Archive for June, 2008

This little picture is making the round on the Internets. Pretty funny, considering. Thanks to Johnny Mike and Aunt Yola for sending us that!

A few more new brews arrived today! We love the Bell’s mini-kegs. Oberon is just perfect for that backyard barbecue.

BELL’S BREWERY Oberon 5L mini-kegs
FRENCH BROAD 13 Rebels ESB (22 oz)
FRENCH BROAD Wee-Heavy-er (22 oz)
LAGINUTAS Pils
LAGUNITAS Sirius Ale

It actually happened. We told you all that money wasn’t getting thrown around for nothing. InBev has indeed made an unsolicited all-cash bid for Anheuser-Busch. While we often knock A-B, the fact is, the brewery is an American institution. It sure means a lot to folks in St. Louis (and beyond), and surely panic is spreading throughout A-B’s hometown in Missouri, in which they employee 6,000 people. From MSNBC.com:

The maker of Budweiser beer disclosed late Wednesday that InBev SA, whose brands include Beck’s and Stella Artois, delivered an unsolicited all-cash bid of $65 a share. It’s unclear whether senior Anheuser-Busch executives think the deal makes sense, but shareholders may be drawn to the offer that represents a sizable premium over the company’s closing price of $58.35 Wednesday. …

… Web sites have sprung up opposing the deal on patriotic grounds, arguing that such an iconic U.S. firm shouldn’t be handed over to foreign ownership. Republican Gov. Matt Blunt said Wednesday he opposes the deal, and directed the Missouri Department of Economic Development to see if there was a way to stop it.

“I am strongly opposed to the sale of Anheuser-Busch, and today’s offer to purchase the company is deeply troubling to me,” Blunt said in a statement.

InBev was formed in 2004 when Belgium’s Interbrew merged with South America’s biggest brewer, AmBev. Since then, the company has cut jobs in several European countries even as its sales were boosted by strong demand in Latin American countries.

Worries about job cuts at Anheuser-Busch could be justified. InBev has a reputation for squeezing costs out of the companies it acquires, said Benj Steinman, editor of the Beer Marketer’s Insights trade publication. Because of its size – and control of nearly half the U.S. beer market – Anheuser-Busch could be a ripe target for cost-cutting.

Forbes jumps in with this quick affirmation, though:

InBev said it would position Budweiser as the combined company’s flagship brand and the name of the merger company would “evoke Anheuser-Busch’s heritage.” InBev said it did not expect to close any U.S. breweries.

Wall Street Journal
CNNMoney
Bloomberg
Forbes
Guardian UK

Image: adclassics.com

Set the Tivo. From press release on BeerAdvocate:

Sam Calagione, President and Founder of Delaware’s own Dogfish Head, will be representing America’s best-selling adult beverage on national television this Thursday. The sales of craft beer continue to rise and the international beer and food pairing trend is gaining momentum as evidenced by this high-profile taste-off. Calagione has chosen to pair New Belgium’s Mothership Wit with the Gruyere Reserve cheese and a half-decade-old Dogfish Head World Wide Stout with the Askinosie artisanal Chocolate.

Craft breweries are proving that great beer has all of the flavor, complexity, and food-compatibility of the world’s finest wines and deserves it’s place at the dinner table. The world’s finest beers are more affordable than the world’s finest wines, which is why the craft segment continues to thrive even in these challenging economic times. Dogfish Head’s sales are up 41% thus far this year and the brewery focuses on stronger, more flavor, more exotic beers as their purpose statement “off-centered ales for off-centered people” alludes to. Beer is also more accessible than wine. Wine is made in a few isolated regions in the U.S. but the average American lives within 10 miles of their local brewery. So get out there and support the amazing, diverse, local, independent, small breweries that have reinvigorated the American beer landscape. For more info on Dogfish Head beers and Sam’s books go to dogfish.com.

Don’t miss Sam Calagione and Marnie Old, authors of He Said Beer, She Said Wine, on NBC’s “The Today Show” this Thursday, 6/12 in the 10 o’clock hour! 

Can’t be by your television on Thursday? Visit http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/12065856/  following the broadcast to see a complete video clip of the segment.

Bison Brewing, of Berkeley, Calif., is back in the Asheville market. As the second most popular organic brand in town, many people are going to be celebrating today.

BISON BREWING (ORGANIC) Barleywine
BISON BREWING (ORGANIC) Belgian Ale
BISON BREWING (ORGANIC) Chocolate Stout
BISON BREWING (ORGANIC) I.P.A.
BISON BREWING (ORGANIC) Farmhouse Saison
BISON BREWING (ORGANIC) Reunion*

The other half had a birthday on Monday which took up a bunch of time, what with planning a party last week/end and all. We’re back in action today, though! Beer spies are out and we’ve learned several new things lately:

Vortex mania
Vortex 1 from Pisgah Brewing is on-tap now at Barley’s. (It’s not Vortex 3, but a repeat appearance of Vortex 1.) At any rate, it’s a Triple IPA, 10.0% abv. We hear there’s Saison brewin’ too.

Imperial watch
This year’s imperial brew from Highland will be Imperial Black Mocha Stout. This is going to be a huge hit for sure! Next up: The summer seasonal, Cattail Peak Wheat.

Highland Cup and the Long Shot?
The MALT folks tell us that Asheville homebrewer, Aaron Schenk, not only won the Highland Cup, but also the Sam Adams Longshot Contest with his German Pilsner. Congrats, Aaron!

New FBB bottles/art
The new bottles of French Broad Brewery’s 13 Rebels ESB are here! New awesome artwork, too. Wee-Heavyer bottles are not far behind. (Should have them tomorrow.) Both are 22oz. Drew tells us he’s also making a Saison. Nice!

Yes, you can have stout in the summer
Asheville Pizza & Brewing has a new oatmeal stout. Doug gave some to the birthday boy. It’s yummy.

Not thirsty enough
The Thirsty Monk is expanding to the now vacated upstairs with an entrance on Patton Avenue and will include American craft brews, leaving the Belgian-style potables for the “grotto” downstairs. Renovations have already started and the goal for opening is Bele Chere weekend.

11:11
The Brick Store Pub in Decatur, Ga. is celebrating its 11th anniversary with 11 rare kegs. They’re even getting a Highland firkin! Just a few: Avery Brewing Co. Uber Swine (double dry hopped Hog Heaven); Oskar Blues Chubbourbon (Old Chub aged in bourbon barrels); Allagash Rosa (Tripel aged 1.5 yrs in oak barrels then blended with brett); Victory Wild Devil (Victory HopDevil IPA w/ brett); Harviestoun Ginger Lime. Commence the salivating.