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 enjoying yourselves.

Great American Beer Festival Tickets Go on Sale This Week (Denver, CO) – Okay you’ve been warned so be ready and don’t complain to us later if you space on this. Here’s the skinny: GABF tickets will be available for purchase to the general public online on Wednesday, July 31^st at 10:00 a.m. MDT/12:00 p.m. EDT via Ticketmaster.com. There will also be a ticket pre-sale exclusively for members of the American Homebrewers Association and Brewers Association that will take place on July 30^th at 10:00 a.m. MDT/12:00 p.m. EDT.

World’s Best Animated Beer Labels (Boston, MA) – For yet another example of the endless creative spirit that can be found within the craft beer community (as well as on the web), check out Trevor Carmick’s brilliant Beer Labels in Motion. Trevor’s a Boston-based blogger who melds his craft beer reviews with mind-blowing animated graphics to mesmerizing effect.

Californians Drinking More Craft Beer (Sacramento, CA) – In news that should hardly surprise anyone who reads us regularly, The Modesto Bee is reporting that retail sales of craft beer in the “Golden State” continue to grow – and at a faster rate than the national average. According to IRI, a Chicago-based market research firm, craft beer sales in California stores increased 15.5% from July 2011 to July 2012. Well, if you lived in a state that’s brewing some of the best beer on the planet, what would you be drinking?

Royal Baby Gets a Beer (London, UK) – Although the newest addition to the royal family hasn’t been around all that long, he already has a beer brewed in his honor. The Bennington Banner is reporting that McMullen and Sons, who operate 135 pubs in the UK, have released Heir Raiser to celebrate the royal birth.

He’s Out, He’s In, He’s Larry Bell (Ypsilanti, MI) – Some drama took place last week when Bells Brewery Founder Larry Bell announced that he was pulling out of the 16th Annual Summer Beer Festival after learning that political fundraising by Protect Michigan Craft Beer would also be taking place there. Twenty-four hours later and after conversations with the parties involved, some understanding was reached and Bells announced via Twitter that they were back in.

Brew Hub Under Construction in Sunshine State (Lakeland, FL) – St. Louis-based Brew Hub has started construction in Florida on the first of what they envision as six contract brewing hubs throughout the country. TBO is reporting that Brew Hub “will provide brewing operations along with a new twist: marketing, sales, and distribution consultation in a partnership with craft labels.”