Craft beer industry news.
As the first autumn leaves fall from their trees, Portland Brewing honors the change in season and our local community with the limited edition Rico Sauvie Pumpkin Ale with Spices. The seasonal brew celebrates Sauvie Island, which at 26,000 acres is one of America’s largest fresh water islands, and one of Portlanders’ most cherished fall getaways. This benefit beer also supports the Oregon Food Bank.
The wildly-popular, warm weather offering Grisette Working Class Ale was first canned by the Sly Fox Brewing Company in 2013. In that initial year of its release, the refreshing farmhouse-style ale was awarded a silver medal in the French and Belgian-style Ale category at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival (GABF). It returned the following year to win the gold, and now, in 2015, we’re proud to announce that Grisette was once again awarded a silver medal at the country’s largest beer competition.
Craft Brew Alliance today announced that Kurt Widmer, the co-founder of Widmer Brothers Brewing and the current chair of the CBA board, would resign at the end of the year. In an effort to support the transition as CBA’s board of directors selects a new chairperson, Kurt Widmer — who started the brewery with his brother Rob Widmer in 1984 — will remain in his role through December 31, 2015 and assume the honorary title of Chairman Emeritus upon exiting, the company said.
Revolution Brewing has announced plans to officially expand distribution to Massachusetts, signing with Massachusetts Beverage Alliance (MBA) for statewide coverage beginning Nov. 2. The decision to begin selling beer on the east coast is more of a personal one for Revolution founder Josh Deth, who was born and raised in Newton, Mass., a Boston suburb.
Tweet Away, California Brewers At last, California-based beverage alcohol producers will be able to encourage purchasing via twitter and other social media platforms. Gov. Jerry Brown last week signed Assembly Bill 780, which enables brewers, distillers and vintners to identify retailers of their products on social media, according to the San Francisco Business Times. The… Read more »
VERONA, Wis. — Wisconsin Brewing Company announced today a new collaboration with Pabst Brewing Company (“Pabst”), the world’s largest American-owned brewer. Beginning on October 1, 2015, under the guidance of Greg Deuhs, Pabst’s Master Brewer, the Wisconsin Brewing Company began brewing Old Tankard Ale, a classic post prohibition American Ale from Pabst’s heritage portfolio that… Read more »
Anheuser-Busch announced today it has inked a deal to become a leading sponsor of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Music, Film & Interactive Conferences and Festivals. This Super Sponsorship – the highest level of sponsorship available – begins at SXSW 2016 and puts America’s favorite beer – Bud Light – at the forefront of the most anticipated annual event where original music, independent film and emerging technologies converge.
The monks at Spencer Abbey today announced they are brewing a new beer called Spencer Holiday Ale to be released exclusively in Massachusetts the first week of November. “We’ve learned that people want seasonal offerings, so we decided to try this holiday brew,” said Fr. Isaac Keeley, Director of Spencer Brewery. “And, it’s being offered only in Massachusetts as the monks’ way of thanking our local customers who have supported us from the beginning.
At the end of October, Odell Brewing will celebrate the release of its Kriek-Framboise hybrid Lambic-style ale. Using a solera process, Friek is brewed with Colorado cherries, aged and soured in oak barrels and then blended. Fresh raspberries are added to the brew just prior to the blend.
The craft deals keep coming, this time north of the border. Labatt Breweries of Canada, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, today announced it has acquired Toronto’s Mill Street Brewery. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Sieben Bräu is back. This tasty, German-inspired Helles lager was originally commissioned for the 7th Annual Seattle Beer Week, which took place this past May. The beer was such a “smash” hit with both Silver City brewers & fans alike that there was no question that it should return just in time for football season.
Constellation Brands is making its first foray into craft, this week introducing a new line of beers made in partnership with celebrity chef Rick Bayless and inspired by traditional Mexican ingredients. Operating under the identity “Tocayo,” which loosely translated means “of the same name,” Constellation’s first product, Tocayo Hominy White Ale, is a Belgian-style witbier brewed with hominy, a white corn popular in Central American and Mexican cuisine.
Highland Brewing Company will release Black Watch, the second brew of its high-gravity, limited release Warrior Series on Black Friday, Nov. 27, 2015. The Warrior Series and this double chocolate milk stout demonstrate the brewery’s move to experiment with bolder styles and higher gravity beers.
After more than six years at the helm of Oakshire Brewing’s production brewery in Eugene, OR, Matt Van Wyk is resigning to begin a new venture. His last day at Oakshire is planned for October 23rd,. Oakshire’s third annual Single Batch Fall Bierfest on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2015 will serve as Matt Van Wyk’s send-off celebration.
