Friday, February 28, 2014

America’s fastest-growing “craft” beer is made by the world’s biggest brewer

http://qz.com/182269/americas-fastest-growing-craft-beer-is-made-by-the-largest-beer-entity-on-earth/

Thursday, February 20, 2014

California Brewers Fear Drought Could Leave Bad Taste In Your Beer

Lagunitas Brewing Company's owners are nervous that the Russian River water they currently use to make beer could run out in the drought that's hammering California.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/02/19/279627234/california-brewers-fear-drought-could-leave-bad-taste-in-your-beer

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

What do you think about the new Miller Fortune?

I've never had it, but Millers marketing approach is interesting and may actually work. Check out what the NY times had to say.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/19/business/media/to-draw-millennials-a-stronger-beer-made-to-suggest-spirits.html?_r=0

Monday, February 17, 2014

Ale to the Chief: White House Beer Recipe

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/09/01/ale-chief-white-house-beer-recipe

McKinney Brewmaster Calls Mishap A Freak Accident

I almost killed my sisters boyfriend when I put my home brew in a bottle that was not capable of containing the pressure from the carbonation. I don't know how commercial size fermentation tanks relieve the pressure from carbon dioxide build up during fermentation, but isn't it a pretty much the same idea as a home brewing? Home brewers use a small airlock to let the pressure release. Maybe you don't want to relieve all the pressure when brewing large amounts so it has more carbonation in the end?

Sounds like this could have been easily avoided with a pressure gauge and a more attentive brewing ethic. Go ahead and blame the equipment if you want, but who is using that equipment? Maybe don't cheap out on the fermenter next time.

Inspect your valves, your rings, and any point of weakness before any brew. These guys lost 900 gallons of beer, and seriously hurt one guy (I don't care about the other women's 'hospitalization from shock'). They lost lots of product which could have been sold, and are probably going to have to give that guy with the broken rib free beer for the rest of his life so he doesn't sue. Also, this brewery will be known for this long time, they need to get some PR on the pronto. Maybe this is another example of somebody moving too fast with their micro-brew. Maye they need to step back and re-assess. But then I've never had their beer and it could be amazing.

http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2012/02/20/mckinney-brewmaster-calls-mishap-a-freak-accident/

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

How Sierra Nevada Is Winning The Hops War

Ken Grossman: Founder of Sierra Nevada Brewing Company

I wish I was this guy. Sierra Nevada is one of my favorite Breweries, but not because of the beer but because of their approach. Grossman is a legend in the brewing business and Sierra Nevada makes a huge array of great beers. But the reason I love this brewery is because (from what I know, and correct me if I am wrong) Sierra Nevada, for a long time, only produced one or two beers. Their Pale Ale and Indian Pale Ale I believe, were their first and the only beers they brewed for years. They brewed these to PERFECTION, then began exploring into winter ales, wheat beers and others. Some micro-brews today change their beer menu every week. Constantly changing brews does not give you time to perfect a brew. In my opinion breweries should take the time to perfect the flavor, color, texture and everything else that makes beer taste so amazing before moving onto a new recipe. Some of the best breweries in the world only produce one or two beers.

This guy got it right, thank the beer gods for Ken Grossman.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/briansolomon/2014/02/12/king-of-craft-beer-how-sierra-nevada-is-winning-the-hops-war/

Heineken Sees Profits Fall on Weaker Beer Sales

Heineken is the Bud Light of Europe. I am not a fan of most Dutch beers, but I will drink Heineken and Stella. Amstel is decent, but I only like it cause it comes from Amsterdam. Other than that all those Dutch Trappiste Beers and Heffenwiezens dont interest me at all. Give me a smooth, clear, cold fermented pilsner any day over some wheat beer with coriander and orange peel in it.