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While being a brewery owner was not a specific life goal of his, Sharad knew he wanted to stop travelling for his job as an executive at Samsung in New Jersey every week. He wanted to put down roots in his wife’s hometown of Milwaukee and to be present in raising their 10-year-old son. This became a possibility when Sharad started talking with an acquaintance named Randy Sprecher, whose brewery that shares his last name is the oldest craft beer operation in Wisconsin. Randy was looking to retire and Sharad knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that he couldn’t pass up.

On the surface, Randy and Sharad couldn’t be more different. Randy was born in 1947 in Oregon and grew up in rural Southern California. Sharad was born in 1972 in the state of Punjab, India, where the men in his family worked in the equivalent of the secret service for the Indian Prime Minister. Their differing histories make for an interesting intersection made possible by the craft brewing industry.

How It All Began

Randy started his brewery after being fired from Pabst in 1984. He worked his way through city and industry politics to secure a former tannery building in Milwaukee’s historic Walker’s Point neighborhood along a canal of the Menomonee River  in 1985. Randy wanted to create beer like he had tasted during his time in the military serving in Germany – styles like Vienna lager and hefeweizen that didn’t exist in Milwaukee at that time.

Craft brewery marketing in 1985 was a far cry from today’s constant social media onslaught. Randy’s hope was that word of mouth would be enough. He said, “People would come just to see what was going on. I’d say, ‘there’s the tap, help yourself.’” That’s how tours were run in the early days of Sprecher Brewery, with patrons sampling products and Randy enlightening them to the challenges of building a brewery from scratch. He would show them his vats and other equipment, most of which was recycled from the dairy industry. As business grew, Randy was continually expanding his operation into other parts of the building.

Sprecher Brewery moved to its present location in nearby Glendale in 1994 as the original brewery building was battling erosion caused by its canal-side location. As Sprecher has grown throughout the years – not only through its beer, but also through its famed root beer and soda lineup – the brewery has become a steadfast member of the family of companies that Milwaukee is known for.

A Milwaukee Icon

Indeed, Sharad sees Sprecher Brewery as something that Milwaukee should be known for even further. It was important to Randy that the brewery remain in independent local hands. Sharad also sees the potential of what Randy built for the craft community stating, “If we can keep it independent and Milwaukee based, but grow all over the country and the world – hey, more good comes for everybody.”

Just as Randy learned the trade of brewing through working in various departments at Pabst, Sharad is making comparable efforts at Sprecher, coming in early every morning to take in the sights, sounds and understanding of what it means to own a large craft brewery. You can often find him taking video of the operation, knowing that the facility is in use and therefore benefiting the company, its employees, and the customers.

Challenges are also something that Randy and Sharad have in common when it comes to the brewery. When Randy started his brewery in 1985, he had to battle the brewing giants of Miller and Pabst to get his beer on shelves and at certain venues and events like Milwaukee’s annual Summerfest music festival. While distribution challenges still remain in the craft beer industry today, it seems that Sharad will have tests of his own in this new era of craft beer. Certainly, he didn’t think that less than two months after his purchase of the brewery that a global pandemic would force his brewery to suspend tours and scale back taproom operations in charting an unknown path forward.

A New Legacy

Future challenges aside, the sale of Sprecher Brewery represents the changing of the guard in Milwaukee craft beer from the first generation to the next. This is emphasized by the fact that Milwaukee, and all of Wisconsin, finally has a large brewery owner of color, something that had not been attempted in Milwaukee since the 1960s. Undeniably, it is something to celebrate that in a new era of brewery consolidation where macros are snapping up micros, Sprecher found a way to remain independent.

As for how Sharad feels about taking the helm of Milwaukee’s oldest craft brewery, it’s something he embraces. On his first day he found Randy’s old business cards in his desk, something that Sharad says will remain where he found them as a nod to the brewery’s founder and everything that came before him. “I believe it’s a big responsibility on my shoulder to carry that legacy of good quality products,” Sharad remarks. “When he started, there wasn’t great beer made or craft beer at all in Wisconsin or anywhere, and he just made this great beer. Now we’re going to continue that.”

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“We’ve always loved experimenting with fruit in our brews — from Hell or High Watermelon, to Blood Orange Brew Free! or Die IPA, we have enjoyed the refreshing quality that fruit can bring to traditional styles of beer. Tropical Sparkale is our latest adventure. We source premium real fruit from our longtime purveyor partners, and we are excited to offer this new flavor profile that has the refreshing pop of a sparkling fruit beer with a crisp, tart pineapple flavor and sweet coconut finish. At 4.2% ABV and crafted to reduce gluten, Tropical Sparkale brings a sense of relief and a reminder that we can still enjoy a ‘getaway’ while at home,” says Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder and Brewmaster.

Tropical Sparkale is yet another testament of 21st Amendment’s ingenuity at brewing delicious expressions of flavors where fruit, hops, and grains intermingle for a splendid drinking experience. Tropical Sparkale fits right in the better-for-you category while honoring the spirit of San Francisco in every sip.

Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, 21st Amendment has been standing strong to help garner support for small businesses. On March 30, 21st Amendment issued a “Call to Action” for commercial lenders to institute a 60-day moratorium on principal/interest payments so small businesses could retain their staff. The brewery is further donating beer to St. George Spirits (Alameda, Calif.) for the production of hand sanitizer.

Tropical Sparkale is available now in all 30 states where 21st Amendment distributes. For more information and to find some using our beer finder, please visit

www.21st-Amendment.com .

For more information, please visit: www.21st-amendment.com @21stamendment

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About 21st Amendment Brewery  Twenty years ago (established in 2000), Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan opened the doors to the 21st Amendment brewpub in San Francisco’s historic South Park neighborhood. In addition to quickly becoming one of the city’s favorite pubs, 21st Amendment began expanding beyond the Bay Area by helping to pioneer the movement to canned craft beer. Known for their witty names and delicious brews, 21st Amendment offers year-round selections, as well as seasonal offerings and their infamous “Insurrection Series” of once-in-a-while limited-edition releases. Sold in 28 states plus Washington D.C., 21st Amendment produces beer in its state-of-the-art brewery headquarters in San Leandro, California and is among the top 50 craft beer brewers in America.

Media Contact:  Jesse P. Cutler JP Cutler Media jesse@jpcutlermedia.com 510.658.3236

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Facetiming family and consuming other-worldly amounts of Netflix have been crucial crutches. Still, it’s also important to take a break from the screens and get your creative gears cranking. 

If only there was something you could do at home that was fun and resulted in… beer!

Honey, I Shrunk the Brewery

Homebrewing takes brewing beer on a commercial scale to something we can do on our stovetop or porch.

On brew day, you make the “wort”–not quite beer–by steeping and boiling combinations of grains, hops, extracts, and other ingredients. 

This mixture is then fermented by yeast turning that wort into beer.

Getting Started Is Easy

Making beer is an adaptable process that can take many forms depending on your skill level and interests.

The American Homebrewers Association created a 12-minute video to show one of the easiest–and cheapest!–ways to start homebrewing using mostly kitchenware you likely already own.

Watching the video will show you the process start to finish and prepare you for your first brew day!

Creativity in Recipes

One of the best parts of making beer at home is being in control of the recipe. As a homebrewer, the sky is truly the limit when it comes to the style and ingredients you wish to pursue.

For your first batch, it can be best to pick a tried-and-true recipe to set you up for success. HomebrewersAssociation.org has a collection of proven beer recipes, including small-batch versions of some of our favorite commercially available craft beers. Brew up your own Bell’s Two Hearted Ale  and see how it stands up to the real deal!

Once you get a few batches under your belt, you’ll begin to understand how to incorporate different ingredients and tweak to what you scheme up.

Get inspired by 51 Craft Beer “Clone” Recipes, 25 Award-Winning IPAs, 11 Must-Try Lagers, and 5 Fruit Beers. You can also visit the American Homebrewer Association’s library of 1,000+ tried-and-true homebrew recipes.

Be The Brewmaster

Once you take a sip of your first homebrew, you’ll be hooked. When you start planning your next brew day, head over to HomebrewersAssociation.org to find resources to bring your beer-making skills to another level. The American Homebrewers Association (AHA) has been supporting homebrewing and publishing Zymurgy magazine since 1978.

