From: Peter LaFrance [peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2002 7:01 PM
To: Peter M LaFrance
Subject: HotTrub@BeerBasics Vol. 003 No.004
HOT TRUB@BEER
BASICS.COM
Vol. 03
No. 04 --- 31 January 2002
A
newsletter of special interest to brewers,
members of
the brewing community, chefs, restaurateurs,
and
members of the media that cover the beverage alcohol business.
If
you wish to be dropped from this list please respond to this posting to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
include the word “remove” in the Subject: line.
(The subscriber
list is the sole property of the publisher and will not be sold, given or
otherwise distributed.)
===========================================
Editor: Claire
Zuckerman
==================================================
=================================
LATEST NEWS:
=================================
NEXT WEEK SPECIAL REPORT:
Beer Dinner: Jacob Wirth as part of the Boston Cooks 2002
=================================
NEW PRODUCTS:
Wife and Husband Brew Belgian Cult
Classic
Barflies Take The Black Watch Challenge
Mactarnahan’s Introduces The
All-Occasion Gift Box
New Look for “Rock Light”
=================================
PROMOTIONS - EVENTS – DINNERS:
(All are invited to send events to be included: date,
event name, brief description, contact name & phone/web address.)
=================================
I invite your comments and criticism.
Cheers!
Peter LaFrance
Publisher
Published
by: Peter LaFrance peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com
Journalist,
covering the beverage alcohol industry since 1985.
Author
of:
Beer
Basics (ISBN 0-471-11936-9)
Cooking
& Eating with Beer (ISBN 0-471-31879-5)
visit www.beerbasics.com
===================================
The Associated Press reporter Emma Ross files the following
from London, UK.
“A new study indicates that daily moderate consumption of
alcohol may help
ward off Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.”
“The study, published this week in The Lancet medical
journal, also found that
it doesn't seem to matter what people drink - the effect is
the same. “
``For people who drink moderately, this is another
indication that they are not
doing any harm. And for those who don't, if they don't simply out of health
concerns, they might want to rethink that position,'' said Meir Stampfer,
professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health,
who was not involved in the study.
“Scientists at Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the
Netherlands, conducted
a six-year study of 5,395 people aged 55 and over who did
not have signs of dementia. “
“The researchers checked whether participants' drinking
habits had changed
over the preceding five years or whether they had engaged in
binge drinking - more than six drinks in one day.”
“Everyone was categorized according to how much they drank.
Four or more
glasses of alcohol per day were considered heavy drinking.”
“Calculating all the figures for each type of alcohol
separately, and comparing
wine to other types of alcohol, yielded the same results. “
``This red wine thing is a myth. The evidence for it is
meager,'' said Stampfer.
``It happens that red wine, in most cultures, is more likely to be consumed in
moderation than spirits or beer, so for that reason it can appear to be specially
protective, but in fact, the type of beverage does not
matter.''
“Another possibility, the study speculated, is that low
levels of alcohol could
stimulate the release acetylcholine, a brain chemical believed
to facilitate learning and memory.”
The Lancet, http://www.thelancet.com
===================================================================
The Brussels office of Reuters reports that the monks of the monastery of Saint-Remy,
“… A monastery that has brewed one of Belgium's most famous beers for the past 400
years is worried that the spring water used in its ales is in danger of being polluted by
droppings from a nearby poultry farm. Records show that the monastery had a brewery
as far back as 1595, when barley and hops were grown in the grounds.” The monks at
Saint-Remy in Rochefort, southern Belgium, produce the red,
white and green capped Rochefort beers.
They have requested that scientists from Liege University
study the permeability of the
land around the monastery. They are concerned that plans to expand the poultry farm
will lead to pollution of their spring water.
Since plans for the bigger poultry farm were drawn up, the
local government council
has received about 100 complaints from local residents concerned about possible
damage to the environment.
===============================================================
Jessica Wohl, of Reuters reported that on January 30,2002, in New York City,
Philip Morris Cos. Inc. posted fourth-quarter profits up11 percent from 2001 and
announced that its chief financial officer will soon become
its next chief executive officer.
New York-based Philip Morris, whose long list of products
includes Miller beer,
said that CFO Louis Camilleri will become president and CEO in April, following
the company's next shareholder meeting.
It was reported that operating income at Miller Brewing Co.,
which has struggled
for the past several quarters, climbed 30.5 percent to $77 million, boosted in part
by volume gains and higher pricing.
