Good things are happening in Big Sky Country, where craft beer has finally arrived. This shouldn't really surprise anyone. Montana has long been known for its wide open spaces and the independent spirit of its people. You've got to think that they'd be all about the craft beer ethos - small independent brewers making beer for themselves and their communities - and now they are.

There's nothing better than playing host for out-of-town friends on a gorgeous 60-degree weekend in January - unless, of course, a much-anticipated local brewery just so happens to be opening that same weekend. Dallas's trendy Design District, which contains an inspiring mix of local artisans and manufacturers, is now home to another fantastic brewery - Community Beer Company.

Nothing says Wisconsin like beer and cheese. And nothing says beer and cheese like the aptly-named Isthmus Beer and Cheese Festival that took place in Madison last weekend. Even in below-freezing conditions, determined Sconnies cabbed, bussed, biked, and walked to get to their favorite event of the year. So many, in fact, that the event sold out, resulting in "Will sell soul for 1 ticket" signs outside. Worth it.

Hey it's Friday and we're heading into the weekend. We get it. You've been killing yourself at work all week and you're in need of fun. That's where we come in! We're all about the fun and we've got you covered. Plus we've got some special weekend beer picks for you too ........So welcome to this week's edition of our Awesome Weekend Picks!

Hard cider was one of the most popular beverages in Colonial America, along with rum, but then beer took over and took off never really looking back. As craft beer has exploded and drinkers are now looking for the next most interesting beverage, cider is making a comeback.

So many craft beers, 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!

If you've been following our new series so far, you've already studied up on "What the hell is a Kölsch" and you're probably feeling pretty accomplished now that you've enhanced your craft beer IQ. Well, time to stop doing your victory dance, pull the needle off your Kool & The Gang 'Celebrate Good Times' record, and get ready for another healthy dose of beer knowledge.

It's Wednesday and it's Rumor Mill Time.....Craft Beer has caught fire in Mississippi with more and more new breweries coming on line! We'll be giving you everything that we know so far, plus we've got some fast-breaking craft beer news from the UK as well as from Stone Brewing Co. We also have a hot new release that you've got to get your hands on! So fasten your seatbelts everybody, because ....THIS WEEK'S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

Several nights ago, I heard a well-respected brewer say something that stuck with me long after the evening ended - that if he put "Imperial" or "Barrel-aged" in front of anything he made, it would get higher ratings than the lighter brews in his portfolio. The statement surprised me at first, but upon consideration of his line-up, I realized that what he said was true...

Seattle is known for its craft beer, and perhaps there is no neighborhood in Seattle better known for its beer than the Ballard neighborhood in the northwestern part of Seattle. Indeed, Ballard's newest brewery, Peddler Brewing Company, is located down the street from brewery Hale's Ales and has adopted the space formerly occupied by another local brewery, Maritime Pacific Brewing Company.