Are you ready to become a brewmaster? Start your 30-day AHA free trial to get instant access to award-winning recipes and 20 years of Zymurgy magazine digital archives.

The post Stay Home and Brew: The Time to Get Into Homebrewing is Now appeared first on CraftBeer.com.

is as strong as ever. Since 2006 American Craft Beer Week has supported and celebrated independent craft breweries, which support their communities and the country in exponential ways. With over 8,000 small and independent U.S. craft breweries, now has never been a better time to celebrate these American success stories.

CraftBeer.com, along with the Brewers Association (BA), the trade association for small and independent U.S. craft brewers and publisher of CraftBeer.com, are launching a variety of fun digital activities for American Craft Beer Week (May 11-17). While we may not be able to toast these breweries in person, we challenge all beer lovers to embrace the theme of this year’s ACBW and give craft beer to friends and family. 

#GiveCraftBeer

The theme of this year’s annual celebration is #GiveCraftBeer. During these trying times, a small token of appreciation can go a long way. Here’s how you can commit to giving and also drop a not-so-subtle hint to your friends and family network:

• Commit to Give Craft Beer and stand up and be counted for gifting craft beer, gift cards, merchandise, or other food and beverage offerings from a U.S. craft brewery.
• Download these Zoom backgrounds to use during video chats
• Download and share a social media post and tag #GiveCraftBeer

“This American Craft Beer Week, community and craft beer will connect in new ways. From May 11 to May 17, those who commit to giving indie craft beer will make a difference that reaches beyond the beverage to support and save thousands of hometown breweries who are instrumental in giving back to so many local communities and charitable causes,” says Julia Herz, craft beer program director for the BA.

The BA encourages beer lovers to seek the independent craft brewer seal when they’re shopping for themselves and to give a gift to neighbors, coworkers, family and friends. The seal, an upside-down beer bottle, is the certified logo for true craft brewers.

Connect with your tribe of breweries and beer lovers celebrating American Craft Beer Week by using the hashtags #SeekTheSeal and #GiveCraftBeer.

The post How to Celebrate American Craft Beer Week^®</p> This May 11-17, Even If You Can’t Visit a Brewery appeared first on CraftBeer.com.

The New York State Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Experience will replicate the experience of visiting craft breweries across New York State that craft beer enthusiasts have come to love. These intimate tasting sessions will include engaging and interactive discussions about flavor profiles, style categories, stories behind beer names, brewery folklore and more. Each tasting session will be accessed through a special Zoom code for ticket holders and limited to a certain number of participants. Sessions will be carefully planned and coordinated, ensuring high quality video and audio for the ultimate virtual tasting experience.

The schedule for this exclusive tasting event is as followings:  

SESSION 1 | 12:00-1:30 PM: SingleCut Beersmiths (Queens/Clifton Park)

SESSION 2 | 2:30-4:00 PM: Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and Big Slide Brewery & Public House (Lake Placid)

SESSION 3 | 5:00-6:30 PM: Industrial Arts Brewing (Garnerville/Beacon)

SESSION 4 | 7:30-9:00 PM: Prison City Pub and Brewery (Auburn)

Passes are designed to be enjoyed by 1-2 people. When purchasing tickets, participants will be allowed to choose up to four tasting sessions individually or make a day of it and buy an all-access pass to receive the benefits of all four sessions at a discounted price. Each session will include two styles of beer from that brewery, totaling up to 64 oz., or the amount of two crowlers. Beer will be shipped directly to the ticket holder’s house and will arrive the day before the virtual tasting event to ensure product freshness.

“We love interacting with our customers, and we are always proud to show off what we are brewing,” said Chris Ericson of Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and Big Slide Brewery & Public House. “One of the worst things about this pandemic is the lack of personal contact in an industry largely based on personal contact and relationships, so this is an exciting and unique opportunity to get in front of our customers, our fans, and some new people, to ‘share’ a beer or two and tell our story.”

“We’re super excited to host a unique virtual tasting event at Prison City to help support the NY State Brewers Association,” said Marc and Dawn Schulz with Prison City Pub and Brewery. “We’re really digging this new way of bringing consumers “into our pub” and look forward to sharing some beers together.”

“2020 has been financially devastating to so many small businesses who have had to reduce business, close or lay off staff members – and breweries are no exception,” said Paul Leone, executive director, New York State Brewers Association. “We created this virtual tasting experience not only to bring attention to the breweries in our state, but to give craft beer fans an opportunity to try beer they may not have been able to try otherwise without having to leave their homes. At the same time, these virtual tasting experiences will help the NYSBA raise critical funds to keep us operating to help and protect the breweries in our state.”

The cost of a single session ticket is $65, which will include 64 oz. of beer and a 90-minute Zoom session with the brewers and owners. Each session will be limited to 100 participants. An all-access pass for all four sessions can be purchased for $240 and will include beer from all four breweries.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the New York State Brewers Association, a 501(c)6 non-profit trade association promoting and protecting the over 460 craft breweries in New York State.

For additional information about the New York State Virtual Craft Beer Tasting Experience presented by Growler Werks and to purchase tickets, visit https://thinknydrinkny.com/festivals/nys-virtual_experience/

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As for the flavor, “She’s Intense” has a smooth mouthfeel and a soft, balanced bitterness. It has lots of fruity, tropical aroma, with notes of pine. It is delicious and surprisingly easy drinking for a triple dry hopped 8.5% ABV Double Hazy IPA.

The Brew day was led by Betsi Good, of Union Bear and assisted by Danii Oliver, of Island to Island Brewery as they held educational demonstrations for chapter members Angi Thomas, alcohol beverage writer of The Undeniable Vixen and Lorinda Pinto, cellar person at Martin House Brewery. 30 Barrels were brewed on the four vessel semi-automated system at Hop & Sting Brewery.

Throughout the brew day the women welcomed young girls into the brewhouse teaching them about the S.T.E.M. aspects involved in the manufacturing of fermented beverages. Industry professional guests also came by in support during the Women’s History Month brew day to witness history in the making for women in craft beer in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas.

“This brew day is happening at Hop & Sting comes from a personal standpoint for me. I have a 1 year old daughter, Carden, and recently did a homebrew so she could be a part of what I love to do.  I think it’s absolutely vital for her to follow her passion when she’s ready to do so and I’ll be right there to cheer her on.”

Jeremy Fernald, Hop & Sting Brewery

“She’s Intense” cans will be available starting April 15th (normally an intense taxing day in the USA). The Brewery is open 12pm – 8pm daily for Beer-to-Go where they’re practicing #socialdistancing and cleaning guidelines. In addition to normal stringent sanitization of the inside of cans, the outside of the cans are being disinfected with Isopropyl Alcohol.

In market places near you, look for “She’s Intense” at package beer stores, indy liquor, growler spots, restaurants offering to-go options and chain stores. If you don’t see “She’s Intense” on shelves, ask for her by name, referring your favorite shop managers seeking kegs & packaged cans to: jeremy (at) hopandsting.com.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Pink Boots Society benefiting the education, assistance, scholarships and mentorships of women who earn a living from the beer industry.

“It’s part of our business to share a part of ourselves and our product to help or advocate for our community. We also understand how hard it is to break into the brewing industry.  When we meet people who are willing to work hard to do what we do, we are happy to give advice or act as mentors. We don’t care who you are, who you know, or what you look like. If you have the right work ethic,  we’ll find a place for you. That place may be with us, or it is with a brewery we know and respect.”

“Jon Powell and I have trained,  hired, or mentored quite a few people in the industry.  Specifically we’ve done so with quite a few women. Most recently, we have mentored Betsi Good on multiple systems and standards. Even though we are at different breweries,  we don’t stop being mentors.” Brian Burton, Hop & Sting Brewery

Upcoming Digital Release: Sunday April 19th 11AM Live show at Denton County Brewing co. for Pink Boot Society release “She’s Intense”. Featuring brewers, owners and managers from Little Elm Crafthouse, Hop & Sting, Pink Boots Society – NTX Chapter, Denton County Brewing Company, The Bearded Monk and Island to Island Brewery. More information.

