Mississippi Brew Blog

Keg & Barrel - Top 150 Beer Bars in America

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:02:00 +0000

Hattiesburg, Mississippi's own Keg & Barrel was recently selected by DRAFT Magazine as one of the 150 Best Beer Bars in America. The only bar in Mississippi to receive this honor. Congratulations to the K&B!

Keg and Barrel Brew Pub
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
With trivia nights, bingo, and Monday Night Football drink specials, the Keg and Barrel breathes new energy into the historic house it calls home — and then there’s the beer. Clocking in just shy of 100 offerings, our favorite aspect is the chance to sample the sought-after yet rare lineup of Mississippi’s Lazy Magnolia Brewing. Its draft selection covers both coasts, and whether you’re looking to score a pint of Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber or Rogue Chocolate Stout, follow the food menu’s beer pairing guide for consumption bliss.
1315 Hardy St.

Beer Never Tasted So Good At Miss-I-Sippin’

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:11:00 +0000

Oxford, MS, March 25, 2010

For Immediate Release
Contact Information: Tori Sawyer, Project Coordinator
Phone: 662-236-6429
Email: yacdirector@gmail.com

Wine tastings have been popular fundraisers for charitable organizations. The challenge is they hold the air of sophistication often intimidate people who think they will be stuffy, over priced and maybe just a little bit boring. The rise in micro brews, brew pubs and seasonal beers has made beers popular with everyone. Leave it to college kids to think of a beer tasting as a fundraiser.

The college students whose creativity poured out this idea are the students in the University of Mississippi Hospitality Management Program. The students wanted to put their class work to the test by creating an event that required them to handle everything from planning the event, developing a menu, serving as hosts and supporting the community. The event entitled, Miss-I-Sippin’, pairs two organizations working in partnership to raise funds for community programs. The Arts Council in conjunction with Chef Lee Craven of the University of Mississippi Hospitality Management Program will host the event scheduled for March 25, 2010 at The Powerhouse.

Chef Craven, the chef for the Hospitality Management Program, will work with student to create a variety of comfort and exotic foods to be paired with over 20 different beers ranging from Coors Lite to the only beer brewed in Mississippi, Lazy Magnolia. Students of Chef Craven’s will be taught how to create a menu with food cook and paired with the appropriate ale. The students will also benefit from learning how to plan and organize the event from start to finish. The funds raised from the event will go toward future projects such as this one to help provide culinary experiences, equipment and scholarships for the students.

Funds raised from the event will assist the Arts Council task of transforming the 1928 Powerhouse into a performing arts center for the region. The facility requires $1.2 million in upgrades, renovations, and equipment to become fully functional. Once completed the facility will provide technical requirements for dance, music, live concerts, art exhibits, and theatre.

Blow off the foam and sip a beer while munching on great food at Miss-i-Sippen’. The party is Thursday, March 25th, from 8 p.m.-9:30 p.m. at the Powerhouse on University Ave. Tickets are on sale now
they start at $20 for students and Art Council members, and $30 for general public. Tickets can be purchased at the Powerhouse at the corner of 14th Street and University (413 South 14th Street, near Newk’s.) Learn more at www.oxfordarts.com. Or call 662-236-6429

Alabama's Gourmet Beer Bonanza Spills Over Into Economic Growth

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:55:00 +0000

There's a lot of buzz in Birmingham about recent changes to state law which allow high gravity specialty beers which were previously unavailable. "High gravity" refers to the amount of sugar used during the brewing process which affects both the flavor and the alcohol content.

The Free the Hops bill lifted the five percent alcohol limit for beer in Jefferson County and now vendors are tapping into a whole new market. The gourmet beer bonanza is really spilling over into economic growth.
Vendors say specialty bottle and draft beer purchases have gone up along with the alcohol percentage by volume.

"Some of it is very dark, like when it's poured it almost looks like syrup," said Pam Thornburg of Dee's Beverage Company of Alabama. "When it first came out everybody just went crazy. You know we were bombarded, with people coming just because it was new. It was what they wanted. They could get it in other states, but they couldn't get it here. So when it came here it was just, it was great."

Wholesalers are also stocking up to take advantage of the craft brews craze.

"Throughout the warehouse there are pallet after pallet after pallet of different styles of beer that weren't available in Alabama before the state passed the law," said Matt Kilpatrick of Birmingham Beverage.

But wholesalers are not the only businesses who got a boost when the hops were freed. Local breweries are also getting a taste.

"Good People that I mentioned before, that's in the process of expanding, that's seeing a lot of success," said Matt Kilpatrick of Birmingham Beverage.

