This Week's Brew News - March 30, 2007 -- Beer Info

Pilsner Urquell Earns Highest Taste Rating of Top Selling Imported Beers(March 30) - Milwaukee - The ultra-premium imported beer Pilsner Urquell is taking its place among other top-rated brands in the liquor department. Complete Story

Ales go organic(March 29) - Texas - Organic beers aren't exactly flooding the market. With a few exceptions, most are produced by small breweries and distributed regionally. Complete Story

Terrapin Signs Lease for new brewery in Athens(March 29) - Georgia - Terrapin Beer Company recently announced it has raised equity from a group of local investors to fund the opening of a brewing facility in Athens. The company has entered into a lease for a 45,000 sq. ft. building. Complete Story

New Terrapin brew a malty, unique ale(March 29) - Georgia - Terrapin Beer is celebrating the debut of its newest beer with a special firkin keg tapping at Aromas Saturday. India Brown Ale will be for sale to the public for the first time at this celebration. Complete Story

Beer lovers can get married at brewery(March 29) - UK - It’s every beer-lover’s dream – getting married in a brewery and now Britain’s oldest brewer, Shepherd Neame, has turned dream into reality. Complete Story

Brewery launches Caybrew(March 29) - Cayman Islands - Caybrew, the new beer that is brewed and bottled in the Cayman Islands, was launched from the Cayman Islands Brewery located on Shamrock Road, George Town. Complete Story

Beer Brewed In Dog's Honor(March 28) - Portland, Oregon - The dog credited with keeping three climbers warm until they could be rescued on Mount Hood is being honored once again, this time by beer brewed in her honor. Complete Story

Cape Cod's Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Man Winter(March 28) - Cape Cod - You've waited so patiently - and now your wait is over. The Bourbon Barrel Aged Old Man Winter - which we have been calling by its codename "Old Dude" - is bottled, and ready for purchase. Complete Story

Orlando Brewing Celebrates First Anniversary(March 28) - Florida - Orlando Brewing will celebrate the one year anniversary at the Atlanta Avenue location on April 7."There were a lot of hardships early on," says John Cheek, President of Orlando Brewing, "but we made it." Complete Story

Durango’s Ska Brewing looks to expand(March 28) - Colorado - Ska Brewing Co. plans to build a new headquarters near its current plant in Bodo Industrial Park in a $4 million gamble that the expansion will spur more growth. Complete Story

Herbs, berries spice up new spring brews(March 28) - California - Most of us who are into good beer are aware of Fat Tire — the amber ale, if not the brewery, New Belgium, of Fort Collins, CO. When homebrewer Jeff Lebesch and his wife, Kim Jordan, founded the craft brewery in 1991 after a mind-expanding bicycle trek through Belgium, they made a number of smart moves. Complete Story

Meet the new 'Chief Beer Officer'(March 27) - USAToday - Four Points says it had more applicants for this job than any other in the chain's history. After winning nearly half of 12,759 votes cast and impressing Sheraton execs with his bubbly personality and beer knowledge, Scott Kerkmans of Phoenix starts his job today. Complete Story

Brewing Tanks Arriving at New Home in Allentown(March 27) - Pennsylvannia - Something's brewing in downtown Allentown. The brewing tanks for the new Allentown Brew Works are being installed today at the new second location for the owners of the Bethlehem Brew Works at 812 Hamilton Street. Complete Story

Brewery sheds light on energy effort(March 27) - Wisconsin - The Minhas Craft Brewery is going green. Owner Ravinder Minhas has banned incandescent light bulbs inside the brewery in an effort to save energy. Complete Story

Yazoo Brewing expands into Memphis market(March 27) - Tennessee - Local craft brewer Yazoo Brewing Co. has expanded into the Memphis market, shipping two of its beers, Yazoo Pale Ale and Dos Perros amber, into the market through distributor Southwestern Beverages. Complete Story

Blind Tiger Roars Back to Life(March 26) - New York - When the Blind Tiger Ale House shuttered its original Greenwich Village location in 2005, I cried like a widdle baby at the loss of a classic New York drinking institution. Complete Story

Anheuser-Busch wins latest court battle with Budvar(March 24) - St. Louis - Another round in the centurylong dispute between Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. and Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar is settled, with the win going this time to the American beer-maker. Complete Story

The 75th Street Brewery Reopens(March 23) - Kansas City - The 75th Street Brewery reopened Wednesday after being closed for a month because of a devastating fire two doors down last month. Complete Story

This Month's Beer Festivals

Classic City Brew Fest - Athens, GA - April 1
Sampling of 150 beers from around the world, including world-class, gourmet, and strong beers; food and live music, T-shirt and collectibles booth. This event is sold out.

The Brewers Plate - Philadelphia, PA - April 1
Craft beer and gourmet food event, showcasing more than 15 craft breweries and more than 15 restaurants from the Philadelphia area; each restaurant's chef will prepare two dishes to compliment a specific craft beer; limited number of Brew Masters' Lounge passes available.

Boulder Strong Ale Fest - Boulder, CO - April 6-7
Ales of at least 8% ABV on draft, from the nation's top craft breweries, and will be poured on draft; event benefits local charities such as Habitat for Humanity and The Humane Society of Boulder Valley.

Montana Beer Festival - Bozeman, MT - April 6
Inaugural event, featuring more than 75 beers from Montana and the Northern Rockies; competitions, including gold, silver, and bronze awards for Best Montana Craft beer and Best Featured Craft Beer; entertainment includes live music and a comedy troupe.

Spring Beer & Wine Fest - Portland, OR - April 6-7
Beer from more than 35 brewers and distributors; artisan vintners, distillers, cheese makers; Chefs Stage and gourmet food; live music from Pacific Northwest bands.

Featured Beer of the Week

Lagunitas IPA Maximus
Review: A brilliant, crystal-clear amber body reveals deep gold highlights. Perfumey, floral, citrusy (mild grapefruit) and piney hops greet you in the nose over a delicate, caramel-laced malt. It's quite engaging and very welcoming; although not as brash as some of the bolder IPA's tend to be! Nice! The body is medium and it's lightly crisp in the mouth. All of the variety of hops found in the aroma dominate the flavor profile; and it's caramel-laced and biscuity malt acts as support. It's exceptionally well-balanced for such a boldly hopped beer. 7.5% ABV

Brewery Note: At the height of the heat in the heart of the summer, we felt the only cure was a raging mouthful of fresh Hops and Malt. Caution: May remove enamel from teeth. Website