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NoFo Brew Co Launches Internationally

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NORTH ATLANTA, Georgia — NoFo Brew Co is thrilled to announce its launch into the international market with a strategic presence in the UK at the Poundland Bescot Stadium, home to Walsall Football Club. Starting April 13, 2024, patrons can enjoy NoFo’s distinctive craft beers within the iconic stadium walls as well as at The Locker, an onsite supporter’s club and event venue. Additionally, NoFo plans to distribute beer throughout the West Midlands and beyond.

“We’re delighted to announce that NoFo beer will soon be available to enjoy at both The Poundland Bescot Stadium and The Locker. This will not only enhance the matchday experience for supporters but also represents the continued growth and development of our partnership with NoFo,” shares Benjamin Boycott, Co-Chairman of Walsall Football Club.

He continues, “We extend our sincere thanks to Joe Garcia, Bryan and Shannon Miles, and the team at NoFo for their ongoing support. Additionally, we’re proud to share that Walsall FC will be the first venue in the UK where NoFo beer can be purchased, marking a significant milestone in our commitment to innovation and improving our offerings to supporters and visitors. We eagerly anticipate witnessing the growth of NoFo within the UK market.”

The brewery is set to introduce a diverse selection of its craft beers including: Cowboy’s Payday, a sessionable, hazy IPA at 4.5% ABV with notes of mango and tropical stone fruits; Forest Explorer, an American, West-Coast IPA with notes of pine and zesty citrus at 4.5% ABV; and staple brew, Bluebird Day, a delicate Czech-style pilsner at 4.2% ABV with notes of biscuit and subtle noble hop aromatics.

“If you told me five years ago when we started our brand that we would eventually bring NoFo Brew Co to the UK, I wouldn’t believe it. Our team has worked diligently over the past year to pull countless details together to make this a reality. We are beyond excited to deepen the partnership between NoFo Brew Co and Walsall FC and also introduce craft beer fans in the UK to our brand,” expresses Joe Garcia, Co-Founder and CEO of NoFo Brew Co.

To celebrate this momentous occasion, NoFo Brew Co invites Walsall fans and craft beer enthusiasts alike to The Locker at Poundland Bescot Stadium for the NoFo Launch Event on April 13, starting at 12:00 PM. With host Simon Hill, attendees will have the opportunity to be some of the first to taste the brewery’s creations internationally, score cool prizes, enjoy a live band and meet several members of the NoFo Brew Co team.

The NoFo Launch Event precedes the highly anticipated Walsall FC vs Notts County match, promising a day filled with camaraderie, exceptional beer and the thrill of football. NoFo Brew Co beer will also be available at the 1888 Lounge, Onsite Suite, Stadium Suite and Mick Kearns Community Hub starting April 13th.

NoFo is ecstatic to be partnering with Matt Hunter and the team from The Liquorman as their exclusive UK distributor. “As a proud native of Walsall, UK, I’m thrilled to team up with NoFo Brew Co to introduce their exceptional craft beer to the UK. Starting with the die-hard supporters of Walsall FC, I’m excited to see the community’s response to these incredible beers,” remarks Matt Hunter, Owner of The Liquorman.

NoFo Brew Co eagerly awaits the opportunity to share their craft beer with everyone come April.

“Shannon and I are excited to officially have NoFo beer available to this amazing community in Walsall and the West Midlands. Both teams at NoFo and Walsall FC have put in the hard work to make this a reality, and we’re thrilled to finally bring our craft beer to Walsall FC supporters who’ve eagerly awaited its arrival for months! Here’s to cheering on the Saddlers with a pint of NoFo beer in our hands! We’m Walsall!” shares Bryan Miles, Co-Founder of NoFo Brew Co.

About NoFo Brew Co

Affectionately named NoFo after North Forsyth, NoFo Brew Co’s name is a nod to where they established their original location as Forsyth County’s first official craft brewery and distillery in 2019. NoFo was founded by Bryan Miles, Shannon Miles and Joe Garcia – three friends with a passion for craft beer, craft spirits and a perpetual craving for adventure. As their roots extended, so did their brewery with new locations across North Georgia, sponsorship of Walsall Football Club and now beer available in the UK. Today, they’re focused on providing an upscale, family-friendly environment centered around great craft beer, hand-crafted cocktails and amazing hospitality to their local communities.

