We start off the week with nine alcohol related laws in NC, not exactly beer specifically, but much of it still applies.

We have hit the mid-Summer drop off, everyone at the beach or vacation while we have a few stories for the week not the pace of a few weeks ago.

Murphy & Rude Malting Co. has an operational merger with Carolina Malt. Just like some of the mergers that we have been seeing in brewing, at a certain point for cost efficiency it makes sense. Malting equipment, just like brewing is expensive, Murphy & Rude have a larger range of roasted malts so their equipment with Carolina’s scale of base malt production makes operational sense and I suspect they will expand their offerings in the next year.

For the last few months I have been wondering what breweries would brew for the US 250th anniversary, if anything special. We have the New York library collaborating with TALEA Beer Co. to make one of George Washington’s beers, it’s not new Boston Beer Co. also brewed a Founding Fathers pack, and have again. I remember trying them the first time they were released in the 2000s, the root beer stuck out to me as the oddest of the four. Both the beers featured Molasses as an ingredient not surprising for the time because that was the most easily accessible sugar in the United States then. If added at the end of a boil it will ferment, but some of the roast character will follow through to the finishing flavor. It’s a fun ingredient to play with.

Back to NC we have Old Armor Beer Co. making their America 250 to celebrate. I hope to try it before it’s gone, but I am not sure they currently distribute to the Triangle.

Out in Wilmington we have word the The Pour Taproom is up for sale.

Obviously only one big event this week, have a Happy 4th of July with friends, family, and of course Carolinas beer! If you see any 250th Anniversary brews, please let me know I’d like to highlight them.