Oklahoma governor signs homebrewing bill

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Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry has signed into law legislation that makes homebrewing beer legal in the state.

House Bill 2348 officially legalized the home production of beer for personal use in Oklahoma. Home production of wine and cider for personal use was already legal in Oklahoma. The passage of HB 2348 leaves Alabama and Mississippi as the only remaining states where the homebrewing hobby is not yet legal. The U.S. government made homebrewing legal on a federal level in 1979.

Gary Shellman, a member of the American Homebrewers Association and editor for Oklahoma City’s homebrew club, the High Plains Draughters, initiated the legalization process and worked to ensure the bill’s passage. Shellman spent months lining up a sponsor for a homebrew bill.

“Our theme from the very beginning was to get support from all sectors of the brewing community to bring parity for homebrewed beer with that already long enjoyed by home wine and cider makers,” Shellman said. “We are proud to say that we finally got the job done, but none of this would have been possible without the diligent efforts of Rep. Colby Schwartz.”

The AHA is currently working with homebrewers in Alabama and Mississippi on efforts to legalize homebrewing in those states.

Saint Arnold backs book drive for Craft Beer Week

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With American Craft Beer Week in full swing from Chicago to Seattle the number of events is dizzying and local. But here’s one worth special mention:

Saint Arnold Brewing Company, Texas’ oldest craft brewery, will open its doors Tuesday evening May 18th for a book drive to benefit nearby Crawford Elementary School.

“I think of every week as American Craft Beer Week, but I appreciate the focus that this week brings to everything we do all year,” said Brock Wagner, founder and brewer of Saint Arnold Brewing. “The book drive is a perfect marriage of great beer and community.”

Saint Arnold will open the doors to those who donate at least two new or gently used books appropriate for children between the ages of five and 10. As a thank you and to celebrate American Craft Beer Week, donors can sample some of Saint Arnold’s tasty beers and root beer. The book drive for Crawford Elementary School will run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 18th at Saint Arnold Brewing Company, 2000 Lyons Avenue in Houston. Bilingual editions are especially appreciated.

The full press release.

Brewers Associatioin promotes Bob Pease

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Bob Pease has been promoted form vice president to chief operating officer of the Brewers Association. Pease will take on additional responsibilities in the area of personnel administration, and oversight in key operational areas such as finance and IT, with an enhanced role in government affairs.

Pease was hired in 1993 as the operations director and promoted to vice president in 1999.

Charlie Papazian remains president and CEO with continued focus on Brewers Association stewardship, government affairs, beer community relations and serving as a beer ambassador.

Papazian is the founder of the American Homebrewers Association and the Association of Brewers (subsequently merged into the Brewers Association), as well as the Great American Beer Festival.

“Since 1978, I have enjoyed championing the best interest of craft brewers and craft beer. I have seen the beer community through many dramatic changes—changes that are ultimately serving the best interests of both beer drinkers and brewers,” Papazian said. “I feel fortunate to continue leading the organization with someone as loyal and dedicated to the beer community as Bob. It’s also a privilege to have the guidance of a group of people as dynamic and passionate as our board of directors. Continuing my involvement is like waking up each morning in a beer garden, knowing there’s always another round being served.”

Ska focuses on food bank for Craft Beer Week

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American Craft Beer Week, also known as the “Mother of All Beer Weeks” and beginning Monday, reminds us that craft beer thrives at the local level. For example, consider that Ska Brewing in Colorado will support its hometown Durango Food Bank through a week-long food drive.

From the press release:

A food drive all week will benefit the Durango Food Bank, along with a portion of beer sales on certain nights, so they can continue their crucial support of people in our community who need a little extra help.

Ska’s commemoration of American Craft Beer Week kicks off Monday, May 17th, with “A Community Toast”, an informal gathering at Ska’s World Headquarters and Tasting Room in Bodo Park to toast our community, sign “The Declaration of Beer Independence”, and taste some delicious craft beer. Beginning at 5 p.m., the public is invited to join the Ska Brew Crew and Mayor Michael Rendon for a toast, a taste (or several), and a tour of the Ska Brewing World Headquarters. Complimentary appetizers will be provided by Ska Brewing and Zia Taqueria.