The Birmingham bar scene is also getting more buzz than ever.

"And the J.Clyde downtown was just named the number 22 bar in the world by, I believe it's Ratebeer.com, which is something that never would have happened before."

Scottish native Stuart Carter is the president of Free the Hops. He says the new availability is also improving the state's image in the eyes of gourmet beer buffs around the world.

"This affects people's perceptions of our state and at the end of the day this is my adopted home. I love Alabama. This is a great place to live and I want to work to change peoples' perceptions so that they see from the outside what we see from the inside which is one heck of a place to live," said Carter.

How does a Mississippi dry county or municipality become wet for beer?

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:09:00 +0000

The law provides for local elections to determine whether or not to allow beer to be sold in the local communities. Beer law provides that a vote to allow beer sales within a county will be held upon receipt by the board of supervisors of a petition signed by 20% of the qualified electors of the county. Likewise an election can be set to discontinue the sale of beer within the county upon receipt by the board of supervisors of a petition signed by 20% of the qualified electors of the county. Neither election may be held in any one county more often that once every five years.

Any municipality with a population of at least 2,500 people may vote to allow or prohibit the sale of beer within that municipality. The election will be called upon receipt by the governing authority of the city of a petition signed by 20% of the qualified electors of the city. An election to allow or prohibit the sale of beer may not be made in any city more than once every five years.

http://www.mstc.state.ms.us/info/faqs/TobaccoBeerandAlcohol.html

Mississippi's Wet/Dry Map (Beer)

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:05:00 +0000

From the Mississippi Tax Commission.

There are 36 (of 82) counties in Mississippi that are dry for beer sales. Within these 36 counties, there are numerous municipalities that are wet for beer sales. These are municipalities that have voted to allow beer sales or are in qualified resort areas. Unlike the laws dealing with hard liquor, a municipality with a population over 2,500 located in a dry county for beer or liquor may hold an election to allow legal beer sales within the city. Referendums on the sale of beer can only be held every 5 years.

http://www.mstc.state.ms.us/taxareas/misc/beer_wet-dry.html

Top Of The Hops Beer Festival - Mandeville, LA

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:42:00 +0000

Saturday, March 20, 2010
Fountainebleau State Park
67825 Highway 190
Mandeville, LA, USA [ map ]

Red Mountain Entertainment and Blue Deuce Entertainment are proud to announce the inaugural Top of the Hops – North Shore Beer Festival presented by Abita Beer, Saturday, March 20th at the Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, Louisiana.

Top of the Hops – North Shore Beer Festival will showcase the growing popularity of craft beers from around the country and the world in a relaxed and friendly outdoor environment. Patrons will receive a commemorative sampling mug and have access to unlimited, two-ounce sampling of over 100 craft beers in the Lazy Magnolia Beer Garden and the Covington Brewhouse Beer Garden. The festival will also feature the Sam Adams Brew University Education Area where patrons will enjoy beer seminars such as Cooking with Beer, Food Pairings, How to Brew Beer and other beer education sessions. Come enjoy the beautiful outdoor atmosphere with live music by The Scorseses and Rufus Jagneaux on the Full Sail Brewing Stage, as well as fun games like cornhole.

Tickets to the Top of the Hops – North Shore Beer Festival are $35.00 in advance and $40.00 the day of the festival. VIP tickets are $60.00 in advance and $65.00 the day of the festival

Tickets to the festival are on sale now at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster outlets or charge by phone at 800.745.3000.

Suds of The South Beerfest, Tuscaloosa, AL

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:34:00 +0000

The Free The Hops Tuscaloosa Chapter has organized a very cool event featuring southern breweries. There are still a few tickets left available online. At $10, this is a great deal. You get to meet and sample beers from the following folks:

* Lazy Magnolia of Kiln, MS
* Terrapin of Athens, GA
* Sweetwater of Atlanta, GA
* Good People of Birmingham
* Back Forty of Birmingham
* Olde Towne of Huntsville
* Abita of Abita Springs, LA
* Yazoo of Nashville

It’s on Saturday, March 13 from 4:00 to 6:00pm. The cost will cover unlimited samples, a 3oz sample glass and special discount on Southern Beers at the after party.

http://www.freethehops.org/blog/2010/02/suds-of-the-south/

Raise Your Pints Action Alert!

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:31:00 +0000

Raise Your Pints supporters,

The deadline for committee action is upon us. All bills must be out of committee by this coming Tuesday, February 2. If they survive committee, then they move on to the appropriate floor for discussion, vote and possible transfer to the other house to repeat the process (committee approval, floor discussion, vote). At this time, all four of our bills are stalled in committee.