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2023 Canada Beer Cup Awards

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OTTAWA, Ontario – The 2023 Canada Beer Cup competition presented awards in 66 distinct style groups across 11 categories, as evaluated by a panel of elite Canadian and international beer experts, overseen by internationally acclaimed beer writer and author Stephen Beaumont.

For the complete list of the 2023 Canada Beer Cup Awards, click here.

About the Canada Beer Cup

The Canada Beer Cup is a national competition celebrating independently owned and operated breweries across Canada. It showcases quality and innovation in craft beer from coast to coast to coast.

International Judges
Judges from Europe, the U.K., the United States and across Canada will join head judge Stephen Beaumont, one of the nation’s foremost authorities on beer. Hosting these top international judges will help bring global attention and recognition to Canadian craft brewing excellence.

The Cup
The prestigious Canada Beer Cup trophy will be awarded to a single distinguished beer—the ‘Best In Show’—as selected by an elite judging panel. All beers entered in any Style will be automatically eligible to receive the Canada Beer Cup.

For the Industry, by the Industry
Most importantly, the Canada Beer Cup is a competition for the industry by the industry, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Craft Brewers Association in support of the important work it does on behalf of craft breweries across the country.

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Samuel Adams Celebrates 15 Years of Brewing the American Dream and $100 Million in Small Business Funding

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BOSTON, Massachusetts – As Brewing the American Dream celebrates 15 years supporting small food and beverage businesses across the U.S., Samuel Adams today announces that its priority philanthropy program has surpassed $100 million of funding. This milestone commemorates the program’s dedication to uplifting devoted craftspeople everywhere in partnership with nonprofit lenders like Accion Opportunity Fund.

Established in 2008, Brewing the American Dream was born out of the same passion that led Sam Adams founder and brewer, Jim Koch, to start the craft beer revolution. Koch recognized that despite being the heartbeat of our country, food and beverage entrepreneurs are often underrepresented and underfunded. He set out to support them with valuable resources and much-needed access to capital. 15 years later, Brewing the American Dream celebrates $100 million in loan funding to more than 4,200 small business owners, with coaching and mentorship provided to 14,000 entrepreneurs who have created or retained more than 11,000 local jobs nationwide. Moreover, identifying the unique barriers they face, Brewing the American Dream has proudly championed a network of businesses that are 76% BIPOC-owned and 63% female-owned.

“There could not be a better way to celebrate our 15th year than with this incredible milestone. How time flies when you are doing what you love and get to help others do the same,” said Jennifer Glanville Love, Director of Partnerships & Collaborations at Boston Beer Company. “We are immensely grateful to have supported so many deeply impassioned entrepreneurs who fearlessly chase their dreams each day–and that’s really what $100 million represents for us, more dreams realized.”

Amidst the current economic landscape, access to affordable capital is critical for aspiring food & beverage entrepreneurs. Yet, the program’s impact stretches well beyond funding. It boasts a dynamic breadth of initiatives that offer business advice and discipline-specific education to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to run a healthy, growing enterprise.

Brewing the American Dream’s unique program roster retains year-round efforts like Speed Coaching and Pitch Room Competitions, the latter of which has awarded a total of $500,000 to finalists in various markets across the country. Another program staple, the Brewing & Business Experienceship, is now in its 12th year of selecting one lucky craft brewer to work side-by-side with experts at the Samuel Adams Boston Brewery.

Showing no signs of slowing down, the program saw a 25% increase in coaching and event attendance in the last year alone. Through years of successfully executing signature programs and working hand-in-hand with entrepreneurs, Brewing the American has maintained a keen pulse on the evolving needs of today’s small business owner. This experienced insight and demand has led to recent program additions such as food styling and photography coaching in 2022 and an inaugural Bootcamp intensive that launched in May of this year.

