Blog Topic: Beer Me

In the Loop: Where to Watch the Presidential Debate (and Drink) in Athens

By Blake Aued | September 26, 2016 12:37pm

The horror... the horror...

You’re probably going to watch the presidential debate tonight. Let’s be honest: No matter where you are on the political spectrum, it’s going to be depressing, and you’re going to need gallons of booze to get through it. Unless you want to end up sobbing on the floor by yourself like Martin Sheen at the beginning of Apocalypse Now, maybe it’s best to go out in public. Here are some options:

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In the Loop: Weekend Events: Black Lives Matter and Local Food Rallies, Terrapin's Hop Harvest

By Blake Aued | September 23, 2016 2:04pm

Photo Credit: Randy Schafer/file

A vigil for Eric Garner and Michael Brown, black men killed by police, December 2014 at the Arch.

The Athens NAACP and Athens for Everyone will have a vigil for the two latest black men shot and killed by police, Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott, tonight starting at 7 p.m. at the Arch.

An Oklahoma officer shot and killed Crutcher, who was unarmed and had his hands raised, after his car broke down in the middle of the road. Scott’s death sparked three days of protests and clashes with police in Charlotte.

Organizers will also be collected signatures on a petition in favor of a local civil rights committee.

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Grub Notes: Atlantans Are Whining About Their Lack of Tropicalia

By Blake Aued | August 27, 2016 2:09pm

A few weeks ago I went to a cookout in Atlanta, and a friend of a friend who works at a package store told me that they sell out of their weekly allotment of Tropicalia within hours, even though they limit purchases to one six-pack per customer.

He wasn't lying. The AJC recently ran an article about the city's shortage of Athens-based Creature Comforts' flagship IPA. Just another reason to be glad you live in Athens.

The article also includes some interesting insights into the limitations on production that small craft breweries face. As international beer conglomerates buy up crafts, they're able to negotiate better deals with hop growers.

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Grub Notes: Ex-Terrapin CEO Buys Asheville Brewery

By Blake Aued | August 19, 2016 11:21am

Just weeks after selling the Athens brewery he founded to an international conglomerate and leaving the company, ex-Terrapin CEO John Cochran has bought an Asheville, NC brewery, according to the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Cochran is taking over Altamont Brewing and changing its name to UpCountry Brewing. The purchase also includes a restaurant Altamont owns called Nona Mia, which will now be UpCountry Eatery.

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In the Loop: Oconee Voters Will Decide on Sunday Alcohol Sales

By Lee Becker | August 5, 2016 11:29am

The Oconee County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday night voted unanimously to put two Sunday sales referendums on the November ballot.

One of those referenda, if approved by a majority of voters, will allow the sale of beer and wine in grocery, convenience and beverage stores in the county on Sundays.

The other will allow for the Sunday sale of beer, wine and alcoholic beverages by the drink in area restaurants.

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In the Loop: Oconee Could Vote on Liquor and Sunday Sales

By Lee Becker | July 21, 2016 3:29pm

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Commission Chairman Melvin Davis.

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis’ efforts to get alcohol referenda on the ballot in November got a slight push-back from two of his Commission colleagues Tuesday night.

Commissioner Jim Luke said the county needed to do more to warn the citizens that the referenda were under consideration by the board, and Commissioner Mark Saxon agreed.

The bigger setback for Davis came from County Attorney Daniel Haygood.

Haygood told the commissioners that getting separate referenda on the November ballot for Sunday sale of beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores and for Sunday sale of beer, wine and alcohol by the drink in restaurants is straightforward, requiring only a majority vote of the Commission.

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Grub Notes: MillerCoors Buys Majority Stake in Terrapin

By Blake Aued | July 20, 2016 4:46pm

Are Terrapin commercials coming soon to a Super Bowl near you?

Beer giant MillerCoors is buying a majority stake in the Athens brewery, the companies announced today. Terms were not disclosed.

Terrapin will become a unit of MillerCoors’ craft and import beer division, Tenth and Blake, the owner of brands like Blue Moon, Leinenkugel, St. Archer and Pilsner Urquell.

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Grub Notes: Creature Comforts Releases 'Southern Lager' Mutualism

By Blake Aued | July 14, 2016 3:50pm

Creature Comforts is releasing a “Southern-style farmhouse lager” called Mutalism, a collaboration with Austin, TX-based Jester King Brewery.

The limited-edition beer is available in 750-milliliter bottles at the brewery only starting today.

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Grub Notes: Creature Comforts Automatic Can Release Party in Normaltown Thursday

By Hillary Brown | June 15, 2016 2:15pm

Photo Credit: Photo via Facebook

Unhappy with the canned choices Creature Comforts regularly presents? Well, boo on you. You should be more grateful. But the local brewery wants to make you happy, so it's throwing a party all over Normaltown tomorrow (Thursday, June 16) to celebrate its release ofAutomatic, a seasonal pale ale that's a bit hoppier than its usual offerings.

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In the Loop: Creature Comforts Raised $65,000 for Local Nonprofits

By Blake Aued | June 13, 2016 3:48pm

Creature Comforts’ “Get Comfortable” campaign raised more than $65,000 for local nonprofits, the brewery announced last week.

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