Craft Brew News – 11/29/19

(Stories Courtesy of Brewbound – www.brewbound.com)

Hopworks Urban Brewery Opens Mug Club to Members of Closed Portland Breweries’ Clubs

After a spate of craft breweries and cideries closing in the Portland, Oregon, Hopworks Urban Brewery announced it will extend its mug club membership to members of similar clubs at any now-closed businesses. The craft brewery also invited former workers to apply at its taprooms.

Hopworks founder Christian Ettinger said in a press release “When we heard about the recent closures of Portland institutions, we felt a void in the community,” “A lot of livelihoods and social occasions are affected by these closings, and we want to help, whether it’s honoring closed establishments’ mug clubs or helping people who have lost their jobs get back on their feet.”

Former employees of closed businesses are invited to apply for jobs at Hopworks’ locations in Portland and Vancouver, Washington.

The offer is valid through December 31 and provides consumers with 21 oz. pours for the cost of 16 oz. pours and 10% off merchandise and growler fills.

In the past year, Portland has seen the following businesses close: Cider Riot, Coalition Brewing, Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant, Lompoc, Bridgeport and Burnside. Widmer Brothers, Portland Brewing and Alameda closed taproom locations, though their brands continue.

Asahi Bets Big on Beer

Asahi Group Holdings has doubled down on acquisitions of breweries outside its home market of Japan.

CEO Akiyoshi Koji told reporters that his goal is for Asahi to lead the premium beer segment in every market it’s in, according to a report on Yahoo Finance. Koji helped propel his company to growth through a blockbuster $11 billion deal in July to acquire Melbourne, Australia’s Carlton & United Breweries from Anheuser-Busch. Under Koji, Asahi has spent more than $20 billion making other acquisitions across the globe.

These moves are antithetical compared to how other global brewers are facing beer’s slowdown; many, such as Constellation Brands, are expanding into industries like cannabis or launching different beverage products like hard seltzers.

Minnesota Remains Last State for 3.2 Beer

Minnesota remains the last state in the nation to limit beer sales at grocery and convenience stores to beer with an alcohol by weight (ABW) of 3.2% or lower, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Earlier this month, Utah loosened its laws to permit sales of beer that’s 4% ABW (about 5% alcohol by volume), leaving Minnesota as the last 3.2 beer state.

Shady Oak Barrel House Under Fire for Derogatory PG&E Beer Name

Santa Rosa, California-based brewpub Shady Oak Barrel House was overwhelmed with negative online reviews and phone calls from consumers after it named a beer “Fuck PG&E” to disparage executives of Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility company whose lines have allegedly sparked wildfires in California over the past several years.

Negative reviews poured in from public utility employees and their supporters from across the country who took umbrage with the name. Shady Oak Barrel House posted an apology letter to its Facebook page last week, explaining the intent behind the name.

“The name was not intended to go after honest hard-working people that have been and still currently are helping our community,” the post said. “It is not to undercut or attack those that have been away from their families in order to serve others in times of recent disasters. The name doesn’t suggest anything remotely like this; however, some people chose to read it this way.”

To combat the deluge of one-star ratings, Shady Oak Barrel House has offered to discount beer purchases by $1 for any customers who leave “an honest Yelp, Google or Facebook review.”
PG&E was found to be at fault by Cal Fire for 2018’s Camp Fire, which killed 85 people and destroyed nearly 20,000 structures, and is facing trial for its role in the 2017 Stubbs Fire, and is being questioned about last month’s Kincaid Fire, according to SFGate.

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