2020 Pink Boots International Women’s Day brews now available include:

• “Every King Needs Her Crown”, 9.1% ABV Beligan Strong

• • Last Call, Last Keg @funkypicnicbrewery (curbside crowler pickup)

• “1989”, 4.3% ABV Berliner Weisse

• • Order Her By Name @hopfusion_ale_works (curbside crowler pickup)

• The chapter also brewed

• • “My Pretty Lady” in collaboration with Martin House brewery. However, they can not sell taproom only beers during this time of quarantine.
  • “Pretty in Pug” in collaboration with Rahr and Sons. However, it won’t be available until the end of April due to crowler restock delays.

2020 ramped up with 8 weeks of brewing and cellaring 4 collaboration beers by the NTX Women in Beer (@PBSNTX on Instagram). The women shared and presented their brews during a weekend long itinerary for International Women’s Day with festivals ending with an Alewife beer dinner pairing which welcomed in nearly a thousand curious women all weekend from all over the metroplex. The Pink Boots North Texas Chapter members and Beersgiving a campaign to actively engage and bring in women of all backgrounds into STEM Careers were available to speak, answer questions and teach during all the events they host.

Want to learn more about a STEM Career in the Craft Beer industry follow: BEERSGIVING on Instagram @beersgiving, Twitter @beersgivinginfo, LinkedIn or visit on the Web beersgiving.info.

If you are already a woman in the beer industry and want to learn more about Pink Boots Society join your local Pink Boots chapter today!

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Prior to publishing The Brewing Cloud, Gould founded digital craft beer magazine Hop Culture. In the past, he was a staff writer at Gear Patrol, and he has also written for Bon Appetit, Thrillist, Time Out New York, Men’s Health, and Forbes, where he’s a regular contributor.

“The Brewing Cloud is perfect for anyone interested in the strange, wild, and wacky world of craft beer,” Gould said. “It’s 100 percent based on my experiences over the past half decade, and hopefully brings a bit of levity to anyone going through a dark time.”

For the foreseeable future, Gould will donate 100% of ebook profits and 50% of paperback profits to Direct Relief, a highly regarded charity providing emergency medical relief to any individual in need, regardless of race, religion, or economic position.

The Brewing Cloud is available from Amazon in both ebook and paperback editions. The ebook is $2.99 and the paperback is $9.99. Both versions can be purchased here.

PRAISE FOR THE BREWING CLOUD

“Only a crazy person would think to combine the wild world of craft beer with interstellar fantasy, a little hijinks, some mystery, and a dose of ingrediential romance–the crazier thing is, Kenny Gould pulls it off. These stories are best paired with a kettle sour dosed with ‘proprietary herbs.’” –Aaron Goldfarb, Hacking Whiskey

“Kenny transports audiences out of this word with his humorous short stories any beer geek would love to read.” -Melis Papila, @thegirlwithbeer

“Totally different take on beer literature. If you love beer, and love story telling, then this is right up your alley.” –Dom Cook, @beerkulture

“Drawing on his vast experiences in the craft beer community, author Kenny Gould takes on a myriad of trending industry topics and state of contemporary consumerism in this unexpected, comedic collection of fictional shorts. Part Willy Wonka, Part Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, readers will remain rapt as Gould guides them through the whimsical, wonderful, and wholly strange exploration of life on the Brewing Cloud.” –Tanya Lawrence, @babels_cameron

ABOUT HOP CULTURE MAGAZINE

Hop Culture Magazine was started in January 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Written and presented with the needs of the beer drinker in mind, the site provides readers with food and bev content from around the world. Independently operated and still headquartered in Pittsburgh, Hop Culture publishes five days per week, every week. Learn more at www.hopculture.com or on Instagram at @hopculturemag.

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CraftBeer.com has built a state by state list of breweries that are offering beer to-go, delivery or alternative form of sales. The majority of the more than 8,000 breweries in the United States are small and independent. The Brewers Association, the parent organization of CraftBeer.com, believes that  99% of the country’s craft brewers will be affected by these shutdowns. Forced shutdowns will put many family businesses on the brink.

All of us need to socially distance to avoid potential exacerbation of the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are ill or an at-risk individual, you should avoid going out. If you are healthy and can avoid coming into contact with large groups, taking advantage of curbside beer service or beer delivery is a great way to support local businesses. Even if you can’t get out, but would like to support, there are fundraisers for brewers and opportunities to purchase brewery merchandise.

For Breweries

Breweries are invited to add to the list by using this form.

New: Homebrew Shops now have a list courtesy of our friends at the American Homebrewers Association. Find a list of homebrew shops that are offering homebrew supplies and ingredients, here.

Support Your Local Brewery Toolkit

This digital suite of overlays is for brewers to share on social to tell their customers how they can support them in the coming weeks. Customize to best fit your purposes, here.

Check out the list. There are over 1,000 breweries listed and growing.

Stay safe. We’re in this together.

Support a Brewery Near You

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Drink Local Think Global (DLTG) is a 501 c3 nonprofit that provides sustainable access to clean drinking water for communities around the world. Partnering with craft breweries and connecting them to communities in need of clean water has always been a key component of Drink Local Think Global. Because of the current situation regarding COVID-19, many local independent craft breweries are being forced to shut down their taprooms. This is resulting in layoffs and reduced hours for taproom employees including bartenders, brewers, and servers. These unavoidable circumstances are causing hardships and turmoil for craft brewery employees across the nation.

Our mission will continue to be providing clean water to those in need! What we are experiencing today, the unknown and fear, many across the globe experience every single day with water-borne diseases that endanger their loved ones. However, DLTG believes partnerships are a two-way street! During these unprecedented times, we would like to extend our support to the industry that has continually supported our mission.

Those who want to help us make an impact can go to www.drinklocalthinkglobal.org to donate and support the craft beer industry employees in need of assistance at this time. All donations made to the This One’s For You Campaign will go directly to craft brewery employees that have been nominated by their employers or peers. Craft brewery employers and employees can nominate their peers or themselves for the This One’s for You Campaign. Nominees can be any craft brewery employee that is suffering from the effects of our current national situation and meets a list of requirements (listed on our website), recipients will be selected by the DLTG team. It’s time to give back to the craft breweries that have given us so much joy over the years. For all the craft brewery employees out there, This One’s For You!

The post Craft Brewery Employee Assistance Relief Campaign appeared first on CraftBeer.com.

“With the Brewers Association’s generous contribution, we now have the power to organize our festival from coast to coast, hosting Beers With(out) Beards for a third time in NYC and for the first time in Oakland,” said Grace Weitz, Beers With(out) Beards. “Organizations like the Brewers Association that take the time to develop new initiatives like the Diversity and Inclusion Event Grants program truly ignite change in our industry. We are honored to be a part of the engine that is breaking barriers and building camaraderie in craft beer.”

Since the creation of its Diversity Committee in 2017 and the hiring of its first-ever diversity ambassador in 2018, the Brewers Association has taken continued, proactive steps to advance diversity and inclusivity among brewers and beer lovers. In 2019, the association released a five-part series of best practice guides that lay the groundwork for addressing, creating, and managing a diversity and inclusion program. In May, the inaugural class of diversity and inclusion event grant recipients was announced, with a total of $20,000 awarded to six recipients. The association also completed its first benchmarking survey of brewery owner and employee diversity in terms of gender, race, and ethnicity; and in December published a free We Welcome Everyone poster available for download in Spanish and English for breweries and beer businesses. For 2020, the Brewers Association will publish a series of case studies written by diversity ambassador Dr. J. Nikol Jackson-Beckham, Ph.D, that spotlight best practices in action, and will also introduce a pilot mentorship program.

“It’s inspiring to see so many organizations striving to connect and welcome new people to beer and each other, ” said Julia Herz, craft beer program director, Brewers Association. “While there is still much work to be done, we are proud to continue our commitment to nurture a more diverse and inclusive craft beer community and we congratulate this year’s grant recipients.”

2020 Grant Recipients

Beersgiving

• Organization: Beersgiving
• Event Location: Fort Worth, Texas
• Event Date: Monthly, 2020
• Event Description: Beersgiving is a national traveling event that brings civilian and military families together by combining craftbeer S.T.E.M. experiments with local food and beer offerings.

Biere de Femme

• Organization: Pink Boots Society St. Louis
• Event Location: St. Charles, Mo.
• Event Date: August 29, 2020
• Event Description: Women from all areas of the beer industry will come together to brew beer and educate the public about beer and the amazing women in the brewing industry. The event will raise money for scholarships to send women to educational programs to further their careers.