Beverage World reported on Monday on an Associated Press
story that Miller
Brewing Co. “… is reportedly discussing a merger with a pair of United Kingdom-based
breweries and could announce a deal as early as March. “
”The new company would combine Miller, Edinburgh-based Scottish & Newcastle
PLC
and London-based South African Breweries PLC, overtaking Anheuser-Busch to become
the world's largest brewer, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
reported in Sunday's editions. “
Beverage World also reported that, “The Financial Times of
London reported in November
of a possible merger of Miller, Scottish & Newcastle and South African Breweries.
Representatives of all three companies have declined to
comment on the reports.”
“Philip Morris would keep about 20 percent ownership of the
new company, with Scottish & Newcastle
and South African Breweries owning the remainder under the plan, the Journal Sentinel reported,
citing an anonymous source. Such a merger would give Scottish & Newcastle and South African
Breweries a bigger foothold in the United States, said Mark Rodman, who owns Beverage Distribution
Consultants, of Swampscott, Mass. “
Miller, the world's sixth-largest brewer, has a majority of its sales in the
United States, where
it has a 20 percent market share. The company's sales volume declined by 2.7 percent in 2001,
after a 4 percent drop in 2000, but as noted in the first section of this report, operating income
at Miller Brewing Co. climbed 30.5 percent to $77 million,
boosted in part by volume gains and higher pricing.
And… Scottish and Newcastle buys into United
Brewers
(Remember
them?)
In a news item in Hot Trub Vol. 2 No. 31 (August 15, 2001)
it was reported that an investor
from India had cut a deal with Mendocino Brewing Co.
Mendocino Brewing Company announced Monday that it has acquired United Breweries International (UK) Limited,
along with its wholly-owned operating subsidiary
UBSN Ltd. ("UBSN"), in exchange for 5,500,000 shares of Mendocino's
common stock.
UBSN was formed in August of 1989 and is the
sole distributor of Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer
("Kingfisher")
in the U.K., Ireland, Continental Europe, the
United States and Canada.
As a result of the acquisition, Mendocino will have
the exclusive right to brew and distribute Kingfisher
in the United States and Canada. The Kingfisher brand has been sold in the United States, primarily to the
Indian restaurant community since 1988.
Kingfisher is an international brand currently distributed in over 40
countries.
Dr. Vijay Mallya, Mendocino's Chairman and CEO,
stated, "Mendocino has now become international in scope,
with a very strong distribution presence in both the United States and Europe. Also, we have a firm belief that
the winning combination of Red Tail Ale and Kingfisher Premium Lager Beer will enhance our portfolio of brands
and fuel our consumers enthusiasm for Mendocino
Brewing Company and our brands."
Mendocino Brewing Company brews Red Tail Ale,
Blue Heron Pale Ale, and Eye of the Hawk Select Ale,
Black Hawk Stout, and Peregrine Golden Ale.
I then asked:
(Why would a microbrewery in the United States buy a European/British
distributor of beers brewed on the Indian sub-continent for the rights to
sell Kingfisher beers in
the United States?)
ANSWER:
(?)
On January 23, 2002, Reuters correspondent in London, David
Jones, reported that Scottish and Newcastle Plc
had agreed to take a 26% share of United Breweries of India,
those very same brewers of Kingfisher.
He reported
that Scottish and Newcastle purchased 26 percent stake in the “beer business”
of India's
top brewer, which is to be de-merged from the rest of the UB
group, and which makes Kingfisher beer.
The UK
group was one of a number of brewers that were looking at an alliance with UB,
including
Belgium's Interbrew and London-listed South African Breweries Plc, as UB looked for a strategic partner to
bring international brands to India and help the group
market its well-known Kingfisher beer brand abroad.
UB said
that S&N will market its international brands, such as Kronenbourg 1664,
through the
strategic alliance in India while S&N will distribute
Kingfisher globally (including the United States?).
Sitaraman
Shankar, Reuters correspondent in Bombay, India, also reported that morning
that
the price tag was $51.8 million (US) for the shares transaction, and an additional payment of almost
$36 million (US) for a 40% share in a separate deal with United Breweries (UB) group.
United Breweries (UB) controls almost 40 percent of the India beer market and half of India's brewing capacity.
The total market for beer in that part of the world includes India consuming 72 million cases of beer annually.
Next door, is China with per capita consumption at 18
liters/year. You do the math.
Other
brewers like Belgium's Interbrew and
London-listed South African Breweries Plc
had also shown interest in an alliance with UB, sources
said.
======================================================
Associated Press reporter Jim Heintz filed a recent item
from Kabul, Afghanistan:
“The U.S. Embassy didn't suffer any war damage after
diplomats pulled out in 1989,
but the years it stood empty took their toll through sheer
neglect.”
