Leinie’s Summer Shandy, the first shandy-style brew in the United States, experienced an impressive 80 percent growth in 2011. When autumn rolled around, many Shandy fanatics stocked up on as much as they could for the off-season. Since then, Leinie fans have anxiously awaited its return.

“Summer Shandy has captured the imagination of fans who want a refreshing light-bodied beer – the ultimate combination of craft beer and refreshment,” said Jake Leinenkugel, fifth generation brewer and president of the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. “We’re excited to celebrate this leap year by giving our fans an early taste of summer.”

The “shandy” (which is short for “shandygaff”) as it’s called in England and Germany, is typically a mixture of beer and soda or lemonade. The drink has been enjoyed across Europe since the 17th century. Another variation of a shandy is the “radler,” which is a German term for cyclist. In September 1922, Franz Xaver Kugler developed the radler, when approximately 13,000 cyclists visited his tavern in Munich. His beer supply started to run out, so he cleverly mixed the remaining beer with lemonade and claimed to have created the blend especially for the cyclists.

Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy features a tangy character with malty undertones of hops. Its tart lemonade flavor complements spicy and robust grilling dishes, and its subtle hoppiness creates the perfect balance for salads.

Summer Shandy will be available where Leinenkugel’s is sold in 12-pack 12-oz. cans, 6 and 12-pack bottles and on draft. Summer Shandy retails for approximately $6.99 to $7.99 a 6-pack.

The Fort Collins Coloradoan reported last November that New Belgium was considering four potential East Coast locations.

“Philadelphia is a great beer town, it has a great beer culture. People there are savvy about beer. We also think we could also learn from Philly,” Simpson told the Philadelphia Business Journal. He said Asheville, a foothills city in far western North Carolina, is also being considered.

Last month, Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. of Chico, CA, said it picked Mills River, NC, (12 miles north of Asheville) for its East Coast brewery, where it will produce 300,000 barrels a year.

New Belgium, which is sold in 28 states but has limited availability on the East Coast, started by looking at “dozens” of areas before narrowing the list to 10 and then two, Simpson said. It is looking for a site to build from the ground up.

News reports from North Carolina and Colorado have indicated that a decision was imminent, but Simpson said the decision might not be made before June.

New Belgium is nearing capacity at its Fort Collins brewing operation, where it produces 700,000 barrels a year (with capacity for 900,000).

New Belgium was founded in 1991 by a basement brewer, Jeff Lebesch, who returned to Fort Collins after an epic mountain bike trip throughout Europe, where he sampled local brews. His wife Kim Jordan is now the company’s CEO.

“This is a hobby. We’re not talking about skirting regulation,” said Steve Wall, who spoke on behalf of the Wisconsin Home Brewers Alliance.

The bill was introduced after the state’s Department of Revenue determined in 2011 that current law prohibits brewers from transporting a homemade beverage outside their residences. It suddenly made the normal practice of local brew tasting events and competitions illegal, despite taking place for several years.

The bill would allow brewers to transport their homemade beer and wine, and allow them to make it outside their home. It would also exempt them from permit requirements and taxes. They’re limited in how much they can brew every year, which would be 100 gallons for one person in a household or 200 gallons for two people in a household. As with current law, brewers cannot sell any beverage they make.

But representatives with the Wisconsin Beer Distributors Association and the Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute argued against the bill, saying it would work outside state regulation that controls alcohol sales. They expressed concern with home brewers making alcohol outside the home, and said there’s no way to track if a home brewer makes more than they’re legally allowed.

Institute spokesman Mike Wittenwyler said the bill’s language is too relaxed, and could allow indirect compensation for brewers at tasting events and competitions through creative ticket sales.

“It takes these activities and sets them out of regulation,” he said. “They may have good intentions, but not everyone does.”

A representative with the Department of Revenue remained neutral on the bill, but listed several points the agency had interpreted with the bill. That included that the bill’s language does not specify whether it would comply with local ordinance on distribution hours and who would serve the beer.

Bruce Buerger with the Beer Barons of Milwaukee spoke in support of the bill, and emphasized that brewers are not interested in compensation. He said brewing is a hobby, and many brewers are just seeking feedback about their creations. He said ultimately, they just want to continue sharing their creations in the same way they’ve been doing for years.

“We are a responsible group of people,” he said. “We don’t want to break any laws.”

Rep. Dean Kaufert, R-Neenah, who helped introduce the bill, said the legislation is common sense and not aimed at illegal business activity.

“I was a little surprised that all of a sudden all these groups were having a problem with it,” he said. “The intent of this is for the little guy to share some beer among friends. I sense the big guys are trying to blow it out of proportion and create scenarios to try to get people riled up. Suddenly, it’s become David vs. Goliath.”

