LOCAL NEWZ
According to a October 23rd Wilmington News Urinal piece by David Kinney contributed by Betsy Perse of First State, Yuengling's growing pains have led owner Dick Yuengling to search for a way to increase capacity. He invited Anheuser-Busch and Miller to inspect the facilities but turned down offers from each to buy him out. Other options include contracting out production and building a new facility.
The October 30th Rockville Gazette reported strong support voiced by Maryland House members at a public hearing for the bill allowing brewpubs (read here Old Towne) to brew off-premises. As reported by Edward L. Kenney in the October 5th News Urinal (contributed by Betsy), Rams Head Brewpub of Annapolis is looking at Middletown Del. for a possible brewery site.
SILLY STUFF ON THE INTERNET
According to an October 21 story by Stephen E. Frank published in the Wall Street Urinal (also
contributed by Betsy), a "Bradley Lee" has determined that when exposed to direct sunlight and 95 degree temperature, Miller Lite in white cans remains "drinkable" for 6.2 minutes whereas Miller Genuine Draft only survives 2.8 minutes in black cans. Black cans apparently cause beer absorb more heat and get warm faster. A reply from a "Tom B. Miller,"claiming to represent Miller's public relations department,asserted that it doesn't matter because "it was never our intention to have someone take more than 2.5 minutes to enjoy one of our beers." A real Miller public relations director, Susan Henderson, disagreed; Miller beer is "meant to be savored." Mr.Lee also asserted that Coors is undrinkable at any temperature; Mr. Miller agreed. Coors representative Dave Taylor responded that "No beer should be put out in intensely hot sunlight" and "the whole context of this letter leads me to doubt its veracity."
SILLY STUFF AT THE GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL
Yes, everyone tried to cash in at the Festival. According to a short item in the October 28th Newzweek, Elvira showed up to market her Night Brew, but left when asked to dress properly. Further, as reported by First State's Oliver Weatherbee and verified by GABS members who were present, A-B was loudly booed when it showed up with two semi's housing a "Beer School" touting their new craft brews. One individual personally invited to "school" by A-B's pitchperson elicited cheers from bystanders when he responded "I wouldn't drink your beer if you paid me."
Finally, as reported in the October 9th Phily Inquirer's "Food Watch" column by Marc Schogol, a survey at the Festival by Coors found that 62 percent do not wait to the head to subside before drinking, 56 percent peel labels from beer bottles, and th eproportion of mug versus bottle drinkers is 65 to 34.
REAL BEER SCHOOL
In sharp contrast with A-B's pathetic marketing, Providence's Johnson and Wales University, a renowned culinary school, is now requiring a brewing class for all freshmen, although it will not add a brewing major. Coors donated the instructional brewery (from October 13th Wilmington News Urinal piece written by Paul Tolme of Associated Press; contributed by Betsy). And apparently Drexel in Phily is considering adding a teaching brewery to its hotel and restaurant management program (from October 9th Phily Inquirer piece by Marilynn Marter; contributed by Betsy).
JOINING THE PARADE
Yes, Bennigan's, that classy joint, is now serving Real Beer plus giving away an "International Beer Quest Collectors' Newsletter" entitled "Copper Clover Quarterly" to customers. Volume 1 Number 2 was contributed by Paula Maranto of GABS. Not only does i tinclude elementary definitions of different beer styles (which I imagine much of the clientele is unaware of), but the following story: According to the log of the Mayflower, the Pilgrims landed in Plymouth rather than search for further landing options because they had run out of provisions "...especially our beer."
