Category: Beer in the news

Great articles that you should read.

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Breathing: Conversations

Finback Brewing has added their voice and platform to a new initiative that I hope will spread across the country, Breathing: Conversations.

Here is the gist of their idea, “We invite all breweries to participate in this conversation and we invite all people to join the dialogue by speaking to each other, telling us your stories and linking all our voices in a collective conversation by using the hashtag #BreathingConversations. The topic of race is a challenging one, potentially uncomfortable, awkward and vulnerable, but it is a conversation we must have. We must hear each other and listen to the voices of the oppressed, of people of color and create a more equitable future.”

Below is an example from Cascade Brewing…

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Can It Get Much Higher

Back in the day, there were some weird gimmicks / marketing / boundary pushing beers. And one of the weirder chapters in the craft beer history book was the high ABV battle between BrewDog and Shorschbrau. Scotland V Germany to create a beer higher in alcohol than some spirits.

There was Tactical Nuclear Penguin at 32%. Then the Germans countered with their Bock at 40%, BrewDog came back with Sink the Bismarck which tipped in at 41%. The Bock returned at 43% before The End of History arrived at an eye popping 55%.

All that is preamble to the fact that the two breweries have joined forces (via Zoom) to create a new beer. More news on what it will be is coming.

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Out in a Flash

When Alpine Beer Company became part of Green Flash, I thought it was a good fit. Fast forward and I was ever so wrong. You could probably say that the downfall of Green Flash kinda began with that acquisition. Fast forward again to 2020 and it looks like, if things break right, that the father and son duo Patrick and Shawn Mcilhenney might regain the ol’ system that that was Alpine’s home from 2002 to 2014.

The new company is Mcilhenney Brewing and they will start up again “after the current tenant vacates.”

The renter is of course Green Flash and once they move out, the new can begin.

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No I in Beer

Though I am nowhere near a fan of country music and this Brad Paisley song is a little too on the nose….

…I do appreciate that the singer went all in to celebrate two friends who just want to have a beer together, by buying a stores worth of beer for them.

Some good news, indeed.

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Blue Ribbon Commision

Since the Federal Government can’t be counted on to help, business is stepping into the huge gap to help. Pabst, a beer I don’t really ever drink, is “commissioning 1,000 works from creative professionals.”

Here is what the chief marketing officer has to say, “We know that 1,000 creative commissions isn’t world changing, but it definitely will make a difference,” says Luke Atkinson, “Every commission counts, and the talent we work with will get the added benefit of some exposure.”

30 works are in progress and Pabst “is inviting bartenders, designers, animators, dancers, singers, directors and other creatives to “do what they do best” and reach out to Pabst through Instagram (@pabstblueribbon).”

Kudos to Pabst for chipping in.

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Idea from the North – Drive Through

Old Town Brewing is setting up a one-stop shop for Oregon beers. Since their parking lot isn’t being used as much, they have turned it into a customer fulfillment center. Here is how it works – “Customers will enter the drive-thru on the north side of the parking lot by motorized vehicle, cycle or foot. Orders and purchases will be placed from your smart phone from the Brewers Market online menu, but contact and on-site imbibing and socializing is discouraged as is cash payments. As people make their way through the booths they can make their selections on the go or place an order in advance for pick-up. Once placed, pull into a designated parking spot at the end of the market where someone will bring their order out to them. Leaving the vehicle is not necessary, walk-ups are allowed with social distancing measures.” That is the write-up from the New School Beer blog who have excellent coverage of how Oregon breweries are doing in these times.

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Strong

Anchor Brewing has entered the helping business with their Stay Strong SF campaign. They hooked up with Bay Area artist, Jeremy Fish who created and put up “special artwork across several boarded up bars and restaurants across the city. The design is a modern twist to the San Francisco flag, with a Phoenix rising from the ashes.  Every poster has a QR code that directs you to donate to the United States Bartenders Guild.” If you have left your heart in SF you can get a poster which are available to download for free HERE.

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An Anvil of Hope

AleSmith has set-up a new nonprofit with a heavy name, Anvil of Hope. The goal of the organization is in three parts, A) assist low-income families facing homelessness B) assist youth aging out of foster care C) help neighbors experiencing financial hardships. This effort from AleSmith owners Peter and Vicky Zien will hopefully spread hope and hops.

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Okto-gone

Well, the beer steins will be empty as it looks like Oktoberfest in Germany will be taking a break in 2020. That is a huge tourist dollar loss for Munich especially. And with that large domino falling, I expect that other big festivals are going to follow that lead.

Which means no festival for L.A. Beer Week, no Great American Beer Festival and those Anniversary parties will have to skip a year. Unless, of course, the Governor of Georgia has anything to say about it.

I would go so far as to guess, that any party on the books for 2020 would be on the chopping block. I know that seems far off and maybe overly cautious but all it would take is one sneeze or one cough in a crowded area to throw the fear of God into people. And this is before the probably inevitable round two when the virus comes around again because people didn’t quarantine enough the first time.

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Aftermath – Part 6

Will delivery be normal after the virus has passed? Will to-go orders and curbside pick-up remain an option?

I would say that both will eventually phase out. In-state delivery is just too costly not to mention bad for an environment healing from lack of cars on the road. Plus, with travel opened up, visiting breweries will more than like return if the stir crazy mood of Americans is any indication.

Curbside though might hang on longer as fear and worry slowly dissipate. Eventually though, the keg trade will reclaim its position and there will be less cans and bottles to pick-up and run with.

Where it may linger a bit more is in the delivery apps. They are either going to struggle with being profitable or struggle to pay a workforce that will increasingly call for more money and alcohol might be a big ticket item that could be used to pay back investors and contractors.

The taproom experience is clearly something people want so that means back to the sidelines for delivery.