GreatBeerNow.com http://www.greatbeernow.com For the beer lover in all of us. Fri, 18 May 2012 05:52:48 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 An Interview with Rahr & Sons Founder Fritz Rahr Jr. http://www.greatbeernow.com/an-interview-with-rahr-sons-founder-fritz-rahr-jr http://www.greatbeernow.com/an-interview-with-rahr-sons-founder-fritz-rahr-jr#comments Thu, 17 May 2012 05:46:52 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=542 Texas is a large state with a thriving business community that continues to innovate. The state has met many challenges over the past few years and has fared far better than other states, in large part due to the business- friendly laws and diverse people who are always looking for ways to create new things and improve on existing processes. This is true across many industries, but it is particularly true in the business known as craft beer. Texas’ craft brewing businesses have enjoyed a good deal of growth as of late and one company that has its sights set high is Rahr & Sons Brewing, a business based out of Fort Worth. Rahr & Sons has been around since 2004 when Fritz and Erin Rahr decided to revive a Rahr family tradition dating back to 1847 and while the company is actually more established than other Texas breweries, it continues to look for ways to improve product selection and better serve its customer base.

 I caught up with Rahr & Sons president and founder, Frederick “Fritz” Rahr Jr. just recently and had a chance to learn more about his brewing operation, his company’s outlook, and his opinions on the craft brewing business in general. I offered up some questions and he responded with some honest, thoughtful words of wisdom on the business of beer and its future:

 

Across the United States, the craft brewing industry is enjoying tremendous growth and influence. What is your feeling regarding these trends? Has the industry reached a peak, or is the best yet to come?

I think the growth of craft beer is exciting.  I think this growth is more than sustainable as more and more people get turned on to great tasting craft beer.  I think we will see some fallout from breweries along the way – but that would be expected in any industry.  But the market share created will stay and be absorbed by other craft breweries.

 

What do you expect the big brewers like Anheuser- Busch InBev, MillerCoors, and others will do to answer the craft brewing threat and remain competitive?

I think you will see more and more smaller craft breweries partnership up with the larger breweries. The larger brewery partnerships with craft brewery that has an established market and the smaller craft brand can take advantage of costs savings, infrastructure, ease of entry into new markets and capital from their larger partners.  I think in order for the craft brewery to maintain relevance and street cred, the larger breweries need to be hands off and provide them assistance when they need it…… 

 

With so much growth in the industry, how does a craft brewer differentiate itself from the competition?

There are so many different areas where a craft brewery can differentiate from one another… ie. Lagers, Ales, Sours, High ABV beers, Belgians, Hop Choices, Non-Malt Additives, Culture, Schwag, Barrel Aging etc etc.. the list goes on…..  But the one defining aspect is going to be quality and marketability… You can be so much different from the next guy, but your products need to be the best quality possible and there has to be a sustainable market to sell them…….

 

What advice would you give to a new craft brewing operation?

Don’t try to be everything to everyone right off the bat and don’t over sell yourself…… Don’t promise what you knowingly can’t provide. 

 

Texas’ brewing business gained some much needed relief when, following a lawsuit by Jester King,  a Texas judge ruled several beer laws unconstitutional last year. What do you see as some of the other important legal obstacles to the craft brewing industry in the state?

For breweries and brew pubs alike, I think we would like to see the two forms of brewing come into one; i.e, allow brew pubs distribution rights and allow breweries retail licensing (IE. selling beer out of the brewery to people for on and off premise use and/or for retail licensing away from the brewery IE. allowing a brewery to also have a brew pub……, etc.)

 

What are Rahr & Sons plans for growth in the Houston area?

We have committed to a full time on site sales guy in Houston.  We have seen steady growth over the past few years in Houston, but we are seeing 60%+ growth in this market and it’s time we take the next steps in supporting the wonderful growth in this very exciting new market for us.

 

What states presently sell Rahr & Sons beer? Do you foresee adding more states in the near future?

Currently just Texas, no plans to go anywhere else yet…..

 

Are there any new products in the Rahr & Sons pipeline at the moment that you can share?

We just came out with our latest beer… “The Regulator” a German Style Doppelbock in a 22oz format.  That will be the only new product for us to come out on the market this year.  We will however come out with new styles of FIRKINS monthly that can be enjoyed around town at various bars and restaurants around Houston.

 

Many craft brewers have made the move to canning instead of bottling. Will Rahr & Sons follow suit?

We would love to can and it’s in the 12 month plans….  Hopefully by this time next year we will have CANS !!!!

 

National recognition can help any brewery gain new followers. Which Rahr & Sons products have won awards and/or achieved some significant level of recognition?

We have won medals numerous medals in beer competitions around the country.  Our proudest achievement was winning Bronze at the World Beer Cup for our Bucking Bock – a German Style Spring Bock, which happens to be our current seasonal out in the market now  :-)

 

As one can quickly surmise from the responses to the questions above, Rahr & Sons is certainly a brewery on the move and Fritz Rahr is confident that the business of beer has plenty of room to grow and abundant rewards to share. His own brewery, and many others, should see continued growth in the coming years as more individuals discover the amazing taste of Texas- made craft beer and the market responds accordingly to meet the new demands.

 

Texas continues to fare better than the rest of the United States in terms of business growth, opportunity, and innovation and Rahr & Sons is a prime example of these recent economic trends. With a commitment to quality and an eye on customer satisfaction, Rahr & Sons future looks bright and Houston residents can expect to see more Rahr & Sons beer products in stores, restaurants, and taverns over the coming months as the Fort Worth- based craft brewery continues to make its presence known in the Houston market.

 

 

Article originally posted in Examiner.com

 

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/an-interview-with-rahr-sons-founder-fritz-rahr-jr/feed 0 Alabama Set to Overturn Beer Packaging Law http://www.greatbeernow.com/alabama-set-to-overturn-beer-packaging-law http://www.greatbeernow.com/alabama-set-to-overturn-beer-packaging-law#comments Fri, 11 May 2012 03:40:22 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=539 Alabama beer geeks are closer to a moment that is long overdue: The option to purchase beer in bottles or cans larger than 16 ounces.

 

Bomber Bottle

 

Alabama’s state house just recently approved a bill that would legalize beer packaging/sales in bottles up to but not including 26 ounces (750 ml, or 25.4 oz. to be exact). This is well above the present one- pint bottle or can limit and it will open up a whole new door for the craft beer market. Specialty craft beers are often sold in 22 ounce bomber bottles and nothing else. This means that Alabama residents have not been permitted to purchase these products due to the state’s legal limitations.

 

 

Why the state of Alabama ever placed such a bizarre law on the books is uncertain, but opponents of the measure have provided some insight, however irrational it may be. Apparently, some are concerned that larger bottles means more drinking and more intoxication. What these naïve individuals fail to stop and consider is that people who purchase beer in bomber bottles usually only purchase one or two. They don’t ponder between a six pack of 12 oz. cans and six 22 oz. bottles. For one thing, larger bottles usually house the more expensive craft beer so it wouldn’t make sense from a cost perspective. Also, people who drink from larger bottle usually stop at one or two, as opposed to those who buy a six pack and down the entire contents.

 

Alabama is the only state in the nation with a law like this and with a little more effort on behalf of state law makers, it will be the last. More craft beer options await Alabama beer snobs if the law passes and the prospects at this time appear good. Keep your bomber bottles crossed and hope for the best for our beer- loving Alabama brethren.

