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

How did we miss this?
Stephen Colbert talks about American Craft Beer Week. “You know it’s good, because it won a blue ribbon.”

You suck, You need more recommendations, Esquire
Esquire Magazine—the “man mag” that flails somewhere between GQ’s style, Rolling Stone’s political journalism and Maxim’s sleeze factor—has compiled a list of The Best Bars in America. How many good bars are there in North Carolina? Apparently, one. Don’t get me wrong, the Thomas Street Tavern, near The Plaza in Charlotte, is actually a pretty cool little neighborhood hangout. But beer bars seem to be completely negated from this list as a whole. Not any of the Philly beer bars made the list. Nor did the Stone Bistro or Pizza Port in SoCal. Nor the Map Room in Chicago. Not the Publick House in Boston. (Cheers to The Brick Store Pub, which did make the list, at least.) At first we reacted rather childish until we remembered that there are folks out there that drink libations other than beer. But what about all of Asheville’s beer bars? Let’s see if we can get some Asheville listed, shall we? Click on the matchbox to recommend a bar. [Editor's note: The "EsquireRule" that scrolls at the top of the home page is pretty funny, i.e. Rule #63: The best religions have great hats.]

Molson Coors puts their “waste beer” in vehicles at the DNC
The Democratic National Convention just named Molson Coors as the provider of ethanol for the conference in Denver later this year. They’re a “Presidential-level” sponsor, which means they’ve given over $1M to the convention. Who knew?

“While most ethanol comes from corn, Molson Coors’ ethanol is produced from waste beer. The ethanol used in DNC vehicles will come from Coors Brewing’s brewery in Golden.

… Waste beer is the beer that’s lost during packaging, or which is considered substandard. Coors is the country’s first major brewer to convert waste beer to ethanol, according to the company, and started that business in 1996.

Coors Brewing’s Golden plant now produces roughly 3 million gallons of ethanol a year.”

Number One threat to America still Bears
Gotta love FARK: This has nothing to do with anything, but a bear in a Japanese zoo has some mad bat-twirling skills. With video! We suspect this may, too, make the Colbert Report.

Weyerbacher is having a party
If you happen to be in Easton, Pa., on June 13, you’re in luck. Weyerbacher is hosting a “first of its kind event” to debut three new beers: Thirteen (Belgian-inspired Stout); Riserva (Oak-aged Wild Ale); and Alpha (Belgian Pale). Look for Merry Monks in 750ml’s soon, too, as a “semi-regular” release—now bottle-conditioned for secondary fermentation and higher carbonation.

Update from the Incredibly Stupid Department, Part Deux
Today’s strapped-in-beer-with-child-on-floor story brought to you from the land down under. “Four adults were in the car, two in the front seats and two in the back. The carton of beer, which contained 30 bottles, was strapped in between the two adults in the back. ‘The child was sitting in the lump in the centre, unrestrained,’ Burnett added.” Remember this happened before in Florida.

Baltika buys a brewery in Azer…bye…
Baltika just purchased a brewery in Azerbaijan, where it currently holds 3.5% of the beer market. This is Azerbaijan. Pretty slick move, considering the country’s capital, Baku, is a contender for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

NPR is worried about the beer
Comedic writer, Dennis O’Toole, calls on the US to create a strategic hops reserve and a beer tax holiday. Amen, brother.

Was it worth it?
In Montgomery, Ala., people will shoot you (twice) for a 12-pack of Bud Light. Beer thievery is always wrong, but seriously, if someone wants your Bud Light, just please give it to them.

The man behind Pop The Cap is a funny guy. Being that Sean is King of the Pranks, he sent out this delightful e-mail yesterday to let folks know the new direction of Pop The Cap.

Greetings from Pop The Cap!

When we first started the Pop The Cap campaign five years ago, our focus was united around one single goal: lift the archaic 6% alcohol cap on beer in North Carolina. We reached that goal in two years and have been enjoying (and buying) the fruits of our labor ever since.

Once we lifted the cap, Pop The Cap shifted its mission, knowing that the opportunity to promote craft beer in North Carolina is unlimited. Over the past two years, we’ve traveled throughout the state to lead beer dinners, head up small festivals, and promote North Carolina craft beer. Within the past two months, we’ve served local beer to the governor in Winston-Salem and promoted North Carolina beers in New York City.

Now, it’s time to take on that next challenge. It’s time to take beer beyond the bar.

Introducing Barley Legal by Pop The Cap, the first ever Farmhouse Ale perfume for women. Fruity malts and fresh, circusy hops provide the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. Barley Legal by Pop The Cap is for that discriminating woman who knows the intoxicating power of beer. Plan accordingly: the slightest application and two lovers will want to dry-hop for 30, 60, or 90 minutes. (120 minutes is not legal in North Carolina; we have no plans to pursue its legalization).

Because of the added SD Alcohol-40, Barley Legal can only be sold in North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) stores. Ask for it by name!

Proudly brewed and bottled by world-renowned parfumeur Brasserie d’Imbéciles d’Avril.

While perusing the RateBeer forums, we found this gem of an auction on eBay. Complete with flashing Drudge lights and just about all the animated .gif’s you can handle!

(Yes, we actually did tag this under Rarerities.)