LOCAL NEWZ
(From an article in the April 18th Newark Post contributed by Betsy Perseof First State) In a contest among 28 craftbrewers from within a 50-mile radius, Newark's Iron Hill brewpub's Pig Iron Porter was given the Peoples' Choice Award as "Philadelphia's Favorite Beer." Judging was done by hundreds of people at a blind taste test held at Samuel Adams brewpub.
(From an April 13th Wilmington Newz-Urinal piece by Bart Jansen, also contributed by Betsy) On April 28th, Frederick Brewing unveiled their Hempen Ale, featuring hemp seeds as an ingredient. Unlike hemp leaves, the seeds do not have THC. Frederick claims they are using the seeds for a unique flavor and are making no political statement. Nonetheless, Sue Rusche of the NationalFamilies in Action of Atlanta called the beer a "Trojan horse" that would help to legalize marijuana. [Actually, it is a publicity stunt by a bizness that would be better served by concentrating on more careful and efficient operations.]
Beer Biz [If we can trust Newz from the Net]
Oliver Weatherbee of First State sent newz, gathered from Net sources, that Anheuser-Busch and Widmer Brothers Brewing have signed a letter of interest to form "distribution and equity alliances" in which A-B will distribute Widmer products and A-B will make a minority investment in Widmer. [On the heels of a similar agreement between A-B and Redhook, it appears that A-B latest strategy to kill off the independent craftbrewing movement may be to contract with a fewregional lackeys and then approach distributors and retailers with A-B/regional package deals and the argument these products now fill all niches and no other breweries need to be supported. I for one will extend my boycott of A-B to any lackeys that sign on.]
Other Net newz sent by Oliver: ATF has apparently received requests from various states for assistance in enforcement of state laws controlling sales from outside-of-state mail-order, telephone, and Net sellers. The National Conference of State Liquor Administrators [everything one can dream of seems to have a relevant national association] has estimated that these types of interstate sales currently amount to $300 million and result in state tax revenue losses in the tens of millions. There is also concern about shipments to underage drinkers. The ATF has taken the position that it "might" do something, but it can only do things to those who hold basic permits;brewers and wholesalers, not retailers.
It's an Ad Ad Ad Ad World
A two page advertisement in the May issue of Scientific American is headlined "use yeast to turn sugar into other molecules? Why not, Egyptians have been doing it for 4,000 years." Featuring a glass filled with pale ale-colored brew with head overflowing, it continues "The fermentation process is being redesigned by DuPont scientists to create new chemicals efficiently, precisely and with less environmental impact." And finally, near the glass, "Yeast, grain and water can be used to make really fine beer. Or, for that matter, really fine trimethylene glycol."