The events continue throughout the week, and a complete schedule is included on page 2 of this release. Attendees to events throughout the week are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to the Durango Food Bank, and will have the opportunity to sign the Declaration of Beer Independence, which will then be framed for display at Ska. The week will culminate on Friday, May 21st, with “She’s Crafty”, a blowout party featuring five special, limited release Ska beers on tap, a free pint for craft-beer lovin’ ladies, and live ska music from “The Casual Fridays”.

“When a business steps up to help us, it enables us to better serve the community members who most need our help. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Ska Brewing to do just that”, said Sarah Smith, director of the Durango Food Bank, which recently opened a new facility in Bodo Park.

Here’s the complete national calendar of events.

New from Firestone Walker, Alaskan and Zatec

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Firestone Walker Parabola Firestone Walker Brewing has made Parabola Imperial Stout available for the first time in bottles, and the limited one-time release isn’t expected to last long.

Parabola has long been a component of Firestone’s anniversary beer series. The anniversary beers are a blend of barrel-aged beers released one time each year in very limited quantities. The individual components are sometimes sold on draft or poured at beer festivals.

“We brewed our first Parabola 5 years ago as an experiment in barrel aging. This first bottle release show cases what we have learned and what we love about barrel aged beers and amazing flavors and textures that oak can bring to beer,” brewmaster Matt Bryndilson said for a press release.

Only 1000 cases of Parabola, 13% abv, are available in California, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington by mid-May.

– Alaskan Brewing Co. has announced a new “Pilot Series” of limited edition specialty beers with Alaskan Raspberry Wheat Ale. The Alaskan Pilot Series will feature a rotating collection of beers packaged in 22-ounce bottles and will be available throughout the 10 states where Alaskan beers are sold.

“Each new recipe is first created on our 1-barrel experimental brewhouse, perfected in our 10-barrel pilot brewhouse, then put to the test through our Rough Draft series of draft-only beers distributed in Alaska,” said production manager Dave Wilson. “Alaskan Raspberry Wheat has been one of our favorite Rough Drafts.” It won a silver medal at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival.

Alaskan Raspberry Wheat is an American-style wheat ale highlighting the bright flavors and inviting aroma of more than 3,000 pounds of real raspberries added during fermentation.

– Importer Merchant du Vin expect Zatec Dark Lager (5.7% abv, 25 IBU) will join Zatec Bright Lager on shelves June 1. Made from Moravian two-row barley and local hops, Zatec Dark is produced via a double-decoction mash, open primary fermentation, sand filtering, and 45 days of lagering in cool cellars 80 feet underground. Brewing in the Zatec region — known for Saaz hops — of the Czech Republic dates back to at least 1004 AD. The Society of Privileged Brewers was founded in Zatec in 1261, the cornerstone for the current Zatec Brewery was laid in 1798, and brewing began in 1801.

Tour de Fat swapping bikes for cars

Posted In Just for fun at   

New Belgium brewing has posted the tour dates for the 11th season of Tour de Fat, its “traveling celebration of all things bicycle.” The tour begins June 26 in Chicago and concludes Aug. 30 in Austin, Texas.

For the fourth year in a row, Tour de Fat is looking for volunteers for the “swapper challenge.” One volunteer in each city will give up their car and receive a hand-built Black Sheep commuter bike. A volunteer is chosen after submitting a video or essay describing their desire to live sans-car for a year. To submit an application, log on to the Tour de Fat site.

“The car-for-bike swap is the pinnacle of the day, illustrating one person’s true belief in all that a bicycle can offer,” said Bryan Simpson, spokesman for New Belgium. “Bikes represent freedom, fun, fitness and folly while helping the environment. It’s a way of life that we live and share at New Belgium.”

The full schedule:

June 26 – Chicago, Palmer Square Park
July 3 – Milwaukee, Humboldt Park
July 10 – Minneapolis, Loring Park
July 31 – Seattle, Gasworks Park
August 14 – Portland, Waterfront Park
August 21 – Boise, Anne Morrison Park
September 4 – Fort Collins, Mothership
September 11 – Denver, City Park
September 25 – San Francisco, Lindley Meadows in Golden Gate Park
October 2 – San Diego, Balboa Park
October 9 – Tempe, Tempe Town Park
October 23 – Los Angeles, L.A. Historic Park
October 30 – Austin, Fiesta Gardens

Sam Adams suspends brewing in Boston

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Boston Beer will not be brewing any of the Samuel Adams beers at its small Boston brewery for the next few days in an effort to conserve as the greater Boston area deals with a shortage of drinkable water, company spokeswoman Michelle Sullivan told Boston.com.

