This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Tom White.
In this week’s Hoplinks, the Sox step up their (craft) game, a Michigan beer staple aims to get out more, the American craft beer renaissance is mapped out, a UK brewer keeping digging themselves deeper into a PR hole, and beer is at the forefront of the battle against slavery.
SOUTH SIDE, CHICAGO — While the on-field product may not be up to scratch this year, The Chicago White Sox are going to have one of the best craft beer selections in the Majors at their new Craft Kave. With 75 craft options to choose from and at reasonable prices (for a stadium), this might just draw a few extra people to the newly christened Guaranteed Rate Park this summer. [Chicago Tribune]
HOLLAND, MI — Michigan’s New Holland Brewing and Wisconsin’s Pabst Brewing officially kicked off their partnership that allows New Holland to leverage the much larger distribution network enjoyed by Pabst. The two companies also announced a collaboration brew, available only at New Holland brewpubs, that uses Michigan hops and Wisconsin malt. It should be noted that unlike an increasing number of micro/macro partnerships, New Holland is remaining completely independent. [THR Wire]
USA — Any fan of craft beer already knows there are more options to whet your appetite for for a good brew than ever before. Seeing the American craft beer renaissance mapped out really puts this into perspective however, and makes you realize how much better of the industry is than just a decade ago. [VinePair]
SCOTLAND — Scottish brewer BrewDog continued to dig themselves a PR hole last week as they threatened legal action against a planned bar with the word “punk” in the name. This came exactly one day after the brewery blamed “trigger happy” lawyers for going after a soon-to-open bar called Lone Wolf. No word on if the brewery plans to shut down all punk bars across the planet. [The Guardian]
GLOBAL — A campaign with goals to highlight the global battle to end human trafficking is using the power of beer to spread the word. With 100% of profits from their Not For Sale Ale going toward the fight, the company recently launched a Kickstarter. If you’re interested in pitching in, you can fund the campaign through April 13th. [THR Wire]
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Photo of Guaranteed Rate Park, formerly US Cellular Field, from a June 2016 White Sox game vs. the Cleveland Indians — by Tom White.