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.

The Kings of Cool (Austin, TX) – This week, Jester King continued their reign over the farmhouse ale fanatics with their third season of making 100% spontaneously fermented beer. They first started this method of beer making during the winter of 2013 and have continued the tradition that has folks flocking to the Hill Country again and again. Amen.

Pink Boots Podcast (Portland, OR) – The ladies of the Pink Boots Society have launched a podcast for lady (and non-lady) brewers to tune in to. The podcasts offer a digest of what is happening in the organization; cover special events, news and scholarship information, and new chapter highlights; feature member interviews; and discuss the global impact of the organization.

Please tune in each week, as members come on the show to discuss their corner of the industry and provide their insight to other members and listeners.

Stone Releases Gluten-Reduced Beer for the Masses(Escondido, CA) – It’s a craft beer lovers nightmare. That IPA you love is now your enemy because your body has become gluten-intolerant and it didn’t even ask your permission. Stone Brewing has heard your coast-to-coast call, because everyone with a new case of Celiac can now enjoy Delicious IPA… kinda. Because it’s only gluten-reduced… and do you really have Celiac Disease?

Beer Week Alert!(DeLand, FL) – As part of our ongoing effort to help you plan where you need to be drinking each and every week, Quick Hits has introduced regular “Beer Week Alerts.” DeLand Craft Beer Week starts Friday, January 30^th and ends Saturday, February 7^th. This historic central Florida town has one of the “best-kept secret” craft beer festivals in the southeast. Shhhh.

Speaking of Florida(Tallahassee, FL) – The Florida Retailers Federation, in cahoots with the Florida Independent Spirits Association and the AB InBev lackeys at the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, are still pursuing the litigation to cease new tasting room licenses under the “tourist exemption,” because tourists don’t travel to breweries… right?
They said that about wineries once… Have you heard of Napa Valley?

Please sign our petition if you have ever or are planning to travel to Florida to visit breweries. WE NEED YOU!