| FLASH NEWS |
Beer Fights Climate Change Those who believe in climate change will be please to know that cows that are fed with the spent grains produced during the brewing of beer produce 13% less methane, according to a study carried out by the Flemish institute for agricultural, fisheries and food research (ILVO). Methane is one of the greenhouse gases responsible for climate change, and much of it is produced by cows. The gas is emitted as cows burp while eating, and even when exhaling during the process of chewing the cud. Methane is produced in much smaller quantities, around 5%, contrary to popular wisdom, at the other end of the digestive process. The use of brewers’ grains has another advantage – the reduction of the use of other feed ingredients. That reduces the ecological footprint of the farm, The effect, is to cut the footprint of a litre of milk by 31%. The ILVO study was carried out based on the 166 cows The report concluded by saying "Spent grains from breweries not only increase the protein content of the feed, it also stimulates digestion. And the cows love it. Better for the cow, and better for the environment. A win-win |
| Best Brewery In The World What’s the best brewery in the world? Well, if you ask RateBeer, the answer is clear: Hill Farmstead in Greensboro, Vermont. For an astonishing seventh year in a row, this artisanal brewery bested over 33,000 others to win the highly coveted title. RateBeer revealed its annual list of the best breweries in the world on 2/27/20. It is based on reviewers out in the beer marketplace and historical performance. Hill Farmstead, which was founded in 2010, specializes in expertly crafted beers named after brewer Shaun Hill’s ancestors, all of whom have roots in the Greensboro area.Highlights of Hill Farmstead’s tap list include the hoppy yet balanced American Imperial IPA Abner, the crisp pale ale Edward and its honey-infused ale, Anna. Side Project Brewery out of Maplewood, Missouri, was named the No. 2 brewery in the world. Boston's Trillium Brewing Company, Tree House Brewing out of Charlton, Massachusetts, and Tampa, Florida's Cigar City Brewing round out the top five. Overall, the United States absolutely dominated RateBeer’s list, with 66 of 100 of the best breweries. The highest-ranked international brewery is Cloudwater Brew Co. from Manchester, England, at No. 8. |
March 2020
| QUICK HITS Famed entertainer Blondie will share in some of Beacon beer company’s (GA) profits after she claimed they used her image for a new beer without compensating her. The bodacious blonde known for her beer-crushing bosoms has her likeness featured on the blond lager “Crushable” beer can. Blondie will receive 10 percent of the “Crushable” beer’s past and future profits. Americans spent $1.2 billion on beer in the two weeks leading to the Super Bowl, compared to $568 million on distilled spirits and $652 million on wine last year. Over 58 percent of those sales were for aluminum cans of beer, with another 37.4 percent of those sales being attributed to glass bottles.”. Carlsberg A/S forecast slower earnings growth as the coronavirus outbreak threatens to crimp beer consumption in Asia.The Danish brewer extended the shutdown of some breweries in China, where the authorities lengthened the Lunar New Year holiday in an effort to contain the outbreak. The virus has killed at least 750 people.The company expects revenue from China to be “impacted severely. Sierra Nevada’s new innovation arm, the Chico Fermentation Project, has announced its first release: Strainge Beast Hard Kombucha, the company’s first-ever beyond beer offering. Coming after that will be Ginger, Lemon and Hibiscus,at 7% ABV. Strainge Beast is also certified organic |
Edited by Jim Attacap
| Pliny Mania The two-week release of Russian River Brewing’s Pliny the Younger craft beer has officially ended. It drew consumers from around the globe, some of whom waited in line for up to 10 hours to get into the Windsor or Santa Rosa (CA) taprooms. It was the first year Russian River sold the coveted triple India pale ale in bottles, although beer fans were limited to buying two of them during each visit. Natalie Cilurzo, co-owner of the brewery, said all 40,000 Pliny bottles available were sold for $10 apiece. That added $400,000 in extra revenue to the expected overall record sales of Pliny, which sold on tap for $6 a pour. Also, the super hoppy triple IPA draft beer was sold in other select taprooms in California;, Oregon;Colorado; and Philadelphia. About 23,500 customers came to Russian River’s taprooms for Pliny during the 14-day special release. Many customers left with bottles of the potent beer, as well as various clothing and other collectibles made.. “The wait times were some that we haven’t seen as long. We had lines from eight to 10 hours in the first weekend,” co-owner Natalie Cilurzo said. “It was like Nordstrom’s during Christmas.” Although the revenue total hasn’t yet been tallied, she said that the Pliny visitors were roughly split 50-50 at their two locations. Eventually, the Sonoma County Economic Development Board will total what Pliny tourists spent on area lodging, meals and travel expenses. Last year, the development board said the beer release made a $4.2 million contribution to the local economy. The large crowds of thirsty Pliny fans provided welcome relief to local county tourism officials who fretted whether visitors would come in significant numbers this year after last year's large fires. Came they did as the triple IPA helped lift local hotel occupancy to capacity.. ----------------------------- |