Bummer: Freetail Suspends Plans for Houston Brewpub

You've probably seen this already today:

For
Immediate Release

SAN ANTONIO-BASED BREWERY SUSPENDS PLANS FOR SECOND LOCATION

(July 27, 2011) San Antonio, TX – Having previously announced expansion into the Houston market, Freetail Brewing Co. will announce the indefinite suspension of plans for a second location — citing concerns over access to capital.

“As I moved forward with the Freetail Houston project, I began to run into an increasing level of resistance in capital markets. A brewpub is a good project for downtown Houston, but the deal is simply not there for me at this time,” explained Freetail Founder & CEO, Scott Metzger. “When we announced the project on May 17, we also stated there were financial considerations to be addressed. Those considerations are ultimately what put this project on hold indefinitely, and no other reason. To move forward with the project at this time would be irresponsible and an injustice to my company and the City of Houston.

“For now my focus will be to continue growing our successful original location, which has internal expansion needs of its own, and moving forward in the battle for fair reform of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, as it relates to the activities of our state’s brewpubs and breweries,” added Metzger.

Freetail Brewing Co. is founded on the pursuit of creating exciting, innovative and unique world class beer and beer-centric cuisine. We embrace the laid back and fun-loving Texas culture and set out to create products that mirror the lifestyle of our diverse and rapidly growing community. We believe in promoting an increased appreciation of craft beer and its responsible enjoyment. We believe in going above and beyond customer expectations not only through our products, but also through exceptional customer service. We believe in providing a dining and leisure experience unmatched in the local community. And in case you didn’t get it the first time… we believe in having fun.

For more information visit www.freetailbrewing.com.

REASON: We Can Sell Our Beer in Texas, but We Can't Tell You Where

I don't often write about beer laws. Mainly because it's kind of boring — writing and reading. Plus, there are others out there who are much better at writing that stuff. Don't worry, I'm not gonna write about it here, just passing along something to read.

h/t: Austin Beerworks

Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies

Nice to see Real Ale popping up on the list this year. Congrats to Shiner and Saint Arnold (I think Saint Arnold was on last year's list) as well. Texas coming up. From the Brewers Association:

Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies (Based on 2010 beer sales volume)

Rank Brewing Company City State
1 Boston Beer Co. Boston MA
2 Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Chico CA
3 New Belgium Brewing Co. Fort Collins CO
4 Spoetzl Brewery* Shiner TX
5 Deschutes Brewery Bend OR
6 Independent Brewers United (IBU)* Burlington VT
7 Matt Brewing Co. Utica NY
8 Bell’s Brewery, Inc. Galesburg MI
9 Harpoon Brewery Boston MA
10 Boulevard Brewing Co. Kansas City MO
11 Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Milton DE
12 Alaskan Brewing and Bottling Co. Juneau AK
13 Long Trail Brewing Co. Bridgewater Corners VT
14 Stone Brewing Co. Escondido CA
15 Abita Brewing Co. Abita Springs LA
16 Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn NY
17 Lagunitas Brewing Co. Petaluma CA
18 Full Sail Brewing Co. Hood River OR
19 Shipyard Brewing Co. Portland ME
20 Summit Brewing Co. St. Paul MN
21 New Glarus Brewing Co. New Glarus WI
22 Great Lakes Brewing Co. Cleveland OH
23 Anchor Brewing Co. San Francisco CA
24 Kona Brewery LLC* Kailua-Kona HI
25 Rogue Ales Newport OR
26 Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Paso Robles CA
27 Sweetwater Brewing Co. Atlanta GA
28 Flying Dog Brewery Frederick MD
29 Victory Brewing Co. Downingtown PA
30 Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. San Jose CA
31 BJ’s Chicago Pizza & Brewery, Inc. Huntington Beach CA
32 Stevens Point Brewery Co. Stevens Point WI
33 Odell Brewing Co. Fort Collins CO
34 BridgePort Brewing Co.* Portland OR
35 Rock Bottom Brewery Restaurants Louisville CO
36 Oskar Blues Brewery Longmont CO
37 Blue Point Brewing Co. Patchogue NY
38 Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe Eureka CA
39 Big Sky Brewing Co. Missoula MT
40 North Coast Brewing Co. Inc. Fort Bragg CA
41 Mac and Jack’s Brewery Redmond WA
42 The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. Maplewood MO
43 Bear Republic Brewing Co. Cloverdale CA
44 Karl Strauss Brewing Co. San Diego CA
45 Breckenridge Brewery Denver CO
46 Utah Brewers Cooperative Salt Lake City UT
47 Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants Chattanooga TN
48 Saint Arnold Brewing Co. Houston TX
49 Real Ale Brewing Co. Blanco TX
50 Ninkasi Brewing Co. Eugene OR

Best Craft Beer Moment of 2011

Ok, that's it. Let's wrap this whole thing up. This won't be beat:

Another Beer Movie

Beer Culture Trailer 1 from FM Productions on Vimeo.

