In this issue:
* State Rejects Beer with Elf on Label
* New Glarus Honored After GABF Recount
* Fill 'er Up - with Coors
* Partial Smoking Ban in England
* EPA Honors A-B
* Budvar Wins Portugese Decision
* Heineken UK Drops Television Advertising
* Web Watch
- Beer for the Holidays
- The Big Book of Beer
* The Hoppier the Healthier?
* In Defense of Beer (and Health)
* Wind in Their (Full) Sails
* Bible and Brewskis
* Bud Pong Canned
* Couple Buys Marketing Rights to Mr. (Natty) Boh
* Quote (Fact) of the Month
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STATE REJECTS BEER WITH ELF ON LABEL
State officials in Connecticut want to ban a holiday beer label they worry
might entice children to drink beer, sparking a possible constitutional
battle and virtually guaranteeing the beer will sell out. At issue is the
label on the British import Seriously Bad Elf. It shows a scowling elf with a
slingshot firing Christmas ornaments at Santa's sleigh as it flies overhead.
State liquor regulations bar alcohol advertising with images that might
appeal to children, and the regulations specifically mention Santa. "There
are certain symbols and images that appeal more strongly to children and this
regulation includes the most obvious among them," Attorney General Richard
Blumenthal said. "The state has wide discretion to regulate the sales of
alcohol." The state Liquor Control Division notified Massachusetts-based
Shelton Brothers distributors that it was rejecting its application to sell
the beer, a bitter winter ale brewed at the Ridgeway Brewery in England. Bad
Elf and Seriously Bad Elf are sold in 30 other states without any problems.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002745.php
NEW GLARUS HONORED AFTER GABF RECOUNT
Following an internal audit, organizers of the 2005 Great American Beer
Festival announced that New Glarus Brewing Co. should be honored as Mid-
Size
Brewing Company of the year - although another brewery was first given the
award. "We do our best to ensure that GABF results are as accurate as
possible. Ultimately, it's about integrity," said Nancy Johnson, Brewers
Assocation Event Director. "Our results processing is complicated and
technical, and takes place over a very short, hectic timeframe; sometimes we
make mistakes. While it's uncomfortable to acknowledge this, it's our
responsibility to do so, and to correct the results publicly and openly."
There were three breweries in the running for the Mid-Size Brewery of the
Year Award: Boston Beer Co., New Glarus Brewing and Sierra Nevada
Brewing Co.
All breweries won two gold medals, thus creating a tie. New Glarus eventually
triumphed based on the fourth tiebreaker.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002727.php
FILL 'ER UP - WITH COORS
The Coors brewery in Golden, Colo., and Merrick & Co. of Aurora have struck
up a partnership to use beer waste to process 1.5 million gallons a year of
the gas substitute ethanol. A plant built nine years ago in Golden distills
the leftovers from beer making has been such a success that a second facility
will open soon. The second plant will double ethanol production at the
brewery, partly by gathering millions of gallons of spilled beer and putting
it directly into the process via an underground pipeline.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002736.php
PARTIAL SMOKING BAN IN ENGLAND
Britain's new anti-smoking laws leave proponents on both sides of the debate
unhappy, and indicate disagreement within Prime Minister Tony Blair's own
party. Widespread reports of squabbling over the issue in cabinet prompted
analysts to wonder whether Blair, having set the clock ticking on his
departure, is losing his iron grip over his government. Health Secretary
Patricia Hewitt announced the ban would cover most - but not all - of
England's pubs, bars and restaurants. That would put England at odds with
Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. All have either fully banned smoking
in public places or announced plans to do so.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002744.php
EPA HONORS A-B
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency inducted Anheuser-Busch into the
WasteWise Hall of Fame for its longstanding commitment to waste reduction
and
recycling programs at its facilities. "We are honored to be elected to the
WasteWise Hall of Fame," Doug Muhleman, group vice president, Brewing
Operations and Technology, said at the WasteWise conference in Washington,
D.C. Since joining WasteWise as a charter member in 1994, Anheuser-Busch
has
received six WasteWise awards, including the 2004 WasteWise Partner of the
Year.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002747.php
BUDVAR WINS PORTUGESE DECISION
Anheuser-Busch lost an appeal that would allow it to sell beer under the
brand name Budweiser in Portugal, the European Court of Human Rights ruled
in
the latest round of a global legal battle between the U.S. beer giant and
Czech brewery Budejovicky Budvar. Anheuser-Busch was appealing a 2001
decision by Portugal's Supreme Court, which ruled that Budejovicky Budvar had
the right to use the brand name under a 1986 treaty between the Czech
Republic and Portugal, which protects registered designations of origin.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002726.php
HEINEKEN UK DROPS TELEVISION ADVERTISING
The Times in London reports that Heineken has decided to change its
advertising emphasis from television to sports sponsorhip and
point-of-sale-promotions, basically dropping TV ads in 2006. That's a £6.5
million (about $11.5 million) decision. Rob Marijnen, managing director of
Heineken UK, said told the Times: "The enormously cluttered environment in
TV
ads makes it difficult to make standout ads," he said. "It's also very
expensive and it's questionable as to its effectiveness."
