Australian beer recalled for containing ‘excess alcohol’


A beer made in Australia has been recalled for containing “excess alcohol,” health officials said.
Food Standards Australia New Zealand said the watermelon sour beer, produced by Your Mates Brew Pub, poses a risk for illness/injury due to secondary fermentation.
According to Beer & Brewing, secondary fermentation refers to “any phase of fermentation following the very active ‘primary’ fermentation, but before complete removal of the yeast. In lager beers, secondary fermentation can refer to the period of maturation and lagering, during which important flavor changes occur, particularly reabsorption of diacetyl by yeast.”
B&B says amateur brewers use the term to refer to an aging period after the primary stage of fermentation that usually involves moving the young beer to a separate fermentation vessel to remove it from dormant yeast. The sour beer was sold online and in certain Australian stores. Customers are encouraged to dispose of the alcohol and contact the company for reimbursement.

Why craft beer fosters better communities than its corporate competitors

From – The Conversation
As the craft beer industry grows, so too do the dedicated communities that form around it – an expert explains.
Craft beer is big business. In 2021, craft beer sales in the US (the biggest beer market by sales) totaled US$26.8 billion (£22 billion) and represented 13.1% of overall sales of beer. And it’s a growing market.
In 2015 there were 4,803 craft breweries in the US, by 2021 there were 9,118. The number of UK craft breweries, in that same period grew from 1,527 to 1,755. While the sales and growth are impressive, what matters more is what these figures represent – a growing interest in a superior quality beer from both producers and consumers.
Equally important is the ideological shift in the beer market they signify. Big beer (large corporate breweries such as AB Inbev) singularly seeks and values profit. Craft beer, while also motivated by profit, equally values community, quality and independence.
Read the rest of this excellent article on The Conversation

CA – New Orange County Project Promises Craft Beer, Steaks, and a Swimming Pool

A Giant New Orange County Project Promises Craft Beer, Steaks, and a Swimming Pool
The 33,000-square-foot former Modern Times Brewery Leisuretown is being overhauled by a craft beer veteran and the owner of Craft by Smoke and Fire.
Ambitions were lofty when Modern Times Beer opened its Leisuretown location in Anaheim in September 2020, even if the timing wasn’t ideal. At 33,000 square feet, Leisuretown was billed as a huge play place for Orange County craft beer drinkers, with different areas to drink, dine, or just hang out in poolside cabanas, but two years later the property closed with little fanfare. Now two hospitality veterans in Brad Kominek (a well-respected brewer) and Isaias Hernandez, of the growing chain Smoke and Fire, have taken over the operation.
Read the rest in Eater LA

PHILLY BIERFEST IS BACK!


PHILLY BIERFEST 2023 – LONG DELAYED 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATES PENNSYLVANIA’S LEADERSHIP IN GERMAN-STYLE BREWING
PHILADELPHIA, PA – The German Society of Pennsylvania is thrilled to announce that, after a 2-year hiatus, it will once again host a world-class beer tasting event on, Saturday Feb. 25th 2023 from 2:00pm to 5:30pm, showcasing Pennsylvania’s German brewing heritage and this state’s leadership in the brewing of (and appreciation of) German-style lager beers. The long-delayed and hotly-anticipated 10th Annual Philly Bierfest will feature German-style beers from both Pennsylvania craft brewers and breweries in Germany, as well as rollicking entertainments and engaging educational opportunities to help Pennsylvanians learn to take pride in our centuries-long prowess in lager brewing. As always, this unique event also benefits and is presented in partnership with two additional non-profit organizations, the ferocious female athletes of Philly Roller Derby and the Brewers of Pennsylvania, a trade association that advocates for PA brewers and beer lovers and aims to foster a healthy, ethical, and growth-focused beer industry in our state.
GENERAL EVENT INFORMATION:
Date: Saturday February 25, 2023
Location: German Society of Pennsylvania â–ª 611 Spring Garden St. Philadelphia, PA 19123
Times: Main Event – 2:00pm to 5:30pm [Media Passes Available on Request]
Exclusive VIP ‘Early Access’ – 1pm to 2:00pm [VIP Ticketholders only]
Ticket Info: https://german-society-of-pennsylvania.ticketleap.com/philly-bierfest-2023/?fbclid=IwAR04VHbx6tPIlQn772maolVfpnZKkaRbDO4NBpNeMtvYO61Q0PeUQKLotH0

