Craft beers sales grow 7.2 percent

posted on March 9, 2010 in Beer Commentary

The Brewers Association today announced that craft beers sales grew 7.2% in 2009 as the same time that overall beer sales tumbled. The dollar value of craft beer grew even more dramatically, 10.3%. Overall, craft brewers sold 613,992 additional barrels in 2009, an increase equal to about 8.5 million cases.

Overall, U.S. beer sales were down approximately 5 million barrels (31 gallons each) in 2009.

“Beer lovers continue to find great value and enjoyment in fuller flavored craft beers,” Brewers Association director Paul Gatza said for a press release. “Americans have an increasing appreciation of craft beers, and the growing number of brewers behind them. They’re eager to try the latest seasonal release and to sample a variety of beers from different breweries.”

Craft brewers, as defined by the BA, accounted for 4.3% of volume and 6.9% of retail dollars for the total U.S. beer category. The BA estimates actual dollar sales figure from craft brewers in 2009 was $7 billion, up from $6.3 billion in 2008.

The total number of U.S. craft brewers grew from 1,485 to 1,542 in 2009, and they produced 9,115,635 barrels, up from 8,501,713 barrels in 2008. Overall U.S. beer sales fell from approximately 210.4 million barrels to 205.8 million barrels.



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Oregon congressman to deliver CBC keynote

posted on March 4, 2010 in Beer Commentary

Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) will deliver the keynote speech the Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) in Chicago. The conference itself runs April 8-10, with judging for the World Beer Cup bi-annual competition in the days before. More than 1,600 of the world’s leading brewers, brewery owners and brewing supply professionals are expected to attend.

Congressman DeFazio, himself a homebrewer, co-founded and co-chairs the House Small Brewers Caucus in Washington, D.C. Bringing together more than 60 U.S. Representatives, the Caucus strives to educate Congress about the unique issues and challenges faced by America’s small brewery businesses.

“Congressman DeFazio is a true advocate for small brewers, and we’re extremely fortunate to have him join us in Chicago,” Charlie Papazian, president of the Brewers Association, said for a press release. “He has a real passion for the breweries, the brewers and the beer, and he truly understands the unique issues of our industry. Introducing him to the 1,600-plus brewers attending CBC will be a real pleasure.”

“American small brewers are true craftsmen, producing some of the finest beers in the world. As a home brewer myself, I have a deep appreciation for the quality of their work,” Defazio said for the release. “But, perhaps more important than their fine beers, is their place in local communities. These small business men and women create jobs and economic activity, and are an integral part of local community culture. I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak to this growing group of innovative business leaders.”

More about the Craft Brewers Conference here.

More about the World Beer Cup here.



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Brewing scholarship honors memory of Greg Noonan

posted on March 3, 2010 in Beer Commentary

The American Brewers Guild has created a scholarship to honor the memory of brewing pioneer Greg Noonan, who died last October of cancer.

The Greg Noonan New England Brewer’s Scholarship will be awarded for the Intensive Brewing Science and Engineering class beginning June 7. The scholarship is open to residents of New England, including the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. Applicants must meet the guild’s for admission into the program.

Noonan opened Vermont’s first brewpub in 1988 and two others after that but his influence was far wider. His 1986 book “Brewing Lager Beer: The Most Comprehensive Book for Home- and Microbreweries”
became a guidebook for those opening small breweries in the 1980s and ’90s. He Later wrote “Scotch Ale” in 1990 and “Seven Barrel Brewery Brewers’ Handbook: A Pragmatic Guide to Home Brewing” in 1996.

Here’s the information about how to apply.



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Florida brewers lobby for growler sales

posted on March 2, 2010 in Beer Commentary

Support Your Local BreweryThis call to help the breweries of Florida comes from Support Your Local Brewery:

Florida Beer Lovers,

The Florida Brewers Guild needs your help.

Senate Bill 2062 has been filed in the Florida Legislature and seeks to amend the Florida Statutes so as to allow ‘brewpubs’ to sell beer brewed for off-premises consumption, and to remove container size restrictions for malt beverages so as to allow for the sale of ‘growlers’.

