FESTIVALS

News/Press

Food Fight Releasing Company-Wide Collaboration Brew Benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
    Madison, WI—In collaboration with their friends at House of Brews and MobCraft, Food Fight Restaurant Group is releasing a Harvest Ale and designating proceeds to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. The Harvest Ale will be released at noon on Sunday November 1st at Tex Tubb's Taco Palace, and will subsequently be available company-wide at Food Fight locations across Dane County.

    “The really cool thing about this beer is that we are donating one dollar for every pint we sell directly to Second Harvest. Each dollar Second Harvest receives provides three meals for those in need in our community,” said Tex Tubb's Bar Manager, Will Mueller. “So basically every time you drink a pint of this delicious Harvest Ale, you are feeing someone for an entire day. We feel really good that we were able to add this to our annual fundraising efforts.”

    Over the past eight years, the Food Fight Against Hunger campaign has helped to provide more than 250,000 meals for folks in need through Second Harvest. Customers can donate directly to Second Harvest by rounding up their checks or by donating cash to the donation jars found at each Food Fight location.

    Food Fight employees who donate to Second Harvest will have their donations matched dollar for dollar by Food Fight.

    Aside from adding the Harvest Ale to their 2015 efforts, each Food Fight restaurant will also be offering special harvest menu items that will help raise additional money for Second Harvest. While food specials vary from restaurant to restaurant, the Harvest Ale will be consistent across the board.

    The beer is an American Brown Harvest Ale made with oatmeal, raisins and freshly harvested American varietals of hops grown in Wisconsin. One can expect notes of toffee and chocolate to be balanced by a mild bitterness and an abundance of floral aromas, as well as flavors of citrus and pine from American hops.

    “We are excited to host the release of this collaboration brew,” said Mueller. “Brewers from MobCraft and House of Brews will be on hand to talk about the beer, and folks from all over the community can gather to get their first taste of this collaboration brew. The best part is that everyone involved in this beer is actively helping people in need.”

    In addition to the one dollar per pint the restaurants are donating, the brewers and the distributors are also kicking in a percentage of their sales to the fundraising efforts.

    “This beer takes a three-tiered approach to ending hunger,” said Mueller. “Brewers, distributors, and retailers are all kicking in a share. Funds raised from this beer alone should help to provide more than 7,000 meals this holiday season. I encourage everyone to have a pint at your local Food Fight restaurant before it is gone!”

    Since 1986, Second Harvest has put more than 100 million meals on the tables of the 1 in 8 people who are currently facing hunger in southwestern Wisconsin. They work together with hundreds of local hunger-relief charities to provide the peace-of-mind people get when they know they have enough food.

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 2:10 PM | 0 comments
CAPITAL BREWERY WINS FOUR SILVER MEDALS FROM THE BEVERAGE TESTING INSTITUTE



    (Middleton, WI) -  The talented brewing staff at Capital Brewery has been producing quality, award winning beers for almost three decades, and while the Brewery has always been known for its lagers, three India Pale Ales (IPAs) and one American Pale Ale were recognized at the recent World Beer Championship.

    Capital Mutiny IPA, Capital Ghost Ship IPA and the recently introduced Capital Grateful Red IPA all won silver medals, as did the Capital U.S. Pale Ale. This marked the first time each of these has won a medal, and brought Capital’s total medal count to 221.

    “I am glad to be receiving recognition for these particular brands, as this shows that although we are diversifying our portfolio, we are continuing to produce award-winning beers and have the ability to do great things across the board” commented Brewmaster Ashley Kinart.

    Founded on March 14, 1984, Capital brewed its first batch of beer in the spring of 1986. The company has received over 220 major awards in both domestic and international competitions in over 15 categories, and Wisconsin Amber has been available in cans since 1997. Capital was named Grand National Champion in the 2013 US Open Beer Championship, winning six medals.

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 10:31 AM | 0 comments
Wild Wisconsin Hop Featured in Beer Release
Monday, October 19, 2015
    Aromatic Hop Makes its Way to Store Shelves in Pearl Street Brewery’s Linalool IPA

    LA CROSSE, Wis. (October 16, 2015) – Northern Discovery(TM) hops, a wild hop indigenous to Wisconsin with rare aromatic qualities, is now the key ingredient in a beer from Pearl Street Brewery. The hop, discovered in 2007 outside of Madison, Wis. had remained untouched for over a century, allowing it to evolve naturally.”

    Besides originality, the Northern Discovery hop exhibits another unique trait – extraordinary levels of linalool, the most prized of aromatic compounds that gives hops their essence and is vital in producing hoppy beer. Paul Stang, the cultivator of Northern Discovery hops, realized the unique brewing potential of these hops immediately. “This hop contains more than double the linalool of any other variety,” said Stang.

    Joe Katchever, Pearl Street Brewery brewmaster, knew he could create a truly unique beer with the hop. “You won’t find a beer anywhere else in the world that has this type of hop,” said Katchever. “The flavors and complex aromatics of beer brewed with this hop matures and develops over time, and increases in potency with aging.”

