“We are trying to do something nobody has else has done,” Andy Thomas, the president of commercial operations for CBA said. “We have to navigate how we can get that message out there effectively as we launch.”

Omission is touted as the first craft beer brand in the U.S. to make gluten-free beers while still using malted barley in the brew process and was initially only available in Oregon.

A few highlights from the Q1 CBA Earnings Call:

• All combined brands had STR (shipments to retailer) growth of 8 percent
• Kona grew 30 percent while Redhook grew 7 percent
• Gains being driven by “strongly established, year-round offerings”
• Restaurant and retail sales revenue grew 8 percent across all five locations
• Widmer Brothers Rotator IPA series doubled in volume from year-ago while high-end offerings (Alchemy Project, 924 Series and Brothers Reserve) grew over 40 percent.
• Kona Brewing’s Longboard Lager experienced double-digit revenue growth
• Redhook Variety packs saw 60 percent revenue growth

PORTLAND, OR. – May 17, 2012 – Beginning this week, Omission Beer will start distributing Omission Lager and Omission Pale Ale, the first two craft beer offerings from the new brand, nationally. Previously available only in Oregon, the phased rollout will begin on the West Coast and is expected to be available nationwide by mid-June.

Announced in late March by Craft Brew Alliance (CB^A), Omission is the first craft beer brand in the U.S. focused exclusively on brewing great-tasting craft beers with traditional ingredients—including malted barley—that are specially crafted to remove gluten. Brewed by Widmer Brothers Brewing in Portland, Ore., Gluten levels in every batch of Omission beer are measured by the brewery and two independent labs using the R5 Competitive ELISA test to ensure that the beer meets the brewery’s standards. Test results for every batch of Omission beer are available to consumers at: www.omissiontests.com.

“After introducing Omission Lager and Omission Pale Ale in Oregon last month, we’re eager to share our great-tasting brews with the rest of the country,” said Terry Michaelson, CEO. “Omission is a testament to the creativity, innovation and dedication of our team. As a celiac, I’m thrilled with the result, and think others in the celiac and craft beer communities will be, too.”

Omission Lager and Omission Pale Ale

“We wanted to offer great craft beers to people who aren’t able to fully enjoy the craft beer experience due to gluten intolerance,” said Joe Casey, brewmaster. “Omission Lager and Omission Pale Ale are approachable beers and are true expressions of their respective styles. We’re looking forward to sharing both beers with people across the United States.” 

Omission Lager is a refreshing and crisp beer, brewed in the traditional lager style. Perfect for a variety of occasions, Omission Lager’s aromatic hop profile offers a unique, easy-drinking beer for those looking for a lighter and approachable beer style. Bold and hoppy, Omission Pale Ale is a hop-forward American pale ale, brewed to showcase the Cascade hop profile. Amber in color, Omission Pale Ale’s floral aroma is complemented by caramel malt body, making for a delicious craft beer.

Omission Lager and Omission Pale Ale have a suggested retail price of $9.99 per six-pack and will be available in 12-ounce bottles at retailers and bars throughout the United States.   

About Omission Beer

Omission Beer is a new brand of craft beers introduced first in Oregon in early April by Craft Brew Alliance in Portland, Ore. Omission is the first craft beer brand in the U.S. focused exclusively on brewing great-tasting beers with traditional ingredients, including malted barley, specially crafted to remove gluten. Each batch of Omission Beer is tested using the R5 competitive ELISA test to ensure that it contains gluten levels that meet the brewery’s strict standards. Drinking is believing. 

About Craft Brew Alliance

Craft Brew Alliance was formed with the merger of leading Pacific Northwest craft brewers Widmer Brothers Brewing and Redhook Ale Brewery in 2008. With an eye toward preserving and growing one-of-a-kind craft beers and brands, CB^A was joined by Kona Brewing Company in 2010. Craft Brew Alliance launched Omission beer in 2012. For more information about CB^A, visit www.craftbrew.com.

Tickets are on sale here. All proceeds fund the non-profit New York City Brewers Guild and NYC Beer Week. Go here for more details on the guild.

