Wednesday, November 18, 2020

Athens Brewery To Find New Home In Downtown Dayton

Little Fish Brewing Company signs a letter of intent to open taproom and brewery on Webster St.

ATHENS, OH – Athens, Ohio-based brewery Little Fish Brewing Company announced today that it has signed a letter of intent with the Windsor Companies to develop a second location in downtown Dayton. Construction is projected to begin in the spring of 2021.

The Windsor Companies acquired the buildings at 112 Webster Station, formerly known as Midwest Tools, along with a few surrounding properties in September 2020. The brewery is the first tenant to sign on to the project, which is within walking distance of downtown, Day Air Ballpark, the Riverscape and the Fire Blocks District.

“Downtown is really growing into an exciting hub for small and independent restaurants and bars, shopping, entertainment and living,” said Carli Dexter of The Windsor Companies. “We couldn’t be more excited that Little Fish is going to be a part of that.”

The future Little Fish location will be dedicated to the production of wood- and barrel-aged sour beers. Patrons will be able to enjoy these, as well as other Little Fish beers from the Athens location at the taproom and beer garden. Also featured will be a farm-to-table kitchen developed by Little Fish’s Executive Chef, Becky Clark.

Stockwell and White are no strangers to the Dayton area. Little Fish distributes beer here to local craft beer-centric bars, breweries, and bottle shops.

“Dayton is growing, and we very much look forward to being part of its future,” said Jimmy Stockwell, Co-Founder of Little Fish. “We’re excited to become part of the vibrant restaurant and brewery scene and to bring a piece of the spirit of Athens to this strong Community.”

About Little Fish Brewing Company

Little Fish Brewing Company was founded in 2015 by Athens natives Sean White and Jimmy Stockwell. While the brewery brews many styles of beers, it focuses on farmhouse and sour ales made with Ohio-grown and processed ingredients. Notable awards include the 2016 World Beer Cup Gold Award for Belgian- and French-Style Ale, 2018 World Beer Cup Bronze Award for Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer, 2020 Great American Beer Festival Silver Medal for Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer, and RateBeer’s Best New Brewer (Ohio) for 2015 and 2016. In 2018 Little Fish opened its own farm-to-table kitchen along with an expanded production area.


Saturday, November 14, 2020

Media Statement: Craft Brewers Address Potential Second Shutdown

 COLUMBUS, Ohio – Below is a media statement from Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association:

"Ohio’s craft breweries have led by example throughout the pandemic crisis, taking extraordinary steps to protect the health and safety of customers and employees.

"Safety and sanitation are necessary parts of the brewing process, and the rigorous standards that apply to the brewhouse are also manifested in the taproom. When the state issued its public health requirements for eating and drinking establishments, craft breweries often went above and beyond the Department of Health’s guidance.

"Breweries were early adopters of touchless ordering as they pivoted their beer sales for curbside pickup and home delivery. Already adept at traditional sanitation, breweries began to implement UV disinfection of surfaces and advanced air filtration to provide clean, safe environments for customers and employees. Breweries even did their part to offset PPE shortages during the early days of the pandemic, donating excess beer in their tanks to distilleries where it was turned into badly-needed hand sanitizer.

"All of these upgrades came with significant investment on top of the costs of hand sanitizer stations, plexiglass barriers and other required measures. With tables appropriately spaced, surfaces rigorously cleaned and mask-wearing enforced for customers and employees, breweries were among the safest places to visit during the pandemic.

"Now, even with all of these safety measures in place, even with data showing that the spread of COVID does not appear to be tied to eating and drinking establishments, even with reports that 95% or more of these establishments are following public health guidelines, the state of Ohio is planning another shutdown of breweries, bars and restaurants.

"Make no mistake: a second shutdown would almost certainly devastate our industry and force many small businesses to close their doors for good.

"Under current conditions, 37% of Ohio breweries report that they are likely to be forced to shut their doors within a year. A second shutdown would surely accelerate the permanent closure of those businesses and could place up to two-thirds of Ohio’s 359 breweries in peril.

"Ohio breweries employed more than 8,000 people before the pandemic, many of whom were furloughed during the first closure and able to be brought back to work with funding from the federal Payroll Protection Program. With Congress unlikely to provide additional stimulus or relief funds in the near future, a second shutdown would result in another massive spike in unemployment and no mechanism to support those workers.

"Ohio breweries are responsible for nearly $1 billion in economic activity within the state. There are breweries in 67 of Ohio’s 88 counties, breathing life into big city neighborhoods and rural communities alike. Breweries are integral parts of their communities, donating more than $1.15 million and 13,000 volunteer hours to charity each year.

