Appreciate Breweries When You Can Or They May Be Gone

This past weekend here in Cincinnati, we had the closing of another local brewery spot. This made me think about the importance of enjoying breweries when possible and being there to help show support. It is so easy nowadays for us to not do so and take things for granted.

The post-Covid life has more people enjoying things from home and away from the hustle and bustle of the past social lifestyles to which we were acclimated. This is understandable, but when we don’t get out and about we do run the risk of losing these great spots from around our communities.

In this situation, we saw the closing down of Taft’s Brewing Brewpourium here in Cincinnati. Now granted this was my first time visiting this location, however, I had visited the one in the past that had been in the area we call OTR. That one had been closed previously which was also sad to hear at the time.

One thing to also note is that I am not sure of all of the reasons that may have led up to this, as we have just relocated back to Cincinnati after being gone for 3 years and being in Baltimore. But this is still something that has been seen in various areas across the country. Even here in Cincinnati, it makes me think of the old Blank Slate Brewery as just one other example.

We often forget the importance of showing up for these locations because we get so many of their beers now through retail outlets, but going to the source can go a long way. Something to think about: If you enjoy a brewery, make sure to visit from time to time to let them know as well. If enough folks do this, it can go a long way to keeping them going and keeping some great pillars of our communities going even further.

Cheers!

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Anheuser-Busch Invests $10M in its Jacksonville Brewery to Drive Local Economic Growth

Leading Domestic Manufacturer and Brewer Continues Ongoing Investments in its Communities, Building on $2 Billion Spend Over Last 5 Years

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Anheuser-Busch (NYSE:BUD), a leading domestic manufacturer and brewer of Michelob ULTRA, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light, today announced a new $10 million investment in its Jacksonville brewery. Over the last 5 years, Anheuser-Busch has invested nearly $2 billion in its facilities across the country to help create and sustain jobs and drive economic prosperity in the communities where it operates and its employees call home.  Brendan Whitworth, CEO of Anheuser-Busch, stated, "Investing in the communities where our people live and work is part of who we are. At Anheuser-Busch, we've been producing high quality, great tasting products for generations, and through continued investments in our facilities like our Jacksonville brewery, we're improving our capabilities and also contributing to the prosperity of the communities we serve."  Key Highlights of the Investment:  Facility upgrades to maintain industry-leading quality standards and maximize efficiency Updates to the critical manufacturing equipment that make beer production possible Upgrades to critical plant infrastructure at the brewery The Jacksonville brewery, a cornerstone of Anheuser-Busch's U.S. operations since 1969, has played a crucial role in the $490 million capital investments the brewer has made in Florida to date. Anheuser-Busch operates more than 120 facilities across the country and, with its distributor partners, employs 65,000 hardworking Americans. As the nation's leading brewer, Anheuser-Busch has the unique ability to create U.S. jobs and drive economic prosperity at this scale.  Craig Tomeo, Senior General Manager of the Anheuser-Busch Jacksonville Brewery, remarked, "We have been proud to brew in Jacksonville for the last 55 years, and this new $10 million investment will not only improve our local facility here but also provide a positive economic impact to our Duval County community. Anheuser-Busch's investments in its facilities, including our brewery here in Jacksonville, ensures that we are able to continue showing up locally as an employer and community partner while brewing at the highest quality and efficiency standards."  With almost 1,000 employees across four facilities in Florida, Anheuser-Busch remains dedicated to being a key economic driver in the state and maintaining its position as the leader in the American brewing industry.  For more on Anheuser-Busch's economic impact visit www.anheuser-busch.com/community/economic-impact or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.  ABOUT ANHEUSER-BUSCH  At Anheuser-Busch, our purpose is to create a future with more cheers. We are committed to earning our place in the moments that matter to our consumers and making a meaningful impact in our communities across the country. For more than 165 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations.  Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities, and packaging plants, and have a dedicated network of more than 65,000 hardworking Americans across the United States who bring our beer to life. We are home to several of America's most iconic beer and beyond beer brands, including Michelob ULTRA, Cutwater Spirits, Stella Artois, Busch Light, Budweiser, and Bud Light as well as regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From our industry-leading efforts to support American farmers and our nation's military, veterans, and first responders to emergency drinking water donations and responsible drinking programs, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home – that's who we are. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and Instagram.

