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Hey it’s Wednesday and it’s Rumor Mill Time…GWAR is cranking up the boil on what may well be the summer’s sickest beer and they’re doing it with the help of Cigar City! We’ll be bringing you everything we know so far. Plus we’ve got some unfortunate news on New Hampshire’s tragic fall from grace and an awesome new release that you’ll want to chase down. So fasten your seat belts everybody…THIS WEEK’S RUMOR MILL IS ON!
The Scumdogs of the Universe Descend on Cigar City (Tampa, FL) – In a story that broke first here at ACB, the widely acclaimed metal band GWAR is brewing a metal/craft beer mashup (the bastard love-child of fanatical fan and homebrewer, Rob Chalmers) at Cigar City. GWAR Beer will be the official beer at this year’s GWAR B-Q that’s taking place in Richmond, VA on August 17. Well, the boys at Cigar City Brewing (who, like GWAR, show little restraint) cranked up the boil kettle yesterday to brew GWAR Beer for (as the band so elegantly puts it) “the sickest summer slaughter-fest known to both mere mortal and space god alike.” So know …you’ve been warned!
North Dakota Rules as New Hampshire Disappoints (Washington, DC) – No state drinks more beer than North Dakota, according to the new ‘per capita’ analysis of state-by-state beer consumption data just released by the Beer Institute (There’s a Beer Institute?). North Dakota dethroned New Hampshire, who has owned that #1 slot for some time now. New Hampshire’s tragic fall to #2 was met with shock and anger by citizens of “The Granite State” and our calls for an official comment from the Governor have so far gone unreturned. Montana, whose citizens have never seen a beer that they couldn’t have five of, held on to their strong #3 position. South Dakota impressed in securing a #4 ranking and the “always dependable” Wisconsin (whose populace is known to enjoy beer along with their Cheerios) rounded off the Top-5.
Minnesota’s Brewery Boom (Minneapolis, MN) – Beer-friendly laws have helped to make Minnesota one of the nation’s fastest growing craft beer markets. But the Star Tribune is reporting that when you look beyond the larger breweries like Summit and Surly, you find that the real action is taking place in its microbreweries. The state had just nine microbreweries in 2010 and today there are 37.
Sam Cans Cleared for Takeoff (Boston, MA) – Our friends at CNBC are reporting that the nation’s largest craft brewer, the Boston Beer Company, will be partnering with JetBlue Airways to make its newly minted “Sam Cans” available on JetBlue flights nationwide. We’ve reported previously on Samuel Adams Founder and Chairman Jim Koch and his $1 million dollar effort to redesign their craft beer cans, and it now appears that they’ll soon be “frequent flyers.”
New Holland’s Spirits To Appear In Oregon (New Holland, MI) – New Holland Brewing is known for their craft beer but they’re also Michigan’s largest independent distiller of spirits – and they will soon be bringing them to Oregon. The Holland Sentinel is reporting that they’ll soon be introducing two of their flagship spirits – Beer Barrel Bourbon and Knickerbocker Gin – into Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.
A Rumor Mill Release You Want to Look Out For
The Alpine Beer Companywill be releasing Red Card, a hoppy 6.5% ABV Red Ale that they brew exclusively for major soccer tournaments this Friday, June 6. Unfortunately, this dry-hopped smooth ale is not being bottled, but will be available at their pub on draft and for growler fills.
