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RBPMail 5.01, January 1999
Real Beer Page Mail (RBPMail) began as a modest update to craft-brew events on the WWW. It evolved into a news digest and sometimes editorial forum. We present its contents here much as they were emailed to subscribers. Often, links you will see are out of date, and businesses referred to may also be long gone.
In this issue:
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today at
http://www.beerweek.com
AND THE DARKER THE BETTER
Tests by Japanese researchers show that beer may inhibit the action of
mutagens caused by some suspected cancer-causing compounds. Scientists
at Okayama University near Hiroshima did the research, which appears in
the January print issue of the Journal of Agricultural and Food
Chemistry. The peer-reviewed journal is a publication of the American
Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society. Twenty-four
different beers, including 17 lagers, four stouts, two ales and one
nonalcoholic, from 11 countries were examined. Nearly all of the beers
showed "potent inhibitory effect" against mutagens found in several
types of heterocyclic amines (HAs), according to Sakae Arimoto-Kobayashi,
Ph.D., lead author of the report. The stout beers were the most potent,
claims Arimoto. The nonalcoholic beer and one of the lagers had no
effect. The beers tested were from England, France, Germany, Ireland,
Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and the
United States. Produced during the cooking of food, HAs are known
carcinogens in animals and are believed to contribute to cancer in
people.
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WILL THEY CALL IT EAU DU BIER?
In the wake of the recent success of low-malt beers in Japan, Asahi
Breweries plans to launch Beer Water, a novelty beer, early this year.
Unlike Kirin, Japan's largest brewer, and other breweries, Asahi has not
brewed a low-malt beer. As the second-largest brewer in Japan, it has
been under pressure to produce something new and different. The enormous
success of the low-malt brews is tied directly to the fact that these
beers are in a different tax bracket from standard beers; that lower
cost is passed along to the consumer.
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Mexico's government has proposed lower beer and liquor taxes as part of
its 1999 budget. The move is meant to offset increased taxes on other
goods and services. Last year, Congress increased taxes on alcohol and
beer, negatively affecting the sales of brewers Grupo Modelo SA and
Fomento Economico Mexicano SA because., The tax cut proposed for beer is
from 22% to 25%.
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The brewers in Slovakia protested to the nation's economy ministry that
it was not protecting domestic brewers against the more powerful Czech
brewing industry. In 1997, the Slovak government created an annual
import quota on Czech beer. Slovak citizens protested because of the
popularity of Pilsner Urquell and Budvar. The new Slovak government
recently pledged to remove the quotas, which are set to remain in place
in 1999. The Slovak brewers association objected that its economy
ministry is protecting Czech product, not Slovak product, and indicated
it wanted the original limit cut still further.
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The Chinese government has decreed that its domestic brewers have a 40%
market share in China by the year 2000. The country's second largest
brewer will absorb its third brewery this year. Tsingtao Brewery will
take over the assets, debts and some staff members of Heilongjiang Jixi
Brewery in northeastern Heilongjiang province. Annual production for HJB
has been 100,000 tons. Tsingtao is looking to increase its own output to
1.4 million tons by 2000. A spokesperson for Tsingtao indicated that the
brewer plans to absorb more breweries in 1999.
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More than 100 German innkeepers this week began protesting what they
call exorbitant beer prices charged by the nation's biggest brewer and
said they would fight back by promoting cheaper beer alternatives.
Germany's Association of Hotels and Guesthouses in the Rhine region
announced that the protesters would urge their drinkers to buy less
expensive bottled beers rather than the beers of Brau and Brunnen. Brau
and Brunnen, a national grouping that produces Dortmunder Union among
other beers, announced in November it would increase its prices for the
first time in more than two years, making a glass of beer 10 to 20
pfennigs more expensive.
