Who would have thought that a casual discussion between two family members drinking homebrewed beer on a Maine beach could turn into a business venture? That initial discussion and many that followed between PJ Mercier and his father in-law, Bob Johnson (an avid homebrewer), would eventually lead to the establishment of Navigation Brewing Company.

We blame the industry for this... It used to be that when we wrapped up our Weekend Picks on Friday, we could coast through the weekend. There was little need to check in for updates -things were pretty much done. But clearly all that's changed.

So here's some of what's happened in the world of craft beer while you were off enjoying yourselves.

Hey it's Friday... Spring has finally sprung and you're ready for the fun. Well good, because we're all about it and 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. We've also a Weekend Beer Pick for you too, because we know you'll be drinking.

So welcome to our awesome Easter Holiday Weekend Picks...

Every year, there are awards handed out to deserving brewers from around the country at Denver's Great American Beer Festival. Then there are the local fests that showcase the flagship and seasonal beers that provide a more limited scope. Yet it's only every two years that the Brewer's Association gathers for the Craft Brewers Conference AND features the World Beer Cup, a competition showcasing beers from 58 countries, evaluated by an international panel of 219 judges from 31 countries and what I can only presume to be some psychedelic hangovers...Here are 5 award winners you should snatch up in the store, at the pub, or at a festival ASAP.

So many beers, So little time ... Newbies is your essential map to the "best of the best" and the hottest new craft beers rolling out each week. From Firestone Walker's Barrelworks to the latest releases from Deschutes and Saint Arnold Brewing - we've all kinds of beers that you'll want to chase down.

So welcome to another edition of Newbies -Your ultimate guide to great new craft beers!  

Hey it's Wednesday and that means it's Rumor Mill Time. And even though we're still rehabbing from last week's CBC in Denver - we know you don't care - so we're on it.

So fasten your seat belts everybody because in spite of how we feel....THIS WEEK'S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

This year's Craft Brewers Conference was an informative and wonderful event - rich with some 85+ seminars covering everything from technical brewing to Federal tax code compliance - and a trade show with 450+ exhibitors to explore. But the week's activities didn't stop at the Colorado Convention Center. Every evening, there were special craft beer events and parties spilling out into Denver's coolest bars and rock venues and they usually proved to be too much fun.

So many beers, So little time...Newbies is your essential map to the "best of the best" and the hottest new craft beers rolling out each week. From The Coronado Brewing Company to the latest releases from Airways and Oskar Blues - we've all kinds of beers that you'll want to chase down.

Last week's CBC in Denver ended on Friday with the 2014 World Beer Cup awards and it was a total blast! The bi-annual competition which took place at the tail end of this year's Craft Brewers Conference was the biggest ever and served as a fitting ending to a week of beer, business and too much fun in the Mile High City...

I knew that Vermont was home to maple syrup, world-class ski slopes, Phish, and Von Trapp descendants. What I didn't know was that this unassuming state with the second smallest population also happens to be home to more breweries per capita than any other state (in 2011), including the holy grail of beers. Considered by many to be one of the best IPA's in the world, The Alchemist's Heady Topper turned what started as a casual weekend in Vermont into a quest for hops.