We can’t believe it’s May already…So much has happened this year and it doesn’t appear that things are going to be slowing down any time soon. But no worries – Rumor Mill is always on the case, keeping you plugged in to all the craft beer news that matters. Plus we’ve an all-important update on what we’ve been drinking lately and you absolutely don’t want to miss that.

DESCHUTES LOOKS EAST (Charleston, SC) – Deschutes’ President & CEO Michael LaLonde, will be visiting the Charleston region this month, scoping out sites for the brewery’s East Coast expansion according to The Post and Courier. Greenville and Asheville, North Carolina are also reportedly under consideration.

WORLD TANK-DIVING FEDERATION ANNOUNCES NORTH AMERICAN COMPETITIONS (Brussels) – Noting the unprecedented growth of craft beer in America, the World Tank-Diving Federation (WTF) has announced that it’s planning to bring competitive tank diving to the United States. Extreme Brew Tank Diving, which originated in the less regulated regions of Eastern Europe, has grown in popularity over the last decade and is now a major sporting event all over Europe. Belgium’s Trappist Tank-Diving Competitions are now sold-out events with a ravenous following and the popularity of this extreme endurance sport in Europe second only to the World Soccer League! The WTF is currently in talks with interested US cities and will be visiting several major brewing regions this year. And although San Diego, Denver, and Chicago have all expressed serious interest in hosting the North American competitions, the WTF remains uncommitted at this point.

SAVING THE PLANET, ONE BEER AT A TIME (Portland, OR) – The 11th annual North American Organic Brewers Festival will be returning to Overlook Park on August 13^th-17^th – and with over three months to plan for this – we expect you to be there.

GEORGIA’S NEW BEER BILL,THE GOOD, BAD & UGLY (Atlanta, GA) – After months of back and forth, Gov. Nathan Deal signed in Senate Bill 63 yesterday Tuesday allowing customers to take home more beer from Georgia’s craft breweries. But there remains some irritating restrictions according to AJC.com. The new law allows visitors who paid to tour a brewery the ability sample 36 ounces of beer at the brewery. Patrons can also purchase 72 ounces of the brewery’s beers to take home – so there’s that.

WHAT WE’VE BEEN DRINKING LATELY (Washington, DC) – We’d like to thank all the breweries who ship us beer from time to time. It’s always great to sample the brews that we write about and helps give us a better feel for what’s happening out there. Last night we hit up a new year-round brew that we recently received from Berghoff Brewery. Hop Forward Pilsner was a wonderfully drinkable 5.7 % ABV Lager that’s surprisingly progressive and still true to its Germanic roots.

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