It's simply great to be a Happy Hour Guy. Everywhere we go we get to watch, and partake in, the remarkable dance that Craft Beverages and the communities they inhabit create together. A terrific example is Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, Florida:
However, State liquor laws across the country influence whether this dance will be smooth, or just plain jerky. Press play to learn about the good fight - and great Craft - coming out of Cigar City. Cheers!
The BEERmuda Triangle is almost there, with Mark, Jimmy and AJ making a 9th - (count it, NINTH!) stop in lovely Indianapolis. Meet the good people of Sun King Brewing:
The Guys make their way back to Waterbury, Vermont, to close a circle started in motion by John and Jen Kimmich, and furthered by the tragedy that was Hurricane Irene; the Prohibition Pig now takes full possession of the space once occupied by The Alchemist Pub and Brewery. Learn just how cool the new place is, their philosophy of food and drink, and just why you should run - not walk - to get there as soon as possible. Cheers!
It's a brewery-off! The Team takes on the 8th stop on the BEERmuda tour in East Lansing, MI with breweries Arcadia and Dark Horse joining in the fun. What a day!
Artsy's Craft Report features our own Squigs, giving you the 411 on the upcoming Queens Beer Week:
Hello from NYC and specifically the borough of Queens! The beer scene is booming in this borough and there's a celebration in the works: the inaugural Queens Beer Week! Hit play for all the deets from myself and Dan Bronson. It's gonna be good y'all!
It's one of our recurring themes here at The Happy Hour Guys: Brewers Make Great Neighbors. Craft Brewing and drinking local means everything from jobs, to reinvestment in the community, to help with various charitable organizations and on and on. Scroll down and hit play to meet 11 American Craft Brewers that we've featured in various episodes who are changing, and empowering, their communities:
1. WYNKOOP BREWING, DENVER, COLORADO:
Rescuing a neighborhood, then moving on to the Governor's Mansion.
2. BEYOND KOMBUCHA, ASTORIA, NEW YORK:
Brewing Kombucha Ales with the 3rd biggest private solar array in New York City.
3. ALCHEMIST BREWING, WATERBURY, VERMONT:
Surviving a flood, yet keeping their people employed.
4. BROOKLYN BREWING, BROOKLYN, NEW YORK:
Revitalizing a neighborhood that once upon a time was redolent with brewers.
5. UNION CRAFT BREWING, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND:
Helping to revitalize a neighborhood, and along the way taking part in redefining Craft Beer and Race.
6. NEW BELGIUM BREWING, FORT COLLINS, COLORADO:
Everything from Company Ownership, to wind power, to bike culture!
7. SUN KING BREWING, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.
A great conversation with Co-Founder Clay Robinson, on everything that Craft Beer means to Sun King and the community in and around Indy.
8. WOLAVER'S BREWING, MIDDLEBURY, VERMONT:
Brewing 100% Organic isn't easy - but it's incredibly worthwhile.
9. FOUNDERS BREWING, GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN.
Completely revitalizing a section of a rust-belt town, in fact leading the way to re-making its image into Beer City USA, while making ridiculously great beer.
10. SAMUEL ADAMS BREWING, BOSTON, MASSACHUSSETTS:
With Micro-Loans, Brewing the American Dream.
11. LONG TRAIL BREWING, BRIDGEWATER CORNERS, VERMONT:
Brewing with cow power. Yes, you read that right. COW POWER.
The equation is simple: If you buy beer from one of the "Big Guys", a chunk of your money is very likely ending up overseas.
If you buy from a LOCAL brewer, your money. Stays. Home.
Have a brewer near you that's doing great things? Tell us about it in the comment section. Cheers!
Mark, Jimmy and Jeff make their way just a short distance south of NYC to dispel a few rumors: The white stuff on the ground is snow, not sand; Jersey is a beautiful State, and thanks to folks like Carton Brewing (and Founder Augie Carton) in Atlantic Highlands, it is becoming redolent with Craft Beer. And hey, what's in the Tippy? Let's have a look. Cheers!
