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. There was little need to check in for updates – things were pretty much done. But so much is going down lately that all that’s changed. So here’s some of what’s happened in the world of craft beer news while you were enjoying the weekend.

Coming Out Party at Fordham Brewing (Annapolis, MD) – The Fordham Brewing Company is giving a coming out party tonight and the American Craft Beer Crew is going to be there. Fordham will be celebrating the launch of their brand new Rams Head IPA (which they advanced us last week) and it’s a hit! Fordham Brewing will be showcasing their newest addition at the Annapolis MD’s legendary Rock n Roll venue, Rams Head On Stage! It all promises to be too much fun and we are so there!

And Speaking of Parties! (Baltimore, MD) – We’d like to thank Nick Fertig and crew for having us up to Baltimore over the holidays, to celebrate the launch of the region’s newest craft beer producer, Full Tilt Brewing. It all took place at the Americana in Canton – there were hundreds of Full Tilt fans drinking way too much – and it was a full-on gas. Full Tilt took this opportunity to debut their first flagship release “Baltimore Pale Ale” – and if wildness is any indication, their beer’s a total smash! Congratulations guys! Thanks again for having us up – we had an awesome time.

New Belgium Kicks off Its 2013 Lips of Faith Series (Fort Collins, CO) – New Belgium Brewing has just announced the first round of their Lips of Faith beer series for 2013. . Heavenly Feijoa Tripel is a collaboration beer with Montreal’s Dieu du Ciel! Brewery and Cascara Quad is an ale that channels the Trappist tradition. The beers will be available in 22 oz. bottles in select markets now through March, or at least while supplies last.

DOPS Dumps Seven (Washington, DC) – DOPS Inc. has just announced that they’ve sold the rights to seven of their craft beers in Maryland and Washington DC. DOPS entered the craft brewery segment in 1986 and was the first market outside of Massachusetts to sell Samuel Adams. This was soon followed by the Brooklyn Brewery and then expanded into a diverse portfolio of craft beers from all parts of the world. The sale involved Allagash, Brooklyn Brewery, Smuttynose, Rogue Ales, Abita, Victory Brewing Company and Troegs. Allagash has been purchased by Premium Distributing in Washington, DC and Montgomery County, Maryland; while Legends has purchased the rights in the remaining Maryland counties. The Brooklyn Brewery rights were purchased by FP Winner in Maryland, excluding Montgomery County. Smuttynose, Rogue, Victory and Troegs were purchased by Capital Eagle in Washington, DC and the Maryland Craft Alliance in Maryland. Abita was also purchased by the Maryland Craft Alliance.

The Bruery Closes Provisions (Placentia, CA) – This one’s a total bummer. Cries of anguish greeted The Bruery’s announcement that they’ll be closing their Orange, California bottle store and bar, Provisions, so that they can concentrate on their core mission – brewing beer. Their decision to forgo their retail operation created such an uproar that it crashed their website according to our friends at beerpulse.