Clamps & Gaskets: News Roundup for Weeks 15/16, 2017.

A bi-weekly, non-comprehensive roundup
of news of beer and other things.

Weeks 15/16
9 April- 22 April 2017

• 22 April 2017
  Thousands of people joined a global March for Science with Washington, D.C. the epicenter of a movement to fight against "assault on facts" by populist politicians. The movement was echoed in hundreds of events across the United States and around the world.

  Science avoids bias, personal ideologies, and political interests. But, politics cannot avoid science. March in support of policy-making based on facts, uncensored communication between scientists, and preventing the dismantling of regulations that exist to protect our society and improve public health. Scientific research is being ignored and undermined. Democracy requires active participation.

  —Via Yahoo News.


• 18 April 2017
  The [U.S.] Brewers Association has empanelled a Diversity Committee to identify "issues related to maximizing the diversity and inclusiveness of Brewers Association membership" and updated its Advertising and Marketing Code "to address beer marketing with sexually explicit, lewd, or demeaning brand names, language, text, graphics, photos, video, or other images."
  —Via Brewers Association.


• 17 April 2017
  In 2016, microbreweries (i.e., breweries producing fewer than 15,000 barrels per year) with tasting rooms grew faster than microbreweries without tasting rooms. 9.4% of sales from small and independent brewers occurred at the brewery—up from 7% in 2015.
  —Via Bart Watson, chief economist at Brewers Association.


• 17 April 2017
  New research suggests dry-hopping does increase bitterness in beer, particularly via the oxidation of the hop compound, humulinone.
  —Via Jeff Alworth, at Beervana.




• 15 April 2017
  The 34th edition of the Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America (CBC) was held in Washington, D.C., 10-13 April.

  As the largest industry gathering, CBC brought together some 13,300 brewing professionals and more than 900 exhibitors for discussion and dialogue around America’s craft brewing business and culture. CBC was last in the nation’s capital in 2013, with 6,400 attendees and 440 exhibiting companies.

  —Via [U.S.] Brewers Association, at YFGF.


• 13 April 2017
  Scott Pruitt —adminstrator of the Environmental Protection Agency— calls for the United States to withdraw from the Paris climate accord.
  —Via The Oregonian.




• 12 April 2017
  Slower growth is the new normal, said Bart Watson —chief economist for the [U.S.] Brewers Association— during the State of The Craft Beer Industry presentation to the Craft Brewers Conference.
  —Via Drink Up Columbus.


• 12 April 2017
  During Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, D.C., the [U.S.] Brewers Association recognized four recipients for 'craft' brewing business achievement:
  • Brewers Association Recognition Award: Vinnie & Natalie Cilurzo, Russian River Brewing Co.
  • F.X. Matt Defense of the Craft Brewing Industry Award: Matt McLaughlin, McLaughlin, PC/Mississippi Brewers Guild
  • Russell Schehrer Award for Innovation in Craft Brewing: Will Meyers, Cambridge Brewing Co.
  • Brewers Association Craft Beer Wholesaler of the Year: Elite Brands of Colorado – Denver, CO
  —Via Brewers Association.



• 10 April 2017
  Rob Tod, chair of the Board of Directors of the [U.S.] Brewers Association, addresses the General Session of the Craft Brewers Conference in Washington, D.C.

  We should be gravely concerned when we hear themes like 'independent does not matter to the beer drinker' or themes like 'the beer lover should only care about the beer not who makes the beer.' These are misleading themes and I've been hearing them rear their heads more and more lately. So, here's where our work comes in. We need to take the same passion that we have for talking about our beer to the task of talking about the value of small and independent [brewers].

  —Via YFGF.


• 10 April 2017
  Maryland legislature increases upper limit of brewery taproom sales from five hundred to two thousand barrels, but, as "compromise," limits taproom operating hours and allows additional one-thousand barrels of sales, but only if purchased from a wholesaler.
  —Via Maryland Business Journal.



My personal favorite #CBC17 comment, directed toward me: "I thought you weren't involved with #beer anymore."

— YFGF (@Cizauskas) April 16, 2017

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• Clamps and Gaskets is a bi-weekly wrap-up of stories about beer (or wine, or whisky) and other things.
• The Clamps and Gaskets graphic was created for YFGF by Mike Licht at NotionsCapital.


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