*******************WEB WATCH*******************
BEER FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Some holiday and winter beers have been on the shelves for a month, so it
must be shopping season. Because we're working on our own lists of beer
related gift ideas, homebrew gadgets and special beers we thought we'd share
those thoughts with you.
http://www.realbeer.com/edu/2005holidays
THE BIG BOOK OF BEER
CAMRA Books, the publishing division of the Campaign for Real Ale, has
released "The Big Book of Beer" by Adrian Tierney-Jones. To get a feel for
his work, visit the RealBeer.com library:
http://www.realbeer.com/library/authors/tierney-jones-a/index.php
***************ADVERTISEMENTS*****************
ALASKAN BREWING: GREAT BEER FROM THE LAST FRONTIER!
Alaskan remains the most award-winning craft brewery in the country with 33
awards at the Great American Beer Festival. Alaskan Smoked Porter is THE
winningest beer at the festival, bar none, with 14 medals and hits store
shelves this month! For Brew Crew fashions and logo merchandise, check out
the Gear Store - perfect for holiday giving!
http://www.alaskanbeer.com
ARCTIC LIQUORS: COLORADO'S & THE WORLD'S FINEST
BEVERAGES
At Arctic Liquors you'll find Colorado's and the World's finest micro-brews
and wines on one convenient site. Select from the specialty ales, porters and
stouts from Colorado's and the World's finest breweries. Come on in, buy
online, or join our beer-of-the-month club. A great gift for the
hard-to-buy-for on your Christmas list.
http://www.arcticliquor.com
16TH ANNUAL PRE-HOLIDAY SALE
It's finally here! Beer & Wine Hobby's 16th Annual Pre-Holiday 10% Savings
Sale. During this long awaited sales event you can save 10% off everything in
stock. Act now while stock is plentiful. Offer good on-line, or in our
warehouse store. Find out more at:
http://www.Beer-wine.com
KALNAPILIS ORIGINAL, 7.30 NOW AVAILABLE IN AMERICA
Kalnapilis Brewery, Lithuanina's largest exporter of beer, is celebrating its
102nd anniversary! Kalnapilis Original and 7.30 are now available in America
so please join us in a delicious toast to Kalnapilis Brewery's outstanding
Gold medal achievement in the Muchner-style Helles and German-style Heller
Bock/Mailbock categories at the World Beer Cup in California.
http://www.stawskidistributing.com/Lithuania.html#Kalnapilis
SAMUEL SMITH WINTER WELCOME ALE
Throughout history, beer of somewhat higher alcohol and richness has been
enjoyed when old friends get together to enjoy the winter holidays. Wassail,
a festival to celebrate winter and the beer that goes with it, predates the
Christian era. Winter Welcome is vintage-dated with a special label each
year.
http://www.merchantduvin.com
SMUTTYNOSE & PORTSMOUTH PUB & BREWERY
New Hampshire's original power-brew team, the region's most popular eating
and drinking establishments, and great branded beer gear! Try one of our
fine, handcrafted lagers and ales - or - if you're already a fan. Get the
gear for yourself and as gifts for your bestest buddies.
http://www.portsmouthbrewery.com
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THE HOPPIER THE HEALTHIER?
