Hey it’s Wednesday and it’s Rumor Mill Time…..Anchor Brewing has just unveiled some very big plans for its future. We’ll be giving you everything that we know so far, plus we’ve got some fast-breaking craft beer news from our friends at Founders as well as from the DC Brau boys. We also have a hot new release that you’ve got to get your hands on! So fasten your seatbelts everybody….THIS WEEK’S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

Hizzoner Hits DC Brau (Washington, DC) – Seems like everyone wants to hang out with the DC Brau boys, and it appears that Washington, DC’s Mayor Vincent Gray is no exception. On February 8, the Mayorhimself dropped by to congratulate Jeff Hancock and Brandon Skall on DC Brau’s success and to celebrate their impact on the District’s communities. Sources were unable to ascertain what beers (if any) the Mayor may have sampled during his hang with the boys, but we’re guessing it wasn’t The Corruption….

Anchor to Pier 48 (San Francisco, CA) – The Anchor Brewing Company has big plans in the works that include opening a new waterfront brewery that will increase their capacity by 400%. The SF Gate is reporting that Anchor “will occupy what is now Pier 48 with production and distribution facilities, a restaurant, museum, and other public attractions. The 212,000-square-foot space is an addition to Anchor Brewing’s existing plant on Potrero Hill, and will quadruple the company’s output from 180,000 barrels to 680,000 barrels.”

Founders Looks to West Virginia (Grand Rapids, MI) – Founders Brewing Company is looking to possibly expand its distribution into West Virginia in the future. Sighting a 70% production increase in 2012, they feel they could expand into “The Mountain State” without impacting their already existing markets. Once their new cellar is finished, they’ll have an additional 165,000 bbl of capacity.

Sam to Can (Boston, MA) – Samuel Adams just announced that for the first time, it plans to offer Samuel Adams Boston Lager in a can – but not just any can.  The new can design is the result of two years of ergonomic and sensory research and testing. The “Sam Can” will hit shelves in early summer 2013.

Freeride Now Year-Round (Juneau, AK) – The Alaskan Brewing Company is releasing their first new, year-round bottled brew since 2009 – Alaskan Freeride APA. First brewed on Alaskan’s pilot system in 2010, Alaskan Freeride APA became a local favorite through Alaskan’s Rough Draft series of draft experimental brews available in Alaska only. Freeride APA then moved to select draft locations in the lower 48 in the spring of 2012 to celebrate their role as the official beer of FLOW Tailgate Alaska and the annual World Freeride Festival held each year in Thompson Pass near Valdez, Alaska.

Shipyard Opens Brew Pub in the Sunshine State (Clearwater, FL) – Shipyard Brewing Company has opened its newest brew pub and its first located outside of its home state of Maine in Clearwater, Florida. Sea Dog Brewing Company was founded in 1992 and has two additional pubs in Topsham and South Portland, Maine. A second Florida location is slated to open in Orlando in March.