"As we have been told repeatedly for the past few months, the rise in COVID-19 cases is directly attributable to unregulated, private gatherings. Because of the exceptional public health measures we have put in place, contract tracing data does not suggest that breweries, bars and restaurants play a significant role in the current upward trends in COVID-19 diagnoses, hospitalizations and deaths.

"As an industry, we are greatly concerned about the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in the state, a situation which poses its own challenge to our small businesses. However, the effects of a second shutdown would cripple our industry, cost thousands of Ohio jobs and ultimately doom many small businesses to fail. We urge the state to point their efforts toward the irresponsible actors that are perpetuating this crisis and allow Ohio breweries to continue to set the example for how to conduct business safely during the pandemic."


Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote, preserve, diversify and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers

Thursday, November 5, 2020

Recap - Eight breweries earn nine medals at Great American Beer Festival

 

Ohio Beer Sparkles Again at National Competition




Eight breweries earn nine medals at Great American Beer Festival 

DENVER – Ohio craft breweries put forth yet another strong showing at the 2020 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) awards ceremony, held on Friday, October 16. After bringing home a total of 15 medals last year, the Ohio delegation scored nine awards at the nation’s most prestigious brewing competition.

Wolf’s Ridge Brewing in Columbus led the field of Ohio entrants with two medals at the 2020 competition. Daybreak won the gold medal in the Coffee Beer category, marking the second award for the beer after taking silver in 2019. Wolf’s Ridge also took the bronze in the Smoke Beer category with their Buchenrauch smoked lager.

Fat Head’s Brewery scored a gold medal for Goggle Fogger in the German-style Wheat Ale category. Fat Head’s has now won awards in 12 straight GABF competitions, earning a total of 26 medals.

Moozie from Cincinnati’s Brink Brewing won gold for the third consecutive year in the Sweet Stout or Cream Stout category. Brink has won at least one GABF medal in each year since its founding in 2017.

Masthead Brewing from Cleveland won gold for Augenblick in the Munich-style Helles category. This is Masthead’s second GABF gold medal and third medal overall.

Cleveland’s Noble Beast Brewing’s Murder Ballads won its second consecutive GABF medal, a silver in the International Dark Lager category. Murder Ballads took bronze in the Baltic-style Porter category in 2019, which was not included in the competition this year.

Fretboard Brewing from Blue Ash and Little Fish Brewing from Athens each won their first GABF medals in 2020. Little Fish earned a silver for Cleft in the Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer category, while Fretboard won silver for Crazy Train in the Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale category. Both breweries have previously won awards at the Brewers Association’s World Beer Cup competition, which was canceled in 2020.

Centerville’s Lock 27 Brewing scored their first GABF medal win, a bronze for Wolk in the Belgian-style Witbier.

Since 1987, 50 Ohio craft breweries have combined to win 162 medals – 54 gold – at the Great American Beer Festival.

“In a year that has been defined by struggles, it’s very satisfying to see our Ohio breweries celebrating a victory today,” said Mary MacDonald, executive director of the Ohio Craft Brewers Association. “As much uncertainty and turbulence as our industry has seen, the constant that has remained is that Ohio breweries are still making world-class beer despite all of 2020’s challenges.”
 
2020 medal-winning Ohio craft beers:
Wolf’s Ridge Brewing:
• Daybreak – Gold, Coffee Beer
• Buchenrauch – Bronze, Smoke Beer

Brink Brewing:
• Moozie – Gold, Sweet Stout or Cream Stout

Fat Head’s Brewery:
• Goggle Fogger – Gold, German-style Wheat Ale

Masthead Brewing:
• Augenblick – Gold, Munich-style Helles

Fretboard Brewing:
• Crazy Train – Silver, Belgian-Style Ale or French-Style Ale

Little Fish Brewing:
• Cleft – Silver, Fruited Wood- and Barrel-Aged Sour Beer

Noble Beast Brewing:
• Murder Ballads – Silver, International Dark Lager

Lock 27 Brewing:
• Wolk – Bronze, Belgian-style Witbier


Founded in 2007, the Ohio Craft Brewers Association is a nonprofit guild that exists to promote, preserve and unify Ohio’s craft brewing industry. We aspire to be recognized as the industry leader at both state and national levels for preserving the art of making high-quality, unique craft beer; to serve as the unified voice for craft brewers across the state; to advocate on behalf of the Ohio Craft beer industry; to contribute to systemic, local community development by driving economic and job growth, while creating experiences that bring people together; and to serve as a beacon for local production and manufacturing through craft beer, resulting in diverse choices for consumers.