Most Samuel Adams beer distributed nationally is brewed in Cincinnati and Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley.

Sullivan said the company got a call asking it to conserve water shortly after a pipe that carries water to the area broke on Saturday. “Today, tomorrow, the next few days, we’re just planning not to brew,” she said. “We want to obviously be a good local business and certainly respect [that request] and wait until the shortage has passed.”

South Carolina breweries ask for consumer help

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Support Your Local BreweryThis call to action is intended for South Carolina residents.

South Carolina Beer Lovers,

We are asking you to get in touch with your elected officials to support legislation beneficial to SC breweries.

House Bill 3693 will allow a brewery in SC the ability to sample 4 brands and sell up to a case equivalent (288 ounces) per person per day. The case equivalent volume includes sales in any size containers, such as growlers (this is big for us!). While still restricted, the fact that we can now have tours, limited samples and ANY sales direct is a major milestone for South Carolina.

This bill will allow us, the small brewers of South Carolina, to interact with consumers and represent the beer personally, the beer we work so hard to brew. We also hope the resulting increased direct sales will allow for expansion and growth.

Already passed by the House, HB 3693 is currently under consideration by a subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday, May 4. Because it is possible the full committee will vote the same day the subcommittee votes, we are asking you to call and/or email ALL members of the full Committee IMMEDIATELY and express your support for passage of this legislation.

Let these Senators know that you want them to support you as a beer consumer and the small brewers of the state by passing this bill. Let them know that this is good for businesses, consumers and the state’s economy by making South Carolina breweries more competitive with breweries in neighboring states.

Judiciary Committee (the 4 subcommittee members are starred)

Lee Bright
Paul G. Campbell, Jr.*
George “Chip” E. Campsen, III
Raymond E. Cleary, III*
Creighton B. Coleman
Tom Davis
Robert Ford
Bradley C. Hutto
John “Jake” M. Knotts, Jr.
Joel Lourie
Gerald Malloy
Larry A. Martin
Shane R. Martin
Shane A. Massey
Glenn F. McConnell, Chair
Michael “Mick” J. Mulvaney*
Floyd Nicholson*
Luke A. Rankin
Michael T. Rose
John L. Scott, Jr.
Vincent A. Sheheen
Phillip W. Shoopman
Kent M. Williams*

Thanks and cheers!

South Carolina Brewers Association

Deschutes, Hair of the Dog collaboration due in 2011

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Oregon breweries Deschutes Brewery and Hair of the Dog Brewing today announced that they are working together on a beer that will be released some time next year.

From the press release:

“When we started talking about collaborating on a project, Alan Sprints at Hair of the Dog was the first person I thought of working with,” said Gary Fish, president of Deschutes Brewery. “We’ve known each other for a long time and partnering on a project like this was the perfect way to be able to do something original and unique together. When you have two creative companies embarking on a creative project together, something fun is bound to result.”

Sprints came over to Bend in early March to brew two of his beers at the Deschutes Brewery brewhouse. Then it was Deschutes Brewery brewmaster Larry Sidor’s turn to brew two of his own beers. These four beers (which will remain unnamed as yet) will be aged in various wood barrels and then blended together sometime in early 2011 in a ratio yet to be determined as part of the creative process. Over the next several months, Hair of the Dog and Deschutes Brewery will be meeting to sample the aging beer and contemplate the blending process.

Sprints said, “This partnership was born in an effort to express the vitality of today’s American brewing community and push the boundaries of what is commonly known as beer. Both of our companies share a pride in Oregon products and I have long admired the level of professionalism that Gary brings to the brewing industry. My idea was to do a blend of beers that we already produced, merging our products and passion for beer, hoping to create a beverage that will be deep, complex, earthy and beguiling.”

This is the first collaborative beer for each of the companies, and everyone is excited to see how the new beer will develop. Fish continued, “We have no idea how these four beers will taste blended together, but we do know that the total will be greater than the sum of its parts.”

It would appear that the blend will not include equal portions of each of the brews. Think anybody would buy the leftovers?

Griffin Groups Acquires Anchor Brewery

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Big news in the beer world, as I learned today that San Francisco’s Anchor Brewery has been sold. Here’s the press release below.

