AB/SABMiller Keeps Swimming: The Department of Justice approved the looming AB/SABMiller merger this week, clearing the way for the $101 billion deal to move forward. The Brewers Association also issued a statement, praising the DOJ for implementing measures the BA championed including ending the Voluntary Anheuser-Busch Incentive for Performance Program and taking steps to limit the coming monolith’s influence on distributors. The BA and most people with a loose grasp of economics still think the merger is a bad idea, but these measures will go a long way towards preserving a more level playing field for beer.
What Does A Calorie Cost?: The Beer Institute, a trade group including massive breweries including AB, Heineken USA, and more, has announced a three-year program to roll out nutritional labeling on their beers. The NPR article here charts out the calorie counts of some of your most and least favorite beers, from the limpid Bud Select 55 at its namesake 55 calories to our very own pride and joy Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout at an unashamed 320 calories. But here’s the thing about calories: they only count if you give a damn. Choose your beer by what’s good, and save the passive-aggressive fat-shaming for re-watching Mean Girls.
And Now, Something We Like: Now that we’ve gotten all that angst out of the way, let’s turn to something that gives us joy: Threes Brewing. Brewmaster Greg Doroski and the crew have recently started releasing cans and bottles of their excellent beers, from the gently-reworded SFY (nee Superf*ckingyawn) to the highly relatable I Hate Myself. The well-traveled Niko Krommydas stopped in to the brewery on behalf of Edible Brooklyn this week to give readers a peek into the brewhouse. Once you’re done reading, remember you can pre-order Threes’ beers online right here.
Stop Breaking Corks: Few things will make you look like a bigger uncultured dunce than breaking the cork while opening a bottle of wine. Fortunately, sommelier Courtney Schiessl of Marta has rounded up some handy tricks for you to help up your wine opening game. Not one of them involves buying boxed wine instead, but hey, we like your style.
You’re Already Not Cool Again: Just in time for Tales of the Cocktail this week, Liquor.com published a surveyed list of sixteen “overrated” cocktails, according to top bartenders from around the country. If you thought you were suave for ordering Old Fashioneds, three of the bartenders would disagree. On the other hand, two bartenders– and us– highly recommend just drinking what you please, as long as you’re not caught in a rut. Remember, guilty pleasures can be something you just enjoy if you’re willing to look people in the eye and announce your love of tiki drinks.
Packing Up Campbell: New York landmark Campbell Apartment will close at the end of July, ending an era of top-shelf drinks in a high-class, architecturally remarkable space. The space will be taken over by nightlife icon Scott Gerber, who has already announced that they’ll be relaxing the semi-formal dress code to make the space more welcoming. We’re all for comfort, but now it feels like we wasted a lot of money buying those fancy hats.