Beer-articles 930

There wasn’t a whole lot for fans to be excited about through the first 20 minutes of Super Bowl LVIII as just three points were scored.

But there was a big cheer at Allegiant Stadium during a break in the action in the second quarter.

It came when superstar singer Taylor Swift was shown on the videoboard and fans got a kick out of watching her down a beverage. So did broadcaster Kevin Harlan, who was calling the game for Westwood One.

“Three-nothing Niners and on the scoreboard moments ago, they showed Taylor Swift chugging a beer,” Harlan said. “There’s nothing more American than that.”

Some may disagree with that assessment, but you can’t argue that it was a hilarious call from Harlan. And it was funny to see Swift slam the cup down after finishing her drink.

Swift’s boyfriend, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, talked about the moment with his brother, Jason, on their “New Heights” podcast.

“This is on the Jumbotron. Nice with the slam down. She’s done this before. She’s a pro,” Travis Kelce said.

Jason Kelce added: “Not her first rodeo.”

Spring is almost in the air, but we’re not quite into the March madness of Maibocks and St. Patrick’s Day yet, so I’ll use this week to clear a few beer news items of note from my virtual desk.

I’ll start off with the good news, which could have just as easily been bad. Tennessee legislators have backed down from proposed legislation that would have outlawed the sale of cold beer.

You read that correctly. Lawmakers in the Volunteer State had introduced a bill in late January that would have prohibited the sale of cold beer as a preventative measure against drunk driving. The idea behind the bill was that cold beer can be imbibed immediately after purchase, which allows people to illegally drink in their cars.

Rep. Ron Gant, a co-sponsor of the bill, had said that the evidence of beers cans strewn on roadsides across the state was proof that people were drinking while driving and that he believed they were getting cold beer at convenience stores. But last week Gant told The Tennessean that the prohibition of cold beer sales would not be included in the legislation.

In a statement last week, Gant said, “This was one of several ideas being discussed by stakeholders across our state, however, I do not want to infringe on law-abiding citizens or be unfair to businesses.”

While the idea was well-meant, I have to agree that it was an overreach by the legislators. Craft beer, in particular, can be dependent on freshness and temperature control. Not being able to keep certain beers refrigerated consistently from brewery to point of sale could be disastrous to small craft brewers.

Sharon Cheek, executive director of the Tennessee Craft Brewers Guild, told The Tennessean exactly that in a statement:

“Without refrigeration, breweries would face substantial economic challenges and potential job losses,” she said. “Many of our breweries are known for their unpasteurized beer and use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients.”

Not only that, but outlawing cold beer sounds almost un-American.

Turning to the bad news, I’m sure it’s no surprise to learn that climate change is having a negative effect on brewing.

A story in , a science journal, indicated that climate change is hurting hops and the trend is probably going to get worse.

The Nature Communications study noted that hops could decline anywhere between 4% and 18% over the next few decades. Projections also say that the alpha content (the bittering agent) in hops could decrease by up to 31%.

Two factors contribute to these problems according to the report:

“The lowest hops yields were negatively affected by a lack of precipitation, while the lowest values of alpha content were caused by extremely high temperatures,” the study said.

While beer might not be at the top of the list when it comes to problems caused by climate change, it certainly is a concern for readers of this column. And it’s just one more reason that addressing this global crisis is crucial.

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

by: Kathryn Hubbard

Posted: Feb 18, 2024 / 09:15 AM EST

Updated: Feb 18, 2024 / 09:15 AM EST

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. — A woman was arrested on Saturday after she tried to purchase beer and a lottery ticket with counterfeit money, according to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

Master Officer N. Powell responded to a retail business on Julian R. Allsbrook Highway around 9 p.m. on Saturday. A worker at the store informed the police about a female customer attempting to use a counterfeit bill.

Sign up for the CBS 17 Crime Tracker newsletter to receive crime updates in your inbox.

The officer arrived and found the suspect, identified as Mary Ellen Broady, 66, from Gaston, seated in her vehicle on the premises. Investigation revealed that she had tried to purchase a lottery ticket and some beer using counterfeit money.

Consequently, Master Officer Powell arrested Broady and charged her with uttering a forged instrument and attempted acquisition of property under false pretense.

