Hey it’s Wednesday and that means it’s Rumor Mill Time….It’s been a huge week for craft beer news with Stone’s announcement that they’re expanding into Berlin, which is generating tons of excitement and some dissention. We’ll get into that and on to other things that are breaking right now in the world of craft beer. Plus we’ve an all-important update on what we’re drinking this week.

We don’t sleep so you can….THIS WEEK’S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

Actions & Consequences (Escondido, CA) – The craft beer community is still buzzing about Stone’s planned brewery in Berlin. But in addition to all the excitement, there is some pushback out there with some people pissed at them for using a crowdfunding tactic to fund their expansion. Our stance is that it’s Stone’s deal and they can do whatever they want. We’re more excited about what they are planning to do in Berlin than about how they’re getting it done. But others have a real problem with how they’re raising this money. They’re not happy and they’re talking about it. And you can check out some of that conversation here.

Monday Night Brewing Makes Surprise Appearance on Sundance TV Hit “Rectify” (Atlanta, GA) – What is it about Atlanta-based craft breweries and hit cable-television dramas? Last year, SweetWater’s beer showed up in a harrowing scene from AMC’s popular zombie apocalypse series “The Walking Dead.” And just last week, Monday Night Brewing’s beers showed up in a backyard barbeque scene on the second season of Sundance TV’s “Rectify” series. Clearly there’s something in the water down that way.

Expect Heavier Seas (Baltimore, MD) – The installation of a new brewhouse is underway at Heavy Seas and the equipment is expected be fully positioned and operating by this September.This advancement will increase the production capacity by 250%, expanding the potential daily production from 200 barrels to 480 barrels per day. As part of this expansion, the brewery has added two 240-barrel fermenters, and has also ordered one 300-barrel bright beer tank, which will take its effective production capacity to just under 70,000 barrels for 2015. Heavy Seas is on pace to produce approximately 45,000 barrels this year and we’re happy for them.

Craft Beer Biz Smokin’ in Tar Heel State (Charlotte, NC) – North Carolina’s craft beer scene is booming nowadays. It’s not just in Asheville – it’s everywhere and the proof is in the numbers”In 2006, the state was home to 26 breweries, and now boasts 110,”according to CNBC, and “the production of craft beer increased 65.7 percent to 263,488 barrels, from 159,003 in 2012.”

What We’re Drinking This Week (Washington, DC) – We’d like to thank all of the American craft breweries who have shared their wares with us in the past and those of you who have shipped us beer from time to time. It’s great to be able to sample the brews that we write about and it helps us have a better feel for what’s happening out there. Just last night, we hit a bottle that the folks at Heavy Seas Beer kindly sent our way, and this year’s version has been tweaked some. The 2014 RedSky at Night is a 7.5% ABV Saison ale that’s floral, fruity, balanced, and worth tracking down.