Brewers in Beervana

Courtesy of the Brewers Association

Brewers in Beervana

Over 11,500 Brewing Professionals and Exhibitors Gathered in Portland

at Craft Brewers Conference from April 14-17

Press Release

Boulder, CO • April 17, 2015—The Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade group representing America’s small and independent craft brewers—has concluded the 32^th edition of the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America^® (CBC) in Portland, Oregon.

As the largest industry gathering, CBC brought together more than 11,500 brewing industry professionals and some 600 exhibitors in one of the biggest beer cities for discussion and dialogue surrounding America’s craft beer culture. Themes included unity, quality and safety.

Highlights from the 2015 conference include:

2015 Achievement Awards

Three members of the brewing community were recognized and awarded for their dedication and service during the opening session.

·Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Brewing: Steve Dressler, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.

·Brewers Association Recognition Award:Dave & Diane Alexander, Brickskeller,Washington, D.C.

·F.X. Matt Defense of the Industry Award: Brook Bristow, South Carolina Brewers Guild

Other notable takeaways from this year’s CBC include:

.Simon Sinek Keynote: In his address to CBC attendees, Sinek focused on themes from his most recent publication, Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t, which addresses how to create conditions where people can be creative and feel safe enough to take chances.

·Introduction of Beer Server Training for Brewpubs: Developed by the BA’s brewpub server training manual subcommittee and collaborative author Laura Lodge, this manual focuses on best practices for developing a knowledgeable staff including hiring, training and retaining great people.

·CBC Symposium Ales: The BA collaborated with the Oregon Brewers Guild on this year's commemorative beer. With Oregon home to so many craft breweries, the guild opted to brew six different commemorative beers representing the coast, central Oregon, the Willamette Valley, and Portland proper (with three from the latter). Each beer was a collaboration among breweries from the given area, while a variety of industry suppliers provided the ingredients and packaging. 

·Craft Brewers Reach Record Volume Share of Marketplace: CBC also saw the BA release a full, extensive analysis of 2014 data on U.S. craft brewing growth. For the first time ever, craft brewers reached double-digit (11 percent) volume share of the marketplace. The state of the industry presentation is available in the CBC Media Kit. The full 2014 industry analysis will be published in the May/June 2015 issue of The New Brewer.

The 2016 CBC will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 3-6, in conjunction with the 2016 World Beer Cup^®.

About the Brewers Association

The Brewers Association is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The Brewers Association (BA) represents more than 70 percent of the brewing industry, and its members make more than 99 percent of the beer brewed in the U.S. The BA organizes events including the World Beer Cup^®, Great American Beer Festival^®, Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America^®, SAVOR℠: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, AHA National Homebrewers Conference, National Homebrew Competition and American Craft Beer Week^®. The BA publishes The New Brewer magazine and its Brewers Publications division is the largest publisher of contemporary and relevant brewing literature for today’s craft brewers and homebrewers.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com and about homebrewing via the BA’s American Homebrewers Association. Follow us on Twitter.

Oregon State receives $1 million gift for research brewery

Revised Press Release:

CORVALLIS, Ore. (April 17, 2015 ) – Oregon State University’s fermentation science program has received a $1 million gift from Carlos Alvarez, the chairman and chief executive officer of The Gambrinus Company, a San Antonio-based beer company that owns BridgePort Brewing Company in Portland, Oregon; the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas; and the Trumer Brewery in Berkeley, California.

Faculty and students (left) from Oregon State University's Food Science and Technology Department celebrate a $1 million gift from Carlos Alvarez (center), the chairman and CEO of The Gambrinus Co., with brewmasters (right) from BridgePort, Trumer and Spoetzl breweries. Photo by Jordan McDonnell.

The gift from Alvarez will fund the purchase of a new research brewery to be housed in Oregon State’s Wiegand Hall Pilot Plant Facility, where fermentation science students participate in each step of the brewing and packaging process.

“We are incredibly grateful and excited about building on this great relationship with BridgePort and Gambrinus,” said Tom Shellhammer, OSU’s Nor’Wester Professor of Fermentation Science. “At Oregon State we are very proud to offer students a ‘grain-to-glass’ education that covers every aspect of the beer-making process. Furthermore, we carry out cutting-edge, globally-relevant brewing science research.

“This state-of-the-art facility will allow us to provide an experiential education that is truly world-class, while also enhancing research that benefits industry,” Shellhammer added.

Oregon State’s collaborative relationship with BridgePort spans more than 15 years. Most recently, Shellhammer, OSU fermentation science students, and BridgePort brewmaster and OSU alumnus Jeff Edgerton collaborated on a session brown ale that won a gold medal at the European Beer Star competition in Germany.

Alvarez is a graduate of the Monterrey Institute of Technology in Monterrey, Mexico, with a degree in biochemical engineering. After working as export manager for Grupo Modelo and taking Corona to the U.S., Alvarez founded The Gambrinus Company in 1986 and became U.S. importer for Corona and other Modelo brands for the next 20 years.

