• Two groups in the city of Milwaukee are working to create a beer-themed museum. The Museum of Beer & Brewing, headed by Jim Haertel, hopes to open a museum in one of the buildings he owns at the old Pabst Brewing works. The other group, the Milwaukee Beer Museum, has a storefront on S. 5th St.
• Between January and August 2007 sales of beer in the country of Poland improved by as much as 12% year on year, with a volume of 25.39 million hl, according to the Association of Beer Industry Employers. Click here to read more.
• British rocker Mick Jagger credits his love of food and beer with keeping him slim. The musician was quoted on online sources stating that “I have to eat and eat and have a few beers to keep my 140 pounds going.” The lanky 5 foot 10 inch Jagger’s lean frame has remained constant throughout his almost 45 year career.
• France’s Aromatech has developed a range of flavors the company claims can help brewers take advantage of the growing demand for fruit-flavored beer. The company said its BeMix flavors are meant to help brewers achieve a mix of tastes – from coconut to raspberry – in response to declining traditional beer sales. A spokesperson said:

“Thanks to the fact that the main reason for buying this category of products is taste, BeMix can diversify the beer based beverages range with original associations and trendy flavors.” (Click here for more on this story).

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) – An industry group representing Dutch bars sued Heineken NV and two other brewers on Monday, seeking damages for alleged price fixing that the EU says kept beer prices artificially high for years.
Spokesman Anthony van der Klis of the Horeca association–which also represents hotels, restaurants and caterers–declined to say whether it would seek more or less than the 219 million (US$310 million) that Heineken was forced to pay the EU in April. Heineken denies price-fixing and is appealing the fine.

The suit also names Grolsch NV and Bavaria NV, which were fined smaller amounts by the EU and are also appealing,

“We tried to reach a settlement before moving to a lawsuit, but (the brewers) didn’t want to talk seriously to us,” Van der Klis said.

A fourth brewer, InBev SA, was exempted from EU fines because it blew the whistle on several European beer cartels after regulators caught it fixing prices in Belgium. Klis said the Dutch association was in talks with InBev over a settlement.
Heineken spokeswoman Vivi Hollert said it was company policy not to comment. The suit had been widely expected: EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes directly invited the association to seek damages at the time she levied the fines,

“The management of these companies at the very highest level participated in this cartel … knowing that this behavior was illegal,” Kroes said then. “Instead of respecting the law, they instead covered their tracks.
The companies coordinated prices for beer that customers buy in bars and the beer they buy from supermarkets, even for cheaper ‘no brand’ private label beers,” the EU’s executive arm said in the April decision.

Executives used code names to refer to secret meetings held in hotels and restaurants, the EU said. Under European law, executives are not personally liable for taking part in a cartel. Heineken’s first half earnings fell by 30 percent to 302 million (US$413 million) due to the fine. Chief Executive Jean-Francois van Boxmeer–who did not lead the company at the time the alleged price-fixing occurred in 1996-1999–acknowledged in August that the company had held meetings with its competitors.

“But we contest that led to any pricing agreements,” he said.

He predicted appeals of the EU fine would last until 2010, and said he doubted any civil suits would be successful in the interim. Van der Klis of the Horeca association said it was also seeking to force the brewers to lower their current prices,

“It’s incredible that it costs more for bars, who are wholesale buyers, to purchase beer than it does for consumers in the supermarket,” he said.

Asked why the bars do not simply buy their beer in a supermarket, he replied,

“Some do.” But he added that did not make sense in terms of logic or logistics, and that many bars are bound by contract to purchase their beer directly from Heineken. “They’re afraid of being cut off completely if they violate those terms,” he said.

At bars in Amsterdam, a 33 centiliter (11.2 ounce) glass of Heineken from the tap usually costs around 2.00 (US$2.40). A 30 centiliter (10.1 ounce) bottle costs around 0.50 (US$0.70) when purchased in a crate of 24 at the supermarket.

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On October 4, Fifty-Fifty Brewing Co. (Truckee, California) will begin a month long winter film premiere series to get everyone excited and ready for the 2007-2008 season. Each Thursday throughout October, Fifty-Fifty will feature the newest, hottest films to give everyone the itch to get on some snow and ride.

Capita and Autumn Line will get things started October 4 with premiere of their 2007/2008 blockbusters. Capita’s “First Kiss” features all the Capita riders, doing what they do best, devouring everything. Autumn Lines’ follow up to last years “It Ain’t Easy,” titled “This is For Everyone” features rail slayers and back-country maniacs alike, with cameos from everyone’s favorite Truckee locals.

On October 11, The Airblaster crew and Think Thank will debut their films for this season. Airblaster’s “April” is sure to remind everyone of why we love snow and sliding on it, and features Travis Parker and friends simply having fun and loving life. The mini shred masters of Think Thank will follow with their 07/08 masterpiece titled “Thanks Brain.” Plenty of product giveaways and swag items will be up for grabs.

October 18 will bring two local outfits to the brewpub. 120 Crew productions will bring the world premiere of Lake Effect, a meaty follow up to last years Burn It Down. Also, Trilogy Arts will debut Unite! a compilation of some of the best skating, surfing and snowboarding from Trilogy’s rock steady team. With riding from some of everyone’s favorite park shredders and locals, don’t miss what the creative minds of 120 Crew and Trilogy Arts have put together for this year.

Last but not least, wrapping up October with an HD extravaganza of their own, Alterna Action Films will premiere Apples and Oranges, a brilliantly put together film with everything from rock sessions to huge back-country set ups. Don’t miss this one October 25.

With a great line up, flat screens and a huge projector, the film premiere series at Fifty-Fifty Brewing Co. will be a great chance to see your favorite riders doing what they do best, while enjoying a fine handcrafted brew or meal at one of the best values in town.

All film premieres will start at 9 p.m. and will feature prize giveaways and raffles.
Don’t miss this chance to hang out with friends, meet some pros and enjoy some of the 2007-2008 seasons best action sports films. It is, after all, time to start thinking about stepping it up this season.

Fifty-Fifty Brewing Co. is located in Truckee at 11197 Brockway Road, between Hwy 267 and downtown Truckee. Call (530) 587-BEER for more information.

Israel Beer Breweries, Carlsberg beer’s producer in Israel, recalled on Sunday evening all the 330ml beer bottles with an expiry date of September 11, 2008 for fear they may contain glass shards due to a malfunction at the factory in charge of producing the glass bottles.

The company informed the Health Ministry on the matter and reported that it planned to recall the bottles. The ministry asked the public to exercise caution when consuming the beer. The company believes that only a small number of bottles may contain the suspected glass shards.

“Out of public responsibility, Israel Beer Breweries is operating as quickly and possible and in coordination with the Health Ministry to remove these products from the selves,” the company said in a statement.

The company called on consumers who purchased such bottles to return them to the stores or call customer service at 1-800-338-844 in order to return the product and receive a different one in return.

The company added that it,

“apologizes for the discomfort caused to the public, and thanks its consumers for their understanding and cooperation.”

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