Open Hands 48 Film Festival

• Organization: Left Hand Brewing
• Event Location: Longmont, Colo.
• Event Date: July 25, 2020
• Event Description: This event is the first major initiative for the Open Hands Committee, Left Hand Brewing’s diversity and inclusion initiative. The festival will feature short films that showcase diversity, inclusion, and equity in craft beer.

Beers With(out) Beards

• Organization: Hop Culture
• Event Location: New York City, N.Y., and Oakland, Calif.
• Event Date: June 10-13, 2020 and October 7-10, 2020
• Event Description: Beers With(out) Beards will host a series of educational events aimed at empowering women in the beer and brewing industry by cultivating conversations around gender disparity. The festival will feature over 20 of the top women-led breweries in the country. New this year, Beer With(out) Beards will also host the event in Oakland, Calif.

Samuel D. Outlaw Blacksmith Shop Memorial Museum Grand Opening

• Organization: Samuel D. Outlaw Blacksmith Shop Memorial Museum
• Event Location: Onancock, Va.
• Event Date: May 30, 2020
• Event Description: This community event celebrates the history of Samuel D. Outlaw’s Blacksmith Shop, a post-slavery era staple on the eastern shore of Virginia whose owner forged a way of life for the community in the face of racism, segregation, and Jim Crow. The museum has partnered with the community’s first brewery, Black Narrow Brewing Company, to brew a collaboration beer for the grand opening event.

FemAle Brew Fest

• Organization: FemAle Brew Fest
• Event Location: Dania Beach, Fla.
• Event Date: March 21, 2020
• Event Description: This one-day craft beer festival celebrates women in the brewing industry. The festival will feature craft beer, yoga, industry talks, and music. Proceeds will go to the Abandoned Pet Rescue.

HeART and Soul Brewfest

• Organization: Like the Fruit, LLC
• Event Location: Richmond, Va.
• Event Date: July 25, 2020
• Event Description: This urban cultural arts festival combines soul food and craft beer. HeART and Soul Brewfest will feature music, poetry, live painting, and beer from over 40 black-owned businesses in Richmond.

ColdXela 2020

• Organization: Gumball Foundation
• Event Location: Los Angeles, Calif.
• Event Date: August 2020
• Event Description: ColdXela will partner with the SoCal Cerveceros Homebrew Club to highlight Latinx, Asian, and African American brewed beer while educating attendees on the brewing process and beer style varieties. The event will feature beers and ciders from over 50 homebrewers from all over LA County, live music, food, and other local vendors.

Bold Women and Beer Festival

• Organization: Bold Women and Beer Festival
• Event Location: Philadelphia, Pa.
• Event Date: May 16, 2020
• Event Description: Bold Women and Beer Festival, Philadelphia’s first women-centered beer festival, will partner with the Philadelphia Chapter of the Pink Boots Society to raise money for its scholarship fund. Most participating breweries will pour beer brewed by women specifically for this festival. The event will highlight women in beer and women-led and women-owned businesses.

Dopetoberfest

• Organization: Crowns & Hops
• Event Location: Los Angeles, Calif.
• Event Date: October 10, 2020
• Event Description: Dopetoberfest focuses on diversifying LA’s craft beer community through education and culture. The festival will feature panel discussions led by groups who focus on advocating for diversity and inclusion in craft beer, a homebrewers of color showcase, and a craft beer tasting.

Dames and Dregs Beer + Festival

• Organization: Dames and Dregs Beer + Festival
• Event Location: Atlanta, Ga.
• Event Date: August 14-15, 2020
• Event Description: This two-day festival seeks to empower and educate the community by celebrating women’s contributions to brewing and the beer industry. The 2020 festival focuses on beer, brewing, and business education using a blend of hands-on workshops and panel discussions.

Beer Culture Summit

• Organization: Chicago Brewseum
• Event Location: Chicago, Ill.
• Event Date: November 11-14, 2020
• Event Description: This event brings together a community of scholars, researchers, museum professionals, beer industry experts, and everyday enthusiasts to learn about beer’s historic legacies and modern worth. The conference features dozens of events and speakers from varying backgrounds and experiences in the craft beer industry.

Suave Fest

• Organization: Raices Brewing Company
• Event Location: Denver, Colo.
• Event Date: September 12, 2020
• Event Description: This Latin craft beer festival highlights Latin-owned craft breweries from around the nation. The event celebrates Latin American and Caribbean culture with art, poetry, music, and food. New this year, Suave Fest is partnering with Meow Wolf to bring art and artists to the festival.

Brewers of Pennsylvania Symposium

• Organization: Brewers of Pennsylvania
• Event Location: State College, Pa.
• Event Date: September 20-22, 2020
• Event Description: The event focuses on both the business and science of brewing by hosting 15-20 professional development sessions. This year will feature a track called “Project D.I.N.E.” (Diversity Inclusion Not Exclusion) as well as tracks that focus on product marketing awareness and hiring practices to increase diversity in the workforce.

Grant applications for 2021 will be accepted in October. More information on the Diversity and Inclusion Event Grants Program can be found here.

About the Brewers Association

The Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. The BA represents 5,400-plus U.S. breweries. The BA’s independent craft brewer seal is a widely adopted symbol that differentiates beers by small and independent craft brewers. 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, Homebrew Con, National Homebrew Competition, and American Craft Beer Week®. The BA publishes The New Brewer® magazine, and Brewers Publications® is the leading publisher of brewing literature in the U.S. 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® and the free Brew Guru® mobile app. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Brewers Association is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital/familial status. The BA complies with provisions of Executive Order 11246 and the rules, regulations, and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor.

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In that spirit, Lawson’s Finest is offering pint-sized grants for playful Super Sessions to bring people together in fun ways that build community anywhere Lawson’s Finest is distributed. For example, a group could organize a synchronized cannonball jump in the town pond to raise money for cancer research, or sponsor a bike parade and cook-out to honor local school teachers.

Co-owner Karen Lawson states, “Super Sessions is part of the Lawson’s Finest charitable giving initiative to encourage community unity in celebration of what makes them special.”

Four times each year, Lawson’s Finest employee-run Super Session Selection Squad will choose projects to each receive up to a $250 check that will launch a Super Session.  There are four  application deadlines per year in February, May, August and November.  Applications will be scored on several criteria including innovation, community-building, fun, and credibility.

The first open application period began Saturday, February 1^st and applications are due by 5PM on March 6, 2020. Applications can be accessed at www.lawsonsfinest.com/supersessions.

Company Story

Lawson’s Finest Liquids produces beers of the highest quality with outstanding freshness, featuring world-class IPA’s and unique maple brews, while emulating the best of widely appreciated styles. Lawson’s Finest was founded in 2008 by Sean and Karen Lawson with a highly acclaimed, small batch artisanal brewery located in Warren, VT, and in 2014 added an alternating proprietorship in Stratford, CT, where the flagship Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session beers are brewed. In 2018, Lawson’s Finest opened their new destination brewery, taproom, and retail store in Waitsfield, VT.

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“This is a new and exciting chapter for Lady Justice,” said Betsy Lay, co-founder and owner of Lady Justice Brewing. “This is what we have envisioned for our brewery for a long time – a community-focused space that supports creativity and gives back. Being in the heart of the Aurora Cultural Arts District will help us do just that.”

“We’re thrilled to see Lady Justice Brewing put down roots to continue their mission to give back to the community. Lady Justice will be a huge asset to the burgeoning Aurora Cultural Arts District,” said Gordon McKennon, owner of Peak to Peak Brewing.

“Selling our Colfax production facility is the right move for Peak to Peak at this time. During the past 19 months, we have been able to refine our brewing program, including developing a wider variety of recipes, establishing multiple wholesale accounts and growing our customer base. With the sale of the Colfax facility, we will be able to focus on the continued growth at our Iliff brewpub,” said McKennon.

The brewery has a tentative opening date of Saturday, April 18, 2020 and will feature all Lady Justice Brewing beers on tap, including fan favorites like Endurance Insurance, the low-cal hazy pale ale, and the Rose Blonde. Patrons can expect to see new recipes as well.

“Essentially, through our community-supported brewery membership, we’ve been able to test our pilot recipes for years, and we’re excited to finally have crowd favorites on tap permanently in our own space,” says Lay. “We’ve also got a lineup of brand new beers that we’re thrilled to premiere on opening day.”

