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Archives for October 2006

Yakima Hop Warehouse Catches Fire

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On Monday, fire broke out in a warehouse storing baled hops owned by the S.S. Steiner company of Germany. The entire 40,000 square foot warehouse was engulfed in flames and its cause is not yet known. The impact of the fire, if any, on the global hop market is already being discussed among industry leaders.

According to the AP Story:

The United States produces 24 percent of the world’s hops, which are used to brew beer. The vast majority are grown in the Pacific Northwest, in particular central Washington’s Yakima Valley.

Steiner is one of the larger growers in the valley, said Ann George, administrator of the Washington Hops Commission, an industry marketing group funded by member fees.

“They handle a large volume of the crop, but they have multiple warehouses,” George said. “Depending on what variety or varieties were involved in this incident, if it was a variety that was already in short supply, that could have an impact on price and availability.”

UPDATE: CNN has done a follow-up to this story and it seems the hops destroyed in the Yakima fire represent 4% of the total U.S. supply, or about 2 million pounds of hops. The Yakima Herald-Republic has a more in-depth article, along with additional photos, too. According to the Yakima article, “[t]he 10,000 bales weighing about 200 pounds each, were probably worth between $1.75 and $2 per pound, based on average prices this year. That puts the fire’s monetary damage between $3.5 million and $4 million.”

GORDON KING/Yakima Herald-Republic

Rolling Rock Sale Finalized

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While I was in Denver for GABF, the proposed sale between City Brewing of LaCrosse, Wisconsin was been finalized between them and InBev for the purchase of the Latrobe Brewery in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Over 150 union workers ratified a two-year contract. All that remains is an issue about increasing the amount of water available for the brewery and for dealing with the wastewater so that City Brewery can increase Latrobe’s capacity to two-million barrels annually. But the deal is done, and neither side is revealing the pricetag for the Latrobe Brewery. The brewery should re-open shortly, probably in the next few weeks, assuming the water issues are resolved quickly.

GABF: Saturday Night at Falling Rock

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Saturday was our last night to let loose, so naturally the only place to go was the Falling Rock for a last chance to see friends, hang out and drink some great beer.

Brendon Dobbel, of Thirsty Bear in San Francisco, California, and I wait patiently in line for another beer.

Nico Freccia, co-owner of 21st Amendment in San Francisco, California, and Mark Cabrera, with Firestone Walker Brewing in Paso Robles, California.

Dr. Bill hosted another of his magnificent private tastings downstairs at the Falling Rock.

While upstairs, a fantastic guitar player rocked the house.

And got Dave Buhler and his sister Sebbie out on the dance floor.

Me and Sebbie Buhler, who’s with Rogue Ales.

Out front at the end of the evening. From left: Josh Miner, Noah Regnery and Jeff Bagby, of Pizza Port – Carlsbad, Tomme Arthur, from The Lost Abbey, and Garrett Oliver, from Brooklyn Brewery.

My booth, with Tom Dalldorf, Celebrator publisher and Chris Black, co-owner of the Falling Rock across from me, with Stephen Beaumont out of sight to their left.

While next to me Michael Jackson and Carolyn Smagalski toasted with some rare beers Chris pulled out his cellar.

And Michael and I discussed films and books well into the night. Now I need to add the works of A.J. Liebling to my ever-growing reading list.