In 1989, he acquired and revitalized the Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas, now the fourth largest craft brewery in the U.S. with Shiner Bock as its leading brand. Alvarez subsequently acquired BridgePort Brewing Company in 1995 and founded the Trumer Brewery in Berkeley, California, in 2004.

An ardent supporter of education, Alvarez has contributed to educational institutions across the U.S. with a particular focus on scholarship funding. Among other volunteer leadership roles, he served several years on the board of trustees for Davidson College in North Carolina.

“I am very pleased to support Oregon State’s fermentation science program and its outstanding students, who represent so much promise as future craft brewers,” Alvarez said. “I am particularly excited to be able to fund this project and give back to the industry that built my business.”

Oregon State is one of only two universities in the nation offering undergraduate and graduate level degrees in fermentation science that lead to a career in the brewing industry. Housed within the Department of Food Science and Technology, one of the oldest and top-ranked food science programs in the U.S., the program attracts students from across the country and around the world who hope to enter the craft brewing market. Three out of four students in the department are fermentation science majors.

When construction is finished, the new research brewery funded by Alvarez’s gift will be named in his honor.

3rd Annual, Second Consecutive Eastern Washington Brewfest In Central Washington

Iron Horse Brewery Announces 3rd Annual, Second Consecutive Eastern Washington Brewfest in Central Washington on May 15th from 5 p.m.-10 p.m.

Giving a Chest Bump to Washington Craft Breweries in the 509.

Press Release:

ELLENSBURG, Wash. (April 14, ,2015) - Iron Horse Brewery is announcing, almost the same exact thing as last year except different, which is that they plan to host the Eastern Washington Brewfest in Central Washington which most Westsiders refer to as Eastern Washington on Friday, May 15th from 5:00pm to 10pm.  That’s 5.15.15 5:00pm to (5:00pm + 5 hours) The brewfest will take place in and around Iron Horse’s downtown location, [the pub] with tastings offered from 10.5 different breweries located within the 509 area code.

“Eastern Washington has mostly small craft brewers and finding their products in your home market can be hard at times. Unless you live in Ellensburg on May 15th, because then you will be able to find those rare beers, and in case you were wondering, it’s not just a coincidence, they will be found at our E WA Brewfest,” said Greg Parker, general manager of Iron Horse Brewery.  

The Brewfest, Itself.

This brewfest is targeted towards craft beer enthusiasts as well as those who believe that being lame is never an option.  The 4-5 o’clock hour will host area restaurant and bar reps allowing for participating craft breweries to showcase their product.  “Our goal is to help connect Eastern Washington craft brewers with local bars and restaurants so that, hopefully, there is even more craft beer flowing from the taps.  Kind of like Tinder, but without the awkwardness and rejection”, said Jared Vallejo, director of marketing for Iron Horse Brewery. ‘I have been to a lot of festivals, and I can tell you this is my favorite one,“ said Ross Chalstrom, Interloper of Press Release Quotes.

The event opens to the public at 5:00pm.  Advanced tickets can be purchased at [The Pub] 412 N Main Street, Iron Horse Coffee, 1617 Vantage Hwy starting Friday, the 17th or online now at : http://www.easternwashingtonbrewfest.com  for  $15 and include 6 tastings and a keepsake glass.  After May 1st, single ticket prices are $20.00. Additional tastings can be purchased onsite. There will be food available for purchase from Tacos Chalitos, Earthquake Empanada, and Pizza Colin. Or you can bring a bag of Funyuns in.

About Iron Horse Brewery

Iron Horse Brewery, centrally located in Ellensburg, Wash., has been producing hand crafted ales since 2007.  Iron Horse is owned by father-son team Greg and Gary Parker.   With 34 employees and a recent expansion, enabling IHB to double its brewing capacity, they  plan to produced over 19,000  barrels of beer in 2015. To learn more about the brewery or to simply take a break from SnapChat,  go to www.ironhorsebrewery.com;  you’ll probably be sorry you did.

 

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Stone Spotlight Series Winner:Imperial Mutt Brown Ale

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

Press Release
ESCONDIDO, CA (April 13, 2015) – To “spotlight” its brewing team’s creativity in 2014, Stone Brewing Co. introduced the Stone Spotlight Series, an annual internal competition celebrating what craft beer is all about: Ingenuity. Exploration. Fun. Ten teams of two vied for the chance to have their beer recipe brewed, packaged and distributed on a national scale. Starting today, Stone is proud to release the champion entry from this year’s competition—Stone Spotlight: Imperial Mutt Brown Ale. Fans may purchase the limited-release beer in 22-ounce bottles and on draft at retailers in select markets where Stone beer is sold.

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

Stone Brewing Supervisor Drew Neldon and Brewer Steve Via joined forces to develop the award-winning beer. When brainstorming recipe ideas, Neldon wanted to brew an altbier, while Via was interested in exploring brown ales. (Before crafting this beer, Via felt he’d never had a brown ale that synced with his palate.) Rather than focus on a single beer category, the duo decided to combine the best qualities of both styles by using four different malts to make a unique mongrel, hence the name: Imperial Mutt Brown Ale.

