Beer Buzz 023: Greg who?
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:
The Denver Tweetup @ Breckenridge was a huge success! Big thanks the crew at Breck Brew – Tebo, Sara, and Todd Usry, as well as @TheBigKlosowski for bringing us into the mix.
In fact, it was such a success we’re doing it again; this time at Great Divide Brewing. So come one come all to GDB on Friday, April 24 so you can join us in “Drinking it 2 the Man” – A Liquid Stimulus Plan!
BEER NEWS
We go a bit more in-depth into Beer Wars movie
As was pointed out to us by someone who will rename nameless but works in a brewery on the Left Coast – we were a bit remiss in listing off all the “other” folks who are in the Beer Wars movie.
Sam Calagione and Rhonda Kallman are, according to Anat Baron – “the main characters.” Sam is the founder and president of Dogfish Head Brewing. We call him the “Godfather of Craft Brewing” because his last name reminds us of Corleone from the Godfather movies. Rhonda was a founding partner of the Boston Beer Co. and served as executive vice-president there until 1999. Not long after… while lying on a beach in the Caribbean, Rhonda was inspired to start New Century Brewing Co., makers of exactly one beer – Edison Light Beer.
Now, based on what we know from the website, trailers, as well as talking with Anat… here are just some of the “other” Rock Stars of the Beer World who are in the movie:
- The late great Michael “The Beer Hunter” Jackson – author of many books about beer, specifically about Belgian beer
- Garret Oliver – partner and Brewmaster of Brooklyn Brewery; foremost authority in the U.S. on traditional beer, and pairing beer with food
- Charlie Papazian – if Calagione is the godfather, Papazian is the father of the modern homebrew movement in the U.S.; one of the most prominent and recognized names in the world of beer and brewing; founder of the Association of Brewers in 1978, and has helped guide the development of both the Association of Brewers and Brewers Association.
- Jim Koch – founder and brewer of Boston Beer Co. , the largest American owned brewery in the U.S. now
I think we’re forgetting someone… aren’t we?!
Oh ya! And we of course have Greg Koch – CEO & Co-Founder of Stone Brewing Co. in San Diego, CA – no relation to Jim Koch. They have different philosophies, and they brew drastically different types of beer.
U.S. Craft Beer Exports Increase 25% in 2008
The Brewers Association reports that estimated international sales by independent craft brewers were up 25% by volume and 38% in dollars for 2008.
The Brewers Association recently concluded its annual export survey, which revealed that for the sixth consecutive year (the only years for which data has been collected); US craft beer exports increased substantially with solid growth to all markets.
Exports to Canada rose by 78% on the heels of new general listings with the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. In Europe shipments rose 16% by volume with consistent gains in Scandinavia and the UK. In Japan, American craft beer exports grew by 51% while exports elsewhere in Asia grew by 53%, driven largely by gains in China and the Philippines.
Reacting to the release of these 2008 statistics, Brett Joyce of Rogue Ales stated: “The 25% growth in American craft breweries’ exports in 2008 is clear proof that beer drinkers throughout the world are discovering the quality, creativity and diversity of U.S. craft beers. ”
Boston Beer Fourth Quarter Profit Falls 47%
Boston Beer Co Inc reported a 47% fall in fourth-quarter profit, hurt by higher costs of raw and packaging materials and expenses related to its Pennsylvania brewery start-up, and said its 2009 gross margin percentage may decline.
“Our trends in the first two months of 2009 have slowed slightly from the fourth quarter and while the better beer category appears reasonably healthy, we believe we may be losing share in recent months as the drinker is faced with more choices,” Chairman Jim Koch said in a statement.
“We were expecting the company to report declining volumes. It’s a premium brand, and it has been increasing prices which has to be hard for consumers to swallow in this economic environment,” Deutsche Bank analyst Andrew Kieley said by phone.
For the fourth quarter, Boston Beer posted a profit of $3.6 million, or 25 cents a share, compared with $6.8 million, or 46 cents a share, last year.
One has to wonder if the recall they issued last year has had any impact on this. Undoubtedly some, but Koch says something that makes even more sense: “We believe we may be losing share in recent months as the drinker is faced with more choices.” And as we’ve been touting on this show for months now, craft breweries are booming across all parts of this country.
In Lean Times, a Stout Dream
By DAVID KESMODEL – Wall Street Journal
The state of economic despair hasn’t stifled the entrepreneurial spirit of those who dream of brewing their own beer and offering it to the world. Nor has it affected the demand for great craft beer.
Surprisingly large numbers of entrepreneurs have been starting microbreweries or brewpubs. Schools that teach brewing are being showered with applications from people interested in getting into the business.
According to the Brewers Association 42 brewpubs closed in the U.S. last year (the most since 2005.), and nine microbreweries closed (lowest since 1995). However, 114 microbreweries and brewpubs opened last year (the highest number since 1999).
Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association said they estimate there are 200 microbreweries and brewpubs already on the drawing board for the next few years.
Beer entrepreneurs have been encouraged by a long list of recent success stories in the small-batch, or “craft,” beer arena, as well as statistics showing that Americans are consuming craft beer in increasing numbers.
Beer has long proved more resilient in recessions than other industries. Total U.S. beer sales increased last year. Sales of craft beer, the industry’s fastest-growing segment, rose 6% by volume, and dollar sales jumped 10.5% to $6.3 billion, according to the Brewers Association. And beer is taking market share away from distilled spirits, and craft beer in particular is looking like an affordable luxury.