The Griffin Group, an investment and consulting company focused on beverage alcohol brands, announced its acquisition of Anchor Brewing Company which includes its portfolio of craft beers and artisan spirits, including the award winning Anchor Steam Beer.

The Griffin Group is led by beverage alcohol veterans, Keith Greggor and Tony Foglio, two longtime San Francisco residents who have been working with Anchor Brewing Company’s owner, Fritz Maytag to maintain the iconic brewery and distillery in San Francisco.

“Anchor Brewing Company has a long history in San Francisco and The Griffin Group is ushering in an exciting era while maintaining our proud, time-honored history,” said Fritz Maytag. “Combining Keith and Tony’s passion for the Anchor Brewing Company, their industry experience and expertise only means that Anchor will be enjoyed in San Francisco for generations to come.”

“Since 1896, Anchor Brewing Company has been an icon of San Francisco’s history and culture,” stated Griffin’s Founding Partner, Keith Greggor, “I am honored to bring Anchor Brewing Company into our family of craft beers and artisanal spirits through establishing Anchor Brewers & Distillers, LLC.”

Anchor Brewers & Distillers intends to establish a “Center of Excellence” in San Francisco for craft brewers and artisan distillers from around the world. An epicenter of development, education, entertainment and innovation, all designed to further contribute to the culture and heritage of craft beer and artisan spirits.

“San Francisco is the perfect place to establish this center,” stated Tony Foglio, “Through our extensive portfolio of craft beers and fine spirits our focus will be to educate and satisfy the increasing consumer demand for authentic, quality and natural products that reflect the passion of their creators.”

Continuing the Anchor heritage, Mr. Maytag has been named Chairman Emeritus of Anchor Brewers & Distillers.

Two breweries on ‘Best Places to Work’ list

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“Outside” magazine put two brewing companies — New Belgium Brewing in Colorado and Alaskan Brewing in Alaska — on its third annual list of “The 50 Best Places to Work.”

New Belgium is second on the list and Alaskan 17th.

“It was such an honor to be a part of the inaugural list of companies in 2008, especially as the only company from Alaska,” Alaskan Brewing CFO Ann Metcalfe said for a press release issued by the brewery. “We are lucky enough to brew award-winning beer in one of the most incredible natural playgrounds on earth. To make the list again this year, affirms that we are fulfilling our mission statement and continuing to have fun while we grow.”

The magazine includes a mini-interview with, and retro picture of, Alaskan founder Geoff and Marcy Larson.

“We whole-heartedly follow the old ‘work hard, play hard’ mentality,” Marcy Larson said for the press release. “We all are passionate about putting out an outstanding and quality product but we also work hard to ensure that we are enjoying all that Alaska has to offer. Around here, we call that . . . living life Alaskan.”

It’s not unusual for employees to schedule their work hours around prime fishing times or ski seasons. Last year, 22 members of the 80 member Brew Crew traveled to Skagway to compete in the Klondike Road Relay — a 110 mile road relay between Skagway and Whitehorse, Canada. At the same time, another group of the Brew Crew was climbing local peaks in preparation for their summit of Mt. Rainier to celebrate a co-workers 50th birthday.

Outside’s “Best Places to Work” list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies Group . The year-long selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs. All of the results were analyzed by Best Companies Group experts, who selected the 50 companies that strive to enhance their employees’ enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement.

Canadian wine sales cut into beer consumption

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Statistics Canada reports that growing interest in drinking wine has cut into Canadian beer sales.

“We can’t say definitively, but if you look at the age of baby boomers in 1976 and you look at the age of a baby boomer in 2009, that might help explain the story,” analyst Jo Ann MacMillan said. In 1976 the average person consumed about 115 liters of beer, and today the average is down to 83.5 liters.

“In 1976, baby boomers were quite young. They didn’t have a lot of money and their preference would have been to drink beer. Today, when the boomers are . . . 40 years older, we have beer consumption going down and wine going up.”

