1. Session beer is not a fad, it’s a delicious lower-alcohol option for smart people.

2. Every time I order a Maine Beer Company Peeper Ale, I say “Pepper” instead.

3. The pay-to-play “scandal” has been fun to watch unravel. Everyone knows it’s been going on for a long time, and the recent decision against Craft Beer Guild is just the tip of the iceberg. What happens to the bar owners currently awaiting their judgement will also not change the fact that this practice existed and shouldn’t be a shock to anyone.

4. When I’m served an IPA in a tulip glass, I send it back.

5. There are over 8,000 wineries in the US and not even 4,000 breweries, yet, according to a lot of people, the bubble is about to burst on the craft beer market. It certainly costs more and takes up more space to have a 40-line draught system with refrigeration than it would to carry 80 different brands of wine in a restaurant, but businesses can and should be creative and offer bottle and can lists that are smart and worthy. There’s still room to grow, in other words.

6. The return of the ball jar from the now-defunct Other Side Cafe in the form of the Bull Jar now available at Bull McCabe’s in Somerville is outstanding. Currently pouring is the Notch Pils. Additionally outstanding.

7. There’s a super secret beer week festival event coming up, but I can’t talk about it.

8. I receive a lot of beer mail. That is, beer arriving in the mail for me. I love it all, even if I don’t love all the beer that is mailed to me. One brand, however, stands out above and beyond the rest when it comes to sending samples and marketing swag. The Boston Beer Company. If you’re on their list, you know what I mean. However, it occurred to me that with such an impressive effort put toward these mailings, and assuming the list is enormous and touches all over the country and world, what can I possible say or provide for press that isn’t going to already be slathered all over the Interweb? Maybe I could write about the cool packages I receive every two weeks instead? Add a picture on top of this article too? I’m guessing no one has done that.

9. Jason and Todd Alstrom finally responded to my request for a comment regarding their press release effectively killing ACBF, but it was after we had gone to print, and I never updated the online article with it. Here’s their comment, in case you give a shit: “As per the FAQ, we simply felt it was time to switch things up. We’re really looking forward to the new, old-school concept, as well as possibly working with Harpoon again on a future project.”

10. Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project never brewed an inferior product. Gordon Wilcox acted like a dick and owes Dann Paquette an apology, but it will never happen.

JEFF LAWRENCE

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