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As Gold River Distributing Grows, Community Outreach Stays Top of Mind
Over the years, Gold River Distributing Co. in Medford, Oregon, has grown in more ways than one. The distributorship, which was founded by Dick Lytle in 1977, today employs 126 people and services more than 800 accounts, and the community involvement at Gold River is just as strong as the business.

America's Beer Distributors Highlight How Three-Tier System Protects American Consumers
NBWA Vice President of Industry Affairs Paul Pisano recently moderated a panel called "Keeping Alcohol Safe: Lessons Learned from the Chinese Food Safety Scandals," at the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association's 15th Annual Symposium on Alcohol Beverage Law.

Celebrating the 75th Birthday of Safe and Effective Alcohol Regulation
There are a number of ways that you can help promote the 75th anniversary of safe and effective alcohol regulation - by adding the 75th anniversary logo to your e-mail signature, placing ads in your local newspaper and much more. Also, visit a local brewery! Breweries across the country will hold '75 Years of Beer' events including specially-brewed commemorative beers, brewery tours, festivals and special cask pre-prohibition beers.

Salute Our Troops at the 2008 NBWA/BREWERS Legislative Conference
If you have family members, loved ones or co-workers serving in the military, please send us their information so NBWA can recognize them for their service to our country in our "Salute to our Troops" at the 18th Annual Legislative Conference.

Beer Business Daily-March 24-25, 2008

THE CRAFT CONUNDRUM

The out of control hop prices, fuel costs, malt pricing, and packaging costs are squeezing many craft brewers. Okay, so that's not exactly breaking news. But the fallout from that perfect storm may prove to be a more significant shift in the craft solar system.

One veteran beer industry executive laments to BBD that when he goes out into the trade in mature craft markets, bar managers brag that they never have the same craft beers on tap week from week. In fact, some craft brewers are sending tap handle stickers with every keg, so the bar patron just has to stick it on the handle when its tapped.

So what's the problem? Some fear that when consumers start ordering craft beers like they typically order wine ("I'll have a Cabernet" rather than "I'll have a Stag's Leap 2002"), then the industry loses its brand-building power. In other words, when people start ordering styles rather than brands ("Give me your IPA," rather than "Give me a Harpoon IPA"), the beer business becomes a little less of a branded business and becomes a beer style business. And if you ask anybody in the wine business how that's going, it's not great shakes.

David van Wees, former vp marketing at InBev USA and now the Co-Founder of Latis Imports, related this story to BBD: "As we sell-in PALM, my business partner and I often travel in the street with account level reps. When introduced to a retailer as a new supplier introducing a new brand, it not uncommon to get the eyes rolling back retort of 'Let me guess, another IPA'. Craft brand proliferation on-trade, off-trade and in the wholesaler is creating friction. While a big fan of the life crafts bring to the category, something has to give -- a real rough time if its price."

The other big concern is that the lack of hops will create quality and consistency issues with smaller craft brewers who are having problems sourcing quality hops.

So are we headed toward a 1990s-style shakeout? One established craft brewer exec tells BBD that things are different. "I think it's overboard to compare today with the shakeout [of 1990s]. There's more consumer interest and demand today and the brewers are bigger. But no doubt the hop shortage will shake some smaller players out."

And into the arms of large brewers, we suspect.

BIG THREE BRANDS: HOW DID THEY SCORE?

We covered how Corona and Heineken did in Morgan Stanley's consumer research last week, now let's see how the Big Three brands fared year-over-year 2006 versus 2007 for key brand health metrics.

BUD LIGHT. Bud Light's gained the largest points on "Has the best TV ads." That's a little surprising because their ads seem pretty steady. Bud Light's next largest gain was in it being a "good value." So A-B scored well on TV ads and pricing, which I suppose isn't so surprising after all given their core competencies in TV marketing and chain sales.

Where Bud Light is starting to slip is in "Friends and I are likely to drink less" (their score increased here by 2 points), and "Best with meals" and "One of my favorite brands."

MILLER LITE: For Big Blue, the brand got most improved in "Best to bring to a party" with a big four point gain. Lite also gained in "Best with meals" and "Best to drink at a bar." Looks like those Beer Cup ads are starting to work.

Where Miller Lite needs improvement is "One of my favorite brands" and "Is unique from other beer brands."

COORS LIGHT. Surprisingly, given its positive trends, the Silver Bullet had the most declines on key metrics of the Big Three. It's biggest gain was only 2 points in "Has the best TV ads." Maybe that's the only metric that matters(?)

CL declined the most in "Most freshly brewed" and increased 3 points in "Friends and I are likely to drink less." Coors Light got a four point dip in "A brand I would recommend to others."

CROWN LAUNCHING NEW CORONA CREATIVE

Timm Amundson, Crown's vp of marketing for Corona franchise, said in a statement that Crown is launching new TV, outdoor, and print ads which carry on the theme of "vacation in a bottle" but also "adding elements of surprise to the work."

Recall that several analysts and the advertising trade press have questioned whether Corona's sales softness is indeed all due to price gaps and execution gaps as Crown took over the Eastern US, or because of brand equity issues. Crown says it's the former.

The new campaign was created by Cramer-Krasselt, Corona's long-standing agency for Crown. In "Treasure Map," an aerial overview shows that X marks the spot. As the camera drops through the air to a close-up, the X is revealed to be a striped beach umbrella under which revellers are having a Corona. In "Hotel Room," a racy clothing trail leads to an empty bed; instead, the vacationers are found on the veranda having a Corona. The TV campaign has already begun rotation on Letterman, Kimmel Live and Conan. Corona will also sponsor the Kenny Chesney 2008 "Poets & Pirates" Tour. Will it return Corona to high growth in 2008? We'll see.

 

Cline Cellars partners with the National Breast Cancer Foundation

Cashmere donates to fund breast cancer awareness. Click here to read the cashmere release.