Due to two pending court cases in which Broady was already under bond for in the Pretrial Release Act of 2023, she was placed in the Halifax County Detention Center without bond. She will appear in court on Thursday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

As winter blows on, it’s past time to think about what your pets need to stay warm and safe.

These stylish clutches will fit essential items and tight budgets.

When considering a present for a significant individual in your life, jewelry always makes a fantastic choice.

THE average pint of beer now costs £5 and could keep increasing as breweries and pubs face tough times.

It comes as the number of licensed premises in the country has dropped below 100,000 for the first time since records began.

Industry experts are blaming Covid, Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, a minimum wage increase, and high interest rates squeezing publicans’ margins.

In 2019, pubs were making 27p of profit on a pint and the average price nationally was £3.81.

Now, they’re only making 12p and the average price has risen to £4.80, according to the British Beer and Pub Association.

As drinkers are facing their own financial battles with the cost of living crisis, so are their favourite watering holes.

Pubs were first hit during the on-off nature of lockdowns, when beer was simply poured down the drain.

Putin’s invasion of Ukraine led to an increase in the energy price for breweries, reliant on heating during the cooking process.

Sam Hagger, the owner of three Leicestershire pubs, told The Times that energy had shifted from being his fourth greatest expense to ranking second.

“We have been forced to reconsider when the ovens are turned on each morning.

“Every venue will possess two machines for washing glasses. Rather than switching both on simultaneously at 10am, one will come to life at that time and the other will follow suit at 1pm when trade picks up.

JD Wetherspoon chief Sir Tim Martin disclosed that Covid has altered the consumption patterns of drinkers.

One possible explanation is that the lockdowns resulted in behavioral modifications. The routine trip to the neighborhood pub was superseded by supermarket visits and home stays. This new practice has been more difficult to discard than anticipated for many.

He stated that supermarkets are exempt from paying VAT on food sales, contrary to pubs, and they also profit from lower business rates.

In more recent times, breweries have been contending with a similar price rise that has also impacted many of their customers personally, this being the increase in interest rates.

While pubs recieved grants from the government in programmes like Eat Out to Help Out, breweries only received loans.

The cost to service those loans has gone up as interest rates have shot up.

Strikes, protests, and other disruptions had all affected people’s ability top physically get themselves to the pub, another expert said.

The number of new licences opening is also declining too, with only 3,222 opening last year.

Just under 4,000 opened in 2022 (3,989) and 4,532 opened in 2021.

A pub is marketing the “cheapest pints” in the UK for as low as £2.30 – nearly half the average price.

The Waggon and Horses in Oldbury, West Midlands, is offering all beers, ciders, and ales for £2.90 or less in an attempt to entice patrons to frequent traditional local pubs.

The nostalgic Black Country pub stated its aim to “give back” to locals with discounted beer while many individuals are experiencing hardship during the cost of living crisis.

A pint of Stella will now set you back just £2.80, while Carling, Coors and John Smiths is £2.40 and a pint of Thatcher’s Gold is £2.30.

iStockphoto / Golden_Brown

Legislators in Tennessee seem to be pushing the public’s tolerance to its limit with a proposed law that would prohibit the sale of cold beer (chilled beer) at retail outlets. This act is seen as an affront to the freedoms enjoyed by every Tennessee resident.

On January 31st, two politicians from Tennessee, Representative Ron Gant and Senator Paul Rose, both Republicans, put forward the contentious bill. When the public became aware of this proposal, there was widespread confusion and disappointment, with people questioning the motive behind such a universally disliked suggestion.

The bill communicates its objective clearly within its title. Known as Senate Bill 2636, or ‘The Tennessee Prevention of Drunk Driving Act’, its objective is to decrease the incidence of DUIs/DWIs in the Volunteer State.

Rep. Ron Gant has already co-sponsored 5 other bills targeted at reducing DUIs in Tennessee and last year, Senator Paul Rose sponsored a bill which “aimed to lower the threshold for enhancing the minimum sentence of a person convicted of driving under the influence” according to The Tennesseean. So these two have been earnestly active in the fight to reduce DUIs but this is… a horrible idea.

This seems unlikely to pass. The bill itself was written broadly and it hasn’t advanced to a hearing date since it was filed last month.

