howtohoymo

Goose Island selling to Anheuser-Busch

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:29:13 -0400

Big shake up on the local beer scene: Goose Island Beer Co., responsible for the delicious (Bourbon Country Brand Stout) and the hugely popular (312 wheat ale) is being bought out by Anheuser-Busch.

The makers of Budweiser will pay a total of $38.8 million for the brewery on Fulton Street that sends its beers across the globe. Though jarring in an industry that prides itself on independence and creativity, the move isn’t completely unexpected. Anheuser-Busch has held a minority stake in the company since 2006, and been playing a role in distribution of the company’s beer.

Brewmaster Greg Hall, whose father John Hall started the brewery in 1988, will be stepping down and replaced by (the appropriately named) head brewer Brett Porter. Porter was previous head brewer of well-respected Oregon brewery Deschutes Brewery before coming to Goose last year.

I’m told Greg will announce his future plans in the next few weeks.

Goose’s two brew pubs in the city, on Clark Street and Clybourn Avenue, are not involved in the deal and will continue to be owned by John Hall and a group of partners.

I just got off the phone with John Hall, who is remaining as the company’s chief executive officer. He said Goose’s commitment to interesting and creative beer, like the recently released Pepe Nero (a black saison) or the upcoming Big John (a stout aged with cocoa nibs) will not change.

“They didn’t buy us to change what we’re doing,” he said.

If AB was going to water down the product, “I wouldn’t have done it. I wouldn’t have worked 23 years to build what I have to (throw) it away in five minutes.”

Hall also issued a letter to Goose fans this morning on the company’s web site, touting the ability for “growth and innovation” as a result of the deal.

gleaned from Chicago Tribune

Destroy Ed Hardy for the Homeless?

Sat, 08 Jan 2011 11:15:19 -0500

Destroy Ed Hardy for the Homeless?

And this is how it works!

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:53:53 -0500

And this is how it works!

OK, this is pretty neat.

Fri, 07 Jan 2011 12:37:05 -0500

OK, this is pretty neat.

If You've Ever Played Air Guitar After Knocking Back a Few...

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 11:40:00 -0500

Play Music With Tuned Beer Bottles

The Tuned Pale Ale’s bottles show a musical scale on its label. Drink it down to the note you want, blow on it and it will play it back. The pack itself becomes a drumming box and the bottles’ special washboard shape also serves as percussion source.

While the Tuned Pale Ale was manufactured in a small microbrew batch – to great success, according to designer Chris Mufalli – it’s no longer in production.

Gleaned from Gizmodo article by Jesus Diaz.

Pay-to-play Infects Chicago Beer Market

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 18:10:04 -0500

Pay-to-play Infects Chicago Beer Market:

Wow. We’re just talking about this publicly now?

Tonight!

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 17:27:08 -0400

Tonight!

"Good men drink good beer."

Sat, 02 Oct 2010 16:32:22 -0400

“Good men drink good beer.”

- Hunter S. Thompson

First time at 3Floyds. Totally. Nerding. Out.

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:35:28 -0400

First time at 3Floyds. Totally. Nerding. Out.

Deep Fried Beer. No. Really.

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:19:35 -0400

Ok, well if you could combine two of my favorite things in the world it would be anything fried and anything beer. And now, some brilliant Texan has done it! Someone has actually fried beer. These delicious little ravioli-like Guinness filled morsels will be available at the Texas state fair. So here is your assignment for the week, folks. Someone please! Recreate this for me.

Here’s the quick-and-dirty recipe:

1. Make little ravioli pockets of a “pretzel-like” dough.
2. Fill with beer.
3. Deep fry for around 20 seconds.
4. Marvel at the world, that such a thing as deep-fried beer exists.

2010 Great Taste Programs, Brewers List and Maps

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 12:00:00 -0400

2010 Great Taste Programs, Brewers List and Maps:

They’re up! Finally!

Can someone explain to me how I always get situated right across from the Onion?

NAB buys IBU

Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:02:00 -0400

Well, it’s official folks. North American Breweries has purchased the parent company of Magic Hat, Pyramid, and MacTarnahan’s. Here’s the press release from NAB to prove it:

—

Rochester, NY - North American Breweries recently announced the purchase of Independent Brewers United which owns Magic Hat, Pyramid and MacTarnahan’s beer. The purchase includes three breweries and five Alehouses and a retail store affiliated with one of the breweries. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

According to Rich Lozyniak CEO of North American Breweries, the new beers add craft brewing credibility, and variety to the beers currently offered by the company. “We are really excited to add Magic Hat, Pyramid and MacTarnahan’s beers to North American Breweries. All three brands have a rich history of craft brewing that helps us gain acceptance in that tight-knit community,” said Lozyniak. “By having more beers to offer our customers, wholesalers and retail accounts, we can better compete with the multi-national mega brewers who dominate the U.S. beer industry.”

