Scratching the Beer Temple: This Week's Beer News

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When The Beer Temple pairs up with Scratch Brewing, great things happen.

If you’ve been with us for a few years, you probably know that we have long been fans of the creative, considered, unique beers produced by downstate Scratch Brewing, so when The Beer Temple announced a beer dinner (their first!) featuring four Scratch beers on cask and brewer Aaron Kleidon in attendance, you had to know we would be there.

GDB Steve was one of the handful lucky enough to snag a ticket and in his words, the evening “exceeded all expectations.” We have a full post on the GDB site outlining all the beers and courses; it’s worth a look even just to learn more about what went into the old ale and biere de garde they served.

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Most-clicked link in last week’s email: Unfortunately, it was a link that I screwed up and had to fix in the comments and the web version of the post. For those who missed it, this is the Mexican spoon candy that this year’s Prop barleywine is inspired by.

• The blog at Resy noted that Goose Island’s Salt Shed Pub is now accepting reservations through that site, but I’m mostly adding this link to note that Resy claims the pub is serving … franks & beans? Huh? Did anyone see that on the menu, because I don’t.

• Speaking of Goose Island, tons of sites shared the news about this year’s BCBS lineup but I appreciate that GearPatrol noticed that one of the releases is the return of one of “the most hyped beers of all time.”

• On the flip side of things, Tasting Table seems to adore the Little Breezy Beer Hug from Goose.

• Speaking of Scratch Brewing, if you’re unfamiliar with what they do, the Belleville News-Democrat has a nice feature on them and their many efforts.

• The Alton Telegraph reports on the rumors - none confirmed - of Yuengling coming to the Land of Lincoln.

• Metazoa Brewing’s Hellbender IPA is helping raise money for a laboratory at Purdue University.

• The TravelIndiana site shared some info about the Sea of Monsters brewery at Journeyman Distillery.

•  Tis the season: Here’s a list of all the weird drinks at this year’s State Fair, including a “Pig Lebowski” beer that I am honestly afraid to ask about.

• WZZM let their viewers know that the Budweiser Clydesdales swung through Muskegon this weekend.

• The Detroit News profiles Stumblebum Brewing and their program featuring beer and cheese pairings.

• I apologize for missing this on Friday, but the Michigan Brewers Guild held their annual Summer Brew Fest in Ypsi this weekend with nearly 700 different beers available.

• Griffin Claw Brewing Co. has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, apparently in an effort to avoid further litigation between business partners. Business operations reportedly won’t be affected.

• News of Finnegan’s Brew Co. moving production into Fulton Brewing and sharing taproom space was the week’s big story, earning coverage from the Star-Tribune, Bring Me The News and Eater. Unrelated but timely: This new Vinepair piece on breweries nationwide partnering on taprooms and production facilities.

• Sauce Magazine previews a Side Project event featuring six beers (including a new BA stout) alongside five Champagnes.

• Great Lakes is hosting something fun at their pub: A beer and ice cream pairing. Oh, and they’re expanding into Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

• Saucy Brew Works is making a beer inspired by Machine Gun Kelly. (The rapper/actor, not the gangster.)

• Cleveland Magazine has an impressive dining guide focusing on the area’s 28 Best Breweries.

• The Columbus Dispatch reported on the announced closure of Pretentious Barrel House.

• OnMilwaukee covers the move of Pilot Project Fest up to Cream City for the first time.

• The Milwaukee Record interviews MobCraft’s Tim Kowalski as part of their Meet the Brewer series but Tim’s experience at Sprecher’s Soda Lab sounds like lots of fun.

• Of course Minocqua Brewing has a Kamala Harris beer coming out. They were also granted an emergency business injunction by the Wisconsin District Court of Appeals allowing them to remain open while they continue to fight about their outdoor seating. (Minocqua also announced a new distribution partnership.)

• The new Bay View taproom for the Eagle Park-owned Milwaukee Brewing and Distilling Company has an opening date.

• Got weekend plans yet? Head to Madison’s Working Draft Brewing Company for their Czech pilsner festival, featuring thirteen beers all on side-pull handles.

• InsideHook has a surprisingly expansive and well-reported feature on the settling of the debate over hazy IPA.

• A site called New School Beer offered up this mid-year craft brewing report with some BA numbers, including an interesting statistic: Between June of last year and this year, the US added just 19 “active” breweries nationwide.

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