“Samuel Adams has been a steadfast supporter of small food and beverage businesses over the past 15 years,” said Luz Urrutia, CEO of Accion Opportunity Fund. “Working creatively alongside a variety of local non-profit partners over that time, they have expanded access not only to critical capital that these businesses need to grow, but also to valuable learning, networking, and promotional opportunities to support their success. We at Accion Opportunity Fund are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continued collaboration.”

As the food & beverage community remains a powerful thread in the country’s DNA, Brewing the American Dream is committed to being an ever-evolving resource for the dreamers that make it stronger each day.

About Brewing the American Dream

In 2008, Samuel Adams launched its core philanthropic initiative, Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream. In partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund, one of the nation’s largest non-profit small business lenders, the program supports small business owners in the food, beverage, and brewing industries through access to business capital, coaching, and new market opportunities. The goal is to help strengthen small businesses, create local jobs, and build vibrant communities. Since the inception of the Samuel Adams Brewing the American Dream program, Brewing the American Dream has worked together with Accion Opportunity Fund and other non-profits in loaning more than $100 million to more than 4,100 small business owners in the food and beverage industry. Samuel Adams employees, together with local business partners and community organizations, have provided coaching and mentoring to more than 14,000 business owners across the country, helping to create or maintain more than 9,000 local jobs.

About Accion Opportunity Fund

Accion Opportunity Fund works to create an inclusive, healthy financial system that supports the nation’s small business owners by connecting entrepreneurs to affordable capital, educational resources, coaching, and networks. Through innovative partnerships and outreach strategies, we reach entrepreneurs of color, low-income entrepreneurs, and women, who often lack access to the financial services they need to build and grow their businesses. Loans made by Accion Opportunity Fund Community Development. California Finance Lenders license number 6050609.

About Boston Beer Company

The Boston Beer Company, Inc. (NYSE: SAM) began in 1984 brewing Samuel Adams beer and the Samuel Adams brand is currently recognized as one of the largest and most respected craft beer brands. Our portfolio of brands also includes Truly Hard Seltzer, Twisted Tea, Angry Orchard Hard Cider, Dogfish Head Brewery and Hard Mountain Dew as well as other craft beer brands such as Angel City Brewery and Coney Island Brewing.

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2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship Medal Winners and Grand National Champion

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Oxford, Ohio (July 10, 2023) – Breweries from Maui to Miami sent more than 9,000 beers(3,107 entries) representing over 160 different styles to the 2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship. Today, the U.S. Open Beer Championship announces the medal winners and Grand National Champion.

Toppling Goliath Brewing of Decorah, Iowa was awarded the 2023 Grand National Champion by winning 4 gold medals. Their gold medal winners included Pseudo Sue Hazy Pale Ale, Seismic Sue Triple IPA, King Sue Hazy DIPA, and KBBS Reserve 2022. Toppling Goliath is known for brewing some of the best beers in the world and was the 2021 Grand National Champion at the U.S. Open.

Flix Brewhouse in Carmel, Indiana placed second overall by winning 3 gold medals for their Inside the Moone Foreign Stout, Who is this Hans? Hefeweizen and Dunkel Dimension Münchner Dunkel. Their Ursula’s Agreement Gose took Silver. This accomplishment is especially amazing since they had to completely close down during COVID.

Schulz Brau Brewing out of Knoxville, Tennessee placed Third by winning 2 golds for their Barrel Aged Maibock and their Historical Beer, Grätzer. They also took home a silver for their roggenbier and two bronzes for their Hefeweizen and Oktoberfest Märzen. Schulz Brau is also known for having one of the best beer gardens in America.

The U.S. Open Beer Championship judges more beer styles than any other competition in the world. The U.S. Open is also the only major beer competition to allow the gold medal winners of the AHA’s National Homebrew Competition to participate. This year, 3 homebrewers won medals which ties the U.S. Open record. Big congratulations go to Alex Cigan from Brooklyn for winning a bronze medal for his Contrived Spontaneity Wheat Wine, to Joseph Belevender from Warren, Michigan for winning a silver medal for his North Biere Belgian Ale, and to Caleb Meinke from Cambridge, Wisconsin for winning silver for his Len’s Light Lager.