Along with the new craft beer offering, North American Breweries also imports and sells Imperial, Labatt Blue and the Labatt family of beers. Out of its Rochester brewery it makes and sells the historic line of Genesee beer, Dundee Ales & Lagers, the Original Honey Brown Lager and Seagram’s Escapes.

“The industry has taken a turn away from the mega brewers. We have a collection of regional and heritage brands that position us well among today’s beer drinkers,” said Rich Lozyniak. “At a time when the overall beer industry is in decline, we’re growing across brands which essentially created a great opportunity to collaborate with some of the best craft brewers in the business.”

According to the company, the heritage and brand position of Magic Hat, Pyramid and MacTarnahan’s will be closely guarded. “The credibility that these brewers have developed in the craft beer segment is key to our success. We will work hard to carefully maintain and grow what was passionately created by people who love to drink and brew beer.”

The new brands mean the addition of three new breweries, one each in: Portland, Oregon; Berkeley, California; and Burlington, Vermont. Magic Hat is the 10th largest craft brewery in the country, while Pyramid is the fifth largest. Both companies have a strong following of loyal consumers who love the craftsmanship that go into each unique beer.

Together Magic Hat, Pyramid and the Portland Brewing Co. (MacTarnahan’s) employ about 600 people. Currently, North American Breweries has approximately 500. “We’re a hardworking group of people with a strong track record of brewing beer, building brands and executing in the marketplace,” said Lozyniak.

Under North American Breweries’ leadership, sales of Labatt Blue and its family of beers, Genesee, Dundee Ales & Lagers, and Seagram’s Escapes have jumped. “We have a great opportunity to continue to grow. Magic Hat, Pyramid and MacTarnahan’s come with strong brand-building assets like the Artifactory, Alehouses and breweries,” said Lozyniak. “We now have more opportunities than ever to connect with our beer drinkers and tell our story.”

North American Breweries’ Plans for Magic Hat, Pyramid and MacTarahan’s

* The beer will remain the same: it will be brewed by the same people in the same breweries, using the same recipes, ingredients and commitment to artisanship as it has always been.
* All breweries, Alehouses and the Artifactory will remain open. They provide a unique opportunity to sample and showcase the company’s best beers and brewing capabilities. Through the retail locations, we can talk to customers about the beers they want us to make.

North American Breweries’ Promise

* We will communicate regularly and openly to our employees and at times - the media - about our business.
* We put a very high value on our people and believe they are key to helping us compete with the mega, multi-national brewers who dominate the U.S. beer industry.
* We will grow our brands by introducing them to new consumers and in new geographies through a focused sales and distribution effort.
* We believe in working with one another to make our company great. We regularly adopt best practices company-wide.

About North American Breweries
North American Breweries, headquartered in Rochester, New York was formed in 2009. The company imports and markets Imperial, Labatt Blue and the Labatt family of beers in the U.S. Its brewery makes and sells the historic line of Genesee beers, Dundee Ales & Lagers, the Original Honey Brown Lager and Seagram’s Escapes.

Great Lakes "Nosferatu" Sneak Peak! - Beer Event in Chicago

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:08:45 -0400

Great Lakes "Nosferatu" Sneak Peak! - Beer Event in Chicago:

dear smallbar,

thanks for the ridiculous shout out.

love always,

dani.

Beer to be sold in dead animals

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:50:47 -0400

Beer to be sold in dead animals:

I don’t know whether to be completely grossed out by this or… No, I just don’t know.

Chicago Reader | Best of Chicago 2010 | Best new bar

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:25:33 -0400

Chicago Reader | Best of Chicago 2010 | Best new bar

Best Canned Beer Made in Chicago

Thu, 24 Jun 2010 11:07:42 -0400

Best Canned Beer Made in Chicago

The Draft: Lake Erie Monster: The Q: GQ

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 23:59:24 -0400

The Draft: Lake Erie Monster: The Q: GQ:

Great Lakes has done it again!

"He suggests a Dominos strategy for A-B and MillerCoors. Dominos admitted that their pizza..."

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 10:18:46 -0400

“He suggests a Dominos strategy for A-B and MillerCoors. Dominos admitted that their pizza wasn’t up to par and apologized for it in ads and asked customers to give them another chance. “Imagine if Anheuser-Busch…..or MillerCoors….were to announce they regretted making bad light lagers and that, from now on, they would do better. Imagine if the beers actually reflected that commitment.””

- Beer Business Daily

World Beer Cup 2010 Winners

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 16:31:00 -0400

World Beer Cup 2010 Winners:

Way to go, Colt 45!

yup.

Sat, 10 Apr 2010 06:01:23 -0400

yup.