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.

Hey it's Friday, the weekend's almost here, and you are ready for some serious fun. Well good, because that's where we come in. 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 of our weekend beer picks for you and we're going "old-school" this week - so you'll want to check that out. So welcome to this week's edition of our awesome Weekend Picks.

Take whatever you think you know about "girly" drinks and toss it out the proverbial window - the girls behind the Austin-based Bitch Beer site are here to set the record straight, in more ways than one. The seven-member team isn't afraid to tackle stereotypes, to speak their minds, and to assert their authority in the craft beer-o-sphere. That passion has led them to secure their biggest project to date - publishing the first definitive book about Austin's storied craft beer history.

So many 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!

Hey it's Wednesday and it's Rumor Mill Time...Word has it that Kona Brewing will have a starring role on a new TV reality show! We'll be bringing you what we know so far. Plus we've got some fast-breaking news from our friends at the Brooklyn Brewery and an update from the New Belgium crew. We've also got an awesome new Rumor Mill release that you'll want to chase down. So fasten your seat belts everybody...THIS WEEK'S RUMOR MILL IS ON!

Whether he's rafting and camping on the Rogue River with local craft beer geeks, doing a 200-mile bike ride from Seattle to Portland for various charities, or just showing up at festivals to revel with the rest of us, it's clear that Christian Ettinger, the owner, CEO, and Brewmaster of Portland's Hopworks Urban Brewery, lives to create an environmentally conscious beer community.

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 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.

Your beer growler's got more potential than simply holding your favorite craft brew. Dallas-based Haüs of Growlers can take your growler from bland to grand by adding custom designs and catchphrases that are unique and personal to you.

Last week, we were lucky enough to spend a few minutes at the Mayhem Music Festival in Tampa with the GODS of Viking metal, who also happen to be huge craft beer fans and two of the coolest guys you'll ever meet. Check out our interview with Johan Hegg and Ted Lundstrom from Sweden's Amon Amarth.