Yuengling Continues Midwest Expansion with Highly Anticipated Distribution into Illinois

Fans across 28 states will now have access to The Oldest Brewery in America's iconic portfolio of beers

POTTSVILLE, Pa., Dec. 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Yuengling announced the continuation of the brewery's Midwest expansion with distribution of its exceptional portfolio of beers into Illinois in early 2025. Fans across Illinois will be able to experience the brand's flagship beers —spanning the brewery's iconic Yuengling® Traditional LAGER, Light Lager, Golden Pilsner, Black and Tan, and FLIGHT by Yuengling, the Next Generation of Light Beer, in the coming months.   "For years we have seen an overwhelming desire for our portfolio from our most loyal fans in Illinois that have been eagerly awaiting the brand's arrival," said Wendy Yuengling, Chief Administrative Officer and 6th generation family member, D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. "We are incredibly proud to announce our expansion into a great beer market such as Illinois in the new year and, as the Oldest Brewery in America, we look forward to upholding our commitment of delivering high quality beer drinking experiences across the entire state." Yuengling's iconic portfolio will first be available on draft in Illinois at the end of January with more distribution and packaging rolling out in the weeks following. With this launch, fans of legal drinking age will be able to purchase Yuengling beers at their favorite restaurants, bars, and stores across the state. "With the success of our newest expansion into Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma in 2023, we knew there was more work to be done in the Midwest region," said Colin Callahan, General Manager, The Yuengling Company. "We look forward to continuing our work alongside our skilled partners to bring Illinois residents the rich tradition and quality that the Oldest Brewery in America is known for." Fans in Illinois can expect more details on Yuengling's newest expansion and updates on special events and activations across the state in the coming months. To keep up to date, fans are encouraged to follow the Yuengling Facebook page, follow Yuengling on X and Instagram, or visit www.Yuengling.com.    About D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc.  D.G. Yuengling & Son, Inc., the oldest brewery in America, is family-owned and operated since 1829. Principal beer brands include Yuengling® Traditional Lager, Light Lager, Black & Tan, Golden Pilsner, Premium, Light, Bock, Dark Brewed Porter, Lord Chesterfield Ale®, Oktoberfest, Yuengling, and Bongo Fizz. Production is supplied by two breweries in Pottsville, PA and one in Tampa, FL. A separate joint venture called The Yuengling Company was established in 2020 with Molson Coors Beverage Company to expand production and distribution further west. Yuengling beer is currently available in 26 states. You can experience Yuengling in Pottsville, PA, by taking a free tour of America's Oldest Brewery and visiting our Museum & Gift Shop. Also, dine, shop, and enjoy our year-round and seasonal-selection of beers at the Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen in Tampa, FL.  For more information about Yuengling, fans are encouraged to follow the Yuengling Facebook page, follow Yuengling on X and Instagram, or visit www.Yuengling.com.

Pink Boots Hop Blend Raises Awareness and Support for Gender Diversity in Brewing

YAKIMA, Wash., Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Each year, Yakima Chief Hops (YCH) creates the community-driven blend to benefit the Pink Boots Society (PBS), a non-profit organization with a mission to assist, inspire, and encourage women and non-binary individuals in the fermented/alcoholic beverage industry to advance their careers through education. The PBS membership performed sensory evaluations on three different blends and selected the most irresistible to be produced for brewers across the industry. The unique blend features a harmony of Simcoe®, Mosaic®, Chinook, and Krush™.

YCH partnered with women-owned farms within its network of growers to assist in creating the blend. Jessica Riel of Double 'R' Farms, Reggie Brulotte of Brulotte Farms, and Erica Lorentz of Lakeside Ranches each hand-selected their favorite lots from this year's harvest, which the YCH sensory team used to craft three compelling blends for the Pink Boots Society membership to vote on. The selected blend boasts bright grapefruit notes layered with tropical citrus, supported by lush berries and dank, woody aromas. "Opportunities like this, becoming involved with the Pink Boots Society, really drives me," says Erica Lorentz, 5th generation hop farmer and owner of Lakeside Ranches. Lorentz's Simcoe® hops are featured in the blend. "Anything that can empower women to step into roles they may not necessarily view themselves in is important," she adds. "Incorporating women hop growers into this year's blend is inspiring. It opens new educational avenues and opportunities for additional learning experiences," says Blanca Quintero, PBS President and Highland Park Brewery General Manager. "There are many different facets within our industry, and getting more involved with the agricultural side is exciting," she adds. YCH will donate $1 from each pound sold to the Pink Boots Society, helping further its mission by providing educational resources and scholarship opportunities to its membership. The 8th Annual Pink Boots Blend is not available to ship to Canada, New Zealand, or Tawain. Brewers in these countries can reach out to their YCH sales team for more information and options on how to purchase Pink Boots Blend. For general inquiries about the blend, or YCH, please contact us at hops@yakimachief.com. Yakima Chief Hops   YCH is a 100% grower-owned global hop supplier with a mission to connect brewers with family hop farms. Operating for over 30 years, we have become leaders in innovation, quality, and customer service. We are a resource for brewers, providing industry-leading research and products. We are advocates of sustainability and meaningful social causes, working to support the communities around us.  https://www.yakimachief.com/