The U.S. Open judging was held at the new U.S. Open Event Center in Oxford, Ohio. The U.S. Open became the first beer competition to be held in its own venue, a 6,000 square-foot Amish pole barn on a small farm. The barn consists of a judging area, a serving area, two 450-square-foot coolers, an office, and a nano brewery. To see “The Barn”, Click here to see a YouTube video of the 15th Anniversary of the U.S. Open Beer Championship.

Top 10 Breweries in 2023’s U.S. Open Beer Championships
1. Toppling Goliath Brewing — Iowa
2. Flix Brewhouse – Carmel – Indiana
3. Schulz Brau Brewing – Tennessee
4. Urban Artifact – Ohio
5. Boulevard Brewing Company – Missouri
5. Bull & Bush Brewery – Colorado
5. New Heights Brewery – Tennessee
5. Sun King Brewery – Indiana
9. Pontoon Brewing – Georgia
10. Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
10. Woodland Farm Brewery – New York

2023 U.S. Open Beer Championship Medal Winners – Click Here

Pink Boots Category: Barrel Oak Brewery takes home the Gold
The U.S. Open Beer Championship partnered with the Pink Boots Society, an organization that assists, inspires, and encourages women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage profession through education, to create the Pink Boots Blend Category. The organization has partnered with Yakima Chief Hops for several years to sell a special hops blend to benefit the Pink Boots scholarship fund, and all beers developed using this hop blend were eligible to enter the category. Pink Boots Hazeberry Sour Ale, brewed by Barrel Oak Brewery in Delaplane, VA, brought home the gold medal. All entry fees for the category – more than $3,000 will be donated to the scholarship fund.

What’s in a Name?
U.S. Open beer judges always enjoy the creativity behind the names that breweries choose for their products, and judge winners subjectively (based on laughter volume) at the competition’s conclusion. This year’s Top 10 on the laughs meter included:

Top 10 Beer Names at the U.S. Open Beer Championship
1. Miniature Giant Space Hamster Hazy Pale Ale – Bullfinch Brewing – New York
2. I Used to be an Athlete Session IPA – Benchtop Brewing – Virginia
3. I’ll Have What the Gentleman on the Floor is Having Barley Wine – McGuire’s Irish Pub – Florida
4. Surfing Hippos IPA – Pocock Brewing – California
5. Not Bad For A Strip Mall Brewery IPA – Lupulin Brewing Company – Minnesota
6. Old Elephant Foot IPA – Tampa Bay Brewing – Florida
7. Damn Near Kilt ‘Em – Cowtown Brewing – Texas
8. Luke I Am Your Lager – Grainworks – Ohio
9. Adios Bitchachos Mexican Pilsner – Bankhead Brewing – Texas
10. Mission Impawsible Double IPA(Proceeds to Dog rescue program) – Service Brewing – Georgia
10. Gandalph the Haze – Iron Pipe Alewerks – Virginia
10. Stud Puffin Hazy Pale Ale – King Canary Brewing – North Carolina

What’s in a label?
In addition to judging some of the world’s finest beers, in 2023 the US Open broke new ground by reviewing and recognizing excellence in label artwork. Over 500 breweries from across the globe submitted over 1,000 beers to be considered for the 1st annual beer can art awards. Olvera Street Lager brewed by Angel City Brewing won gold while the Explorium Brewpub’s Damn! That’s Good Double IPA won the “Director’s Award” for the best creative use of the US Open Beer Championship logo on their beer label design. This year’s Top 10 beer labels included: Click here to view the Director’s Award and Honorable Mentions.

