This one's right on time!

Two Florida franchises are creating a buzz by offering a new kind of Tavern. World of Beer and the Brass Tap have re-conceptualized what a bar can be by capturing past traditions and harnessing future trends according to Mark Albright writing for the Tampa Bay Times.

When we first got a smart phone, we downloaded the "Zombie, Run!" app, a fun GPS based game that put you in the middle of a zombie attack. That was pretty cool. At least cooler than the "Acne Clear" app...

As the world has evolved, people's loves have been turned into something they can easily access through their phone. Games, address books, camera apps. But beer seemed to be lagging.

It's Wednesday, it's Rumor Mill time, and there's all kinds of things going on!

Saint Arnold celebrates big wins in San Diego, and Elevation unveils its first black diamond. Another Big Brewery has eastward aspirations, and Weyerbacher is down to its Last Chance. Plus, we've got more new craft beer releases that you're going to want to check out.

So, on to "Everything We Think Matters" . . .

With so many breweries releasing so many beers of late, we thought it might be useful to introduce a weekly update to help us all keep up with all the new releases that are coming out soon.

So welcome to Newbies- American Craft Beer.com's weekly guide to new releases you might want to look out for!

"And you know something's happening but you don't know what it is - do you, Mr. Jones?"

Bob Dylan - Ballad of a Thin Man

We were interested to read about some Wall Street traders who recently opted to leave their world of high finance and big money for the craft beer biz. Jane Wells, writing on small business for cnbc.com, reports on three ex-traders who've made that choice.

We blame the industry for this.

It used to be that when we wrapped up our Weekend Picks on Friday we could coast into the weekend. No more need to check for industry email or press releases-things were pretty much done! We could step away early, join our friends and enjoy a serious beer or two. But all that has changed. So here's some of what's happened while you were enjoying your weekend.

Hot off the presses from our good friends at the Brewers Association . . .

PRESS RELEASE

Brewers from around the world received awards from an elite international panel of judges in the 2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup. The ninth bi-annual competition boasted the strongest field of entrants on record, with 799 breweries from 54 countries and 45 U.S. states entering 3,921 beers in 95 beer style categories. A 17.7 percent increase over 2010, the entries were eligible for gold, silver and bronze awards in their respective categories. Judges presented a total of 284 awards.

Brewed Awakening is a hipster's take on the emerging American craft beer scene. Beautifully designed and wonderfully written, this book is the ultimate beer geek's companion. From the movement's players to craft beer's events and festivals, Joshua Bernstein covers the landscape with immediacy and passion!

All kinds of stuff coming out yesterday in San Diego.......

"We are not in a bubble, we are knee deep in foam & the foam is still rising."

-Charlie Papazian, Brewers Association President

Via @TheBeerWench

Hey, it's Friday, and that's good. And tomorrow's Cinco de Mayo, and that's even better. There's going to be tons festive stuff going on this weekend.

It's the time to start planning things now - and if you need any suggestions - we've got them. As usual, we're all about it, and we've got you covered!

Welcome to the "especial" Cinco de Mayo edition of our Weekend Picks.