 

America’s Beer Distributors Applaud Decision to Uphold State-Based Alcohol Regulation

Appellate Court’s Opinion is a Win for the People of Washington State

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) applauds today’s decision by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Costco v. Hoen (Washington State Liquor Control Board). By its opinion, the Court of Appeals largely overturns a lower court’s decision and affirms the right of states to regulate alcohol under the 21st Amendment. The Ninth Circuit’s opinion unequivocally upholds Washington’s uniform pricing rule, delivered pricing requirement, volume discount ban, credit prohibition, central warehousing ban, minimum mark-up and retail-to-retail sales ban.

“Alcohol is different from toothpaste and chewing gum, and it should be regulated differently,” said NBWA President Craig Purser. “This ruling upholds the right of states to set alcohol policy as their citizens see fit. America’s beer distributors will continue to support state-based alcohol regulation.”

2008 marks the 75th Anniversary of passage of the 21st Amendment. The regulatory system that resulted from the passage of the 21st Amendment - like the one in Washington - helps advance a wide range of public policy goals such as those recognized in the Ninth Circuit’s decision.

Read here for Seattle Times article

 

Full Sail Amber Ale was chosen as one of the top 10 beers in the United States by Businessweek.

Read here for Businessweek article

 

Which Presidential Candidate Would You Like to Have A Beer With in 2008?

The candidates have highlighted their health care plans, stumped on spending and fought over foreign policy. Which of the candidates would drinking-age voters want to sit down with and chat about those hot-button issues  - over a beer?

The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA), is marking the official start of the election season by asking voters one simple question as part of a non-scientific survey: "Who do you want to have a beer with"? You don't have to be a registered voter to cast your ballot.  You can vote now at www.nbwa.org or www.whodoyouwanttohaveabeerwith.com

Check out John Foyston's blog (Oregonian beer writer and blogger) http://blog.oregonlive.com/thebeerhere/

Check out the Portland Tribune's Guest on Tap for the latest local beer news. www.guestontap.com

Check out "Beervana" to find out how Portland became the beer capital of the world through compelling and amusing anecdotes of the Oregon beer community. Click here to preview the video on OPB.

 

Donate food and funds to Oregon Food Bank to help flood victims

PORTLAND, Ore. (Dec. 6, 2007) – The Oregon Food Bank Network, already struggling with low food supplies, is working hard to provide food to an expanded number of people in need who have been affected by this week’s storms.

“Oregon Food Bank is actively responding to calls from our member hunger-relief agencies in the storm-stricken,” said Rachel Bristol, CEO, Oregon Food Bank. “Once again, we ask for the community to step forward and help.”

More than 140 hunger-relief agencies in the storm-stricken area are members of the Oregon Food Bank Network.

Today, Oregon Food Bank delivered 10,000 pounds of food to Vernonia to help families in need of food and water in that area. In addition, Mt. Hood Beverage donated three pallets of water and donated trucking to deliver it to The Regional Food Bank of Tillamook County today.

Safeway is donating a truckload of water for OFB to distribute to OFB agencies in flooded areas.

Tomorrow, OFB will make food and water deliveries of additional thousands of pounds to Astoria and Tillamook.

OFB has also partnered with KPTV, Safeway and Mt. Hood Beverage to conduct a food drive from 10 to 11:30 p.m., tonight, Thursday, Dec. 6, and 4:30 to 9 a.m., Friday morning, Dec. 7, at Safeway, 17779 SW Boones Ferry Road (Lake Grove Safeway with access off of I-5). OFB and Mt. Hood Beverage will deliver food donations as needed to OFB member hunger-relief agencies in the affected areas.

In addition, OFB is working to contact all of its member agencies – both regional food banks and local hunger-relief agencies – in the affected area to assess damage and need. Many areas are still without electricity and phones.

“We’re hearing that there is an immediate need for water and nonperishable food that doesn’t require cooking,” said Bristol. “We also know from past experience with the flood of 1996 that as soon as power comes on, families need food to fill their empty cupboards. We also expect that many families in the affected areas will need emergency food for months to come. At the same time, the OFB Network will continue to deliver food to our statewide network of 20 regional food banks and 900 local member agencies, who serve 200,000 people every month in Oregon and Clark County, Wash.

Oregon Food Bank asks Oregonians to redouble their efforts. In addition to the KPTV-Safeway Food Drive, you can drop off food donations at Oregon Food Bank, Jiffy Lube, U.S. Bank, Whole Foods, Wild Oats, Bally Total Fitness, Grocery Outlets in Washington County, Ron Tonkin Dodge, McCollum Automotive, Metro Car Care, Oswego Luxury. For a complete list, please visit www.oregonfoodbank.org.

OFB also welcomes cash donations. Donate online at www.oregonfoodbank.org, call 503-282-0555 or send your check to Oregon Food Bank, P.O. Box 55370, Portland, OR 97211.

If you live in affected areas and are able to donate food or funds, please support the regional food banks in your area: Columbia Pacific Food Bank, The Regional Food Bank of Tillamook County, Clatsop Regional Food Bank, South Coast Food Share, Yamhill County Food Bank and Lincoln County Food Share.

Click here for the Fox 12 Cares Food Drive info

Click here for the Oregon Food Bank news

Click here for the Oregonian coverage

MHB teammates from left, Mitch Allison, Dave Anderson, Dave Beck, Jamie Gage, Melanie Norby

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Moderate Drinkers Who Also Exercise Likely to Live Longer, Study Finds
Active, responsible drinkers got some good news from a study published Jan. 9 in the European Heart Journal. The study concluded that moderate consumption of alcohol and moderate exercise are both associated with longer life but, more important, the benefit increases when the two behaviors are combined.

Smoked beer tradition lingers
Matthias Trum looks awfully young to be the guardian of a 500-year-old brewing legacy. He's barely scraping 30 and is the sixth generation in his family to hold the position of brewmaster at the Schlenkerla Brewery Tavern in Bamberg, Germany. "The official brewery name is not Schlenkerla, it's Heller Brau or Brewery Heller," Trum explains. "The name Heller dates back to the 17th century, and in that respect, I'm the 15th brewmaster of Heller."