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/alabama-set-to-overturn-beer-packaging-law/feed 0 World Beer Cup 2012 Winners List http://www.greatbeernow.com/world-beer-cup-2012-winners-list http://www.greatbeernow.com/world-beer-cup-2012-winners-list#comments Sat, 05 May 2012 15:39:27 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=535 The World Beer Cup is among the most prestigious beer competitions, attracting entrants from across the globe and spanning a wide range of beer styles. The 2012 World Beer Cup competition is now complete and it has turned out to be the largest, most actively participated World Beer Cup yet, with 54 countries, 799 breweries, and 3,921 beers going head- to- head for the Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals across 95 categories.

 

Judging is complete and the winners have now been announced for the 2012 World Beer Cup. Here is a complete list of winners taken straight from the Brewers Association/World Beer Cup web site, including the category, style, number of beers entered in the competition, along with the medal winners and their locations:

  

Category 1: American-Style Wheat Beer, 23 Entries

Gold: Wagon Box Wheat, Black Tooth Brewing Co., Sheridan, WY

Silver: 1919 choc beer, choc Beer Co., Krebs, OK

Bronze: DD Blonde, Hop Valley Brewing Co., Springfield, OR

 

Category 2: American-Style Wheat Beer With Yeast, 28 Entries

Gold: Whitetail Wheat, Montana Brewing Co., Billings, MT

Silver: Miners Gold, Lewis & Clark Brewing Co., Helena, MT

Bronze: Leavenworth Boulder Bend Dunkelweizen, Fish Brewing Co., Olympia, WA

 

Category 3: Fruit Beer, 41 Entries

Gold: Eat A Peach, Rocky Mountain Brewery, Colorado Springs, CO

Silver: Da Yoopers, Rocky Mountain Brewery, Colorado Springs, CO

Bronze: Blushing Monk, Founders Brewing Co., Grand Rapids, MI

 

Category 4: Fruit Wheat Beer, 28 Entries

Gold: Minoh Beer YUZU-WHITE-ALE, A•J•I Beer, Minoh City, Japan

Silver: Blue Moon Vintage Blonde Ale, Blue Moon Brewing Co., Golden, CO

Bronze: Amsterdam Framboise, Amsterdam Brewing Co., Toronto, Canada

 

Category 5: Field Beer or Pumpkin Beer, 19 Entries

Gold: Turnip the Beets, Bull & Bush Brewery, Denver, CO

Silver: Saint Arnold Pumpkinator, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX

Bronze: The Great Pumpkin, Elysian Brewing Co., Seattle, WA

 

Category 6: Herb and Spice Beer, 80 Entries

Gold: Sgt. Pepper, Cambridge Brewing Co., Cambridge, MA

Silver: Ring Of Fire, Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren, MI

Bronze: Hardywood Gingerbread Stout, Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Richmond, VA

 

Category 7: Chocolate Beer, 34 Entries

Gold: Házmela Rusa, La Chingonería, Mexico City, Mexico

Silver: X-1 Chocolate Imperial Rye Porter, DuClaw Brewing Co., Bel Air, MD

Bronze: Odin’s Raven, Alpine Beer Co., Alpine, CA

 

Category 8: Coffee Beer, 56 Entries

Gold: Bacon and Eggs Breakfast Coffee Imperial Porter, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA

Silver: Drunken Elf Stout, Columbia River Brewing Co., Portland, OR

Bronze: Coffee Stout, Rock Bottom Arlington, Arlington, VA

 

Category 9: Specialty Beer, 38 Entries

Gold: Hangar 24 Winter Warmer, Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Redlands, CA

Silver: Maple Tripple, Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Warren, VT

Bronze: Donner Party Porter, FiftyFifty Brewing Co., Truckee, CA

 

Category 10: Rye Beer, 29 Entries

Gold: Ruthless Rye IPA, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA

Silver: 3 Flowers IPA, Marin Brewing Co., Larkspur, CA

Bronze: Jopen Jacobus RPA, Jopenkerk Bierbrouwerij, Haarlem, Netherlands

 

Category 11: Specialty Honey Beer, 23 Entries

Gold: Boréale Dorée, Les Brasseurs du Nord, Blainville, Canada

Silver: Ménage a Trois Braggot, Crabtree Brewing Co., Greeley, CO

Bronze: Killer Bee, Dragonmead Microbrewery, Warren, MI

 

Category 12: Session Beer, 33 Entries

Gold: Vienna Lager, Squatters Pub Brewery, Salt Lake City, UT

Silver: Kellerweis, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA

Bronze: Revelations Stout, The Public House Brewing Co., Rolla, MO

 

Category 13: Other Strong Beer, 35 Entries

Gold: Star Brew, Marin Brewing Co., Larkspur, CA

Silver: Imperial Cream Ale, Nexus Brewery, Albuquerque, NM

Bronze: Double Pilsner, Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO

 

Category 14: Experimental Beer, 42 Entries

Gold: Petit Obscura, Telegraph Brewing Co., Santa Barbara, CA

Silver: Noble Rot, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Milton, DE

Bronze: Where There’s Smoke…, Manzanita Brewing Co., Santee, CA

 

Category 15: Indigenous Beer, 26 Entries

Gold: Got Beer, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery – Tacoma, Huntington Beach, CA

Silver: Hqt, 21st-Amendment Brewery, San Francisco, CA

Bronze: Oyster Stout, Upright Brewing Co., Portland, OR

 

Category 16: Gluten-Free Beer, 15 Entries

Gold: Glutenberg Rousse, Brasseurs Sans Gluten, Montreal, Canada

Silver: Glutenberg Pale Ale, Brasseurs Sans Gluten, Montreal, Canada

Bronze: Glutenberg Blonde, Brasseurs Sans Gluten, Montreal, Canada

 

Category 17: American-Belgo-Style Ale, 48 Entries

Gold: Last Chance, The Haymarket Pub & Brewery, Chicago, IL

Silver: Blue Reserve, Blue Mountain Brewery, Afton, VA

Bronze: Le Freak, Green Flash Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

 

Category 18: American-Style Sour Ale, 14 Entries

Gold: Ching Ching, Bend Brewing Co., Bend, OR

Silver: Mattina Rossa, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, ME

Bronze: Supplication, Russian River Brewing Co., Santa Rosa, CA

 

Category 19: American-Style Brett Ale, 28 Entries

Gold: Peche ‘n Brett, Logsdon Farmhouse Ales, Hood River, OR

Silver: Peche, AC Golden Brewing Co., Golden, CO

Bronze: Wild Wild Brett Rouge, Crooked Stave Artisan Beer Project, Fort Collins, CO

 

Category 20: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer, 34 Entries

Gold: Sarah’s Two Headed Buffalo, Rock Bottom Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH

Silver: Brandy Barrel Abbey Normal, Fox River Brewing Co., Oshkosh, WI

Bronze: Central City Oaked Porter, Central City Brewing Co., Surrey, Canada

 

Category 21: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Beer, 91 Entries

Gold: Samuel Adams Utopias 2011, The Boston Beer Co., Boston, MA

Silver: King Henry, Goose Island Beer Co., Chicago, IL

Bronze: Bourbon Abominable Winter Ale, Fremont Brewing Co., Seattle, WA

 

Category 22: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Strong Stout, 58 Entries

