Beer Buzz 016: Gadgets, Presidents & Pfiff!
Beer Tap TV News:
Beer Buzz is the weekly show that will keep you informed and updated on all the things going on in the beer world, from the noteworthy to the nutty. Know something we don’t (which is highly likely)? Email us at AlwaysHoppy@BeerTapTV.com and share the news… we just might use it.
Show Notes:
SABMiller Reports Unexpected Drop in Beer Shipments
SABMiller, the world’s second- largest brewer, reported an unexpected decline in third-quarter beer shipments as the global economic slowdown dented demand from Latin America to eastern Europe. The quantity of lager sold fell 1% in the three months through December. It missed the median estimate of nine analysts for a 1.5% gain. SABMiller slid to a six-week low in London trading.
Third-quarter shipments rose 2% in Latin America, but was weighed down by a 6% decline in Colombia, which is SAB’s biggest market in the region. Business in Colombia was hurt by slowing economic growth and rising joblessness, as well as by “excessive rainfall”. In Europe, lager volumes fell 1 percent, led by a 22 percent decline in Russia and 1 percent drop in the Czech Republic.
New Belgium Releases its First-Ever Sustainability Report
We’ve talked about New Belgium’s environmentally friendly footprint on Beer Tap TV many times in the past. Well, they’re serious about being environmental stewards and have just released a comprehensive document that defines the brewery’s commitment to operating a sustainable business. Check out the Press Release, which only scratches the surface. Be sure to check out their website, which is loaded with tons of other facts (like the”Life Cycle Assessment of a Fat Tire 6-pack), figures and suggestions on how you can help.
Ft. Collins, CO, January 15, 2009—New Belgium Brewing, the nation’s third largest craft brewer, recently unveiled its first-ever corporate sustainability report—a revealing look at the progress and challenges of operating a sustainable business.
The 2007-2008 report outlines New Belgium’s “Triple Bottom Line” approach to business, measuring the environmental, economic and social effects of the brewery. It also highlights several of the brewer’s unique environmental initiatives—from a decade-long commitment to using wind energy to a greenhouse gas life cycle assessment (LCA) of a six-pack of Fat Tire beer. The full report is available at http://www.newbelgium.com/sustainability .
The Sustainability report will be produced regularly, with the next report to be released in May.
$5.2 million expansion moves ahead at Bell’s Brewery
Expansion plans at the headquarters of Bell’s Brewery Inc. are moving ahead. The brewery plans to add 15,000 square feet of office space onto its 60,000-square-foot production operation. The $5.2 million expansion will start in late March/early April and should be finished by the end of 2010.
The expansion continues the growth of the company, which over the last two years added a new warehouse, completed a $3.2 million expansion of its fermentation cellar, & added a new kegging line.
The brewery’s fermentation capacity has grown to 280,000 barrels per years, versus 140,000, Bell said. Beer production grew by more than 22% in 2008, to more than 111,000 barrels. It’s the 7th consecutive year of double-digit growth. The business anticipates an additional 20% growth this year.
In a related story…
Beer Therapy on RealBeer.com
Magic Hat enjoyed a 26% growth in sales in 2008, with December sales up 40% from the previous year. Debuts in several new territories, including Chicago, Milwaukee and Atlanta, as well as continued double-digit sales growth in mature markets, helped Magic Hat’s flagship beer, #9, enjoy a 14th consecutive year of double-digit growth. Sales for the not quite pale ale were up 33% in 2008.
Wisconsin beer drinkers: a new Old Style is coming
Old Style returns to its roots with a complete brand overhaul featuring a return to the German brewing tradition of authentic kraeusening, new package graphics that dramatically showcase the iconic 1902 tavern
Award-winning brewmaster Bob Newman: “Bringing back the extra step of kraeusening will provide more body, flavor and a cleaner finish to Old Style — things we believe our loyal drinkers and our new beer drinkers will both appreciate and enjoy.”
The new Old Style will hit the stores and bars in February.
Iron City Beer Laying Off Workers
Pittsburgh Brewing Company, makers of Iron City Beer, have announced temporary layoffs. But it as nothing to with the current state of the economy. Iron City reports that sales are up 20%, and sales of Augustiner are up 250%. There’s a problem with the actual production line.
On March 1st 20 – 30 of the brewery’s 81-person work force will be on a week-on, week-off work schedule. They hope to have the problem fixed within 1 -3 months.
For those of you who love Iron City Beer, don’t worry… they’re making it somewhere else. It’s also not unusual for us to take their recipes and brewmaster and go to a contract facility to temporarily brew.
Speaking of Iron City…
Over the weekend we found out from Flying Dog Brewing about a little wager that they had going on with Iron City. See, FDB is based in Maryland… home of the Ravens. Iron City is based in Pittsburgh, home of the Steelers. The bet – the brewery whose home team loses on Sunday must toast the victors with their opponent’s beer… while clad in their opponent’s gear. And as I predicted on my Southern Colorado Beer Examiner column, Flying Dog will be doing some cheering with Iron City brew… in Steeler uniforms. Dusty is happy that Pitt laid the smack down on the Ravens.
BEER RELEASES
Red Ale – Odell Brewing Company – Ft. Collins, CO
On February 2nd, 2009 beer lovers can climb to new heights with the release of Odell Brewing Company’s Red Ale, an American-style red with generous hops for an extra kick.
