Beer-articles 995

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

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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.

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

Ever wondered about the process of beer making and the ingredients involved in creating this amazing beverage? A critical component is hops, a cone-like flower from the plant Humulus lupulus, belonging to the horticultural family Cannabaceae.

This stunning flower is packed with oils, acids, and resins. The unique tastes of beer, including citrus, floral, grassy, spicy, woody, and even earthy flavors, all credit their existence to the diverse variety of hops.

Hop plants are rapidly growing, herbaceous perennials native to the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. Only the female plants grow cones used as hops, while the male ones aid in pollination. These plants sprout from rhizomes, also known as rootstalks, and require direct sunlight and at least 15 hours of daily sunlight for successful cone production. They grow best with ample spring water and warm summer temperatures. In regions like San Diego County, additional irrigation may be necessary for the hops to flourish.

Hop plants prefer a deeply drained, sandy loam soil with a pH ranging between 6 and 7.0. The nutrition of these plants relies on the spring application of fertilizers, along with manure or compost.

Downy mildew, wilt, and viral diseases are common enemies of hops. Weaker adversaries include spider mites and hop aphids. Despite these challenges, it’s a sad fact that the plants are non-resistant to herbicides or pesticides. In spite of these obstacles, commercial cultivators have devised ways to successfully manage these diseases and pests.

During the American Prohibition era spanning 1920 to 1933, beer brewing was completely on hold in the U.S. However, as the 1970s saw the removal of the federal tax on homemade beer, a renewed interest in home brewing spread across the nation.

In the world of hop varieties and diversity, the U.S. is a pioneer. The nation is known for creating new hop varieties, with the citizens inclining towards the citrusy, fruity, and floral scents in their beer.

Although there are countless hop varieties worldwide, there are nine major hops variety players in the U.S.: Chinook, Amarillo, Centennial, Cascade, Mosaic, Citra, Magnum, Simcoe, and Columbus. Cascade introduces a hint of grapefruit in beer, while Centennial offers a bitter and citrusy aftertaste to the brew. Columbus, on the other hand, has bittering properties and is used towards the end of brewing. It imparts a citrus and wooden flavor to the beer. Unique flavors are created in the brewing process by using different hop varieties, leading to an intriguing mix of alpha acids.

The Europeans also craft new varieties, and currently the most popular among beer drinkers are Mandarina Bavaria (citrus note), Hallertau Blanc (like a fine white wine) and Polaris (think glacier candy!).

In response to the key question: How is beer made? The answer is quite straightforward. Four ingredients are central: malted barley, hops, water and yeast. Malted barley, scientifically known as Hordeum vulgare, is the essential grain that yeast ferments to bring beer to fruition. Hop flowers are responsible for the flavor, aroma and bitterness of a beer and they’re mostly added at three separate stages: bittering, aroma and flavoring. It is interesting to note that the mineral content in water, varying across different parts of the globe, is responsible for the differing tastes of beers.

While growing hops in San Diego County for private use might be tempting, it requires time, the correct growing conditions and a lot of patience. Growing hops in a container is feasible, provided there is enough space for the roots to sprawl. This is a significant challenge for a homebrewer/grower since the roots have the potential to grow to a depth of 15 feet or more.

The growth of hop plants requires a very tall trellis, up to 16 feet, and coir twine (coconut fiber) to provide strong vertical support. These plants also demand large quantities of water, ideally through drip irrigation, and the soil needs to be rich in fertilizers such as nitrogen (in large amounts), potassium and phosphates. A blend of sandy clay loam, sandy loam, silt and loamy sand is ideal. Commercial fertilizers and manure are readily available for home growers.

Varieties known for their high yield and versatility — such as Cascade, Columbus, Chinook and Crystal — are good selections for San Diego County. Hops will begin to ripen around August. The first year of growth is dedicated to establishing root growth. The second year, you can expect to see a normal crop based on your climate conditions.

Those interested in brewing beer may want to contact the USA Hop Growers of America, San Diego Hop Growers Association, and the Brewers Association. In addition, check out the UC Cooperative Extension page at ccsmallfarms.ucanr.edu or visit several of the 150 local breweries throughout San Diego County. The next USA Hops Convention for growers and grower support will be held in Coronado from Jan. 21 through 25, 2025.

Cheers!

Sands has been a UCCE Master Gardener since 2014. You can follow her walking through hops farms in Germany, talking with enthusiastic beer growers here in San Diego or sampling new beer varieties west of the Rockies.

Get free home gardening advice on the UCCE Master Gardeners of San Diego County Hotline, (858) 822-6910, or by email at help@mastergardenersd.org.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Yard House have plans to establish restaurants in the anticipated Block 59 dining/entertainment complex in Naperville. However, this is contingent on the city eliminating the constraints on wine and beer serving sizes that restrict these national chains from offering their menu-advertised beverages.

Both restaurant brands will not agree to be part of this upcoming project if the existing limitations persist. If this occurs, it is likely other tenants—such as The Cheesecake Factory, First Watch, Shake Shack, and Stan’s Donuts—might also terminate their leases. This information was shared by Andrew Balzer, a project developer from Brixmor Property Group, to the Naperville Liquor Commission.