Anchor Brewing Company Debuts the 46th Annual Christmas Ale

Anchor Brewing Company Debuts the 46th Annual Christmas Ale,

a Beloved Winter Tradition for a Unique Holiday Season

San Francisco, CA (October 26, 2020) – Anchor Brewing Company announces the release of its 2020 Christmas Ale, a highly anticipated, limited-edition delight.  For the 46th year in a row, Anchor Christmas Ale kicks off the holiday season with a subtle, yet pronounced spice blend and a silky, smooth, classic holiday flavor profile. The 2020 Christmas Ale is the first release by newly appointed Anchor Brewmaster, Tom Riley, and it contains the highest Christmas Ale ABV, at 7%.  Every year, this iconic winter warmer features a unique hand-drawn tree on the label and is crafted with a new, top-secret recipe.  In 46 years, a Christmas Ale recipe has never been shared. 


Forty-five years ago, Anchor Brewing Company released the first holiday beer in America since Prohibition.  While former Anchor Brewmaster Fritz Maytag made the first edition as a Pale Ale, today Anchor Christmas Ale fits perfectly in the category of a Spiced Brown Ale. The inspiration behind each brew remains the same: joy, hope and celebration as we enter a new season.  Every single Christmas Ale has been handcrafted in San Francisco, CA, Anchor’s home since 1896.

 

The 2020 Anchor Christmas Ale is a one-of-a-kind, featuring the highest ABV at 7% and darkest appearance of any vintage.  Yet, this year’s release is easy-drinking and approachable for everyone at a holiday gathering or virtual event. Anchor’s 2020 Christmas Ale is silky-smooth and layered with classic holiday flavors of chocolate, toasted marshmallows and graham crackers - perfect for enjoying at the end of the meal, or around a fire with close friends.  This winter warmer teems with aromas of fresh coffee and dark chocolate, and pours with a tight, creamy cappuccino-colored head. 

 

Each year a new symbolic hand-drawn tree is chosen for the Christmas Ale label.  This year’s label features The Three Graces; three iconic towering sequoias from the Mariposa Grove in California’s Yosemite National Park.  This is only the second time in its 46-year history that multiple trees are shown together on the label, a fitting statement to symbolize togetherness and hope in a year when so much time has been spent apart.  The Three Graces represent radiance, joy, and flowering – characteristics that we can all hold near during this unprecedented time.

 

“In such a challenging year, we wanted our Christmas Ale to be a moment of joy during the holiday season,” says Anchor Brewmaster Tom Riley.  “With a one-of-a-kind label, the highest ABV in history, and a balanced, holiday-inspired flavor profile, we believe that this year’s Christmas Ale stands in a category of its own.  Our Christmas Ale fans will be thrilled with year’s offering and first-timers will be in for a special treat.”

 

This year, Anchor Christmas Ale is a proud sponsor of Meals on Wheels’ “Don’t Stop Now” campaign, raising awareness and encouraging individuals to take action in support of vulnerable seniors both nationally and in their local community.  Meals on Wheels supports over 5,000 community-based senior nutrition programs across the country, helping fight hunger among senior citizens by delivering meals.  To learn more about the “Don’t Stop Now” campaign and to donate to Meals on Wheels, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/dontstopnow.

 

Anchor Christmas Ale makes a special holiday gift for the beer aficionado to the most casual drinker and everyone in-between.  Available in a beautiful, gold-foiled, 50.7oz magnum format as well as regular 12oz bottles, it is both the perfect centerpiece at a festive gathering and a memorable gift.  Because the beer’s wintry spiced flavors evolve over time, an added bonus of this holiday tradition is that it can age gracefully for years to come.  Christmas Ale should be stored in a dark and cool place for the best results.

 

“One of the best parts about this brew is that, even though it is named Christmas Ale, it’s truly a perfect beer from late October and into the New Year.  It can easily be paired with a meal or replace an after-dinner dessert wine,” Riley shared.  Ideal dessert pairings are crème brulee, molten lava cake, pumpkin pie and more.  Suggested savory pairings are turkey and a rack of lamb.

 

Anchor’s 2020 Christmas Ale is available starting in early November through January 2021, while supplies lasts.  It is offered in 6-packs and gold-foiled 50.7 oz. magnum bottles, as well as on draught in select stores, bars and restaurants including Anchor Public Taps.  Order yours for pick-up at Anchor Public Taps by going to www.AnchorBeerToGo.com.  Orders can be picked up Thursday-Sunday each week.

 

For more information on the history of Anchor Christmas Ale, please watch the following video: Anchor Christmas Ale Video.  You can find a brew near you by using the Anchor Beer Finder and the Anchor Beer-to-Go website. 

 

Celebrate this unique holiday season with Anchor Brewing Company’s 46th annual Christmas Ale.  Learn more about Anchor Brewing Company at www.anchorbrewing.com and follow @anchorbrewing on social media.

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