This Week's Brew News - April 13, 2007 -- Beer Info

Red Oak Brewing nearing completion(April 13) - North Carolina - After years of planning, hassle and delays, Greensboro restaurateur Bill Sherrill's Red Oak Brewing Co. is getting its own home and brewery in the Rock Creek Corporate Center. Complete Story

Consumers Willing to Pay More for Beer(April 13) - Houston - According to Information Resources Inc., a provider of industry data, in 2006 the top 15 new beer brands measured by case sales volume were all selections from the "high-end" market. A group that includes flavored malt beverages like Bacardi Silver Peach, seasonal brews such as Jack's Pumpkin Spice, Leinenkugal Sunset Wheat and imports. Complete Story

Twin Lakes Brewery celebrates first anniversary(April 12) - Delaware - Twin Lakes Brewery in Greenville celebrates its first anniversary today at Buckley’s Tavern, Centerville. Complete Story

Want to open a brewery? Take this class(April 12) - Chicago - Opening a microbrewery or brewpub is the dream of many brewers and beer-loving entrepreneurs, yet creating and operating a successful small brewery requires more than dreams. Complete Story

Maine spanked for ban on Santa's Butt beer label(April 12) - Portland - The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression picked a state agency's ban on Santa's Butt Winter Porter as one of the nation's most egregious violations of free speech last year. Complete Story

Craft beer sales surge in 2006(April 12) - Yahoo - Sales of "craft" beer continued to surge in 2006, with a 17.8 percent increase in supermarket sales that tops sales growth of all other categories of alcoholic beverages, the Brewers Association reported. Complete Story

Willamette Brewery brews up big business(April 12) - Oregon - Jeff Althouse was a school teacher; his brother Chris runs a mobile DJ-ing company; and both enjoyed home-brewing beer. Then, two and half years ago, they decided to take their popular homebrew to the next level, starting the Willamette Brewery. Complete Story

Great Lakes Loons fans will be able to buy ice-cold Phoenix Golden Ale(April 12) - Michigan - Bay City's newest locally-brewed beer will have a place at the area's newest ballpark - right behind home plate. Complete Story

Red Duck accolades from down under(April 12) - Australia - PURRUMBETE'S Red Duck brewery has been recognised for producing the best dark ale at a Melbourne people's choice awards. Complete Story

Brewing may be no barrel of laughs(April 12) - UK - Come May or June thousands of beer-drinkers across the nation will be swapping their thick, warming pints of ale and stout for a refreshing lager. Complete Story

Group crafts brewery distinctions(April 11) - Arizona - When it sold March 2, Old Dominion Brewing Co. in Ashburn, Va., ceased to be a craft brewery. No, the new owners - Fordham Brewing Co. in Annapolis and Anheuser-Busch - didn't shutter the plant. Complete Story

August Schell Springs Maifest on to the market(April 11) - New Ulm, MN - Brewed in the tradition of Munich’s finest Maibock beers, Schell's Maifest is a full bodied, small-batch lager made with a blend of three specialty malts, and imported and domestic hops. Details

Steelback's four `wonderful' awards create buzz in the brewing world(April 11) - Toronto - It wasn't just Toronto that froze over last week – hell did, too, judging by some of the results at the Ontario Brewing Awards. While many of the categories were won by some of the province's most respected craft brewers, two gold medals went to a brewery distinctly less popular with hard-core beer aficionados. Complete Story

Anheuser-Busch develops Ascent 54 beer for Colorado(April 10) - Colorado - While Colorado is known by many as a beer drinker's paradise, many locals will be excited to know that one brewer has developed a beer especially for residents. Complete Story

IRI Announces Annual Top 30 Beer Brand Performers and Top 15 New Brands(April 10) - Chicago - The IRI Beer, Wine and Spirits Practice today announced its highly-anticipated “Top 30 Beer Brand Performers in 2006,” a revealing industry look at the 30 fastest growing beer brands across the beer market. Complete Story

‘Beer & Food’ Book Traces the Triumph of Beer Over Grain Scarcity, War and Prohibition and Serves Up its Frothy Influence on American Cuisine(April 10) - Chicago - Like a grilled bratwurst and a satisfying brew, beer historian Bob Skilnik’s latest book, “Beer & Food: An American History” is the perfect complement to A&E’s recent television airing of “The American Brew.” Complete Story