A compound found in hops, and therefore beer, continues to attract the
attention of researchers seeking to prevent cancer. Since scientists at
Oregon State University first discovered the cancer-related properties of
this flavonoid compound called xanthohumol about 10 years ago others in
programs around the world started to look at the value of these hops
flavonoids. Researches have suggested everything from preventing prostate or
colon cancer to hormone replacement therapy for women. "Xanthohumol is one
of
the more significant compounds for cancer chemoprevention that we have
studied," said Fred Stevens, a researcher with OSU's Linus Pauling Institute.
"The published literature and research on its properties are just exploding
at this point, and there's a great deal of interest."
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002740.php
IN DEFENSE OF BEER (AND HEALTH)
Beer's bad reputation as an unhealthy, highly fattening beverage is
undeserved, according to a professor of food science and technology at the
University of California Davis. "You have to look at every food in its
merits," said Professor Charles Bamforth. Beer, in moderation, can be part of
a "low-carb" diet and potentially a good source of soluble fiber and
prebiotic substances that promote digestion, reports Charles Bamforth, chair
of the Department of Food Science and Technology.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002746.php
WIND IN THEIR (FULL) SAILS
Full Sail Brewing has committed to using renewable energy that will have the
same environmental impact as planting 33,000 trees. The brewery will buy 140
blocks of Blue Sky renewable energy from Pacific Power in Hood River, Ore.,
where Full Sail operates. "We care about maintaining a healthy environment,"
said brewmaster Jamie Emmerson. "As a local employee-owned company, we
have a
long term commitment to the Gorge and that means doing all we can to maintain
the environment." Full Sail's Blue Sky purchase of 140 blocks per month for
12 months reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 168 tons, which has the
environmental benefit as not driving 2,900 round trips to Portland or
planting 33,000 trees.
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002721.php
BIBLE AND BREWSKIS
The Rev. Jennifer Linman conducts monthly Bible and Brewskis meetings at a
Manhattan bar, allowing participants to read Bible verses and follow with
discussions over pints of beer. Linman, an associate minister at the
Episcopal Church of the Epiphany, on the Upper East Side, began conducting
the once-a-month scripture study as David Copperfield's Pub about 18 months
ago. Linman began the pub meetings after she arrived from her first pastoral
assignment in Agoura Hills, Calif., where she convened regular fellowship
get-togethers in a bar there. She's never heard anybody criticize the
meetings. "In fact," she said, "if I had a nickel for every time somebody
said, 'This is terrific,' I'd be a very rich woman."
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002720.php
BUD PONG CANNED
Anheuser-Busch has dropped its Bud Pong promotion. The company said it
notified distributors the promotion was over after executives found Bud Pong
was being played improperly. The announcement came two days after a
front-page article in The New York Times described college students enjoying
the game in bars and off-campus housing. Francine I. Katz, vice president for
communications and consumer affairs, said, "Despite our explicit guidelines,
there may have been instances where this promotion was not carried out in the
manner it was intended."
http://www.realbeer.com/news/articles/news-002734.php
COUPLE BUYS MARKETING RIGHTS TO MR. (NATTY) BOH
A Maryland couple has acquired the marketing rights to Mr. Boh, the grinning,
winking mascot of National Bohemian beer, or "Natty Boh." National Bohemian
beer was last brewed in Maryland in 1996 - Pabst Brewing owns the rights to
the brand, which is actually brewed by Miller - but many in a area an between
Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania at includes Baltimore consider it their
"hometown" beer.
http://beertravelers.com/postcards/?p=94
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QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Not a quote this month, but a curious discovery: The National Wine Marketing
Conference slated for Nov. 8-10 in northeast Ohio is called "License to
Steal."
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