It’s hardly a representative sample size, but Consumer Reports recently conducted a blind taste test of 23 ‘craft’ beers, ranking their favorite ales and lagers based on flavor and aroma attributes.

After revealing a refreshed brand image with the launch of its new 12 oz. cans in March, San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewing yesterday unveiled similarly-styled designs on its 22 oz. and 12 oz. bottles.

Alan Newman calls himself an “opportunity-junkie.” Over the past 31 years as a serial entrepreneur, he’s successfully helped to build three companies in three entirely different industries: Gardener’s Supply Company, a mail-order gardening supply company; Seventh Generation, a brand of environmentally-safe household products, and Magic Hat Brewing.

After four years of shipping beer to the East Coast for ‘Philly Beer Week,’ Deschutes Brewery — the country’s fifth largest craft brewery — announced today the permanent distribution of its beers to the Philadelphia market through Muller, Inc.

Rock Chalk, Stone Brewing Co. The country’s tenth-largest craft brewery is expanding its distribution footprint. The San Diego, Calif.-based company today announced that, for the first time, its beers will be available at on and off-premise locations in Kansas beginning July 22.

More than two years after pulling its distribution from Tennessee, Indiana, Wisconsin and Rhode Island due to capacity constraints, Dogfish Head today announced plans to re-enter all four markets before the end of the year. “It wasn’t our goal to upset Dogfish Head fans and distributors, but with demand so far in front of supply,… Read more »

While a visit to the supermarket even for the most discerning beer aficionado might be routine, a journey down the beer aisle isn’t always part of the trip. At least one large craft brewery is trying to change that.

So, it’s not the reported 3,200 or so breweries that were around in 1870, but the U.S. passed a major milestone recently thanks to the craft beer movement: 2,500. In fact, there are 2,514 breweries currently in operation in the U.S., according to statistics from Brewers Association Director Paul Gatza.

Anchor Brewing — one the country’s oldest craft breweries — yesterday announced the release of a limited edition San Francisco Giants 12-pack. Anchor’s relationship with the major league ballclub also includes a taproom and luxury suite inside the team’s stadium.

Forget fights for shelf space. The latest craft beer territorial battle is actually taking place on your TV schedule. For years, most of the coverage of the industry has largely been through the business media, most of whom are interested in either craft’s growing share of the market or individual breweries’ willingness to sell to… Read more »

Craft brewers in Texas should have an easier time selling beer in the Lone Star State now that Gov. Rick Perry has officially signed five bills that promote the business efforts of small producers. Last Friday, Gov. Perry signed off on bills SB 515-518 and SB 639, which make it easier for craft breweries and… Read more »

With the finite amount of retail space allocated to craft beer becoming more crowded, Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione wanted to create a non-traditional opportunity for his brand to catch the attention of retailers and earn secondary placements beyond the beer aisle. For Calagione, this meant line-extending beyond the beer category altogether.

With wholesalers eager to add new craft brands to their portfolios, it’s not surprising to see so many breweries making distribution announcements. Find out which brands are on the move after the jump.

With consumer demand for full-flavored beers increasing, even larger brewing entities are beginning to expand their specialty brewing operations. Tenth and Blake — MillerCoors’ craft arm — today announced that it has acquired the 110,000 sq. ft. facility adjacent to its existing 10th Street Brewery in Milwaukee.