However, the bill might already have had some intended consequences. If the purpose of the bill is to reduce DUIs that starts with education and awareness about DUI prevention and safe driving.

This story has been picked up by news outlets across the United States as everyone from coast to coast is flabbergasted by the hubris of politicians who think banning cold beer sales is (1) feasible, (2) something the public would accept, and (3) would actually reduce DUIs at all.

Starting, there is no existing information that suggests the beer’s temperature at the time of purchase impacts a person’s decision to drive under the influence. Logic would indicate that if an individual is thoughtless and irresponsible enough to drink and drive, the beer’s temperature likely won’t impact their decision.

Gant informed journalists, “if you observe the roadside across our state, you’ll find beer cans. That serves as proof that people are drinking and driving. They’re obtaining that beer, that alcohol from the convenience stores.” Gant was admitted to the ICU for several weeks in 2022 after a drunk driver hit him, making this matter deeply personal to him.

Furthermore, he aims to reduce the number of drinks bars or eateries can serve customers. However, this is a highly contentious issue. For one thing, the rate at which alcohol is metabolized differs greatly among individuals. For instance, a person weighing 300 pounds will obviously metabolize alcohol differently than someone who weighs 110 pounds.

Setting a universal limit on the ‘number of drinks per person’ is not effective for a plethora of reasons. This could lead to a situation where restaurant staff and bartenders decide whether a patron is ‘safe’ or ‘over-served’. The responsibility then shifts to the bartender serving drinks or the restaurant owner who isn’t even present that night. It simply does not work.

From a standpoint of practicality, beer cannot be left unchilled or it will spoil. According to Binwise, the storage of beer follows the 3-30-300 day rule:

Is it conceivable that the FDA would permit this to occur? Given the significant risk it would pose to consumers if suddenly shelves were stocked with stale beer, this seems improbable.

The story has been covered by local media outlets:

As more people in Tennessee become aware of this legislation, it appears increasingly unlikely to pass. The prohibition of cold beer in Tennessee could result in many lawmakers losing their positions.

In the meantime, Tennesseans who wish to continue enjoying the superior state of Tennessee selling chilling beers need to get up and battle for their party rights. This starts with spreading this news (this article) extensively.

TAMPA, Fla. – Have you ever desired to own a private island? There’s one for sale in Tampa Bay, previously a famous party island known as Beer Can Island, for the asking price of $14.2M. The island is no longer open to the public and is now listed on the property market.

The party island, Beer Can Island, got its name from the beer cans that were carelessly left behind by party-goers. It officially got on the market this Thursday.

This island, situated right in the heart of Tampa Bay, between MacDill Air Force Base and Apollo Beach, used to be a boating party hotspot for many years.

In 2017, Pine Key, as it is formally known, was purchased by Carl Weaver, Johnny Gadd, and some of their friends at a steal price of just $64,000. They decided to refurbish it adding tiki bars, portable bathrooms, and even a giant slide to attract thousands of visitors.

“If you can imagine people living up north this time of year and hearing about Beer Can Island in Florida, a private island, that sounds really attractive,” Gadd told FOX 13 in 2023.

RELATED: Last call for Beer Can Island? Future of private island may be decided in court

In 2023, Hillsborough County leaders raised concerns about the activities on the island, claiming it was tough to get first responders on and off the island if someone got hurt or needed help.

County Commissioner Michael Owen, at the time, wanted the island to be designated as a private preserve, which would close the bar.

Currently, the island is not zoned.

According to a press release, the island spans nine acres of uplands covered in pine trees, and more than 60 acres of submerged lands surrounding the island.

RELATED: On the auction block: own part of Tampa Bay’s Beer Can Island

“This opportunity is exceedingly rare, as Pine Key is one of the only privately owned islands in Tampa Bay,” Weaver said. “We’re grateful for the outpouring of support we have received from the community and our members over the years, but all good things must come to an end at some point, and for us, that time is now.”

The island is set to be put up for auction as an NFT, in exchange for cryptocurrency. Cash bids are nonetheless welcome. Bidding can commence immediately. The bidding window begins in early March 2024 and concludes on April 1, 2024. The highest bid will secure ownership of the island.

Click here to learn more.