Yes, there is a better way to serve beer
While American beer once meant light lager, today it encompasses a wide array of flavors concocted by innovative craft brewers whose varieties - and in some cases alcohol content - approach the breadth of wine and spirits. In fact, there's now so much to learn about beer styles and how to serve them that the president of the Craft Beer Institute, Ray Daniels, has launched a sort of beer sommelier certification program.

A Brewer With Hope in the Hereafter
"Glory hallelujah!" shouts the figure at the podium, gesturing excitedly. "Can somebody give me an amen?" Mark Thompson, owner and master brewer of Starr Hill Brewing in Crozet, Va., is doing his beer-evangelist shtick at a Brickskeller holiday beer tasting. The crowd, sipping on a copper-colored, intensely malty doppelbock that Thompson has dubbed the Gift, responds with an enthusiastic "Amen!"

Anheuser-Busch pursuing stake in top Russian brewer
Anheuser-Busch has approached Scottish & Newcastle about a potential bid for full control of Baltic Beverages Holdings (BBH), the top Russian brewer, for about $9 billion, according to an article Sunday in The Daily Telegraph, a British newspaper.

Safety in Sin Stocks: Good Bets For a Slowing Economy
Hard times won't stop gamblers from betting, partygoers from drinking and smokers from puffing. In fact, economic turbulence might give them even more reason to indulge. That makes so-called sin stocks, or shares of alcohol, gaming and tobacco companies, a safe bet as the U.S. economy slows.

Bridge Safety Stirs Funding Debate
The deteriorating state of roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure is coming under heightened scrutiny on Capitol Hill, and a rancorous debate has emerged over how to solve the problem. Exhibit A is the federal gas tax, currently the primary mechanism used to finance highway and mass-transit spending. A congressionally mandated panel yesterday recommended more than doubling the tax, which since 1993 has been set at 18.4 cents a gallon for gasoline and 24.4 cents a gallon for diesel, over five years to boost funding for transportation projects. The panel of public and private experts is hoping that states also will opt for big gas-tax increases.

A Different Kind of Executive Officer
Scott Kerkmans beat out almost 8,000 other applicants to become what's likely the country's first chief beer officer.

Drink up boys, the price of ale is on the rise
If the phrase "perfect storm" had not appeared on the annual list of now-banned hackneyed phrases Lake Superior State University puts out every year, it would apply perfectly to a situation that is making beer brewers and beer lovers around the world more than a little nervous.

Binge drinking among students remains high
For some young people, it's a rite of passage. They spend their weekends drinking copious amounts of alcohol and spend the weekdays sharing war stories about how sick they got. But with four recent alcohol-related deaths of college-aged Minnesotans, new concerns have arisen about whether the youth drinking culture is getting worse.

Strategy: After Party In '07, A-B Tones Down New Product Intros
Anheuser-Busch admits it went on a binge last year by introducing more than 80 new products and line extensions. Now it's taking a more sober approach. New products will keep coming. But A-B promises new SKUs will be backed by information collected over 15 months about consumer beverage choices based on occasions, taste and need states.

Recipe for Cheddar Beer Dip With Sausage
This hearty, tangy dip from Diane Phillips' cookbook, "You've Got it Made," goes well with bread, tortilla chips, pretzels or sturdy crackers. This recipe can be made and refrigerated up to three days ahead.

Grupo Modelo and Molson Create a Joint Venture for Beer Importation Into Canada
Grupo Modelo, Mexico's leading company in the brewing, distribution and sale of beer and Molson Coors Brewing Company and Molson, Canada's preferred brewer, today announced they have established a long-term joint venture known as Modelo Molson Imports L.P., to import, distribute and market the Modelo beer brand portfolio in all Canadian provinces and territories, effective January 1st, 2008.

Coors Teams up with the HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers for Super Bowl XLII Alcohol Responsibility Initiative
The HERO Campaign for Designated Drivers, a national grassroots drunk driving prevention organization, is teaming up with Coors Brewing Company to reward safe driving and alcohol responsibility. An Arizona resident who has shown a commitment to alcohol awareness and responsibility will be awarded two tickets to Super Bowl XLII.

Big brewers walk the 'organic' line
Although the organic beer market represents less than 1 percent of the overall U.S. beer market, according to the U.S. Organic Trade Association organic beer sales more than doubled between 2003 and 2005, reaching $19 million, and is now level with organic coffee as the fastest-growing organic beverage market in the country.

Let's go brew the hop
Breweries around the world are on the cusp of running dry due to a hop shortage caused by farmers switching to more profitable crops. And although experts say beer-drinkers need not worry about any halts in production, they can expect cost overflows to be passed on to them.

Drinking responsibly
Some foodies will tell you that buying local is the new organic. Others uphold the old adage that organic is the way to grocery shop. And when comparing the green merits of organic versus locally brewed beer, some will argue that the right answer has to be tested-taste tested.

Anheuser-Busch U.S. beer shipments to wholesalers up 2% in 2007
Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. Monday said its beer unit's U.S. shipments to wholesalers rose 2% in 2007 to 104.4 million barrels. The company said the U.S. beer shipments increased 3.4% in the fourth quarter. It plans to release its fourth-quarter results on Jan. 31.

SABMiller to launch public offering for Grolsch
SABMiller plc, the owner of Miller Brewing Co., will launch its previously announced agreement to buy all outstanding shares of the Dutch brewer Grolsch on Tuesday with a public offering slated to expire Feb

WA: Gregoire wants traffic sobriety checkpoints
Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday proposed sobriety checkpoints in selected high-accident areas as part of the state's continuing clampdown on drunken driving. The proposal drew immediate support from law enforcement and citizen activists, but civil libertarians vowed a battle in the Legislature and in the courts.