If you want to see Mississippi brought up to par with all other U.S. States...NOW IS THE TIME for your action.

We need as many people as possible to contact the individuals listed below who will decide the fate of these bills.

**********************************************
Stuck in House Ways & Means Committee:
House Bill 731: Gourmet Beer Bill (raise ABW cap above 5% ABW)
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2010/pdf/history/HB/HB0731.xml
House Bill 732: Legalize homebrewing of beer
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2010/pdf/history/HB/HB0732.xml

Ways & Means Chair, Percy W. Watson: 601-544-6490 (h), 601-545-1051 (w)
pwatson@house.ms.gov
Ways & Means Vice-chair, David Norquist: 662-843-9183 (h), 662-843-6171 (w)
dnorquist@house.ms.gov

**********************************************
Stuck in the Senate’s Finance Committee:
Senate Bill 2243: Gourmet Beer Bill (raise ABW cap above 5% ABW)
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2010/pdf/history/SB/SB2243.xml
Senate Bill 2717: Legalize homebrewing of beer
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2010/pdf/history/SB/SB2717.xml

Finance Chair, Dean Kirby: 601-359-3246, 601-932-1966 (h), 601-939-5968 (w)
dkirby@senate.ms.gov
Finance Vice-chair, Eugene Clarke: 601-359-3172, 662-827-7261 (w), 662-827-7264 (F)
bclarke@senate.ms.gov

**********************************************
Lt. Governor Phil Bryant can pressure the committee chairs to support the
bill. Contact him here:
http://www.ltgovbryant.com/contact/

Don't wait. It's now or next year!

Sam Calagione supports Raise Your Pints

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 00:35:00 +0000

Sam Calagione, founder and President of Dogfish Head, supports Raise Your Pints efforts to raise the 5% ABW beer limit in Mississippi.

Jim Koch supports Raise Your Pints

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 02:28:00 +0000

Jim Koch (founder and brewer at Sam Adams) supports Mississippi's Raise Your Pints group.

Letter to Raise Your Pints supporters

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:33:00 +0000

Raise Your Pints supporters,

The Mississippi legislative session has officially begun. It’s time to put all the hard work that Raise Your Pints has been doing this year into action and make Mississippi a better place for beer lovers. This is the time for action. We can accomplish many of our goals this year, but not without your active participation.

Let me briefly fill you in on some of what we’ve been up to and where we stand now. Most of the work over the past year has been building up our grassroots and gathering support. I’m happy to announce that we have over 3,000 supporters in one form or another. This is something to be very proud of considering the organization officially began less than 12 months ago. The officers of Raise Your Pints have worked tirelessly and deserve our thanks. The statewide network we’ve developed and resources we’ve secured have allowed us to enlist the help of Tom Ramsey of Athena Government Relations to help with our lobbying efforts.

We’ve also been courting various business and trade groups to join our cause. Lazy Magnolia was the first to jump on board and they have been a tremendous help this year in many ways. We also have the support of various beer distributors in the state, most notably, Better Brands, out of West Point. The Mississippi Hospitality & Restaurant Association, an influential lobby in Jackson, is also committed to supporting our efforts. But ultimately the most important support is going to come from the individual members of the House and Senate.

We are pushing two separate bills in each chamber to address our issues, ABW and homebrewing. Our sponsor for both bills in the House is Representative Bobby Moak of Bogue Chitto, MS. Our ABW bill in the House is “HB731: Beer; increase amount of alcohol that it may contain from 5% to 10% by weight.” I should caution everyone right now that a.) that is alcohol by weight, not volume and b.) that number is subject to negotiation. It is possible that we will end up with that figure, but just as likely that we end up with a higher or lower number. Keep in mind that any movement higher than our current 5% is a step in the right direction.

The House side homebrewing bill is “HB732: Beer; permit making of homemade beer for domestic or household use only.” Please notice the added language allowing not just home production but also permitting the transportation of homebrew. This will allow homebrew competition, clubs, etc and was a major request from some of our homebrewing supporters.

In the Senate, David Baria of Bay St. Louis will again sponsor our ABW bill as well as our homebrewing bill. Senator Baria dropped a single bill that contains language for both issues, “SB2243 Beer; increase the amount of alcohol that it may contain from 5% by weight to 8% by weight.” Our goal is to have this bill amended in committee to split the ABW and the homebrewing portion into two separate bills as well as add the transportation language to the homebrewing bill.

