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Yikes, April’s just flying by…and clearly the craft beer biz isn’t slowing down any time soon. But no worries, the Beer Buzz is always on the case, keeping you up on all the beer news and lifestyle that matters. Plus we’ve an all-important update on what we’ve been drinking lately and you don’t want to miss that!
Deschutes Rethinks New Virginia Brewery (Bend, OR) – Having seen its sales slow considerably in 2017, Deschutes is rethinking its plans for the new Roanoke-based brewery that they hoped to break ground on in 2019 according to the Roanoke Times.
Deschutes announced its East Coast expansion in 2016, a $95 million project that would ultimately employ 108 people in its first phase, according to the company. And now Deschutes CEO Michael LaLonde of the Bend, Oregon-headquartered brewery has let city officials know that the company may delay and scale down its planned brewery in Roanoke.
Although the craft beer industry is still growing, its production numbers were modest last year especially compared to the double-digit growth that it had been seeing over the last decade. And in the face of West Coast breweries like Green Flash that expanded east and are now cutting back or even closing operations, it’s not surprising to see Deschutes rethinking its strategy.
Words To Drink By (London, England) – ““I think cannabis will be the most disruptive innovation in the sector” – Spiros Malandrakis, Euromonitor Alcohol Industry Manager
New Goose Island Brewpub To Open In The UK (United Kingdom) – Although Goose Island did open a bar they call the Vintage Ale House in Balham, South London at the end of 2016, they’ve never brewed their brand in Great Britain…but that’s about to change!
The London Goose Island Brewpub will be the brand’s first production venture into Europe (following openings across the USA, China, Mexico, Korea and Brazil), and the Chicago-based AB InBev ‘crafty’ is in the hunt for a new Brewmaster “to be part of the Goose Island family”, according to the job listing on Linkedin.
Goose Island’s International President, (the appropriately named Ken Stout) is looking for a true brewing talent and he’s willing to throw in all kinds of nifty perks including a Goose Island Single Speed bicycle, a month long trip to Chicago and an impressive beer allowance for the lucky person able to land this plum gig.
What We’ve Been Drinking Lately (Nantucket Island, MA) – Last night we hit up something enjoyable from Cisco Brewers that’s their first new addition to their year-round portfolio since 2014. Originally crafted almost three years ago to celebrate Cisco’s 20th anniversary, Gripah is a 5% ABV Grapefruit IPA with fresh Ruby Red zest added at late fermentation to keep things citrusy.