The Block 59 project, which is scheduled to tentatively launch in 2025 in the northwest corner of Route 59 and Aurora Avenue, is being promoted as a regional hub for dining and entertainment.

According to Balzer, Ruth’s Chris and Yard House are key elements to this project, but will cancel their leases if they are prohibited from serving the beverages they are famous for at their other establishments. For Yard House, this is the Half Yard, a 32-ounce beer that is part of its brand identity. For Ruth’s Chris, this is a 9-ounce glass of wine that it is known for.

According to Naperville regulations, the maximum serving size permitted is 24 ounces for beer and cider, and for wine it is limited to 6 ounces per serving.

In the event that either of the restaurants decides to pull out of the Naperville location due to this limitation and if other tenants follow the same path, the entire undertaking could be at risk, as pointed out by Balzer.

He also mentioned that no such restrictions have been imposed on serving sizes at any other locations for both the companies, and they have always been recipients of positive responses from the communities where they are situated.

Currently, Yard House operates 88 locations across the country, including two Illinois locations in Lombard and Glenview. Ruth’s Chris, on the other hand, has a total of 134 locations, with branches in Northbrook and South Barrington.

Liquor commissioners expressed that they are not bothered by the concept of permitting 9-ounce servings of wine, underlining that certain eateries may already be presenting this quantity due to a lack of awareness about the restriction. However, they expressed apprehension that acceding to a 32-ounce glass of beer could establish a dangerous pattern and pave way for similar demands from other businesses.

Mayor Scott Wehrli, the leading figure of the liquor commission, voiced that the city has no intentions of providing an undue benefit to a single business by sanctioning a regulation that’s not universally applicable.

The competition in Naperville’s restaurant industry is fierce, according to the commissioners. They stated that a new standard would need to be implemented universally so that a newbie gets no specific privileges that existing businesses lack.

“Our primary responsibility lies in ensuring safety, but we can’t overlook economic development either,” stated Commissioner Tony Signorella. “What concerns me is the precedent we’re setting.”

Ex-Mayor Steve Chirico, currently a member of the commission, observed that the existing rules came into play when venues offered beer cans with 25 ounces volume, equivalent to two beers, during the last call, resulting in patrons consuming significantly high quantities in a short period before closure.

The commissioners discussed whether they could implement a restriction on the alcohol content in the 32-ounce beers, but they acknowledged that such an arrangement might be difficult to monitor and enforce.

According to Balzer, Yard House predominantly offers Miller Lite or Coors Light in the 32-ounce glass that’s characteristic of the outlet, both of which do not pack high alcohol content. At their Lombard outlet, the option of half-yard constitutes approximately 3% and 6% of the total beer sales on weekdays and weekends respectively, Balzer mentioned.

Voicing her support for the proposal to increase the pour limits, Christine Jeffries, who is at the helm of the Naperville Development Partnership, opined that bartenders and all those involved in serving alcohol in Naperville are adequately trained to do so responsibly.

She mentioned that the amount of alcohol isn’t as substantial as ordering a 60-ounce pitcher of beer or margaritas, or a bottle of wine for the table, both of which can now be legally purchased.

Jeffries remarked, “We haven’t had chaos with these items. I have considerable faith in Naperville and the Basset training we carry out here.”

The commission unanimously voted 5-0 to endorse the upgraded wine serving size but showed divided opinions on the larger beer size. The latter was greenlit by a 3-2 vote, with commissioners Kelly Douglas and Ray McGury voting against the amendment.

Before the aforementioned changes can be implemented, they have to gain approval from Naperville City Council. The council intends to examine the requests in a future assembly.

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.

Consuming alcohol responsibly involves understanding the differences in alcohol types and their respective quantities. Each type of alcohol – be it beer, wine, or hard liquor – varies in alcohol by volume (ABV) percentage. According to the National Consumer League, one 12-ounce beer can be equated to one shot, although this can fluctuate based on the specific ABVs of both the liquor and beer. Notably, a beer with a 4% ABV will have less of an impact than a beer with an 8% ABV. The CDC suggests that men should ideally engage in no more than two drinks per day, and women only one, to mitigate any potential health risks associated with alcohol.

Read More: 10 Of The Healthiest Beers You Can Drink

The term ‘alcohol by volume’ refers to the amount of ethanol in every 100 milliliters of liquid. Liquor generally has a higher ABV (around 40%) than beer (about 5%), which accounts for the easier tolerance of beer than straight vodka. However, things get complicated when considering that the assumption of equating one beer to one shot is based on a very general percentage of 5% ABV. Some common beers like Michelob, Budweiser, and Heineken have a 5% ABV, but lighter beers such as Coors Light, Miller Lite, and Bud Light maintain an ABV of 4.2% and contain fewer calories and carbohydrates. It’s crucial, however, to remember that some beers can have a significantly higher ABV. Many craft beers, for instance, can have higher alcohol percentages, with Allagash Brewing Company’s Tripel containing 9% ABV, and some reaching 11% ABV. To calculate how many “standard drinks” a beer is equivalent to based on its alcohol percentage, check out a calculator provided by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. How this equates to liquor, however, will depend on the other variables mentioned.

