Just a growler's throw away from the region's historic beaches is one of New Hampshire's newest and most popular breweries - Blue Lobster Brewing Company. Although they just opened last November in Hampton, they've been packing people into their taproom every week and have been trying to keep up with demand ever since. Clearly, they're doing something great, so I decided to visit the brewery and chat with owner Michael Benoit about the quick success of Blue Lobster Brewing.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Atlas Brew Works, the District's newest production craft brewery, today announced the signing of a distribution deal with Premium Distributors of Washington DC, the leader in beer distribution within the District.

Ok, so maybe it's not the strangest beer style out there, but have you really stopped to think about what a milk stout is? Does it have milk in it, or is it milky in texture? Is Guinness a milk stout? Come to think of it, what makes anything a milk stout? Admit it...You've been drinking these beers for years and you now realize that you're not exactly sure just what you're drinking. Well don't worry, your thirst for knowledge is about to be satiated.

Welcome to What the Hell is a Milk Stout...

After five consecutive years of hosting SAVOR - An American Craft Beer & Food Experience down in Washington, DC, the Brewers Association is bringing its preeminent event to New York City. This year's SAVOR will be held on June 14^th and 15^th at the Altman Building and adjoining Metropolitan Pavilion in Manhattan.

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 your weekend.

Oh the joy of college life: frat parties, co-eds, a band playing in the living room of your dilapidated house, and of course, more beer drinking than the average liver can handle before it develops jaundice. Many college students embrace the craft beer culture at their university, but few students actually major in making craft beer. The undergrad Fermentation Science program at Oregon State University in Corvallis has not only helped students become master brewers, but has also contributed to the craft beer industry since 1996. With all of OSU's hidden influences on the SoCal craft beer industry, I decided to hit the books and register for an interview with head professor Tom Shellhammer.

We care about craft beer label art a lot at American Craft Beer.com. We care about it so much that we've even made it part of how we rate craft beers here. Labels are the unsung heroes of the drinking world; they lure in customers who don't necessarily know what a saison or a stout is, beckoning with their bright colors, sharp designs and bold graphics. We've got some great local talent slapping noteworthy art on bottles, which begs the question: who's behind these masterpieces.

We've been called cynical from time to time here at AmericanCraftBeer.com, but when we see garbage like this go down, we can't help but be. What took place this week in Tallahassee's State House was clearly a case of big business colluding with entrenched politicians and a blatant attempt to limit the growing economic power of Florida's small craft brewers.

And yes, we're pissed...but we're just getting started!

Hey it's Friday. Spring's right around the corner, and as far as we're concerned, can't come quick enough. It's time for a break. You need some fun this weekend. And that's where we come in! We're all about it and we've got your back big-time. Plus we've got a special "Spring's Coming" beer pick that we're going to spring on you...So relax and welcome to this week's edition of our awesome Weekend Picks!

Since opening two years ago, Somerville Brewing Company--its beers are marketed under the brand name "Slumbrew"--has become one of the most popular craft breweries in Massachusetts. So when I got the chance to interview Caitlin Jewell, Somerville's co-founder and marketing manager, I didn't hesitate. It's a family-owned small business--her husband, Jeff Leiter, is also a co-founder and brewer, and her brother, Chris Jewell, is their road warrior sales manager and distributor liaison. Among other things, I learned they are faring far better than their brand name connotes.