Kaufert said no one spoke against the bill last week when a Senate committee unanimously voted in support of it. But he said he’s willing to take another look at the bill’s language.

“If there are reasonable actions needed to take care of some of their fears, I’m willing to look at them,” he said.

Williams worked for Greenpeace in the late 1980s and early 90s before moving to Boulder in 1991, according to Brewers Association director Paul Gatza, who worked with Williams at Greenpeace and was his best friend and neighbor. Williams began homebrewing in 1992 and started volunteering at the GABF in the mid-1990s. He served various functions for the BA as a volunteer steward, block captain, and contract cooler manager for the GABF competition; beer service team lead for the CBC; and also helped with calling campaigns for the BA professional division.

Williams, who was divorced, has two grown children from a previous marriage, Josh and Chasity, and an eight-year-old son, Fletcher.

Per Williams’ request, a memorial service was not held; instead, he had requested that friends and family gather for a party. An event with a beer garden, pizza buffet, and silent auction to raise funds for his estate took place at Backcountry Pizza and Taphouse in Boulder on February 11. In addition, proceeds from Avery Brewing’s Boulder Strong Ale Festival held March 9-10 benefited Williams’ family.

“My dad has always been one of my best friends and it makes me so happy to know that he had so many people who loved and cared about him,” Josh Williams wrote in an email to Danny’s friends after his passing. “I know that I will not be the only person who will miss him dearly.” — Jill Redding

[A PayPal account has been set up to assist Williams’ family at bit.ly/AElZHW.]

The recipe for Racer X™ was originally created over 10 years ago by our Brew Master/Owner, Richard “Ricardo” G. Norgrove, and has been released in kegs annually with limited availability nationwide… until now!

Like our other packages, the Racer X™ artwork is the hand drawn creation of our Brew Master, Ricardo, and offers subtle hints towards his inspirations… do you see the “5″?

Join the brew crew at the pub on Friday, February 10th from 11:30am-1:30pm for this special release and have your bottle signed by Ricardo (Artist, Brew Master, Owner, Driver, COO… we could go on… ).

Racer X™ 22oz bottles will be available exclusively at Bear Republic Brewing Company’s Pub & Restaurant in Healdsburg, CA on February 10-14th. If you miss it at the pub, look for Racer X™ 22oz limited release bottles throughout Sonoma County and the San Francisco Bay Area.

With a nod to community-supported agriculture, Dig’s label, name and local promotions will focus on sustainable farming.  Keep an eye on New Belgium’s Facebook page and your local Ranger Facebook page to learn more about agriculture-focused events and organizations in your neck of the woods.

“Dig celebrates the medley of ingredients and hard work necessary to yield the beer and food we love,” said New Belgium brewer Grady Hull.  “With Dig in hand, we’d like to toast the farmers and land which make what we do possible.”

To find Dig and other New Belgium beers in your area, you can use the New Belgium Libation Location tool:http://www.newbelgium.com/beer.aspx. You can also follow New Belgium on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/newbelgium.

The name Chainbreaker White I.P.A. was inspired in part by a legendary mountain bike race in Central Oregon called the Cascade Chainbreaker. The challenging race features a demanding course with multiple terrains, just as this beer challenges the palate to expand with a fusion of wheat and spice low notes alongside significant hop highs. Sweet orange peel and coriander round out the flavor profile for a refreshing ride.

First introduced at the Deschutes Brewery Bend and Portland pubs, as well as appearing at various special events, Chainbreaker White IPA was so well-received that the team decided to take it to the next level and make it part of the brewery’s year-round line up.

Vital stats:  5.6 % ABV; 60 IBUs

Chainbreaker White I.P.A. will be available in six-packs and twelve-packs in Oregon, Washington, Idaho starting in late March 2012. The beer will continue to roll out to additional states in the brewery’s distribution network later in 2012.

Cocoa Molé combines chocolate, cinnamon and plentiful ancho, guajillo and chipotle chilies for a sweet and spicy burst of flavor.  Brewed with pale, caramel-80, chocolate, dark chocolate malts and a healthy dash of chocolate rye, Cocoa Molé presents midnight dark with a subtle reddish hue, lifting a pillowy, burnished head. It starts on the tongue with a swirl of chocolate malt that dissolves into the warm embers of a peppery heat. Alcohol by volume is nine percent and it will be available on draft and in 22-ounce bombers.

“This first round of Lips of Faith offers spice, heat and a touch of sweet,” said New Belgium brewer Grady Hull.  “It’s a bold one-two punch to start the 2012 Lips of Faith series off right.”

Beire de Mars and Cocoa Molé are available now through April in select markets while supplies last.  Pricing varies by market.