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CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, has launched a new initiative to
promote high quality beer in Britain's pubs. Real ale drinkers
throughout the country will be supplied with special postcards to use on
pub visits. Mike Benner, Head of Campaigns and Communications said, "The
national brewers have gone to great lengths to publicize the decline in
real ale sales and this suits their strategies of building the profile
of their smooth flow beers which need little care in the pub, but lack
the depth of flavor offered by real ale. I believe this campaign will
show that real ale quality has never been better and that their
strategies are misguided." Postcard users are invited to write their
views on the quality of the beer and how pub staff responded if they
complained. Completed postcards are returned to CAMRA's national
headquarters to be sent on to the appropriate head brewers.
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1.5 MILLION PINTS A DAY SMUGGLED INTO ENGLAND
England's Brewers and Licensed Retailers Association says its study
shows that cheap continental lager brought into the country and re-sold
is "cheating the country out of millions of pounds in taxes, threatening
breweries, pubs and jobs". The BLRA figures, based on its own undercover
surveillance, suggest that 91,000 vans loaded with budget alcohol
entered the country, equivalent to 250 vans a day. The total quantity of
beer imported in this way was 1.5 million pints a day - some of it
imported for private consumption by tourists and therefore legally
exempt from import duty. But the association estimates that 75% of this
beer is illegally re-sold by smugglers who are taking advantage of the
difference in French duty, standing at 4p a pint, compared with the UK's
32p, which since rose to 33p. The BLRA says the solution is to cut the
tax on domestically produced beer and cut the ground from under the
smugglers.
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CONAN VS. THE BEER HUNTER
Last month we alerted you that Michael Jackson would be appearing on
Late Night With Conan O'Brien. The Beer Hunter's evening with Conan and
cohorts certainly drew a mixed reaction. Some of Jackson's fans thought
he and the beers he brought with him were not treated seriously enough,
and suggested he should have known better than to appear on the show.
Jackson quickly offered visitors to the Beer Hunter website his opinions
on how the "knockabout" went, concluded he would do the show again if
asked and invited readers to register their opinions. You can still vote
if you want.
http://www.beerhunter.com/documents/19133-000154.php
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WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BAR?
Authors Stan Hieronymus and Daria Labinsky are at work on the next
edition of the "Beer Travelers Guide." To make sure they don't leave any
places out are asking for your help. If you tell them about one of your
favorite bars, you will automatically be entered in contest to win a
free copy of the "Beer Travelers Guide."
http://www.beertravelers.com
NORTHWEST BREWPAGE
When the Beer Travelers visited the Northwest to do research for the
"Beer Travelers Guide" there was no more valuable resource for finding
places to enjoy interesting beer than the Northwest BrewPage. And it's
only gotten bigger since then. Whether you are looking for a place
serving beer made in-house or one offering the best of the Northwest
this is the place to start.
http://www.nwbrewpage.com
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*****************REAL BEER PICKS***************
NEW BELGIUM BREWING CO.
This brewery has written one of the true feel-good stories of the craft-
brewing movement. What was a basement brewery with a weekly capacity of
8 1/2 barrels is now a regional power that will brew 100,000 barrels of
beer in 1999 -- and donate $1 to charity for every barrel sold. It's Fat
Tire Amber Ale enjoys the same sort of cult status another better known
Colorado brewery had east of the Mississippi in the early 1970s.
http://www.newbelgium.com
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PETE'S BREWING CO.
Pete Slosberg of Pete's Wicked Ale has logged more miles on the road
telling the story of good beer than just about anyone we know. His
mission continues online in an information-rich site perfect for beer
lovers of all levels, from the beginner to the enthusiast. Load up
shockwave and interact with Pete's landscape of beers, where you can
compare Pete's beers with microbrews and world-class beers. You can test
your beer knowledge against Pete's in the trivia quiz. And, buy some
Wicked Wear to look smart, too. Find Pete at:
http://www.petes.com
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STAINLESS ONE DISPENSING SYSTEMS
Ever been to a bar where you just know the beer sitting in the keg is
better than the one in your glass, and you wonder what happened along
the way? The folks at Stainless One developed and patented the "Perfect
Pour(tm)" beer faucet. If you're in the beer distribution or dispensing
business, head over to:
http://www.safetap.com
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SPARTANBURG STAINLESS PRODUCTS
Spartansburg has been manufacturing stainless steel container systems
for use in beverage, chemical, food, and pharmaceutical industries since
1962. It is one of the top producers of kegs in the country.
http://www.spartanburgstainless.com
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QUICKIE EMAIL SURVEY
Thanks to all who have been replying to our Quickie Surveys. We draw one
winner each month for a prize, which this month will be a Real Beer T-
shirt. Last month's winner was Curt Weiler, who wrote: "Come winter and
the holiday season I look forward to holiday beers that are strong."
