After thinking about it very briefly I realize that I have already forgotten the beer related goals that I set for myself this year.  That did not take very long.

The last bit of beer news for January . . .

• We are far enough into the year that it is time to stop looking back at what happened in the world of beer during 2011 and start seriously looking ahead to what will be another awesome year of beer.  I enjoyed reading 8 opinions from the Mid-Atlantic area even though I do not live in the area.
• A good article, but it mostly just makes me miss the beers from them that I cannot get down here.  Not that I don’t want an excuse to get to the Pac NW again.
• I have been hearing that this was where the brewery was going to land for weeks and weeks, but they have finally made it official.  After checking that out take a look at how some of it was conveyed on Twitter.
• One of the cool things in the craft beer world is the camaraderie among many of the brewers and breweries.  I am just glad that in this case means my supply of hoppy awesomeness will continue mostly uninterrupted.
• Just the other day I said that I thought their new seasonal would be great for summer instead of spring, but I am glad that they do not stand still and continue to tweak the family of beers they release.
• Not knowing the guy I only have what others are saying to give me an impression of the man he was.  That impression is very good.
• I am interested in trying this one more so because of the strawberries rather than the gluten-free aspect.  Also the sooner the rerelease of “Sucks” the better!
• Always hearing how great the water is there should mean that the beer from there has a really good base to start from.
• Crowd-sourcing a beer should bring some fairly interesting results.
• The concept seem to have worked enough to continue to expand upon it, but my biggest surprise is how cheap the beer is considering the prices of the coffee there.
• “Brewing beer is becoming an extremely popular endeavor.”  Shocking statement.
• Just trying to keep you aware of your beer options if traveling to the Czech Republic is something that you are considering in the future.
• Ambitious goals for 2012?  I would say planning for 20 new releases would qualify.

via http://flyingdogales.com

Initially I started off with just a few links today and then things got a little out of hand.  After happily including some input from The Mother-in-law I also went on to include more and more and more stories until finally making myself stop.  That is why I am well into double digits for the number of news items this week.

Let’s get to it . . .

• Maybe some day I will put enough effort into my brewing to actually enter the competition, but until then I will just taste what it takes to win a spot in the six-pack.
• Perhaps one of these two will feel a bit more like a negative story at first glance, but I am in total agreement with the positive rebuttals from Sam and Kendall.  So first read about the fun that was the overrated craft brewery discussion and then move on to the good news on the re-zoning issue that was highlighted here last week.
• Aside from being a cool story of how they got into the malting business it also makes me think that there will be more than a handful of micro-malting companies in the United States very soon.
• This is all probably way more information that you ever wanted on what happens to our brains when we drink.
• Some of the things in this list have already happened or are very close and if the things on this list happen over the course of the year it will be another good one.
• Whatever the exact reason(s) might be the prices for beer are not likely to go down.
• After many years of having the same beers at the top maybe we are getting closer to some actual competition among the big boys.
• More and more you have to enjoy those special beers while you can since they might not ever be available again.  Be sure to stock up when you see them.
• You really only have to take a look at the top of this one, but I think it might be a handy guide if you are looking to go on a fun little road trip.
• Bring on more cans.  I might have to get a few of these sent to me since I find it very unlikely that I will make a trip to LA anytime soon (or perhaps ever).
• I am probably more likely to get to Texas before I get to LA so maybe I will have some beer from this place first.  Seems like they have the right attitude to do really well.
• In the beers I am likely not to try anytime in the near future category goes any of the ones that will result from using this new piece of equipment.
• This one goes last because the mustache wins.  That and keeping up with the best of Colorado beer is never a bad idea.

via http://blogs.westword.com

Sure I would like to have the first beer news post of the year include about thirty links and have many really interesting things, but not all that much caught my eye this week.  We all know that the Christmas to New Year holiday season is a black hole of productivity, so I am not all that surprised that not many big things happened.

Regardless there are a few interesting items . . .