Lady Justice Brewing fans will also notice a branding refresh from Coel Studios of Salt Lake City, UT. The goal is to have the brand reflect who Lady Justice is as a company and who they are in their new home in Aurora.

Kate Power and Jen Cuesta will be maintaining volunteer shifts, events, and continuing the popular Community-Supported Beer (CSB) program, while Betsy Lay will run day-to-day operations of the taproom.

About the Lady Justice Brewing Company: The Lady Justice Brewing Company brews and sells beer. Lady Justice Brewing partners with nonprofits focused on promoting the status of women and girls in the state of Colorado through grants. The purchase of Lady Justice beer supports local business and gives money to organizations that help Colorado’s community thrive. To learn more about the Lady Justice Brewing Company, sign up for their email list here, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.

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“This is easily our best selling beer, the flavor combination of oak, passion fruit, and vanilla create such a unique experience,” says Joshua Martinez, brewmaster. “The beer is both sweet and sour, fresh and savory. The kind of beer that cannot accurately be described; it must be experienced.”

Established in October of 2017, Pretentious Barrel House is the first brewery in Columbus to specialize exclusively in barrel-aged sour ales. Our extensive knowledge of the symbiotic relationship between beer and wood results in consistent, quality sours. By manufacturing a wide range of beer along the sour spectrum, our consumers can ease their way into this unique style. Our goal is to produce award-winning sours that change people’s perspectives regarding craft beer.

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Streetside Brewery will be holding a separate fundraiser for each shelter to get a leg up on fundraising and gain attention for the can release. The first fundraising event is for Ohio Alleycat Rescue on February 25, 2020 from 6-9 pm and the second will be for Save The Animals Foundation on March 7, 2020 from 1-5 pm. The “Who’s A Good Beer” release is Saturday, April 11 at noon.  Streetside Brewery will donate 25 percent from each 4 pack purchased as well as $1 per pint from in-taproom sales.

About Streetside Brewery 

In November 1788, the intersection of a dream and a pioneering spirit ignited Benjamin Stites and 26 others to found the settlement of “Columbia” along the banks of the Ohio near the Little Miami River. Now known as Columbia-Tusculum, Streetside Brewery is proud to be rooted in Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhood.

About Save the Animals Foundation

Funded entirely by donations and operated by volunteers, our no-kill shelter currently homes over 300 dogs and cats, many of whom have been abused, abandoned or literally tossed away. Teams of volunteers work with the animals two shifts a day, 365 days a year, providing them with a safe and caring environment until we can place them in permanent, loving homes. Over the years we have matched thousands of lucky animals with equally lucky families.

About Ohio Alleycat Rescue

Ohio Alleycat Resource & Spay/Neuter Clinic is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Our mission is to enrich the lives of cats and communities in Greater Cincinnati by providing low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter services for ferals, strays and pets; offering TNR (trap-neuter-return) and other outreach programs; and running a no-kill adoption center dedicated to finding loving homes.

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First up this year is Maple Nipple – a robust, rich maple ale which is loaded with 100% pure Vermont maple syrup. It delivers a smooth and palate-pleasing mouth feel with a slightly sticky finish. Maple Nipple is available through the month of February.

In March, Lawson’s Finest will be shipping out Sugarhouse IPA, inspired by the first recipe crafted in 2008 at their home-based nanobrewery in Warren, VT. This continually evolving recipe provides an opportunity to experiment with different combinations of hops and malts to create a delightful American IPA. You can expect a notable fruitiness, a delicate haze and soft bitterness in this latest release.

In May comes the release of a brand-new offering – The Space In Between with Passion Fruit, brewed with oats and wheat for a hint of tartness and dry-hopped with Galaxy & Nelson varieties. This special edition includes passion fruit puree.

Scrag Mountain Pils will enter distribution in July and will extend through the remainder of the summer, just in time for cooling off from the heat. Inspired by the traditional Czech Pilsner style, our house lager is a tribute to the source of Waitsfield’s town water and the aquifer deep beneath Scrag Mountain.

Ushering in the fall season, September will feature the release of Hopzilla. This monster of a Double IPA is loaded with high-alpha U.S. grown hops yet has enough malt backbone to balance a fierce bitterness.

Rounding out 2020 in style, Fayston Maple Imperial Stout will hit the market in November. Brewed with loads of roasted and black malts and a hefty dose of Vermont maple syrup, the result is a rich and complex beer perfect for sipping or pairing with chocolate or dessert.

As part of this release calendar, Lawson’s Finest Liquids is excited to announce a change in packaging. Beginning in April, the beloved Super Session IPA series will be available for the first time in four-pack 16 oz. cans.

Super Session #4 will be the first of the series to arrive in 16 oz. can format. Look for its arrival sometime in April.  Super Session #4 features a full malt flavor and assertive hop character with copious additions of Centennial hops late in the kettle and in dry hopping. This will be followed in July by the release of Super Session #2 with Amarillo hops. Rounding out the year will be the wildly popular Super Session #8 with Mosaic hops.

And of course their flagship double IPA, Sip of Sunshine, will be available year-round in all distribution markets. This lupulin-laden India Pale Ale is packed with juicy tropical fruit character, bright floral aromas and delectable layers of hop flavor.

A separate 2020 release calendar for specialty beers available only at Lawson’s Finest brewery, taproom and retail location in Waitsfield, VT is forthcoming.

Company Story

Lawson’s Finest Liquids produces beers of the highest quality with outstanding freshness, featuring world-class IPAs and unique maple brews, while emulating the best of widely appreciated styles. Lawson’s Finest was founded in 2008 by Sean and Karen Lawson with a highly acclaimed, small batch artisanal brewery located in Warren, VT, and in 2014 added an alternating proprietorship in Stratford, CT, where the flagship Sip of Sunshine IPA and Super Session beers are brewed. In 2018, Lawson’s Finest opened their new destination brewery, taproom, and retail store in Waitsfield, VT. Please visit www.LawsonsFinest.com for more information.

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El Gato Mariachi incorporates all the traditional Horchata ingredients into a wheat ale base – along with a healthy dose of milk sugar. An addition of rice in the grain bill lightens the body for excellent drinkability, without sacrificing its creamy mouthfeel. The beer features an enticing aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. It pours a milky straw color, and finishes with just the right blend of vanilla sweetness and a touch of cinnamon spice.

It also happens that Taco is the name of the brewery’s Sales Manager’s cat. So, when it came time to name the beer and create its character, the idea of a “taco beer” and Taco the Cat naturally aligned. Taco is on the label with the piercing green eyes, dressed in his finest charro suit.

The recipe for this new Limited Release was developed in the Asheville pilot brewhouse, and proved to be one of Catawba’s best-selling Small Batch releases of 2019.

El Gato will be available in tasting rooms on draft and in 6-pack cans throughout Catawba’s 5-state distribution area.

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In celebration of #FlagshipFebruary, from Sunday, February 23^rd through Saturday, February 29^th, Lakefront Brewery will be offering a discounted price on their two flagship brews, Riverwest Stein and IPA (only at the brewery). Pints of each brew will be $3. Lakefront will be matching that $3 price and donating it entirely to Australian bushfire relief by way of the Resilience fundraiser.

“What Australia had to endure is a terrible tragedy, we’re glad that the Resilience Program exists to help the craft brewing world band together to provide the much-needed support”, said Brewery Founder and President Russ Klisch.

Lakefront Brewery encourages everyone to stop by the week starting Sunday, February 23^rd to enjoy one of two Milwaukee craft beer favorites for a great cause.

Get updates and find more information about Lakefront Brewery’s Australian Bushfire Relief Week on their website at: https://lakefrontbrewery.com/events/bushfire-relief-week

More information on the Resilience Fundraiser: http://resilience.beer/

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After receiving a collection of strong entries, the Guild and CraftBeer.com will work with four journalists to tell several important stories:

Alessandra Bergamin will chronicle a cross-border collaboration between California’s Dos California’s Brewsters, SouthNorte Beer Co., and Tijuana, Mexico’s Lúdica Artesenal Cerveceria. The story will follow female brewers making a beer that will help fund scholarships for female peers in Mexico.

Stephanie Grant plans to report about the safety of women who work in the beer industry from a variety of roles and perspectives. Industry professionals will share stories and insight on the challenges they face at events, traveling, and more, as a way to give context to their experiences.