LAST MONTH'S QUESTION:
Last month we asked what you think of the idea of winter beers. Only 1
in 20 of you answered you don't like winter beers, while nearly half of
you noted you like strong beer and 30% indicated what makes winter beers
special is they are different.
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*********** Brewed Fresh For You! **************
The Real Beer Page announces a diverse group of brew websites
to check out:
http://www.newcastlebrown.com
http://www.bestbelgianbeers.com/beerprd/lagr_st.htm
http://www.bestbelgianbeers.com/beerprd/whitvill.htm
http://www.bestbelgianbeers.com/beerprd/abbey.htm
http://www.bestbelgianbeers.com/beerprd/lambic.htm
http://www.gordonbiersch.com
http://www.johnsgrocery.com
http://www.beer-wine.com
http://www.monkscafe.com
http://www.irishpubtours.com
http://www.ecologiccleansers.com
http://www.brewersheritage.com
http://www.beerheads.com
http://www.maltbev.com
http://www.hwbta.org
http://www.merchantduvin.com
http://www.toronado.com
http://www.jtwhitneys.com
http://www.brewing.co.nz
http://www.beertravelers.com
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PRESIDENT STILL PUSHING FOR RESTRICTIVE BAC LAWS
Although Congress rejected the same proposal in the current legislative
session, President Bill Clinton announced in a radio address Dec. 26
that he would ask Congress to impose a lower and uniform blood-alcohol
level of .08 for driving across the nation. He also stated that he will
have the Justice Department and Transportation Department use leverage
to force states to adopt low-tolerance standards on their own.
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CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR PROPOSES INCREASE IN BEER TAX
Newly-elected California state senator Jackie Speier (D-Hillsborough)
has announced that she intends to introduce legislation this month to
increase the excise tax on beer at the brewery by between two cents and
five cents a gallon, according to a legislative alert from the
California Small Brewers Association. At present, the excise tax on beer
is 20 cents per gallon. Speier says she wants to raise alcoholic beverage
taxes to provide funding for domestic violence programs. Her belief is
that there is a connection between domestic violence and "these
products."
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FULL SAIL EMPLOYEES MAY BUY BREWERY
Rumors have been swirling about the future of the ownership of Full Sail
Brewing Co. of Hood River, Ore. Full Sail spokeswoman Sandra Evans told
BEERWeek that "interest in liquidity on the part of some of the original
shareholders" has resulted in the company entertaining offers from a
"select group of potential buyers." Among the potential buyers are the
employees of the brewery "and two of the working owners who are
confident in the future of the company," said Evans. This could be
accomplished by a bank-financed ESOP buyout. A similar change in equity
ownership occurred at Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. occurred last year --
when co-owner Paul Camusi left -- without affecting product quality,
sales or distribution channels.
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MILLER GOES TO COURT TO KEEP SWEEPSTAKES
Miller Brewing scored a victory over state regulators in a California
state court last month, allowing it to go ahead with its Super Bowl
XXXIII sweepstakes. The California Department of Alcoholic Beverage
Control has been attempting to banish sweepstakes linked to alcoholic
beverages. While Miller won the battle, California is pressing ahead
with more regulations that could ban sweepstakes. Miller's annual Super
Bowl sweepstakes, supported with in-store displays and signs, competes
head-to-head with Anheuser's 11-year-old Bud Bowl football promotion.
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CRAFT BEER SALES TOP $3 BILLION
According to the Institute for Brewing Studies in Boulder, Colo., total
U.S. craft-brewing industry sales were $3 billion in 1997. The IBS
recently amended many of its figures for 1997, 305 combined microbrewery
and brewpub openings for 1997 rather than the 251 originally reported.
