I’m still recovering from a first-hand witnessing of the EPIC Red Sox domination of those Damn Yankees last night and Jacoby Ellsbury’s historic stealing of home plate so rather than an in depth beery anecdote today, I’m just going to report on some of the happenings in the Beer World which have been gathering in my inbox all week. Enjoy:
The Brewers Association names the 2009 Achievement Award Winners: The Brewers Association Recognition Award went to Ken Allen, founder of Anderson Valley Brewing Co. in Boonville, CA and former chair of the Association of Brewers, a precursor organization of the Brewers Association. The Brewers Association presented the Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing to Steve Parkes of the American Brewers Guild. Parkes received this year’s award for demonstrating creativity, excellence in brewing and substantial contributions to the craft brewing community, as well as serving as lead educator for hundreds of today’s craft brewers. And The Brewers Association presented the F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award to Eric Wallace of Lefthand Brewing Co., in Longmont, CO. Eric led the charge to successfully preserve beer drinker choice and selection in helping defeat damaging legislation in Colorado. [From the official Brewers Association press release]
Consolidation in Maine’s beer industry: Atlantic Brewing Co. of Bar Harbor earlier this month bought Bar Harbor Brewing Co., which was founded in the village of Otter Creek in 1990, according to the Bangor Daily News. The paper did not reveal the purchase price.
Atlantic co-owner Doug Maffucci plans to continue to market Bar Harbor Brewing’s three main beers as Bar Harbor Brewing products, and that all of the company’s combined beers would be made at facilities in Town Hill and Portland. Atlantic is the third owner of Bar Harbor Brewing in the past two years, the paper reported. [From Mainebiz]
Guinness Announces the Release of their 250 Anniversary Stout: GUINNESS 250 Anniversary Stout is
being made available in the United States on a limited edition basis (approximately six months). This marks the first new stout offering in the U.S. from Guinness since 1966 – more than 40 years ago – when Guinness draught was first introduced to Americans.
The limited edition release will be available nationally on April 24, 2009. A 6-pack of GUINNESS 250 Anniversary Stout bottles will have a suggested retail price of between $7.99-8.49, and this new offering will also be available in draught kegs.
The commemorative stout is carbonated, not nitrogenated like the traditional GUINNESS Draught. As a result, it has a near-white frothy stout beer head of larger bubble size than that of GUINNESS Draught, and is poured on draught in a one-part pour or gently from a bottle (as opposed to the two-part pour often associated with GUINNESS draught). This product has a crisp effervescent taste with a balanced malty, roasted, hop flavor that is enhanced when released with a lively, refreshing and smooth carbonated mouthfeel. A triple hop addition regime provides a hint of bitterness. [From the official Diageo press release]
A Bitter Ale for Bitter Times:
With government-financed corporate bailouts dominating North American headlines, Howe Sound Brewery in British Columbia is selling an ale it’s calling Bailout Bitter with the slogan “Bitter ale for bitter times.” The beer is usually offered at a lower price than other house brands.
People do tend to drown their sorrows in a recession: Alcohol sales are generally resilient in tough times, with people more likely to frequent bars—and some sectors of the alcoholic beverage industry are currently seeing a spike in sales. While there are serious socioeconomic implications to this trend, times of crisis also cry out for humor and a lighthearted view on what’s in the news. By doing just this, as well as offering a much-needed cost incentive, Bailout Bitter helps remind us that things will invariably get better. [From the JWT Anxiety Index]
Anyway, thanks for reading. I’m going to go continue my post-Red Sox Awesomeness recovery with a bottle of the new Long Trail Brewing Double IPA (which I bought today at the Portland, ME Whole Foods but is available wherever fine Vermont beer is sold). Until next time, faithful BAB clan…
