Two weeks until Christmas, you know what that means. Beer gifts for beer lovers and heavy consumption of Christmas ale.
But beware of what you buy, especially with beer because it could be illegal (if it's Heady Topper). And besides the craft boom, beer in Florida has taken an interesting twist this Christmas at the state capitol. Read about it in This Week in Beer News.
See Also: This Week in Beer News: Hindenburg Beer, France Gets Crafty, and 80 Years Since Prohibition Ended
Woman Gets Arrested For Selling Rare Heady Topper on Craigslist
Stephanie Hoffman, 28, Burlington, Vermont was arrested last week after she was busted by undercover cops who purchased five cases of Heady Topper beer from Hoffman on Craigslist. Heady Topper is brewed by Alchemist Brewery in Waterbury and it's only delivered within 25 miles of the brewery. The beer is so rare that people are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for a case. Hoffman was charged with selling alcohol without a liquor license and faces a $1,000 fine and a year in jail.
Fox News Can't Tell the Difference Between An Ale and Lager
Fox News released a list of their "Top 10 winter beers" for National Lager Day, however none of them are lagers. They list Full Sail Wassail Ale, Widmer Brothers Ginger Barrel-Aged Brrrbom '13, 21st Amendment Brewery Fireside Chat, Ommegang Abbey Ale, North Coast Brewing PranQster, Affligem Noel Christmas Ale, Stone Brewing Suede Imperial Porter, No-Li Brewhouse Winter Warmer, Deschutes Jubeale, Unibroue Quelque Chose--none of which are lagers. Does Fox News need a craft beer expert?
Beer Sales Declined Slightly
According to data provided by Beer Marketer's Insights, beer sales have declined 2.3 percent between 2007 and 2012. This is a bit perplexing given the current trend in craft beer. Also, American sales of nine major brands have dropped 25 percent in the last five years, including Michelob Ultra, whose sales fell almost 70 percent (yay!).
Man Drinks Contaminated Beer, Almost Dies
John Macdonald, 60, from Brisbane, Australia dropped his beer in a river last year while on a fishing trip. But instead of throwing it away, he picked it out of the water and continued to drink it. He woke up the next day with a giant hernia-like mass on his belly and went to the hospital. Doctors aren't sure what he caught, but he almost died. Several months and surgeries later, Macdonald is doing just fine.
Pabst Beer Can Festivus Pole Erected at Florida State Capitol
Instead of the traditional Christmas nativity scene or crucifix decorated with lights, the public in the Florida state capitol building will now be graced with a pole made of Pabst beer cans to celebrate Festivus--a fake, secular holiday. Deerfield Beach resident Chaz Stevens got the state to accept his decoration to make a point about the separation of church and state. Cheers to all who celebrate Festivus, Christmas and, of course, beer!
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