There were 90 closings for the same period rather than the 75 reported.
Preliminary figures for 1998, show microbrewery closures exceeding
openings by a 4 to 3 ratio.
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The 1999 American Homebrewers Association Conference is set for June 24-
26 in Olathe, Kansas. The Holiday Inn in Olathe, just outside of Kansas
City, will be the host hotel. Room costs will be $75 per night whether
it be one or four occupants. This year's conference is being planned and
run by AHA-registered club members from throughout Kansas City and
neighboring areas in coordination with the AHA staff and Board of
Advisors. Registration and other information will be available at
beertown.org or the KC Bier Meisters (http://kcbiermeisters.org). The
AHA Conference will again coincide with the AHA National Homebrew
Competition second-round judging. Nighttime events include an opening
reception, a pub crawl and an awards banquet on Saturday night.
Confirmed speakers as of now are Steve Bradt, Ray Daniels, Charlie
Papazian, Paul Farnsworth, super beer chef Dan Turner, and David
Houseman and Al Korzonas.
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TODAY A FERMENTING TANK, TOMORROW A CLASSROOM
Less than a month after Stroh Brewery Co. said it would shut down its
Tampa plant, the University of South Florida began talking with the beer
maker about acquiring the 54-acre property. The Stroh brewery land would
be particularly plum for a university already bursting at the seams,
said Patrick Riordan, special assistant to USF President Betty Castor.
The property is appraised at $5.7 million.
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RHODE ISLAND LEGALIZES MAIL-ORDER BEER
Rhode Island has joined 22 other states allowing the online and mail-
order purchase of beer, wine and liquor. Legislators have approved a
change in a law dating back to the post-Prohibition era that blocked
direct purchasing of alcohol. Rhode Island's Department of Business
Regulation concedes that people are already buying liquor online, and
the change will just make it legal. Not surprisingly, the Washington-
based advocacy group Americans for Responsible Alcohol Access opposes
the change. The organization contends that the lifting of the ban makes
it easier for children to purchase alcohol. ARAA is sponsored by the
Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America. Wholesalers and distributors
are left out of the online and mail-order purchase loop.
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BEER ON TAP GETS MORE EXPENSIVE IN ATLANTA
Beer in Atlanta became more expensive to sell Jan. 1, so it will
probably get more expensive to drink as well. The city hit Atlanta
restaurant owners with a 233 percent increase in their license fees. The
increase from $1,500 to $5,000 annually was just approved in November,
but restaurant owners had to ante up the fees by Jan. 1 in order to be
able to continue pouring beer. The new $5,000 fee to pour either wine or
beer is the same amount as the combination beer, wine and liquor license
typically held by full bars and nightclubs.
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Guinness Import Co. inaugurates its outdoor ad campaign for Caffrey's
Irish ale this month in four markets -- Boston, Chicago, New York City
and San Francisco. Here's the pitch: "It pours like a Guinness, but
looks and tastes lighter, like a lager." Like Guinness, the beer is
dispensed with more nitrogen than carbon dioxide.
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One of the oldest alehouses in California, Prince of Wales in San Mateo,
was recently voted the No. 1 Bar/Club on the San Francisco Peninsula in
SF Chronicle's Readers' Choice Poll. But the really impressive honor may
have been finishing second in the "Best Place to Meet Someone Not a
Total Geek" category.
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At the end of each RBPMail, 12-times a year, we promise to bring you
more breweries and brewpubs along with more quality beer information.
Here's a report card on what we accomplished this year.
