Beer News

That Bottle Cost How Much, and it’s Undrinkable? Oh, the Humanity!

Most people might draw the line for buying an expensive bottle of beer at a Sam Adams Utopia, which usually runs around $150 per bottle. Yet on November 14, a single, undrinkable bottle of Lowenbrau recovered from the Hindenburg airship crash of 1937 sold for over $16,000 at an auction, making it the most expensive bottle of beer ever. However, due to its age and condition, the beer is undrinkable, making it purely a collector’s item.

Andrew Aldridge, of Wiltshire, England’s Henry Aldridge and Sons auction house, explains, “The sale was an incredible one, with interest in the Hindenburg beer from across the globe. There had been a lot of media attention on it and in the end, the interest was between clients both in the US and Europe. The new owner is from the US and now owns an incredible piece of history.”

The bottle was originally expected to sell between $4,000 and $8,000, but the pre-auction press generated a buzz, driving up bidders’ interest in the piece.

Semper Ri Pays Tribute to Marine Regiment

The 2nd Batallion, 2nd Marine Regiment’s deployment to Afghanistan will hopefully be made a little more comfortable, thanks to the efforts of microbrewery Just Beer in Westport, Mass.

The imminent deployment of 2nd Lt. Joshua Bruins, the 26-year-old stepson of brewery owner Bill Russell and commander of a weapons platoon, inspired Russell to do something to help.

Russell, along with the rest of the staff, came up with Semper Ri. The 50-barrel batch will be sold in 22-ounce bottles, and the brewery is donating $2 from the sale of each bottle to help provide the regiment (which Bruins is a part of) with care packages from home, which will include a range of goods, from socks and razors to hand wipes and hot cocoa. With any leftover funds, they plan to provide a welcome-home party.

Russell also mentions Semper Ri will be brewed whenever Bruins deploys on combat missions. “If it’s a summer deployment, we’ll brew a Blonde Rye beer. In winter, it’s a Winter Rye.”

Russell notes that in addition to his military service, Bruins used to work at the family brewery. “He’s been a huge craft beer fan all along, as he grew up drinking lots of local brews. It’s an honor to help out these men and women. Josh is simply one of the best people any of us know.”

Sheetz Stores on a Mission to Liberate Pennsylvania Beer Sales

Sheetz, a chain of convenience stores that has over 350 locations in six states, has begun a petition drive in an attempt to convince the state of Pennsylvania to allow the sale of beer in convenience stores.

The chain was previously allowed to sell beer in their flagship Altoona, Penn., store, although the State Supreme Court ordered them to stop last June. They were allowed to sell beer in a restaurant section of the store, but got in trouble because they did not provide an area for diners to consume the beverages, which is required according to the state’s liquor laws.

Stan Sheetz, president and CEO of the chain, said in an official statement, “This decision highlights the outdated and complex nature of the Commonwealth’s current liquor laws and the need for legislation to change them.”

Hoping to stir up some change, the chain has launched freemybeer.com, a website where supporters can sign a petition Sheetz plans on delivering to state lawmakers. The site pleads, “If you support the convenient and responsible sale of beer in Pennsylvania’s grocery and convenience stores, join us as we work to change the state’s restrictive and out-of-date beer laws.”

No Spotted Cows Allowed in Manhattan

On November 6, the New York State Liquor Authority was seen herding out 50 cases of Spotted Cow after raiding Manhattan’s Mad River Bar & Grille. The beer, a product of Wisconsin’s New Glarus Brewing Company, is not licensed for sale outside their home state and had to be confiscated.

It is currently unclear how the bar obtained the beer, but they face the possibility of non-criminal charges, including buying from an unauthorized source and selling unlicensed beer. In addition, the bar could end up with their liquor license revoked—not just for selling the Midwestern brew, but also for neglecting to pay the taxes as required by law.

Interestingly, the bar is a popular gathering spot for University of Wisconsin alumni, who are known to hold Badger-themed events on game days in support of their college sports teams. ■