Monday Laughs: The Beer Edition

/

In case your week is off to a bad start, today's edition of Monday Laughs (okay, so there are no previous editions, but what the heck. Gotta start traditions somewhere.)

First this: Pabst Brewing Co. has finally been sold. And the new owner has this to say about his acquistion:

"We will be vigilant in maintaining and building upon the authenticity of each of our products," Mr. Metropoulos said in prepared statement. "This authenticity has been at the heart of the company's success to date."

"Authenticity"? Are we talkin' about Pabst "Brewing" Co.? You know, the beer marketing outfit?

The second chuckle-o-rama comes from yesterday's New York Times travel section. A Boston hotel is now offering a "Brewmance" package, which the hotel is touting as a "mancation" for guys who want to get together for a little bonding-and-brews. Says the hotel's manager:

“We created this package for men who love beer.

Because, ya know, women don't love beer.

So, folks, laugh yourselves on into this last-week-of-June. Where IS the summer going?

The Real Deal On Jack McAuliffe

/

Finally! Someone (John Holl, to be precise) has taken the time/effort to get the scoop straight from Jack's mouth.

If you're just tuning in, you may not know that this is the 30th anniversary of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., and to that end, co-founder Ken Grossman planned a series of celebrations and commemorative beers and prepared a video about the brewery and brewing history.

To my great relief and delight, he made sure that Jack was included in all of the above. Now John Holl, beer journalist extraordinaire, has weighed in with a piece about Jack over at CraftBeer.com. (Full disclosure: Holl interviewed me for the piece.)

I hope you'll take time to read it, and to hoist a beer in honor of our brewing pioneers.

Oh, and I guess a health update is in order: Jack has more-or-less recovered from the near-fatal car accident of 2009. He relocated to Texas to be closer to family, a move that seems to have agreed with him. He's in good spirits and enjoying himself. For which I for one am truly grateful.

Jack, here's to you.

Sierra Nevada's 30th Anniversary Celebration Is Underway [Update]

/

I've been hearing about this for months, mostly via Jack McAuliffe, but now there's finally something up that everyone can enjoy: Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is celebrating 30th anniversary this year.

The company kicked off the festivities a few days ago by launching a special website. There you'll find photos, videos, and information about the special beers being planned for the occasion. The site is here.

So, hey, take a break and go for a visit. (Apparently that's not a photo of Jack himself, but of his brother Tom. As Jack says, he musta been seriously fucked up when he sent that to Chico. Me, I blame his post-accident meds.)

(And by the way, he's feeling much better. Back to his old cranky, sassy self --- and looking forward to the brewing collaboration in the spring.)

UPDATE: according to Jack's siblings, yes, that's really Jack in the photo. So: either they're crazy or Jack is. My vote's on the latter. Tip o' the mug to Loyal Reader Dave for reminding me to post a notice about all of this here at the blog. And now, per Dave's instructions, it's back to work for me.