A classroom made from more than 1,000 beer bottles, old tyres and plastic sheeting is being constructed by architecture students at a school in India.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/03/students-build-beer-bottle-classroom/

Idaho’s having a wine time

The state’s scrappy wine industry is on a serious roll. It now boasts 50 wineries, located primarily in the Snake River Valley west of Boise.

http://seattletimes.com/html/pacificnw/2022895089_0302grapevinexml.html

Would you drink a flavored Maker’s Mark?

Flavored whiskies have been a major trend in the distilling industry lately.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2014/02/28/would-you-drink-a-flavored-makers-mark.html

Bud Light Lime to Expand Ritas Franchise

The popular Bud Light Lime Ritas franchise is doubling. The brand is introducing two new permanent flavors – Mang-O-Rita and Raz-Ber-Rita

http://www.brewbound.com/news/bud-light-lime-to-expand-ritas-franchise

THE MAKING OF MARILYN ‘CORK’ MONROE

28th February, 2014 by Lauren May

An artist has shared a video of him creating a ‘painting’ of Marilyn Monroe using hundreds of disused wine corks.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/dbtv/the-making-of-marilyn-cork-monroe/?article-source=newsletter&source=792&date=2014-01-31

Rhode Island: Bill would allow wine shipments in RI

Source: Boston.com

March 3, 2014

Rhode Islanders could have wine shipped directly to their door under legislation pending before state lawmakers.

The bill would allow wineries and wine retailers to ship up to 24 cases of wine a year to any resident aged 21 or older.

The business shipping the wine would have to obtain a wine shipment license from the state, and would be responsible for paying state sales and excise taxes.

All shipments would require a signature from someone 21 or older.

Rhode Island currently allows wine shipments only if the consumer has placed the order in person at a winery.

The bill is sponsored by House Minority Leader Brian Newberry, a North Smithfield Republican. It is scheduled to be reviewed Tuesday by the House Committee on Corporations.

LOW SPERM COUNT BLAMED ON WINE PESTICIDES

4th March, 2014 by Lauren May

A study has raised questions as to whether the use of pesticides in the production of wine could be to blame for a drop in French men’s sperm count.

http://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2014/03/low-sperm-count-blamed-on-wine-pesticides/

Bill could allow banned beer back in N.H.

House committee mulls change in alcohol label law

http://www.eagletribune.com/newhampshire/x1196470291/Bill-could-allow-banned-beer-back-in-N-H

Here’s to Your Health! Reasons to Drink Dark Beer

The future for whiskies

The golden era of Scotch is now in full swing.

http://www.thedrinksreport.com/news/2014/15299-special-report-the-future-for-whiskies.html?utm_source=TDR_Newsletter_Mar_4&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TDR_Newsletter

The Aroma Academy

Great resource from the UK.

Aroma kits for wine, gin and whiskey!

http://www.aroma-academy.co.uk

Pabst Blue Ribbon Reportedly On The Selling Block

Pabst Blue Ribbon’s private equity owner, C. Dean Metropoulos, is said to be seeking a buyer for the beer brand, which is valued between $500 million and $1 billion, according to a report in Reuters. Boutique investment bank Perella Weinberg Partners has reportedly been tapped to assist with the sale.

Metropoulos acquired Pabst from Kalmanovitz Charitable Foundation for $250 million in 2010. Since then, the sub-premium brew has grown by more than a third, finishing 2013 up 7% to 35 million (2.25-gallon) cases, according to Impact Databank. An auction of Pabst is expected to attract major brewers as well as private equity bidders.

Cider News/New Items

MillerCoors is adding a new hard cider brand this month with the national launch of Smith & Forge, billed as a crisp hard cider at 6%-abv. Available in 16-ounce single-serve cans and 4-packs, as well as 12-packs of 12-ounce cans, Smith & Forge’s packaging features an antique design with a blacksmith’s hammer icon paying homage to a past era. MillerCoors is supporting the launch with a national marketing campaign beginning in March that will include media partnerships with outlets such as ESPN, Discovery Channel, Comedy Central, Thrillist and SB Nation.

Sam Adams

Boston Beer Co.’s Angry Orchard has launched its Green Apple hard cider nationwide. Made with culinary apples from the Pacific Northwest, Angry Orchard Green Apple is currently available in six-packs, priced at around $7.99 to $9.99. The 5%-abv entry marks the brand’s first year-round cider made with American apples, following the launch of Angry Orchard’s Elderflower (April-August) and Cinnful Apple (September-March) seasonals, both of which are also crafted with American fruit. Green Apple joins Crisp Apple, Traditional Dry and Apple Ginger in the core, year-round Angry Orchard stable.

What Types of Wine Glasses Do You Really Need?

There are a gazillion different types of wine glasses out on the market. So, what should you buy? Discover what glassware fits your wine drinking habits and what the best options are to build a proper wine glass set

http://winefolly.com/tutorial/types-of-wine-glasses/?utm_source=Wine+Folly&utm_campaign=6cf069756a-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_a18d8bdc1b-6cf069756a-62472929&mc_cid=6cf069756a&mc_eid=d73340fcba

How Many People Did It Take to Make Your Wine?

Interesting look at the big wine companies and how many employees they have:

http://wineeconomist.com/2014/03/04/how-many-employees/

Beer As A Post-Workout Recovery Drink? Not As Crazy As It Sounds

There may be some good news brewing for fitness and beer enthusiasts:

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/03/05/285693136/beer-as-a-post-workout-recovery-drink-not-as-crazy-as-it-sounds

Crafty new beer app warns of big-brewer ownership

A new app alerts drinkers to whether a certain beer can legitimately be called "craft"

http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2014/03/05/crafty-new-beer-app-warns-of-big-brewer-ownership/

Worcester package store owners fret about beer-and-wine licenses for supermarkets, big-box stores

Little guys fighting the big guys