Are You an Alcoholic?
The holidays are over. Resolutions are wearing thin. It's a time of year when many people wonder if they have a drinking problem. More than 30% of Americans engage in risky drinking at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. But there's no consensus on exactly what an "alcoholic" is. Even Alcoholics Anonymous relies on alcoholics to diagnose themselves.

Big Boss Brewing Company Announces Availability of its First Bottled Beers
Big Boss Brewing Company, Raleigh's leading brewer of hand-crafted, premium beers, is starting the year off right by offering Bad Penny Brown Ale and Hell's Belle Belgian Blond in bottle form. These two easy-drinking ales will be introduced to a number of retail outfits in the Triangle, giving beer lovers in the area a chance to enjoy Big Boss beer in a bottle in local restaurants or in the comfort of their own home this playoff season.

Judge Rules Against Wal-Mart Over Its Tax-Shelter Dispute
A North Carolina state-court judge ruled against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in a closely watched tax-shelter case involving an arrangement in which the retailer essentially paid rent to itself and then deducted the amount from its taxes. In an attachment to an order filed Friday, but signed on Dec. 31, Emergency Special Judge of Superior Court Clarence E. Horton Jr. wrote that Wal-Mart's structure had no "real economic substance" other than cutting taxes. The judge dismissed Wal-Mart's suit, in which it sought a refund of $33.5 million in taxes, interest and penalties that it paid after state tax authorities determined it had underpaid by that amount.

Brewery helps Oregon home brewers bring beer to market
Oregon is justly famous for its beer culture, between the thousands of home brewers experimenting in their basements and the handful of large breweries who sell the state's beers around the world. But collaborations between the large and small are far less well known, though they are flourishing. Oregon's largest brewer, Widmer Brothers Brewing, has worked for 10 years with some of the state's smallest home brewers, creating some two dozen beers that otherwise might never have made it to shelves.

A-B looks to make inroads in Latino market
The folks at Anheuser-Busch Cos. have done the math: There are a lot of Latino beer drinkers in the United States and even more who follow Latino style. The largest U.S. brewer hopes to build more momentum among Latinos with a big marketing push, primarily backing Budweiser and Bud Light - the St. Louis company's signature beers. Forging tighter alliances with Latinos is a high priority because of their growing number, expanding buying power and evolving tastes.

Retail Roundup: Labor fires a salvo at nonunion food chain
Get ready for a Wal-Mart-style battle between a nationwide grocery workers union and a new British-owned, neighborhood grocery chain that's making its debut soon in Sacramento. Retail giant Tesco PLC has opened about 30 Fresh & Easy stores in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona in the last two months. The stores tout their wholesome food selections, convenience and environmental friendliness. About 170 more in those three states are in the 2008 pipeline, including what industry observers believe could be about 30 in the Sacramento and Bay Area regions.

Coors Receives Perfect Score on Corporate Equality Index for Fourth Year in a Row

 

Coors Lideres Campaign Honored with International Award

 

Statement on One Year Anniversary of the STOP Act
One year ago, President George W. Bush signed into law the landmark "Sober Truth on Preventing (STOP) Underage Drinking Act." "The STOP Act is a testament to the importance of active state and federal efforts in the regulation of alcohol," said NBWA President Craig Purser.

Guinness good for you
pint of the black stuff a day may work as well as an aspirin to prevent heart clots that raise the risk of heart attacks. Drinking lager does not yield the same benefits, experts from University of Wisconsin told a conference in the US

Solar brewed beer
Some call it green beer even though it looks brown. Forget about the color, one restaurant in Great Barrington is ahead of the game. They've gone eco-friendly. "The first thing that we looked at as far as building green was the solar hot water system," said Barrington Brewery Co-Owner Andrew Mankin.

St. Pauli Girl Readies 2008 Poster for January Debut
Irina Voronina, the 2008 St. Pauli Girl spokes model, poses for photographer Jay Silverman during a recent photo shoot in Hollywood, Calif. St. Pauli Girl Beer is in the final stages of developing its new St. Pauli Girl poster, which will debut in spring 2008.

Guinness family's origins smaller beer than thought
Sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs lie -- as the fifth generation of the famous Irish brewing family of Arthur Guinness found out when DNA tests were carried out to determine the family origins. Now the roots of Ireland's greatest family tree -- the great Guinness brewing dynasty -- have been exposed as sprouting from more humble beginnings than high-born aristocratic gaels, as was previously believed.

Plan ahead when serving alcohol at holiday parties
The winter holidays are a time for celebratory gatherings of family and friends, food and drink and high spirits. But there's one ingredient that can quickly spoil the holiday cheer - alcohol. Give serious thought to the food and drinks you're serving; consider keeping the party alcohol-free. However, if you decide to add alcoholic beverages to your holiday menu, a bit of planning and preparation can keep your event merry and bright.

The Claim: A Little Alcohol Can Help You Beat a Cold
When it comes to quick remedies for colds, many people insist that a glass of brandy or a hot toddy - whiskey with hot water and lemon juice - is just what the doctor ordered. It's not difficult to see how mild inebriation might have the potential to relieve cold and flu symptoms, but so far no study has shown that alcohol has the ability to kill germs in the bloodstream or stop a cold in its tracks.

Microbrewers hop to secure beer's 'spice'
For those who savor microbrewed or "craft" beer to escape the mass-produced liquids advertised during the Super Bowl, the escape is about to get more expensive.

One Pricey Beer for a Good Cause
Samuel Adams Founder Jim Koch and actor Denis Leary have partnered up for a unique auction on eBay to benefit Leary Firefighters, Leary's organization that helps firefighters.

Diageo mulling brewing Guinness in India
In an attempt to increase sales and consolidates its share in the beer market, the world's biggest spirits company, Diageo India Pvt Ltd is planning to brew one of its most successful beer brands, Guinness, in India.

