AB InBev Under The Microscope: The Department of Justice issued a second request for information from AB InBev this week, lengthening the period of their antitrust review on the proposed AB InBev and SABMiller merger. Both companies claim the move should be legally recognized as SABMiller will sell their 58% share in MillerCoors to their MolsonCoors venture partners. Craft brewers around the country are asking that the DOJ also require AB InBev to divest their wholly-owned distributors, but no word has surfaced on that issue.
We’ll Sell You The Bridge, Too: Florida-based craft brewery Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Company publicly offered to purchase AB InBev for $26,000. Of course, the brewery wouldn’t be able to pay everything up front, but offered the same 120 day terms AB InBev is infamous for placing on their own suppliers. Memo to Lincoln’s Beard Brewing Co: your trusty author is willing to become an investor. Say, $10 to start? Lunch is expensive these days.
L Train or Hell Train: In the wake of troubling announcements this week that the MTA could shut down L service for up to three years to complete Sandy-related repairs, Brooklyn Allied Bars and Restaurants has already started to rally. Irreparable damage could be done to to the numerous bars and restaurants in the area that rely on the L line for a steady stream of visitors. Several producers could affected as well, including, well, us. We’re still waiting to hear about definite plans, but you might want to try out “that cute new place” sooner than later.
Taking The Magic Out Of Whiskey: LA-based distillers Lost Spirits have just released Rattleback Rye, created using a new machine that flash-ages liquors to simulate years of aging. The creators claim the process took just eight days to simulate flavors found in over twenty years of aging. Some have asked if this new process will spell the end of barrel aging. Fortunately, barrel aging encompasses microbiological reactions that humanity is nowhere close to understanding, making it the closest thing to magic most of us will ever see. Place your bets: barrel aging will never die.
Epiphany What? Ephiphany Wort: Don’t worry, gentle reader: this week is not all mourning and bad news. Homebrewers from around the city lined up at KelSo Brewery on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany (hint: January 6) to receive allotments of freshly brewed Epiphany wort. There was only one condition for brewers: they had to return to the brewery in a month to share what they had created. Over 160 fermenters are bubbling away across the city, and we can’t wait to join in finding out what everyone created.
Welcome to the City, Strong Rope and Chelsea!: Two of New York City’s newest breweries opened their doors and ran their taps this week, bringing us to a total of 23 operational breweries in the five boroughs. In Brooklyn, licensed farm brewery Strong Rope Brewery opened, featuring the recipes of award-winning homebrewer Jason Sahler. The tasting room is open Thursday and Friday from 5- 10 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 3- 10 PM. In the Bronx, Chelsea Craft Brewing Company emerged from a two-year hiatus to bring back treasured favorites like Checkered Cab Blonde and Black Hole XXX Stout. Their tasting room is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from noon to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday from noon to 10 PM. Start planning your citywide crawls!