Travis Kelce celebrated grandly at the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl 2024 victory parade on Wednesday, February 14.

During the parade, the 34-year-old Travis noticed a fan in the crowd with a cardboard representation of his sibling Jason Kelce‘s shirtless physique from the Chiefs’ playoff match against the Buffalo Bills. Swinging a bottle of beer, he seized the cutout, positioning it such that his head replaced Jason’s and promptly guzzled down his beer while it trickled down his beard.

A local Kansas City TV station, KCTV, caught this humorous episode during their live coverage of the parade. Although the moment was not discussed during the broadcast, the station shared the incident on their channel with the caption, “Travis Kelce saw a fan with a shirtless Jason Kelce cutout…and acted quickly.”

A fan shared the video, commenting, “…that man is literally THE Taylor Swift’s boyfriend. God I love it here.”

Travis Kelce noticed a fan holding a cutout of a topless Jason Kelce…and swiftly took action 😅

Live Blog:https://t.co/0ltlsOAqD8 pic.twitter.com/GiTOgl3H0K

— KCTV5 News (@KCTV5)February 14, 2024

Star player of Philadelphia Eagles, Jason, aged 36, unexpectedly became a meme on the 21st of January when he enthusiastically supported Travis from a suite at the game in Bills’ Highmark Stadium located in Orchard Park, New York. He was topless, holding a beer, and eventually, he jumped out into the stands among the Bills Mafia to celebrate when his younger sibling scored a touchdown.

Jason’s spouse, Kylie Kelce, pleaded with him to maintain his “best behaviour” during the game, however, the football superstar had other intentions for a wild celebration.

“Her expressions clearly suggested her discomfort with the idea,” Jason candidly shared with Travis during their 24th January episode of the “New Heights” podcast. “I did a pre-emptive informal warning to Kylie. As soon as we entered the suite, I announced my plans of stripping off my shirt and leaping out of the suites.’ But Kylie retorted with a stringent ‘Jason, you better not.’”

Following the astounding Chiefs’

victory at the Super Bowl 2024’s overtime against the San Francisco 49ers on the 11th of February, Sunday, fans anticipated a crazy party from Travis. On securing the celebrated Lombardi Trophy post-game at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Travis vividly recalled his favourite lyric from the Beastie Boys’ 1986 track, “You’ve got to fight, for your right, to party”.

Post the hard-earned victory, Travis and his girlfriend Taylor Swift, Jason and a coterie comprising teammates and friends headed to XS Nightclub located at Wynn Las Vegas for a night of festivities. DJ Marshmello entertained the crew with pulsating beats at the event, as Travis and Taylor crooned to several of her chartbusters, including a remixed version of “Love Story”, interspersed with numerous romantic interludes.

A Charlotte-area brewery that opened during the pandemic plans to build a second location featuring a microbrewery, restaurant and an outdoor beer garden.

Royal Bliss Brewing owner Larry Griffin also plans a musical stage in the front yard of his Royal Bliss II project located at 19149 West Catawba Ave., near Lake Norman in Cornelius, town planning documents show.

Cornelius town planners on Monday recommended the Cornelius Board of Commissioners approve the concept plan at a future meeting.

Construction could be finished by late 2025, Cornelius Today reported.

Royal Bliss II is planned to occupy nearly 3-acres of unused land adjacent to the long-awaited Junker multi-family project to the south, an office structure to the east, and a boat repair shop and power substation to the north, as detailed in municipal planning documents.

The proposed restaurant and microbrewery would span 10,000 square feet. To put it in perspective, an average McDonald’s restaurant occupies 4,000 square feet.

A sidewalk, measuring 5-feet in width, is in the plans along the frontage of the property, which will join with the already existing sidewalk on Harbor View Drive.

According to The Cornelius Land Use Plan, the property’s primary function would be to host restaurants.

The Planning Board on Monday recommended that amplified outdoor music be allowed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and prohibited after 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

Columnist George Lenker shares his favorite beer glasses. George Lenker

As I’ve mentioned over the years, I’m not overly fussy about my glassware for beer.

Don’t get me wrong: The choice of the right glassware can certainly enhance certain types of beer. And whenever I can, I try to use the glassware that is made for a specific style. I just refuse to be priggish about it. In the end, a good beer isn’t going to be ruined by the wrong type of glassware.

