A Wicked World Cup: Hi-Wire isn’t the only brewery getting into the World Cup spirit. Wicked Weed’s head brewer Luke Dickinson worked for the last few months sourcing ingredients from around the world for a special series of beers to pour while the games are going on. Dickinson will also showcase some unique beer styles, such as Ethiopian tej honey wine and chicha (a South American corn-based beer). The first two beers, paying homage to Brazil and France, were pouring last week and may still be on tap. Starting on Thursday, June 19, Wicked Weed will tap Mexico (with cilantro and chilies), Germany (with German hops) and Australia (with Australian hops and lemon myrtle). Starting Saturday, June 28, it will tap England (with yeast from Everards brewery), Peru (chicha) and Ethiopia (tej honey wine).
Sierra Nevada releases Rain Check: After months of test brewing flagships like Pale Ale and Torpedo, Sierra Nevada has announced the release of the first original creation from the Mills River brewery. Rain Check spiced stout will be in stores only in North Carolina and a few surrounding states, according to communications manager Ryan Arnold. Brewed with fresh ginger, brown sugar, molasses and lime, the beer will be available starting in mid-June. The name of the beer, and the somewhat tropical ingredients, are a nod to the unusually wet conditions Sierra endured while building the Mills River brewery. Sierra remains on track to hold its big opening celebration — which will also serve as the finale of Beer Camp Across America—on Sunday, Aug. 3. Tickets are available at: www.sierranevada.com/beercamp
Stone Brewing rules out Asheville: Apparently Asheville isn’t arrogant enough for Stone Brewing. Whatever the reasoning, the Norfolk Metro reported that Stone President and Brewmaster Steve Wagner says, “Asheville was never a consideration,” for the company’s East Coast facility. However, Greenville, N.C., and Charlotte are both still in the running for Stone, currently the 10th-largest craft brewer in the country. The company’s decision is expected in July.
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