Craft Beer News
PorchDrinking brings you the breaking in craft beer news.
Georgia Breweries Celebrate Their Liberation Aug. 31 – Sept. 1, 2017
August 15, 2017 | Josh Ritenour
If you’re a craft beer lover, you’ve probably never thought twice about ordering a beer at your favorite brewery. That’s because you don’t live in the state of Georgia. Currently, the only way to enjoy a fresh one at a brewery in this state is to purchase a tour, exchange tickets or tokens, jump through flaming hoops, perform backflips and recite the alphabet backward (well, those first two things at least). All that nonsense is about to change.
Tröegs Adds 8,000 Barrels of Fermentation Capacity
August 14, 2017 | Dan Bortz
Tröegs Independent Brewing has been a staple of Pennsylvania’s craft beer scene for over 20 years, and last week they got even bigger. Eight new 1,000-barrel fermenters were installed at the Hershey, PA brewery. Once online, these will greatly increase the brewery’s production capacity. By moving the flagship and more popular seasonal beers into these larger fermentation vessels, smaller tanks will now be freed up for small batch offerings.
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Revolution Brewing’s Deep Wood Series is Coming to Cans
August 14, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
It has been a busy week for Chicago’s largest independently owned brewery. After announcing the exciting news that they will officially begin distribution to Michigan starting August 21st, Revolution Brewing recently announced even better news for craft beer lovers: the expansion of their Deep Wood barrel-aged brew series into cans.
New Belgium Brewing Group Acquires San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewing Company
August 10, 2017 | Chea Franz
There is never a dull moment in the world of craft beer. Today, it was announced that a group led by New Belgium Brewing Company has entered into an agreement to purchase the assets of San Francisco’s Magnolia Brewing as part of a bankruptcy proceeding. This partnership will be a majority-owned subsidiary of New Belgium, with Elysian founder Dick Cantell as well as Belgian lambic producer Oud Beersel as minority partners. Both Magnolia locations, their existing brands and staff, will continue to operate, working alongside Magnolia founder Dave McLean, who is included in the partnership. This will be Cantwell’s first brewing project since leaving Elysian in April of 2015.
Constellation Brands Acquires Funky Buddha to Join Ballast Point
August 10, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Craft Beer’s consolidation game continues to shake out as Constellation Brands, announced the acquisition of Funky Buddha Brewery out of Boca Raton, FL. Funky Buddha now joins Ballast Point Brewery, which was acquired by Constellation in November 2015 for a record $1 billion, as the second addition to importer/beverage producer’s craft division.
Linked by Libations: The Ark Valley Libation Society Reboots
August 7, 2017 | Sue Bjorkman
In most small towns, it’s a given that everybody knows everybody’s business. This is a bummer when you’re trying to get away with something but is entertaining when someone else is. But for the Ark Valley Libation Society (AVLS), this small town phenomenon totally works in their favor. For this group of craft libation experts – four breweries, a winery and two distilleries – everybody’s business is everybody’s business.
Or as Andy Astor of Elevation Beer Company and AVLS vice president says, “Rising tides raise all boats.”
New Belgium Cancels 2017 Denver Tour de Fat, Underscoring Major Year of Change
August 3, 2017 | Tristan ChanIt’s been a big 25th anniversary year for Fort Collins-based New Belgium Brewing Company, one scored by significant gains and milestones, as well as a handful of bumps in the road, and directional changes.
BREAKING | Sapporo Purchases Anchor Brewing Company
August 3, 2017 | Scott Johnson
Sapporo Holdings Ltd, owners of the oldest beer brand in Japan, have announced they will purchase all equity interest of San Francisco’s Anchor Brewing Company on August 31, 2017 for $85 Million. The Sapporo Group’s decision to buy Anchor is based on a new “Global Business Expansion” policy to continue growth in the US and Southeast Asian markets. This is the second brewery acquired by Sapporo since the $400 million deal for Canada’s Sleeman Breweries in 2006.
BA Mid-Year Report Tallies U.S. Brewery Count at 5,562 in Operation
August 1, 2017 | Tristan Chan
The Brewers Association published its mid-year report this morning announcing that there are now over 5,562 breweries in operation across the United States. That number reflects an increase of 906 operational breweries from this time last year, and an increase of 557 breweries since December alone.
Event Recap | New Belgium’s Le Kriek Noir Bottle Release
July 31, 2017 | Chea Franz
At 10:30 p.m. we approach a line that spills out the door of New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins. The red carpet is rolled out, and folks are dressed to the nines wearing elegant cocktail dresses, suspenders, and fedoras to go along with the “film noir” theme of the evening. In a return to the cork and cage format of La Folie’s past, New Belgium’s Unveiled & Uncorked bottle release party was a celebration of the launch of the brewery’s Wood Cellar Reserve, a series of very rare, small batch wild and sour ales—and the star of the night was Le Kriek Noir, the first release from Wood Cellar Reserve. Read More
PA State Representative Mehaffie Becomes Brewer For a Day
July 31, 2017 | Dan Bortz
On July 17, the Brewers of Pennsylvania hosted Pennsylvania State Representative Tom Mehaffie for their latest Brewer For A Day event at Tröegs Independent Brewing in Hershey, PA. This was the eighth event in a series that is intended to give state legislators a hands-on, insider’s perspective on the brewing process, as well as further educating them on the economic impact of craft brewing in the Commonwealth.