“With such talented and inventive brewers on our team, each installment of the Stone Spotlight Series has had very stiff competition,” explains Stone Brewmaster Mitch Steele. “During the judging session earlier this year, we were most impressed by the English notes coming from Drew and Steve’s beer. After brewing their recipe on our 120-barrel systems, the character of the English ale yeast really shines, along with the interesting blend of malts used.”

The beer’s grain bill is made up of Victory, chocolate wheat, Vienna and Honey malts. Fruity and bread-like aromatics are joined by subtle coffee notes. Mild roast and coffee traits carry over to the flavor, followed by hints of toffee and molasses. Magnum and East Kent Golding hops offer a restrained, balancing bitterness to a strong malt backbone. When all these qualities combine, the result is a full-bodied, malt-driven beer that’s smooth and easy to drink.

Stone Spotlight: Imperial Mutt Brown Ale is ready to be enjoyed fresh or may be aged for months or several years at proper cellaring conditions (55°F or lower). Although Drew and Steve’s Imperial Mutt Brown Ale will be available in limited quantities, fans can look forward to a new winning beer every year from the Stone Spotlight Series that showcases Team Stone’s brewing talent.

Courtesy of Stone Brewing Co

Stone Spotlight: Imperial Mutt Brown Ale Quick Facts:
Name: Stone Spotlight: Imperial Mutt Brown Ale
URL: Stonebrewing.com/spotlight/muttbrown
Stats: 9% ABV, 45 IBUs
Availability: Limited 22-ounce bottles and draft, beginning April 13
Hops bill: Magnum and East Kent Golding
National Distribution: AK, AL, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA and Puerto Rico
International Distribution: Alberta and British Columbia, Canada; Japan; Singapore; and United Kingdom

About Stone Brewing Co.
Founded by Greg Koch and Steve Wagner in 1996, San Diego-based Stone Brewing Co. is the 9th largest craft brewer in the United States. Stone has been listed on the Inc. 500 | 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies list 10 times, and has been called the “All-time Top Brewery on Planet Earth” by BeerAdvocate magazine twice. The multi-faceted company will be the first American craft brewer to own and operate its own brewery in Europe, and is also building a production brewery and destination restaurant in Richmond, Virginia. Brewing at both locations is anticipated to begin late 2015. Known for its bold, flavorful and largely hop-centric beers, Stone has earned a reputation for brewing outstanding, unique beers while maintaining an unwavering commitment to sustainability, business ethics, philanthropy and the art of brewing. For more information on Stone Brewing Co., please visit stonebrewing.com or the company’s social media sites: Facebook, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter and The Stone Blog.

Spokane Craft Beer Week

NO-LI COLLABORATING AND CELEBRATING

Spokane's First Craft Beer Week Makes a Statement

 

Press Release:

Spokane, WA…While Portland is a buzz for the annual Craft Brewers Conference, the Inland Northwest is creating a buzz of its own.  Come May 11, all roads will lead to Spokane…and the first official Spokane Craft Beer Week!
With an abundance of exciting events already slated to entertain the masses from May 11^th – 17^th, perhaps the most anticipated is one that brings together 13 breweries and paints a vibrant picture of craft beer in the Inland Northwest.    

On May 12^th from 4pm – 7pm, 12 local breweries will unveil 6 collaboration beers at No-Li Brewhouse against the backdrop of the beautiful Spokane River. 

“This event is really indicative of how far Spokane craft beer has come,” says No-Li’s Callet Ioane.  “It’s humbling to be a part of the evolution of the beer culture here and we’re extraordinarily proud to see our local brewing community thrive.  We’re excited for the future!”

Among the participating innovators are Big Barn, English Setter, Iron Goat, Laughing Dog, MickDuffs, Paradise Creek, Ramblin’ Road, River City, Steam Plant, Twelve String, Waddell’s and Wallace.  These creative teams have promised to deliver distinct beer experiences ranging from a Belgian golden strong and a raspberry gose to No-Li’s Taylor Shellfish collaboration Oyster Stout brewed with fresh Pacific oysters.  While guests enjoy the brews, they will also be entertained by the well-known Spokane band, The Trailer Park Girls.

Beer, music, food and fire pits…all along the River.  Not bad for a Tuesday!
For more information on Spokane Craft Beer Week, visit www.spokanecraftbeerweek.com.

About No-Li Brewhouse
Born & Raised in Washington’s Inland Empire, No-Li Brewhouse is an internationally award-winning brewery, crafting Spokane-Style beers with No Boundaries: innovative beers brewed with locally sourced ingredients. No-Li has won fourteen international awards, including a gold medal from the 2012 Great American Beer Festival.  

For more information about the beers, brewery and the pub, visit:
www.nolibrewhouse.com, 
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No-Li BrewhouseTwitter
No-Li Brewhouse Instagram

 

Courtesy of No-Li Brewhouse