Top 10 Beer Label Artwork – Click here to view the top 10 artwork.
Gold – Olvera Street Lager – Angel City Brewing
Angel City Brewing Label Artwork
Silver – Keeping it Crispy – Tactical Brewing Co
BRONZE – Just Deal Wit It – The Dreamchasers Brewery
BRONZE – Shades of Black – Akademia Brewing
5th – Viva La Otter – Pontoon Brewing
6th – Trash Panda – Metazoa Brewing
7th – Mi Nombre Es Cerveza – Roadmap Brewing
8th – Pierre Delecto – Fullsteam Brewing
9th – Udderly Galactic – Launch Pad Brewing
10th – Ten Million Flowers – Discretion Brewing
10th – Swim Shady – Epidemic Ales
10th – Cryo Scape – Batson River Brewing
10th – Chupacatawbra – Twin Oast Brewing

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Oak Road Brewery Celebrates 8th Anniversary by Releasing New Beer in Support of Charleston Memorial Stair Climb

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SUMMERVILLE, South Carolina— As part of its 8th anniversary celebration, Oak Road Brewery will release the #NeverForget beer, brewed through its Women in Brewing initiative. This limited series juicy IPA is specifically brewed in support of Charleston Memorial Stair Climb’s mission of paying tribute to the 412 First Responders lost on 9/11.

“It’s an honor for us to brew #NeverForget and support Charleston Memorial Stair Climb by donating a portion of the proceeds. This event, like so many others, is one we feel personally connected to and participate in. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with this organization in honoring the lives lost and ensuring we never forget the sacrifice they made,” Erin Cox, Co-Owner and Women in Brewing Head Brewer.

#NeverForget will be released during the Charleston Memorial Stair Climb’s Pre-Climb Party hosted by Oak Road Brewery, located at 108 E 3rd N St. Summerville, SC 29483, on June 16, 2023 from 5 – 9 PM ET. This juicy IPA made with mosaic, citra and el dorado hops will only be available for a limited time through the taproom and special 4-packs of cans to go.

“We invite the entire lowcountry community to join us in honoring those 412 First Responders at the Pre-Climb Party and the Charleston Memorial Stair Climb event the following day. We are thankful for the opportunity to honor these men and women through the release of #NeverForget,” Erin Cox, Co-Owner and Women in Brewing Head Brewer.

To learn more about the Pre-Climb Event, please visit oakroadbrewery.com. To learn more about Charleston Memorial Stair Climb, please visit charlestonstairclimb.com.

About Oak Road Brewery

Founded in 2015 by Ben Bankey, Brian Cox, Erin Cox and Brad Mallett in Summerville, South Carolina, Oak Road Brewery, has mastered the art of lagering local German-inspired beers that are approachable and unpretentious. With a mission of creating a relaxing and fun atmosphere, Oak Road Brewery is dedicated to keeping it local, and making Summerville a destination for beer drinkers everywhere. As part of this mission, Oak Road Brewery has received many accolades since opening its doors more than seven years ago. Local, regional and national accolades include a U.S. Open Beer Championship Gold Medal winner, multiple medals from U.S. Beer Wars and South Carolina Brewers Guild and Summerville and Greater Dorchester Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year Award.

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AZ Wilderness Partners With Equality Maricopa to Make Arizona’s First LGBT License Plate a Reality

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PHOENIX, Arizona – Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co. announced the launch of Prism, a prickly pear lager that will raise funds to create Arizona’s first LGBTQIA+ license plate.

The beer is being released in collaboration with Equality Maricopa, a resource group that supports LGBTQIA+ students and employees of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges across the Valley. Last year, Equality Maricopa began the push for Arizona to create a specialty license plate, proceeds from which would fund the PRISM Scholarship—a scholarship for LGBTQIA+ students—in perpetuity. If the license plate is adopted, Arizona will become one of the first states with an LGBTQIA+-themed license plate design.

To get the license plate produced, the organization needs to provide the state with $32,000, and they’re over halfway toward that goal. A percentage of the sales of Prism (the beer) will be donated to help them get the rest of the way.

Speaking of the beer: Named for the PRISM Scholarship, Prism is a delightfully fruit-forward lager brewed with Arizona-grown prickly pear. The label on each can includes an illustration of the proposed design of the license plate. Each can also includes a QR code with a link to make a direct donation to the PRISM Scholarship fund.

To celebrate the beer’s launch, Equality Maricopa will be hosting a happy hour at Arizona Wilderness’ DTPHX beer garden from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, June 10. A dollar from every pint of beer sold during the event will be donated to the license plate creation fund.