Gold: Barrel Aged BORIS The Crusher Oatmeal-Imperial Stout, Hoppin’ Frog Brewing Co., Akron, OH

Silver: Great Grandfather Raven, Black Raven Brewing Co., Redmond, WA

Bronze: The Event Horizon, Olde Hickory Brewery, Hickory, NC

 

Category 23: Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer, 42 Entries

Gold: Lovibonds Sour Grapes, Lovibonds Brewery, Henley-on-Thames, United Kingdom

Silver: Le Serpent Cerise, Snake River Brewing Co., Jackson, WY

Bronze: Melange #1, The Bruery, Anaheim, CA

 

Category 24: Aged Beer, 20 Entries

Gold: Samichlaus “2004”, Brauerei Schloss Eggenberg, Vorchdorf, Austria

Silver: Vintage Horn Dog, Flying Dog Brewery, Frederick, MD

Bronze: Release the Hounds Barley Wine Vintage 1999, Bull & Bush Brewery, Denver, CO

 

Category 25: Kellerbier/Zwickelbier, 45 Entries

Gold: Ketterer Zwickel Pils, Familienbrauerei M. Ketterer, Hornberg, Germany

Silver: VIÆMILIA, Birrificio del Ducato, Roncole Verdi, Italy

Bronze: 5 O’Clock Shadow, Grand Teton Brewing Co., Victor, ID

 

Category 26: Smoke Beer, 48 Entries

Gold: Fujizakura Kogen Beer Rauch, Fujizakura Kogen Beer, Minamitsuru, Japan

Silver: BraufactuM Roog, Die Internationale Brau-Manufacturen, Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Bronze: Grodzinski, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Newark, Newark, DE

 

Category 27: Australasian, Latin American or Tropical-Style Light, 12 Entries

Gold: Quilmes Cristal, Cervecería y Maltería Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Silver: Anchor Ice, Hainan Asia Pacific Brewery Co., Haikou, China

Bronze: Norte Blanca, Cervecería y Maltería Quilmes, Buenos Aires, Argentina

 

Category 28: International-Style Lager, 63 Entries

Gold: Paceña Pico de Oro, Cervecería Boliviana Nacional, La Paz, Bolivia

Silver: Cisk Export Premium Lager, Simonds Farsons Cisk, Mriehl, Malta

Bronze: Birra Moretti, Heineken Italia, Milan, Italy

 

Category 29: Baltic-Style Porter, 28 Entries

Gold: Baltic Gnome Porter, Rock Bottom Denver, Denver, CO

Silver: Battle Axe Baltic Porter, Fat Heads Brewery, North Olmsted, OH

Bronze: Dan – My Turn Series, Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI

 

Category 30: European-Style Low-Alcohol Lager/German-Style, 18 Entries

Silver: Beck’s Premier Light, Brauerei Beck & Co., Bremen, Germany

Bronze: Hochdorfer Hopfen-Leicht, Hochdorfer Kronenbrauerei Otto Haizmann, Nagold-Hochdorf, Germany

 

Category 31: German-Style Pilsener, 74 Entries

Gold: Brio, Olgerdin Egill Skallagrimsson, Reykjavik, Iceland

Silver: Schönramer Pils, Private Landbrauerei Schönram, Schönram, Germany

Bronze: Baumgartner Pils, Brauerei Jos. Baumgartner, Schaerding, Austria

 

Category 32: Bohemian-Style Pilsener, 62 Entries

Gold: Starobrno Ležák, Heineken Czech Republic, Krušovice, Czech Republic

Silver: Krušovice Imperial, Heineken, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Bronze: Gambrinus Premium, Plzeňský Prazdroj, Pilsen, Czech Republic

 

Category 33: Münchner-Style Helles, 68 Entries

Gold: Urtyp Hell, Löwenbrauerei Passau, Passau, Germany

Silver: Löwenbräu, Löwenbräu, München, Germany

Bronze: Helles, Kitzmann Bräu, Erlangen, Germany

 

Category 34: Dortmunder/Export or German-Style Oktoberfest, 39 Entries

Gold: Švyturys Ekstra, JSC Švyturys-Utenos Alus, Vilnius, Lithuania

Silver: Tauras Tradicinis, Kalnapilio-Tauro Grupe, Panevezys, Lithuania

Bronze: Schlappeseppel Export, Brauerei Schlappeseppel, Grossostheim, Germany

 

Category 35: Vienna-Style Lager, 41 Entries

Gold: Vienna Lager, Devils Backbone Brewing Co., Roseland, VA

Silver: Heavy Seas Marzen Vienna Lager, Clipper City Brewing Co., Baltimore, MD

Bronze: Belle Gueule Originale, Brasseurs RJ, Montreal, Canada

 

Category 36: German-Style Märzen, 39 Entries

Gold: Florhosen, The SandLot, Denver, CO

Silver: Rocktoberfest, Rock Bottom Long Beach, Long Beach, CA

Bronze: Ur-Saalfelder, Bürgerliches Brauhaus Saalfeld, Saalfeld, Germany

 

Category 37: European-Style Dark/Münchner Dunkel, 34 Entries

Gold: Weltenburger Kloster Barock Dunkel, Klosterbrauerei Weltenburg, Kelheim, Germany

Silver: King Dark Lager, King Brewery, Nobleton, Canada

Bronze: Riegele Aechtes Dunkel, Brauerei S. Riegele, Augsburg, Germany

 

Category 38: German-Style Schwarzbier, 40 Entries

Gold: Art of Science Schwarzbier, Dillon DAM Brewery, Dillon, CO

Silver: Point 2012 Black Ale, Stevens Point Brewery, Stevens Point, WI

Bronze: Cameron’s Dark 266, Cameron’s Brewing Co., Oakville, Canada

 

Category 39: Traditional German-Style Bock, 30 Entries

Gold: Doppel-Hirsch, Der Hirschbräu, Immenstadt, Germany

Silver: Winter Bock, Silver City Brewery, Bremerton, WA

Bronze: Troegenator, Tröegs Brewing Co., Hershey, PA

 

Category 40: German-Style Heller Bock/Maibock, 38 Entries

Gold: Maibock, Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant, Topeka, KS

Silver: Der Ulmer Maibock, Familienbrauerei Bauhöfer, Renchen, Germany

Bronze: Blonde Doppelbock, Capital Brewery Co., Middleton, WI

 

Category 41: German-Style Doppelbock or Eisbock, 44 Entries

Gold: Holzfassgelagerter Eisbock, Brauhaus Faust, Miltenberg, Germany

Silver: Hochdorfer Barbara Bock, Hochdorfer Kronenbrauerei Otto Haizmann, Nagold-Hochdorf, Germany

Bronze: Dominator Dopplebock, Sun King Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN

 

Category 42: American-Style Cream Ale or Lager, 23 Entries

Gold: Prestige, Brasserie Nationale d’Haiti, Port-au-Prince, Haiti

Silver: Old Style, Pabst Brewing Co., Allentown, PA

Bronze: Milwaukee’s Best, Miller Brewing Co., Golden, CO

 

Category 43: American-Style Lager or Light Lager, 39 Entries

Gold: Coors Light, Coors Brewing Co., Golden, CO

Silver: Michelob Ultra, Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO

Bronze: Michelob Light, Anheuser-Busch, St. Louis, MO

 