• Getting the more negative stuff out of the way at the top, it is interesting to read through the thread to see what people thought was the worst beer they tasted in the last year.  I am kind of bummed that one beer doesn’t stand out for me.
• Of course after looking at some of the releases for this year the one that I want the most is the beer that will only be available at the source.
• The reason that I will not be watching this show when it airs is not because of the sponsor, but rather because I think it looks to be simply awful.
• I very much like reading the stuff that Jay puts out there and I have to agree that it is a good idea to get beyond the most common of the craft beer styles.  Some of them are more difficult to find, but the good ones are worth it.
• It is nice when a plan comes together and I guess especially so when it means that the brewery that you worked so hard at will remain in the city in which it started for many, many years to come.
• Speaking of keeping the brewery in the area that it started in seems to be part of the issue in allowing for a large scale expansion.  Sure I don’t expect them to ever sell off and leave, but I understand why the people who live there would be concerned about it.
• Even though my entire experience in Idaho consisted of driving through, spending a night in a hotel, and stopping for gas at least once I continue to tell people that the beer scene there (especially Boise) is supposed to be really good.  That is why I had to include this new brewpub news today.
• Having a good friend more than willing to sample a few beers with me living in D.C. is more than enough reason for me to get back there for a visit.  Of course the news of a new brewery opening does not hurt the cause either.
• Maybe all of this good news will mean that soon I can answer yes when asked if we carry any of their beers in Central Florida.
• Continued growth is of course good, but growing your business at “about four times the industry average in 2011” is amazing.  I like to think that I contributed to that is only by the amount of Dale’s Pale Ale I drank over the last year.

via http://www.timescall.com

If my planning was better I would not have to leave the house today for anything other than work.  I do not need anything for Christmas gifts, but I do need some things for the house.  I should have known better than to put off getting dog food and such because now I will be battling the last minute Christmas gift shoppers when I could have avoided it.

Getting on with it . . .

• With another prominent fast food chain (and also a coffee chain) adding alcohol earlier in the year I guess it was only a matter of time before others followed.
• After recently sitting down to review Rich & Dan’s Rye IPA I am very glad to see it go into the rotation next year because I would love to have it fresh again sometime.
• This one is pretty much included in hopes that it adds some good mojo toward us getting some of this beer in Florida.  I would settle for a steady stream of anything from JP.
• Leave it to these guys to offer what sounds like the most interesting gluten free beer that I have seen to date.
• Speaking of gluten free beer, you may want to do a little research beyond just what the label tells you.
• It is pretty obvious that Fort Collins is a good destination for the craft beer lover, but not so obvious is how impactful the brewing industry is on the local economy.
• Getting to some of the legal stuff for the week . . .
• When local governments are on board things can actually get done quickly.
• It has never made sense to me that a brewery could not open a tasting room.
• Not being able to label a beer properly or market it also never made sense.
• I know that the NBA wants to grow the brand in China, but this partnership still confuses me just a bit.
• As a sucker for lists, these are some themes that grew stronger roots in the craft beer world over the last twelve months.
• If the world is going to end in twelve months I want some good beer to drink each month on the way out and I probably want to drink that beer in Seattle.

via http://beernews.org

Though we were able to get our Christmas packages mailed out to family and friends on Monday it really just hit me yesterday that Christmas is actually next Sunday.  Of course that means that the beginning of 2012 is closer than I thought as well.  Anyway, thanks to The Mother-in-law and my friend Gerard for passing along some good stuff this week.

Positive news all around . . .

• It is certainly not because I miss the falling white stuff, but there are brief moments like when I read this where the thought of living back in CNY doesn’t see so bad.  I guess I can just try to visit more often.
• I simply cannot keep track of all of the beer bars opening in the (relative) vicinity of where I live and I certainly do not get out enough to visit them all.
• I am pretty sure that I have never had a Haitian beer.
• You know that you are buying a few of those gift packs with glassware anyway, so why not have a little of that money do some good?
• Another way to drink for a good cause if you find yourself in the LA area.
• This is (part 2 of) an interesting read that explores/explains the hold that Bud has on the United States.  I only wish that I had come up with the line “insipid dishwater of a beer.”
• If you make enough fourth quarter comebacks in the NFL it is only a matter of time before you inspire the creation of a new beer.
• With so many new breweries opening or existing ones expanding it does make sense to at least think about a saturation point.  As long as we are thinking about those expansions I should include a few updates . . .
• No moving ahead just yet in Delaware
• Tampa, however, is just about ready to fire up the kettles
• It will be a few years before for the new Minnesota facility
• There is no beer in them yet, but the sight of the shiny green cans on the line do make me look forward to when that day finally comes.

via http://beernews.org