As some of you are aware, a bill addressing allowable alcohol in beer has been submitted in previous years and each time was met with opposition from various individuals and groups in the beer industry. This year, thanks in very large part to the grassroots support RYP has been able to gather, the Mississippi Malt Beverage Association, the chief lobbying arm of the state’s distributors, has decided to push for an increase in the allowable alcohol content themselves. This is great news for Raise Your Pints. The sticky point is how different their proposed new cap is from what is acceptable to all of RYP’s supporters. We hope to be able to achieve some compromise and work with the MMBA on this issue that directly impacts their end-consumers. We will keep you all informed as we work on this.

So what’s the next step and what can you do to help make this happen? First of all, please consider joining RYP as an official member if you haven’t done so already. It’s an ugly fact that this process takes money. We need funds to pay our lobbyist and entertain influential individuals. Whether you’ve joined RYP or not, I hope you will consider making a contribution of any amount. You can send donations via PayPal to donate@raiseyourpints.com or mail a check to P.O. Box 1781 - Jackson, MS 39215-1781.

We need you to get active! Call both your Senator and Representative and ask them to please support the bills. You can find your elected officials here. Please familiarize yourself with our basic talking points, which you can download here. We also need to complete our support roster in both chambers. Please ask both your Senator and Representative where they stand on both our bills. After you have that answer, please contact me or another RYP officer and let us know so we can complete our support roster and better strategize our efforts. This is very important, so please do your part and poll your elected officials.

We feel very good about our chances of raising the allowable alcohol content in beer and making homebrewing legal in MS this year. It’s time for all of us to get excited and step up to the plate and make it happen. History is made by those that show and do the work. Don’t sit this one out and hope for change, be a part of making it happen!

Butch Bailey
President, Raise Your Pints

New Albany, MS Votes FOR Beer And Light Wine

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:54:00 +0000

New Albany, Mississippi - New Albany residents have voted in favor of beer and light sales within city limits.

The turnout for Tuesday's vote represented more than 40 percent of voters on city rolls.

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reported that unofficial returns were 1,175 for and 991 against, with only six affidavit votes left to count.

Tuesday's vote does not change Union County's dry status outside of New Albany.

___

Information from: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

Mississippi May Finally Legalize Homebrewing

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:17:00 +0000

The group Raise Your Pints has been working hard to legalize the making of beer for home use. Today, House Bill 732 was introduced into the Mississippi Legislature by the Honorable Representative Bobby Moak.

Mississippi homebrewers (and lovers of good homebrew), contact your representatives and tell them you want their support for HB 732.

Also, be sure to support Raise Your Pints by becoming a member or making a donation. Funds are needed to pay the lobbyist that will help HB 732 reach the Governor for his signature.

Lazy Magnolia Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:03:00 +0000

POWERFUL BREW
By SARAH CURE

KILN — Back in 2005 when Mississippi natives Mark and Leslie Henderson opened the doors to Lazy Magnolia Brewery, they produced only 580 barrels of beer.

But despite overwhelming odds the couple faced when instituting Mississippi’s very first brewery, the Kiln-based beer manufacturer that employs a total of 13 people has produced 7,000 barrels of its signature brews as of 2009 – the equivalent to 2.3 million beers.

“I can see this facility producing 100,000 barrels and employing 100 people,” said Leslie Henderson, owner and cofounder of the brewery. “Our long-term goal is to be known as one of the great Southern breweries and to be a household name in the entire Southeast region and beyond.

“I also want my employees to achieve great things. It’s one thing to build your own career, but when you know that you’ve had a hand in helping make their career, that is 15 times better than having a career of your own.”

The microbrewery is celebrating its five-year anniversary this month. What started as an accidental hobby earlier in the decade when Leslie gave Mark a home-brewing kit for Christmas has blossomed into a full-fledged enterprise.

Mark, an electrical engineer, and Leslie, a chemical engineer, recognized a business opportunity once their homemade brewing concoctions received more than enough positive acclaim from family and friends.

But to succeed, it was imperative for the couple to research the legalities of breweries in the state, the potential market for specialty brews and understanding “brewing science.”

“We traveled around and everywhere we went we encountered these little breweries where one would stop in and try the local beer,” Mark said. “But, the state’s population doesn’t support a brew pub because most of them are all effectively defunct.”

“We clearly had to think brew pubs aren’t the way to go, so we chose to take the microbrewery route,” Leslie said. “Brew pubs can sell beer on site and microbreweries can sell beer only off site.”

So, the couple redirected their attention to the question, “How do you provide local beer to the restaurants in the area?”