Louis Livingston-Garcia will tell the story of the leaders behind Minnesota’s Brewing Change Collaborative, a group made up of people of color and the LGBTQ+ community working to share beer with minority communities and support those who are trying to break into beer.

Jen Blair will connect plant-based food and beer to write about how these dietary options can work together to create a more inclusive environment at events and among those who love beer, especially among African-Americans, who have the highest percentage of vegans among all demographics in the U.S.

As winners of the grant, all four will receive a cash stipend for completed work. The final stories will be published on CraftBeer.com.

The goal of NAGBW’s Diversity in Beer Writing Grant is to highlight the value of stories that can showcase diversity and inclusion – in all its forms and challenges – within beer. In addition to these projects, NAGBW and CraftBeer.com will select additional recipients later this year.

Additional underwriting for the 2020 Diversity in Beer Writing Grant comes from Allagash Brewing Company.

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Saturday, March 21, 2020

Downtown Morgan City 2:00 – 3:00 VIP Early Admission 3:00 – 6:00 General/DD Admission

Visit www.basinbrewfestmc.com for more info & to purchase tickets!

VIP sales END on February 28^th!

We will once again be partnering with Animal Advocates of St. Mary to raise funds for them as well and gather donations for local rescues and shelters!

20+ Louisiana Commercial Breweries

10+ Louisiana Homebrewers

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“As a pioneer in the craft beer movement, we have always focused on brewing exceptional beers,” says North Coast Brewing CEO Jeffrey Ottoboni. “With this exciting release, we are making our beers more accessible — from draft to bottles to cans. We are proud to share Scrimshaw with devoted and new fans alike, and feel fortunate to be a part of the experiences these cans will help inspire. As an independent brewery, we’re looking toward the future of our industry and meeting the changing needs of craft beer fans, while always holding true to our long-time brewing traditions.”

Scrimshaw is the Fort Bragg-based brewery’s best-selling beer, and one of the most popular pilsners in the country. With a subtle hop character, a crisp, clean palate and a dry finish, Scrimshaw is North Coast Brewing’s unique take on a classic effort. The pilsner style beer has an ABV of 4.5 percent, 138 calories and 11 grams of carbs. North Coast Brewmasters carefully batch-tested Scrimshaw for the cans release, finding the pilsner’s signature flavors to be exactly as long-time fans of the bottles would expect. Scrimshaw is brewed in the finest European tradition using Munich malt and Hallertauer and Tettnang hops.

Like the iconic Scrimshaw bottle label, the can draws inspiration from the delicate engravings popularized by 19th century seafarers. As part of its mission to make the world a better place, One Pint at a Time, North Coast Brewing gives back to marine mammal research and rescue efforts as well as jazz education through its beers. Scrimshaw will initially be released in recyclable 12-pack boxes, with no additional plastic that could end up harming the environment.

Scrimshaw has been brewed and distributed as one of North Coast Brewing’s core beer brands since 1988. While it is available across 48 states in the U.S. and internationally, the new cans are initially available throughout California, and North Coast Brewing’s beer locator can be used to find specific retail locations. Scrimshaw is the first beer from North Coast Brewing to be made available in cans, and the company plans to release more styles in the future.

About North Coast Brewing Company: North Coast Brewing Company is an independent craft brewery producing sustainably crafted beers in Fort Bragg, CA for over 30 years. Known for its award-winning lineup of high-quality beers available in 48 U.S. states and internationally, North Coast Brewing also releases barrel-aged ales and popular seasonal offerings, including a Berliner Weisse series. A pioneer and innovator in the craft brewing industry, North Coast Brewing is a Certified B Corporation — committed to making the world a better place, one pint at a time. North Coast Brewing’s status as a B Corporation is provided by B Lab, a third-party independent nonprofit that verifies the social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability of the companies it certifies. For more information on North Coast Brewing’s beer roster and philanthropic mission, please visit: https://northcoastbrewing.com/.

Follow along with North Coast Brewing Company on Instagram @NorthCoastBrewingCompany, Twitter @NoCoastBrewCo and Facebook @NorthCoastBrewingCompany.

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Joining 1% for the Planet is a continuation of the community giving and sustainability values that are at the roots of MadTree and the efforts they have taken since the brewery was founded in 2013.  They are one of only a handful of breweries in the organization.

MadTree believes in supporting the local communities across their footprint – which crosses OH, KY and TN.  Within Cincinnati, MadTree identified an opportunity to bring in more local non-profits in the 1% for the Planet network and has recently nominated several local organizations to join – including Wasson Way, Cincinnati Parks Foundation, and Cincinnati Nature Center.  The Arbor Day Foundation, of whom MadTree is an ongoing supporter, is already a member.

“We are thrilled to be working with MadTree Brewing as part of the 1% for the Planet movement. In addition to all the other benefits resulting from the Wasson Way project, we want to plant hundreds of trees to filter our water, clean our air, provide food to animals and create wonderful shade for Trail users. We will also be working to install rain gardens and bioswales along the Trail to create habitats for butterflies, insects, birds, bees and other pollinators. Without the support of MadTree and our incredible volunteers and donors, none of this would happen” said Jay Andress, co-founder Wasson Way.

When selecting organizations, it was important to MadTree to identify those projects that were seeking a combination of financial giving and volunteer opportunities.  “We are a group that likes to get outside and spend time in the outdoors.  We get our hands dirty and take pride in the work we do to help beautify our area” said Emily Chapel, Marketing Director for MadTree.  MadTree’s employees regularly conduct trash pickups in the brewery’s Oakley neighborhood, and in 2019 MadTree closed their taproom for a day so employees could plant nearly 60 trees in Mt Storm Park, a project supported by the Arbor Day Foundation and Cincinnati Parks.  MadTree will continue identifying, connecting with, and building relationships with environmental non-profits to make local impact across their distribution footprint.

 “With MadTree, we have a shared vision to connect our community with the beauty and wonders of the natural world. It is our great honor to partner with them to grow and connect people to our community’s urban forest through the Cincinnati Park Board’s ReLeaf Program.  The fall program offers a wide variety of established trees to Cincinnati property owners with the intention to increase the City’s canopy outside of public spaces. The benefits of this program go well beyond the environmental gains to our community. These trees will not only become part of landscapes, but part of families,” says Crystal Courtney, Cincinnati Park Board Urban Forestry Supervisor.

Brady Duncan, Co-founder of MadTree, says “When we started MadTree 7 years ago, we were driven to craft great beer – but more importantly – to build something bigger than ourselves and the high-quality beer we produce. We care deeply about creating meaningful connections with our communities. We are inspired by Patagonia and how they are so much bigger than a clothing company – we will use our business as a platform to connect people to nature and each other.  These are the areas where you’ll see us focusing– in addition to the great beer that has helped us to build a tremendous community.”

To continue their efforts in this space and take them to the next level, MadTree is kicking-off the search for a new role on their team – a Director of Strategic Impact. This person will oversee the company’s Strategic Impact Program to amplify their reach and impact in the communities they serve.  Additional information about this role and the opportunity to apply may be found at www.madtreebrewing.com/jobs.

About MadTree Brewing Company MadTree puts purpose in every pour. Founded in 2013, MadTree has always been driven to craft great beer – but more importantly – to build something bigger than themselves and the high-quality beer they produce. Since the beginning, MadTree has cared deeply about creating meaningful connections with their communities. They embrace their namesake and work to celebrate and protect nature, while reducing their impact on the environment. They are proud members of 1% for the Planet, with a commitment to donate 1% of sales to non-profits focused on environmental sustainability. The craftspeople at MadTree wake up every day to connect people to nature and each other. MadTree. Inspiring Madness, Rooted in Purpose.

About 1% for the Planet 1% for the Planet started when two business owners met and bonded over their shared love for the outdoors. In 2002, Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, created 1% for the Planet and started a global movement to help fund diverse environmental organizations. 1% for the Planet brings dollars and doers together to accelerate smart environmental giving to non-profits so that collectively they can be a more powerful source in solving the world’s problems. 1% for the Planet focuses on climate change, land, water, food, air and pollution.  Learn more at onepercentfortheplanet.org.