The List:

• Birreria Gina American Pale ale with Wild Roman Thyme
• Birreria Gaia Saison
• Bronx 3 Ways: Bronx Pale Ale, Bronx Pale Ale Cask & Bronx Bourbon Barrel Aged Pale Ale
• Brooklyn Cuvée de la Crochet Rouge Riesling
• 175th Anniversary Carnegie Porter Brooklyn Collaboration
• Brooklyn Black Nots Cask
• Chelsea Brewing Co. Checker Cab Blonde
• Chelsea Brewing Co. XXX Stout
• Coney Island Barrel Aged Geekltoberfest 2011
• Coney Island Barrel Aged Human Blockhead
• Coney Island Funky Jewbelation
• Coney Island Mermaid Pilsner
• Heartland Imperial Black Saison
• Heartland Old Red Nose Special Edition 2008
• Harlem Brewing Co. Sugar Hill Golden Ale
• Kelso Rye Rauchbier
• Kelso IPA Cabarnet Barrel Aged & dry hopped in barrel with Galaxy Hops
• Kelso Brettanomyces aged IPA
• Sixpoint Spice Of Life – Columbus Series
• Sixpoint Appolo
• Sixpoint Mad Scientist Series
• 508 GastroBrewery Greenwich Gueuze
• 508 GastroBrewery Montezuma Imperial Stout
• 508 GastroBrewery DBIPA
• 508 GastroBrewery Spring Saison

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.

We’ve seen our fair share of QR codes on beer labels, 12-packs and in print ads but most aren’t particularly notable. A majority of QR codes direct a consumer to an existing web page or youtube clip, and fail to offer the customer a memorable experience.

With this creative marketing endeavor, Guinness has given the consumer a chance to have an experience at the on-premise level, something most beer companies have ignored until now.

The few Irish bars we contacted in the Boston area hadn’t received the pints yet. If you’ve seen one at your local pub, drop us a line in the comment section.

KAILUA-KONA, HI - 

Kona Brewing president Mattson Davis personally toured the cast and crew to Volcanoes National Park to view the eruption of Kīlauea Volcano which began in 1983 and continues today at the cinder-and-spatter cone of Pu`u `Ō `ō (high point on skyline). The cast also tours Kona Brewing Company and even gets to take part in the brewing operations for Koko Brown Ale. The crew sculpted on the sand in front of the legendary King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel, just steps from King Kamehameha The Great’s palace at Kamakahonu Bay.

The inspiration the sculptors gathered from touring the Big Island resulted in a sand masterpiece that was exhibited Saturday, March 10 at Kona Brewers Festival. Each of the five sculptors had one piece of the sculpture to build for Saturday to reveal as one integral sculpture and included a way to serve cold Kona beer to the 2,500 festival-goers. Drama ensues when the beer isn’t temperature-perfect for Kona serving standards, and the sculptors fragile art of sand sculpting is threatened when the sand is not as easy to sculpt as they anticipated.

The Kona Brewfest episode of Sand Masters will premiere Sunday, May 20 at 4:00 pm Eastern and Pacific times. 1:00 pm Hawaii. Check local listings for more viewing times. The flagship pub and restaurant in Kailua-Kona and the Koko pub on Oahu will be hosting viewing parties with drink specials at each pub during the airing.

About Kona Brewing:

Kona Brewing Company was started in the spring of 1994 by father and son team Cameron Healy and Spoon Khalsa, who had a dream to create fresh, local island brews made with spirit, passion and quality. It is a Hawaii-born and Hawaii-based craft brewery that prides itself on brewing the freshest beer of exceptional quality, closest to market. This helps to minimize its carbon footprint by reducing shipping of raw materials, finished beer and wasteful packaging materials. The brewery is headquartered where it began, in Kailua-Kona on Hawaii’s Big Island. It has grown into Hawaii’s largest brewery, has three restaurant sites in Hawaii and beer distribution reaching 30 states and Japan. It is the 13th largest craft brewery in the country. For more information call 808-334-BREW or www.KonaBrewingCo.com.

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. The governor was joined by legislators, brewers from around the state, distributors, representatives from the Virginia Craft Brewers Guild, representatives from the Virginia Manufacturers Association, commissioner of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Neal Insley, and representatives from the Virginia Tourism Commission. After the bill signing the governor helped unveil a new logo for craft beer from the Virginia Tourism Commission “Virginia is for craft beer Lovers.” Virginia currently has 44 licensed breweries.

