#craft-beer

#craft-beer

The largest annual gathering of American brewers took place Oct. 9-11 as thousands poured into the Denver Convention Center for the 39th edition of the Great American Beer Festival, during which 250 judges, including this author, sampled a collective 8,315 beers and ciders from around the U.S. to award 347 medals to 273 breweries in 108 beer categories, six cider categories, plus a Pro-Am Competition and Collaboration Competition.

There are many reasons to be wary of generative AI these days, from the unsettling way people use it to duplicate the likenesses of dead celebrities to the lawsuits connecting AI chatbots to the deaths of multiple people. Even as some AI boosters advocate for new uses for the technology, skeptics debate the jobs AI is unlikely to attempt. You might think, for instance, that tasting food or beverages is something that requires a human palate. And you'd probably be correct - a recent controversy over a craft beer competition notwithstanding.

While craft beer breweries in the U.S. have been on a slight decline, the industry's creativity and ingenuity have helped beer giants like Anheuser-Busch grow their portfolios while allowing independent breweries to truly shine. Apart from being independent and creative, craft beer breweries have also been applauded for their sustainable, eco-friendly practices like using recycled packaging materials, repurposing spent grains, and exploiting renewable energy to fuel the brewing process.

Side Gate Brewery & Beer Garden is celebrating its 4th anniversary on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with 2 fantastic beer releases, new merchandise, live music and finger-licking good food. Join us! FRESH BEERS: The Hopside Down - a Hazy IPA to ring in the new season of Stranger Things Side Gate 4th Anniversary IPA - an IPA made in collaboration with Toyota Pavilion at Concord's 50th Anniversary and Visit Concord

AleSmith is celebrating its 30th anniversary with momentum behind new products in and out of beer and a growing contract brewing business. In this episode of the Brewbound Podcast, AleSmith president Brandon Richards shares how the San Diego craft brewery has evolved to meet drinkers' needs with new products while fortifying its business by brewing for others. Richards explains how the Party Tricks IPA line and addition of Sun Path fruited lager line have driven growth for the company.

Since the advent of the craft beer revolution, great breweries have popped up in every corner of the United States, with almost 10,000 breweries operating in the country as of 2023. That's up from only around 90 in the '70s, when macrobrews like Budweiser and Coors were at their most dominant. Anheuser-Busch and Molson Coors still rule beer production in the country, with both brands controlling a little more than half of the U.S. market.

What makes Vietnam's bar scene so special right now is its embrace of local ingredients, new craft spirits and innovative pairings with contemporary Vietnamese cuisine. Molecular mixology and no-alcohol options are also on the rise.

SAN LEANDRO - The shutdown of 21st Amendment Brewery, a Bay Area craft beer leader, will erase dozens of jobs in the Bay Area, affecting workers in two cities in the region, according to an official state government filing. The brewery intends to eliminate a total of 76 jobs in the Bay Area, the company stated in a WARN notice it filed with the state Employment Development Department.

This exciting partnership positions Zonafide Beverages as the second-largest craft beer producer in Arizona, with a combined production capacity approaching 30,000 barrels annually. Centralizing operations in Tempe, the consolidation at Huss Brewing's facility aims to streamline production while enhancing efficiencies. Despite joining forces, both breweries will maintain their individual brand identities and preserve their fan-favorite brews-think Scottsdale Blonde, Arizona Gold, and other signature offerings-just as lovers of local craft beer would expect.

Specialty coffee and craft beer, two beverage birds of a feather, are flocking together in Kelowna, British Columbia, with Red Bird Roasting opening inside the Vice and Virtue Brewing building. The new roastery cafe is just down the block from Red Bird Brewing, which acquired Vice and Virtue earlier this year and hatched the coffee plans in an unused portion of the V&V brewery. Occupying approximately 1,000 square feet, the coffee shop and roastery opened last month.

Soon there'll be even more CRATE to go around as the team is opening another waterside brewery in east London, taking over a vast site in Canary Wharf's Wood Wharf, complete with an 80-capacity garden. Like the OG venue, the Canary Wharf CRATE will serve the same core range of lagers, pale ales, IPAs, stouts and ciders, alongside limited-edition experimental craft beers and a rotating line-up of guest brews from around the world.

Bend, Oregon, renowned for outdoor adventure, boasts over 300 sunny days and offers activities like climbing, kayaking, and skiing, catering to all outdoor enthusiasts.

Aldi's beer selection includes various types, such as hoppy IPAs, light lagers, fruit-splashed ales, and robust stouts, reflecting a global influence.

Paulaner Münchner Oktoberfest Bier is widely regarded as one of the most authentic options you can buy in the United States, especially since it's brewed in Munich for the actual Oktoberfest celebration. It's a Märzen-style lager that's smooth, malty, and slightly sweet, with a toasty finish that pairs perfectly with bratwurst and pretzels.

The bar and restaurant, nested inside an old blue-and-yellow Victorian house, is called Your Mom's Haus and serves German beer and brats in El Granada.

"It makes such a huge difference," he said. "There's a lot more cost that goes into making craft beer and the last few years have been a challenge. So this tax cut is so well-timed. It really helps us to be competitive again."

Spicy beers take that instinct a step further - playing both sides by cooling the heat while amplifying it, a maximalist approach that reins in the burn just enough to let it shine.

The 717 Collaboration Beer is a West Coast-style Pilsner with 6.3% ABV, featuring Mosaic, Nelson Sauvin, and Solero hops, reflecting a unique blend of styles.

"We have secured an event space in Middletown that can handle just about anything you could throw at it! Our 5000sqft space welcomes large group events or we can split the space down to fit smaller groups while still providing a top notch experience."

The Appalachian Brewing Company (ABC) officially announced the closure of its original Harrisburg brewpub after 28 years of operation, marking the end of an era.

Phil Sexton experienced a revelation when he first tasted Trumer Pils, a beer that epitomizes balance and flavor, leading to the creation of Trumer Berkeley.

Pilot Project serves as an incubator of small brewers, leasing out its space and equipment to jump-start businesses and offering beers from different brands inside its taproom.

Anspach & Hobday's 'London Black', a nitro porter, took first place in the Top 50 UK Beer Awards, praised for sessionability and amazing flavor.

Rachel's pizza journey started with family trips to a local deep-pan restaurant and summers in Italy, leading to a lifelong obsession with crafting the perfect recipe.