brewing of Seattle, more than doubling Oakshire's production capacity. Complete Story