One of the biggest contributions to the real beer information resources
was our re-launch the Michael Jackson Beer Hunter website. Nearly a year
in the making, this is one of the glossiest, information rich beer
publications on the web or off.
http://www.beerhunter.com
Taking the golden pint award for most current, opinionated and quality
beer information has to be Stephen Beaumont's World of Beer, updated
often (don't leave without checking out "Bright Beer") and featuring a
wonderful mid-month email newsletter.
http://www.worldofbeer.com
In the final weeks of 1998, skyrocketing Internet stocks got all kinds
of news. The reason: "e-tailing" took off, with signs online shopping
had come of age. For those who want to shop with a beer in hand we
rolled out BREWMall, with nearly 2000 items for your enjoyment.
http://www.brewmall.com
We improved what continue to be two of our most popular features in the
Real Beer Network and made similar improvements to a third:
Real Beer Page Library Search - We made searches faster and results more
relevant. We won't rest there, though. We're already refining the search
engine.
http://realbeer.com/rbp/search.php
Real Beer Brew Tour - The search function has been improved and we added
about 2,000 bars and taverns; since they weigh considerably more than
one pound each, we think it's fair to call that "a ton of new listings."
http://realbeer.com/rbp/rbp.brewtour.php
And if you like beer news, you'll be excited to learn that we now
publish the BEERWeekTM Archive: Old issues are available and searchable
(back to November '96).
http://beerweek.com
For those seeking information about the U.S. real beer scene additions
included:
The Beer Expedition - we liked this site so much we decided to hire its
creator, Jeff Scott. He says he enjoyed building his resume, sip by
sip... This site has beer reviews from real people like us, and a killer
database of good beer places.
http://www.beerexpedition.com
Beer Travelers - Stan Hieronymus (who we also hired) and Daria Labinsky
have crossed the country several times to find the best places for
flavorful beer, be they bars, brewpubs, restaurants, historic taverns or
some other joint they came up with an excuse to visit. Check out the
smileage on their site.
http://www.beertravelers.com
On the international scene, we expanded our network to include:
Multimedia Guide to Belgian Beer - Maps will direct you where to look,
there's a guide to Belgium's unique beer styles, a list of classic
examples and even a key to correct pronunciation of beer styles and
classic brewers
http://belgianstyle.com/mmguide/
The New Zealand Brewers Network - Quite simply everything you could want
to know about beer, brewing and breweries in New Zealand is located
here.
http://www.brewing.co.nz
To support the homebrew community, we added:
HWBTA (Home Wine & Beer Trade Association) - For more than 20 years the
association has worked to promote the responsible growth of the home
wine and beer making industry.
http://www.hwbta.org
For regional content, we added:
The Northwest BrewPage - A true users guide for those seeking real beer
in the Northwest. The listing of taverns, alehouses and restaurants
makes this much more than another list of breweries and brewpubs.
http://www.nwbrewpage.com
The New Mexico Virtual Brewpub isn't new, but a lot there is. And don't
let the name fool you -- it ranges far beyond New Mexico.
http://realbeer.com/nmvbp/
As for breweries, we're not quite sure where to start. We launched or
re-launched over 40 great beer companies on the web. We also delivered
as many great beer suppliers and service companies. The word is out: we
do great website design and promotion. So, expect more of the same in
1999.
Meanwhile, back at the home office in San Francisco -- the city most-
often credited with the rebirth of the better beer movement -- we added
several key contributors to our team. New to our roster, as previously
noted, are Jeff and Stan in System Guru and Editorial Management
positions respectively; Leslie Gilmore in our account management role
and Bill Young as our newest ales -- er, sales -- hotshot.
We couldn't complete our year-end report card without recognizing the
contributions of our partner publications that have deepened your
surfing and searching experience considerably this year.
BrewingTechniques, Brew Your Own, BrewPub!, Celebrator Beer News, Great
Lakes Brewing News, Midwest Beer Notes, Southern Draft Brew News and
Yankee Brew News. We now serve over 75,000 pages and nearly a dozen
databases about real beer. And love doing it.
We want to thank you, the loyal viewer, for your patronage and for
continuing to spread the good word about real beer. Your words of
encouragement, humor and satisfaction have kept us going through
challenging times. We're proud to say that we are one of the rare,
profitable Internet stories, and owe much of that to your continual
endorsement. In return, we promise to bring you even more exciting
developments in 1999. We can't reveal it all now, but you can trust us
when we say that all the work delivered in 1998 was a strong start.
We're just getting rolling. Hope you'll join us as we grow the category,
network and resources for beer online.
Happy New Year! Cheers!
Your friends at Real Beer
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