"microbreweries" news and stories

August is considered the hottest month from coast to coast, border to border -- anyone notices the heat wave? -- but there are several chances to cool down with some berries and beverages. This month is berry, berry good. Sorry, we couldn't help ourselves.

FarmFest '10, Aug. 3-5, Gilfillan Estate, Redwood County, Minn.: A chance for farmers and industry types to gab about the latest in farming tech, this 29th annual aggie party hasn't forgotten families. There's the bio-diesel tractor pull. If that's not your bushel of apples, perhaps the pancake breakfast or farm family of the year is for you. The event that will surely draw the kiddies is the farm safety carnival -- with the chance to win a prize.

Estherville Sweet Corn Days, Aug. 5-8, Estherville, Iowa: Summer isn't the same without sweet corn. During this four-day fete, the corn is free! Also featured during this festival, one of many nationwide corn tributes, are opportunities for bird watching, kayaking the Iowa River and fireworks. At this time, we cannot confirm that any of the pyrotechnics will be corn shaped.

Students at a southern university that perennially tops lists of party schools may soon have the opportunity to uphold their institution's reputation with 12 added ounces of collegiate pride.

The chancellor at Louisiana State University recently unveiled a proposal to build a microbrewery on campus. The facility would serve as a laboratory for food science students and a training center for aspiring brewmasters.

"At some schools around the country, they have mini breweries on campus," says president and CEO of the LSU Alumni Association, Charlie Roberts, pausing to clarify his pronunciation: "That's m-i-n-i breweries, not m-a-n-y," he adds helpfully.

According to Roberts, Chancellor Michael Martin believes a LSU-branded brew could contribute significantly to the school's marketing and generate revenue for its programs.

Compared to the lush Pacific Northwest and Midwest, the South is a veritable craft-brew desert. Nonetheless, in recent years numerous microbreweries have made inroads into the land of lagers, like Kiln, Mississippi's Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company. It's the state's first -- and still its best -- microbrewery.

Since its 2003 founding, husband-and-wife owners Mark and Leslie Henderson (she's the brewer) have focused on beers employing distinctly Southern ingredients. The silky Jefferson Stout is formulated with sweet potatoes, while the refreshing and lightly sweetened Southern Gold incorporates local honey.

"The South joined the craft-beer revolution pretty late, so many ingredients available here have never been tried in beers," Leslie explains -- notably that of the pecan, which has become Lazy Magnolia's finest muse -- once Leslie cleared a tricky hurdle.

Hooksett, New Hampshire's Bill Herlicka was burned out. So with layoffs impending at his firm, the avid homebrewer took a leap of faith: "I thought, You only live once. Let's see how you can make a brewery work."

Last June, Herlicka launched the artisanal White Birch microbrewery -- emphasis on micro. White Birch is essentially a one-man operation, with Herlicka brewing, bottling, labeling and distributing his robust, complex line of barley wines, wild ales and Belgian-style brews.

A weekly look at the draft selection at beer-friendly bars across the country.

We all have our vices: Some live for libations while others pine for sweets. In St. Louis these two groups can merge in one ecstatic, sugar-fueled pit of sin at Bailey's Chocolate Bar. A lengthy menu of treats includes dramatic desserts, award-winning cocktails and sometimes the two in one beautiful bite (Irish Cream cheesecake, anyone?).

Beer is another of Chocolate Bar's specialties, as it boasts one of STL's most highly-regarded draft lists. A few selections seem obvious (such as Young's Double Chocolate Stout and Arcadia Cocoa Loco) but the bar also boasts a namesake brew, Bailey's Chocolate Bar Chocolate Ale. Of course, a great beer bar can't just stock stouts, and general manager Gene Bailey says they strive for "good enough variety where everyone can find something they like." Many of the current taps come from one brewery: "We're big fans of the New Belgium [Fat Tire] people," Gene admits. Beyond pure pints, Bailey's happily mingles sugar & suds: The Stout Beer Shake, blending chocolate stout and cinnamon ice cream, is a favorite.

Check out Bailey's Chocolate Bar's complete draft list after the jump, tell us if you've got a favorite chocolate beer and get your indulgence on in person next time you're in St. Louis.