Miller brews up Lite versions of craft beers
Miller Brewing Co. will test market three new versions of Miller Lite as the brewer tries to cash in on a growing consumer preference for craft beers. Miller said Friday it will test market the Miller Lite Brewers Collection in the Twin Cities, Charlotte, N.C., San Diego and Baltimore beginning in February.

From Sam Adams: CLICK HERE TO WATCH IT! We have a short video that shows the proper way to pour a beer (draft or bottle) and how a beer clean glass fits into this process.

Beer and cheer -- holiday brews fill shelves this season
The craft beer movement has embraced the medieval idea of creating a special beer to honor the Christmas season big time. This year, there's literally a boatload of holiday beers --filling the aisles of stores with good beer stocks.

Japan's Sapporo to Debut Beer with 50% Less Sugar in February
Sapporo Breweries Ltd. said Wednesday that it will release in February a new beer that contains half as much sugar as its existing beers. A lower sugar content usually results in less flavor. But a newly developed hop material is used to make Beer Fine, giving the new product a taste similar to that of regular beer.

Holiday spirits: Christmas ales are hot
Mark Obee pulls open a small door in his Maumee basement to a crawl space where he's stashed two six-gallon carboys of beer. He brewed it himself and he's named it "Santa." It's a mild, drinkable beer that doesn't fit at all into the Christmas beer category, but in the Obee house, everything gets a candy-cane twist.

Drink and be merry: Wine prices are on the rise
The signs, at best, have been wretched. The price of oil has shot up, and the dollar has plunged to new lows. For lovers of European wines in particular, it's a recipe for skyrocketing prices.

Hopping mad
Beer drinkers' wallets will be a little bit lighter after the new year, and it has nothing to do with paying off your holiday credit card bills. A shortage of two of the main ingredients used to brew beer, hops and barley, is expected to cause a 5 percent to 25 percent rise in beer prices in 2008.

On tap: Higher local beer prices
Craft beer lovers may take a harder look at their budgets before ordering from the high end of the menu. Market forces are driving up prices of hops and malted barley, essential flavoring ingredients that could add a dollar to the cost of every six-pack.

Bush: 'I Doubt I'd Be Standing Here If I Hadn't Quit Drinking Whiskey'
An extraordinary moment of candor from president bush about his struggled years, the struggle he had years ago to kick his addiction. He was talking to abc white house correspondent martha raddatz after he spoke to young people to highlight a significant drop in teen drug use.

Brewery lineup for 'SAVOR' announced
The Brewers Association has announced the lineup for "SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience" May 16-17 in Washington, D.C. The BA notes: "Tickets for each of the three sessions are limited to the first 700 ticket purchasers. The $85 ticket includes a commemorative tasting glass, souvenir program and Craft Beer Taster's Commemorative Journal, fabulous food and craft beer pairings, seminars, and 2- ounce samples of specially selected craft beer."

Giftgivers might consider olive oils, craft beer
Buying gifts to delight a food, wine and beer enthusiast need not be overwhelming. Consider the following possibilities

WSWA Hosts Congressional Holiday Party

Wines & Vines: Oregon Shipping Permits Needed

Rueters: Absolut vodka maker to be sold via auction -govt

First Ever Conference Focused on Wine Retailers to Be Held in Sonoma This February

Building a Facebook for Wine

Stone Wolf Vineyard News: Holiday Charity Begins in the Vineyards

Merrill Research On-Going Wine Drinkers Poll Reveals Insights

Brighten the season with holiday drinks
This year, bring your holiday cheer in a glass. Choosing the right drink is often overlooked, even though it complements a festive dinner. Instead of the regular beers, cocktails, wines and coffees, there are options out there to spice up your holiday libations. So for your super sweet sweater party or simply to impress your parents when they ask you to whip something up for the family holiday dinner, here are some ideas for wintertime drinks.

MD: Parents and Students Explore 'Ask, Listen, Learn' at Annapolis Middle School
Diageo, the world's leading spirits, wine and beer company, is proud to support the launch of an interactive alcohol awareness program at Annapolis Middle School called "Ask, Listen, Learn." Developed through a partnership between The Century Council and Nickelodeon, the number one entertainment brand for kids, "Ask, Listen, Learn," is a highly creative multimedia program that helps facilitate conversations between parents and their children before they are confronted with the choice to drink alcohol.

Police hunt beer bandit who stole 450 kegs from Guinness brewery
Irish police were hunting for a beer bandit who stole 450 full kegs from the Guinness brewery - the largest heist ever at Ireland's largest brewer. National police said a lone man drove into the brewery - a Dublin landmark and top tourist attraction - on Wednesday and hitched his truck to a fully loaded trailer awaiting delivery to city pubs. Diageo PLC, the beverage company that owns Guinness, said the brewery had never suffered such a large-scale theft before in its 248-year history.

Ethical Partying
'Tis the season for standing up at parties, eating with toothpicks and getting the menu vetted by an ethics expert. At least, it is if you want to invite Members of Congress and staffers to holiday shindigs this year, the first under tougher new ethics rules.

MillerCoors joint-venture proposal has distributors eyeing consolidation
As two of the world's largest brewers prepare to marry their U.S. operations, the small independent companies that deliver cases and kegs to stores and bars may play their own version of the mating game

Beer Distribution Facts
Some facts about the beer distribution industry.

Distributors await joint venture details
As two of the world's largest brewers prepare to marry their U.S. operations, the small independent companies that deliver cases and kegs to stores and bars may play their own version of the mating game. Miller Brewing Co. and Molson Coors (NYSE:TAP) Inc. have proposed the MillerCoors joint venture to sell more Coors Light, Miller Lite and Miller Genuine Draft in the United States. The operation would target No. 1 Anheuser-Busch Cos. (NYSE:BUD) , which has nearly 50 percent of the market with products such as Budweiser, Michelob and Bud Light. Now some distributors of just Miller or just Molson Coors products are looking at buying competitors as they grapple with rising costs for fuel, materials and labor.

