Rounding Up Them Little News Dogies

Various bits and pieces on the news wire today in which you may have slight interest:

Churchkey Hits NYC

Adrian Grenier took his new beer to the country's media capital, and the debutante received lots of attention.  I particularly admire this piece by Jim Galligan:

Adrian Grenier looked back at me with genuine surprise as he stood behind the bar. I had come to a press event in New York City to taste the fruit of the “Entourage” star’s latest venture, a Pilsner beer named Churchkey. It comes in a funky, old-fashioned flat top can, and I had just asked for a glass. “You want a glass?” he asked, a little befuddled as he searched the back bar for an appropriate vessel.  I’m not sure anyone had asked him for one before.  After all, the novelty of Churchkey is in its retro steel can, so why spoil the fun by pouring the beer out of it?  Because I was there for the beer, not the packaging, and beer is best tasted in a glass.

(The upshot: Galligan gave the beer high marks.  After a assault on Mt. Hipster, he was also startled to discover Grenier sitting at the peak: "I'm a total hipster!")

Meanwhile, The Atlantic's Jordan Weissmann looks at Churchkey's business prospects and, observing that Craft Brewers Alliance grew only .7%, finds it wanting.  (Ouch.)  Nevertheless, having a movie star as the front man is quite useful when you're trying to attract investors.  That last link will also take you to a 20 minute video of a press event if you're really, really interested in Churchkey.

Dept. of It Pays to have Friends in High Places

In a place I rarely find beer news*, Politico today reports on the progress of the Senate and House small brewers caucuses to boost the fortunes of craft breweries. A perfect storm is making small breweries like a huge political winner.  They are sources of jobs and growth in a recession slowly recovering economy and a fat target for a tax cut.  Plus, they're, you know, breweries.

The Democrats from Montana and Colorado, respectively, have been raising a glass to independent craft brewers lately, highlighting the role such companies play in job creation and economic growth — while also calling for legislation that cuts taxes for small businesses.

Politico contacted some of the caucus members to find out what their fave beers are (and got really safe, anodyne answers)--but unfortunately didn't talk to Oregon's Peter DeFazio, who founded the House caucus.  I bet he has some strong opinions about some strong, tasty Oregon beer. 

(FWIW, the idea of giving a tax cut to an industry that has grown in double digits for five years doesn't make a lot of sense--they seem to be doing fine on their own--but hey, who am I to argue?)

No Beer for Fido

Also: don't give your dog beer.  Or not much, anyway.
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*Or any news, for that matter.  Badda boom!  (Sorry, political geek humor.)