FTC to Investigate Digital Marketing of Alcohol

The social aspects of beer are well known and without question, but the social media of beer is a whole different story – especially to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).  The FTC, who has previously reviewed the traditional media and advertising of all alcohol while skimming the surface of digital media, is about to launch a head-on review of the industry’s internet-based marketing.

Long have the FTC and advocate groups argued that the alcohol industry has created characters and messages targeted at youth, but this was during an era of media outlets that were sans-digital; the review of online advertising and social media was ignored primarily b...

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Nice Weather Helps Boost Beer Profits at MillerCoors

The sun is shining and MillerCoors is soaking it up.  The result is a first quarter underlying net income increase of 16.6% for the megabrand, which MillerCoors Chief Executive Officer Tom Long partly attributes to unseasonably warm weather in the U.S., especially around St. Patrick's day. 

Total net sales for MillerCoors rose 3.6 percent in the same quarter reaching an astronomical $1.76 billion—that's billion, with a B.  Hot sales can't be all about nice weather, can it?

A staple at many summer cookouts...

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The Facts About Beer ABV

Beer lovers often see reference to their favorite brew’s ABV, but what exactly does that mean?  ABV, or Alcohol By Volume, represents the portion of the total volume that is alcohol.  In general, the higher the alcohol content of the beer you are drinking, the more flavor it has.  The main contributor to ABV is from the sugar that is extracted from the grain or barley.  Other sources of alcohol in beer include fruit, honey, and raw sugars. 

Different Varieties and ABV

American Light BeersThis variety was not made for the beer dri...

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Is the Price of New York Beer on the Rise?

The state of New York has the third most breweries behind California and Colorado.  Over the past 3 years, the number of breweries rose from 48 to 89 and there are currently plans in place for 41 new breweries.  The brewery market in New York accounts for 8,000 direct jobs and indirectly as many as 60,000.  The prosperous times of popular New York breweries such as Brooklyn Brewery and Sixpoint Craft Ales may be in jeopardy.

The Shelton Brothers, a Massachusetts ...

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40oz to Craft Brew Freedom

The term “malt liquor” would make any sensible craft brew fanatic cringe.  But at some point, most beer drinkers have consumed one of these brews, likely in a time long ago which most of us care to forget.

Despite the negative connotation, malt liquor is technically just a style of beer similar to how you would define a lager or pale ale.  When brewing this variety of beer, brewmasters are looking for ways to make an easy to drink, yet high alcohol brew so consumers get the biggest bang for their buck.  Special ingredients for this brewing variety include corn and sugar, usually dextrose or fructose.  The last step to making this magic concoction is...

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