Speaking about the legislation, Governor McDonnell said, “This legislation positions Virginia’s craft brewers to grow and create more jobs in the Commonwealth. From Arlington to Abingdon, entrepreneurial Virginians are innovating and brewing critically acclaimed beers. The legislation signed today will make it easier for our breweries to serve as destinations for potential customers and allow some of our talented small-scale brewers to lease space from established brewers and overcome some of the significant start-up costs. I would like to thank Senator Jeff McWaters and Delegate Jennifer McClellan for their leadership as patrons in the House and Senate in passing these important bills. Growing Virginia’s craft breweries will grow Virginia manufacturing, agriculture and tourism jobs.”

Eric McKay, co-founder of Hardywood Park Brewery said, “Senate Bill 604 is a landmark bill for Virginia’s craft brewers and for its manufacturing industry at large. Fueled by a passion for quality, innovation and unique flavors, a focus on local ingredients, a commitment to community philanthropy and a dedication to environmental sustainability, Virginia’s craft brewers are significantly empowered through Governor McDonnell’s unprecedented support. SB 604 will, without question, create a substantial number of hospitality and manufacturing jobs, generate significantly greater sales tax revenues, increase tourism, attract new and expanding craft breweries to Virginia, support local agriculture, and enhance Virginia’s food and beverage culture. We commend Governor McDonnell for identifying this opportunity for economic growth through greater liberties to productive and responsible manufacturers.”

Brett Vassey, President and CEO of the Virginia Manufacturers Association said, “The Virginia Craft Brewers Guild is honored by the support of Governor McDonnell, Senator McWaters and Delegate McClellan. SB604 and HB359 will support innovative brewing and expanded opportunities for Virginia’s brewers. These bills represent a golden opportunity for economic development in the Commonwealth and we are incredibly proud of the burgeoning craft beer industry.”

On May 5, the winners of the 2012 World Beer Cup were announced in San Diego. Five Virginia breweries won medals, competing with 3,921 beers from around the world.

Category 6: Herb and Spice Beer, 80 Entries
Bronze: GingerBread Stout, Hardywood Park Brewery, Richmond, VA

Category 8: Coffee Beer, 56 Entries
Bronze: Coffee Stout, Rock Bottom Arlington, Arlington, VA

Category 17: American-Belgo-Style Ale, 48 Entries
Silver: Blue Reserve, Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton, VA

Category 35: Vienna-Style Lager, 41 Entries
Gold: Vienna Lager, Devils Backbone Brewing Co., Roseland, VA

Category 70: Extra Special Bitter, 49 Entries
Silver: GAR Pale Ale, Great American Restaurants, Centreville, VA

Bills Signed Today

SB604 (McWaters) Brewery licensee retail and samples

• Allows a brewery licensee to sell at retail the brands of beer that the brewery owns at premises described in the brewery license for on-premises consumption and in closed containers for off-premises consumption. The bill also allows these licensees to offer samples of the brewery’s products to individuals visiting the licensed premises, provided that such samples shall be provided only to individuals for consumption on the licensed premises and only to individuals to whom such products may be lawfully sold.

HB359 (McLellan) Terms under which licensed brewery may manufacture beer

• Requires the ABC Board to adopt regulations prescribing the terms and conditions under which a licensed brewery may manufacture beer pursuant to an agreement with a brand owner not under common control with the manufacturing brewery and sell and deliver the beer to the brand owner
• Will allow current manufacturers to lease space in their brewhouses to new or smaller-scale brewers

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. 

The Harris Interactive Poll judges how well-perceived brands are amongst consumers by analyzing elements of familiarity, quality and purchase considerations. According to Harris Interactive, ‘the stronger the brand, the greater the bond.’

And in the beer category, it was craft and import brands taking top honors away from brands like Budweiser and Coors. Yuengling Traditional Lager grabbed the top spot with Blue Moon and Sierra Nevada Pale Ale trailing close behind in 2nd and 3rd respectively. Also making the list was Samuel Adams, in the 6th position.

Full results can be found here.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. –

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.

John Tedstrom, CEO GBCHealth, stated, “HEINEKEN is an unsung hero in Global Health. It is a corporate leader who has dedicated its energy, attention and resources over more than two decades to tackling some of the most challenging global health issues of our time. From the company’s first HIV awareness and prevention programs in 1989 to its decision in 2001 to offer

HIV care services as part of its employee medical benefits package (a program many other companies have since replicated), to being an integral voice in shaping critical policy efforts,

Heineken has been a trailblazer in the global health space going above and beyond its core business to address issues that other companies find difficult to address.”

