Beer News
Ancient Brewing Equipment Found in China
Archaeologists working in Shaanxi province have discovered evidence of beer making in China that suggests barley use began approximately 1,000 years earlier than previous studies had shown. Residues from pottery fragments dating between 3400 and 2900 BC reveal that during the Yangshao period, members of this society were brewing with millet, yam, lily, barley and snake gourd root.
14 Breweries Leave Colorado Brewers Guild
Citing major changes in the brewing industry and AB-InBev’s purchase of Breckenridge Brewery in particular, 14 members of the Colorado Brewers Guild have left the 20-year-old organization to form a new trade group called Craft Beer Colorado. Founding members of Craft Beer Colorado include many of the state’s largest independent breweries, including Left Hand, New Belgium, Odell, Renegade and Funkwerks.
Walmart Launches Beer Brand
Walmart, the planet’s largest retailer, has added a quartet of flavor-forward proprietary beer to its existing lineup of private label spirits. Brewed by Rochester, N.Y.-based Trouble Brewing, the four new private label brands—After Party Pale Ale, Cat’s Away IPA, Red Flag Amber Ale and ‘Round Midnight Belgian White—are currently available at nearly half of the company’s approximately 4,600 US stores.
Legislative News
In Alabama, a law that went into effect June 1 now allows breweries to sell beer in six-packs, bottles and other containers directly to consumers. Previously, breweries could only sell draft beer by the glass in their taprooms.
Beginning on July 1, visitors to breweries in Idaho will be able to bring children with them. The passing of HB 649 treats breweries the same as wineries in the state, which already allow minors. Breweries with restaurants could also already welcome children with adults.
On May 31, Ohio’s governor signed a bill into law which eliminates the state’s 12 percent ABV alcohol cap on beer. The new law also permits open-container districts and sets new labeling requirements for high-ABV brews. ■