“The embassy staff tries to maximize whatever small joys
come their way, as with
the large stash of 13-year-old beer found when the embassy
reopened. “
``The malt had settled to the bottom, so the first half or
so was good, but after that
it was a sort of 'How low can you go?' experience,'' said embassy spokesman John Kincannon,
``We drank it all.''
======================================================
(Boston, MA…January 25,
2002) The ninth annual presentation of the Burt Miller Classic Citizen Award
will take place at the Anthony Spinazzola Gala Festival of Food & Wine, on Friday, February 1, 2002.
Mary-Catherine Deibel and Deborah Hughes will receive the prestigious award jointly this year
in recognition of their commitment to the Greater Boston culinary community.
Deibel and Hughes will receive a check for $10,000 for their favorite charities,
and a fabulous trip to London compliments of Virgin Atlantic Airways.
The two have named City School and
Community Servings as the recipients of their donation.
The Anthony Spinazzola Foundation (ASF) presents the award annually to a
member of the hospitality industry
who has demonstrated outstanding charitable service to the community and who best
reflects the passion and dedication Anthony Spinazzola exhibited in his pursuit of perfection
in all aspects of food and wine. In 2001, the ASF changed the name of its Spirit Award to
the Burt Miller Classic Citizen Award. ASF felt that it was time to recognize Miller for his
longstanding efforts in the culinary community and his incredible commitment to charities.
The list of past winners includes Andrew Tuchler (Ultimate Parking), Michela Larson (Rialto), and
Patrick Moscaritolo (Greater Boston Convention & Visitors
Bureau).
For more than 20 years, proprietor Mary-Catherine Deibel and executive chef
Deborah Hughes
brought exemplary service and the highest standards of hospitality to Harvard Square with their restaurant,
Up Stairs at the Pudding. Their commitment to sophisticated and personalized service has garnered many awards,
including the Wine Spectator Award for Excellence, Gourmet’s Top Table, and Boston Magazine’s
Best of Boston Hall of Fame award. Deibel and Hughes are looking forward to welcoming guests soon to
a new location with their legendary hospitality. Their many years of dedication to charities within
Cambridge and Boston made them an obvious choice for this year’s Burt Miller Classic Citizen Award.
For more information on Deibel and
Hughes, contact Julie Fox Communications at 617/742-0731.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW
PRODUCTS:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
WIFE AND HUSBAND BREW BELGIAN CULT CLASSIC
(Ruiselede, West Flanders, Belgium) The newest Belgian Ale to hit American
shores is Urthel, a creation of wife and husband team Hildegard and Bas van
Ostaden, owners of Brouwerij de Leyerth. The duo share responsibilities with
Hildegard formulating recipes and brewing the beer, and Bas, an artist and
expert marketer, designing the artwork, packaging, and sales materials.
Currently two Urthel Ales are offered in the United States: Urthel Tonicum
Finiboldhus Amber Ale and Urthel Hibernus Quentum Tripel Ale. Both are
bottle conditioned and unfiltered artisanal ales packaged in unique,
eye-catching three packs and 750 ml bottles. Draft is also available. All
are exclusively imported by Artisanal Imports and will be distributed
nationwide.
Urthel Hibernus Quentum Tripel originally appeared as a winter specialty,
but demand was so great that Hildegard and Bas began producing year-round.
It¹s a strong (9% ABV) beer, slightly cloudy burnished-golden in color with
white, voluminous foam. It has a honey note in the nose, and a spicy,
flowery aroma. Urthel Tripel is full-bodied with a beautiful hop bitterness
in the finish.
CONTACT: Lanny Hoff, VP Sales, (612) 522-3108, email: lhoff@mn.rr.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PORTLAND, OR—January, 2002—Beer lovers at on-premise
accounts throughout the Portland Metro area
are choosing MacTarnahan’s Black Watch Cream Porter over Deschutes’ Black Butte Porter three to one.
The blind tastings—dubbed The Black Watch Challenge—are showing what brewery officials knew all along:
that Black Watch Cream Porter is the best tasting and
smoothest drinking black beer on the market.
“We’re pleased by the results, but not surprised,”
says Portland Brewing Marketing Director Eric Starr.
“We specifically formulated Black Watch to go head to head against Black Butte Porter and Guinness Stout.
We knew this was what beer lovers wanted.”
Conducted for free at establishments that serve Black
Watch Cream Porter, the Challenge lasts two to
three hours and is staffed by Portland Brewing event coordinators. Each participant is given three unmarked
cups of beer: one containing Black Watch Cream Porter, one containing Black Butte Porter and one containing
Guinness Stout. A sole question is posed: Which beer
do you like best?