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Sierra Nevada 2017 Oktoberfest with Germany’s Brauhaus Miltenberger
July 27, 2017 | Mathew Powers 1
For the third straight year, Sierra Nevada Brewing has collaborated with a German brewery on its fall-seasonal Oktoberfest beer. In 2015, Sierra partnered with 600-year-old Bauhaus Riegele, now into its 27th generation of family-owned, independent brewing, In 2016, Sierra Nevada brewed with the more than 400-year-old, family owned Mahrs Bräu located in Bamberg, Germany. This year, second-generation brewer Brian Grossman, of Sierra Nevada, and fourth-generation Brewmaster Cornelius Faus of Miltenberg, Germany’s Brauhaus Miltenberger, have joined forces.
The PorchCast | Ep 39 Blue Moon Brewing, Acquisitions & The Underground Music Showcase
July 27, 2017 | Tristan Chan
In episode 39 of The PorchCast, Tristan, Hunter and Jesse dropped into Blue Moon Brewing’s River North outpost to talk with Pilot Brewer, Ben Knutson about the brewery’s growth over the past year on the heels of their one year anniversary at the RiNo location. Additionally the team was joined by Tobias Kraus and Kyle Hartman of The Underground Music Showcase, to preview this weekend’s music festival taking place in Denver’s Baker district. Tickets to The UMS are still currently available.
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Let’s Start a ‘Revolución’ | An Austin Brewery Made A Beer to Pair with Tacos
July 26, 2017 | Cory Pelc
Independence Brewing Co. (Austin, TX) and “The Tacos of Texas” authors start a ‘Revolución’ with new Saison made to pair with tacos.
Now, you know that is something we can get behind. Smashing tacos and skulling Saisons is, like, one of our top five favorite things to do during patio porch season.
BREAKING | Brooklyn Brewery Partners with 21st Amendment and Funkwerks for Joint Sales and Distribution
July 26, 2017 | Tristan Chan
This post has been updated to include quotes from 21st Amendment and Funkwerks
More breaking news this morning following the heels of Short’s minority share acquisition by Lagunitas announcement. Brooklyn Brewery has announced via it’s blog, a joint partnership agreement with San Leandro, CA’s 21st Amendment Brewery and Funkwerks out of Fort Collins, CO acquiring a minority investment in both companies. The three way partnership was crafted to create a shared platform for national sales and distribution which takes effect January 1, 2018.
Brewery Rickoli’s “Gluten Removed” Beer Joins Sam Adams Collab Pack
July 26, 2017 | Stan Lawson
Rick Abitbol loves craft beer. It is a passion that began from when his mother gave him his first brew kit and continues today as owner and head brewer of Brewery Rickoli in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Rick’s love of craft beer nearly won him a medal in the state fair for his first entry and today he continues to make award winning beer that just happens to be gluten removed. With a lineup of full bodied flavorful beers, the common customer would likely overlook the fact that Abitbol treats his beers with an enzyme that breaks down the gluten chain.
Lagunitas Acquires Minority Stake in Short’s Brewing
July 26, 2017 | Mathew Powers 2
Stop me if you’ve heard this before. A large conglomerate beer company is acquiring stakes in a smaller craft brewery. This scenario must feel familiar as acquisitions both large and small are all that seem to dominate headlines nowadays. Today’s news involves Short’s Brewing, the third largest brewery in Michigan (behind Founders and Bell’s) announcing a partnership with Lagunitas U.S. Holdings (LUSH) which involves a 19.99% equity stake in the company. The Short’s acquisition comes just three months after Lagunitas Brewing announced that it had sold the remaining 50% of its shares to Heineken (Lagunitas originally sold the first 50% of its operation to Heineken in 2015).
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Founders, New Belgium, Dogfish & Rogue Announce New Beer and Projects
July 25, 2017 | Mathew Powers
It’s that time again to check on the nation’s breweries and see what’s going on. Founders, Dogfish, New Belgium and Rogue have made announcements about new beer and brewing projects.
Dovetail Brewery Celebrates One Year of Business Plus Other News
July 25, 2017 | Taylor Laabs
Dovetail Brewery, one of Chicago’s most unique micro brewers, recently celebrated their one year anniversary in their Ravenswood brew spot on Malt Row. Dovetail has accomplished a lot in one year and have differentiated themselves from competitors due to their unique open fermentation, European-brew style of lagers, pilsners and hefeweizens.
With a year under their belt, the good folks at Dovetail are doing what any ambitious new microbrewery does: expand, whether that is via increased distribution or new brew styles. Here are a few recent summer announcements you might have missed. Read More
Modern Times Founder Jacob McKean Talks ESOP, Big Beer & Growth
July 24, 2017 | Tristan Chan
Modern Times Beer, one of the country’s top five fastest growing breweries made a splash two weeks ago, when it announced that it would begin reacquiring shares from investors to gift back to their employees. We caught up with Modern Times founder Jacob McKean to discuss his decision to implement an employee ownership program, the growing threat of Big Beer, as well as what’s next on the horizon for the San Diego-based brewery.
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