American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
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.
Small Batch Beers Hitting the High-End Auction Market (Boston, MA) – We’re all familiar with limited edition beers making their way onto online sites like eBay, but now brick and mortar auction houses are stepping into the game. The Boston Globe reports that “Skinner Inc., the Bay State auction house best known for decorative arts, jewelry, wine, and other high-end objects, has gone into the beer business.” They recently sold a very limited edition (one of only 240 released) bottle of 2008 Cantillon Don Quixote, made at the famed Brussels brewery, for nearly $1,600.
Mustang Brewing Seriously Damaged By Tornado (Oklahoma City, OK) – Tornadoes returned to the Greater Oklahoma City area on Friday night and hit at least one brewery, causing serious damage in the process. On Saturday, Mustang Brewing posted clear evidence of the damage. Mustang was riding a recent wave of recognition that had come with its brewing contract with the pop band, Hanson.
Craft Beer Sales Surge at Costco – According to Shaken News Daily, Costco is reporting that the craft beer segment now represents 30% of their overall beer sales and that they are currently experimenting with many local breweries in the various states where they do business.
Boulevard to Blanket Virginia (Kansas City, MO) – Beer lovers in Virginia have something new to look forward to this summer. Boulevard Brewing Company, which currently sells a few of its beers in a limited portion of Northern Virginia, will soon expand its footprint to cover the entire Commonwealth. Richmond area residents will find Boulevard beers in their market beginning June 1, with a July rollout in and around Virginia Beach. The remainder of the Old Dominion State will see beers from the Kansas City brewer in August.
Brooklyn Loses a Monster (Brooklyn, NY) – It’s like King Kong taking the plunge…or Godzilla going down. The Brooklyn Brewery has announced via their blog that they’ll be losing a legendary giant, as they’ve decided to discontinue their infamous Monster Ale barleywine.
Deschutes Commits to the Full Monty in the City of Brotherly Love (Bend, OR) – After a year of teasing Philadelphia’s craft beer fansby sending a few truckloads of their favorite beers out east for Philly Beer Week, it appears that the Deschutes Brewery is committing to “The Full Monty” in Philadelphia. Yes, it’s true! Beginning July 1st, the teasing will stop and they’ll be sticking around for good in the greater Philly area. We suggest that you contact Muller Inc. if you want to know more.
Ales for ALS (Hood River, OR) – Full Sail Brewing is proud to be one of the 38 craft brewers across the country that has joined the Ales for ALS campaign in support of the ALS Therapy Development Institute‘s (ALS TDI) mission to discover and develop effective treatments for ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. As part of the program, participating brewers receive a special blend of experimental hops donated by both B.T. Loftus Ranches and Hopunion. From these hops, each participating brewery brewed a unique beer and will donate a portion of the sales to ALS TDI.
