Think this is just about the National Parks being closed? Think again!

The government's political gamesmanship is having far reaching consequences and it's affecting the craft beer industry directly. It all starts with the TTB who like many regulatory bodies in government have had most of their functions shutdown since October 1st. And while many of those who work in the brewing industry are far too familiar this agency, many of you who just enjoy drinking craft beer may not have a clue as to who the hell they are or of the significant sway they hold over the industry.

As you read this, I am making my way from Boston to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival. I have packed my ACB T-shirt, business cards, digital recorder, and cell phone charger. I am carrying granola bars, gum, and Tylenol in my purse. I am ever so slightly terrified. The stats from last year are mindboggling - 3,000+ beers and 49,000 attendees.

So many beer, So little time...With so many craft breweries, releasing so many beers, we thought it might help to provide a weekly update on all the new beers that are hitting the streets....So welcome to this week's edition of Newbies - your guide to great new craft beer releases!

Hey it's Wednesday and that means it's Rumor Mill Time...Everyone's heading out to Denver this week for the GABF and the town will be rocking! We'll be bringing you what's shaking so far. Plus we've got some updates from the Grateful Dead crew and our friends at Dogfish Head. We've also got a very, very special new Rumor Mill release that you'll want to chase down. So fasten your seat belts...THIS WEEK'S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

You've had your fair share of beers. You've experimented with different types, crazy ingredients, enjoyed some delectable crafts, and muscled through some repulsive ones. Well if you're like me, in all this time indulging other people's wild concepts, you've come up with a few of your own. Floating somewhere in-between your to-do list and your daydreams, I bet there exists a brilliant craft beer recipe that will blow minds. It's time to share those ideas with the world.

For the majority of people, hops seem to be something they have all heard of, but something they have never really thought about. There seem to be many misconceptions about the bright green flowers, like the thought that they contribute to the alcohol content. I also often hear people claim that they "hate hops," not realizing that hops are subtle and essential components to their favorite beers.

If you've ever been to the Seattle area, you know Big Al Brewing. They are the guys with that really hoppy IPA being poured from a tap with the black and green logo. You know the one - the Big Hoppa IPA. Or you may have seen owner Alejandro Brown with his crew at a local bar cheering for a goal by the Seattle Sounders FC. Either way, their name resonates in the community.

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 enjoying yourselves.

The Great Taste of the Midwest is arguably one of the best events a beer and food lover like myself can hope to attend. Or so I've heard. It takes place each year at a lakeside park less than a mile from my house, yet due to impossibly limited in-person ticket sales, the closest I've gotten to the festivities in my three years as a Madisonian is in an offshore kayak.

Hey it's Friday, the weekend's almost here, and now that Breaking Bad has come to its end, it's time to get on with your life. Well good, because we've got some fun ideas for you. From the nation's coolest beer festivals to movies, music, and cutting-edge TV - we've got your back big-time! And we've got another one of our weekend beer picks for you - so you'll want to check that out too. So welcome to this week's edition of our awesome Weekend Picks.