Luch Be A Lager In Wine Country
Most Oregonians associate craft beer with ales, and with good reason. Saccharomyces uvarum, the slow-working, bottom-fermenting yeast used to make lagers, is seldom used by local brewers. It's not a complete stranger to Oregon. Hopworks Urban Brewery, Caldera and Amnesia all brew respectable pilsners.

Coalition of the Swilling: Winter Beer Roundup
This is a great time of the year for beer lovers. Winter, more than any other season, is when craft brewers get a chance to flex their creativity and brew some unusual beers that satisfy the palate and warm the heart. Although many have traditionally been called Christmas beers, most brewers these days are going with some variation on the "winter" theme, in a large part because of the stigma of seeing a "Christmas" beer on the shelf on December 26th. Winter beers tend to be malty, and many of them use varying levels of traditional winter spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, etc). Fortunately, the Washington area has no shortage of places pouring these winter beers.

OR: The Story of Ned Flanders sour red ale from the man who brewed it...
This is really from Rock Bottom brewer Van Havig, the regional brewing manager for Rock Bottom restaurants, president of the Oregon Brewers Guild and a former economics teacher who obviously knows too much obscure French history...here he talks about the genesis of Ned Flanders ale, the tart beer that was the hit of the 2006 Oregon Brewers Festival and probably helped start a trend.

Brewers' hops crisis comes to a head
Beer drinkers may need to spend more to fill their mugs in the months to come. Those pending price hikes will result from a leap in the cost of two key brewer's ingredients: hops and barley malt.

Category Wars: A-B, Miller And Coors Craft Image Of Being The Little Guy The craft segment has gotten even more crowded, which has the independent brewers that once dominated the category feeling muscled. Last month, Anheuser-Busch's Michelob decided that, after 111 years, it is now a craft beer. And the affront from what independents deem "faux-kraft" beers keeps coming.

SABMiller and Molson Coors to combine U.S. operations in joint venture

Click here for current Mt. Hood Beverage SABMiller/Molson Coors Message.

Click here for current SABMiller/Molson Coors press release.

Click here for current Molson Coors/ SABMiller Fact Sheet.

Drink Up: Rogue Chocolate Stout
Mmmm ... chocolate. If you can appreciate both a good stout and a good piece of chocolate, you should love the beer from Rogue Brewing in Oregon. Originally released in the U.S. market on Valentine's Day in 2001, this beer has found a home in the mouths of chocolate lovers everywhere.

Labatt Celebrates 160 Years of Brewing Excellence
Celebrating 160 years, Labatt Breweries of Canada today introduced a commemorative anniversary label on bottles of Labatt Blue. To help mark the occasion, Labatt employees will be joined by London Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best and London Area MPP and Ontario Cabinet Minister Deb Matthews at an event hosted at the hometown brewery in London.

Whitfield Students Learn From Survivor
Diageo, the world's leading spirits, wine and beer company is proud to support Brandon Silveria in his efforts to combat drunk driving and underage drinking as he speaks to students in St. Louis this week. Silveria, who survived a drunk driving crash when he was a teen, speaks to students today at the Whitfield School in St. Louis to share his experience.

OR: Central Oregon beers tapped for major awards
In Central Oregon, we have the Deschutes Brewery, Cascade Lakes Brewery, the Bend Brewing Co., McMenamins, Silver Moon, and the newest in the area, Wildfire. But mention Central Oregon breweries to beer aficionados across the country, and watch their eyes light up. The word is out!

Expect bump in cost of beer
The brewing industry is facing mounting costs on nearly every front. Fuel, aluminum and glass prices have been going up quickly over the last several years. Barley and wheat prices have skyrocketed as more farmers plant corn to meet increasing demand for ethanol, while others plant feed crops to replace acres lost to corn.

Mexico's Modelo says unlikely to split from Anheuser
Mexican brewer Modelo said on Wednesday it would be unlikely to buy out its partner Anheuser-Busch Inc if the U.S. beer giant were to form a merger in the future with Belgian rival InBev.

Mt. Hood Beverage Teammates Named Certified Specialists of Wine

The following Mt. Hood Beverage Teammates recently passed an exam to become a Certified Specialist of Wine:

 

They join the ranks of Mt. Hood's other CSWs:

 

What is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW)?

The Certified Specialist of Wine Exam is designed by the Society of Wine Educators for the wine industry by a team of wine educators.  The exam is focused on core principles in which with all wine professionals should be familiar. Subjects include:

The Certified Specialist of Wine Exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions based on all the subjects above.  A certificate is awarded to those who answer at least 75 percent correctly.  There is an approximate 60% pass rate

Session Premium Lager Named World's Best Premium Lager

October 17, 2007-- Throughout the month of September, an esteemed panel of international beer judges tasted their way through hundreds of lagers and ales from the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, Australia and beyond to find the “Best Beers of the World.”  The vast majority of beers brewed in the world are lagers, and in one of the most elite sections of this category, Premium Lager, a small employee–owned brewery from Hood River Oregon claimed the top prize. 

Session Premium Lager, brewed by Full Sail Brewing Company, took top honors at the World Beer Awards where it was deemed the “World’s Best Premium Lager.”  The competition was held in the U.K. and was conducted by Beers of the World, an international consumer magazine promoting the very best beers of the world.  Visit www.beers-of-the-world.com for more information.

“We are honored to have been compared with beers from breweries world-wide that have been renowned for centuries. Session is a celebration of old-time American brewing and to be selected as the best in this most competitive of categories is a thrill for all of us at Full Sail,” said Full Sail’s Executive Brewmaster, Jamie Emmerson.

“It is truly exciting that our brewery can be recognized at such a prestigious global competition, and it proves that the craft beer movement in the United States and Full Sail are producing world class beers,” added Irene Firmat, Full Sail’s CEO & Founder.