The answer: Lazy Magnolia Brewery.

In July 2003, Leslie enrolled in the American Brewers Guild Brewing School where she learned the technical side of brewing, including packaging, properly taking care of yeast and sizing and cleaning tanks. She also completed an apprenticeship with the Crescent City Brewhouse in 2004 while Mark devised a business plan for their brewery.

By January 2005, all necessary permits and licenses were in place and the first batch of beer was brewed in mid-January at the brewery, a 10,000 square-foot, renovated warehouse located in the Stennis International Airport Industrial Park.

Using four simple raw ingredients — water, malt, hops and yeast — Lazy Magnolia has introduced 12 unique, specialty brews. Currently, only six signature brew styles — Southern Pecan, Jefferson Stout, Reb Ale, Southern Gold, Indian Summer and Gulf Porter — are available.

Lazy Magnolia’s latest brew addition and first of its Brewer Choice Series is the Gulf Porter. Available only in half-gallon growlers, Gulf Porter is a lighter-bodied porter with oatmeal added to give it a silky texture. It embodies more roasted flavors and is refreshing and suitable for the cooler weather, Leslie said.

“The half-gallon growlers are throwbacks to the old whiskey moonshine jugs and it’s paying a little homage to the Kiln heritage,” she said.

Southern Pecan Nut Brown Ale, the most popular of the brews and the flagship beer, is the first and only beer to be made with whole roasted pecans. In 2008, the brewery used 10,000 pounds of pecans for production. Although it was Mark’s idea, it was Leslie’s implementation.

“Nuts in a beer are a big wrong because the nuts’ oils kill the head (foam) of the beer,” she said.

“She (Leslie) came up with the process and formulation, hence the recipe for Southern Pecan,” Mark said. “But, that’s a secret.”

With more than 20 distributors in five states Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee — Lazy Magnolia hopes to expand their products to Georgia and Texas.

“When Mark and Leslie opened the brewery nearly five years ago, it was the first brewery in Mississippi since the prohibition,” said Marketing Director Matthew McKiernan, who was the first full-time employee in May 2005. “It was uncharted territory and there wasn’t another place to look at as a model.

“Now it’s a thriving success. But, none of this would have happened if we didn’t get the support from the local community and for that, we are extremely grateful for what they have done.”

For 2010, Lazy Magnolia’s goal is to produce 4 million beers. Additionally, McKiernan said the brewery is focusing on maximizing the current selection of beers they have now.

“We feel it’s important to keep an ear out for what our consumers and supporters are looking for because we work hard to craft beers that are suited to the people in Mississippi,” he said.

New Albany, MS prepares for Beer vote

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 02:31:00 +0000

NEMS360.com

NEW ALBANY – Voters here will decide Tuesday whether beer and light wine will be legal to sell and possess within the city limits.

Union Countians United for Progress secured more than 1,000 signatures to force the vote – the same group that promoted a countywide election to allow liquor and wine in November 2008.

The election will be held at the Union County Courthouse, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Promoters have said the election is an economic issue, and opponents have posed it as a moral question. Some signs around town urge, “Vote for progress,” while others assert that “a vote ‘no’ to beer and wine is a vote for families.”

For some supporters the idea that people drive to other towns is reason enough to make alcohol legal in New Albany.

“It will keep money in our community; it’ll keep DUIs and stuff down,” said nursing student Jeamie Graham, who once spent 39 days hospitalized because of a drunk driver. “If it’s right here for people to get and they don’t have to drive 25 miles each way, isn’t that better?”

“If it kept people from being alcoholics or from drinking, I’d vote no,” said one unnamed woman who said she would vote yes. “But it doesn’t – they go to Tupelo or Oxford to get it.”

Beer supporter Bobby Banks asked, “How many people have been killed driving from Tupelo, Oxford or Memphis when all they’ve done was go after beer or liquor?’

One respondent labeled as “Katie” on a local Internet exchange assured, “A vote AGAINST beer is a vote for the youth of New Albany. Yes, voting is private, but there is One who will know how you vote.”

Wendy Coltharp, a sales trainer with FedEx, said she drinks but is concerned whether legalization might change the town.

“At first I was really for it, because in some ways I think it could bring in some new businesses,” she said. “On the other hand, this is a really tight-knit family community, and I worry about maybe an increase in the DUI situation.

“I have a 1-year-old, and I want her to be safe, so I’m inclined right now to vote no. People are crazy enough as it is.”

To pass, more than 50 percent of participating voters on Tuesday would have to approve the referendum. If it fails, supporters cannot compel another election for five years.

