Apparently what the beer drinking industry has really been holding out for are… trashy “celebs.” First comes the news that Jessica Simpson is the new face - and part owner - of Stampede Beer. Now, Brew Ha-Ha has learned that Drinks Americas Holdings Ltd. is collaborating with rock star Kid Rock to develop and market a domestic beer.

J. Patrick Kenny, CEO for Drinks Americas, said about the partnership:

Kid Rock is a reflection of great American rock and roll music and the American spirit, and we think we can create a beer in that same image. Having Kid Rock as a Drinks Americas partner is an exciting and big addition to our portfolio of icon brands. There is no question in our mind that people will try a beer that Kid Rock will stand by and when they like it, a great and incredibly valuable trademark will be created with his support.

And um, that’s about it. Really. There’s no product yet. No brewery has been selected. Just a big marketing announcement. Are you as excited as I am? (please read with proper amount of sarcasm)

For those of you who haven’t been subjected to Kid Rock and his antics, here’s the quick skinny: Kid’s real name is Robert James Ritchie and he’s a few years shy of 40. He became popular about 10 years ago when he released the oh-so-cleverly titled Devil Without a Cause; it was his most successful album. Kid is mostly known for his off stage behavior including his strange relationship with former Playmate Pamela Anderson. He’s been arrested and cited for various criminal behaviors, usually assault related, including a fight at the MTV awards over Pamela Anderson with her ex, Tommy Lee.

In short, clearly a beer culture icon, no?

The award winning ‘Skull Splitter’ may be pulled from shelves in the UK amid claims that the branding is too “aggressive.” The Viking-branded bottles have too aggressive a theme, according to some consumers and a report commissioned by the Portman Group, an alcohol watchdog group.

The beer has been brewed by the Orkney Brewer for two decades and is named after Thorfinn ‘Skullsplitter’ Einarsson, the seventh Viking Earl of Orkney (947-977).

There is no word yet on an appeal.

Anheuser-Busch desperately wants to be American, despite the fact that it’s now Belgian owned (gosh, that’s weird to say).

I’m sure that you know what I’m talking about - the overtly American-themed commercials, the red, white and blue branding and the use of the word “American” in everything. Now, A-B has introduced Budweiser American Ale, which went on draught this week. It will debut in retail stores on September 29.

According to A-B, the American Ale is a craft brew (don’t get me started on the overuse of that term) and is all-malt, top-fermented ale. It’s dry hopped with Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest.

A-B plans to promote the new brew like crazy in television, print, outdoors and on the internet.

We have winners! The winners in our contest, as determined by our random number integer generator are:

Colin (Chimay)
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Frank (Victory)
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Mr. Plane (Kronenberg)
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Congrats to all of our winners! We’ll be in touch!

When is a name just a name? A Mexican brewery has recently introduced a new beer named after the “patron saint” of drug traffickers in that country. The brewery claims that it’s simply piggy-backing on a trend but critics have blasted the move as glamorizing and promoting gang lifestyles.

The beer, Malverde Beer, is named after Jesus Malverde. Malverde is a bit of legend, as details of his life have not been confirmed. What is generally agreed upon is that he was a bandito who stole from the rich and gave the money to the poor in Mexico. He has since been revered by drug dealers and gangs - as well as the general populace - all over Mexico. His name, literally translated, is “evil green” which is evocative of marijuana.

Over the years, Malverde’s legend has grown. Shrines have been erected in his honor, including a public shrine in Mexico City. One source claims that in Bakersfield, California, 80% of Mexican nationals involved in the drug trade possess at least one likeness of Jesus Malverde on a prayer card, candle or statue.

The brewery, Minerva Brewery, in Guadalajara, defends the beer as part of the Mexican culture. The brewery’s manager, Jesus Briseno, says, “We’re just trying to honor a Mexican legend, that’s all.” Briseno was inspired to make the beer after visiting a shrine to Malverde; they intend to donate 1% of the profits to a Malverde chapel. The beer features the slogan:

A hero, a legend, a beer.

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We’re back from vacation - with plenty of beer reviews for you!

But I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that today is the very last day to enter our contest - and it couldn’t be easier to enter. All you have to do is tell us your favorite brew or brewery! C’mon, what are you waiting for?

