The Shout

Craft brewers in New South Wales are celebrating their state government’s decision to extend the same licensing rights that wine makers currently enjoy to local breweries.

BrewDog is a maverick Scottish brewery famous for publicity stunts. They have brewed 40% ABV beers, sold bottles inside stuffed rodents, given press conferences wearing penguin suits, and have been condemned by Scottish MPs more than any other brewery in history.

This new brewery takes its name from the mythical Lakeman, a beer drinking beast said to dwell on the shores of Lake Taupo. He is stereotypically big and hairy but is considered unique among monsters for his love of craft beer.

It turns out that everything is bigger in Texas, including the packs of beer. Austin Beerworks became (probably) the first brewery in the world to sell a 99-pack of their beer. Forget about four-packs, six-packs, dozens or even a slab (for our Australian neighbours).

Tourism New Zealand and New Zealand Winegrowers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly promote New Zealand as a visitor destination and premium wine producer internationally.

DB has launched a new DB Export Citrus flavour. The brewery states the DB Export Citrus Grapefruit beer (2%) is “a taste revelation which includes DB Export quality beer and 100% natural grapefruit juice, for a refreshing taste with a hint of bitterness.” They add the beer has been made with no additives and preservatives.

Three writers on Thrillist.com have painstakingly ranked all 50 American states based on the quality of their local beer scene. The process (understandably) took “weeks” but the results have been published with Oregon at the top and poor old Mississippi dead last.