I can't believe they didn't show a shot of the old Mcniells labels in the bad list. They deserve number two, but their old labels were even worse. Literally craft paper with black font usually slapped on the beer somewhat sideways
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That was a good, fun read. Thanks Gerard.
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Sierra Nevada is considering expanding brewery operations into Virginia:

http://www.roanoke.com/news/roanoke/wb/289776

Second on the short list behind someplace south of Knoxville, but I'm hoping for the best!:-)
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Keeping my fingers crossed!
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New Glarus Thumbprint Series Cranbic should be out soon, if not now.
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Alabama to get Limited Release Cigar City beer



TAMPA BREWERY PAYS TRIBUTE TO MONTGOMERY AREA BAND

On July 29, Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing will release Black Whole, A Multi-Dimensional Ale in honor of Montgomery-area band El Chupa Cobras. Only 144 cases of the beer will be sold in the U.S., and it will only be available in Tampa, in the Birmingham area and at El Rey Burrito Lounge, a longtime supporter of fine craft beers in Montgomery.

About the beer

Black Whole is a multi-dimensional ale that takes many twists and turns similar to our daily lives. It has a big chocolate expression with moderate caramel notes, complex toasted to biscuit notes and hints of clove and black licorice. Don your chocolate mask and discover the meaning of life as you sip this complex, dark beer.

Black Whole is a tribute to El Chupa Cobras, a mathy indie band from Montgomery, Alabama. This effort came about from our realization that craft beer and indie music have a lot in common. Wayne Wambles, our head brewer, and Kenny Johnson, the front man for El Chupa Cobras, played in indie bands together many years ago and this tribute is for all indie music fans and craft beer lovers.



http://burritolounge.com/Cigar_City_Black_Whole.html
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I thought this was a cool story. Chris Ray, relief pitcher for the Mariners, is also a homebrewer. He plans to open a craft brewery in Ashland, VA, named "Center of the Universe" (which is the town slogan, of sorts.) I was talking with a bartender at a local pub yesterday, and he pointed me to this story.


Chris Ray Brews One Up for Operation Homefront

COTU brewing company, the future brewery of Mariners pitcher Chris Ray, has partnered with Fremont Brewery, a Seattle local brewery for a special occasion: a beer that will be sold for charity at Safeco Field.

The beer? Homefront IPA.

The proceeds will go to Operation Homefront, a non-profit organization that helps families of soldiers overseas.

But this beer can't be sold without a baseball twist! Louisville slugger has graciously donated maple bats on which the beer will be aged. After the fermentation process is over, the bats will be pulled out, dried and signed by the Mariners players to be auctioned off.

Chris has been a homebrewer for a few years now, trading recipes and talking shop with his brother Phil in Florida. Homebrewing started out as a project, says Chris.

"I'm a project kind of person. I work with my hands to build something, and don't stop until it's done. Brewing beer allows me to repeat the process countless times by changing just one simple ingredient or all of them. It's a way to be creative where no one will judge you because if they do, no beer for them!"

Chris is like a mad scientist in his basement, brewing up flavors like Sweet Potato Ale, Rootbeer IPA and Banana Hefferveisan. He shares his passion (and beers) with his brother Phil, who brews a variety of different IPAs, IBAs and Porters.

Center of the Universe Brewing, his Virginia brewery, is a little ways from coming to fruition so Chris decided to partner with a local brewery in Seattle. Chris chose Fremont Brewing Company after a short question and answer session with one of the scorekeepers at Safeco Field (he happens to be the commissioner of the Brewers Association in Washington).

"We set up a meeting and between trying their delicious beers and philosophy on brewing, I felt it matched up with COTU (short for Center of the Universe Brewing)", Chris explained.

So now that he had the brewery to brew his beer, and a place to sell it (Safeco Field), he needed a charity to donate the proceeds to. After much talk, Chris and Matt Lincecum (owner of Fremont Brewing Company) decided on a military charity, which brought them to a short list of charities.

"For the final cut, I asked a good friend of mine who is stationed in Afghanistan which one he thought was best. Operation Homefront won. I called the local branch and they were on board immediately. I consider our soldiers our family. They protect us, we should support them. If I can brew a giant batch of beer and as a result money is given to the charity, I can't think of anything cooler than that".

The release of Homefront IPA will be on July 29th at Safeco Field.


http://cotubrewing.com/COTU_Blog.html

More on Operation Homefront: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Homefront
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Sounds good to me.
http://beernews.org/tag/avery-immitis/
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mmm, I like sours.
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As do I:-)
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CBS is the next 750 release from Founders!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:-):-):no on

Call everyone you know, it's the best day for beer lovers!!:-):-)
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CBS will be out in September. Also, Black Biscuit should be the third release from Founders big bottles.

People believe Cashew Mountain may be bottled before the end of the year as well.

Fall/Winter beer releases are the best.
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Image
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:-)
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Shhhhhhhhh :-)
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This looks mighty tasty!

I think my next case will be a Founders variety pack. I havent tried anything from them yet, but everybody says great things.
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There's no way this release will be hush hush:-)
This beer is number one on my "to try" list, I'm really hoping to get a few bottles.
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Boogoop by Three Floyds and Mikkeller.
I've enjoyed the "goop" project, so this sounds good to me.
http://www.beernews.org/2011/08/new-...re/#more-22280

Making plans for a trip to Three Floyds in the fall now, have to get fall releases from them:-)
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I'm determined to get some CBS, I will drive to Grand Rapids and bottle it myself if I have to! :-)
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Show up at Founders on the release day, you will be able to get two bottles.
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