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Now in its third year of making classic beers brewed to precision, East Brother will kick-off a week of festivities by debuting its new releases and award-winners at SFBW 2020’s Opening Gala on February 7^th, and close it out with an open-to-the-public, Third Anniversary brewery bash on February 16^th.

SFBW 2020: East Brother x Admiral Maltings x Gigayeast

For SFBW 2020, the team at East Brother set their sights on creating a 100% Bay Area craft beer that reflects local agricultural businesses. Teaming up with their friends at Admiral Maltings, who source only California grown barley, much of it very close to the Bay Area, and Gigayeast, a San Jose-based yeast supplier, East Brother has brewed a California Common that’s uncommonly good; a beautiful liquid amber that’s light and crisp like a lager, but with the malt and hop profile of an ale.

East Brother’s collaborative California Common will make its debut at SFBW 2020’s Opening Gala, and thereafter be available at East Brother Beer’s Taproom (on tap and in growlers) and on tap at The Rake at Admiral Maltings. For a complete listing of East Brother Beer’s participation at SFBW 2020 events, please visit the brewery’s calendar here.

Seasonal Series: English Strong

As part of East Brother’s seasonal Freighter Series, SFBW2020 also marks the launch of English Strong, a decidedly British beer boasting a rich malt flavor with notes of caramel and dried fruit. East Brother will be pouring English Strong at SFBW 2020 events and in the taproom; it will also available in the brewery’s classic cans and tap handles at select local establishments while supplies last.

Third Anniversary

Chris Coomber and Rob Lightner launched East Brother Beer Co. in 2016 in Richmond, California, “the city of Pride and Purpose.” In a warehouse located near the city’s historic shipyards, the brewery’s team crafts stand-outs including a Red IPA, Red Lager, Oatmeal Stout, Gold IPA and the Bohemian Pilsner. East Brother has quickly grown its portfolio of classics to include small production, seasonal lager and freighter series, an opportunity to experiment with innovation, collaborations and creativity while sticking to the company’s core value of classic styles.

That commitment to classics has paid-off with East Brother earning industry awards and accolades including recent medals for its Bo Pils at the California Craft Beer Competition (Gold) and the Great American Beer Festival (Silver), and a Gold for Oatmeal Stout at California’s State Fair.

To celebrate with supporters and commemorate its Third Anniversary, East Brother Beer will host a party on Sunday, February 16^th from noon to 8:00 pm at the brewery’s taproom (1001 Canal Blvd. Richmond, CA 94804); live music, food and $1 off beer for guests wearing East Brother gear.

About East Brother Beer Company

With attention to detail and long-term vision, East Brother Beer Company is dedicated to producing beers that are both timeless, and timely, for the classic American palate, delivering their quality beers to premium local restaurants, cafés, bars, specialty markets and retailers. And always pouring fresh from the source in Richmond. For additional information, please

visit: www.eastbrotherbeer.com or follow East Brother Beer Co. on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

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The Good Wolf will offer a selection of hop forward, forest inspired craft beers that will flow smoothly after a long day on the slopes, or just for a quick one after work. The brewery soft-opened in late-November with one beer on tap, a juicy IPA called Neon Rainbow, and has since released four new beers with plenty more on the way.

The 50-seat tasting room, lined with moss and a verdant jungle of plants, isn’t your typical industrial brewery tasting room. Owners Matt and Heidi Petyo, who designed the space themselves, aimed to exude a lush, rustic vibe with a warm feel, while using colors and textures inspired by the area’s natural setting. The tasting room, which feels like the secret locals spot you’ve always dreamed of finding, also comes stocked with classic board games for those looking for some old-school entertainment.

Focusing on bringing people together is one of Matt and Heidi’s favorite parts about their new business. Since their soft opening, they have already organized fundraisers, live music, trivia nights, and movie marathons.

“The community we’ve found in Truckee has been incredible in the short time we’ve been here,” said Heidi. “We’re really looking forward to contributing to our new community and having a family-friendly space that brings people together. Whether meeting old buddies or trying to make new friends, we’re super proud of the space and hope our entire community feels at home here.”

Matt and Heidi are both Northern California natives, and following the Camp Fire in late 2018, decided to return back to the state to be closer to home. They came across the space, formerly a pre-existing brewery, and have been working tirelessly since August to prepare the space and brewing materials to open. Matt, who is also lead brewer, has spent time working for renowned breweries like Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Seattle’s Elysian Brewing Company, Oskar Blues Brewery, and Wildcard Brewing Company.  A hops aficionado who regularly forages for fresh ingredients, Matt says he enjoys “exploring and experimenting with unique hop varietals and creative beers that push the boundaries of the brewing tradition,” a passion that comes through in The Good Wolf’s beers.

The Good Wolf Brewing Company will celebrate its grand opening on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 4PM. There will be eight beers on tap, with brews like a single origin Australian grown hop IPA, a tart cherry sour pie sour, and a heritage corn lager rotating on a regular basis. There will also be live music and fresh food from local vendors.

The taproom is located at 10990 Industrial Way, Suite B103, Truckee. For more information, visit TheGoodWolfBrewing.com.

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“There is nothing more Kansas City than cheering on your favorite team with your favorite local beer, and we’ve been honored to be a part of those celebrations for three decades,” said Natalie Gershon, VP of Marketing at Boulevard Brewing. “Now we look forward to the biggest moment, on the biggest stage. This is our year. This is a #KingdomWithoutBorders, and we hope the country joins us in raising a toast to the city that has waited 50 years to bring home an NFL championship.”

Shaun O’Sullivan, Co-Founder & Brewmaster of 21st Amendment commented, “Bay Area football and craft beer have a long-standing tradition of excellence. The 21st Amendment Brewery is excited to be part of the Bay Area’s enthusiasm cheering on our beloved San Francisco 49ers in this year’s Super Bowl.”

The two breweries are nationally recognized for their award-winning portfolios of specialty beers, including their lauded wheat beers, Hell or High Watermelon Wheat Beer from 21st Amendment and Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat Beer. Boulevard is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, and 21st Amendment is rated among the top 50 craft brewers in America. With the incredible support of their beloved communities, and to commemorate the big game, the companies agreed there was no better way to celebrate a victory than a donation to a local charity.

Boulevard has selected Veterans Community Project as their non-profit of choice, and 21st Amendment chose Project Night Night.

Leading up to Super Bowl LIV, 21st Amendment Brewery will serve a limited-edition beer Kittle Kraze Hazy IPA at its San Leandro taproom and San Francisco brewpub to celebrate the San Francisco 49ers’ appearance in Super Bowl LIV. Boulevard Brewing will release a commemorative Super Bowl beer following the Big Game.

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For more information, please visit: www.21st-amendment.com boulevard.com

About 21st Amendment Brewery Twenty years ago (established in 2000), Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan opened the doors to the 21st Amendment brewpub in San Francisco’s historic South Park neighborhood. In addition to quickly becoming one of the city’s favorite pubs, 21st Amendment began expanding beyond the Bay Area by helping to pioneer the movement to canned craft beer. Known for their witty names and delicious brews, 21st Amendment offers year-round selections, as well as seasonal offerings and their infamous “Insurrection Series” of once-in-a-while limited-edition releases. Sold in 28 states plus Washington D.C., 21st Amendment produces beer in its state-of-the-art brewery headquarters in San Leandro, California and is among the top 50 craft beer brewers in America.

About Boulevard Brewing: Boulevard Brewing Company is the largest specialty brewer in the Midwest, producing fresh, flavorful beers using traditional ingredients and the best of both old and new brewing techniques. Known for their full flavor, exceptional balance and superior quality, Boulevard beers are available in 41 states and 11 countries. For more information, visit boulevard.com or follow us on facebook.com/Boulevard, twitter.com/Boulevard_Beer and instagram.com/boulevard_beer.

Media Contacts: Jesse P. Cutler, JP Cutler Media — 21st Amendment Brewery jesse@jpcutlermedia.com 510.658.3236

bread & Butter — Boulevard Brewing Co. breadandbutterpr.com

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2020’s Untappd Beer Festival will feature over 150 breweries, including Birdsong, Legion, Olde Mecklenburg, Red Clay, Triple C and Lenny Boy from The Charlotte Independent Brewers Alliance and many other Charlotte favorites. As well as, Other Half, Burial Brewing, New Anthem, The Bruery, Modern Times, Breakside Brewery, Botanist and Barrel, Upland Brewing, Wilmington Brewing and Urban Artifact.