Still, it costs roughly $450k – $800k to start a small brewery, and finding distributors willing to take on unproven brands can be a problem. Brewpubs can cost upwards of a few million dollars.
The article goes into detail giving some examples of people who started up breweries over the last year, including 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 article.
Oregon Brewers’ Festival changes up pricing policy
Admission into the festival grounds is free, but in order to taste beer, you must now purchase a taster package. Taster packages are available in $10, $20 and $50 increments. All packages include a 2009 souvenir mug, which is required for consuming beer (mugs from previous years will not be filled); a souvenir program that includes a map of where the beers are located, and various quantities of tokens, which are used to purchase beer.
Patrons pay four tokens for a full mug of beer, or one token for a taste. Additional tokens may be purchased at $1 apiece in whatever amount you wish. Here are the packages offered:
$10 package: one mug, one program, four tokens
$20 package: one mug, one program, 14 tokens
$50 package: two mugs, two programs, 38 tokens
There will be no more individual purchasing of mugs – you want a mug, you buy a package. But mugs are still good throughout the weekend, you’ll just buy more tokens. This should speed up the admission lines considerably. The reason you are getting more tokens in the $20 and $50 packages is that we are reducing the size of our program and printing one for everybody, so the program price is dropping from $4 to $1. That means three more tokens per package, plus everyone will have access to beer descriptions, the hop-o-meter, and the map of the taps.
2009 US Beer Open Beer Championship
What is the U.S. Open Beer Championships? The first competition to include professional brewers AND award winning home brewers. It’s open to more than 1,000 breweries from 30 countries, as well as the 29 National Homebrewing Champions from the United States and Canada.
The call for beer will begin on June 1, with the entry deadline set for June 14. Winners will be announced July 4th. Each brewery may enter a maximum of 10 beers. In order to help small brewers in these tough economic times, each brewery will be allowed to enter 2 beers with no entry fee. If a brewery wishes to enter more than 2 beers, there will be a $50 entry fee per beer. A brewery must submit a minimum of 5 beers to be considered one of the Top Ten Breweries. Entry Forms and Rules can found on the competitions web-site at: www.usopenbeer.com
Over 50 categories will be judged. Beers placing in the top 10 of each category and top 10 breweries overall will be featured in America’s Best and Top 10 as well as BeerInfo.com. Along with the medals awarded, A Grand National Champion will be awarded based on a point system for beers(5 minimum) entered in the competition.
Texas House Bill 2094
State Rep. Jessica Farrarfiled a bill this session that would allow people to buy a six pack or case of beer at the end of a brewery tour! This change in the law would go a long way toward creating a healthier environment in Texas for craft breweries and help us compete fairly with out-of-state craft breweries that have the same rights in their home states. Beer distributors are helping support Farrar’s effort as well, but Texans need support with this.
On March 20 The Committee on Licensing and Administrative Procedures heard testimony. No action was taken and the committee has discretion to vote on the bill at a future meeting — or not. The people who understand the political cogs that make the system work have identified two specific committee members that need a little extra convincing: Representative Mike “Tuffy” Hamilton from Southeast Texas and Representative Charlie Geren from NW Tarrant County. So those of you down in Texas… if you live in their district or know anyone who does, please make sure these two legislators know that you support HB 2094.
BEER RELEASES
Ballast Point Brewing – San Diego, CA
- Victory at Sea Imperial Porter – a 10% ABV porter with Caffe Calabria coffee and pure vanilla added post fermentation
- Dorado Double IPA – a 9.6% IPA with close to “five lbs. of Crystal hops per BBL
Bristol Brewing Company – Colorado Springs, CO
The ownership, management and staff of Bristol would like everyone to know that Edge City IPA is being rechristened as Compass IPA! It will be available in 6-packs in late winter.
Rollick Amber Lager – Pyramid Breweries – Seattle, WA
Smooth malty character balanced with a gracious quantity of hops making this copper colored offering the perfect beer to celebrate your first rollicking spring Adventure.
Original Gravity: 16.0
Apparent Extract: 3.8
Alcohol By Volume: 6.00%
IBU: 40
Malts: 2 Row, Munich 20L, Carafa 2
Hops: Bittered with Summit, Finished Tettnang
Availability: February – April
NEW BREWERIES
Mother Earth Brewing Company – Kinston, North Carolina
Owned by Stephen Hill and Trent Mooring – plans to open in late summer/early fall with a 20 barrel system, bottling facility, and corporate offices. Future plans include a tap room and brewery tours. 4 planned beers – Munich Dunkel, American IPA (India Pale Ale), Belgian Wit and a Kolsch (not Koch), along with some seasonal brews and oak aged beers. Plans to distribute statewide in groceries, restaurants and bars.
BEER GADGET OF THE WEEK
Brewtility, the place to manage your homebrew
- Browse or search the recipe database to find the best homebrew recipes
- Create your own beer recipes and share them with other brewers
- Brew better beer, more easily with our collection of helpful brewing tools
- Sign-up or Log-in now to start creating and sharing your own recipes
BEER BLOG OF THE WEEK
The BeerBuddha – Jeremey Labadie
The Beer Buddha reviews different beers and also breweries, beer stores, and beer bars from the New Orleans area.
Jeremey is a beer consultant at Martin Wine Cellar in the New Orleans area and reviews beers in a column called Six Picks, which appears in a weekly New Orleans paper called The Gambit.
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