Stefaan van der Borght, Global Director Health Affairs HEINEKEN, said, “We are extremely honored with this award. At HEINEKEN people are our greatest assets. No other asset in the company is as important as the people that contribute with their work to our business results.

Therefore, HEINEKEN commits itself to provide a healthy working environment for all employees, contractors working on its premises and for those hired by HEINEKEN further along the supply chain. We have been actively focusing on health care of our employees and communities for over twenty years now and will continue to do so going forward. At the same time we realize our health care work has only just begun.”

HEINEKEN operates in many different countries. Particularly in the area of healthcare, being a multinational company means taking on responsibilities and actively contributing to the development of societies. HEINEKEN is active in helping combat the world’s poverty diseases: malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Its HIV/AIDS program is an important and integrated part of HEINEKEN’s healthcare initiatives, aimed at both prevention and access to anti-retroviral drugs.

At the end of 2007 HEINEKEN launched the Heineken Africa Foundation in order to support the improvement of health for communities in sub-Saharan Africa. HEINEKEN has endowed the Foundation with 20 million EUR (approximately $25.7 million), which allows up to 1 million EUR (approximately $1.3 million) per year to be invested in relevant health projects and health-related education. To date, the Foundation has committed 3 million EUR (approximately $3.9 million) which supports 33 projects.

About HEINEKEN USA
HEINEKEN USA  Inc., the nation’s premier beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, which is the world’s most international brewer. European brands imported into the U.S. include Heineken Lager, the world’s most international beer brand; Heineken Light; Amstel Light, a leading imported light beer brand; Newcastle Brown Ale, the leading imported ale in the United States; and Buckler non-alcoholic brew. HEINEKEN USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Tecate Light, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from Mexico. For a safe ride home, download the HEINEKEN USA -sponsored Taxi Magic™ application from your smartphone at taximagic.heineken.com. Please visit www.EnjoyHeinekenResponsibly.com.

BAY SHORE, NY- 

For the second year in a row, Blue Point Brewing Company swept the beer and brewery categories.  Over 1,000 Long Island beer enthusiasts participated in the online public poll voting in five of the eight award categories presented at the Gala on May 15, 2012.  The winners are:

BEST LONG ISLAND BEER BAR:  T.J. Finley’s Public House (Bay Shore)

BEST NEW YORK STATE BREWERY:  Blue Point Brewing Co. (Patchogue)

BEST LONG ISLAND BREW PUB:  BrickHouse Brewery (Patchogue)

BEST LONG ISLAND NEW BEER OF THE YEAR-2011:  White IPA (Blue Point Brewing Co.)

2011 LONG ISLAND BEER OF THE YEAR:  Toasted Lager (Blue Point Brewing Co.)

Three additional awards were given during the evening’s festivities.  The results of an industry-only vote named Sean Nolan of the Great South Bay Brewery in Bay Shore as BEST LONG ISLAND BREWERY SALES REP. Steve Hindy, Co-Founder and President of Brooklyn Brewery was presented with the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT award and Mike Deinhardt was recognized with the 2012 BEER PIONEER award.

David Katleski, President of the New York State Brewers Association and a presenter at the gala, gave an encouraging speech about the growth of craft beer in New York State and praised the Long Island breweries specifically for making incredible beer.  Both Katleski and Hindy touched upon the impact of the recent decision handed down in April by the State Supreme Court striking down a tax exemption for small New York breweries.  Both seemed optimistic that with the help of key legislators a favorable resolution could be met.

The master of ceremonies for the evening’s festivities was Long Island funny man and homebrewer, Mr. Tim Saliani.  The event was sponsored by Long Island Beer and Malt Enthusiasts (L.I.B.M.E.) and produced by Starfish Junction Productions.

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“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.”

And that’s exactly where Hittle hopes his $18 million contract brewing outfit, Two Roads, will succeed.

“We want to become a long term home for people rather than just a short term fix,” Hittle said. “There has been too much short term fixing going on over the years.”

Hittle said that significant progress has been made on the build out since the company closed on the Stratford, Conn. property in March.