Category 44: American-Style Premium Lager or Specialty Lager, 37 Entries

Gold: Steel Reserve, Miller Brewing Co., Golden, CO

Silver: Evans Original, Cervecería Mexicana, Corona, CA

Bronze: Icehouse, Miller Brewing Co., Golden, CO

 

Category 45: American-Style Amber Lager, 40 Entries

Gold: Winter Skal, Capital Brewery Co., Middleton, WI

Silver: Colorado Native, AC Golden Brewing Co., Golden, CO

Bronze: Cali Common, Lucky Hand Beer, Novato, CA

 

Category 46: American-Style Dark Lager, 18 Entries

Gold: Leinenkugel’s Creamy Dark, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls, WI

Silver: Shiner Bock, The Spoetzl Brewery, San Antonio, TX

Bronze: Santo, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX

 

Category 47: Australasian-Style Pale Ale or International-Style Pale Ale, 22 Entries

Gold: 805 IPA, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA

Silver: Endeavour True Vintage 2011 Reserve Pale Ale, Endeavour True Vintage Beer, Macquarie Centre, Australia

Bronze: Benny’s Pale Ale, Shoreline Brewery, Michigan City, IN

 

Category 48: German-Style Kölsch/Köln-Style Kölsch, 46 Entries

Gold: Sunbru, Four Peaks Brewing Co., Tempe, AZ

Silver: Chuckanut Kolsch, Chuckanut Brewery, Bellingham, WA

Bronze: Point Three Kings, Stevens Point Brewery, Stevens Point, WI

 

Category 49: German-Style Brown Ale/Düsseldorf-Style Altbier, 29 Entries

Gold: Alt-eration, Hops & Grain Brewing, Austin, TX

Silver: Rhine Heights, Vintage Brewing Co., Madison, WI

Bronze: Real McCoy Amber, Mammoth Brewing Co., Mammoth Lakes, CA

 

Category 50: German-Style Sour Ale, 11 Entries

Gold: Berliner Weisse, Steamworks Brewing Co., Durango, CO

Silver: Hottenroth Berliner Weisse, The Bruery, Anaheim, CA

Bronze: Vitis Reductus Weisse, Outer Banks Brewing Station, Kill Devil Hills, NC

 

Category 51: South German-Style Hefeweizen/Hefeweissbier, 85 Entries

Gold: HEF, Burleigh Brewing Co., West Burleigh, Australia

Silver: Baltika N°8 Wheat, Baltika Breweries, St. Petersburg, Russian Federation

Bronze: Edelweiss Hefetrüb, Brau Union Österreich, Linz, Austria

 

Category 52: German-Style Pale Wheat Ale, 22 Entries

Gold: Boscos Hefeweizen, Boscos Brewing Co., Memphis, TN

Silver: Gold Ochsen Kristallweizen, Brauerei Gold Ochsen, Ulm, Germany

Bronze: Ketterer Ur-Weisse kristall, Familienbrauerei M. Ketterer, Hornberg, Germany

 

Category 53: German-Style Dark Wheat Ale, 29 Entries

Gold: Brauerei Michael Plank Original Hefeweizen, Brauerei Michael Plank, Laaber, Germany

Silver: Schneider Weisse Original, Weisses Bräeuhaus G. Schneider & Sohn, Kelheim, Germany

Bronze: Unertl Gourmet Weisse, Weißbräu Unertl, Mühldorf, Germany

 

Category 54: South German-Style Weizenbock/Weissbock, 20 Entries

Gold: Brauerei Michael Plank Heller Weizenbock, Brauerei Michael Plank, Laaber, Germany

Silver: Live Oak Primus, Live Oak Brewing Co., Austin, TX

Bronze: Rhaner Lilly Bock, Rhanerbräu, Schönthal, Germany

 

Category 55: Belgian-Style Witbier, 50 Entries

Gold: Allagash White, Allagash Brewing Co., Portland, ME

Silver: Hoegaarden, Hoegaarden Brewery, New York, NY

Bronze: La Perouse White, Maui Brewing Co., Lahaina, HI

 

Category 56: French- & Belgian-Style Saison, 44 Entries

Gold: Carnevale, The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA

Silver: Saison Station 55, Hopfenstark Brewery, L’Assomption, Canada

Bronze: Urban Farmhouse Ale, The Commons Brewery, Portland, OR

 

Category 57: Belgian- and French-Style Ale, 22 Entries

Gold: FSB Spring Brew, Front Street Brewery, Wilmington, NC

Silver: Saison Noir, Bastone Brewery, Royal Oak, MI

Bronze: Gift of the Magi, The Lost Abbey, San Marcos, CA

 

Category 58: Belgian-Style Blonde Ale or Pale Ale, 32 Entries

Gold: Ommegang Rare Vos, Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY

Silver: Leffe Blonde, AB InBev, New York, NY

Bronze: Troubadour Blond, Brouwerij The Musketeers, Ursel, Belgium

 

Category 59: Belgian-Style Sour Ale, 27 Entries

Gold: Oude Geuze Boon, Brouwerij Frank Boon, Lembeek, Belgium

Silver: Oude Kriek Oud Beersel, Oud Beersel, Beersel, Belgium

Bronze: Fifth Element Vintage 2011, Squatters Pub Brewery, Salt Lake City, UT

 

Category 60: Belgian-Style Flanders Oud Bruin or Oud Red Ale, 16 Entries

Gold: Oude Tart, The Bruery, Anaheim, CA

Silver: Monomoy Kriek, Cisco Brewers, Nantucket, MA

Bronze: Oud Jeremiah, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery – Brea, Huntington Beach, CA

 

Category 61: Belgian-Style Dubbel, 39 Entries

Gold: Leffe Brown, AB InBev, New York, NY

Silver: Belgian Dubbel, Bier Brewery, Indianapolis, IN

Bronze: Ovila Dubbel, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA

 

Category 62: Belgian-Style Tripel, 57 Entries

Gold: Westmalle Trappist Tripel, Westmalle Trappist Brewery, Westmalle, Belgium

Silver: Nectar des Dieux, Bastone Brewery, Royal Oak, MI

Bronze: Steenbrugge Tripel, Palm Breweries, Steenhuffel, Belgium

 

Category 63: Belgian-Style Pale Strong Ale, 33 Entries

Gold: Piraat, Van Steenberge, Ertvelde, Belgium

Silver: Thor’s Hammer, Bastone Brewery, Royal Oak, MI

Bronze: Prisoner of Hell, Dock Street Brewery, Philadelphia, PA

 

Category 64: Belgian-Style Dark Strong Ale, 41 Entries

Gold: Batch 333: The Velvet Fog, Sun King Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN

Silver: Two Tortugas Belgian Quad, Karl Strauss Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

Bronze: Grand Prestige, Hertog Jan Brouwerij, Arcen, Netherlands

 

Category 65: Other Belgian-Style Ale, 41 Entries

Gold: Seef, Antwerpse Brouw Compagnie, Hove, Belgium

Silver: Gauloise Amber, Brasserie du Bocq, Purnode, Belgium

Bronze: Rhinoceros, Telegraph Brewing Co., Santa Barbara, CA

 

Category 66: English-Style Summer Ale, 32 Entries

Gold: Cross of Gold: Revolution Brewing, Chicago, IL

Silver: Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, Stone & Wood Brewing Co., Byron Bay, Australia

