Deschutes Hires Former A-B InBev Executive as Technical Director

Deschutes Hires Former A-B InBev Executive as Technical Director

Bend, Ore.-based Deschutes Brewery, the fifth largest craft brewery in the U.S., based on 2011 sales figures supplied by the Brewers Association, has hired Kris Scholl as Technical Director, a new position created to oversee brewing, cellaring, packaging, maintenance and quality control. Scholl was previously the Director of Global Brewing and Quality for Asia and Latin America for AB-InBev.

Anheuser-Busch Heir Invests in Idaho-Based Craft Brewery

Anheuser-Busch Heir Invests in Idaho-Based Craft Brewery

Any way you look at it, it’s a crafty investment. Adolphus A. Busch IV, the son of legendary Anheuser-Busch CEO Gussie Busch Jr., has purchased a minority stake in Salmon River Brewery, a brewpub in McCall, Id., according to the St. Louis Business Journal. Busch now owns 49 percent of Salmon River, which was founded in 2008 and produced just over 500 barrels of beer in 2012.

Thomas Hooker Brewing Company Hopes for Return to Hartford

Thomas Hooker Brewing Company Hopes for Return to Hartford

A Connecticut brewery is planning to return to its roots. Thomas Hooker Brewing Company, which is currently located in Bloomfield, Conn., recently announced plans to move its brewing operations back to downtown Hartford.

Firestone Walker to Begin Distributing in Texas

Firestone Walker to Begin Distributing in Texas

Overwhelming demand has brought Firestone Walker beer from one giant beer-loving state to another. Firestone Walker Brewing Company announced today that it will begin distributing its beer to Texas over the course of the next two months. The Paso Robles, Calif.-based brewery has partnered with Brown Distributing for distribution in the greater Austin area, and with Andrews Distributing for the Dallas-Fort Worth region.

Avery Brands Change Hands in Colorado

Avery Brands Change Hands in Colorado

Avery Brewing Co’s wholesaler, CR Goodman, has sold the distribution rights to the Boulder-based brewery to Beverage Distributors Company (BDC). The move was made at Avery’s behest; a spokesman for the brewer said CR Goodman had received fair market value from BDC. BDC, based in Aurora, is expected to provides statewide distribution coverage for Avery.

Gatza: New Breweries Open at More Than One-Per-Day Pace in 2012

Gatza: New Breweries Open at More Than One-Per-Day Pace in 2012

More than one new brewery sprouted per day in 2012, according to a blog post by Paul Gatza, Director of the Brewers Association. As of Jan. 11, the post tallied 2,336 operating U.S. breweries. That’s an increase of 387 breweries from the 2011 year-end count of 1,949.

Mayflower Releases 5th Year Anniversary Ale

Mayflower Releases 5th Year Anniversary Ale

Celebrating a benchmark in business, Mayflower Brewing Company has released a 5th year anniversary brew. The limited-batch release is a double IPA made with five distinct hop varieties – Cascade, Vanguard, Sorachi, Montueka and Belma – and packaged in in 22 oz. bottles.

New Belgium Now 100 Percent Employee-Owned

New Belgium Now 100 Percent Employee-Owned

New Belgium announced today that co-founder and CEO Kim Jordan and her family have sold their controlling interest in the brewery to its employees via its Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESPO). The ESOP already owned 41 percent of the company. There was no disclosure of how much money Jordan and her family gained from the sale.

Coronado Brewing Captures Essence of San Diego Beer Culture With New Video

Coronado Brewing Captures Essence of San Diego Beer Culture With New Video

To coincide with the opening of the company’s new tasting room, San Diego-based Coronado Brewing Company commissioned a three-minute promotional video to capture the ‘typical day’ of a San Diegan. The video – which mashes together a brew day at Coronado Brewing and a day of fun for San Diego beachgoers – was shot and… Read more »

Golden Road’s Jon Carpenter Resigns as Brewmaster

Golden Road’s Jon Carpenter Resigns as Brewmaster

Golden Road Brewing today announced that it has parted ways with former Brewmaster Jon Carpenter, who tendered his resignation in early January. The company is replacing Carpenter with former Drake’s Brewing Company head brewer Jesse Houck, whom Golden Road had once considered for the Brewmaster position back in 2011.

Brewbound Session Winter 2012 Photo Albums Now Available

Brewbound Session Winter 2012 Photo Albums Now Available

Craft beer industry members converged on San Diego last November for the Brewbound Session, a full-day business conference and networking event that was attended by over 130 craft brewers, distributors and other beer industry professionals.

Long Trail President Steps Down as Brewery Continues to Expand Operations, Footprint

Long Trail President Steps Down as Brewery Continues to Expand Operations, Footprint

After six years at the helm, Brian Walsh has stepped down as president and CEO of Long Trail Brewing Company. Walsh, who departed the company last week, will pursue new personal and professional opportunities, according to investor Daniel Fulham, who has taken over Walsh’s roles for the Bridgewater Corners, Vt.-based brewery.