    As oil-based hop aromas fade quickly, they make way for linalool to move to the forefront and creates a pleasant bitterness as the beer ages, with lilac, pear and bruised apple notes emerging.

    The new India Pale Ale brewed with this special hop was released by Pearl Street Brewery on Friday, Oct. 16 and will soon make its way to store shelves throughout Wisconsin and select regions in Minnesota. The beer, Linalool IPA, was named for the key compound in those Northern Discovery hops that give the ale its distinctive flavor.

    While virtually all beers are brewed using hops, the beer style of IPA has become one of the most popular craft beer styles in the U.S. and relies heavily on hop flavor and aroma. This leaves brewers constantly searching for new and exciting hop varieties to use.

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 6:59 AM | 0 comments
CAPITAL BREWERY SUPPORTS BAT CONSERVATION


    SPECIAL EVENT ON OCTOBER 30, 2015 AT 5PM IN THE CAPITAL BREWERY BIER STUBE

    Middleton, WI – Want to see some real bats on Halloween eve? Bats and a special “Bat-oberfest” brew will be on tap Oct. 30 as Capital Brewery Co., Inc. hosts a Halloween party to raise awareness and money for work to conserve Wisconsin bats.

    The Capital Brewery Bier Stube, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, opens at 3pm on the 30th and the party starts at 5pm. Beverages and snacks will be available for purchase and costumes are encouraged. This is a 21 and over event. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

    A portion of proceeds from the sale of “Bat-Oberfest’ beer at the Oct. 30 party, and from sales October 25 to 31 in the Capital Brewery Bier Stube, will be donated to the Wisconsin Bat Conservation Fund.

    A special showing of the film ‘Battle for Bats’, documenting the race against the clock to save bats from white-nose syndrome will be featured. The deadly disease does not affect people but has killed up to 6 million bats in the eastern United States since 2006 and is closing in on Wisconsin bats. Two straw-colored fruit bats and a native big brown bat will be in attendance.

    “Bats are a big part of Halloween fun and this party is a way people can learn more about bats and give back to them,” says Paul White, who leads DNR’s bat program. “Bats need our help more than ever, and we appreciate the partnership with Capital Brewery and the Natural Resources Foundation of Wisconsin to offer people a great way to help a great cause.”

    “Bat-oberfest” is the sixth installment in Capital’s Sustainability Series of beer offerings.

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 6:53 AM | 1 comments
MobCraft Beer and River City Distribution form Distribution Partnership
Wednesday, October 14, 2015

    MobCraft to expand production and geographical reach.


    MADISON, WI - MobCraft Beer Has entered into a distribution agreement with River City Distributing of Watertown, Wisconsin for the distribution of MobCraft Beer in the Wisconsin Counties of Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Walworth, Waukesha, Washington, Rock, Jefferson, Dodge, Fond Du Lac, Winnebago, Outagamie, Green Lake, Dane, Green, Lafayette, Iowa, Columbus, and Sauk.

    MobCraft is the worlds first crowdsourced brewery turning ideas from beer fans around the United States into beers. Each month a winning recipe is named by the people, brewed and distributed by MobCraft. MobCraft has self distributed its beer since May of 2013.

    “We are very excited to partner with an awesome distributor dedicated to craft beer, and helping us grow. ” said Henry Schwartz, President of MobCraft Beer

    This distribution agreement comes at a wonderful time as MobCraft begins the construction of its new brewing facility at 505 S 5thStreet Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The new 14,000 sq ft brewery and tap room is located in Historic Walkers Point, and will help MobCraft grow its annual production from 600 barrels to 3200 barrels next year.

    "River City Distributing is excited to be representing MobCraft Beer in Southern Wisconsin, including major markets from Appleton to Milwaukee to Madison. Bringing the quality, and creativity of the MobCraft brands to more consumers. Wisconsin beer fans are in for a treat, as they will now have more access to one of the bright young brewery's in the state of Wisconsin. " Steve Kwapil Vice President of Sales at River City Distributing.

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 6:28 AM | 0 comments
Bipartisan Support For Bill Boosts Wisconsin Breweries
Tuesday, October 13, 2015

    Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) joins Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) in co-sponsoring the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act


    MADISON - October 13, 2015 -  Brewers in Wisconsin received another boost in the drive toward recalibrating excise taxes on beer. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) added his support for the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act, a bill that Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) had previously cosponsored. Wisconsin is one of three states with Senate cosponsors on both sides of the aisle along with Colorado and New Hampshire. A companion bill in the House of Representatives has also been cosponsored by Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) and subsequently gained the additional support of Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI).

    “I am pleased to cosponsor the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act.” Senator Johnson said. “It scales back taxes unique to the brewing, distilling and winemaking industries that hold back American businesses and workers. It eases the tax burden on American consumers. And it will provide relief to Wisconsin’s smaller craft brewers and to its larger global brewers, not limiting the relief to just one segment of the industry. As we start reforming our tax system, we need to find areas of agreement. This bill is one of them, as its bipartisan support shows.”

