5 Stories Over Beer is a weekly article that presents 5 recent and thought-provoking stories about beer and the brewing industry that you should read. So sit down, grab a beer, and take a few minutes to read 5 thirst-quenching stories. Cheers!
Edible Six-Pack Rings Leads 5 Stories Over Beer
1. Edible Six-Pack Rings Created by Saltwater Brewery: Several years ago, a plastic packaging that clamps to the top of a six-pack of cans and holds them together was introduced. That plastic packaging material has since proven devastating to wildlife and the environment. Environmentalists have documented the devastation worldwide.
Finally, a better, more sustainable, alternative packaging has been created. Saltwater Brewery in Delray Beach, Fla., recently released edible six-pack rings. These rings offer a brand-new approach to sustainable beer and other six-pack can packaging. The six-pack rings are 100 percent biodegradable and edible—constructed of barley and wheat ribbons from the process of brewing beer. The packaging rings can actually be safely eaten by animals that may come into contact with the refuse and is fully biodegradable. Read the complete story on Craftbeer.com by clicking here and be certain to watch the video below.
2. How Selling Bikes Helped a Colorado Brewer: Craft-beer company Oskar Blues has increased revenues by letting workers dream up side projects. Read the full story by clicking here.
Oskar Blues boosted its revenue from $100 million to $120 million through side projects
3. Love Bourbon? Thank The Timber Industry And The Great Depression: Why is a new white oak barrel used every time bourbon is aged? The answer lies in the Great Depression, a need to stimulate recovery, and a hurting timber industry. Read about the historical events that led to a fundamental way for making bourbon by clicking here.
What does this story have to do with beer? Without a surplus of cheap, used bourbon barrels lying around the development of bourbon-barrel aged beers would probably never have happened.
A sea of cheap bourbon barrels helped fuel the development of bourbon barrel-aged beers
4: Pilsner’s New Golden Age: Big breweries have given pilsner a bad reputation by creating pilsners that lack substantive flavor. But Pilsner style beer dates back to mid-19th-century Bohemia, the area now known as the Czech Republic, where they produced an exceptional golden lager that was floral and bright, with a round, mouth-filling texture. Today’s craft beer industry is revitalizing this style with flavorful vigor. Read the full story by clicking here.
Photograph courtesy of pFriem Family Brewers
5. What does it Take to Make a Career Out of Brewing Beer: Ever wonder what it might be like to work as a brewer? Read about two different head brewers and their brewing lives by clicking here.
Anna Schwaeble – photograph courtesy of Bath Brew House
I hope you enjoyed this week’s 5 Stories Over Beer. Let me know your thoughts.
If you haven’t subscribed to firkinbeer.com, please do! You’ll receive an email notification when new stories are posted. Your email will never be sold or shared.
It only takes a few seconds.
Thanks and cheers!