Different liquors have varying ABVs, with some exceeding 40%, termed as overproof, and others under 40%. Understanding the exact ABV content of your drink is crucial to comprehend the effect it might have on your body.

The beer-making procedure influences its ABV. Beer is produced from barley, a grain rich in sugar, which over a period, ferments with the aid of yeast. As fermentation unfolds, yeast consumes sugar and converts it to alcohol. The duration of fermentation and the variety of yeast used can alter not only the flavor of beer but also its alcohol content.

A beer’s ABV straight impacts your body’s blood-alcohol level or BAC. If you’ve ever heard of “driving under the influence”, it likely implies that their BAC was more than 0.08%. Your gender and weight significantly affect your BAC. According to a blood alcohol chart, a female weighing 140 pounds can likely consume two drinks while staying under the legal limit, whereas a male weighing 180 pounds might be able to consume approximately four drinks. But, it’s generally presumed that a “drink” refers to a 12-ounce, 5% ABV beer or a 1.5-ounce, 40% ABV shot of liquor.

To read more, check the original article on Daily Meal.

With Dry January over for another year, many drinkers will have returned to their old tipples. But US brewing giants are spending more money than ever to market their low and no-alcohol beers all year round, reflecting the category’s rapid rise as traditional lagers and ales begin to lose their fizz.

Some 38.8% of the $1.3 billion the US beer category spent on advertising last year was devoted to light and low-alcohol beer and ale, up from 31.5% in 2022, and 28.3% in 2021, according to Vivvix, a MediaRadar company. (The 2023 figure includes some preliminary data for December.)

Boston brewery Samuel Adams is one of the many companies contributing to this trend.

It just wrapped up its Dry January activity, when it invited fathers-to-be to enter an Instagram contest to give up alcohol in solidarity with their pregnant partner, for a chance to win a 40-week supply of its non-alcoholic IPA, Just the Haze.

Samuel Adams is planning major expansions for its non-alcoholic beverages in the coming year. The brewing company is preparing to film a national television advertisement specifically for Just the Haze, and intends to increase the drink’s online visibility using a team of influencers.

The focus on alcohol-free beverages is a significant shift from just a couple of years prior, during which non-alcoholic drinks were merely a part of Samuel Adam’s comprehensive product campaigns.

For the upcoming year, the brewer plans to allocate roughly 20% of their marketing budget towards low and zero alcohol drinks, an increase from the previous 13% in 2023. This decision was made known by the company’s brand head, Lauren Price, who added that funds are being redirected from the primary Boston Lager brand to the non-alcoholic ones.

Price suggested that this budget adjustment is in line with current growth trends, “Last year, I would have mentioned that everything was centered around Dry January or Sober October—periods when alcohol consumers choose to abstain—but that’s no longer the situation.”

Other alcohol brands are also making marketing moves in response to new consumption trends. While total North American beer sales were down 12% over the past three years as people seek healthier options, according to the market research firm Circana, non-alcoholic beer has flown off the shelves during that same time period, growing 49%.

It’s not just that more consumers are opting for sobriety — although many, especially Gen Z, are doing just that. Alcohol drinkers are opting for non-alcoholic beers on more occasions, such as at lunchtime or as a “chaser” between alcoholic drinks on a night out, experts said. It helps that brewers have improved the dealcoholization process over the years so that alohol-free beers retain their flavors.

“A number of years ago as a company, we strategically decided to move from just beer to ‘total beverage’ and with that, we did make a decision to ensure we are putting the right resources and investments in those types of segments,” said Sofia Colucci, Molson Coors CMO for North America. Molson Coors’ low and no-alcohol beer portfolio includes Peroni 0.0, Blue Moon Non-Alc, Miller 64, and the ZOA energy drink.

While non-alcoholic beers still only represent a small proportion of the total amount of beer sold, brewers can sell non-alcoholic beers at a higher margin, because they are often priced at a premium and avoid excise duty.

Non-alcoholic beer opens up new opportunities for sports marketing, with more logical links to be made with drinking in moderation or not at all. Take Formula 1, where Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% just inked a sponsorship deal with Team Ferrari and Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen is the face of Heineken 0.0 beer, the US market leader.

Corona Cero 0% beer is set to be the lead brand for Anheuser-Busch InBev’s sponsorship of the 2024 Paris Olympics this summer. The deal, announced earlier this year and which makes AB InBev a Worldwide Olympic Partner through to Los Angeles in 2028, marks the first time a beer brand has sponsored the Games.

“This is an opportunity to strengthen beer as a category and as the category of moderation,” said AB InBev CMO Marcel Marcondes.

Forty-one percent of Americans say they plan to drink less alcohol in 2024, up from 34% the prior year, according to a survey commissioned in December by the marketing company NCSolutions. The company even found that the most popular drink people planned to consume on New Year’s Eve in the US in 2022 was soda rather than an alcoholic fizz.

“There seems to be a cultural zeitgeist element gathering steam and reinforcing itself,” said Alan Miles, NCSolutions CEO. “Not drinking and the non-alcoholic option is cool.”

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