Other noteworthy numbers from the report:

  • Beer’s market share had decline from 53 per cent in 1993 to 46 per cent in 2009.
  • Canadians bought 441.4 million liters of wine, 64 per cent of that red and rose. Dollar sales of red and rose have more than doubled between 2000 and 2009, while white wine sales have climbed by 50 per cent.
  • Domestic wines grabbed more market share of that increase than imported. Just over 24 per cent of all reds and rosés sold in Canada were domestic, compared with almost 39 per cent of whites.
  • Imported beer has more than doubled its market share in the last decade, to up to 13 per cent of the beer market in 2009.
  • A 5.6 per cent increase in vodka sales kept revenues up for hard liquor sales across the country, but a drop in domestic liquor sales kept volumes down. Whisky, scotch and bourbon stayed the most popular spirits, accounting for 27 per cent of all spirit sales in 2009.

    • Wynkoop begins horse-powered deliveries

    Posted In Breweries, Just for fun, News at   

    Friday Wynkoop Brewing in Denver begins the first of bi-monthly beer deliveries by wagon.

    A wagon pulled by two 2,000-pound Clydesdale horses will roll out from the alley behind Wynkoop Brewing at 7 p.m. and head to a few of the brewery’s downtown beer retailers. The public is invited to watch.

    “We’re bringing back a piece of our city’s beer-blessed past,” Marty Jones, cheersleader/Idea Man, said for a press released. “Our local historians tell us it’s been nearly 100 years since beer was delivered in Denver in this fashion.

    “It’s a great way for us to shrink our carbon footprint while expanding our hoof print.”

    Denver historian Tom “Dr. Colorado” Noel said, “It’ll be a joy to see horse-powered beer wagons rolling down Denver’s streets again. . . . Wynkoop Brewing Company brought back boutique beer in Denver, and now its bringing back horse-drawn thirst aid.”

    For this debut run, the horse-drawn wagon will leave Wynkoop and visit Wazee Supper Club at the corner of 15th & Wazee streets.

    The wagon’s other stops include Wines off Wynkoop (the brewpub’s first Rail Yard Ale can account), Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret (in the historic D & F Tower on Denver’s 16th Street Mall) and Scruffy Murphy’s Irish Pub at 2030 Larimer St.

    Wynkoop will continue horse-powered deliveries on the second and fourth Friday of each month.

    Dennis Holzrichter, owner of D & D Featherfoot Clydesdales & Carriages, will provide the retro transportation for these deliveries. He has been offereing horse-drawn carriage rides in downtown for 20 years.

    Danes end strike over beer ration

    Posted In Beer culture, Breweries, News at   

    The Danish beer strike is over. Details from The National Post:

    Employees at a Carlsberg warehouse on the outskirts of Copenhagen returned to work on Monday, ending a five-day strike over a decision to cut their daily ration of free beer, their union said.

    Some 200 warehouse workers in Hoeje Taastrup had walked off the job last Wednesday after their daily beer ration was cut from three bottles to one.

    Around 50 drivers for the brewery had joined the work action in solidarity with their thirsty colleagues.

    “We have agreed with management that we will meet very soon to find a temporary solution while waiting for a legal settlement of the matter,” 3F union delegate Michael Christensen said in a statement on the union’s website.

    Carlsberg recently introduced a policy that authorizes drinking beer in the canteen during the lunch hour.

    Grossman, Bell, Hindy honored at CBC

    Posted In Beer culture, News at   

    The Brewers Association honored three of its own Thursday as the Craft Brewers Conference began in Chicago.

    The Brewers Association Recognition Award went to Larry Bell, founder of Bell’s Brewery. Bell started Kalamazoo Brewing in 1984, later renaming it Bell’s. It was the first craft brewery in the eastern half of the United States.

    “Larry is a leader in our industry known for his innovative beers and the passion he brings to craft brewing,” said Brewers Association Board of Directors Chair Nick Matt, CEO of Matt Brewing Company.

    Ken Grossman of Sierra Nevada was awarded the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing. Grossman received this year’s award for his leadership in technical brewing science for craft brewers. He remains deeply involved in technical brewing projects at Sierra Nevada and has led numerous initiatives in the area of sustainability and beer quality.

    “Ken Grossman founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Company 30 years ago based on one principle, to make the highest quality beer in America,” Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing Co. wrote in a nominating document. “I think Ken’s never-ending quest in life is to make Sierra Nevada’s beers even better than they already are.”

    The BA presented the F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award to Steve Hindy, chairman and president of The Brooklyn Brewery. Hindy recently testified in a congressional hearing to communicate how state franchise laws can hinder the ability for small brewers to grow their businesses and how self-distribution is important to many small brewers to develop their access to market.