Roger Protz, chairman of the judges, said: “This is an exciting time for beer drinkers. More and more craft brewers throughout the world are making beers bursting with distinctive and exciting aromas and flavors. The judges have been overwhelmed by the quality of the beers entered for the competition and it has been an immensely difficult task choosing the winners. I hope that not only the winners but all the beers in the competition will gain greater awareness and will delight drinkers, especially those new to beer.”

Session Premium Lager was also recently awarded its 4th gold medal and 3rd silver medal. The gold medal was awarded at the North American Beer Awards in the American Premium Lager category. The competition was held in Idaho Falls, Idaho, this summer, by the North American Brewer's Association and over 700 beers were judged. The second silver was awarded at the 2007 L.A. County Fair Commercial Beer Competition conducted by the California Fermentation Society in Pomona, California.  The third silver came from The Brew NZ awards, an international beer competition held in New Zealand and conducted by the Brewer’s Guild of New Zealand.

Session is a classic all-malt continental Pilsner brewed with two row barley malt, a touch of wheat malt, and hopped with American and European hops for a wonderful noble hop aroma and a pleasant refreshing finish and Session is packaged in the classic 11 oz stubby bottle.  Just the kind of beer that you want après- surf session, après- ski session, après –jam session, après- well you get the idea.  As they say around here, “Have a good Session.”

Read John Foyston's Oregonian blog on "Full Sail Session named World's Best"

Pabst Brewing Co. Awarded Large Brewing Co. of the Year

2007 Brewery and Brewer of the Year Awards:
Large Brewing Company and Large Brewing Company Brewer of the Year
Pabst Brewing Company, Woodridge, IL

Brewery

Beer

State

Medals

Category

Pabst Brewing Co.

Lone Star

IL

Gold

American-Style Cream Ale or Lager

Pabst Brewing Co.

Old Milwaukee Light

IL

Gold

American Style Light Lager

Pabst Brewing Co.

Pabst Blue Ribbon Light

IL

Silver

American Style Light Lager

Pabst Brewing Co.

Old Style

IL

Silver

American-Style Cream Ale or Lager

Winning Brews: Coors, SandLot and Blue Moon Take Home Medals

October 17, 2007--Coors Brewing Company, the SandLot Brewery at Coors Field and Blue Moon Brewing Company received honors for several of their brews at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival. Coors Light won the bronze medal in the American Style Light Lager category. Move Back, brewed by The SandLot Brewery, won the Gold in the Dortmunder/European Style Export category. Green Side Up, also brewed by SandLot, won a Silver medal in the German Style Oktoberfest/Weisen (Meadow) category.

For the second year in a row, Blue Moon Brewing Company’s Honey Moon Summer Ale took home the Gold Medal in the Specialty Honey Lager/Ale category. Honey Moon was first introduced at the 2006 GABF and is one of four Blue Moon seasonals, in addition to the original Blue Moon Belgian White. Honey Moon is a honey lager that is brewed with Mountain Gold Clover Honey and orange peel. The award-winning honey used in the recipe is also made in Colorado.

The 2007 Great American Beer Festival featured more than 100 professional judges testing 2,793 beers, handing out 222 medals. Per the rules of the competition, judges only award gold, silver or bronze medals when there are excellent examples of the style of beer in the category.

Coors, an official sponsor of this year’s Great American Beer Festival, is one of only eight breweries, and the only major brewer, that has been involved with the festival since its inception 26 years ago. This year, Blue Moon Brewing Company was also a sponsor.

Alaskan Brewing Co. wins 3 medals at 2007 Great American Beer Festival

JUNEAU, ALASKA — October 15, 2007 -- Alaskan Brewing Co. won three medals at the 2007 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) on Saturday in Denver, maintaining its claim to fame as the most award-winning craft brewery in the history of the nation’s largest and most prestigious beer festival.

It was a big day for Alaskan Smoked Porter, which won a silver medal in the Smoke-Flavored Beer category and a bronze in the Aged Beer category for the 2004 vintage. The two most recent medals maintained its position as the most award-winning beer in GABF history, with 16 medals total. Alaskan Stout refused to be eclipsed by Alaskan Smoked Porter, taking home a bronze in the Oatmeal Stout category.

“We were honored to accept the three medals,” said Ann Metcalfe, Controller at Alaskan Brewing Co., “because with a record 2,800 beers entered, it confirms that our commitment to making excellent beer is recognized and rewarded.”

“The crowds at the sold-out festival lined up to taste our Smoked Porter, which was gone in less than two hours at each session,” Metcalfe said. “This was my first GABF, and I was gratified to see such excitement for our products among all the beer lovers in attendance.”

This was the first medal at GABF for Alaskan Stout, which had won a gold medal at the 2002 World Cup. “I'm so glad that Alaskan Stout won a medal, because I hope it will draw attention to an exceptional beer in a category that can be overlooked,” said Plant Manager Curtis Holmes.

Far from overlooked is the Alaskan Smoked Porter, which has earned a reputation as a world-class beer. As with a fine wine, a limited amount of Alaskan Smoked Porter is made each year and it can be aged. That’s because some yeast is left in the beer, allowing the beer to condition in the bottle with the smoke acting as a preservative.

Alaskan Brewing has an extensive library of vintage Smoked Porter, which was first brewed in 1988. A very popular feature at the 2006 GABF was a rare opportunity to taste 11 different vintages from the stores of Alaskan Brewing’s private library.

Alaskan Smoked Porter is often credited with reviving the rauchbier style in the United States. The malt for this unique beer is smoked over alder wood, a hardwood indigenous to Southeast Alaska that is often used to smoke fish. That winning combination was the result of a partnership between Alaskan Brewing and Taku Smokeries, a fish smokehouse that was then located across the street from the brewery.

In 2005 Taku Smokeries planned an upgrade that would get rid of the existing commercial smokehouse that had been used to smoke the malt for Alaskan Smoked Porter. Luckily, Alaskan Brewing Co. was able to buy the smokehouse that has played such an important part of the history and success of the brewery.