“In an economy like this, things can really go in your favor,” he said. “In a booming time, we might have had trouble scheduling a contractor but we have a partner that has agreed to a pretty aggressive timetable. There is a 90 percent chance we will begin brewing in November.”

The primary focus at Two Roads will be to attract contract brewing partners. Hittle said he has had several talks with potential customers.

“We have had conversations with a number of ‘seriously interested’ brewing partners,” he said.

He wouldn’t share specific names but did say they were “very viable customers, not startups.”

Those contract partners will be able to take advantage of a 100-barrel Rolec brewhouse, a Westfalia Centrifuge, 100 and 300-barrel Rolec fermenters, a 300 bottle-per-minute bottling line and 60 keg-per-hour kegging line. Hittle said he plans to install a canning line in early 2013 and he’s also hired former Southampton Publick House Brewmaster Phil Markowski.

Hittle also dished on financing for the project. He told us that 50 percent of that $18 million figure came from 30 different investors. The additional financing is fueled by a $1 million loan from the Connecticut Development Authority, a $500,000 state grant to help offset the costs of various ‘environmentally –friendly’ projects, and traditional bank loans.

UPDATE: Hittle wrote Brewbound.com this afternoon to clarify the following quote: “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.”

We inaccurately suggested that Hittle was “banking” on a shakeout as part of his business plan. Below is his statement.

Hittle writes: “I believe that if there is a shakeout, and a lot of people are predicting it, it is less likely to negatively affect Two Roads because the players falling out will likely be small-capacity players and should they need to survive by attempting contract brewing they will not be able to compete as well because our brewery is larger (100 barrel system) and our cost structure should be more efficient. I certainly don’t want people to be hurt by any possible shakeout.  My business plan is predicated on a growing and successful craft market, not on an industry crash of some sort.”

SAN DIEGO, CA –

Karl Strauss’ Red Trolley Ale won a Gold medal in the Irish-Style Red Ale category, beating out entries from across the globe. “Red Trolley is on fire right now!” says Segura. “We’ve been brewing this beer for 23 years, it’s our best-seller, and it keeps dominating in competitions.”  The beer also took home a Gold medal at the 2010 World Beer Cup as well as the 2010 Great American Beer Festival®.  Red Trolley Ale is one of only 7 beers in the world out of more than 7,250 beers entered into competition in the last two World Beer Cups to have won a gold medal in each.  Overall sales of Red Trolley have increased by 36% since its first big win in 2010.

Two Tortugas, the company’s 2011 limited-release Holiday Ale, took home a Silver medal in the Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale category. The company sold through the original release of Two Tortugas in record time, partly due to the fact that the beer also won a Bronze medal at the 2011 Great American Beer Festival.  “Our fans raved about this beer and now that we’ve medaled at World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival, we may have to bring it back,” says Segura.  He goes on to say, “While it is hard to find Two Tortugas now, we are already working on the third installment of our ‘12 Days of Christmas’ holiday series, so look for that this Fall.”

211 judges from 27 countries conducted blind-tastings over three days to determine the world-class examples of 95 different style categories.  Overall, San Diego brewers took home medals in 16 of the 95 categories, including 5 Gold’s, 3 Silver’s, and 8 Bronze’s. “These medals validate all of the hard work we put into brewing great beers and they help elevate San Diego as one of the great beer destinations,” says Segura. For more information on Karl Strauss’ award-winning beers, visit www.karlstrauss.com. Share it, cheers.

About Karl Strauss Brewing Company

Since 1989, Karl Strauss Brewing Company has pioneered the local beer scene in San Diego.  23 years later, the company continues to brew an innovative line-up of award-winning beers ranging from longtime favorites like Red Trolley Ale to new releases like Wreck Alley Imperial Stout.  In 2011, the company brewed 40,000 barrels and ranked #44 on the list of the country’s top craft breweries.  To keep up with double-digit sales growth, the company is adding capacity to its brewery, expanding distribution throughout California, opening a new brewery restaurant, and breaking ground on an extensive brewery renovation. For more information visit www.karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739.  Follow us on twitter and become a fan on facebook.  Share it. Cheers. 

So what does the founder of a 23-year old brand think about it all?

“With all the expansion that is coming, I do worry about over-exuberance,” said Doug Odell, founder of Odell Brewing. “In other times and other situations we have seen that when the exuberance seems to be the highest, that is right about where the bubble is.”

