British brewer Scottish & Newcastle agreed to a $15.3 billion takeover by Carlsberg and Heineken. Jorgen Buhl Rasmussen, president and CEO of Carlsberg, says “We now have full control of our destiny.” Insert Austin Powers joke. [MSNBC.com]

Also yesterday, Carlsberg introduced the world’s most expensive beer at $400 per bottle. At 10.5% abv, Vintage No. 1 “contains hints of prune, caramel, vanilla and oak tree from the French and Swedish wooden casks in which it is stored.” [Bloomberg.com]

A Carlsberg truck overturned in Malaysia, so naturally you should just pull over and grab a case to take with you. (with video!) [News.com.au]

The folks in Britain lament the loss of Scottish & Newcastle, which is a another huge blow to British brewing. [Financial Times UK]

We picked this up from fellow Asheville blogger, Ashvegas. Some of you (including us) have shared this experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Get it? Sasquatch? Yes, 2008 Sierra Nevada Bigfoot is here. It’s got a new label, too. What else makes an appearance today?

BELL’S Hopslam*
FLENSBERGER Dunkel
HARPOON 100 Barrel Series (Weizenbock)*
JW LEES Harvest Ale (Calvados Cask)
SIERRA NEVADA E.S.B.
SOUTHAMPTON Imperial Porter*
WEYERBACHER Heresy*

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Thursday, March 13, Magic Hat is coming to let their freak flag fly in the humble storefront. Sara from the brewery will be pouring brews from their new spring Pandora’s Box 12-pack. The Odd Notion brew is only available in the 12-pack, folks.

Odd Notion: Irish Red
“This hip Irish red ale is not like those we’ve jammed with before. With a dark, red light show, it’s a spicy new scene of complex malt body filled with right-on flavors of sweet caramel and roasted chocolate.” [4.6% abv]

Circus Boy
The “unfiltered hefeweizen haze” with a light malt wheat taste. [5.2% abv]

#9 (Not Quite Pale Ale)
“Go with the not quite pale ale flow, who’s malty sweetness, dry finish, and hint of tropical fruit keep it real while keeping you cool.” [7.5% abv]

HI.P.A.
It’s back in season! “A cosmic happening of hops, hops, and more hops.” [6.8% abv]

 

 

 

 

 

The Brooklyn Brewmaster’s Reserve series will be available in Asheville throughout 2008 at Barley’s Taproom. Make sure to check the board downstairs! Incidentally, our local Barley’s was named #5 Best Beer Restaurant in the World by RateBeer Best 2008. (Our neighbors at the Mellow Mushroom came in #15, too.) Whoo!

Brooklyn Extra Brune (Jan/Feb)
Belgian Abbey beer traditionally flavored with Belgian dark candy sugar syrup. [9.0%abv]

Brooklynator Doppelbock (March/April)
Classic German-style Doppelbock brewed from heirloom variety German malts. [7.0%abv]

Brooklyner Keller Helles (May/June)
Unfiltered golden Helles-style lager, fresh and hoppy. [5.0%abv]

Brooklyn Grand Cru (July/August)
A Belgian-inspired strong pale combining the best qualities of tripel and witbier—bright, refreshing, and lightly flavored with summery botanicals. [8.5%abv]

Brooklyn Flemish Gold (Sept/Oct)
A dry, hoppy golden ale fermented with Belgian ale yeast and a hint of wild Brettanomyces yeast. [6.5%abv]

Brooklyn Savoir Faire (Nov/Dec)
Classic earthy French-style Biere de Garde. [8.0%abv]