Red Ale follows Odell Brewing’s winter release, Isolation ale, as part of the brewery’s new rotating seasonal lineup that will replace its Single Batch Series. The rotating seasonal lineup will also include a new summer brew currently in development on the brewery’s Pilot Brewing System.
Red Ale is available through May. Six-packs will retail for approximately $9.49 – $9.99.
Otter Creek Brewing – Middleburry, Vermont
Otter Creek Brewing has rolled out three new beers:
Russian Imperial Stout – 10% ABV - plenty of big malt flavors- chocolate and roasted- and high alcohol with lower carbonation and mild hops.
Mud Bock — Otter Creek’s spring seasonal offering from years back, is a hearty amber beer, with a perfect balance of malts and hops and herbal and floral notes.
Spring Ale Kölsch – bright golden ale originating in Cologne, Germany. Craft brewed with 2-row malt and malted wheat, and hopped with Tettnang and Liberty hops — crisp and refreshing with a dry finish.
NEW BREWERIES
Metropolitan Brewing – Chicago, Illinois
Metropolitan Brewing, owned by Doug & Tracy Hurst, is located on the north side of Chicago. It’s the first new brewery in Chicago in over six years. Hurst earned his Diploma in Brewing Technology from the Siebel Institute/Doemens Academy in 2004
You won’t find any imperial stouts or double IPAs though because Metropolitan is doing something a bit different — the beers will build off traditional German lagers.
- Dynamo Copper Lager — their ‘flagship’ beer — features a hop mix of German Perle and Hallertau, and a malt bill of Vienna and Munich
- Flywheel Bright Lager – slightly more bitter at 45 IBU, using a mix of Noble hops
- Krankshaft – Kolsch-style beer featuring wheat malt and Tettnang hops
Metro Brewing has already received approvals for kegs and has plans to bottle both Dynamo Copper and Flywheel Bright. The best way to keep tabs on them is follow them on their Twitter account – http://twitter.com/metrobrewing
Lonerider Brewing – Raleigh, North Carolina
North Carolina’s newest brewery launches this week. Its first event today (Tuesday, Jan. 20) at Brixx in Chapel Hill introducing their beer Shotgun Betty Hefeweizen. They are using 15 barrel brewing system, won’t have a taproom, but will be offering keg and growler sales from the brewery.
- Shotgun Betty – Hefeweizen – wheat beer with a banana-clove nose and dry finish – ABV 5.3 %
- DeadEye Jack – seasonal porter consisting of a strong, malty background with hints of roasted chocolate, subtle sweetness and low hop bitterness – ABV 6.3 %
BEER GADGET OF THE WEEK
The Beer Gauge (only $2.00)
When your local pubs say they are selling you a pint of beer, you should get a pint (i.e., 16 oz). Not 12 oz or even 14 oz, but 16 oz of beer.
This “carefully engineered” gauge is designed to be placed on the side of a standard US pint glass in order to determine the amount of beer that is missing from the glass. The precisely designed gauge fits along the side of the pint glass and the easy-to-read beer level indicators are used to determine the amount of beer that is GONE.
BEER BLOG OF THE WEEK
“A beer blog, about tasting, brewing, history, culture, and general fermented grain goodness.”
Rob is a crazy cool cat who’s hard to explain. I guess “eclectic” is a good word for him. I met him and his family last summer during a trip to Northern California. Rob is one of the founding members of Shawn Connelly’s ALEuminati, and an exceptional writer. You really need to check out his blog to understand what he’s all about.
BEER DOUCHE OF THE WEEK
Man accused of selling daughter for cash, beer (submitted by Chipper Dave)
A Greenfield, California (a farming community on California’s central coast) man was arrested after arranging for his 14-year-old daughter to marry a neighbor in exchange for $16,000, several cases of meat, and 100 cases of Corona beer, 50 cases of Modelo, six bottles of wine, 50 cases of soft drinks and 50 cases of Gatorade.
Martinez is a member of an indigenous Mexican Trique community where arranged marriages with girls as young as 12 are not uncommon. The money was intended as a dowry and the beer and meat were for the wedding.
Martinez was arrested Sunday and is scheduled to be arraigned on felony charges of procuring a child under age 16 for lewd and lascivious acts, statutory rape and cruelty to a child by endangering health, according to the prosecutor. The intended groom, 18-year-old Margarito de Jesus Galindo, was also arrested on suspicion of statutory rape, but prosecutors have not decided whether to charge him.
Members of the Trique community protested the news reports and public discussion of the case, saying they were painted in a very negative light.
“No one put a ‘for sale’ sign on this girl, and that’s how it sounds,” said Rufino Dominguez, head of the Greenfield office of the Binational Center for the Development of the Indigenous Communities. Arranging marriages and exchanging goods that will contribute to the wedding party are common, but money is not usually part of the transaction. When that does happen, it’s not seen well within the community.”
Martinez could face at least a year in prison if convicted. As an undocumented immigrant he’s under an immigration hold and is not eligible for bail.
A new President has been sworn into office… what are you drinking today to celebrate!?
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[...] Tracy and Doug Hurst from Metropolitan Brewing Company in Chicago, who we talked about way back in Beer Buzz #16. Greg Koch is not mentioned in the [...]