Odell Brewing, now the 30^th largest U.S. craft brewer by volume is also growing but not quite at the torrid pace of some others. Odell Brewing made 58,000 barrels in 2011 and is projecting between 65,000 and 67,000 barrels for 2012. The company also plans to bring a new brewhouse online in the fall of next year which should help it exceed its current capacity of 80,000 barrels.

In our latest video segment from the 2012 Craft Brewers Conference, we sit down with Doug Odell to discuss expansion, the company’s barrel-aging program, distribution updates and succession planning.

BOULDER, CO - 

With a strong knowledge of American craft beer and held in high regard by brewers and distributors alike, Fält is charged with educating the beer community and media in Europe about the availability and quality of American craft beer. As an independent contractor, he will continue to serve as a consultant at Blue Yellow Media in the UK. He has previously held sales manager positions at Vertical Drinks, also in the UK, and Invicta Import and More Import in Sweden.

“Andreas’ appointment comes at an exciting time for American craft beer export market growth,” said Bob Pease, chief operating officer, Brewers Association. “Overall craft exports increased in record numbers in 2011, and regionally, Western Europe was the largest destination for American craft beer exports. Andreas will serve as a valuable bridge-builder to educate the growing audience of American craft beer lovers abroad.”

Globally, American craft beer exports increased 86 percent in 2011, with craft breweries exporting over 110,000 barrels of beer, valued at an estimated $23.4 million. The UK and Sweden are two of the top three largest international markets, with exports totaling approximately 13,065 barrels, and shipments to the Western European region increasing by 52 percent and surpassing 51,613 barrels.

“The demand for American craft beer is steadily growing in Europe,” added Fält. “By working to achieve the goals of the Export Development Program, and helping the Brewers Association’s members in key international target markets, we will continue to increase awareness of and love for American craft beer.”

Since its inception in 2004, the EDP has worked to educate international trade and media about the quality and diversity of products offered by the U.S. craft beer industry and about the U.S. craft beer culture; inform member breweries about opportunities for their products in key international target markets and complement the industry’s own efforts to increase international distribution.

About the Brewers Association

The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup®, Great American Beer Festival®, Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience and American Craft Beer Week. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.

Nate Formalarie, Vermont Hard Cider Company’s Communications Manager, tells Brewbound.com that the cidery produced 215,000 barrels in 2011 and is “closing in on hitting capacity” at its current facility.

The new production facility, scheduled to open in the summer of 2013, is 100,000 sq. feet and will include office space and a visitor’s center.  Formalarie tells us that the existing facility will continue to operate.

Vermont Hard Cider also recently released Woodchuck Amber in 12 oz. cans, running a new canning line 24/7 to fill initial orders. Formalarie said that Amber is the only style being canned at the moment and that additional styles have been considered for future releases but there are no definite plans at this time.

Below is a video featuring company President and CEO, Bret Williams. In the clip, Williams discusses the expansion and the new Amber cans.

ALEXANDRIA, VA

“Beer distributors are proud to serve as partners with America’s craft brewers,” said Craig Purser, president & CEO of the National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA).  “Distributors work with craft brewers to deliver the greatest choice and variety of beer available in the world to American consumers of legal drinking age.  Beer distributors take great pride in serving as the vehicle to market for these brands and providing choice and variety to the consumer.”

“American Craft Beer Week is a great opportunity to recognize the unparalleled number of styles, varieties and flavors of beer – more than 13,000 different labels – available in the marketplace today. This diversity is due in large part to the effectiveness of the independent three-tier distribution system and effective state regulation.  The system provides a level playing field for brewers working to grow and get established,” continued Purser.  “American Craft Beer Week is also a good time to nominate a beer distributor for the Sixth Annual Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, which honors the beer distributor that does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer.”

NBWA and the Brewers Association (BA) will jointly present the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award on October 13, 2012, at the Great American Beer Festival® in Denver, Colorado.  In addition to the Craft Beer Distributor of the Year Award, a Craft Beer Distributor Achievement Award and a Craft Beer Distributor Recognition Award will be presented.  Nominations must be submitted by August 15, 2012.  For entry rules and the nomination form, visit www.nbwa.org/industry-tech/craft-beer-distributor-of-the-year-award.