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Breweries & Lead-Up Events Announced for Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest

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PASO ROBLES, California— Firestone Walker announced the lineup for the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest on June 3, featuring an all-star cast of more than 55 breweries from around the world.

Firestone Walker also announced a slate of local events leading up to the fest, all designed to bring visitors and the local community deeper into the experience. “This is a time when the Central Coast is at the center of the craft beer universe,” said David Walker.

Attending breweries at the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest include Balter Brewing from Australia’s Gold Coast; Birrificio Del Ducato from Parma, Italy; Oud Beersel from Beersel, Belgium; Lervig from Stavanger, Norway; Green Bench from St. Petersburg, Florida; Oxbow from Newcastle, Maine; and Private Press from Santa Cruz, California. A complete list of the breweries attending the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest can be viewed below and on the event page.

This year, the festivities begin early with the following local events and experiences:

Invitational Kickoff Concert @ Paso Robles City Park | Thursday, June 1

From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Firestone Walker will host a free Invitational Kickoff Concert in the Paso Robles City Park featuring live music by Dante Marsh & The Vibe Setters; a craft beer sensory experience; and an 805 Beer exhibit featuring trailers for upcoming original films featuring professional bull rider Stetson Lawrence and professional surfers Conner Coffin, Greyson Fletcher and Nate Tyler. The event will feature a wide selection of Firestone Walker beers, including No Vacancy IPA—the “fest collaboration” beer brewed with Alvarado Street Brewery (more details below).

Brewery Block Party @ Firestone Walker Paso Robles | Friday, June 2

The public is invited to the inaugural Invitational Brewery Block Party starting at 1:30 p.m. with outdoor barbecue offerings, beer sampling, guest taps, special bottle pours and games. The street between the brewhouse and Taproom restaurant will be open to foot traffic, with live music happening from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Invitational Kickoff Beer Pairings @ Participating Restaurants | Starting May 12

Starting May 12, Firestone Walker is collaborating with more than 20 top restaurants countywide to present custom fixed-price beer pairing menus. Each participating restaurant is offering a chef’s selection of dishes paired with a range of Firestone Walker beers—a culinary precursor to the upcoming beer fest. A full list of participating restaurants will be announced on May 12.

“No Vacancy” Fest Collaboration Beer | Available Now

Introducing “No Vacancy IPA,” the 2023 Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest collaboration beer made with Alvarado Street Brewery in Monterey. No Vacancy is a new-age West Coast IPA, riffing on Alvarado Street’s signature My Tai IPA with a layer of Firestone Walker flair. Liberally hopped and loaded with tropical character, this is the IPA that welcomes you to the best beer fest in the West.

No Vacancy is rolling out to tap accounts throughout the Central Coast, as well as at Firestone Walker locations in Paso Robles, Buellton and Venice. It is also available at FirestoneBeer.com.

Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest | Saturday, June 3 (Sold Out)

Since its inaugural event in 2012, the Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest has become renowned as one of the world’s most esteemed beer festivals. This year’s edition will once again showcase an international cast of more than 55 leading craft breweries, as well as live music and food from more than 25 local restaurants and purveyors. Proceeds from the fest benefit Paso Robles Pioneer Day, a beloved local nonprofit.

“The Firestone Walker Invitational Beer Fest was born from a dream of creating a world-class festival featuring some of the best brewers in the world,” said Brewmaster Matt Brynildson. “This is a day when we can set the sales pitches aside and simply share our beers and stories with passionate craft drinkers.”

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Whetstone Beer Co. Launches “Pints for Parks” Supporting VT State Parks

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BRATTLEBORO, Vermont— “Brewing up adventure” isn’t just a motto for Whetstone Beer Co., it’s a way of life. Partners David Hiler, and Tim and Amy Brady were brought together by not just a love of beer, but also a love of adventure. Their years of exploring the beauty of Vermont State Parks has led them to launch the Pints for Parks project, a partnership benefitting Vermont State Parks through Vermont Parks Forever. Pints for Parks kicks off on May 6, at Jamaica State Park.