But after receiving a gift of a proper Guinness imperial pint glass from one of my favorite pubs (Tig Coili) in Galway, Ireland, I had occasion to reshuffle my four shelves of beer glassware, and I was appreciating some of them quite a bit. (The glass I received was the old-school Guinness pint glass, a style which has been largely phased out in the U.S. and can usually only be procured by pubs in Ireland.)

This reshuffling activity inspired me to write this column, which is about my six favorite beer glasses. I own more but wanted to feature the ones I find most useful. (Even though it is clearly beloved, my new Guinness glass was not included here.)

In no particular order, here are my six go-to beer glasses.

Mug – I don’t use this one often, but with its thick glass walls and easy-to -grip handle, my mug (an old-timer from Young’s & Co.) I’ve maybe had this longer than most of my current collection due to occasional breakage during my many moves in my adult life. It’s great for most conventional ales and lagers, but has also seen a stout or Scottish ale at various points of its lengthy career. It keeps cold beer colder by keeping your hands off the glass itself. It also makes one feel like a pirate or Viking while quaffing from it.

Snifter – I have several of these, but my favorite is one I got from the Northampton Brewery during its 25th anniversary celebration years ago. It has a little bit of a tulip rim to it, which I like, but the overall upward and inward taper of the glass’ shape still channels the brew’s aromatic volatiles right to your nose. This glass is perfect for IPAs with a lot of aromatic hops and many types of Belgian beers. I call it a “wine lover’s glass” because you can swirl your beer around in it like wine and cognac aficionados are prone to doing.

Pilsner – This piece of glassware was part of my collection for the Northampton Brewery’s 25th anniversary. The pilsner glass, with its tall and sleek design, is best for displaying the bubbles in highly carbonated drinks. These glasses are specifically designed for lighter, more revitalizing beers, a fact that their shape only emphasizes. Although they can be utilized for hefeweizens, I refrain from doing so as I prefer using a different glassware…

Weizen Glass – My feelings towards wheat beers are mixed, but occasion calls for a good Weizenbock or hefeweizen and they deserve their own special vessels. Unlike the slim and narrow pilsner glasses that expand evenly towards the mouth of the glass, Weizen glasses have curves similar to a 1940s pin-up starlet. These glasses can hold more liquid and are perfect to maintain the frothy heads typical of weizens. My favourite version of this glass style is from the much-loved but sadly missed Sierra Grille.

Tulip – I recently added this type of glass to my collection. I own a few snifters and typically use those for beers like Belgian ales, double IPAs and other aromatic brews, which the tulip glasses are designed for. But I was drawn to the elegance of this tulip glass during a visit to Couch Dog Brewing in Salem, so I purchased one. The tulip leads in some aspects, particularly its stem that keeps your hand’s warmth away from the bowl if needed. Plus, I adore its beautiful design which includes an etched dog on the glass.

Nonic Pint Glass – Last, but definitely not least, the Nonic pint glass is the one I use the most. Like many beer enthusiasts, I have a number of standard American pint glasses adorned with brewery logos. However, the nonic glass, with its little bump near the top makes me feel like I am in an old British pub. I have quite a few of these, but my favorite is from the legendary British brewery, Fuller’s.

What are your favorite pieces of glassware that you own? Reach me at geolenker@yahoo.com

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

Joe Biden, despite his declining popularity, seems to be the inevitable choice as the Democratic Party’s candidate for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. Alex Panetta, a journalist at CBC, analyzes why the party is persisting with Biden as their nominee and evaluates what awaits him if he is to engage in another competition against Donald Trump.

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden is going small with the aim of achieving greater results in November.

With 10 months remaining before Election Day, the Democratic incumbent is fully committed to low-key events – like visits to a boba tea shop, a family’s kitchen, or a barbershop, as opposed to large-scale rallies.

Biden, who has never been a big public speaker, is utilizing his proficiency as a retail politician, a skill he’s developed over his 50 years in political office. This tactic also portrays his team’s perception of the transformed media setting, where reaching voters via TikTok videos and Instagram stories could be more productive than traditional television ads and speeches.