Apparently Mainers love their beer. Maine ranks near the top when it comes to microbreweries per capita - and brewing is becoming one of the state’s top industries.

Maine was fairly slow to jump on board the microbrew train being one of the few times, perhaps, that the state’s motto, Dirigo (”I lead”) isn’t quite appropriate. The first microbrewery of note didn’t begin producing until 1986 - D.L. Geary Brewing Company of Portland. The company’s first main stream product was Geary’s Pale Ale.

Twenty years later, Portland’s Maine Brewers Guild (nonprofit) is thriving. The company promotes breweries, brewpubs and the beer industry in Maine. They even have their own web site, Drink Maine Beer.

If you’re not up for traveling the state on a brewery tour (and why not?), you can sample some of Maine’s best beers at the Maine Brewer’s Festival. The Festival is held in Portland during the first weekend of November - I may have to make a trip back up!

Let us know your favorite local microbreweries! Enter this month’s contest! Click here to find out how to win!

(c) Brew Ha-Ha, 2008

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beer, brewery, Maine, D.L. Geary Brewing Company, Maine Brewing Guild

Well, sort of. We’re on vacation from our home in Philly… but not from beer!

Thankfully, folks in the state of Maine have the good sense to sell beer and wine in grocery stores (much like my home state of North Carolina) which means that we were able to pick up all of our shopping for the week at Food City (the local grocery) - including some brews. “On tap” at our lakeside cabin this week are some Maine-brewed beers. We’re giving Shipyard Brewing Company a try (the bottles say “hand brewed and bottled” in Portland) and Gritty’s (also brewed and bottled in Portland).

We’ll let you know what we think of these Maine breweries…

In the meantime, let us know what you think of your favorite breweries - and win some cool beer merchandise. Enter this month’s contest. Click here to find out how to win!

(c) Brew Ha-Ha, 2008

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beer, brewery

The most recent face of beer is, in fact, Jessica Simpson. The blonde singer/actress is not the spokeswoman for Stampede Light Plus, brewed by Stampede Brewing Co of Dallas, Texas (I’ll warn you before you click - the theme song is really annoying).

According to the Dallas Morning News, Simpson will appear in ads for the beer. Reportedly, she has also secured 15% of the brewery - no further details are available yet. Simpson has said that she is “always looking for ways to diversify my portfolio with good ideas and good people.” That portfolio expanded to include a new perfume, Simpson’s “Fancy”, and beer as of this month.

I’m guessing that Stampede is trying to capitalize on Simpson’s new “country girl” image with the campaign - we’ll see how that works out for them. You can read what Beer Advocate had to say about it here.

Technorati Tags:
beer, Jessica Simpson, Stampede Brewing

Schlitz Beer, It Made a City Famous

It was “the beer that made Milwaukee famous.”

And it’s back.

Pabst Brewing Co. began rolling out its original formula Schlitz beer on draft in several Midwest cities in mid-June. It will hit bars in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Milwaukee and Chicago in the next few weeks.

Schlitz beer was, at one time, one of the most popular beers in America. The Schlitz brewery was founded by Joseph Schlitz, a German immigrant to Milwaukee, in 1850. After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Schlitz donated thousands of barrels of beer to Chicago, which had lost most of its breweries. The brewery then expanded to Chicago and substantially increased distribution.

By the 1970s, the brewery was the second largest brewery in America (you can hear their claims as to demand in the commercial below) - but it didn’t last long. A decade later, the company was on life support and was finally acquired by Stroh Brewery Company. In just a few years, under the Pabst Brewing Company umbrella, Schlitz had all but disappeared, distributed in cars and bottles in limited areas.

Until now.

The original formula Schlitz is making a comeback - on draft!

You can check out the brewery’s take on the reintroduction here.

Before you rush off to grab yourself a Gusto, you have to watch this old commercial featuring Lionel Richie, his hair and the Commodores:

Ahh, nostalgia (not to mention that, in that ad, Lionel’s hair is as large as daughter Nicole’s entire body).

Psst, if Schlitz isn’t your favorite beer, let us know what is… Leave your comments on this prior post to win some great beer merch.

(Image: AllPosters.com)