Pints for Parks is a collaboration between Whetstone Beer Co. and Vermont State Parks, where twice per year Whetstone will focus on a different State Park to create a unique, limited-edition beer celebrating that specific park. In addition, Whetstone will donate proceeds from all Pints for Parks beer to VT State Parks’ partner charity, Vermont Parks Forever.

“We are very excited about the Pints for Parks program and the opportunity to partner with Whetstone Beer Co. This program is a terrific way to celebrate Vermont’s amazing state park system and encourage folks to get outside” said Nate McKeen, Director of Vermont State Parks. “Whetstone is a terrific company to work with who understands the value of outdoor recreation and connecting people to the parks.”

The inaugural Pints for Parks launch celebration will take place on May 6th, 2023, from 12 pm to 4 pm at Jamaica State Park: 48 Salmon Hole Ln, Jamaica, VT 05343, with the release of a limited-edition Jamaica State Park Kolsch beer inspired by the park’s iconic Hamilton Falls, and the spring Whitewater Release on the West River.

“Jamaica State Park is the perfect park to showcase a Kolsch. This spring beer style is warm fermented – a nod to the tropical island which shares the park’s name – and cold conditioned like the West River which is fed by the park’s Hamilton Falls in springtime,” said Whetstone partner Tim Brady. “Somewhere between a lager and an ale, this Kolsch is well-balanced and subtle. It’s perfect for a warm spring day while relaxing after whitewater rafting or exploring your favorite state park. We couldn’t think of a more fitting brew to launch for our Pints for Parks program supporting all VT State Parks.”

“We are grateful for this creative partnership that will showcase Vermont’s beautiful state parks and raise awareness of Vermont Parks Forever (VPF), the foundation for Vermont’s state parks,” said Sarah Alberghini Winters, Executive Director, Vermont Parks Forever. “The support from Whetstone Beer Co. will bolster VPF’s efforts to expand nature education in the parks and provide more free entry through the Park Access Fund. Thanks Whetstone!”

About Whetstone Beer Co.

Whetstone Beer Co is a part of the Whetstone Brands family established in 2012, including The Station at Whetstone Beer Co., and River Garden Marketplace in Brattleboro, VT, and Kampfires Campground Inn & Entertainment with Scoops Ice Cream Shop, Putter’s Mini Golf, and the Pit Amphitheater in Dummerston, VT.

About Vermont State Parks

Vermont State Parks provides environmental education and information and supports the economies and values of local communities. Additionally, state parks promote, operate, and maintain a large and complex system of conserved lands, as well as both historic and modern facilities that are enjoyed by over half a million visitors every year. We work towards ensuring a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for our staff, volunteers, and visitors.

About Vermont Parks Forever

Vermont Parks Forever is the nonprofit foundation for Vermont’s 55 state parks. VPF was founded in 2013 to enhance and protect Vermont’s state parks by inspiring stewardship of natural places, providing educational experiences, and improving access for those who would otherwise be unable to experience all the benefits the state parks have to offer.

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AleSmith Brewing Company Extends .394 Line with Session .394

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SAN DIEGO, California – AleSmith Brewing Company is proud to announce the release of Session .394, a light, sessionable beer in cans and draft throughout San Diego. Following in the footsteps of their original .394 beer, collaboration with Hall-of-Famer Tony Gwynn, this rendition has a lower alcohol content while still packing all of the hop character you love. The light, easy-drinking beer is sure to be a hit with those looking for a lower alcohol option without sacrificing flavor.

This new release speaks to Tony Gwynn’s original vision of creating a beer that was both easy-drinking and full of flavor – one that could be enjoyed by everyone. It is this same vision that has guided AleSmith Brewing Co. since 1995 as they have grown into one of San Diego’s most beloved brewers who continue to honor Gwynn’s legacy through their .394 line.

Session .394 is a San Diego-style Session Pale Ale brewed with Mosaic and Citra hops giving it lovely notes of citrus and pineapple for an enjoyable drinking experience that transcends style boundaries. This crushable .394 embodies Tony Gwynn’s original vision of a beer that is “light with a kick.” Weighing in at 4.9% ABV, Session .394 will provide relief from heat during long summer days without sacrificing taste or quality.

