Thinkin’ and Drinkin’: Week of April 15

While we’ve carried out business as usual here at Craft Brewing Business, our thoughts, like many of yours, have been turned to news outside of the craft brewing industry this week. From the horrific events of the Boston Marathon and the unfolding manhunt to the unrelated explosion in Texas and poisoned letters, the news this week has been overwhelming. This week’s Thinkin’ and Drinkin’ offers a hard-earned craft beer and industry news that will hopefully be a bright distraction from the national news of the week. Let us know what craft beer headlines caught your attention this week and sound off on what beer you’re excited to enjoy this weekend in the comments below.

New brewer hired from Oskar Blues Brew School

Jason Morgan, editor:

There were a great number of thought-provoking stories this week, but I’m going to lighten the mood by pointing to some excellent news — the first new brewer hired out of Oskar Blues Brew School. Brewer education programs have been popping up across the country and it’s great to see strong interest in craft industry. We’re hopeful that the next generation of craft brewers will be just as inventive as those who have blazed a trailer for the industry in the past decade.

Craft choice: Thirsty Dog Whippet Wheat (still working on finishing off the 1/6th barrel.)

GPS-enabled, sun-tracking solar power installed at Woodchuck

Chris Crowell, editor:

This was technically a non-craft brewing industry article, but it was interesting for a couple reasons. First and foremost, the actual technology. We support any initiatives that can both (potentially) help the greater good (eco-friendly) while also helping business (reducing costs). This implementation could be a case study for some craft brewers out there looking to do just that. Second, and least importantly, this article stirred one of the more passionate CBB editorial debates in recent memory, and it centered on the specific joke we wanted to use in reference to the “Cow Power” technique Woodchuck uses. In the end, we landed on a nice cow photo, Home Improvement-reference hybrid that we’re all proud of. Jobs well done this week.

Craft choice: Oskar Blues Dale’s Pale Ale

Baseball Beer Roundup: Myrtle Beach Pelicans will grow hops, brew craft beer*

Sean Wright, developer:

Baseball, summertime, craft beer, charity, community, local breweries – all wonderful.  The fact that the hops for the team’s beer will be grown right next to where the game is played is another fun fact to add to the list of things that make this such a great idea.  To top it off, the money raised from the beer’s unveiling will be donated to a local hospice.  This is the kind of news I appreciate, because it makes you feel great about being alive.  It helps you to remember that there are good people out there who want to help others all the while making sure you have a delicious craft beer to drink.  A fantastic combination.

*I was originally going to pick the story Chris chose, but he got to it first and I think I like my current choice more anyway

Craft choice: Oak Aged Unearthly (Imperial India Pale Ale) – Southern Tier Brewing Company (I’ve been looking for one of these – hopefully I’ll find one this weekend)