Author: ryan

Ryan Anderson (that's me!) is the editor & founder of MNBeer. Much has changed since the fall of 2005 and I'm proud to have been a part of it all. Sometime I'll tell you about my grand theory that links craft brewing to punk rock. Just ask.

Cold Spring Discontinues Gluek, Cold Spring Craft

By on August 4, 2010in breweries

Earlier today, WJON reported that Cold Spring will discontinue the Gluek brand as well as it’s Cold Spring line of craft beers. Cold Spring’s Doug Degeest said that the move to discontinue Gluek came because the company couldn’t keep up with production. The Cold Spring craft beers, on the other hand, are being discontinued because they weren’t meeting sales goals.

Gluek dates back to 1857 when Gottlieb Gluek launched the launched the Mississippi Brewing Company in Minneapolis. The brand survived prohibition, an acquisition by G Heilman in the 60s and fell under the wing of Cold Spring in the 90s. Cold Spring retains the Gluek brand trademark, so you never know if Gluek willl reappear again someday.

Craft Beer Sales Strong (Duh)

By on August 3, 2010in general beer

Duh.

I’m sure some of you have heard that the Brewer’s Association announced yesterday that craft beer “dollar sales were up 12 percent in the first half of 2010, compared to 9 percent growth during the same period in 2009.” I can’t say I’m surprised, though being involved with MNBeer & craft beer on a local level for 5+ years (and drinking it for much longer…) has allowed me to watch the enthusiasm grow exponentially both within our market and beyond.

Six years ago, I never would have thought that so many people that I know would have enjoyed malt- and hop-forward beers. “I tried this new beer, a dark beer… Ever heard of Amber Bock, Ryan?” seemed to be more of the sentiment. Now I’m not surprised when a friend can tell me that her mom loves Furious and another friend replaces his Budweiser with Lift Bridge’s Farm Girl. Pretty cool.

Go craft beer, go!