Bellingham breweries win four medals at 2018 World Beer Cup

  In case you weren't aware, Bellingham's craft beer community brews some of the best beer in the world. This year's World Beer Cup continued to prove that to everyone. Every two years the World Beer Cup is hosted held at the annual Craft Brewers Conference (CBC.) The Craft Brewers Conference [...]

Bellingham breweries win four medals at 2018 World Beer Cup2018-10-18T13:21:08-07:00

Brewers Association’s 2017 Craft Beer in Review

  Boulder, CO • December 13, 2017 – Strong brewery growth, increased beer tourism and the launch of the independent craft brewer seal—with more than 2,700 craft brewers signed on—were all part of a watershed year for craft beer in 2017. The Brewers Association (BA) —the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independentAmerican brewers—looks back on [...]

Brewers Association’s 2017 Craft Beer in Review2018-10-18T13:21:15-07:00

Méthode Traditionnelle attempts to define a growing category of American-made, Lambic-inspired beers

An increasing number of American breweries are making beers similar to Belgian Lambics using traditional methods, such as spontaneous fermentations, turbid mashes, long boils, barrel aging, etc., along with traditional ingredients such as raw/unmalted wheat and aged hops. Some are even blending one-, two-, and three-year-old batches, similar to Belgian Gueuze [...]

Méthode Traditionnelle attempts to define a growing category of American-made, Lambic-inspired beers2018-10-18T13:21:20-07:00

Bellingham breweries win gold(s) at 2017 Great American Beer Festival

  The 2017 Great American Beer Festival came to a close yesterday with the award ceremony on Saturday. For all those fanatics that watched it on live stream or followed online, you already know what's coming. For those that didn't Bellingham represented well at this year's event. Chuckanut Brewery pulled in [...]

Bellingham breweries win gold(s) at 2017 Great American Beer Festival2018-10-18T13:21:21-07:00

5 things every beer lover should know about Oktoberfest

  Chances are good you know at least something about Oktoberfest. Even the most buzzed among us would be able to deduce that it’s some sort of German party, and of course everyone knows that its mascot is someone raising a liter-sized stein of lager, wearing either a dirndl dress or [...]

5 things every beer lover should know about Oktoberfest2018-10-18T13:21:23-07:00

Mid Year Report give mixed results for craft beer

  In Bellingham, craft beer is killing it. It's growing, breweries are flourishing and things are looking up. Across the US though, outside of our secluded and protected waters, craft beer isn't flowing with the same fervor. The Brewer's Association released a midway 2017 report on how craft beer is fairing. [...]

Mid Year Report give mixed results for craft beer2018-10-18T13:21:25-07:00

Brewers Association Launches New Seal to Designate Independent Beers

Boulder, CO • June 27, 2017—In an effort to educate beer lovers about which beers are independently produced, the Brewers Association—the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers—launched a new seal touting independent craft brewers. Featuring an iconic beer bottle shape flipped upside down, [...]

Brewers Association Launches New Seal to Designate Independent Beers2018-10-18T13:21:31-07:00

Bellingham breweries bring home nine awards at North American Beer Awards

  Bellingham's craft beer scene just swelled in size with the addition of Melvin Brewing Company, who officially opened last Saturday. There were lines up the street and the beer floweth-ed. The opening was an exclamation on years of insane brewery growth, accolades and Bellingham making it onto numerous Top Lists. [...]

Bellingham breweries bring home nine awards at North American Beer Awards2018-10-18T13:21:32-07:00

Cholaca, world’s first and only liquid cacao, is a game changer for beer, coffee, cocktails

I love chocolate porters, stouts, and brown ales, but most of the commercial examples I have had lack the chocolate depth I desire, and many seem to get their chocolaty flavor more from dark malts than actual chocolate additions. I get it, though. As a homebrewer, I understand how challenging it [...]

Cholaca, world’s first and only liquid cacao, is a game changer for beer, coffee, cocktails2018-10-18T13:21:34-07:00

Northwest breweries look to their own backyard for innovation after AB InBev buys entire South African hop crop

  Last week AB InBev bought the entire South African hop crop. That's right, the entire country's crop. South African hops make up about 1% of the world's hop crop, but have become an increasingly hot commodity in the race towards breweries seeking out new, rare and innovative hops. According to AB [...]

