Been putting off a trip to Texas because of the summer heat? Fall is one of the best times to visit the state - cooler temps, a slew of fall restaurant openings and trendy events, and two awesome beer events coinciding on the same week: Dallas Beer Week and Houston Beer Week. 

We should respect the brewers and their craft of brewing light beer. There I said it. Blasphemy you say? Then again I didn't say anything about the beer itself.

"On the 8th day, Man created beer." On Liberty Avenue in Lawrenceville, a beautiful church with magnificent round stained glass windows would draw anyone's attention. The building's facade is unique and breathtaking, but possibly it's most attention grabbing detail is a small sign carrying the words "The Church Brew Works." Suddenly you become confused. "Wait, brew like beer?" And the answer is yes, brew like awesome beer.

Gary Sink grew up in Europe, falling in love with the culture and the beer that Germany and England gave him. Now he is the owner of The Beveridge Place Pub, a beer bar that has been called the best beer spot in Seattle, is ranked in the top-100 in the U.S., and was even rated in the top-50 in the world. How did he get here?

It's Wednesday and its Rumor Mill Time! You probably heard something about what was happening yesterday: Greg Griffin turned 48. What's that you say? There was more than just the singer for Bad Religion's birthday? Well, shucks, you got us...there was an election. Now, regardless of your feelings of the outcome, we have news for you! The American Craft Beer Rumor Mill has been churning, and as Bad Religion once said: "Remember the first word in USA is us." On to the beer!

Hard to believe that the calendar has flipped to November. The leftover Halloween candy isn't looking too good at this point and the supermarkets are all getting their frozen turkeys delivered. Must mean it's time to start the task of writing out a gift list for all the family members, and that includes the craft beer lover in your life too!

For many craft beer fanatics and Dead Heads alike, it may come as no surprise that the proudly off-kilter Dogfish Head Brewery and the equally eclectic Grateful Dead are teaming up to create an aptly named "American Beauty" of beers. After all, the brewery has ventured into the music world before.

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 hitting the streets...So welcome to this week's edition of Newbies - your guide to great new releases!

Today is a sad day for craft beer but specifically Louisiana Craft Beer. On Thursday November 1^st, Abita Brewing Founder Partner Jim Patton passed away due to unknown causes in Miami. He was 59 years young. While he was working on starting a new brewery in Miami, he will be remembered mainly for his pioneering spirit that launched the 13^th craft brewery in the country and the first in the South. In 1986 Abita Brewing Company released its first beer at 2 locations in South Louisiana. In the first year Abita brewed more than 1500 barrels of beer. Now the company produces more than 125,000 barrels and is available across most of the United States.

Hey it's Friday and we're heading into the weekend. You've been killing it all week and you need to have some fun. That's where we come in. If you're up for some suggestions - we've got them. We're all about it and have got you covered. Plus we've got a two massive weekend beer picks for you! So, welcome to Weekend Picks!