The MS Brew Movement drew a nice crowd last year to Chickasaw Oaks Village shopping center in East Memphis.

Tickets are on sale for the 3rd annual Brew Movement benefiting the Mid South Chapter of the National MS Society.

The craft beer and homebrew tasting event will be held Thursday, March 15, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the Chickasaw Oaks Village shopping center, 3092 Poplar, in East Memphis.

Memphis’ homebrew club, the Bluff City Brewers & Connoisseurs, will be bringing six beers for tasting: Black Lager, Cask-Conditioned Bitter, Irish Red, Prohibition Ale, Irish Stout and Orange Dreamsicle (which sounds really intriguing!) The Memphis Brewer’s Association is also providing homebrew.

Craft beers will be supplied by Southwestern Distributing, Boscos and Ghost River Brewing. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres from Just for Lunch and Ciao Bella. There will also be live music, door prizes and a silent auction.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online here or in person at Midsouth Malts, 741 N. White Station

To see photos and a recap of last year’s event from FuzzyBrew, go here. And check out the event poster below.

Final judging and the awards ceremony for the 2012 Bluff City Brewers Extravaganza was held Saturday at Boscos Squared. Above, club president J.L. Thompson announces the winners.

Memphis’ homebrew club, the Bluff City Brewers & Connoisseurs, held its 24th annual competition this past weekend.

The 2012 Bluff City Brewers Extravaganza drew 290 entries from across the region in what was a full 28-category American Homebrewers Association Sanctioned Competition Program event.

Congrats go to out to Bluff City Brewers’ own Jake Meeks, who won Best of Show for his Old Ale.

2012 Bluff City Brewers Extravaganza Results

Here’s what Yazoo says about the event:

The Art of Yazoo features owner and head brewmaster Linus Hall to lead the tasting. He will also discuss the history of Yazoo Brewing Company, give a little insight on what goes into creating great beer, and the inspiration behind everything from the popular Pale Ale to the smoky porter named Sue.

The event starts at 6 p.m., and tickets are $30. Visit tpac.org for more information, and check out the video below.

One of my seasonal favorite beers from Memphis’ Ghost River Brewing is back.

Black Magic (O.G. 1058, I.B.U. 30), a toasty but smooth dark beer, is for sale again through April at select local restaurants and bars that sell Ghost River beer. It’s also available in kegs and growlers from Ghost River’s dock.

Here’s the description of Black Magic from Ghost River:

Black Magic has a pronounced toasted malt flavor that creates a smooth roasted flavor without the bite found in a typical stout or porter. The end result is a dark  beer with great flavor and drinkability.”

Anheuser-Busch has joined with Raise Your Pints to try to change Mississippi's beers laws.

Beer giant Anheuser-Busch and its independent distributors in Mississippi have joined the fight to raise the state’s alcohol-by-weight (ABW) limit on beer.

The maker of Budweiser and Bud Light has joined with the nonprofit Raise Your Pints and members of the Mississippi Malt Beverage Association to support legislation that would raise the ABW limit on beer made and sold in the state from 5 to 8 percent, according to a story that appeared Tuesday on the PR Newswire.

Anheuser-Busch is proud to support the effort to raise the ABW limit for beer in Mississippi,” said Doug Bailey, region vice president of state affairs at Anheuser-Busch. “Increasing the state’s ABW limits will allow beer drinkers access to a greater variety of beers, including many of Anheuser-Busch’s high-end, specialty beers.  It also will boost the state’s beer and hospitality industries.” [source]

Mississippi is the only state that limits ABW for beer to just 5 percent, which in turns prohibits sales of about a third of the world’s beer styles.

We are pleased to have Anheuser-Busch’s support in our effort to increase the ABW limit for beer in Mississippi. A change would not only benefit Mississippians who wish to have the same beer choices already enjoyed by most Americans, but also the state’s small businesses,” said Butch Bailey, president of Raise Your Pints. “It’s a great opportunity to make Mississippi a better place to do business, a more attractive tourist destination, and improve the cultural life of our citizens.” [source]

Raise Your Pints is also seeking to make homebrewing legal in the state. For more information, visit the group’s website.

Boscos Squared happens to be where I first met Sara, so there’s that, too.

Hope everyone had a great Valentine’s Day!

The Grizzlies and Coors Light have partnered up to release a 24-oz. Grizzlies beer can, which will be sold at area bars, grocery stores and convenience stores. “Coors Light Grizz Can” launch parties will be held Wednesday night at local Buffalo Wild Wings locations.

The can bears the Grizzlies’ name, logo and the words “Proud partner of the Memphis Grizzlies.”

Here’s more from a Grizzlies press release:

This commemorative can was made to celebrate the passion Memphis-area fans have for their favorite NBA team.

The cans will be available at participating retailers throughout Memphis from now until April 1.

Coors Light Grizz Can launch parties will tip-off at two Memphis-area Buffalo Wild Wings’ locations (3448 Poplar Ave. & 3770 Hacks Cross Road) on Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

But if you missed it, there’s a reason. It apparently only aired in North Platte, Nebraska, Deadspin reports.

It’s since gone viral. Good way to generate some buzz on the cheap.

In the ad, there’s no dogs, talking babies or special effects. Just Will Ferrell strolling through a field, with a sudden ending.

Watch it below.

Bluff City Brewers & Connoisseurs VP Richard Heath put together a post on where to buy and refill C02 in the Memphis area:

This is a question that seems to come up with some regularity, so here is the information all in one place. [source]

He’s put together a great list with maps and links and directions, so check it out. I’m closing comments on this post, so your corrections and additions need to be made on Richard’s original post.

•••

Registration is under way for entries into the 2012 Bluff City Brewers Extravaganza, the annual homebrew competition sponsored by the Bluff City Brewers & Connoisseurs of Memphis.

Final judging for the contest will be held Feb. 18 at Boscos Squared in Midtown Memphis, but the deadline to enter is fast approaching.

Registration forms and entries must be received by Feb. 3.

Mid-South brewers can drop off entries at Mid-South Malts, 741 N. White Station in Memphis.

For brewers who need to ship their beers, send entries and paper forms to:

Delynn Byars
2244 Lake Hill Court
Cordova, TN 38016

Click here to download an electronic entry form that you can fill out and print and e-mail to Director@BluffCityBrewers.com. Then, go here to download a bottle ID label sheet. A label must be filled out and attached to each bottle. To pay, use the “add to cart” button at the bottom of this post.

Two bottles are required per entry, and each entry costs $7.

The contest is a full 28-category American Homebrewers Association Sanctioned Competition Program event and is open to all homebrewers.