“We are thrilled to extend our popular .394 product line with this lighter version,” said Brandon Richards, President of AleSmith Brewing Company. “As always, we believe in creating beers that represent the highest quality standard so drinkers can enjoy them no matter what their lifestyle or taste preference.”

“I am so proud of our ability to continue honoring Tony Gwynn and his legacy with this new version of .394,” said Peter Zien, Owner and CEO of AleSmith Brewing Company. “This version is an easy-drinking rendition that embodies Tony’s original vision of a full-flavored beer with a light body. It’s the perfect way to celebrate America’s favorite pastime in our hometown – San Diego!”

Session .394 will be available in cans and draft throughout San Diego beginning this month. Fans can look forward to enjoying the new offering at AleSmith’s tasting room in Miramar as well as other locations throughout San Diego County. Find the retailer nearest you by visiting AleSmith’s Beer Finder.

ABV: 4.9%

About AleSmith Brewing Company

Forged in 1995, AleSmith has been recognized by consumers and critics alike as one of the world’s foremost craft brewing companies behind accolades that include medals won at prestigious national and international beer competitions. In addition to being well established within its hometown of San Diego, AleSmith was acknowledged by the RateBeer community as the Top Brewer in California and the 4th Best Brewery in the World in 2017. AleSmith also received the Champion Brewery Award for the past three years at the San Diego International Beer Competition and was named Small Brewing Company of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in 2008. AleSmith is celebrating its 23rd year in business and occupies a 109,942 square-foot facility with a state-of- the-art brewery. AleSmith is currently ranked #9 out of 33,000+ breweries worldwide.

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LUKI Brewery to Unveil Sustainability Metrics and Release Beer with Sustainable Grain on Earth Day

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ARVADA, Colorado – Operating a brewery uses a lot of natural resources. Since day one LUKI Brewery has designed and developed its processes to focus on responsible sustainability practices for breweries similar in size. For LUKI, self-reporting is the first step towards making sure that the brewery is performing at optimal levels.

“After almost three years, we feel it’s time to benchmark our efforts, and we’re happy to see results like our water usage,” says LUKI Co-Founder and Ringmaster Jeff Smith. “Breweries of our size use a median of 13 gallons of water to one gallon of beer out of the tap. In 2022, we had a 7-to-1 ratio, and will continue efforts to improve as we grow.”

The brewery’s self-reporting, which will be shared on April 22, is the kick-off to LUKI’s Earth Day celebration. The brewery has teamed up with Scraps Mile High, a compost pick-up service, to brew a beer using a sustainable grain called Kernza® from Sustain-A-Grain. This perennial grain grows year-round and has massive roots that help improve air, soil and water quality. Mobius Loop, a light Blonde Ale with a slightly sweet, nutty flavor, as well as a 5-gallon cask-version of the beer with local honey from the downtown Denver rooftop beehives at Civic Center Plaza, will tap at noon.

Sustainability practices can be a daunting task so LUKI has also invited the following vendors for an informational open house from 3 to 6:30 p.m.

  • Scraps Mile High: premiere compost pickup service
  • Homestead in the Hood: bringing hive fresh honey to your home
  • Rose Roots Community Garden: organic community garden
  • And more to come! Check LUKI’s website frequently for updates

Hip Hop and Funk Group, People In Between, will play two sets (3-4:30 p.m. and 5 to 6:30 p.m.) and D’Toque Food Truck will be stationed at the brewery serving up delicious Salvadorian eats.

“Preserving natural resources has been in our DNA since back in our homebrewing days where we were coming up with ways to save and reuse as much water as possible,” says Smith. “So come and check out what we’re up to and learn how you can also take small steps to preserve our environment!”

About LUKI Brewery

Established in 2020, LUKI Brewery is a family and dog-friendly brewery located in Arvada, Colorado. Inspired by the Golden Era of the circus and harnessing familial ties with the Ringling Bros. that stem back to the 1920s, LUKI provides an array of beer styles and a space that provides entertainment, wonder and community. Welcome to the show.

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