On the brewery front:
According to the Chicago Tribune, Bell’s Brewery is again being distributed in Illinois after a two-year hiatus that began when National Wine and Spirits Inc. sold distribution rights to Chicago Beverage Systems. The beer returns to the Chicago area TODAY. The Metropolitan Brewing blog had an informative commentary on distribution rules back when it initially happened.
Tyranena Brewing’s newsletter revealed that a lot of interesting things would be on tap this and next week. Rather than re-post it, we suggest you check out the Beer Advocate thread where the relevant info is. They’ll be featuring Spank Me Baby With Bourbon-Laced Wood and Unblended Devil Over A Barrel among others.
Former Great American Beer Festival Small Brewpub Champs, Flossmoor Station, announced this morning a three-way collaboration with FiftyFifty Brewing and Lucky Bucket Brewing. The beers should be made available at the respective breweries/brewpubs as well as GABF later this year.
On the beer events front:
The huge RateBeer Summer Gathering takes place in San Diego this weekend. They should still be taking sign-ups but I’m not 100% sure. There is a special group tasting at Pizza Port Carlsbad as well though, again, not sure if you can still get in on that part. Stone Brewing will also play host and even has a web page devoted to it! I can’t begin to sort out the sheer madness that is likely to take place but the relevant details can most likely be found amongst these threads:
RBSG ’08 OFFICIAL SIGN-UP
RBSG Countdown Teaser
RBSG ’08 Grand Tasting Bottle List at Pizza Port Carlsbad
RBSG – Sunday beer lineup at Stone
Belgium Comes to Cooperstown is a sold-out mega Belgian-style beer event put on by the good people at Brewery Ommegang. For those attending and those considering buying tickets to next year’s event, here’s a preliminary beer list that BrewLounge posted earlier this week.
Jolly Pumpkin Perseguidor will be released TODAY. It should take place at noon with a limit of *around two bottles pending how many people show up.
Lost Abbey Witches Wit is scheduled for release at the Lost Abbey brewery in San Marcos tomorrow.