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.

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!  

This past week was a little bit different for me - I left the great state of Texas to attend the week-long Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, D.C. First of all, let me start out by saying this is a fantastic and educational conference - not just an excuse to pull together the nation's best brewers into one convention hall. Of course, there are benefits to being around those who live and breathe craft beer, and to be in an area where it was celebrated and discussed ad nauseam was actually quite the treat for a fan like me.