“History and authenticity is very important to us,” said Geoff Larson, Co-founder and Co-owner of Alaskan Brewing Co. “We felt that by buying the original smokehouse we could preserve the quality and consistency of Alaskan Smoked Porter for years to come, as well as a key part of our history.”

Another way that Alaskan Brewing Co. is working to benefit our oceans

Philanthropy never tasted this good

Alaskan Brewing Co., Comme Ça pair up for beer dinner to support plastic-free oceans through California Paddle 2007

JUNEAU, ALASKA — October 12, 2007 — The Alaskan Brewing Co. is pairing up with newly opened Comme Ça Restaurant to provide a night of great food, great beer and great works. Comme Ça head chef David Myers, renowned for co-founding Hollywood hotspot Sona, has prepared a sublime menu, including wild Alaskan salmon and beef bourguignon, which will be paired with award-winning Alaskan beer. The four-course fundraiser will be in support of extreme athlete Tom Jones’ ambitious and solitary journey to combat plastic pollution in our oceans.

Jones is paddling the entire 1,250-mile California coastline on a 12-foot paddleboard to raise awareness about plastic pollution in our oceans and to raise money to combat the problem for the aptly named California Paddle 2007. That’s where Alaskan Brewing Co. came in. The award-winning craft brewery is committing 1% of all proceeds from its new Alaskan IPA to help preserve the Pacific Ocean and its coastlines in an initiative called the Coastal CODE (Clean Oceans Depend on Everyone). California Paddle 2007 was one of the first Coastal CODE grant recipients.

“I didn't hesitate for a minute when Alaskan Brewing approached me about co-sponsoring this beer dinner, because it’s for such a great cause,” Myers said. As an avid surfer, Myers cares deeply about the ocean.

Jones will take a break from his paddling expedition, which began Aug. 7 near Crescent City and will conclude in early November, in order to attend the $125-per-person dinner that event organizers are hoping will raise more than $5,000. Also in attendance will be Alaskan Brewing Co-founder and Brewmaster Geoff Larson.

“We believe that it’s everyone’s responsibility to protect our ocean resource,” Larson said. “But it doesn’t have to be as much of a drag as it sounds. We think this dinner makes that responsibility as appetizing to the palate as it is to the conscience.”

Oregon Woman Takes Home $50,000 at Sutter Home Build A Better Burger Cook-Off

St. Helena, CA.- Crushed Spicy Thai Kettle Chips may have been the secret weapon for Karen Bernards of McMinville, OR., who took home the $50,000 grand prize at the 17th Annual Sutter Home Build A Better Burger National Recipe Contest and Cook-Off.

For her winning recipe for Sweet-Hot Thai Burgers, Bernards blended lime juice, cilantro and sweet Thai chili sauce, garlic, basil, fresh ginger, English cucumbers, sprouts and red bell peppers into a Thai salad. She included crushed chips in the patties to give the burgers a lot of flavor. According to head judge James McNair, "Karen's burger had a great blend of flavors. I loved the 'oniony' taste she was able to create by adding the Kettle chips."

Entries were taken nationwide May 1-August 19. Bernards was one of nearly 8,000 recipes received by the judges. The finalists initially were judged on their recipes for grilled burgers made with 16 ingredients or less. This year is the first year that the judges placed a limit on the number of ingredients used for the contest. The field was narrowed to 10 recipes and finalists were flown to Napa Valley for the cook-off on September 20. Each finalist was given three hours to prepare and grill their burgers for the judges. For more information, visit www.buildabetterburger.com

Mt. Hood Adds New Products to its Wellness Portfolio

As the trend towards healthy living increases, the Wellness beverage category has expanded exponentially. The desire for consumers' to take charge of their health, paired with growing recognition of the benefits of added-value products has rendered them more willing to pay the price premiums for such wellness drinks. Mt. Hood recently added notable product lines to its portfolio: Wonder Drink by Kombucha Wonder Drink, Resurrect by Healthy Innovations and Viso by Viso Beverage Company.

Wonder Drink is a Sparkling Himalayan Tonic with inspired natural flavors infused with tea, creating an entirely new beverage category. Wonder Drink is naturally detoxifying and energizing, helps strengthen the immune system, aids in digestion and regulates sugar levels and the appetite. The 12oz Cans are available in 3 flavors: Original, Peach Mango and Cherry Cassis.

Resurrect (Daily Detoxify & Recovery) offers 22 vitamins and antioxidants, replenishes electrolytes, protects against free radicals, is an immune system enhancer, and a natural hangover remedy. Resurrect is available in 12oz Cans.

Viso contains 12 vitamins and 3 minerals at 100% RDI. Every bottle is packed full of electrolytes and doesn't contain any artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Viso is available in 20oz bottles and comes in both Organically Sweet and Sugar Free flavors. Organically Sweet flavors include: Vigor (Lemon, Lime & Strawberry), Lemon, Strawkey (Strawberry & Key Lime). Sugar Free flavors include: Razza (Raspberry & Strawberry), Pina (Pineapple), Will (Cranberry & Grapefruit).

Food & Wine Pairing Scholarship Recipient 2007

Mt. Hood Beverage and The Oregon Restaurant Education Foundation (OREF) are pleased to announce the winner of the Fifth Annual Food & Wine Pairing Scholarship. Liquid Assets Wine Bar (of Ashland) has been awarded the scholarship which includes: a trip to Napa Valley (the trip includes airfare for two, a wine course at the Culinary Institute of America, dinner for two at a noted winery, a car rental along with $500 for meals and incidentals) and lodging and conference registration for two at ORA's annual Leadership Conference in Sunriver.

Liquid Assets was selected based on their establishments proven excellence in on-going employee training and management support in professional development specifically in beverage products and customer service.

Click to view the article on the Oregon Restaurant Association's website.