Bronze: Mother Lode Golden Ale, Laurelwood Brewing Co., Portland, OR

 

Category 67: Classic English-Style Pale Ale, 33 Entries

Gold: Annadel Pale Ale, Third Street Aleworks, Santa Rosa, CA

Silver: Summit Extra Pale Ale, Summit Brewing Co., St. Paul, MN

Bronze: Caldera Ashland Amber, Caldera Brewing Co., Ashland, OR

 

Category 68: English-Style India Pale Ale, 48 Entries

Gold: Man Beer, Bull & Bush Brewery, Denver, CO

Silver: IP’Eh!, Russell Brewing Co., Surrey, Canada

Bronze: Intercontinental Pale Ale, Flossmoor Station Brewing Co., Flossmoor, IL

 

Category 69: Ordinary or Special Bitter, 32 Entries

Gold: Redoak Bitter, Redoak, Sydney, Australia

Silver: Happy Hour Hero Ale, Montana Brewing Co., Billings, MT

Bronze: 8th Street Ale, Four Peaks Brewing Co., Tempe, AZ

 

Category 70: Extra Special Bitter, 49 Entries

Gold: Red Racer ESB, Central City Brewing Co., Surrey, Canada

Silver: GAR Pale Ale, Great American Restaurants, Centreville, VA

Bronze: The Tower E.S.B., Bull & Bush Brewery, Denver, CO

 

Category 71: Scottish-Style Ale, 26 Entries

Gold: MacPelican’s Scottish Style Ale, Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR

Silver: Redhawk Ale, Rockyard Brewing Co., Castle Rock, CO

Bronze: Beltaine Scottish Ale, Shoreline Brewery, Michigan City, IN

 

Category 72: English-Style Mild Ale, 27 Entries

Gold: Crown Brown, Crown Brewing, Crown Point, IN

Silver: Alyssa’s Attitude, Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Co., San Clemente, CA

Bronze: Nerf Herder, Pizza Port San Clemente, San Clemente, CA

 

Category 73: English-Style Brown Ale, 30 Entries

Gold: Longboard Brown Ale, Rock Bottom La Jolla, La Jolla, CA

Silver: Nut Brown Ale, Redhook Ale Brewery, Woodinville, WA

Bronze: Sweet George’s Brown, Dillon DAM Brewery, Dillon, CO

 

Category 74: Brown Porter, 42 Entries

Gold: Double Nut Brown, Mammoth Brewing Co., Mammoth Lakes, CA

Silver: Poundage Porter, Sound Brewery, Poulsbo, WA

Bronze: Chocolate Porter, Bayhawk Ales, Irvine, CA

 

Category 75: Robust Porter, 68 Entries

Gold: Pier Rat Porter, Pizza Port San Clemente, San Clemente, CA

Silver: Pro-Am Porter, Wormtown Brewery, Worcester, MA

Bronze: Chocolate Porter, Kumazawa Brewing Co., Chigasaki, Japan

 

Category 76: Sweet Stout, 25 Entries

Gold: Steel Toe Stout, Ska Brewing Co., Durango, CO

Silver: Outlaw Oatmeal Stout, Great Basin Brewing Co., Sparks, NV

Bronze: Blackjack Stout, Feather Falls Casino Brewing Co., Oroville, CA

 

Category 77: Oatmeal Stout, 49 Entries

Gold: Naked Oat Stout, Rock Bottom College Park, Indianapolis, IN

Silver: Stumblers Stout, Columbia River Brewing Co., Portland, OR

Bronze: Alaskan Oatmeal Stout, Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, AK

 

Category 78: Scotch Ale, 51 Entries

Gold: Wee Heavy, Dry Dock Brewing Co., Aurora, CO

Silver: Way Heavy, Pizza Port San Clemente, San Clemente, CA

Bronze: Cold Smoke Scotch Ale, Kettlehouse Brewing Co., Missoula, MT

 

Category 79: British-Style Imperial Stout, 40 Entries

Gold: Russian Imperial Stout, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Media, Media, PA

Silver: Luscious, The Alchemist, Waterbury, VT

Bronze: Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout, The Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY

 

Category 80: Old Ale or Strong Ale, 51 Entries

Gold: Old Ale, Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Media, Media, PA

Silver: AleSmith Decadence 2010 Old Ale, AleSmith Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

Bronze: Old Scrooge, Silver City Brewery, Bremerton, WA

 

Category 81: Barley Wine-Style Ale, 62 Entries

Gold: Stormwatcher’s Winterfest, Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR

Silver: Barley’s Wine, La Cumbre Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM

Bronze: AleSmith Old Numbskull, AleSmith Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

 

Category 82: Irish-Style Red Ale, 31 Entries

Gold: Red Trolley Ale, Karl Strauss Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

Silver: Alaskan Amber, Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, AK

Bronze: McLovin, Vintage Brewing Co., Madison, WI

 

Category 83: Classic Irish-Style Dry Stout, 30 Entries

Gold: Blarney Sisters Dry Irish Stout, Third Street Aleworks, Santa Rosa, CA

Silver: Ring of Dingle, Sun King Brewing Co., Indianapolis, IN

Bronze: Breakside Dry Stout, Breakside Brewery, Portland, OR

 

Category 84: Foreign-Style Stout, 37 Entries

Gold: Starry Night Stout, Island Brewing Co., Carpinteria, CA

Silver: Malpais Stout, La Cumbre Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM

Bronze: Voo Doo, Left Coast Brewing Co., San Clemente, CA

 

Category 85: Golden or Blonde Ale, 46 Entries

Gold: Foam Top, Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, Long Beach, CA

Silver: Labatt 50, Labatt Brewing Co., LaSalle, Canada

Bronze: Steelhead Extra Pale, Mad River Brewing Co., Blue Lake, CA

 

Category 86: American-Style Pale Ale, 84 Entries

Gold: Pale 31, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA

Silver: Mission Street Pale, Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Paso Robles, CA

Bronze: BrickStone APA, BrickStone Restaurant & Brewery, Bourbonnais, IL

 

Category 87: American-Style Strong Pale Ale, 82 Entries

Gold: Hop Knot, Four Peaks Brewing Co., Tempe, AZ

Silver: Odell IPA, Odell Brewing Co., Fort Collins, CO

Bronze: Alaskan IPA, Alaskan Brewing Co., Juneau, AK

 

Category 88: American-Style India Pale Ale, 150 Entries

Gold: DRIPA, Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., Warren, MI

Silver: Head Hunter IPA, Fat Heads Brewery, North Olmsted, OH

Bronze: Elevated IPA, La Cumbre Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM

 

Category 89: Imperial India Pale Ale, 93 Entries

Gold: Poor Man’s IPA, Pizza Port Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA

Silver: Saint Arnold Endeavour, Saint Arnold Brewing Co., Houston, TX

Bronze: Palate Wrecker, Green Flash Brewing Co., San Diego, CA

 

Category 90: American-Style Amber/Red Ale, 68 Entries

Gold: Big Cottonwood, Utah Brewers Co-op, Salt Lake City, UT

Silver: Swan Lake Beer Amber Swan Ale, Hyokoyashikinomori Brewery Tenchokaku Co., Agano, Japan

Bronze: Mavericks Amber Ale, Half Moon Bay Brewing Co., Princeton-by-the-Sea, CA

 

