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 clearly all that’s changed.

So here’s some of what’s happened in the world of craft beer while you were off enjoying yourselves.

NYIBC Returns This Week! (New York, NY) – There are many beer competitions being held nowadays, but there’s absolutely nothing like The New York International Beer Competition. The NYIBC is the first major international beer competition with TRADE-ONLY judges from top to bottom – top retail buyers, restaurant owners, sommeliers, hotel beverage directors, distributors, and importers. And unlike other competitions, these judges have purchasing power and the ability to make a direct impact on brand sales. Founded by Adam Levy (aka – the Alcohol Professor), this two-day competition (Feb 9-10) is open to all commercially produced beers (and sakes) from all around the world and designed for the industry professional. If you brew professionaly and you’ve never participated in the NYIBC, you’re missing out on a valuable opportunity. There’s still time to enter – but you need to act fast. The beer submissions date has been extended – but all submissions must be received by the warehouse by February 7.

Founder’s Production Up Big-Time (Grand Rapids, MI) – With its newly expanded production facility “that more than doubled its capacity to more than 340,000 barrels a year,” the Founders Brewing Company is poised to expand its national footprint significantly, according to the Grand Rapids Business Journal. The Grand Rapids-based brewery’s production was up 55% in last year and could easily reach 200,000 barrels in 2014.

Airways to Expand its Downtown Bar & Bistro (Kent, WA) – We couldn’t be more in the tank for these guys – they’re good people, they invited us to brew a “first-ever” collaboration with them, and, oh yeah, they make brilliant beer. They’re also committed to building their business and brand in smart ways. And last Friday, Airways Brewing announced plans to expand and remodel their Beer & Bistro, the second of their two locations, located in downtown Kent. Plans include increasing the seating capacity from 35 to 150 seats and transforming a 3,000 square foot patio into a year-round garden space for outdoor music and entertainment.

Goose Island to Roll Out More Barrels (Chicago, IL) – The Goose Island Beer Company, considered by many to be pioneers in the barrel-aged beer movement, are doubling down on their commitment. According to Crain’s Chicago Business , the “Chicago brewery, which became part of Anheuser-Busch InBev NV in 2011, has leased 130,000 square feet in West Town, a mile from its West Fulton Street facility, to house hundreds more bourbon barrels used to make its Bourbon County series.”

New Belgium Adds Another Piece to Its East Coast Operation (Asheville, NC) – The New Belgium Brewing Company has just secured a location for a new East Coast distribution center to support their still-under-construction North Carolina-based brewery. The new warehouse location is just eight miles away from their brewery and they hope to have it up and running by fall 2015.