President Joe Biden was seen engaging in a conversation at No. 1 Boba Tea in Las Vegas on Monday. This comes as he adopts a minimalist approach to events instead of large gatherings with the Election Day just 10 months away.

In Raleigh, North Carolina, the previous month, Biden paid a visit to Cook Out to buy burgers and fries. He then delivered the takeout to Eric Fitts’ house where he was about to have what his campaign referred to as a “kitchen table conversation”. Eric is an employee of the local school system who has enjoyed the benefits of student loan forgiveness programs introduced by the administration.

The campaign recorded the visit but did not allow media coverage. However, selected parts of the visit were later shared on the internet. An unplanned highlight that caught the campaign team’s attention was a video shared by Christian, one of Fitts’ sons, on TikTok. The video, about a minute long, provided an insider’s view of Biden’s visit- it showed the president taking notice of photos on the family’s fridge and his limousine leaving their driveway.

Though the campaign team doesn’t use TikTok due to national security considerations, they didn’t hesitate to direct reporters to the video after it amassed millions of views quickly.

President Joe Biden paid a visit to the Regal Lounge barber shop in Columbia, S.C. on the 27th of January. He spent time interacting with the barbers, staff, and customers, prior to the Democratic primary in the state scheduled for February 3.

According to Biden’s deputy campaign manager, Rob Flaherty, visits like these are essential. He said that in today’s world, where people have access to diverse media platforms that fulfill their unique preferences, reaching essential voters can be quite difficult.

The voters that Biden is often trying to reach are usually least engaged with the political process. They are younger, racially more diverse than the overall population, and not overly enthusiastic about the anticipated face-off between Biden and ex-President Donald Trump.

Flaherty emphasized the necessity of expanding the scope of the president’s efforts – in terms of what is considered a good use of his time, who his target audience is, and the reasons for communication.

Biden commenced the presidential election year with key speeches close to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, and in Charleston, South Carolina, intended to establish the voting choices in November. According to his campaign, he plans to keep holding significant events, primarily closer to summer when voter attention increases, however, they place equal or more emphasis on smaller gatherings.

The president’s subdued oratory style and occasionally meandering speeches at larger gatherings have been exploited by Trump and Republican detractors, fuelling the idea that the 81-year-old president isn’t equipped for another presidential term. In contrast, Trump rarely holds local events, preferring his characteristic large scale rallies with avid supporters, many of whom line up for hours for admission, and appearances at sporting events.

The campaign predicts Biden’s ‘go-small’ tactic will reveal a fresh aspect of the president to the American public, potentially enhancing his dropping poll numbers.

This strategy came into full force this year with a sequence of visits to small enterprises in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, where the president showed surprise at the variety in a local cycle store and engaged in conversation with the owner of a running specialty shop, highlighting his economic policies’ impact. Given his affection for sweet treats, Biden sought to find out from an employee at a coffee shop nearby if they made smoothies, and one was quickly prepared for him.

President Joe Biden, while being at the center of attention, is seen clicking pictures with the patrons at They Say restaurant in Harper Woods, Michigan during a visit on Feb. 1. Biden deputy campaign manager Rob Flaherty had once quoted, preferring hundred outside individuals appreciating Biden over a single content from his own team saying the same.

Apart from the gentler aspects of politics, Biden’s aids also emphasize that their primary aim is to let the president or the people he interacts with, to boost the president’s message.

While visiting Emmaus, Biden shared with the reporters that one of the entrepreneurs he had been speaking to, had assured him that he could now reassure his kid expressing, “Everything is going to be absolutely fine. We are going to make it.”

In a span of two weeks, Biden interacted with around two dozen patrons at a taproom in Superior, Wisconsin. The patrons, although, were sipping on to their mid-afternoon beers, managed to take some time out to listen to Biden, who doesn’t consume alcohol, talk about the revival and growth of the economy at a nearby brewery.

“Performing these halts allows the movement to showcase this perspective of Biden that has eternally disrupted the commotion for those electors who are not stuck to cable news,” articulated Kate Berner, a prior deputy director of communications for Biden in the White House.