Category 91: Imperial Red Ale, 38 Entries

Gold: G’Knight Imperial Red Ale, Oskar Blues Brewery, Longmont, CO

Silver: Bigfoot, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA

Bronze: Pursuit of Hopiness, Grand Teton Brewing Co., Victor, ID

 

Category 92: American-Style Brown Ale, 47 Entries

Gold: Face Down Brown, Telluride Brewing Co., Telluride, CO

Silver: Uptown Brown, Galena Brewing Co., Galena, IL

Bronze: Great American Brown, Pizza Port Carlsbad, Carlsbad, CA

 

Category 93: American-Style Black Ale, 49 Entries

Gold: Black Racer, Bear Republic Brewing Co., Cloverdale, CA

Silver: Tarantulas 2.0, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA

Bronze: Raven, Thornbridge, Bakewell, United Kingdom

 

Category 94: American-Style Stout, 34 Entries

Gold: Rise American Stout, Revolution Brewing, Chicago, IL

Silver: Pike XXXXX Extra Stout, Pike Brewing Co., Seattle, WA

Bronze: Achievement Beyond Life’s Experiences American Stout Brit Antrim Benefit Beer, Pizza Port Ocean Beach, San Diego, CA

 

Category 95: American-Style Imperial Stout, 36 Entries

Gold: Imperial Stout, Silver City Brewery, Bremerton, WA

Silver: The Fundamental Blackhorn, Hornbeer, Kirke Hyllinge, Denmark

Bronze: Imperial Stout, Olde Hickory Brewery, Hickory, NC

 

 

 

 

 

 

And, the Champion Brewery and Brewer Awards:

World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster

Small Brewing Company

Brauerei Michael Plank, Kelheim, Germany

Michael Plank

 

World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster

Mid-size Brewing Company

Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Paso Robles, CA

Matthew Brynildson

 

World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster

Large Brewing Company

AB InBev, New York, New York

Claudio Ferro

 

World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster

Small Brewpub

Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant – Media, Media, PA

Iron Hill Brewery Team

 

World Beer Cup Champion Brewery and Brewmaster

Large Brewpub

Pelican Pub & Brewery, Pacific City, OR

Darron R S Welch

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/world-beer-cup-2012-winners-list/feed 0 Big Flats 1901 Lager Reminds me of Everything Once Wrong with American Beer http://www.greatbeernow.com/big-flats-1901-lager-reminds-me-of-everything-once-wrong-with-american-beer http://www.greatbeernow.com/big-flats-1901-lager-reminds-me-of-everything-once-wrong-with-american-beer#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 18:52:56 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=531 Food and drink products appeal to people for different reasons. A great, one of a kind taste is the most obvious reason to desire a specific food or drink, but there are other reasons as well, ranging from nostalgia to health benefits and beyond. Then, there is financial appeal- not the high price snob appeal of luxury items, but the low cost appeal that makes a product tempting to try even though you may question its quality. A perfect example of the latter is Big Flats 1901, an American lager brewed in New York and sold only at Walgreen’s drug stores.

 

Beer Bio:

 

Style: American adjunct lager

Calories: 148 per 12 oz. serving

Carbs: 13.5 grams per 12 oz. serving

Alcohol content: 4.5 percent by volume

Big Flats 1901 is a light yellow- colored brew with a completely clear body and a very unappetizing aroma that falls somewhere between stale bread and a rabbit’s cage. The foam on this beer is typical of a cheap adjunct lager- big, white, and fluffy but falls apart in seconds leaving behind an ugly, urine- colored glass of liquid beverage.

 

As for the taste, well, there are no pleasant surprises. Big Flats 1901 Lager has a sweet flavor profile that emphasizes corn, grains, and things artificial with the slightest bitterness in the finish. The taste is very direct, with flavors of grain and perhaps a touch of rice and minimal hops.

 

Big Flats 1901 Lager is a forgettable beer that most people have likely never heard of before. The reason is because it maintains a very low budget and low profile with distribution only at Walgreens. I saw this product at Walgreens many months ago but didn’t have the nerve to try it. Looking at the package and the price, it just seemed like slop and I was sure it wouldn’t be worth the metal it was packaged in. But I finally gave in one day when I decided the only way to really know what the beer was like was to go ahead and sample. There was no way to purchase just one can, but the beer only sells for about $3 a six pack so it was a small investment to make.

 

Big Flats 1901 Lager, unfortunately, turned out just as bad expected and in many ways, was even worse. The nasty, adjunct- laden flavor, ugly appearance, and repulsive aroma are enough to turn off even the most casual, unparticular beer drinker. I can remember offering a sip to people around me, only to be told they could never drink a beverage that smelled so foul. And I really couldn’t blame them. With each passing sip, I became less and less interested, and more and more disgusted. The low level of quality reminded me of what was wrong with so many American beers for so many decades. Cheap grains, artificial flavor, excessive carbonation, no head retention, bad aroma- it was like turning the clock back to the 1970’s and combining a can of Schlitz with a small amount of Blatz. If that isn’t enough to scare away most potential consumers, I don’t know what is.

 

Products can appeal to people for a myriad of reasons and everyone wants to save a buck. But if you are down to your last three greenbacks, take my advice and use it to purchase a smaller quantity of some other product. Big Flats 1901 Lager is about as bad as they come and it rates among the foulest beers I have tasted in the past several years.

 

 

 

Rating: 1 cheer out of 10

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/big-flats-1901-lager-reminds-me-of-everything-once-wrong-with-american-beer/feed 0 American Craft Beer Industry Continues to Grow http://www.greatbeernow.com/american-craft-beer-industry-continues-to-grow http://www.greatbeernow.com/american-craft-beer-industry-continues-to-grow#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 19:01:52 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=527 The American brewing industry has changed considerably over the past few decades. Craft breweries, once considered a novelty with an uncertain future, continue to gain ground and now account for almost six percent of all beer sales volume. This may not sound like much, but it is significant when you consider that, in 1996, craft beer accounted for only about one percent of total sales volume.

 Just recently, the Brewers Association compiled a list of the largest breweries in 2011 by sales volume. Here are the results:

 

Largest American Craft Breweries by Sales Volume:

 

 

