Another One Bites The Dust, Again: Anheuser-Busch snapped up another craft brewery this week, purchasing Devil’s Backbone Brewing Company in an undisclosed deal. Unsubstantiated rumors put the deal at close to a billion dollars, which prompts a very short internal dialogue: “Damn, can you blame them?” “Yes.”
In Other Lame News: Minneapolis-based Indeed Brewing was forced to change the name of their popular LSD Ale this week after a lengthy argument with the TTB. The name derives from the ingredients of the beer: Lavender, Sunflower honey, and Dates. Now with the rechristened LSHDH, we’ve lost a fun name, but gained a new noise to shout when you miss a stair on the way down.
Neighborhood Favorite St. Vitus Turns Five: Greenpoint metal bar St. Vitus is turning five this week with an avalanche of shows, and we’d be seriously rude to not give props to one of our favorite hangouts. Thanks to the folks there for the shows, the Bishops, the homey decor (read: black church of beer), and the killer koozies. We’ll see y’all very soon.
Opeth Releases an IPA: “Tim, don’t you get tired of writing about metal bands releasing booze?” No, gentle reader, I do not. Nor should you, as they all sound dope. Anyway, metal giants Opeth are releasing Communion Pale Ale, billed as “perfect gig refreshment.” Consider us officially on the look out for this one.
New York Alcohol Laws Ease Up: New York legislators are looking over the state’s Alcoholic Beverages Control (ABC) Law, which has not been updated since just after the end of Prohibition in 1934. Proposed changes include making the licensing process easier for suppliers and retailers alike, and removing “blue laws” banning alcohol sales from 4AM-noon on Sundays. Party on, New York.
Paging Central Casting: The list of banned customers from the now-defunct Half Moon Pub in the UK has surfaced, making the Internet rounds to the delight of anyone who’s ever seen a crime movie. With names like “Mickey Two Suits,” “One Armed Keith,” and of course, “Gus and his Mate Mark,” we figure it’s only a matter of time before Zach Snyder comes up with a backstory and ruins this, too.