Click or copy and paste the following link to view Senate Bill 2062:

http://www.flsenate.gov/session/index.cfm?BI_Mode=ViewBillInfo&Mode=Bills&ElementID=JumpToBox&SubMenu=1&Year=2010&billnum=2062

We have a potential sponsor in the House, Representative Mike Horner, but he is being pressured to remove the provision that would allow brewpubs to sell for off-premises consumption.

We ask that you use the following link to email Representative Horner and ask that he sponsor a House bill with the same provisions as Senate Bill 2062.

Please act NOW – Tuesday March 2nd is the last day for Representatives to file bills.

Representative Horner can also be reached by phone at:

407-943-3077 or 850-488-8992

Sample Message:

I, _________, support legislation to allow brewpubs to be able to sell their beer for off-premises consumption. If passed, this legislation would:

1) Give consumers a choice in when and where they drink their favorite beer (i.e. at home)

2) Increase sales to support new jobs and increase excise and sales taxes for the state

3) Support tourism–thousands of beer enthusiasts travel to find & collect unique beer

4) Make Florida more attractive to prospective brewery projects and investment

Please support local Florida breweries and Florida beer enthusiasts by supporting a House companion bill to Senate Bill 2062.

Thank you,

The Florida Brewers Guild



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Inaugural Charlotte Craft Beer Week

posted on in Beer Commentary

The Schedule for Charlotte’s first Craft Beer Week has been posted. Check and bookmark the site to keep up with current and future details and updates:

charlottecraftbeerweek.org

Charlotte Craft Beer Week

Check out the schedule here. And let us know in the comments or in the forums if you are going or if there are events that really stand out to you as “must attend” events. Personally, I think the NC Brewers Guild event at the Flying Saucer on Sunday, March 21st sounds awesome and that is one I would have on my list if I were able to attend.

If you’re in the Charlotte area, please check out these events and rsvp or buy tickets now for the events you want to attend!

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Beer – er, water – cooler fodder

posted on March 1, 2010 in Beer Commentary

  • Bill Howell — a Sterling, Alaska college administrator, retired Navy officer, homebrewer, and beer educator — was crowned the 2010 Wynkoop Beerdrinker of the Year on Saturday. One of three national finalists in Denver competing for the 2010 title, Howell withstood 2 hours of difficult beer-related questions from a panel of national beer experts to win the 14th annual title. He wins free beer for life at Wynkoop, a $250 bar tab at his favorite brewpub (Elias Brewing Company in Soldotna, Alaska) and other prizes for winning the title.
  • Saint Arnold Brewing made its first batch of beer Saturday at its new downtown brewery. The brewery opened to the public months ago while work continued on its brewhouse. The new brewery has an initial capacity of 40,000 barrels. “I tell people who think we are getting big that it takes Anheuser-Busch two hours to make as much beer as we produce in an entire year,” co-founder Brock Wagner said. “The sign of our growth is that it used to take A-B just one hour.”
  • After 25 years as president of Sprecher Brewing, which he founded, Randal Sprecher is giving up the job of president. Jeff Hamilton, who’s been vice president and general manager since 2005, is the new president. Sprecher, 63, said in an interview that he’s delegating more work to Hamilton. Sprecher, who lives part time in California, said he devoting more time to developing the West Coast market. He also said he has no plans to retire soon. “I’ve got a ways to go yet, although I’m getting up there,” he said.
  • Left Hand Brewing in Colorado has a released an India Pale Ale it calls 400 Pound Monkey IPA. “Just when you thought that the world needs another IPA like it needs another virus, we’ve started to brew a year-round IPA. But this one ain’t like them others,” explained Joe Schiraldi, vice president of brewing operations. “It’s an English-style IPA that separates itself from the ubiquitous bunch. Any monkey can throw 400 pounds of hops in a kettle.” The beer is 6.8% abv. Bittering units? From the press release: “Well, it depends on perception versus reality, but a polite monkey never tells.”
  • Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA will be the next entry in Flying Fish Brewing’s “Exit Series.” Exit 16 bottles will be available by mid-March and will also on be on draft in limited quantities throughout the region. “Exit 16 is a fun, flavorful tribute to one of the Meadowlands’ indigenous food sources: wild rice,” said Flying Fish founder Gene Muller. Exit 16 Wild Rice Double IPA is named for the exit that leads travelers across the salt-marsh of the Meadowlands to the Sportsplex and Lincoln Tunnel. The beer is brewed with wild, organic brown and white rice, and five varieties of hops. It is later dry-hopped with Chinook and Citra hops.
  • Firestone Walker Brewing Co. has expanded distribution into southern Oregon, including Eugene, Bend, Burns, Coos Bay, Roseburg, Klamath Falls, Medford, and Newport. “We’ve had great success already in the Portland market and look forward to bringing our beer to new areas in the rest of Beer Nirvana,” said David Walker, Firestone Walker’s co-founder.



