Zephyr Conferences is pleased to announce the 2017 keynote speakers for the Beer Now Conference, the Beer Marketing & Tourism Conference (BMTC), and the Beer Bloggers & Writers Conference (BBC). The speakers this year include Bob Pease, president & CEO of the Brewers Association; Jean-Louis Van de Perre, chairman of the Belgian Brewers; Keith Nowak, director of Marketing & Communications for Travelocity; and Susan Evans, director of the Smithsonian Food History Programs.

Opening on March 17th in Sheffield, England, the 2017 Beer Now Conference will feature two keynote speakers. Bob Pease of the US-based Brewers Association will provide his thoughts on marketing and communications in the beer industry, comparing the booming US craft beer market to what is happening in the UK and Europe. The second keynote is Louis Van de Perre of Beglian Brewers. Known for its Trappist breweries and beer culture, Belgium’s entire beer culture was designated a UNESCO World Heritage feature and a new “temple to Belgium beer” is planned in the Brussels stock exchange building. Additional speakers for the three-day program include Richard Croasdale, editor-in-chief of Ferment magazine, Jack Daniel, digital lead at Britain’s Beer Alliance, and many other beer industry professionals, brewers, and writers.

Thomas Creek Brewery is kicking off the change of seasons with Thomas Creek Honeysuckle Saison.  Brewed for spring’s transition away from the hearty brews of winter to the lighter, refreshing beers of summer.  With an ABV of 5% Honeysuckle Saison is brewed with wild yeast, by South Yeast, cultivated from the honeysuckle vine, this refreshing saison pours a hazy gold with a fluffy white head. The flavor is dominated by a floral, slight sweetness accompanied by an understated farmhouse-style funk with an earthy sweet, wild yeast aroma.

Saison translates, in French to “season,” it's earliest brew roots is a Farmhouse Ale that can be traced back to the 1700s to the French-speaking Wallonian countryside. It has been called a “rustic agrarian beer.”

Stone Brewing announced the newest addition to its lineup of year-round offerings, Stone Tangerine Express IPA. Packed with whole tangerine and pineapple, this is Stone and this IPA is big, bold and not for kids. Stone Tangerine Express IPA will debut in bars, restaurants and stores where Stone beers are sold beginning this week.
 
From time to time Stone is able produce small batches of beer for special events. In this case Steve Gonzalez, Stone’s Senior Manager of Small Batch Brewing & Innovation, worked with Jake Karley, Director of Beverages & Special Projects, P.J. Whelihan’s Pub & Restaurant in the Philadelphia/South New Jersey area to come up with this original beer for the 2016 Craft Brewers Conference in Philadelphia.
 
“Together they landed on a beer that is really hoppy but at the same time has incredible fruit flavor, which was achieved by using high-quality, whole fruit,” said Jeremy Moynier, Senior Innovation Brewing Manager. “When I tasted it with our co-founder, Greg Koch, and other members of our leadership and sales team, we loved it so much so that we went back to San Diego to hatch the plan for a future nationwide release. Greg was particularly adamant that this beer should be in our year-round lineup and personally championed it through the process. I love that it’s a great hoppy beer but has just the right amount of fresh fruit with a complex, pithy quality to balance it out.”
 

Bell's Brewery, Inc. announced that effective Feb. 1, Laura Bell, co-owner, has assumed the role of CEO.
 
Larry Bell will continue in his role as president and remain active in various projects, including long-term planning and overall direction with Laura reporting directly to him.
 
"When I started this, I didn't know that I would be so fortunate to have a partner that shared my passion for our brewery and the people who make it what it is," Larry Bell, Bell's founder, said.
 
A second generation co-owner, Laura will oversee all brewery operations and planning for Bell's and its sister brewery in Escanaba, Upper Hand Brewery. Bell's is the 7th largest craft brewery in the U.S.
 