Panama’s Blooming Craft Beer Scene


Panama’s Blooming Craft Beer Scene Is Shaking Up an Import-Heavy Market
The various influences of Spain, Colombia, France, and America on Panama are nowhere more evident than in Panama City’s Casco Antiguo district. In 16th-century Spanish ruins among a UNESCO World Heritage site sits American Bazaar, a tribute to a turn-of-the-century department store and one of the city’s newest restaurants. The food and music are definitely American, and the beer taps will remind you of those at your favorite brew pub. But with names like Fula, Chivo Perro, and Guachimán, Americans won’t find these at their local bodegas or corner bars.
Read the rest here

APPLY NOW — APPLICATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2023 FALCONER FOUNDATION BREWING SCHOLARSHIP TO SIEBEL INSTITUTE

** FALCONER FOUNDATION OFFERING CONCISE COURSE SCHOLARSHIP TO SIEBEL INSTITUTE — APPLY NOW **
In collaboration with the Seibel Institute of Technology, the Glen Hay Falconer Foundation is offering a full-tuition brewing education scholarship in 2023. The scholarship is a full tuition grant and comes with a travel/lodging stipend.
The scholarship is for the World Brewing Academy (WBA) Concise Course in Brewing Technology in Chicago, November 6-17, 2023. The WBA Concise Course in Brewing Technology is a two-week intensive intermediate level course that covers every topic critical to successful brewery operations. The course is designed for brewers pursuing a wider knowledge of professional brewing standards and techniques to advance their brewing careers as well as individuals planning to enter the brewing industry. The WBA Concise Course in Brewing Technology scholarship includes a $1,000 stipend to help offset travel and lodging expenses.
Applicants must be from the states Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Alaska, and Hawaii. The scholarship is open to both homebrewers and professional brewers.
Note that the full application must be received no later than April 20, 2023.
Complete details and scholarship application is available at https://siebelinstitute.com/about-us/studying-at-siebel/scholarships
The Glen Hay Falconer Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities for professional and aspiring craft brewers to further their knowledge and expertise. The Falconer Foundation has granted 52 scholarships since 2004.
For more information on the Foundation please visit www.glenfalconerfoundation.org and follow us on Facebook.

Tips to a successful Application can be found in the ProBrewer.com Expert Topic section on Brewing Education in A Peek Behind The Scholarship Curtain At The Falconer Foundation

2023 Oregon Brewers Festival canceled

Another dry summer in Portland: Oregon Brewers Festival canceled with no clear return
In its heyday, the festival was an annual event that drew 80,000 people to Portland’s waterfront. It is off for 2023, after returning last summer from a two-year hiatus.
For the third time in four years, there will be no big beer festival at Portland’s Waterfront Park this summer.
The Oregon Brewers Festival returned last year, after COVID-19 forced organizers to cancel the annual event in 2020 and 2021. In a statement, organizers cite several reasons for canceling this summer’s festival, including low attendance, higher costs and extreme weather.
Read more at OPB

Oregon Beer Industry Remembers Jim Parker RIP


From The New School
December 12th, 2022 would have been the 62nd birthday of the late, great, Jim Parker. Jim Parker was a storyteller, great beer ambassador, and a lovely human who was one of the last great publicans. His life and legacy goes hand in hand with the emergence of craft beer as a cultural force, and his wisdom and friendship touched and inspired innumerable people in the industry to follow this passion project.
Read more of this excellent article on The New School

Exploring Mexican Craft Beer


From Porchdrinking
By Scott Grossman
Mexican beer has come a long way from the thin-bodied, flavorless yellow beverage chugged poolside on spring break. These days there’s a burgeoning Mexican craft beer scene featuring the robust and flavorful styles that craft beer lovers are familiar with.
Over the past several years, numerous breweries have joined longtime Mexican craft brewers like Hercules, Baja Brewing and Minerva. While Mexico City is the epicenter of the movement with more than a dozen craft brewers, many medium-to-large cities sport at least one decent brewery.
Read the rest of this interesting article on Porchdrinking.com

Bend, OR – Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival – Volunteers Needed


Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival – Volunteers Needed
The Oregon Brewers Guild is looking for a few more volunteers to help with the upcoming Central Oregon Winter Beer Festival this Saturday, December 17th in Bend, Oregon.
12pm-5:30pm: Beer Servers, Check-in
4:30-10pm: Beer Servers, Check-in
All volunteers must be 21 or older.
OLCC Server permits are preferred, but not required to volunteer. We will have pre-shift meetings to go over OLCC regulations, as well as how to recognize and deal with very intoxicated persons (VIPs). If you do have an OLCC server permit, please have it with you for your shift.
As a thank you for your time, you will receive a volunteer shirt and an empty growler from GoodLife. First shift volunteers have the option to receive a tasting package to use after your shift. Second shift volunteers will receive post-shift beers and be allowed to fill your growler at the end of the event.
If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who is, please click/share the link below to complete our online sign up form.
**Please note, the Guild will continue to monitor the current public health situation and may adjust or cancel the event if necessary.
If you have any questions, please contact Christina LaRue.
2022 COWBF Volunteer Sign-Up

NC – Raleigh Brewing Company Holiday Bash (Kid Friendly!)

Raleigh Brewing:
Our Holiday Bash party is TOMORROW starting at 1pm! Don’t forget to wear your ugliest Christmas sweater and enter the contest at 4pm for a chance to win prizes.
From 1-7pm, you can also enjoy a bounce house, face painting, yard games, s’mores, live music, photos with Santa, and MORE 🎅🏼
Guests 21 and older can enjoy a pint of Holiday Bash Spiced Winter Warmer before it’s gone!
#thingstodoinraleigh #holidaybash #holidayparty #christmasparty #christmasevent #holidayevent #raleighbrewing #weekendevent #thingstodothisweekend #raleigh #cary #nc #ncbeer #localbeer

New Belgium Brewery & Rotary team up to provide laptops for Front Range Community College students

A prominent Fort Collins nonprofit and one of the city’s most popular breweries recently teamed up to provide free laptops to low-income students at Front Range Community College.
The collaboration between the Rotary Club of Fort Collins (Breakfast) and New Belgium Brewing Co. delivered the first round of expected laptops to FRCC’s Larimer Campus in August, providing 10 used New Belgium laptops to students in need.
While a personal computer is commonly seen as a prerequisite for college attendees, “For many low-income families or students on their own, access to a laptop is out of reach,” said Rotary’s Derek Godfrey.
Read the rest in the Fort Collins Coloradoan

Bourbon Barrel Aged Beer…the Beginning

How the South’s Bourbon Culture Changed Craft Beer
Love a bourbon barrel–aged stout? You can thank a wild and crazy idea cooked up by Jim Beam and Goose Island
Todd Ahsmann slides the six-ounce tasting glass closer to him, gently swirls the dark brown liquid therein, and then lifts the glass to his nose, breathing in deeply.
“I’m getting a bit of chocolate on the nose,” he says.
Then Ahsmann takes a sip, observing the fluid with his tongue, opening his mouth to let fresh oxygen unlock layer upon layer of flavor, even after he has swallowed.
“There’s vanilla, some molasses,” he says. “Some cherry, almond…oak on the back end.”
Ahsmann voice echoes against vaulted ceilings and brick walls lined with charred white-oak barrels, stacked four high, each filled with aging alcohol. But this isn’t a typical Kentucky rickhouse, nor is it some cellar in the heart of Napa wine country. It’s the Goose Island Barrel House, where the Chicago-based craft-beer pioneers age their imperial stout for up to sixteen months in used bourbon barrels.
Read More in Garden & Gun

Oh, my Gourd! Beer fermented inside massive pumpkin

From: KLEW TV CBS

FRYEBURG, Manie (WGME) — Beer that was fermented inside an award-winning giant pumpkin will be available for tasting at a brewing company in Maine for one day only.
Saco River Brewing, which is located in Fryeburg, said “P-Funk” will be available for a tasting on Saturday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
P-Funk is an amber ale that was fermented inside Charlie Lopresti’s 2,080-pound pumpkin. Lopresti is the chief meteorologist at WGME.
Read the rest here

Keeping Cleveland Brew-tiful: Great Lakes Brewing Company Revitalizes Ohio

Consensus Digital Media presents episode #10 of Made in America: Glass Half Full, featuring craft breweries across America. These breweries are pioneering sustainable, innovative business practices that better their communities and the world – while making great beer!
This episode spotlights Great Lakes Brewing Company’s founding brothers, whose love of fresh, local beer inspired them to revitalize the Cleveland brewing industry. Brothers Pat and Dan Conway founded Great Lakes Brewing Company, the first microbrewery in Ohio. After dozens of local breweries closed across the state, the Conway brothers saw untapped potential for bold, flavorful beers – leading to Great Lakes Brewing Company.
Watch it Here!