It’s been a tumultuous start to the year and it doesn’t appear that things are going to slowing down any time soon. But no worries – Rumor Mill is on the case, keeping you plugged in to all the craft beer news that matters. Plus we’ve an all-important update on what we’ve been drinking lately and you absolutely don’t want to miss that.

Rare Pilsner Makes National Appearance (USA) – The World of Beer crew has pulled off quite a coup and are bringing in a rarity for a one-day nationwide appearance, this Thursday, March 12^th. Typically only available in the Czech Republic, this unfiltered, unpasteurized Pilsner Urquell is being express-shipped to the US to ensure its freshness. Its journey begins with the kegs filled direct from the cellars at the Plzen brewery. The beer travels in chilled vans and is kept cold and fresh throughout its intercontinental flight. We only hype beer happenings that we think might be truly worth your time in Rumor Mill – and this one-day throw-down sounds pretty awesome.

A Beer That Might Taste Like Shit (Grand Rapids, MI) – At what point do we actually become an Onion parody? That’s what we couldn’t help thinking as we read that Michigan-based Perrin Brewery was brewing a beer using “coffee beans defecated by weasel-like civet cats.” According to Food and Wine, Big Konas “is brewed using pounds of coffee beans whose berries have been picked and eaten by the civets; fermented in their digestive tracks, supposedly enhancing their flavor; defecated out; and finally hand-picked by some very unlucky farmers who turn them into some of the world’s most expensive java product.”

Breaking News – Pennsylvania to Allow For 12-Pack Sales!  (Harrisburg, PA) – Talk about archaic liquor regulations – Pennsylvania’s approach to selling beer can sometimes boggle the mind. A recent legal clarification made by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board now allows beer distributors to sell 12-packs. Previously, according to LVB.com, “distributors could only sell bottles and cans by the 24-pack case. Smaller portions could only be sold by bars or six-pack shops.”

Atlas Brew Works Goes For A Premium (Washington, DC / Chantilly, VA) – We were hanging with Atlas Brew Works’ Will Durgin at the Brewer’s Ball over the weekend. He hinted he’d have big news for us this week – and he was right. Atlas Brew Works just announced the signing of a distribution deal with Premium Distributors of Virginia, one of the strongest craft beer distributors in the region – so we’re psyched for them.

What We’ve Been Drinking Lately (Washington, DC) – We’d like to thank all of the breweries who ship us beer from time to time. It’s always great to sample the brews that we write about and helps to give us have a better feel for what’s happening out there. Last night we hit up a new spring seasonal that we just received from Flying Dog Brewing. Inspired by two previous Brew House Rarities releases – a Sour Cherry Ale and a Black Lager with Cherries – Flying Dog’s Supertramp is a 4.7% ABV tart cherry ale that uses both and sour cherries in the brewing process. This is an incredibly unique springtime beer and now’s the time to chase it down.

Got Something You Think We Need To Know About? Send Your Press Releases to: pr@AmericanCraftBeer.com