"This marks the beginning of the next chapter for our family-owned business and I am very proud of the leader Laura has become," Larry Bell said.
 
This change in leadership will further strengthen our future in this ever changing marketplace.
 
"I am honored and humbled at this opportunity. Our team has done an amazing job and it's exciting to think about where we go next not only as a brewery, but also as a company that is deeply committed to its community, its employees and partners," Laura Bell said.
 
"I have learned a lot from my father and I look forward to continuing the work he started in 1985," she said.
 

Starr Hill Brewery announced the opening of its Pilot Brewery & Side Stage location in Roanoke, Virginia. Starr Hill’s first satellite taproom, scheduled to open Fall 2017, will serve as a venue to showcase new beers and new music, with innovative brewers and local artists creating side by side in the Star City of the South.

Starr Hill Pilot Brewery & Side Stage will house a custom 5-barrel brewing system, the company’s first for producing small batches since moving from its original brewpub location in 2005. The pilot system will provide Starr Hill with increased flexibility for brewing upwards of 50 limited release batches of ales, lagers and wild beers each year, led by Brewmaster Robbie O’Cain.

“With flagship brands taking precedence at our production facility in Crozet, this pilot system presents us with the opportunity to really show off our brewing talents and new ideas to fans in Roanoke and beyond,” says O’Cain. “Both facilities supporting each other allows us to create a variety of unique styles with virtually infinite access to the best hops and malts in the industry.”

Straight from the well? More like straight from the wall. Pour your own pint from our exclusive brewer's tap during your tour.

Peace Tree is now offering formal tours of its ever-growing brewhouse. Experience where all the 'magic happens' at Peace Tree Brewing Company in Knoxville, Iowa. Get an up-close and personal look at where your favorite beers like Blonde Fatale, No Coast IPA, and Red Rambler are thoughtfully crafted, bottled, and shipped by our brewers and packaging technicians.

Tours Include:
30-40 minute tour
Pour your own pint from our exclusive brewer's tap
Peace Tree Brewing Co. pint glass
TOTAL PER PERSON... $10

Tours are given on Saturday's at 1:00 pm and must be scheduled 1 week in advance. They reserve the right to postpone any tours that have less than 4 people. You will be contacted prior to your tour if it is postponed.

Thirty years ago, in 1988, there were a mere seven craft breweries in Oregon, and only 128 in America. All were invited to take part in the inaugural Oregon Brewers Festival, a two-day event billed as “the first gathering and exhibit of independent brewers in the United States.” This summer, the Oregon Brewers Festival will celebrate its 30th annual event; now a five-day affair, the festival will run from July 26 through July 30 at Tom McCall Waterfront Park in downtown Portland.

Portland – aka Beervana – is currently the #1 large metro area for beer tourism, according to Travelocity’s first Beer Tourism Index, so it’s no surprise the Oregon Brewers Festival is also a considered a destination. An estimated 80,000 people annually travel from all parts of the world to drink up what the festival has to offer.

The main festival serves 84 beers from craft breweries across the nation (each brewery serves one product). This year, the festival is reviving its popular Specialty Tent, where participating brewers send one-off kegs of rare, bold, and experimental beers. Festival attendees can try another 50+ rotating craft beers in the Specialty Tent throughout the duration of the festival.

The results are in from the Best of Craft Beer Awards in Bend, OR.

La Quinta Brewing Company's Heatwave Amber Ale took home a Gold Medal while Tan Line Brown Ale won a Silver. You can enjoy Heatwave year round in their taprooms and throughout the valley, but you'll have to hurry to catch Tan Line - it's a seasonal beer and the seasons are a changing. They also have a new beer in the taproom: "Five O'Bock Somewhere". Get it? It's 5 O'Clock Somewhere, right? This malty lager is certainly fulled bodied. The complex maltiness is dominated by the rich flavors of Munich and Vienna malts, which adds to its toasty flavors. This is a one time brew, so get it while you can...