Northwest breweries look to their own backyard for innovation after AB InBev buys entire South African hop crop2018-10-18T13:21:34-07:00

Another craft brewery acquisition, and why it’s upsetting

  It happened again. AB InBev acquired yet another craft brewery. I know, shock of the century. Except, this time it was the highly praised and respected Wicked Weed Brewing of Asheville, N.C., and it nearly broke the internet. After reading hundreds of comments from various sources, the same arguments, explanations, [...]

Another craft brewery acquisition, and why it’s upsetting2018-10-18T13:21:35-07:00

BrewDog opens new brewery in America

Scotland’s dog-friendly brewery, BrewDog, opened its new brewery, restaurant and taproom in Columbus, Ohio yesterday. Named DogTap Columbus, the stylish building features a gaming area, a full restaurant, and a dozen taps from BrewDog and other guest breweries (see photos below from brewdog.com). Once its brewhouse is fully operational, it will double [...]

BrewDog opens new brewery in America2018-10-18T13:21:39-07:00

BrewDog gives employees Paw-ternity leave for new dog families

  Scotland's BrewDog is well known for not only its crazy powerful beers, expanding business, but also its unique business practices. BrewDog has announced that any employees that adopt a dog will officially receive one week of paid vacation when they bring a new dog into the household. This is a [...]

BrewDog gives employees Paw-ternity leave for new dog families2018-10-18T13:21:40-07:00

RateBeer Best Awards from year 2016 released

RateBeer has just released its last batch of competition results from its annual RateBeer Best Awards for the year 2016. “I'd like to raise a glass to the people who make the beer we drink,” says Joe Tucker, executive director of RateBeer. “These men and women are the artists, engineers, visionaries, [...]

RateBeer Best Awards from year 2016 released2018-10-18T13:21:45-07:00

[Infographic] A Breakdown of Michigan’s largest breweries

  Michigan is full of beer and they are frequently in the craft beer news cycle with the likes of Bells, Founders and Atwater. New Holland Brewing Company entered into a distribution deal with Pabst in 2016. Founders gave about 30% of their company to Mahou San Miguel group of Spain [...]

[Infographic] A Breakdown of Michigan’s largest breweries2018-10-18T13:21:48-07:00

Bellingham ranked as the 4th most hungover city in US

  Bellingham has many auspicious titles, including being the snobbiest beer city in the US. We wear these titles with happiness, and maybe even a tad bit of concern. Regardless, we wear them. There are so many different lists, awards and things these days, but some of them stick out. So, [...]

Bellingham ranked as the 4th most hungover city in US2018-10-18T13:21:50-07:00

The 34th Annual Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo

  The 2016 CBC made it's way westward to our nearby neighbor and craft beer mecca, Portland. The conference brought thousands of brewing professionals together to discuss the state of craft beer and best practices. This year's conference makes its way back east to our nation's capital. Here's the deets on [...]

The 34th Annual Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo2018-10-18T13:21:51-07:00

Is Craft Beer too White?

  Craft beer is a culture. It's bigger than a "market" or a "sector", it's a culture. And when a movement becomes a culture larger questions arise. We've looked into sexism in craft beer and groups like Pink Boots Society that helps introduce women into the craft beer industry and to [...]

Is Craft Beer too White?2018-10-18T13:21:52-07:00

UNESCO Deems Belgium Beer Culture a Treasure of Humanity

  Belgium's beer culture is pretty rad...you know, simply put. Some of the best beers in the world consistently come from their many cobbled streets. (Make sure to checkout Aubrey's first hand account of seeking out the world famous "Westy 12.") Well, now the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization [...]

UNESCO Deems Belgium Beer Culture a Treasure of Humanity2018-10-18T13:21:52-07:00

Three arrested after mistaking hops for marijuana

  Hop's famed relative is marijuana. They look similar. They also smell similar, but they do very different things. Hops ensure those awesome Tap Trail beers tastes just amazing. Marijuana ensures, well, that you get high. The two genera are apart of the same taxonomic family Cannabinaceae. Some people might not be [...]