Let The Alcohol Sells Begin!

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 03:20:00 +0000

Laurel Leader-Call: Merchants in Ellisville, Mississippi begin selling beer and light wine for first time ever

By Charlotte A. Graham, countyreporter@laurelleadercall.com

ELLISVILLE — George’s Discount Beer & Tobacco in Ellisville made history Monday as the first business to sell beer within the city limits.

The Budweiser truck form Southern Beverage Company in Laurel was at the store bright and early Monday to make sure the beverage was available for customers when the store opened its doors at 7 a.m.

Several residents were on hand for the historic event, but to his delight, Ellisville resident and property owner Gordon Wright had the distinction of being the first to purchase beer in the city. Wright, 62, along with Carson Graham, worked for about a year to gain enough local support for beer sales. They presented a petition to the Board of Aldermen earlier this year requesting a vote on the issue.

On October 6th, Ellisville residents repealed the city’s alcohol ban with a vote of 367 to 313. Only 680 of the city’s 2,400 registered voters participated in the special election.

The Board of Aldermen adopted an ordinance on Nov. 11 that allows businesses to sell beer and light wine with a five percent alcohol content by weight limit. Other guidelines in the ordinance are the applicant must be over 21 years of age, a person of good moral character and a citizen of the United States and the State of Mississippi; there must be 300-foot barrier between businesses selling beer, and churches and schools; all displays must be at least 21 feet from the front door of the business; sales are permitted on Sundays between 1 p.m. and midnight, with regular hours for sales between 7 a.m. and midnight; and restaurants allowed to sell beer between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m.

“We’re excited about being the first to sell beer in Ellisville,” said Paula McCloud, George’s District Manager. “This is something our owner, Mr. George (Harrison) worked hard for before.

“He’s deceased now, but I am sure he is smiling down on us right now.”

Harrison’s widow, Donna, called the day a “dream come true.”

“He had been working to get beer in Ellisville for years,” she said. “There were some hold ups because some of the people he had gotten to sign a petition were not registered voters.”

Harrison said she is glad residents finally had an opportunity to vote for beer sales. “It’s a shame that the people in Ellisville had to drive all the way to Laurel to buy beer,” she said. “They are going to buy beer anyway and perhaps get caught (by law enforcement officers) coming back to Ellisville with it in their cars.

“Why not sell it to them here in Ellisville? We can keep those tax dollars here in this city.”

George’s has been in Ellisville 10 years, but has operated a store in Laurel for about 17 years. McCloud said the Ellisville store will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and will be closed on Sunday.

The store will sell assorted beer products from Miller and Budweiser, as well as a number of imported beers.

But while George’s is the first business to sell beer in Ellisville, other business will soon follow. City Clerk Kathy Brewer said other business that have applied for licenses to sell the beverage are Fast Tract and Corner Market Grocery Store. She said Greer’s Grocery Store has inquired, but has not yet applied for a license.

“I’m just glad to have beer and light wine available here so we can get the tax revenues here,” said Wright. “It’s not like we are encouraging people to purchase or drink beer. They have been doing it all along, but purchasing it from other cities.”

Wright said he has picked up a number of beer cans and bottles from his property over the years. He’s certain other property owners have done the same thing.

“The main issue here is that people won’t have to travel elsewhere to buy beer,” he added. “I’m just glad it’s here for me to purchase. It’s time for it.”

Ellisville resident Robert Bland, 57, agrees. “To be honest, I never thought I would live to see this day,” he said. “I never thought the citizens of Ellisville would ever vote for it.

“Ellisville’s been here for over 300 years and we have been living in the old days,” he said. “Alcohol is legal in the United States, but we haven’t been able to purchase it in Ellisville.

“I’m thankful we can purchase beer now, but I just can’t understand what took so long. Opposing beer sales just didn’t make any sense to me at all.”

Bland was the third person to purchase beer Monday. The second was George’s District Manager Paula McCloud.

“I want to be a part of this historic day,” he said. “I still don’t believe it.”

But Bland will have evidence that the day actually happened. He documented the day’s happenings recording it on his video camcorder.

“What a great day,” he said.

Be The First To Taste The New Lazy Magnolia Gulf Porter

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Come out to the Keg & Barrel in Hattiesburg, MS this Thursday evening (November 5, 2009) for the Raise Your Pints Cask Ale Tasting. Lazy Magnolia will be featuring two unique casks of their beer. One will be a cask of the brand new Gulf Porter, the other is a secret one-time recipe based on a dry-hopped, double-fermented Reb Ale. The fun starts at 7:00 PM. All proceeds from sales of cask pints go to support Raise Your Pints.