 Rank Brewing Company Location  
1 Boston Beer Co. Boston, MA  
2 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Chico, CA  
3 New Belgium Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO  
4 The Gambrinus Company San Antonio, TX  
5 Deschutes Brewery Bend, OR  
6 Matt Brewing Co. Utica, NY  
7 Bell’s Brewery, Inc. Galesburg, MI  
8 Harpoon Brewery Boston, MA  
9 Lagunitas Brewing Co. Petaluma, CA  
10 Boulevard Brewing Co. Kansas City, MO  
11 Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA  
12 Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Milton, DE  
13 Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn, NY  
14 Alaskan Brewing & Bottling Co. Juneau, AK  
15 Long Trail Brewing Co. Burlington, VT  
16 Shipyard Brewing Co. Portland, ME  
17 Abita Brewing Co. Abita Springs, LA  
18 Great Lakes Brewing Co. Cleveland, OH  
19 New Glarus Brewing Co. New Glarus, WI  
20 Full Sail Brewing Co. Hood River, OR  
21 Summit Brewing Co. St. Paul, MN  
22 Anchor Brewing Co. San Francisco, CA  
23 Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Paso Robles, CA  
24 Sweetwater Brewing Co. Atlanta, GA  
25 Rogue Ales Brewery Newport, OR  
26 Flying Dog Brewery Frederick, MD  
27 Victory Brewing Co. Downingtown, PA  
28 CraftWorks Breweries & Restaurants Chattanooga/Louisville, TN/CO  
29 Oskar Blues Brewery Longmont, CO  
30 Odell Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO  
31 Stevens Point Brewery Co. Stevens Point, WI  
32 Ninkasi Brewing Co. Eugene, OR  
33 BJ’s Chicago Pizza & Brewery, Inc. Huntington Beach, CA  
34 Blue Point Brewing Co. Patchogue, NY  
35 Bear Republic Brewing Co. Cloverdale, CA  
36 Lost Coast Brewery Café Eureka, CA  
37 Big Sky Brewing Co. Missoula, MT  
38 North Coast Brewing Co. Inc. Fort Bragg, CA  
39 Saint Louis Brewery, Inc./Schlafly Bottleworks St. Louis, MO  
40 Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. San Jose, CA  
41 Breckenridge Brewery Denver, CO  
42 Founders Brewing Co. Grand Rapids, MI  
43 Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Houston, TX  
44 Karl Strauss Brewing Co. San Diego, CA  
45 Real Ale Brewing Co. Blanco, TX  
46 Mac and Jack’s Brewery Inc. Redmond, WA  
47 Smuttynose Brewing Co. Portsmouth, NH  
48 Utah Brewers Cooperative Salt Lake City, UT  
49 Left Hand Brewing Co. Longmont, CO  
t.50  Anderson Valley Brewing Co. Boonville, CA  
t.50  Four Peaks Brewing Co. Tempe, AZ  

 

 

 

Largest American breweries overall by sales volume:

 

Rank Brewing Company Location  
1 Anheuser-Busch Inc. St. Louis, MO  
2 MillerCoors Chicago, IL  
3 Pabst Brewing Co. Woodbridge, IL  
4 D. G. Yuengling and Son Inc. Pottsville, PA  
5 Boston Beer Co. Boston, MA  
6 North American Breweries Rochester, NY  
7 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Chico, CA  
8 New Belgium Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO  
9 Craft Brew Alliance, Inc. Portland, OR  
10 The Gambrinus Company San Antonio, TX  
11 Deschutes Brewery Bend, OR  
12 Matt Brewing Co. Utica, NY  
13 Bell’s Brewery, Inc. Galesburg, MI  
14 Minhas Craft Brewery Monroe, WI  
15 Harpoon Brewery Boston, MA  
16 Lagunitas Brewing Co. Petaluma, CA  
17 Boulevard Brewing Co. Kansas City, MO  
18 Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA  
19 Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Milton, DE  
20 Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn, NY  
21 Alaskan Brewing and Bottling Co. Juneau, AK  
22 Long Trail Brewing Co. Burlington, VT  
23 August Schell Brewing Co. New Ulm, MN  
24 Shipyard Brewing Co. Portland, ME  
25 Abita Brewing Co. Abita Springs, LA  
26 World Brews/Winery Exchange Novato, CA  
27 Great Lakes Brewing Co. Cleveland, OH  
28 New Glarus Brewing Co. New Glarus, WI  
29 Full Sail Brewing Co. Hood River, OR  
30 Pittsburgh Brewing Co. Pittsburgh, PA  
31 Summit Brewing Co. St. Paul, MN  
32 Anchor Brewing Co. San Francisco, CA  
33 Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Paso Robles, CA  
34 Cold Spring Brewing Co. Cold Spring, MN  
35 Sweetwater Brewing Co.  Atlanta, GA  
36 Rogue Ales Brewery Newport, OR  
37 Mendocino Brewing Co. Ukiah, CA  
38 Flying Dog Brewery Frederick, MD  
39 Victory Brewing Co. Downingtown, PA  
40 CraftWorks Breweries & Restaurants Chattanooga/Louisville  
41 Oskar Blues Brewery & Tasty Weasel Tap Room Longmont, CO  
42 Odell Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO  
43 Stevens Point Brewery Co. Stevens Point, WI  
44 Ninkasi Brewing Co. Eugene, OR  
45 BJ’s Chicago Pizza & Brewery Huntington Beach, CA  
46 Blue Point Brewing Co. Patchogue, NY  
47 Bear Republic Brewing Co. Cloverdale, CA  
48 Goose Island Brewing Co. Chicago, IL  
49 Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe Eureka, CA  
50 Narragansett Brewing Co. Providence, RI  

 

The list of 50 largest breweries overall reveals the influence of craft beer on the American brewing industry. Craft brewing operations now account for about 35 of the top 50 and they continue to grow and spread their influence each year. Go back to 1980 and there were fewer than five craft brewing operations ranked in the top 50. This reflects the changes in the industry and the maturing tastes of Americans who continue to demand more and better beer products, not just for special occasions, but for everyday consumption as well.

 

Expect craft breweries to continue their forward march into 2012 and beyond. The progress is slow, but the force of craft beer cannot be stopped and the big breweries will continue to feel the pressure.

 

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/american-craft-beer-industry-continues-to-grow/feed 0 Heineken Reports Solid Financial Start to 2012 http://www.greatbeernow.com/heineken-reports-solid-financial-start-to-2012 http://www.greatbeernow.com/heineken-reports-solid-financial-start-to-2012#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 18:29:01 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=523 Heineken, the third largest brewing operation in the world and the largest in Europe, just announced a very successful first quarter of 2012.

According to official sources, Heineken’s first quarter revenue increased to 3.83 billion Euros, an increase of 6.8 percent. Likewise, beer volume increased by 4.7 percent overall and 4.5 percent in the Americas. This latter statistic is among the most impressive, especially when you consider that sales volume for non- craft breweries in the United States has been sinking for some time.

 

Higher costs for ingredients such as barley ate up part of the overall cost savings strategy at Heineken and as a result, operating profit declined slightly. However, Heineken plans to counter this trend by increasing prices of its core brands by a small amount and also by selling more beer in the coming months. The purchase of Mexican- based FEMSA Cervesa in 2010 has helped Heineken more assertively position itself to improve sales. Mexican beers like Sol are now part of Heineken and the parent company plans to expand marketing and sales of this and other brands.  

 

Financial markets reacted positively to the news, sending Heineken shares to a four- year high. It will be interesting to see if the two largest brewers in the world, Anheuser- Busch InBev and SABMiller, will be able to match Heineken’s record of success when they announce earnings in the coming weeks.

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/heineken-reports-solid-financial-start-to-2012/feed 0 Mississippi Overturns Archaic Beer Law http://www.greatbeernow.com/mississippi-overturns-archaic-beer-law http://www.greatbeernow.com/mississippi-overturns-archaic-beer-law#comments Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:18:06 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=520 It looks like the state of Mississippi is slowly catching up with the rest of the modern world.

Mississippi State Capital

Mississippi, a state often ridiculed as the epitome of backwardness in both the social and political realms, has finally overturned its archaic beer laws. Just a couple of days ago, Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant signed Senate Bill 2878, making it legal to sell stronger beer within the state’s borders. Before the bill was passed, Mississippi law limited beer to 5 percent alcohol by weight (approx.. 6.2% by volume). With passage of the bill, the limits have been raised to 8 percent alcohol by weight (approx.. 10% by volume) and that means a large percentage of U.S. and internationally brewed beer can now be sold in Mississippi for the first time since pre- prohibition days.

