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By John Cloud/San Diego (Time.com)
May 19 is the drop dead date for HB 196 otherwise known as the Gourmet Beer Bill. That is tomorrow. Everybody keep your fingers crossed.
Two things that do not bode well for the bill. One, it appears that the Free the Hops website is either under attack or has been taken down before the vote. Secondly, this article was in yesterdays Montgomery Advertiser. We have been led to believe that Governor Bob Riley would sign this bill if it passes. After reading the article ,it doesn't look good for his signature. As well, bills passed at this point in the session can be pocket vetoed. Another likely outcome....along with the dreaded filibuster.
I am glad I am a brewer. read more »
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Catching up on a few things I haven't blogged about in the past couple of weeks, some of which everybody and his brother already mentioned. read more »
A Virginia man has been named national Beerdrinker of the Year. Matt Venzke says he got his advanced degree in beer drinking in Germany, where as an Army brat he sampled that country's Old World brews. via WLOS
The Shooting Creek Farm Brewery in Virginia might never open if a group of Baptist ministers and some neighbors get their way.
The Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control held a hearing this week to listen to complaints about granting a license for the Floyd County brewery to start production. The brewery is located in a rural area, not far from the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwestern Virginia.
Brett Nichols and Ray Jones own Shooting Creek Farm Brewery. They plan to make beer in a 1,000 square foot facility located on an organic vegetable farm. There would be a tasting room at the site and the company would sell bottled beer in the area. The opening of the facility is now delayed while the ABC considers the objections to brewing beer in the area. Four area residents and a Baptist pastor filed official objections. The people against the brewery say it will increase traffic in the area and hurt property values. read more »
Beer, wine and spirit festivals are great places to sample new products and learn about the range of great new brands on the market. The end of summer and start of fall features a glut of these events. I'm missing more than a few, but here are events from coast to coast that are perfect for the connoisseur and the new fan.
Buffalo Brewfest: The 7th annual Buffalo Brewfest takes over HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y., on Aug. 23rd. Presale tickets are $20. You can get more details at www.buffalobrewfest.com. read more »

One of the best small breweries in America, Foothills Brewing in Winston-Salem, N.C., plans to double its production.
According to the Winston-Salem Journal, Foothills will spend $250,000 to increase production to 6,000 barrels later this year.
The company makes a number of great brews, including Seeing Double IPA and Sexual Chocolate Imperial Stout. read more »

Tuesday Tasting is a regular feature of Lyke2Drink that explores some of the best beers, wines and spirits on the market. This week we taste ten brews that have crossed my path during the last month.
Over the last few weeks I've had the chance to try a number of noteworthy brews. There is plenty of new product activity in the market right now and you should be on the lookout for these brews. read more »
Beer Bar Date and time reviewed: Fri, 23 May 2008 16:04:41 EDT Overall Score: 88.3 Selection: 4 | Service: 4.25 | Atmosphere: 5 | Food: 5.0 Reviewer: dorandbob The Virginia Inn has a good microbrew selection (quite good for downtown) and very good food. Its in an old historic building, just one block inland/uphill from the Pike Place Market. They just recently doubled their size by expanding into the space next door. That gave them room for a real kitchen in contrast with the tiny facility they had before. The Virginia Inn is a pleasant space, right in the city. It has brick walls, marble tables (and some wooden booths), and a classic old hexagonal tile pattern on the floors. read more »