Beer News 9/11

Remember those who died and who sacrificed themselves on 9/11.

Do you have beer news?  E-mail us at midwest beer [at] gmail.com so we can pass the word!

So, Boulevard Beer is getting a new CEO?  Yes, it's not new news.  But just in case you haven't heard, John McDonald is stepping down as CEO and will be replaced by Mike Magoulas, formerly of Miller Coors.  McDonald will remain president and says that he will have more time to spend in the brewery, which isn't bad news.  Of course, when Magoulas was named CEO, the jokes started to flow ("So how do you know when a Boulevard is ready to drink?  When the smokestack turns blue!"), but that's unfair as another Kansas City blogger pointed out in an outstanding mock interview.

Holy crap it's Sour Beer Week!  Well, at least it is at the Kansas City Flying Saucer.  Yesterday, sad to say, was Jolly Pumpkin day, with six different releases on tap.  Oh my it was delicious.  Tonight, they have a couple Berliner Weisses to release, and later this week, the Saucer will have brett night (Thursday).  Other sour beers will be released on Wednesday and Friday, so get down there and drink damn good beer.

Anyone flying to Atlanta?  It's not local, but if you're flying to Atlanta, a Belgian beer cafe is opening in the Atlanta airport. 

Boulevard is trying to take over Wichita.  If you're in Wichita and you've not tried the 80 acre hoppy wheat or Bob's 47, you're in luck.  Free tastings are scheduled this week and weekend!  Check out RJ's on Saturday, or check out craftbeer.com's calendar for more locations and opportunities.

Do you have a favorite bar or beer store and you wish that you knew what they have have available?  Encourage them to use BeerMenus.com. 

Schlafly Pumpkin beer is all over the Kansas City metro area, as is Southern Tier Pumking and O'Fallon's Pumpkin.  Ugly Joe's, Riot Room, Grinder's, The Foundry, Granfalloon, Waldo Pizza, the Saucer, and others have the pumpkin beers.  Check them out!  I have had several debates over which one is the best of the three.  What do you think?  Of course, they are all terrific beers, so choosing a favorite can be hard to do.

Craft brewers are doing great overall in 2012, with dollar sales up 14%, according to the Brewer's Association.  I think I have contributed to about 10 of that 14% growth.  Do you part!