In last week’s Q1 earnings call, Craft Brew Alliance (CBA) briefly mentioned a nationwide rollout of its new gluten-free offering, Omission Beer. Today’s press release from the company indicates that it will be available across CBA’s entire distribution footprint by mid-June.

The founding brewers of the newly established NYC Brewers Guild have drummed up some spectacularly rare and diverse beers for the evening of Tuesday, May 22nd. At Brooklyn Brewery, nearly every style of beer (and some made up ones) will be represented. Serious beer fans, take note — you’ll likely never see a lineup of beers like this from New York city’s brewers again.

Finally a beer company has creatively used a QR code. Guinness recently began distributing pint glasses that, when filled with Guinness (or any dark beer), reveals a special QR pattern. After scanning, the code reportedly can tweet your pint, update your facebook status, check you in on foursquare and download special coupons and promotions.

KAILUA-KONA, HI - This past March, craft beer drinkers were treated to something extra special at the 17th annual Kona Brewers Festival. The cast of Travel Channel hit Sand Masters, a reality show about a select group of sand sculptors who travel the globe to create masterpieces for clients on film, were so inspired by sights on Hawaii’s Big Island that they built a 50-ton sand sculpture to reveal at the festival.

RICHMOND - Governor McDonnell today signed two pieces of legislation to support Virginia craft brewers at the Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. House Bill 359 (McClellan) allows manufacturers to lease space in their brewhouses to smaller-scale brewers and Senate Bill 604 (McWaters) allows retail sales of beer and sampling on the premises of Virginia breweries.

Harris Interactive, a market and research firm headquartered in New York recently released the results of its annual poll, which examines the health of over 1,500 brands and analyzes responses from over 38,000 consumers across multiple consumer goods categories. 

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. – Last night, HEINEKEN received the prestigious GBCHealth Business Leadership Award at GBCHealth’s annual conference in New York City. HEINEKEN has been selected to receive this award by GBCHealth for its enduring commitment to and excellence in its support for health-related programming for its employees, their dependents and the communities in which it operates.

BAY SHORE, NY- The Golden Tap Awards Gala, one of the premiere events of Long Island’s second annual Craft Beer Week, was be held last night at the Boulton Center for the Performing Arts in Bay Shore.  Awards were given in a number of people’s choice categories, including Long Island Beer of the Year.  Blue Point Brewing Company took top honors in several categories for the second year in a row. Also honored were Brooklyn Brewery President Steve Hindy and Brewers East End Revival (B.E.E.R.) founder Mike Deinhart.

With only 25 seats remaining, Brewbound Craft Beer Session is almost sold out!  If you are interested in attending Brewbound Session, our conference on the business of craft beer, on June 5 in NYC, register now.  Our program, which features executives from leading craft brewers, distributors, and more (full program).  Come join us for a day of learning and networking that are sure to help you grow your business.  Click the link below to find out more.

Brad Hittle, a former Pabst CMO and founder of Two Roads Brewing, believes a “looming shakeout” of the craft beer category could lead to more business for his start up contract brewing facility. “As the industry evolves and as the looming shakeout occurs, capacity will be released,” he said. “Smaller brewers will suffer. I don’t think any of that released capacity is going to be efficient enough for a contract brewing model.”

SAN DIEGO, CA – San Diego hosted the ninth bi-annual World Beer Cup® this past weekend in conjunction with the Craft Brewer’s Conference. The conference brings together brewers from around the world with 4,500 attendees.  The competition is highly regarded and considered the largest international gathering of beers with more than 3,921 entries from 799 breweries across 54 countries and 45 U.S. states.