Launched in January 2001, Black Watch has fast become
one of the brewery’s best-selling beers, second
only to MacTarnahan’s Amber Ale. In September, Black Watch won a Gold Medal for Porters at the
Great American Beer Festival, beating 31 other entries from across the nation—including the reigning champ,
Black Butte Porter. Brewery officials are now
confident that Black Watch is on track to become Oregon’s #1 black beer.
Founded in 1986, Portland Brewing Company
manufactures and bottles premium craft beers for distribution throughout
America.
Portland Brewing’s flagship brand—MacTarnahan’s—is
recognized as the Northwest’s No. 1 Amber Ale. Portland Brewing’s web site can
be viewed at: www.macsbeer.com .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
MACTARNAHAN’S INTRODUCES THE ALL
OCCASION GIFT BOX FOR THE SCOTCH AND
BEER LOVER—THE MACTARNAHAN’S EXPERIENCE
New gift box marks the first time an
American brewery has paired Scotch and beer in one package
PORTLAND, OR—January 4, 2002—Upholding the great
Highland tradition of Scotch with a beer back,
MacTarnahan’s Brewing Company has paired its
world-class, 15-year-old Scotch with two of its award-winning ales.
Christened The MacTarnahan’s Experience, the new gift
box combines a 750ml bottle of The MacTarnahan
Single Malt Scotch with 12oz bottles of MacTarnahan’s Amber Ale and MacTarnahan’s Black Watch Cream Porter.
The MacTarnahan’s Experience is the first gift box of
its kind in America.
“Scotch and beer is a centuries-old tradition in the
world of libations,” says whisky expert Stuart Ramsay.
“Good beer is the perfect companion to fine Scotch. Surprisingly, to my knowledge no other company in
America has offered this classic combination in one
package.”
Since its debut in October 2001, The MacTarnahan’s
Experience has generated strong demand from
distributors nationwide. “As both a microbrewery and a spirits importer, we’re in a unique position to
create the perfect Scotch and beer package,” explains Director of Marketing Eric Starr. “The MacTarnahan’s Experience
is cohesive in terms of taste, quality and branding. It also transcends the typical holiday gift box.
People are buying them for birthdays, graduations,
promotions, retirements and family get-togethers.”
The gift box packaging, in MacTarnahan’s green and
gold, provides a brief history on The MacTarnahan Scotch
and its complementary beers. It also tells the story of 86-year-old Brewery Patriarch and Oregon Sports Hall of Famer
Robert “Mac” MacTarnahan, who’s been instrumental in
developing his namesake beers and Scotch.
Founded in 1986, Portland Brewing Company
manufactures and bottles premium craft beers for distribution throughout
America.
Portland Brewing’s flagship brand—MacTarnahan’s—is recognized as a pioneer in the craft beer industry.
Portland Brewing’s web site can be viewed at: www.macsbeer.com .
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
John Heitkemper/Media Cabin
(503)294-3010
Eric Starr/Portland Brewing Co.
(503)226-7623
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
New look for Rock Light “echoes” recently completed
re-design of the Rolling Rock brand’s packaging.
NORWALK, CONN. (January 28, 2002) – Labatt USA today
announced plans to re-launch its 12-year-old Rolling Rock Light
brand with dramatic new packaging and a return to the name “Rock Light”. The company said the new-look Rock Light will
begin shipping from Latrobe Brewing Company in March.
The Rock
Light re-design echoes the new look for Rolling Rock, but the changes are even
more dramatic with new
graphics for both the bottle and the outer wrap.
The
re-launch will be supported with an advertising and promotional
investment. While the product will
continue to
be available nationally, initial advertising and promotional activities will be concentrated in the Pittsburgh/western Pennsylvania area,
a strong core market for Rolling Rock.
Rock Light
was introduced regionally as Rolling Rock Light in 1989 and distribution was
expanded nationally in 1992.
It was re-launched in 1994 as Rock Light, but returned to
its original name in 1997 as part of a broad re-positioning of the base Rolling
Rock brand.
Based in Norwalk, Connecticut, Labatt USA imports and brews an array of specialty beers in addition to Rolling Rock and Rock Light,
including Labatt Blue, Dos Equis, Stella Artois, and Boddington’s. Labatt USA is a joint venture of Labatt Brewing Company Limited of Toronto, Canada
– which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Interbrew S. A. of Belgium – and of FEMSA Cerveza S.A. de C.V. of Mexico, owner of Cervecería Cuauhtémoc Moctezuma.
Margaret Nathan, Strategic
Communication, Inc.
435.658.2875 or margaret.nathan@strategiccommunication.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
EVENTS: (CLICK TO GO)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#####