Biden recently socialized with the stylists, team, and customers at the African American-owned Regal Lounge located in Columbia, South Carolina, just before the state’s Dem primary on 3rd February. Prior to the Michigan contest on 27th February, Biden’s campaign escorted a local entrepreneur in the presidential armored vehicle from the runway parallel to Air Force One to a neighborhood restaurant.

And the day before the Nevada primary, Biden made a detour to an Asian American-owned bubble tea shop in Las Vegas and a motel on the iconic strip to interact with a small assembly of the state’s powerful culinary union workers.

Biden has consistently been outstanding at retail politics. Those viral instants – and even the ones circulated in smaller circles – accumulate, as stated by Flaherty.

“I would rather have 100 outside voices saying Joe Biden is great than one piece of content from us saying Joe Biden is great,” he said.

In November 2023, the Biden administration launched a two-week national rural “barnstorm.” The aim was to showcase the administration’s achievements to rural America, a potentially crucial player in the 2024 presidential election.

On November 1, President Biden initiated the tour with a speech at Dutch Creek Farms, located in Minnesota’s southern Dakota County. With a challenging reelection campaign on the horizon, Biden focused on his efforts to improve the lives of farmers who are struggling due to the current pandemic and the further strain of climate change. The Daily Yonder noted that while some of his comments echoed with rural audience members, they missed the mark for others.

The Minnesota family farm event was the only one Biden attended personally during the rural tour, which also included stops in urban locations, such as Indianapolis. Perhaps his visit to Minnesota held strategic importance for bagging votes in the 2024 elections. Even though the farm where Biden gave his speech, nestled in Dakota County, doesn’t qualify as rural according to the federal definition—as it is among the seven counties that make up the Twin Cities metropolitan area—it lies only three miles north of rural Rice County, where Biden lost to Trump by a margin of less than a point.

He is also struggling to raise funds from Minnesota donors. As of September 2023, former President Donald Trump raised just over $580,000 from Minnesota donors, more than Biden’s $388,000. And an Emerson College poll from October 2023 showed Biden held only a slight two-point lead over Trump when the president’s rural tour was underway.

Meanwhile, a national poll indicated that economic issues are top-of-mind among rural voters.

Results of the poll, conducted by the Center for Rural Strategies and Lake Research Partners, were released the same day Biden spoke in Minnesota. It found that rural voters were most concerned about the high cost of goods, affordable housing, and corporate greed. Biden’s speech also came about a month after a Reuters poll found 71% of rural Americans disapproved of his presidential performance.

Brad Kluver of Dutch Creek Farms, a third-generation farmer, speaking with President Joe Biden.

Inside a barn on the 81-acre Dutch Creek Farms, Biden discussed his strategies to improve rural quality of life, primarily through an agricultural perspective. His plan involves funding for the growth of cover crops to mitigate climate change, support for smaller meat processing operations, and funds for broadband, clean water, roads, and electrical supplies. By doing so, Biden aims to tackle the high price of goods, curb corporate greed and ensure affordability for residents of rural America.

Biden’s investment plans include nearly $1.7 billion for advanced “climate-smart” agricultural practices. He also plans to add $2 billion to increase health care and affordable housing access in rural communities associated with the Rural Partners Network. There will be $1.1 billion set aside for renewing rural electrical and water infrastructure, $145 million for farmers to implement clean energy technologies like solar panels, and an additional $274 million to extend high-speed internet access to rural communities.

This is in addition to the $1 billion already invested through the American Rescue Plan to support small to medium-sized meat processors. In his address, Biden mentioned Brad Kluver, the owner of Dutch Creek Farms, who had to sell his hogs through social media when large meat processing plants shut down due to the pandemic.

In his address, he stated that their plan allows farmers to diversify and earn added income by selling into local markets, rather than depending on a single income stream subject to commodity markets and large corporations. Biden insisted, “Due to these investments we’re making, family farms like this will stay within the family and successors like Brad won’t have to leave their homes to earn their living.”

Photo: Angela Dawson, a hemp farmer from Pine County, Minnesota is hopeful about some of Biden’s efforts.

Some attendees expressed their belief that Biden is performing well. Angela Dawson, an African American hemp farmer from Pine County, located midway between the Twin Cities and Duluth in Minnesota, praised Biden’s attempts to address racial inequity in agriculture, despite it being ultimately overruled by a federal judge.

