Spring is a beautiful season for beer drinkers.  Baseball is just a few weeks away, sidewalk tables sprout in front of brew pubs, and a wave of Heller Bock beers hit the shelves.  But most of all, it's the time we get out the timetables and maps and start planning our major summer excursion.

Hey it's Friday... and if you're like us, you're ready for some fun. Well good, because we've got all kinds of ideas for you. From the nation's coolest beer festivals to movies, music and cutting edge TV - we've got your back big-time.  Plus we've a weekend beer pick for you too, because we know you'll be drinking!

So welcome to another Weekend Picks

Somehow we've managed to tap our twentieth state on the list, The Old Line State, Maryland. One of the original 13 colonies and home to some of the first Army regiments, the state's nickname was coined by General Washington following the Maryland Line's stand at the Battle of Long Island. Due to their high quality soldiering and long service, he called them his "Old Line." 

So many beers- So little time... Spring has sprung and we've the right beers for this season! Plus we've some great new releases from Deschutes and Dominion that you'll want to get your sweaty little hands on.

Most craft beer fans have probably rated a beer at some time in their lives. Heck - you can even rate beers here on ACB if you want to. And if you're anything like me, you've spent some time skimming over those random "Best Of..." articles that pop up on social media and in craft beer magazines. But lately I've found myself reconsidering all of them and have come to the realization that they're complete and utter bullshit.

Yikes, it's April already... and clearly nothing is slowing down anytime 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.

"If you can't beat them... buy them"

We don't know who coined that phrase originally... but it certainly appears to be one of Big Beer's answers to an irritating problem called craft beer.

Things are seriously brewing down here in Peru, as the craft beer world continues to explode in this vibrant South American nation.  Yes, Peru -- the home to Machu Picchu and llamas-- is making some crazy good beer.  And as part of our series, here's an update of what's been cracking down here lately.

So many beers- So little time... With winter waning, we're beginning to see some "warm weather" offerings. ...Plus we've some great new releases from Lagunitas and Flying Dog that you'll want to get your sweaty little hands on.

Alcoholism is a subject that's mostly avoided the drinks biz - but it's one of the 800 pound gorillas in the room. We all know people who drink recklessly - who are victims to alcohol's pleasures and pull. It may be one of the reasons that some are drawn to our industry to begin with. After all if you enjoy getting buzzed, the alcohol business is not a bad place to be...just sayin'.

Which brings us to Sarah Hepola's Blackout: Remembering the Things I Drank to Forget, a compelling account of one woman's "drinking life" and her very personal journey back from self-destruction.