Raise Your Pints Cask Ale Tasting II

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:38:00 +0000

Raise Your Pints is throwing another party. This one is Thursday, November 5th at the Keg and Barrel in Hattiesburg, MS. Show your support for raising the 5% ABW limit on beer sold and brewed in Mississippi by attending this event.

***************************************************

GREAT NEWS! Because the Lazy Magnolia cask ale party in Jackson was such a success, they have agreed to donate one more firkin of anther, one of a kind, single-batch cask ale to Raise Your Pints for another fundraiser!

This one will be in Hattiesburg. We'll be tapping it Thursday, November 5th at the Keg & Barrel at 7:00.

Everyone's welcome to attend, so bring a friend (or three). We'll have RYP schwag to give away and special gifts for members who bring a friend and sign them up on the spot. Door prizes given throughout the night.

The pints of the cask ale are $6 each. We'll also be selling brand new RYP logo pint glasses for $5 each, or get the pair for $10.

The RYP officers will be on hand to answer your questions and fill you in on where we are and what's coming up.

It's going to be a great night with lots of fun and a rare chance to try some "real ale" brewed right here in MS. Don't miss it!

This is a completely different beer than what we had in Jackson. Like that one, it's a single-batch beer. The recipe has never been made before and will never be made again. It's unfiltered, unpasteurized and cask-conditioned, so it's a real, living product, as fresh as it gets!

Facebook Event Page
Myspace Event Page

Raise Your Pints Facebook Group
Raise Your Pints Website

"A Significant Boost to Business"

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 11:36:00 +0000

Alcohol Sales; A Boost For Flowood, MS Restaurants

“A significant boost to business” is how the manager of Up The Creek describes sales since they started serving wine and liquor. At Cheddar’s Casual Cafe, the manager says they’ve seen an increase in traffic and a lot of new customers since they opened their bar last weekend.

According to the Flowood city clerk, 13 restaurants have applied for resort status permits, which allows them to sell wine and liquor by the glass. Seven are now selling these spirits in their establishments. The remainder are still waiting for approval. They must get a permit from the city and a license from the state. The process can take several weeks.

At least six other restaurants are still waiting for their privilege to serve wine and alcohol to their customers, and there are a few hotels. The Sleep Inn, The Holiday Inn Express and Candlewood Suites have applied for resort status. The city clerk tells us Logan’s, Papito’s, and Stix are scheduled to go before the city November 2nd and apply for their permits for resort status.

In June, Flowood voters passed the by-the-glass liquor referendum. Parts of Pearl are also pushing for liquor by the glass sales. This month, Rankin County supervisors approved a plan to allow beer sales near parts if the reservoir.

Fred Cerami, who owns Cerami’s Italian Restaurant, has been serving alcohol for the last two weeks, and he’s already noticed an increase in business.

“It’s giving the people of Rankin County, the city of Flowood, the opportunity to have a glass of wine with their dinner,“ he said. “They don’t have to travel as far after they have an alcoholic beverage.“

Cerami, who is originally from Brooklyn, says his customers enjoy drinking wine or liquor with their meals. He opened his restaurant in 1977 came to Mississippi to go to college in Hattiesburg. He says he paid his way through school by selling hot dogs on street corners.

His hot dog wagon is now his salad bad. It reminds him of his past, but he says the future of his business and the community depends on their ability to grow.

“We’re going to get fine restaurants coming in, we’re going to get steakhouses coming in,“ he said. “It’s in the making right now.“

New Lazy Magnolia Beer!

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 02:17:00 +0000

Gulf Porter, the first in Lazy Magnolia’s Brewers Choice Series, is brewed with carefully selected malts, oats and hops. Our special strain of yeast adds a unique spicy note to compliment the rich complexity and smooth character of this creation from Mississippi’s Brewery. With warm noted of toffee and caramel, this porter is sure to spark a lively discussion on the finer points of Southern living.

1/2 gallon growlers will be available throughout Mississippi, and there will be a limited number of kegs available from the Mississippi Coast to Jackson. It will be released by mid-November 2009.

Vote on Sunday beer sales for Reservoir area coming up

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 11:51:00 +0000

Vote on Sunday beer sales for Reservoir area coming up

Rankin supervisors are scheduled to vote on a measure Thursday that, if passed, would allow Ross Barnett Reservoir-area stores to sell beer on Sundays.
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Prohibited in most of the county, Pearl River Valley Water Supply District officials asked the Board of Supervisors to amend the beer ordinance for the district.