The Beer Whisperer: Delving fine brews with Lovibond Sparge | Pale Ale(April 10) - “India pale ale,” my cousin Lovibond tells me in her indescribable accent. “For two hundred years, it is the darling of British beer aficionados. Not a nice beginning, helping Britain to colonize India, but the ale itself is marvelous.” Complete Story

Second Carolina Brewery's taps will flow in August(April 9) - South Carolina - The Carolina Brewery -- apparently the first mini brewery in Chatham County -- is coming to town and is scheduled to open in August. Complete Story

Buffalo Bills Orange Blossom Cream Ale Debuts New Look(April 9) - California - Buffalo Bills Brewery, one of the first brewpubs in the USA since Prohibition, today unveiled a new heritage bottle and twist top for its spring and summer offering, Orange Blossom Cream Ale. Complete Story

Craft beers from the Finger Lakes(April 9) - New York - Beer is a many-splendored beverage: some people drink it for the alcohol, some drink it to fit in, some drink it for its cheap price. But a growing number of people drink craft beer for its rich, complex tastes — for its connection to the local food movement and for the way it complements certain foods. Complete Story

Flying Dog, Coors open facilities in Maryland, Virginia, respectively, in an effort to cut costs(April 7) - Maryland - One is a scrappy craft beer maker that sports a wacky dog on its labels and trumpets its ties to the late gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson. Complete Story

Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Set to Open in Bolingbrook, IL(April 7) - Illinois - Beer lovers in Chicago's western suburbs will have a very inviting place to enjoy excellent food and their favorite handcrafted brew when Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant opens its doors this April 26. The Bolingbrook restaurant will be the first Illinois location for Gordon Biersch which was founded in 1988 and has 21 restaurants in 14 states, primarily in the West and Southeast. Complete Story

Granite City Restaurant, Brewery Coming to Rogers, Arkansas(April 7) - Wade Behm of Sioux Falls, S.D. submitted plans on March 21 to the Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services for Granite City Food and Brewery. The rock solid restaurant will be at 2203 Promenade Blvd., Suite 15100 in Rogers. Complete Story

This Weekend's Beer Festivals

Boston Beer Summit - Boston, MA - April 13-14
Three tasting sessions. Beer from more than 40 breweries and other providers.

Friday the Firkenteenth - Philadelphia, PA - April 13
A Friday the 13th tradition, featuring 13 or more cask-conditioned ales on the bar. This is the only beer event in the world whose frequency and timing are completely at the mercy of the calendar.

Ontonagon Fest-of-Ale - Penticton, BC - April 13-14
More than 75 beers from over 25 breweries; food from some of the South Okanagan's best restaurants; live entertainment; proceeds go to local charities.

AleFest Chicago - Arlington Park, IL - April 14
More than 150 beers from over 40 breweries; food and live music.

Ballpark Festival of Beer - Charleston, SC - April 14
100 to 125 American specialty beers, plus malt beverages, wine, and liquor; food and live entertainment.

Great Brews From Around the World - Lake Harmony, PA - April 14
Featuring beer from 30 breweries; beer seminars; international menu; live music; food and craft vendors.

Southwest Festival of Beer - Scottsdale, AZ - April 14-15
Beer garden, offering more than 200 specialty beers; food and musical entertainment; beer festival is held in conjunction with the Great Arizona Picnic, part of the Scottsdale Culinary Festival.

Taming of the Brew - Bloomsburg, PA - April 14
Beer from East Coast breweries; entertainment, beer merchandise, and an auction.

Featured Beer of the Week

Alaskan Amber
Style - Alt. The name of this beer style comes from the German word "alt" meaning "old". This refers to the aging that alts undergo since they ferment more slowly and at colder temperatures than most ales. Slow fermentation helps condition the flavors in Alaskan Amber, contributing to its overall balance and smoothness.

History:
Alaskan Amber is based on a recipe from a turn-of-the-century brewery in the Juneau area. It was voted "Best Beer in the Nation" in the 1988 Great American Beer Festival Consumer Poll.

Specifications:
Original Gravity: 1.054, ABW 4.0%, ABV 5.0%, Bitterness: 18 IBU Website