“I have a sense that [Biden] has made commendable strides. Traditionally, farmers of color have been the last to be considered in many administrations. It’s a refreshing change to see us being a higher priority this time, and I hope this continues,” stated Dawson, noting that the Black farming population has reduced by more than 90% over the past century.

Rodrigo Cala concurred. Cala, who is associated with the Latino Economic Development Center, a St. Paul-based entity that fosters economic growth for Latino families, was granted funding from the USDA,, sponsored by the American Rescue Plan and the Inflation Reduction Act, to enhance the access small farmers have to land, financial resources, and markets. The firm intends to assist aspiring Latino farmers in purchasing land in Minnesota, the Dakotas, and Wisconsin from next year onward.

Cala expressed that there is still much left for the Biden administration to do for farmers, especially those of color. She pointed out that the future farmers of our country are rapidly aging, with the average farmer now being 58 years old. She further emphasized the need for diversity, particularly in the rural areas of the country. For this, she pointed towards increasing racial and ethnic diversity.

One such future farmer is Tessa Parks, who has a mixed heritage of white, Japanese, and Filipino backgrounds. Tessa and her husband moved to Minnesota, specifically to the same Dakota County township where Biden gave his speech, to start a farm.

The architect behind the move to Minnesota were the high living costs in Washington which made it unaffordable for them to live, let alone run a farm. Tessa expressed her longing for her familiar city’s comfort, particularly her mother and grandmother’s cooking, while pointing out the threat of climate change as a motivation behind their farming endeavour in Minnesota.

After Biden’s speech, in a conversation with the Daily Yonder, Parks expressed her desire to hear more regarding health care and child care. The goal is clear, she doesn’t want to face bankruptcy for wanting to choose to have a child. She shared her worry about personal and health care costs colliding with mortgage payments, commuting costs to work, which in turn pay for their farm, their home and their food.

Parks expressed her worries about potentially needing help on their farmland, especially in instances where she or her spouse falls sick. While speaking, she disclosed the reality of their situation: the inability to rely on their fathers for assistance due to the distance separating them. They are unfortunately situated in Washington state, making it impossible for them to lend the necessary hands-on support.

Efforts by the Biden administration to make healthcare more affordable and accessible have been consistent. They have initiated moves to defend patients from unexpected bills and reduce low-quality healthcare options. Despite the affordability, these plans are often termed “junk” due to the poor coverage they provide. Moreover, the administration has approached a split Congress to solicit a huge USD 16 billion funding to ensure nationwide availability of childcare.

Despite the steps taken by the administration, Parks remains uneasy. She and her husband both have expensive health insurance and have recently finished paying off their accumulated medical debts. While farming is a passion for them, both also hold full-time jobs focusing on sustainable farming methods. Currently, they are living in Rice County, a town nearby their farm, as they can’t afford to stay on their farmland.

Parks confessed her frustrations, explaining her feeling of exclusion from the Biden administration’s vision and initiatives for small family farms and rural America. Her concern was that these programs appeared largely targeted towards established, multi-generational farms, primarily owned by white landowners, and conveniently overlooks those in dire situations, like hers. They struggle to afford rent, tirelessly invest their time and energy into maintaining and cultivating the land, but are never assured any security, she narrated.

Biden was joined in Minnesota by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. Shortly afterward, Vilsack traveled to Indianapolis to speak about the Farm Bill, improving electrical infrastructure in rural Indiana, and engaging youth in agriculture, at the National Future Farmers of America convention in Indianapolis. Vilsack also met with the Western Governors’ Association in Wyoming to talk about how farmers can address climate change, and delivered opening remarks at a water symposium at Colorado State University.

Other cabinet appearances included Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Xochitl Torres Small, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Veteran Affairs Secretary Denis McDonough, Deputy Secretary of Veteran Affairs Tanya Bradsher, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, Centers for Disease Control director Mandy Cohen, and others. These stops covered funding for rural issues like meat processing and wastewater handling, electrical access and infrastructure, veteran affairs, education, and health care.

This story was produced by the The Daily Yonder and reviewed and distributed by Stacker Media.

Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Despite sinking popularity, Joe Biden appears destined to lead the Democratic Party in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. CBC’s Alex Panetta…