Three arrested after mistaking hops for marijuana2016-11-29T10:46:22-08:00

AB InBev gets the green light to acquire SABMiller

A couple weeks ago, while enjoying a pint at a brewery in a small town in Oregon, I overheard a beer distributor talking about all the recent mergers and acquisitions. He had a curiously simplistic take on it all: “Beer will always be in demand. The logo on the side of the truck is [...]

AB InBev gets the green light to acquire SABMiller2016-09-28T09:12:42-07:00

35th Annual Great American Beer Festival

  For the 35th year in a row, craft beer lovers will gather in Colorado at the Great American Beer Festival (GABF), the premier beer festival and competition in the U.S. With 379,000 square feet in the tasting hall, an anticipated 60,000 attendees will have the opportunity to sample some 3,800 [...]

35th Annual Great American Beer Festival2018-10-18T13:22:17-07:00

Brewery sets world record for buying largest round of beer

  Some world records are more important than others. This one might be the greatest - and most generous - in history. The owners of Britain's Box Steam Brewery spent two hours, between 12pm and 2pm, pouring 412 drinks for patrons. The record led to the emptying of 36 gallons of beer (four [...]

Brewery sets world record for buying largest round of beer2018-10-18T13:22:34-07:00

Stone Brewing Opening Brewery in Napa

  Press Release Stone Brewing will begin renovations to a 10,000 square-foot iconic building in downtown Napa, bringing its bold and flavorful craft beer to the region well-known for its amazing wine. Stone’s newest outpost, located on 3rd Street and Soscol Avenue, will include a pilot brewing system, a dining experience, [...]

Stone Brewing Opening Brewery in Napa2018-10-18T13:22:38-07:00

Budweiser to Rename itself “America”

  This is not The Onion folks. Budweiser has submitted paperwork in order to change its name from to "America." To further increase the patriotic fervor they will also be changing: "King of Beers" has been changed to "E Pluribus Unum," "The World Renowned" changed to "Land of the Free" "Anheuser-Busch, [...]

Budweiser to Rename itself “America”2018-10-18T13:22:42-07:00

Two Bellingham breweries awarded medals at the 2016 World Beer Cup

The Brewers Association (BA) — the not-for-profit trade group dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s small and independent craft brewers — announced the results of one of the largest commercial beer competitions to date, the 2016 World Beer Cup. The awards were presented at the conclusion of the Craft Brewers Conference & [...]

Two Bellingham breweries awarded medals at the 2016 World Beer Cup2018-10-18T13:22:42-07:00

Chuckanut Pilsner voted one of the best 101 beers in America

So many accolades for Bellingham breweries lately and this is another one. Men's Journal drops the occasional craft beer article and I've actually been impressed by the breadth of their suggestions and choices in these lists. They certainly put their time in. The article goes into each and every state and [...]

Chuckanut Pilsner voted one of the best 101 beers in America2016-03-31T10:03:15-07:00

World drinks more craft beer than ever before

  The US isn't the only one drinking our craft beer. We're shipping it around the world, so others can drink it too. Craft beer is all about sharing, isn't it? Well, the numbers just released by the Brewer's Association show that sharing it at an all-time high with our international friends. [...]

World drinks more craft beer than ever before2018-10-18T13:22:46-07:00

Fest of Ale: The Best Deal North of the Border

  Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer connoisseur or a craft brew newcomer you’re certain to find something new, exciting and fresh at the 2016 Okanagan Fest of Ale. The 21st annual Fest of Ale takes place in the waterfront city of Penticton BC April 8th  & 9th, 2016. The 2-day event features [...]

Fest of Ale: The Best Deal North of the Border2018-10-18T13:22:47-07:00

2015 Craft Beer Numbers Released: Looking back at 2014

The Brewers Association just released the numbers from 2015 growth. Let's look over them a bit and see what we can glean. At the end of 2015 the US was at a record high, 4,269 breweries and held a 12.2% volume market share. The BA said their goal is to have 20% [...]