    Senator Baldwin signed on as an original cosponsor to The Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act in July when it was introduced by Ron Wyden (D-OR). The legislation would cut taxes and modernize outdated regulations for craft brewers, cider makers, vintners and distillers.

    “Wisconsin’s brewers have been at the center of our culture and anchors of local communities since our state’s beginning and that is why I supported the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act as an original cosponsor in July,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin beer makers not only brew famous lagers, they create jobs and spur investment in communities throughout the state. I welcome Senator Johnson’s support for this bipartisan effort to provide tax relief to Wisconsin businesses so they have ability to reinvest their profits back into their local economies, put people to work, and carry on a proud Wisconsin tradition.”

    Sprecher Brewing Company President Jeff Hamilton, who serves on the Brewers Association’s Government Affairs Committee as well as the Wisconsin Brewers Guild’s Board of Directors praised the significance of bipartisan support for the bill.

    “Wisconsin’s small brewers are fortunate as both Senators from our state have recognized the importance of brewing in the state and have signed on to legislation that will bring much needed good jobs to Wisconsin. It has been a pleasure for me to work with both Senator Baldwin and Senator Johnson and their staffs. This is a great example of people from both parties working together with Senators from other states to seize opportunities to foster growing and entrepreneurial businesses.”

    In addition to modernizing the tax code for brewers, cider makers, vintners, and distillers, the bill also reduces compliance burdens for craft beverage producers by simplifying complex bonding and tax filing requirements. The bill would ease outdated inventory restrictions and simplify beer formulation and label approvals to adjust to the rapidly evolving craft beverage sector.

    Marc Buttera, President of the Wisconsin Brewers Guild and founder of O’so Brewing Company emphasized the legislation’s importance not just for breweries, but for local economies across the state.

    “This bill will help Wisconsin’s local breweries thrive and grow in communities large and small. Our breweries are very important to local economies and we are proud to play our part by producing great beer in this great state.”

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 11:43 AM | 0 comments
Badger State Brewing Co. to Host First Annual Firkins in Fall Festival


    GREEN BAY - October 12, 2015 - Badger State Brewing Co. will host the First Annual Firkins in Fall Festival on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Badger State Brewing Co.’s Tap Room beer garden located at 990 Tony Canadeo Run in Green Bay, Wis.

    The event will feature 20 pins and firkins of unique cask beers created by Badger State Brewing Co. and other Wisconsin craft breweries. Food trucks will also be onsite and available to attendees for additional purchase. Live music will be provided by a local bluegrass band. Tickets are priced at $30 in advance and $40 at the door and available online at http://badgerstatefirkinsinfall.bpt.me/.

    Badger State Brewing Co. also has set Saturday, Feb. 28 as the date for the First Annual Frozen Firkins Festival. More details about that event will be announced in December.

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 11:41 AM | 0 comments
Wisconsin Brewing Company Tapped by Pabst Brewing Company To Brew Old Tankard Ale
Thursday, October 8, 2015
    (Verona, Wisconsin) – Wisconsin Brewing Company announced today a new collaboration with Pabst Brewing Company (“Pabst”), the world’s largest American-owned brewer. Beginning on October 1, 2015, under the guidance of Greg Deuhs, Pabst’s Master Brewer, the Wisconsin Brewing Company began brewing Old Tankard Ale, a classic post prohibition American Ale from Pabst’s heritage portfolio that was originally enjoyed in the 1930s.

    Under the terms of the agreement, Wisconsin Brewing Company will brew Old Tankard Ale in kegs and the brew will be sold on draft in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Michigan initially, before rolling out to additional states in the future.

    Pabst’s deep ties to Wisconsin date back to 1844, when the Company was established in Milwaukee. Pabst’s portfolio includes a wide range of over 30 iconic heritage brands – many of which were founded in Wisconsin including Schlitz, Old Milwaukee, Blatz, Old Style and its flagship brand, Pabst Blue Ribbon.

    Carl Nolen, President and CEO of Wisconsin Brewing Company, stated, “From the beginning, we’ve been dedicated to brewing a variety of beers loaded with awesome flavor. Pabst has deep Wisconsin roots and we’re honored to have been chosen to work with them to bring such a beloved legacy brand to life. Although we’ve had other inquiries about contract brewing, none have been in alignment with our vision and strategy until now. This historic opportunity to work with an iconic Wisconsin brand like Old Tankard is a perfect fit for us. We are really excited.”

    Eugene Kashper, Chairman and CEO of Pabst Brewing Company, commented, “This partnership represents the newest chapter in our storied history of brewing exceptional beers in Wisconsin – the birthplace of Pabst Blue Ribbon. We believe Wisconsin Brewing Company represents a fantastic partner to brew Old Tankard Ale which is being brewed based on the authentic recipe from the 1937 Pabst Brewing Company Brewers Log.”

    Pabst’s Master Brewer and Wisconsin Native Greg Deuhs stated: “We have a rich craft brewing heritage at Pabst that dates back to the 19th century and are truly proud to resurrect this classic American ale.”

    Posted by Wisconsin Brewers Guild at 6:01 PM | 0 comments

PREVIOUS POSTS

Archive

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.