Check out Thank Heaven for Beer. They have a nicely done website and have a Saturday beer to sip section which is cool. You will see a link to them with My Favorite Links.
OBF Attendance Record
from the Oregonian…
“Despite warmer-than-usual conditions, the 22nd annual Oregon Brewers Festival had record attendance with 72,500 people, a nearly seven percent increase over last year’s all time high of 68,000. Beer sales followed suit, showing a three percent increase. The four-day event concluded on July 26 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park.
“This is our second consecutive year of record setting attendance and sales, and given the economic situation, I think we can successfully state that beer is recession-proof!” exclaimed festival director and founder Art Larrance. ”
Maybe craft beer can contribute to the economy returning to a healthier state?
New to good, craft beer?
Patrick Coleman, writer for the Portland Mercury, decided to take on beer for Oregon Craft Beer month. Click HERE to see some of his columns on joining the beer geeks of the world.
Photos from the OBF
Click HERE to see some photos of the Oregonian’s coverage of the Oregon Brewers Festival 2009.
Open Letter to the Mayor of Los Angeles
Your Honor,
The L.A. Times basketball sportswriter corresponds with Donald Sterling about the state of the Clippers and in the same spirit I am writing to you.
Why is it, that…
San Diego has Karl Strauss Brewery
Orange County has The Bruery
Pasadena has Craftsman Brewing
Santa Barbara has Telegraph Brewing
Sacramento has Rubicon Brewing
San Francisco has Anchor Steam
even Santa Rosa has Russian River Brewing
…and Los Angeles has ? Why is it that the premier city of Southern California has no major brewery and no football team. My guess is that someone or something is standing in the way.
We have two award winning home brew clubs. A burgeoning beer bar scene and a discriminating food culture. We have all the ingredients and yet I do not see a brewery. Why is that?
I know I repeated myself there but I am genuinely confused. Portland has tons of breweries and new ones opening each month. There are (3) off the 78 freeway north of San Diego and that is not a long freeway.
I urge you to find out where the problem is. We seem to have plenty of liquor stores. How about losing some and adding a brewpub instead?
Now is the time to encourage people to chase entrepreneurial dreams. Not to stand in the way and hold ideas back.
Sean Inman
Safety
$10.00 is all it takes to be safe. Completely staffed by volunteers, RideOn Portland will take you (and your car) from the bar you are at to your home.
I hope this is an idea that spreads around the country because in our car first culture it just isn’t as easy to go out and enjoy a beer without always having to monitor how you feel. Now I don’t suggest going out to get wasted. I never have. But if you want to try to big, flavorful beers you need options transportation wise so that you can be safe and have a good time.
Sad story about the vanishing English pub
Things are tough all over. But there should be something that can be done to save the famous English pub. Read this story…
3 Sheets
The Travel/Drinking show “Three Sheets”, hosted by Zane Lamprey, is back on Television on the Fine Living Network tonight (July 20) at 10 eastern, 9 central, and as is the case with cable will repeat later. This show has bounced around networks so let’s hope it sticks here so that more people can find it.
Yoga & Beer
Bristol Brewing’s yoga-and-a-beer sessions.
The brewery’s resident Bristol Beer Ninja leads Sunday yoga-plus-beer classes described as guy friendly, geared toward beginners and focusing on “the healing power of yoga and beer.”
Ten bucks pays for stretches, a bottle of water and a post yoga beer.
Widmer Brothers + charity
from Draft Magazine.…
Expressions of brotherly love usually involve punching, wrestling, or some kind of potentially dangerous physical activity. Widmer Brothers Brewing Company is celebrating Brother’s Day (Tuesday, August 11) in a slightly more healthy way.
Their collection of sarcastic e-cards are a great way of conveying brotherly affection while helping a good cause. One dollar will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters for each card sent before August 11. Widmer Brothers has pledged to raise $10,000 in an effort to recruit more volunteer Big Brothers.
“Our effort to support Big Brothers Big Sisters is a personal commitment,” Kurt Widmer said. “We know firsthand the value of strong role models and of course, the importance of brotherhood.”
So before that friendly sibling boxing match results in a pleasant trip to the emergency room, send your bro an e-card. And help give community kids an opportunity to experience the joy that can only come from getting matching casts with their brother.