2015 Craft Beer Numbers Released: Looking back at 20142018-10-18T13:22:48-07:00

New Belgium Celebrating 25 Years with Fat Tire Collaboration Pack

  I remember drinking my first Fat Tire. It was some time in the late 90s, before I was 21. I was pretty proud of drinking something that was unique "crafty" and, frankly, had a bike on it (I like bikes.) I dug the bottle because it was different than the [...]

New Belgium Celebrating 25 Years with Fat Tire Collaboration Pack2018-10-18T13:22:50-07:00

Greg Koch Gives Moving Interview As to Why Stone Brewing Won’t Sell Out

  Greg Koch, Stone Brewing's Executive Chairman, recently stepped down from his position as the CEO of Stone Brewing. He said it was time and that his leaving was not a sign the brewery would sell to the largest bidder, Stone Brewing will never sell out. Stone Brewing is sacrosanct. We’re not [...]

Greg Koch Gives Moving Interview As to Why Stone Brewing Won’t Sell Out2018-10-18T13:22:50-07:00

Southern Tier Brewery Merging with Victory Brewing

  There's buyouts, sellouts, equity positions, but everyone forgets about those sneaky mergers! It was just announced that Southern Tier and Victory are merging breweries under the title Artisanal Brewing Ventures (ABV.) According to the Unionville Times, the new partnership provides "provides capital, security and vision for the future." Under the umbrella [...]

Southern Tier Brewery Merging with Victory Brewing2018-10-18T13:22:59-07:00

Promote Women in Craft Beer on March 5th

  Some argue that the lack of women in the craft beer industry is a because craft beer doesn't afford women the same opportunities as men. Tap Trail's own Ariana, has expressed her frustrations with being a craft beer lover in a male dominated industry. Society has sadly associated drinking beer as a [...]

Promote Women in Craft Beer on March 5th2018-10-18T13:23:00-07:00

Washington Beer Open House is Feb. 20th

  The Washington Beer Commission organizes some pretty awesome events to further the greatness that is #WABeer. Every year they promote the Washington Beer Open House. It's a one day event where the public is encouraged to get to know their local breweries better. Tours are a popular event during Open [...]

Washington Beer Open House is Feb. 20th2018-10-18T13:23:00-07:00

Craft Beer Community Sends Peyton Manning Actual Beer

  “I’m going to drink a lot of Budweiser tonight … I promise you that.” - Peyton Manning, after winning the Super Bowl. Admittedly, I missed him saying this. I wasn't a big fan of Peyton in the first place and this didn't help. He's kinda boring. Cam on the other [...]

Craft Beer Community Sends Peyton Manning Actual Beer2018-10-18T13:23:01-07:00

The Full Pint in Twitter Feud Over Cigar City Buyout Tweet

  We'll file this under "craft drama." Like any community craft beer has it's own drama. The Full Pint is well known in the craft beer industry for covering breaking craft beer news and generally being all around pretty awesome. Today they "broke the news" that Cigar City might be the [...]

The Full Pint in Twitter Feud Over Cigar City Buyout Tweet2016-02-10T16:55:49-08:00

0101 is the World’s First Beer Brewed by Data

With so many amazing variations and styles of beers you'd think we'd eventually run out of ideas. Wrong! Thanks to big data that may never happen. According to PC World, marketing company Havas Helia, has brewed the first's beer from big data. Late last year, Havas Helia's goal was to create a [...]

0101 is the World’s First Beer Brewed by Data2016-02-10T13:16:55-08:00

Firm Counseling New Belgium on Sale is Also ABInBev Consultant

It was announced in December that New Belgium (NB) was exploring the possibility of selling. "Selling" isn't as simple as it sounds. A sale could mean a minority equity stake (see Dogfish Head) or selling the whole thing (see Elysian Brewing.) The interesting thing is, NB has invested millions in becoming [...]

Firm Counseling New Belgium on Sale is Also ABInBev Consultant2018-10-18T13:23:01-07:00
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