Weyerbacher Slam Dunkel

Slam Dunkel poured a cloudy brown color with a pen width off white head. The aroma is really pleasant, malty with light notes of chocolate. The aroma of alcohol is also noticeable. The body is smooth, malty, with fruit (figs? raisins?), some sweetness and a wheat taste underneath. The finish is short, with a light dryness. Overall this is a very tasty, enjoyable beer. The body is complex, with good depth and a thicker mouthfeel. The finish is nice but may be slightly overwhelmed by the flavors up front.

Top 50 Craft Breweries By Volume

The Brewers Association just released their annual list of the top 50 craft brewing companies by volume. Sam Adams keeps their spot at the top from last year.

Top 50 Craft Brewing Companies by Beer Sales Volume (Based on 2008 sales)

Rank - Brewing Company - City - State

1. Boston Beer Co. Boston, MA
2. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. Chico, CA
3. New Belgium Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO
4. Spoetzl Brewery Shiner, TX
5. Pyramid Breweries Inc. Seattle, WA
6. Deschutes Brewery Bend, OR
7. Matt Brewing Co. Utica, NY
8. Boulevard Brewing Co. Kansas City, MO
9. Full Sail Brewing Co. Hood River, OR
10. Magic Hat Brewing Co. Burlington, VT
11. Alaskan Brewing Co. Juneau, AK
12. Harpoon Brewery Boston, MA
13. Bell's Brewery, Inc. Galesburg, MI
14. Kona Brewing Co. Kailua-Kona, HI
15. Anchor Brewing Co. San Francisco, CA

16. Shipyard Brewing Co. Portland, ME
17. Summit Brewing Co. Saint Paul, MN
18. Stone Brewing Co. Escondido, CA
19. Abita Brewing Co. Abita Springs, LA
20. The Brooklyn Brewery Brooklyn, NY
21. New Glarus Brewing Co. New Glarus, WI
22. Dogfish Head Craft Brewery Milton, DE
23. Long Trail Brewing Co. Bridgewater Corners, VT
24. Gordon Biersch Brewing Co. San Jose, CA
25. Rogue Ales/Oregon Brewing Co. Newport, OR
26. Great Lakes Brewing Co. Cleveland, OH
27. The Lagunitas Brewing Co. Petaluma, CA
28. Firestone Walker Brewing Co. Paso Robles, CA
29. SweetWater Brewing Co. Atlanta, GA
30. Flying Dog Brewing Co. Frederick, MD
31. BJ's Restaurant & Brewery Huntington Beach, CA
32. Rock Bottom Brewery Restaurants Louisville, CO
33. BridgePort Brewing Co. Portland, OR
34. Odell Brewing Co. Fort Collins, CO
35. Victory Brewing Co. Downingtown, PA
36. Mac and Jack's Brewery Redmond, WA
37. Big Sky Brewing Co. Missoula, MT
38. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurants Chattanooga, TN
39. Karl Strauss Brewing Co. San Diego, CA
40. Breckenridge Brewery Denver, CO
41. Lost Coast Brewery and Cafe Eureka, CA

42. Otter Creek Brewing Co. Middlebury, VT
43. Utah Brewers Cooperative Salt Lake City, UT
44. North Coast Brewing Co. Fort Bragg, CA
45. Blue Point Brewing Co. Patchogue, NY
46. Boulder Beer Co. Boulder, CO
47. Pete's Brewing Co. San Antonio, TX
48. McMenamins Breweries Portland. OR
49. Anderson Valley Brewing Co. Boonville, CA
50. The Saint Louis Brewery, Inc. St Louis, MO

The Beer Authority Comes to Seattle!

I just got this press release on a great new beer stor opening in Seattle. Here it is.

Lake City welcomes The Beer Authority, Seattle's newest beer shop

Local retailer brings the worlds' beer to northeast Seattle.

Seattle, March 30. "You've Been Good, Have A Beer!" written on the front windows of Seattle's newest bottle shop is a thought many people will appreciate. Considering The Beer Authority's vast bottle inventory from breweries around the world, one might think about being good more often.

Their motto is "All Things Beer Sold Here", and they don't disappoint. Along with a wide selection of beers in coolers lining two walls, the store offers kegs to go, glassware, brewery apparel, locally produced beer "munchies" and a healthy selection of wine. Tap rentals, an engraving service and gift baskets are on the way. Beer tastings are held each weekday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. and from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday, each night featuring a different beer from their inventories.

"Browsing the store is easy, and every bottle of beer is individually priced," Said owner and operator Barry Adams. "We have empty six pack holders and encourage shoppers to 'mix and match'." The proprietors, Seattle pub veterans Barry and Shellane Adams, encourage special orders and relish the challenge of finding obscure beers for their customers.

The Beer Authority will be hosting its Grand Opening on April 18th and 19th. Prices across the store will be slashed so if you're looking for that elusive or expensive beer, make sure to attend. Beer tastings with brewers and industry experts will be available the entire weekend so bring your I.D. because you must be 21 years or older to sample.

Located at 12716 Lake City Way NE, Suite A, The Beer Authority is open from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m. weeknights, from noon until 6 p.m. on Saturday and from noon until 5 p.m. on Sunday. Their website can be found at www.seattlebeerauthority.com.

ABOUT THE BEER AUTHORITY
Owned and operated by Washington natives Barry and Shellane Adams, The Beer Authority LLC is a Specialty Beer Shop located at 12716 Lake City Way NE, Suite A, Seattle WA 98125. The Beer Authority's core business is retail sales of bottled beer. Auxiliary sales include wine, kegs to go, apparel, glassware and locally produced food. Further information is available by contacting Barry Adams at 206.354.7225, or by visiting http://www.seattlebeerauthority.com.

INDUSTRY CONTACTS

Mike Bake, Pacific Beverage 206.290.5157
Allison Stein, Click Wholesale Distributing 425.681.0451
Burc McFarlane, Odom Corporation 206.930.2545

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