Top 5 Craft Beer Headlines: A Week In Review
At Craft Beverage Jobs, we spend many hours each week researching current events within the craft beer industry. Craft beer news about industry growth, new business, job openings and personal profiles helps keep us up to date on what’s happening in craft beer across the world.
At the end of each week, that adds up to a lot of information. So, we thought we would share with you our picks for the Top 5 Craft Beer Headlines from each week! Here is Craft Beer News: A Week In Review.
1. FL Retail Federation Withdraws Lawsuit Against Craft Beer
Retail group withdraws legal challenge to craft beer, by James L. Rosica – The Tampa Tribune
The Florida Retail Federation is a lobbying group that represents a variety of liquor retailers who are 
challenging a alcohol beverage law loophole that the states boom craft beer makers have been taking advantage of.
The FRF filed a request for an administrative law judge to examine if Florida craft breweries could sell their own craft products. In 1963, Florida legislators passed the “tourism exception” so that Bush Gardens could serve beer on the park grounds. Since 1963 the exception has changed to include breweries and tasting room supporting the tourist industry for Florida.
State regulators have now agreed to look at the issue, so the federation has withdrawn its legal action.
2. Brew School Semester Begins At UW-Madison
Brew school: Preparing students for the growing craft beer industry, by Barry Adams – Wisconsin State Journal
The university has been teaching fermentation for decades as a part of its Department of Food Science center but as craft beer has been growing in the state, the university has seen a significant increase in its brewing program.
There is a proposal which would provide a certificate in brewing for students. The university hopes to have everything in place for the 2016 spring semester. Students who pass the courses will be eligible for a brewing practicum course under the guidance of professional brewers.
3. Girls Pint Out Comes To Downriver/metro Detroit!
Craft beer enthusiasts invited to join Girls Pint Out, by Ashley Sword – The News-Herald
The national craft beer organization for women, Girls Pint Out, has a mission to build a community of women with a common interest, they love craft beer!
A new chapter has been founded in the Downriver/metro area of Detroit. Chapter leader Rina Belanger, who has worked in beer distribution for many years, says the first step is utilizing social media like Facebook, Twitter and Instigram.
I’ve always loved craft beer and I really enjoy learning about it. I think it is difficult for women to meet other women and make new friends, so what a perfect way to meet a huge community of women who share the same interests as you. – Rina Belanger
GPO takes an active role in women’s charities, raising money at get-togethers and events. The new Detroit chapter will host its first event, Hop Forward, at Bierkeller Tavern on February 5th.
4. The UK Weighs In On Its Favorite American Craft Beers For The Super Bowl
11 great American craft beers to drink during the Super Bowl, by Thinking Drinkers – The Telegraph
The Telegraph reminisces about American Football coming to the UK in the 1980’s and pokes a little fun at its over the top “skin-tight pants, grunting and grappling”. The writers also point out the perfect storm for advertising that American Football and the Super Bowl created, especially for the beer market.
The article follows the progression of the American Craft Beer industry through the 80’s, 90’s and up to the craft beer boom we love so much today! Mentioning its influence even on European craft beer at the moment, and the great craft beers now available to UK beer drinkers. So they put together a list of their Top 11 choices for favorite American craft beers to drink at your “UK” Super Bowl party:
- Sierra Nevada “Celebration”
- Goose Island “Honkers Ale”
- Rogue “Old Crustacean Barleywine”
- Anchor Brewing “Steam Beer”
- Lagunitas IPA
- Ruhstallers 1881 California Red Ale
- Samuel Adams Stony Brook Red
- Pine Street “Menagerie Saison”
- Uncommon Brewers “Bacon Brown”
- Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn Local
- Alesmith “Wee Heavy”
5. Craft Success: Supporting The Market Is More Important Than Competition For Consumers
Crafting success: Are there too may craft beer options in the Ann Arbor area?, by Matt Durr – MLive
Craft Beer is nothing new for Ann Arbor. They have always had a strong market according to Scott Graham, director of the Michigan Brewers Guild.
However, there is now a shift with regards to restaurants and bar’s offering craft beers to meet the demands of their consumers. As the industry of craft beer has grown, local bars are able to capitalize on the boom.
The thing about the craft beer drinker is that they don’t drink the same beer all the time – Kyle Riffel (distributor for Arbor Brewing Co.)
With more and more bars adding craft beers to their taps and more brewpubs scheduled to open this year, the competition for consumers seems obvious. Yet the craft beer industry believes competition is less important than helping grow the market for craft beer against BIG beer.
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