Jeff Alworth

Sorry, this gets into the political weeds. The U.S. only has two political parties, but of course many factions. One is a pro-regime faction within the Republican Party that slavishly supports Trump (MAGA). The rest of the party is a little less enthusiastic.

(I’m not sure how the pollster identified “independents” in the poll, but voters self-identifying as independent, irrespective of their registration, is the largest bloc and over a third of the population.)

To my international friends who wonder what’s happening in the U.S., a recent poll: 98% of MAGA Republicans approve of Trump (63% of non-MAGA Republicans do). Astoundingly, 72% of independents *disapprove* of Trump.

Fantastic! I will say that you might have chosen a more lovely time of year, though if you’re into the drinking mood rain and charcoal skies create, you’re in luck.

You probably know the bigger names, but I would really prioritize Lucky Envelope if you get to Ballard. I don’t know why it’s not regularly cited among the top few Seattle breweries (admittedly, there are a lot of them), but it should be.

Not really. Ballard remains the most awesomest concentration in the U.S. (Cloudburst has a Ballardish location now, too). Haven’t been to the new Machine House, and it’s neither downtown nor near Ballard, but its Machine House, so might be worth an expedition!

I missed this thread and detail (thanks for the link, @agoodbeerblog.bsky.social), and wow. In case anyone thought Tilray was playing ten-dimensional chess, I think the answer is “no” (re: James’ fina sentence).

Man, That Was Weird — Beervana In the final post celebrating this blog’s 20th anniversary, I revel in the weirdest stories, happenings, and trends of the past two decades. There were a lot of them!

In the final post celebrating this blog’s 20th anniversary, I revel in the weirdest stories, happenings, and trends of the past two decades. There were a lot of them!

Memories of mole dance in my mind.

Man, That Was Weird — Beervana In the final post celebrating this blog’s 20th anniversary, I revel in the weirdest stories, happenings, and trends of the past two decades. There were a lot of them!

In the final post celebrating this blog’s 20th anniversary, I revel in the weirdest stories, happenings, and trends of the past two decades. There were a lot of them!

Everyone loves the phrase “creative destruction” until the destroying actually begins.

Rogue’s inventory is still incredibly cheap—in many cases with no bids yet. If you want to start a brewery, capital costs are crazy low right now. Auctions at liquidation are good times to buy.

Currently on auction, Rogue’s little brewhouse, $2600.

I mean, I don’t know. These prices are *crazy* cheap. Without looking at the debt and distro, we’re talking about at least three continents here, I wouldn’t presume to say I know. But man that’s a cheap price.

Not a part of the deal, sadly. I would have enjoyed the ironies of all that.

Ah, a pity. The ironies were so rich.

Okay, one more. Do you recall that Stone built a massive brewery in Berlin a decade ago? When it failed, BrewDog took it over. I’m pretty sure it’s part of the Tilray deal. The cost of that single brewery/pub? $29 mil. Wonder how they’re feeling in Escondido today?

When I posted this news yesterday, I left out another important piece of context. BrewDog’s “Equity for Punks” crowd-source campaign raised £75 million pounds (or $100m in today’s dollars) alone. That is 2.5 times the amount Tilray paid *for the entire company.*

Just to give you a sense of things.

YouTube video by Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) The American journey, from German lagers to citra-hopped IPAs

If you missed my talk on American beer culture last week, here’s the video. We discussed how German immigrants turned the U.S. into a beer country, and then how during the craft era Americans invented a new way of thinking about and brewing hoppy ales.

I live in Oregon, with three of Tilray’s breweries, and they are still here. Beyond that, I can’t say.

Tilray Acquires BrewDog for Pocket Change — Beervana BrewDog has been sold, and for the astounding, low, low price of $40 million. Once again, Tilray was the buyer. Increasingly beer industry’s buyer of last resort, the erstwhile cannabis company now ow...

BrewDog has been sold, and for the astounding, low, low price of $40 million. Once again, Tilray was the buyer. Increasingly the beer industry’s buyer of last resort, the erstwhile cannabis company now owns 15 breweries, most bought on the cheap.

YouTube video by Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) The American journey, from German lagers to citra-hopped IPAs

If you missed my talk on American beer culture last week, here’s the video. We discussed how German immigrants turned the U.S. into a beer country, and then how during the craft era Americans invented a new way of thinking about and brewing hoppy ales.

I wouldn’t expect that. BrewDog had way more infrastructure than Redhook, and far wider distribution.

Tilray Acquires BrewDog for Pocket Change — Beervana BrewDog has been sold, and for the astounding, low, low price of $40 million. Once again, Tilray was the buyer. Increasingly beer industry’s buyer of last resort, the erstwhile cannabis company now ow...

BrewDog has been sold, and for the astounding, low, low price of $40 million. Once again, Tilray was the buyer. Increasingly the beer industry’s buyer of last resort, the erstwhile cannabis company now owns 15 breweries, most bought on the cheap.

Tilray Brands close to deal for BrewDog assets - Just Drinks Tilray Brands, the US brewer and cannabis group, is nearing a deal to buy parts of UK beer business BrewDog, Just Drinks understands.

What the actual fuck? $40 million?? I will say this: when Tilray goes to a fire sale, they never take more than a pocketful of spare change.

Politics—in this case foreign policy—for those who find such things interesting.

Only a third of Americans thought bombing Iran was justified. (YouGov poll, today)

The beer cultures of the East and West coast are often surprisingly different!

I’ve personally never known any brewery where it wasn’t the brewer’s project. Though I think if you could figure out how to keep the glitter from settling you’d have a potential commercial hit.