AMERICAN CRAFT BEER’S QUICK HITS – BIG CHANGES AT DOGFISH HEAD

We blame the industry for this… It used to be that when we wrapped up our Weekend Picks on Friday, we could coast through the weekend. But clearly all that’s changed. So here’s some of what’s happened in the world of craft beer while you were off enjoying yourself.

Ch-Ch-Changes At Dogfish Head (Milton, DE) – News of BIG changes at the Dogfish Head led to rampant speculation last Wednesday when Brewbound reported that the brewery’s CEO Nick Benz would be leaving the company after a two year stint in that role.

As things stand now “Sam the Man” Calagione will be stepping away from his position as President and take over as CEO. Benz had been with the brewery for over thirteen years and helmed multiple executive positions at Dogfish Head prior to him becoming the organization’s first CEO but the fact that he’s exiting this position after a relatively short run had industry insiders talking… Good Beer Hunting’s Dave Eisenberg suggests that the brewery’s recent partnership with a venture capital firm might have played a part in these changes and sadly we can’t help but agree…

 

 

 

Words To Drink By (Aberdeen, WA) – “Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are.”

Kurt Cobain (1967-1994)

 

His Future’s So Bright He Has To Wear Shades (Minneapolis, MN) – Surly Brewing also made the bombshell announcement last week when they announced that their Head of Brewery Operations, and to many the face of the organization, Todd Haug would be leaving the company to “peruse other oppertunities and challenges.”

Glass Defect Leads To Meg 11,000 Case Recall (Blanco, TX ) – Texas-based Real Ale Brewing Company is voluntarily recalling certain dates of a production run on two of its brands, Devil’s Backbone (no litigation there?) an Hans’ Pils. This recall is refreshing about potential flaws found in the bottles themselves rather than a problem with the beer- but it’s still a huge recall by any standards and has to suck.