This year’s festival will be broken into two sessions, one at 11:30am EST and a second beginning at 5:30pm EST. Each session will have a maximum capacity of 8,000 beer enthusiasts. While capacity for the festival in total is increasing from last year, the capacity per session is a significant reduction from last year’s sold out festival, which held 13,000 attendees. This will create shorter lines for 2020 attendees, and will foster an atmosphere of engagement with the exclusive list of breweries present.

“We are extremely excited to be a part of the Untappd Beer Festival for the second year in a row,” said Phil Buchy, President of The Charlotte Independent Brewers Alliance. “Charlotte’s beer scene is one of the best in the country and we are proud to be the host city of this event!”

In response to feedback following Untappd’s inaugural Beer Festival in 2019, the company hired Talia Spera as Untappd’s Director of Festivals and Live Events. Spera joins from MGM Resorts International where she served as Executive Director of Entertainment at MGM Springfield. Spera’s top priorities in her new role include strategic oversight for the company’s Untappd Live! Division, as well as addressing the operational difficulties Untappd faced during its inaugural event to elevate the festival to a world- class experience for the Untappd community to enjoy.

“We learned a lot from listening to attendees and brewers after last year’s festival and the path to creating an event that meets our own and our attendees’ expectations was clear,” said Trace Smith, President and COO of Untappd. “Talia brings a wealth of live events expertise to Untappd. She and her team have been diligent in addressing all shortcomings from last year’s festival. We’re confident we’ll produce a world class experience for all involved.”

Under Spera’s leadership, Untappd will also host additional U.S. and European festivals in 2020, with

dates and locations to be announced in the spring.

Pre- sale tickets will be available on Ticketmaster.com to Untappd Supporters beginning on Wednesday, January 29th. Those interested in purchasing tickets online via the public sale beginning on Friday, January 31 can find additional information here –untappdfestival.com

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About Untappd

Founded in 2010, Untappd is the world’s largest social beer app, with over 8 million users globally.

Individuals can “check in” and rate beers at bars, restaurants, breweries and a host of other venues as well as view friends’ profiles to toast and comment on their beer choices. Additionally, the company provides menu publishing software to over 18,000 business worldwide.

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Here is the fun video announcement

“A true taste of Florida sun and song in every sip while you’re rocking the boat, chillin’ poolside, or hangin’ at the beach. We started with pilsner malt and a hint of wheat to bring a clean and light flavored base. Orange blossom honey provides a hint of sweetness, tangerine adds a refreshing citrus finish and azacca hops perfectly balance the flavors and aroma into an ale that will make it impossible for you to ‘turn and walk away.’ ENJOY!”

To accompany the chart-topping beer recipe, Ale For You cans boast original, Florida beach artwork inspired by old Florida postcards showcasing sunshine, tangerines, and the Florida gator.

Not your average brewing company, Rock Brothers has also created signature beers for bands like Hootie and the Blowfish and 311. To learn more about Rock Brothers Brewing or to find Ale For You Honey Blonde Ale near you, visit https://www.sisterhazel.com/aleforyoubeer. 

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The Pint Package: You will be married by one of our practiced, ordained tour guide officiants, with a beer in hand that comes in a personally etched pint glass with your names and the date. Follow up the ceremony with a dessert from our kitchen, and each walk out with an exclusive t-shirt from our gift shop! (Cost – $50)

The Pitcher Package: You will be married by one of our practiced, ordained tour guide officiants, with a beer in hand that comes in a personally etched pint glass with your names and the date. Follow up the ceremony with a dessert as well as your choice of Cheese Curds or Soft Pretzels. A unique flower bouquet will be provided for the bride, and each of you will walk out with exclusive wedding t-shirts! (Cost – $150)

The Growler Package: You will be married by one of our practiced, ordained tour guide officiants, with a beer in hand that comes in a personally etched pint glass with your names and the date. Follow up the ceremony with a Mini Wedding Cake as well as your choice of Cheese Curds or Soft Pretzels. A unique flower bouquet will be provided for the bride as well as a boutineer for the groom. Your entire experience getting married at Lakefront Brewery will be documented by a professional photographer so you can relive the experience for years to come. You’ll go home with two exclusive wedding t-shirts as well! (Cost – $350)

“People go on their first date here, have their wedding reception, get engaged on our brewery tour, and take their engagement or wedding photos. We just feel the love that can emanate from this place, so we want to celebrate it”, says Tour Manager, Sam Szymborski, “There isn’t a better day to do it.”

“Maybe one of these years we can overtake the courthouse. I could be wrong, but I don’t think they offer a free beer over there” says brewery On-site Business Developer, Dylan Mazurkiewicz.

While actual wedding ceremonies should be booked ahead of time, those interested in the mass vow renewals may show up ahead of the scheduled 12pm or 6pm time slots and simply let an employee know. Couples will renew their vows with a free beer in hand.

Couples interested in a wedding ceremony need to fill out the following form: https://forms.gle/nN3qSzHrQywgJQon6

Lakefront Brewery, Inc. distributes its products to over 30 states, Ukraine, South Korea, Sweden, China, Japan and Canada. Lakefront Brewery, Inc. produced the first beer in the United States made from 100% in-state-grown ingredients, including a first-of-its-kind, indigenous Wisconsin yeast strain (Wisconsinite Summer Weiss), the first certified organic brewery and the first gluten-free beer granted label approval by the U.S. Government (New Grist). For more information, visit http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com or call (414) 372-8800.

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This crowdfunding campaign, operated through WeFunder, provides fans of Amplified an opportunity to invest in the future of one of their favorite breweries, as well as giving Lemon Grove residents a chance to invest in their community.

“We’re looking to open up to our fans, the craft beer community, local music supporters, and Lemon Grove residents the opportunity to have a true investment in a business they can also have an emotional investment in,” said Alex Pierson, owner of Amplified Ale Works.

Amplified Ale Works has garnered fans for the past decade, first as the celebrated SDSU-adjacent eatery, California Kebab which opened in 2009. In 2012, California Kebab launched Amplified Ale Works as an in-house nano brewing operation in its current Pacific Beach location. With the popularity of its beer among the Pacific Beach community, they dropped the California Kebab name to focus on the Amplified brand.

In 2016, Amplified Ale Works was an original adopter of the HG Fenton Brewery Igniter program in Miramar, where the small brewery was able to triple its production and grow the Amplified beer portfolio.

Today, Amplified operates two full restaurants, two music venues, and a 7-barrel production facility in Miramar. With the addition of their newest location in East Village in 2018, as well as the increased demand to take over tap space at local bars, the brewery has once again found itself in a position poised for growth.

Amplified has laid his sights on the historic Sonka Brothers General Store building in the city of Lemon Grove. Most recently the building housed The Lemon Grove Bakery, but as a production facility for Amplified Ale Works, it is anticipated to have a capacity of up to 10,000 barrels annually, roughly five times Amplified’s current production level. This growth in production can fulfill the needs of future Amplified beer garden locations, as well as increase the allocation for canning and outside sales accounts.

To fund the venture, Amplified will launch a campaign with the crowdfunding service, WeFunder. WeFunder connects start-ups with investors online, allowing non-accredited investors to invest capital in entrepreneurial ventures. Unlike other crowdfunding platforms such as Kickstarter that provide purely incentives in exchange for money, WeFunder is a platform for SEC-governed investment opportunities.

“We wanted to offer a real way for our fans and community to be a part of what they have helped create over the past decade and be an integral part of our future as well,” said Pierson.

The move to crowdfund is a decided action by Amplified to avoid a traditional investment process. Amplified views the campaign as a way to not only expand their growing business, but reward those stakeholders who have allowed them to grow. In the campaign, Pierson is clear with Amplified’s intentions to adopt an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) within the next five years, providing equity and shares of the business to long term employees.

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Amplified is a brewery and music venue with locations in the Pacific Beach and East Village neighborhoods of San Diego, CA. Operating out of a 7 bbl brewhouse, Amplified focuses on hop-forward West Coast style ales and unique, experimental batches. Amplified’s brewpubs boast a California-themed, Mediterranean-inspired and vegan friendly-food menu with Gluten-reduced in-house beers across multiple locations. The WeFunder campaign can be found at: https://wefunder.com/amplified.ale.works

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