The agendas presented at this morning's work session showed the item.

Restrictions against alcohol have relaxed recently; select Flowood restaurants began selling liquor and wine last week, and Flowood and Pelahatchie approve measures allowing Sunday sales of beer in the past year.

Because Madison County businesses just across the spillway can sell on Sunday, Slay said the “perception by these businesses on the Rankin County side think it’s unfair.”

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Raise Your Pints Press Release - Cask Ale Fundraiser, Oct 10, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 00:10:00 +0000

BREW MASTER’S EDITION LAZY MAGNOLIA BEER FEATURED AT TASTING

October 10th event designed to benefit Raise Your Pints, a grassroots effort to modernize Mississippi’s beer laws.

Lazy Magnolia Brewery and Raise Your Pints Mississippi will feature a special, brew master’s “cask ale” that will be available for a one time only tasting, Saturday October 10th at Hal and Mal’s on Commerce Street in Jackson. Lazy Magnolia is Mississippi’s only brewery and the special brew is based on a recipe from head brewer, Gar Hatcher. Hatcher will also be on hand for the event. “Lazy Magnolia Brewery is proud to be able to support Raise Your Pints by offering this unique chance to try a once in a lifetime cask ale” said Hatcher.

The event is a fundraiser for Raise Your Pints (www.RaiseYourPints.com), a grassroots organization in Mississippi working to lift the ban on gourmet beers. Mississippi is the last state in the United States with prohibition-era laws that ban gourmet beers. The current law means that 85% of the world’s top ranked beers are illegal here.

The tasting is Saturday, October 10th at 7:00pm in the Hal and Mal’s patio room. The specialty pints are $6 each. Raise Your Pints and Lazy Magnolia merchandise will be on sale, Red Beans and Rice will be offered free of charge while it lasts, and door prizes will be given away throughout the evening. Additionally, the Raise Your Pints board of directors will be on hand to answer questions. “This is an exciting chance for people in Mississippi to try a historic beer style that’s pretty rare nowadays” said Raise Your Pints president, Butch Bailey.

The flavor of the experimental beer will not be revealed until the actual tasting, but it is a cask ale which is a very rare- especially in Mississippi. A cask ale is an unfiltered, unpasteurized beer that is served from a cask without additional carbonation.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Raise Your Pints President Butch Bailey, please call 601-606-6742 or email him at butch@raiseyourpints.com.

Oh my! Stout and Pie?!

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:00:00 +0000

Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company of Kiln, Mississippi has teamed up with the good folks at Hubig’s Pies of New Orleans to create a one of a kind, absolutely-can’t-miss creation.

Where?
Avenue Pub
1732 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA.
(504) 586-9243

When?
Saturday, October 3rd at 4 pm

Why?
Because when was the last time you had a Sweet Potato Cream Stout?
- NEVER? -
When was the last time you had a world famous Hubig’s Apple Pie?
-PROBABLY YESTERDAY-
But, when was the last time you had a pint of Sweet Potato Cream Stout infused with Hubig’s Apple Pie filling?

THOUGHT SO, AND ON THAT NOTE, COME JOIN US FOR A PINT OF THE GOOD STUFF!

Tupelo, MS to Vote This Week on Sunday Alcohol Sales

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 11:25:00 +0000

Vote On Sunday Alcohol In Tupelo Tuesday

Tupelo, Mississippi - Tupelo residents could learn Tuesday if Sunday alcohol sales will be allowed in the city's restaurants and stores.

The City Council will decide Tuesday whether to allow beer and light wine sales from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday in restaurants and stores.

If early reactions to the upcoming vote are any indication, it'll be a long and contentious meeting.

Tupelo allows beer sales the other six days of the week, from 7 a.m. until midnight. Liquor also is available six days a week, but Tuesdays vote will deal only with beer.
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Information from: Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, http://nems360.com/

Beer sales at Ole Miss game top estimates

noreply@blogger.com (Admin) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 02:54:00 +0000

Beer sales at Ole Miss game top estimates

MEMPHIS — Memphis officials say the introduction of beer sales at University of Memphis football games is more popular than anticipated.

According to a news release, Sunday’s game against Ole Miss — the first game where beer was sold — brought in more than $114,000, or 40 percent of the revenue the city had hoped to take in for the season.

The idea of beer at college games had met some resistance. Officials have said the sales are necessary to offset losses at the city-funded Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

Mayor Pro Tem Myron Lowery said in a statement revenue will also help the city improve the venue.

No beer was sold after the third quarter and beer was not sold in student sections of the stadium.