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Yikes Labor Day is now over…and the craft beer biz is only getting busier. But no worries, Rumor Mill is on the case, keeping you plugged in into all the beer news and lifestyle that matters. Plus we’ve an all-important update on what we’ve been drinking lately and you don’t want to miss that.
Could Boston Beer Lose Its Craft Beer Status? (Boston, MA) – Last Thursday the Boston Globe posed the provocative question “how much longer will Boston Beer remain a craft beer company?”
According to the Brewers Association, the nation’s leading craft beer trade organization, at least half of Boston Beer’s sales by volume must be composed of “traditional” beer for them to qualify as a craft brewer under their current definition.
Sales of Samuel Adams and the company’s other beers have declined significantly of late. But over that same period they’ve ramped up their nontraditional offerings, like Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard cider, and most recently, Truly Spiked & Sparkling seltzers.
Boston Beer’s product mix is fast approaching the 50/50 tipping point where analysts are now wondering aloud, if America’s pioneering craft beer company could possibly lose their Brewers Association mandated craft beer status.
Words To Drink By (Frederick, MD) – “Freedom of expression is the foundation of all freedoms including free enterprise.” Jim Caruso CEO, Flying Dog Brewing
Seven Days Away From Disaster (Germany) – One of world’s leading hop producers was reportedly “seven days away from disaster” due to dangerously dry June and July weather in Germany according Stephen Barth, managing partner at global hop supplier Barth Haas.
But Germany, the second largest producer who along with the US provides 75 percent of the world’s hop supplies, received a last minute reprieve when downpours drenched the region, saving this year’s harvest which is now expected to be average.
What We’ve Been Drinking Lately (Escondido, CA) – Last night we tapped a fruity and flavorful new year-round that Stone Brewing introduced this year. Fueled on hops, whole tangerine and pineapple, Stone Tangerine Express IPA is a 6.7% ABV bright golden India Pale Ale that’s not for the faint-hearted.
