[Ryan16]

Recent Headlines: March 7, 2011 (Compiled by the Brewers Association)

Food>>
Let them eat cupcakes -- and beer - http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2011/mar/05/let-them-eat-cupcakes-and-beer/ - signonsandiego.com
Local baker Misty Birchall's PubCakes, blending beer and batter into uniquely flavored cupcakes, have earned her an audition for the Food Network's new show, "Cupcake Wars." Birchall, whose brew-infused treats have already made it onto coffee carts at UCSD, targets her audience. Nothing like a cup of coffee and a hint of beer in the morning to get college students ready for midterms.

Beer Braised short ribs - http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=resources/lifestyle_community/food/recipes&id=7999131 - abclocal.go.com
Smear the chile paste over the short ribs, Arrange the ribs in a single layer in a baking dish. Mix together 1/4 C of the regular soy sauce and 1/2 C of the beer, pour over the ribs. Turn to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight ...

Events>>
Philly Artist Combines Paint and Brew - http://roxborough.patch.com/articles/philly-artist-combines-paint-and-brew - roxborough.patch.com
Like many 30-year-old urban dwellers, Kevin Margitich is taken with quality art. And like many of his peers, Margitich also enjoys a good brew. Starting Friday evening, Margitich, a resident of Philadelphia's Roxborough neighborhood, will combine his passion for both art and beer at the opening reception to his month-long exhibit at Narberth's Sweet Mabel Folk Art and Fine Craft Gallery. "The Trail to Manatawny: An Evening of Art and Ale" will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, the start of Margitich's first exhibit of 2011. "I paint and brew beer," Margitich said, explaining his decision to combine the two in a gallery exhibition.

Lifestyle>>
Presentation to look at beer brewing history - http://www.kcautv.com/Global/story.asp?S=14196246 - kcautv.com
The South Dakota State Historical Society is offering a free program on Sunday examining the history of beer brewing. State Historical Society staffer Chris Nelson will give a presentation during "The Great Beer & History Session." Beer artifacts from the society's museum and archives collections will be on display. Those in attendance will also be able to taste samples from four local home-brewers. The program begins at 2 p.m. at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre.

Homebrewing>>
Lady homebrewers break into male-dominated hobby - http://www.kval.com/news/local/117471208.html - kval.com
Two years ago, Sandy Beal was a trauma surgeon at Sacred Heart Medical Center. But when it came time to retire, Beal ditched the scrubs and for some thirst quenching suds. "I've been homebrewing for two years now," said Beal. "Before I brew, I sit down and write out exactly what I expect in terms of specific gravity, temperatures and volumes." A true scientist at heart, Beal follows a detailed and carefully calculated recipe for her style of homebrew beer. Beal is one of five female brewers who shared their tricks of the trade at the second annual Women Teach Women to Brew Beer event at Oakshire Brewing in Eugene. The event is sponsored by the Cascade Brewers Society.

Affordable Kits Bring Out the Inner Brew in Polk's Ale Lovers - http://www.theledger.com/article/20110306/NEWS/103065011/1016/SPORTS?Title=Affordable-Kits-Bring-Out-the-Inner-Brew-in-Polk-s-Ale-Lovers - theledger.com
Last summer in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic and arguably the beer cradle of Europe, Ron Clark caught the bug. Upon his return, the Lakeland lawyer started researching how to go about making beer. It's not exactly rocket science, he reasoned. After all, there's really only four ingredients -- water, hops, barley malt, yeast. "There are no secrets," he said, "it's so simple." Simple is purchasing a six-pack at the corner grocer. Clark's idea of simple is altogether different, starting with a weekend of cooking a five-gallon batch of wort.

Home Is Where the Brew Is - http://www.brooklynrail.org/2011/03/local/home-is-where-the-brew-is - brooklynrail.org
Gone are the days when beer enthusiasts, tired of the same old factory lagers in their grocery stores, had to make their own suds out of sheer necessity. One would think the availability of great craft beers throughout the country would make brewers lazier, but it seems to have only ramped up the competition. Estimates for the number of brewing hobbyists in North America now vary between 750,000 and 1.2 million. Here in Brooklyn there has been something of a beermaking explosion since 2009, when brewing supplies suddenly started appearing in flea markets and kitchen-supply shops.

Government Affairs>>
Wisconsin Historian Compares Current State Politics To Prohibition - http://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/wisconsin-historian-compares-current-state-politics-to-prohibition/ - brookstonbeerbulletin.com
Here's an interesting op-ed piece by Wisconsin historian John Gurda entitled Smashing 'Demon Government' in which he examines the many parallels between the current political climate in his state and the temperance movement that led to Prohibition.

An Update on Massachusetts Small Brewers Legislation - http://thefullpint.com/beer-news/an-update-on-massachusetts-small-brewers-legislation - thefullpint.com
Rob Martin, President of Ipswich Ale Brewery updates us on the Massachusetts Small Brewers Legislation, and how the Massachusetts Brewers guild ties into it. Maybe some of you have seen the local papers lately and read about our small brewers legislation. If not, here is a short synopsis of what the Massachusetts Brewer's Guild is working on: Representative Alice Peisch (D) From Wellesley introduced House Bill 2759 for consideration this year. This bill addresses the inequities of the current small brewer/wholesaler relationship and will give small brewers the freedom to market their products through the wholesalers who they feel will do the best job promoting, selling and growing their brands.

Business>>
Thirst for Craft Beer Is Keeping Business Bubbling and Jobs Brewing - http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/03/04/thirst-craft-beer-keeping-business-bubbling-jobs-brewing/ - foxnews.com
At New York City's Brooklyn Brewery, where beer output and new hires are on the rise, there is no better example of how the appetite for craft beers pours strong, despite a flat economy. Based in an old brick warehouse in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, just across the East River from Manhattan, the brewery cooks, ferments and sells more than 110,000 barrels of lager, ale and other craft beers every year. This includes beer the company brews at another facility upstate in Utica. The specialty suds are sold in kegs of all sizes along with bottles and cans -- the equivalent of between 1.5 and 2 million cases was poured in 2010. The company says the production will grow far larger when an expansion project is complete.