For more information about American Craft Beer Week, including celebratory events in your area, visit www.craftbeer.com/pages/news-and-events/american-craft-beer-week.

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) represents the interests of America’s 3,300 licensed, independent beer distributor operations in every state, congressional district and media market across the country. Beer distributors are committed to ensuring alcohol is provided safely and responsibly to consumers of legal drinking age through the three-tier, state-based system of alcohol regulation and distribution. To learn more about America’s beer distributors, visit www.AmericasBeerDistributors.com. For additional updates from NBWA, follow @MrBeerGuy on Twitter and visit www.facebook.com/Mr.BeerGuy.

Allman’s All Mild is a beautiful light copper colored English Mild Ale, using a blend of 2-row Pale, Munich, English crystal and brown malts that provide a toasty biscuit character and a dry and balanced finish. Golding and Willamette hops impart an herbal aroma and subtle hop finish that complements the malt complexity. The ale’s low carbonation delivers an incredibly refreshing and light beer perfect for summertime enjoyment. ABV 4.1% IBU 25

“Coming from English heritage, I was very excited to brew this easy drinking and sessionable ale for Full Sail,” says Joshua. “This is a great beer for the warm and sunny days ahead, and a beer that you can enjoy pint after pint with friends. I selected English malts that provide the flavor I remember fondly from that first pint in London. I hope you all enjoy the simple beauty of this Old World brew. Cheers!”

Full Sail has scheduled two “Meet the Brewer and the Beer” events to showcase this new beer. The first Meet Brewer and the Beer event will be at Full Sail at Riverplace in Portland, Tuesday, May 15th, from 5:00 – 6:30PM. The second is at the Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, on Thursday, May 17th from 5:00 to 6:30PM. Join the Full Sail crew to celebrate and toast a pint of this new brew.

With each Brewer’s Share series beer, Full Sail picks a local charity to receive a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the beer. Joshua has chosen to support the Columbia Gorge Ecology Institute, so every keg of Allman’s All Mild benefits this organization whose mission is to create life-long learning opportunities that foster a sense of wonder and community stewardship in the natural systems of the Columbia River Gorge.

The Brewer’s Share Experimental series is a line-up of small batch draft beers where each Full Sail brewer takes a turn hand-crafting their own single batch recipe. A portion of the proceeds benefit a local charity or organization of their choice. Full Sail’s Brewer’s Share Experimental beers will only be available on tap at Full Sail’s Tasting Room and Pub in Hood River, Oregon, and at Full Sail’s Brewery at Riverplace, in Portland, Oregon. Growlers to go are available.  The next Brewer’s Share Experimental will be brewed by Brewer, Clinton Wertzbaugher and is planned for late summer.

About Full Sail Brewing Company:

The independent and employee-owned Full Sail Brewery is perched on a bluff in Hood River, Oregon, overlooking the most epic wind and kite surfing spot in the world. At this very moment our specialists in the liquid refreshment arts are crafting barley and hops into your next beer. Among the company’s most popular brews are Full Sail Amber, IPA, Pale, LTD, Session Premium Lager, Session Black and Session Fest. Founded in 1987, the Full Sail crew has been fermenting godlike nectar for 25 years.  Committed to brewing great beer and sustainable practices their award winning brews are now available in 29 states. The Full Sail Tasting Room and Pub is open seven days a week.  Swing by for a pint, grab a bite, tour the brewery, or just soak up the view.  http://www.fullsailbrewing.com

About American Craft Beer Week, May 14-20^th 2012 

Started in 2006 and recognized by congress twice in its history, American Craft Beer Week® (ACBW) is the national celebration of America’s small and independent craft brewers, their impact on American culture, and the love affair that craft beer enthusiast have for their favorite American made craft beers. Become a fan of American Craft Beer Week on Facebook or visit the ACBW website  for more information on events around the country and toast the week with a delicious beer brewed by one of the craft brewers in the US.

LAWRENCE, KS -

Head Brewers Geoff Deman (Free State), John Dean (Blind Tiger), and Bryan “Bucky” Buckingham (23rd Street) designed the recipe together and collaboratively brewed the three batches of Full Kimono at each other’s breweries in three successive days.

