America’s 30 Oldest Beers
24/7 Wall Street developed the list, here. All but eight of the beers on this list are owned by the big three beer companies in the country: Anheuser-Busch InBev SA/NV, Pabst Brewing Co., Molson Coors Brewing Co. In fact, the two oldest beers on this list were produced by renowned craft brewery Yuengling in 1829. The youngest of our 30 oldest beers was produced by Lion Brewery, which was founded in 1905.
‘Craft’ Beer Turns Out to Be a Big Business
Recent years have seen a world-wide wave of beer consolidation. When the dust settled from various mergers, two conglomerates, Molson Coors and AB InBev, controlled 90% of U.S. beer production. They’ve been buying up craft breweries, including Blue Moon, Karbach, Wicked Weed and Goose Island. Last year Heineken acquired Lagunitas, Robert Glennon writes in The Wall Street Journal.
Are the acquired brands still craft brewers? Heineken promised to “maintain the Lagunitas culture and free spirit.” Walt Dickinson, co-founder of Wicked Weed Brewing, promised “nothing’s going to change” under Ab InBev. Such promises aren’t enough for the Brewers Association, since the brewers are no longer “independent.” Read more here, from The Wall Street Journal.
Funeral Homes Weigh Alcohol Use
Sometimes, honoring the spirit of the dearly departed is an occasion that calls for a good, stiff drink. It’s what he would have wanted, some survivors say.
A southern Indiana funeral home has made a splash in the industry by securing a liquor license. Since last year, Scott Funeral Home in Jeffersonville has served beer, wine and mixed drinks. Read more here, from the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Journal-Gazette.