Archive for the NABA Blog Category

The EU is revising a directive to cut down on packaging waste. The proposed change would require all packaging to be reusable or recyclable; at face value it seems a reasonable idea. However, it also states that all such packaging must include an “indelible code” to trace the recycling of materials. Problem is most breweries in the EU have refillable glass bottles with paper labels. There is no indelible code because it was not included when the glass was manufactured and the paper label is washed off so the bottle

For years the large brewing corporations have acquired craft brewers as part of the strategy for gaining market share. However, as Craft Beer sales have stabilized the Mega brewers have shifted their attention to potential growth of other segments of the beverage industry (read that as seltzers and canned cocktails). All of which leads to the unusual sale of a Craft Brewery back to its original owners. The Boone, North Carolina based Appalachian Mountain Brewery, part of the Anheuser-Busch portfolio of Craft Breweries, was recently reacquired by original owners Nathan

If you’re a fan of Pils, Vienna, Oktoberfest, Helles, Marzen, Bock and other varieties of Lager beer; you may be drinking an accident. A recently released study indicates that lager may have been the result of a contaminated batch of wheat beer. This lucky mistake occurred in Schwarzach, a small town in South Bavaria at the start of the 1600’s. Lager uses Saccharomyces Pastorianus, a different yeast than ales. The clue as to how this came about was when Saccharomyces Eubanus was discovered in the Patagonian Andes of Argentina during

                An unusual grave marker located in Winchester Cathedral, UK. A memorial to Thomas Thetcher who died on this date (12 May) in 1764, in part it reads that he “…died of a violent fever contracted by drinking Small Beer when hot.” It further reads “Here sleeps in peace a Hampshire Grenadier Who caught his death by drinking cold small beer Soldiers take heed from from his untimely fall, and when you’re hot, drink strong, or none at all. Mark your calendars, Mountain

The Steel Keg Association announced winners of their first annual Keg Champion Awards. Awards were presented in 7 categories and over 2,000 Breweries, Bars and Restaurants were nominated.  The Basis for the awards were, as described by the Association’s Executive Director. “They were distinguished by their commitment to sustainability and to delivering differentiated consumer experiences. Importantly, we also have a shared belief that this is not the culmination of an awards program, but just the beginning. Cheers to these winners and all of the keg champions out there.” In addition

On this day in 1933, Ninety years ago, Prohibition essentially came to an end. Repeal meant on this day the United States allowed the sale and consumption of Beer. Although the official end of prohibition lay in the future, official modification of the Volstead act allowed the sale of Beer. Mark your calendars, Mountain Brewers Beer Fest –June 3rd, Idaho Falls, ID – TICKETS on sale now at https://myidahotix.com/events/mountain-brewers-beer-fest-2023-6-3-2023 Copyright Gregg Smith – His latest book “American Beer History” is available on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/American-Beer-History-Mayflower-Microbreweries/dp/108155410X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=American+Beer+History&qid=1625503750&sr=8-2

            Guinness announced it plans on opening its second US Taproom (the first was in Baltimore) with the official name as Guinness Open Gate Brewery Chicago. Located at 901 W. Kinzie St. The project was originally announced in 2021 but was delayed by several circumstances. The 15,000 square foot facility Will feature a Taproom, restaurant, bakery, brewing facility and aging area. Aside from standard Guinness the up to 16 tap line-up will feature Guinness experimental beer. Mark your calendars, Mountain Brewers Beer Fest –June 3rd,