What's with beer and emo-instrumental music? Cut it out. Enough inspiration. We're drinking your beer, stop making us blush. It's becoming lame.

I think craft breweries should release their own promotional DVDs like skateboard companies do. Dude, did you see the new (512) video? So sick!

I hate beer writers

Dan Shelton, of Shelton Brothers fame, is sure to bunch some beer panties with this:

"I hate beer writers," he said. "You can ask them; they hate me, too. They call me arrogant and opinionated. They think I'm a real asshole. But, hey, what can you expect? I was trained as a lawyer."

By doing little more than parroting the marketing-speak of advertising companies, Dan believes American beer writers are largely to blame for an industry and drinking public that's more taken with gimmickry than artistry. "The attitude seems to be, 'It's all good.' No one's willing to criticize a beer they don't like, and when I do, I'm told I'm just trying to sell the beers I import. I've had fights with beer reviewers who want to believe that you can't be objective about beer. It's all subjective, they say. You like what you like."

If that were true, he pointed out, why would anyone bother to review anything? If there wasn't consensus in the wine world, say, how could a wine dealer get away with selling a $100 bottle of wine? "If everything's great, then nothing's great," he said.

I am a Craft Beer Drinker

Duh, I have a bleedin' blog about it. Last year or whenever it was, when Greg Koch came out with that I am a Craft Brewer video, I had the idea to make a spoof of it called I am a Craft Beer Drinker. I was going to shoot it at the Draught House with patrons of the pub. The idea was for every one to get more and more drunk as the video went along, ending in complete nonsense. Now that would have been a good video. But I was either too lazy or too busy to fully realize my dream. That was probably a good thing, because the craft beer scene seemingly has little room for cynicism. The video probably would have been shouted down and defamed.

As you know, Greg's original video inspired many, not me, I was just embarrassed. But maybe I am just a jerk. Where I am cynical, others out there are sincere (and apparently more hardworking). New Brew Thursday released I am Craft Beer Drinker over the weekend. I am not going to put the video on the site, but you can watch it here. I know it is inspired, but they basically use the same song, same script, shoot the video in the same style and is almost exactly the same length as Greg's video. Come on.

But I ain't hatin.' It's just not for me. This is more my speed. It may seem to have nothing to do with beer, but I think it's more about craft beer than any Sigur Ros laden cheese fest:

Boomshakalaka!

Half of the year's growth came from new TX breweries.....right?

Well...

...that didn't take long. You'd think they'd stretch this whole battle out. They are to quick to one up each other. Come on kids.

ugh

The End of History from BrewDog on Vimeo.

Ahhhhhhhhh. On and on. 55%. 500 pounds. Dead squirrels.

No thanks. Obviously, it is all gimmicks and marketing. But guess what, it is working. Every beer blog in the nation is going to post this video or link to the story. Most will probably think it's stupid. Some will like it. I happen to like BrewDog, but I wish they would stay away from such gimmicks. Then, I'm bipolar, I think, who cares, they are having fun. It keeps things interesting, right? I'm torn.

Speaking of BrewDog, check this out.

Pucker Up

NYT takes on sours . . .

Jester King anyone . . .

American Craft Beer Week!

Wooohoo


Goings on at Flying Saucer:





And at the Draught House:



What else folks? Ginger Man? Where are you going?

Craft breweries see untapped potential

I have not finished reading this. Why don't you read it and we will meet for a beer and you can tell me all about it. Thanks.

Desperation or Diversification?

Images from here.

Probably both. Still, interesting.

Freetail Brewing @ CNN Money

In a story about the strength of craft beer (moneywise) on CNN Money's website, Freetail Brewing gets some good coverage and a pretty photo of their La Muerta to boot.

"There's an overall trend in the U.S. for people to speak out for better quality stuff in general -- foods, wine, beer, clothes, produce -- and more local products," agreed Metzger. "That's typically what's embodied by the craft brewery."

Over a Pint 11 - Travis Poling

Beer Town Austin just posted an Over a Pint with Travis Poling. Travis is the author (along with Paul Hightower) of Beer Across Texas.

Chris, I think this has been my favorite one so far.

F That!

Fuckin Energy Drinks!

Another Beer-y Map

Aren't these just a gas!

From DON'T TAX OUR BEER DOT COM

Not sure if I even want to put this up. Oh well. This video's been cropping up all over the beer-net. It's well made. And it's super cheesy (admit it) and a bit (well more than a bit) self righteous. I felt like hiding under my desk whilst watching it.


I Am A Craft Brewer from I Am A Craft Brewer on Vimeo.

DRAFT Magazine: Craft beer market growing like hops plant on steroids

There might be something to this craft beer thing. According to the Brewers Association...