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.

Back in the day, telling someone you're going to a Fruit Beer Festival may get you some odd glances and a few questions about your manhood. Today, in the midst of a craft beer revolution that spans the globe, people are wiser to the idea that some of the best beers are now brewed and fermented with fruit, not just added as a garnish or flavored with juice. Those lucky enough to be in Portland this weekend will be able to experience the spectacle first hand at the only annual fruit beer festival in the nation.

Hey it's Friday 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 Weekend Picks...

Last weekend, we flew out to California as guests of David Walker and the Firestone Walker crew and attended our first Invitational up in Paso Robles. Needless to say, it was a total blast but it was also a wonderful example of a craft beer festival done perfectly.

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 Widmer Brothers newest 30^th Anniversary Series collaboration to the latest from Jester King and Oakshire 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!  

Documentaries are increasingly an important part of today's craft beer scene and films such as American Beer and Beer Wars have all played their own part to entertain and inform while simultaneously spreading the word about craft beer. So when I learned that there was a craft beer documentary about my neighbor state to the north, New Hampshire, coming out next year, I was determined to track the film's producers down and find out more about their project.

Hey it's Wednesday and that means it's Rumor Mill Time....South Carolina legislators have enacted sweeping changes to their beer laws in hopes of landing Stone and may have just attracted yet another major brewery interested in building an East Coast facility. We'll be bringing you everything we know on this growing development. Plus we've a roundup of the latest craft news, gossip, and innuendo so you can be totally plugged into everything going down.

We don't sleep so you can....THIS WEEK'S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

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 Goose Island's homage to Belgium's first female Brewmaster to the latest from Deschutes and Lakewood Brewing - we've all kinds of beers that you'll want to chase down.

It's clear from the smooth operations of Memorial Day weekend's three-day music extravaganza that Boston Calling has hit its stride. The third time around, transitions between Blue Stage and Red Stage performances were flawless (often with a wait time of less than three minutes), the food/beverage lines moved quickly, and the porta-potties were out in force. Acoustics were especially on point for Death Cab, Tigerman WOAH!, and Tegan & Sara--three of the acts I was most excited to catch.

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.