Beer News
Jameson Announces New Brewery Partners
Building on the success of last year’s “Drinking Buddies” partnership with Brooklyn’s KelSo Beer Company, Jameson Irish Whiskey announced five more brewery partnerships in June: Angel City in Los Angeles, Captain Lawrence in New York, Deep Ellum in Dallas, Great Divide in Denver and Hilliard’s Beer in Seattle. Each brewery visited the Irish distillery and returned home to brew a beer with Jameson whiskey barrels.
Firestone Walker Joins Duvel Moortgat USA
On July 16, Firestone Walker Brewing announced it will be acquired by Duvel Moortgat by the end of the year. Firestone Walker will remain independently operated in Paso Robles by David Walker and Adam Firestone, but the investment from Duvel will allow the brewery to develop its capacity across the US. No financial information was disclosed at the time of the announcement. Duvel Moortgat’s American brands already include Brewery Ommegang and Boulevard Brewing.
Oxbow Opens Farmhouse to Rentals
Fans of Oxbow’s Belgian-inspired beers can now stay at the brewery by renting its five-bed, three-bedroom farmhouse through online travel accommodation marketplace Airbnb. Located on the brewery’s 18-acre property in Newcastle, Maine, the rental accommodates up to nine visitors for $255 a night and includes a $25 credit to use in the tasting room.
Left Hand Establishes ESOP
Longmont, Colo.-based Left Hand Brewing finalized the repurchase of shares from current stockholders in July to create an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). Hoping the decision will forge long-term relationships with most of its 112 employees, Left Hand joins a growing number of breweries entering into ESOPs, including Harpoon, New Belgium and Deschutes.
5 Rabbit Cuts Ties With Trump
In response to Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s inflammatory remarks about Mexican immigrants, Chicago’s 5 Rabbit Cervecería announced it will no longer supply Rebar, a Trump Tower lounge in Chicago, with a private label Blonde Ale. Andrés Araya, 5 Rabbit’s Costa Rican-born co-founder, says the remaining 50 barrels were sold to local bars under the name “Chinga Tu Pelo.” ■