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    Coopers India Pale Ale (IPA) reviewed by DJB

    posted on February 27, 2010 in Beer Recipe Reviews

    Coopers calls for 500 grams light dry
    malt extract and 300 grams of dextrose.
    I opted for 3 pounds of pale LME and 600
    grams of dextrose. I dry hopped with
    1oz. Fuggles pellets in the secondary.
    Originating gravity 1043 primary
    fermented for 4 days racked to carboy.
    After 2 weeks in carboy it has yet to
    clear but did a gravity reading and it
    came in at 1002. Drank the sample and it
    tasted pretty good for a beer yet to be
    bottled.

    Nice and hoppy just like a pub IPA in
    england.
    Will wait a few more weeks to see if it
    clears take another reading and bottle.
    The ABV should come in around 6%.
    Will post again when ready.

    Cheers
    – Rating:5/5

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    New stuff: beers, labels and guides

    posted on February 25, 2010 in Beer Commentary

    Press releases from our email box:

  • “Your Beer. Your Label.” For a limited time a Newcastle Brown Ale microsite includes an application allowing visitors to create their own personalized beer labels. Final concepts are also added to an online gallery for fans to vote for their favorite design.
  • Back in Brown. Speaking of labels, Dundee is putting the 1994 label back on its Original Honey Brown. They are also lowering the price and billing this as a return to the beer’s roots.
  • Canadian Airport Beer Guide. The press release suggests this is “just in time for St. Patrick’s Day.” Whatever, Cheapflights.ca has compiled a “Canadian Beer Lover’s Airport Guide” that makes a good companion to the U.S. airport guide Cheapflights.com already offers.
  • Luna LagerStep right up. Coney Island Craft Lagers (Shmaltz Brewing Co.) has announced it will release a beer called Luna Lager to commemorate the launch of the new Luna Park 2010 on Coney Island. Based on the original Luna Park (1903-1946), one of Coney Island’s four historic amusement parks, the park – operated by Zamperla USA – is due to open Memorial Day weekend.
  • Great Divide Brewing Company is adding Hoss Rye Lager and Claymore Scotch Ale to its year-round line up of beers. The beers were both intended to be seasonals when released in 2009. They will be joined by two returning seasonals, Espresso Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout and Colette Farmhouse Ale. Colette Farmhouse Ale is a renamed version of Great Divide’s Saison, available only in 22-ounce bottles last year.



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    Muntons Wheat Beer reviewed by mud

    posted on February 24, 2010 in Beer Recipe Reviews

    Muttons wheat brew with 500g
    brewamster wheat sray malt corriander
    seeds crushed and orange rind wirh
    safale so4 yeast piched at 26c( did
    yeast starter with 500g malt extract 3
    days prior) needed to be left for 10
    days in brew vessel brew 23 litres
    bottled 20 litres . Tasted fantastic
    after 3 days…very surprising …brewed
    DEc 2009 now Feb 2010 VG will recommend
    to others and have changed many friends
    view of wheat and home brews
    – Rating:5/5

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    Muntons IPA Bitter reviewed by Mud

    posted on in Beer Recipe Reviews

    Nov 2009, Mixed Muttons IPA
    with Brewmaster English ale pack, very
    easy drinking with med hop bitterness.
    used directions on brewmaster pack yeast
    pitched at 26c, took 4 weeks before
    showing full character.
    – Rating:4/5

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