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September’s out the door and October arrives tomorrow (say goodbye to pumpkin beers and hello to winter warmers)…Clearly nothing’s slowing down anytime soon. But no worries – Rumor Mill is always on the case, keeping you plugged in to all the craft beer news that matters. Plus we’ve an all-important update on what we’ve been drinking lately and you absolutely don’t want to miss that.
Sam Sells Out To Eventually Buy Back (Milton, DE) – In a memo sent to employees, Dogfish Head’s Sam Calagione confirmed that they are selling a 15% of their business to LNK Partners. Additionally the memo specified that LNK would gain one seat on Dogfish Head’s board of directors – and that the goal of this move was to fuel future growth so they can eventually buy back LNK’s 15 percent stake and ensure that Dogfish Head would be entirely “family-controlled” and “family-led” in the future.
Award-Winning Brewmaster Exits Green Flash (San Diego, CA) – After nearly 11 years spent brewing at the helm of Green Flash, Brewmaster Chuck Silva has resigned. Effective immediately, he will be funneling his considerable energies into building his own craft brewery somewhere close to where he grew up in California’s San Luis Obispo County.
Top Honors Again For Firestone Walker (Paso Robles, CA) – Brewmaster Matt Brynildson and his brewing team at Firestone Walker continue their winning streak having been named (yet again), “Mid-Size Brewing Company and Mid-Size Brewer of The Year” at the 2015 Great American Beer Festival® held this weekend in Denver. This the fourth time in less than 10 years Firestone Walker has received such an honor and we’re psyched for them.
Words To Drink By – “”Take chances and don’t fear accidents…It’s what you do with the accident that counts”
Martin Atkins– drummer for Public Image Ltd.
Indie Music Meets Indie Beer (Eugene, OR) – Music and craft beer have long been joined at the hip and Ninkasi is committed to keeping that going. Not only do they have a first class recording studio at their brewery compound they actively sponsor with up-and-coming bands. Ninkasi Studios is currently working with Haunted Summer, a LA-based psychedelic band, who are re-releasing their EP “Something in the Water.” No word as to whether Ninkasi’s Jamie Floyd is credited for his tambourine work on this release – but we do expect him to join the band from time to time during their national tour.
Yuengling Denies Knowledge Of Bribes (Pottsville, Pa) – Yuengling Brewery, has denied any knowledge that its Massachusetts distributor, Craft Brewers Guild, had bribed two prominent restaurant chains to carry their beers in some of the 20 bars. According to the Boston Globe, Yuengling mounted an aggressive promotional campaign in 2014 to re-enter the Massachusetts market.
What We’ve Been Drinking Lately (Washington, DC) – We’d like to thank all the breweries who ship us beer from time to time. It’s always great to sample the brews that we write about and helps to give us a better feel for what’s happening out there. And last night we hit up a great early-fall seasonal that Fordham Brewing has returned to the marketplace. Fordham Spiced Harvest Ale is a 6.6% Amber that brewed with pumpkin and seasonal spices.