At over 10% ABV (alcohol by volume) and hopped to the hilt with more hops than any of the three breweries have previously employed in a single batch, the Full Kimono is something special indeed. Full of hop flavor but balanced by a full malt backbone, the Full Kimono lays bare the “magic” of the brewer’s art for all to enjoy.

“American craft brewers are artisans, that rather than working in paint, photography…they’re working in beer.” –Tim Meyers.

Strange Brewing Folks are encouraged to travel to the individual breweries and enjoy the subtle differences between each stellar brew, sharing in the community that the three breweries enliven. American Craft Beer Week aims at promoting the quality beer that craft brewers share with an ever growing community of beer enthusiasts. 1,521 events posted to the official ACBW calendar with events in ALL 50 states in 2011. Check for events around the country and locally at CraftBeer.com.

FRASERBURGH, UK -

James Watt, cofounder of BrewDog, commented prior to the opening:

“Manchester has always been a priority location for a BrewDog bar; it’s a great city which is already embracing the craft beer revolution. However, there is still a worrying amount of characterless chain bars serving tasteless, insipid mainstream lagers and we want the crap beer amnesty to put a stop to it once and for all.”

“Manchester, give us your crap beer – you no longer need it. Hand us your tasteless Boddingtons, Carling or Fosters can and we will destroy it in the most suitable fashion – blowing them all up and recycling the sad, soulless remains. The mainstream beer scene just imploded, and we pushed the trigger,” he added.

BrewDog Manchester is located at 35 Peter Street and will take on the brewery’s characteristic utilitarian aesthetic, with a huge glass frontage, external seating area, a partial mezzanine and exposed beams. Visitors can also look forward to vintage board games, a beer library, old school pin ball machines and a food menu consisting of pizzas, burgers and cheese and meat boards designed by Masterchef winner, Tim Anderson.

Crap Beer Amnesty…

To mark the opening, the ‘crap beer amnesty’ allowed anyone to bring along their ‘mainstream lagers’ for the swap and BrewDog’s co-founders James Watt and Martin Dickie took personal responsibility for ‘recycling’ every branded mainstream beer they received during the amnesty period.

James Watt continued:

“We want the public to realise that the fizzy, yellow so-called ‘beers’ pushed on the unsuspecting public by chain bars in Manchester should be treated as a crime. The crap beer amnesty is designed to prove to beer drinkers in the area that have previously put up with these unfortunate offerings that things have changed. The time for revolution is now.”

Beers from across the globe.

BrewDog Manchester is the latest in an ambitious expansion plan for the brewery that has previously produced the world’s strongest beer, The End of History (55% ABV) stored in roadkill and offers customers with a BrewDog tattoo a lifetime discount at their bars.

With a capacity of around 250, BrewDog Manchester has 12 draught taps and stocks beers from world-renowned craft breweries such as Stone, Three Floyd’s, Mikkeller, Struise, Nogne, O, Alesmith, The Bruery and De Dolle.

Further expansion plans

Following the launch of BrewDog Manchester, the Scottish brewery has plans to launch seven more craft beer bars by the end of this year.

James Watt added:

“Our aim is to make people as passionate about craft beer as we are, and the expansion of our bar network is a big part of that.”

Whilst stocks lasted.

What is BrewDog?

We were bored of the industrially brewed lagers and stuffy ales that dominate the UK market. We decided the best way to fix this undesirable predicament was to brew our own beers. Consequently in April 2007 BrewDog was born. Both only 24 at the time, we leased a building, got some scary bank loans, spent all our money on stainless steel and started making some hardcore beers.

We are dedicated to making cool, contemporary and progressive beers showcasing some of the world’s classic beer styles. All with an innovative twist and customary BrewDog bite.

According to recent data, craft breweries sold nearly 11.5 million barrels of beer in 2011, up from 10.1 million barrels in 2010, with total dollar sales of craft beer leaping to an estimated $8.7 billion, up 15 percent the previous year.

Despite significant gains in sales and consumption, mainstream education and awareness of craft beer remains hazy. And while miniscule marketing budgets play a role (or lack thereof), the biggest barrier to consumer acceptance may be the very notion of craft beer itself.

What differentiates a “craft” beer from a “regular” beer? What is a “craft” brewery? And, better yet, what the heck does “craft” even mean?  Before getting too deep into terminology, let’s back up for a moment, and take a brief look at the evolution of craft beer in the U.S., as well as the laws and organizations that govern the category.