Beer Breweries

Massachusetts beer wholesaler Craft Beer Guild announced that it would appeal a judge’s order that upheld a $2.6 million fine for breaking state laws prohibiting unfair trade practices and illegal “pay-to-play” activities. Suffolk Superior Court Judge Douglas H. Wilkins denied a plea for relief from Craft Beer Guild, a Sheehan Family Companies subsidiary. The case stems from […]

River Styx Brewing, which is planning to open a tap room at 166 Boulder Drive this summer, has secured its alcohol permit from the License Commission. “We’re very thrilled to have this type of a use in our downtown,” Director of Economic Development Mary Jo Bohart said during a public hearing on the license. “As […]

The proprietor of Fort Hill Brewery is seeking permission to pour pints of lager for visitors to his state-of-the-art facility on Fort Hill Road in Easthampton. Masslive.com reports that owner and head brewer Eric Berzins appeared before the Easthampton Licensing Board on Monday night with his request. The commission took no immediate action, and agreed […]

The Daily Hampshire Gazette reports that the town of Easthampton is one step closer to having its first licensed brewery in the town; the brewery plans to grow hops on site.

When the Massachusetts Food Association, representing more than 600 stores in the state, asked voters in 2006 to allow wine to be sold in food stores, it triggered one of the most expensive ballot-question campaigns in state history, with opposing sides combined spending more than $11.5 million. Last week, the Food Association took another shot […]

Alcohol regulators in Massachusetts are wisely pulling back from a potential rules change that had small beer brewers across the state fuming. The change approved last week by the state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission would have required brewers operating under a so-called farmer-brewery license to grow at least half the hops and grains they use, […]

The Amherst Select Board has granted Jason DiCaprio a full liquor license for a new brewery called High Horse that will move into space now occupied by the Amherst Brewing Company on North Pleasant Street. That eatery is moving at the end of the month and reopening at the former Leading Edge fitness facility August. […]

Interesting piece in Advertising Age about the growing popularity of “craft brewers.” Comprising nearly 2,000 mostly mom-and-pop brewers, the craft industry is a small portion of the $101 billion U.S. beer industry, capturing 7.6% of all dollars, according to the Brewers Association.