 

A good deal of the credit for the introduction of the bill and its eventual passage goes to the activist group Raise Your Pints. Headed by craft beer enthusiast Butch Bailey, Raise Your Pints is a grassroots, non- profit organization formed for the purpose of overturning Mississippi’s outdated and irrational beer laws. The group had been in existence for five years and was formed by several craft beer advocates who gathered in a Jackson bar and decided it was time to change the beer culture in their home state.

 

Raise Your Pints was fully aware of the challenges it faced, but it worked the system and achieved its goals. Raising public awareness was one challenge, but Bailey and crew also knew they needed corporate support. By securing the backing of the Mississippi Hospitality and Restaurant Association, the Malt Beverage Association, and breweries large and small, the grassroots effort had a better chance for passage. The legislation had actually died in committee the previous two years, but this is common in Mississippi, where laws often take three years or more to pass.

 

Political and economic experts can debate about the reasons Mississippi kept these outdated laws in place for so long, but the important fact is that, beginning on July 1, 2012 when the law officially takes effect, Mississipians can finally purchase the craft beer they deserve. The really strong barleywines and other products will still be illegal, but the legal increase to roughly 10 percent alcohol by volume will open the craft beer floodgates, bringing in a huge number of malt beverage products previously banned by law.

 

Mississippi, my pint is raised to you.

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/mississippi-overturns-archaic-beer-law/feed 3 Boston Beer’s Longshot 2012 Winners Available While They Last http://www.greatbeernow.com/boston-beers-longshot-2012-winners-available-while-they-last http://www.greatbeernow.com/boston-beers-longshot-2012-winners-available-while-they-last#comments Sun, 08 Apr 2012 23:39:15 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=516 Boston Beer Company, makers of the Samuel Adams product line, has released its 2012 Longshot Homebrew Contest winners and their beer is now available in six packs. Boston Beer began distribution of this beer in February, 2012 and it should continue to make itself available for at least a short time longer. The six packs include two bottles each of the three winning entries. They are:

A Dark Night in Munich- This Bavarian style wheat beer was brewed by Corey Martin. It has a roasted malt character, sweet caramel flavor profile, and a creamy mouthfeel. Bread and dark fruits add to the complexity of this drinkable and enjoyable beer. It has an alcohol content of 5.9 percent by volume.

 

Rating: 7 cheers out of 10

 

Five Crown Imperial Stout- Joe Formanek created this beer. It is a Russian imperial stout with a big, rich, malty taste combined with chocolate and a very full body. The beer is thick and heavy, pouring from the bottle like syrup. It is a warming brew with fruity esters and a high alcohol content of 8.9 percent by volume.

 

Rating: 9 cheers out of 10

 

Derf’s Secret Alt- This German Altbier is a full- bodied beer with a nicely balanced flavour that offers equal attention to the hops and malt. Some of the flavors present in this beer include nuts, roasted barley, chocolate, caramel, and yeast, with some citrus. This beer has an alcohol level of 9.3 percent by volume, making it the strongest beer in this years’ Longshot winners.

 

Rating: 8 cheers out of 10

  

Look for the 2012 Longshot winners at your favorite store where other Samuel Adams products are sold. The beer retails for about $9.99 per six pack and offers a good sample of the winners without the necessity of purchasing a full six pack of each. The Longshot six pack may not be around much longer, so purchase it while you can.

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/boston-beers-longshot-2012-winners-available-while-they-last/feed 0 Samuel Adams Porch Rocker to Debut in May, 2012 http://www.greatbeernow.com/samuel-adams-porch-rocker-to-debut-in-may-2012 http://www.greatbeernow.com/samuel-adams-porch-rocker-to-debut-in-may-2012#comments Mon, 02 Apr 2012 05:04:05 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=512 Samuel Adams, the premier American craft brewer in terms of product offerings and overall industry influence, has announced another new product to add to the ever- expanding portfolio. The new beer is going to be called Porch Rocker, and it will hit the stores in May, 2012.

 Boston Beer, parent company of the Samuel Adams product line, is no stranger to new products. In fact, Samuel Adams is one of the most prolific craft beer operations in terms of new product introductions and its product line covers a wide range of popular and relatively unheard of styles. This newest beer, Porch Rocker, is a Radler style brew. Radler is a German style that combines beer with lemonade for a greater level of refreshment and it is a style that very few know anything about.

 

According to official news from Boston Beer, Porch Rocker will be brewed using two- row Harrington malt, Copeland Pale, and Metcalfe Malts. German Tettnang hops will supply some bitterness and real lemon will provide a fresh- squeezed flavor. The beer will arrive on the scene in May and will be sold through July as a summer seasonal. Its addition to the Samuel Adams portfolio helps to expand the product line to include yet another lesser- known style and it serves to educate the drinking public as well as provide some refreshment and, hopefully, beer drinking pleasure.

 

Porch Rocker will not mark the first time a brewer has added lemon flavor to beer. There are countless examples of beer that included the sour, yellow- colored fruit in the list of ingredients, so this isn’t necessarily anything out of the ordinary. However, the reviving of the Radler style is something unusual and it will be interesting to see what Boston Beer is able to do with this flavor combination.  It sounds like a potential winner and it may go very well paired with the summer heat, but it will require striking just the right balance among the ingredients to make it a hit with the craft beer drinking public.

 

Look for Samuel Adams Porch Rocker in stores shortly.

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]]> http://www.greatbeernow.com/samuel-adams-porch-rocker-to-debut-in-may-2012/feed 0 Flying Dog Makes the Move to Cans http://www.greatbeernow.com/flying-dog-makes-the-move-to-cans http://www.greatbeernow.com/flying-dog-makes-the-move-to-cans#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 06:00:05 +0000 bryancarey http://www.greatbeernow.com/?p=508 Packaging beer in cans used to be a symbol of inferiority and craft beer producers wouldn’t even think of using anything other than bottles to showcase their finished product. Cans had an image issue, and craft beer lovers demanded that they beer they love best be sold only in a glass container.

But times have changed and more and more breweries are now turning to metal to house their finished good. One of the latest to make the move is the ever- popular Flying Dog Brewery. Starting in April, 2012, Flying Dog will offer its first canned beer to the public. It will be a canned version of Flying Dog Underdog Atlantic Lager and it will be rolled out in Mid- Atlantic states where this seasonal brew is sold.

 

Many question the move to cans and some craft lovers still scoff at the idea because, besides the image, they are convinced that cans make the beer taste like metal. There was a time when this concern was legitimate; namely, in the days when cans included tin. But those days are long gone and the specially lined aluminum cans that are now used do not impart any metallic taste in the beer at all.

 

Cans have other advantages to glass that may go overlooked. First, they do not break like glass and second, they offer excellent protection from light. They are good for those who want to take their beer with them to, say, the beach or other place where bottles are not allowed. They tend to maintain freshness a little longer and are lighter, so shipping costs are lower.

 

Flying Dog is introducing its Underdog Atlantic Lager in cans first, but this is only the beginning. Assuming the cans are accepted by the public (and there is no reason to think otherwise, once consumers taste the product and realize that the quality is good) we can expect to see more Flying Dog products in cans in a relatively short time. The move toward cans is inevitable as the advantages are more fully known and it is only a matter of time until more breweries jump aboard the canning bandwagon.

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