A new week has begun which means there is new craft beer news to cram into your mind. Luckily for you, I summarized all of the important stuff. In this Growler, you’ll read about the return of SAVOR, a backwards bill being proposed in Texas, and the record breaking craft beer sales in the US. Catch up on all of these stories and more in this edition of the Weekly Growler Fill.

SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience

The highly regarded SAVOR festival has released the dates for its 8th annual appearance. Presented by the Brewer’s Association, SAVOR is the premier craft beer and food pairing event in the United States. It will take place in Washington D.C. on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6, 2015. Guests are given the opportunity to enjoy a sampling of appetizers and craft beers from over 70 small and independent craft breweries while conversing with the luminaries of the craft beer industry. Tickets for the general public go on sale March 25.

Craft Beer Sales Hit Double Digits in the US

For the first time in history, craft beer sales climb to over 10% of all beer sales in the United States. “A new report from the American Brewers Association shows that craft beer sales rose 18% by volume and 22% in dollars in 2014, while overall U.S. beer sales inched up just 0.5%. What’s more, craft beer has hit double digits in terms of market share for the first time, reaching 11% of all beer sales by volume.” In 2010, craft beer sales only accounted for 5% of the market share. Basically, craft beer is killing it right now. Take that, Budweiser!

Houston Lawmaker’s Bill Threatens Texas’s Craft Beer Industry

Over the past few months, I’ve been reporting about all kinds of progressive new bills throughout the states. Sadly, I now have to report about a backwards bill being proposed in Texas. Rep. Senfronia Thompson has proposed a bill that would reduce the amount of beer a craft brewer could sell directly to consumers. Direct sales limits would fall from 40,000 barrels to 5,000 barrels per year. This in turn, would reduce the brewery’s control over their product, reduce profits, and most likely lead to the failure of some small breweries. Thompson claims she is trying to maintain the three tier system, but it really seems like she is just trying to please those who have been paying her off. Check out the quote below:

“According to the National Institute on Money and State Politics, a nonpartisan group that tracks political contributions, Thompson has received a total of $34,000 from the Beer Alliance of Texas since 2002, and since 1998, she’s received a total of $20,050 from a lobbying group called Licensed Beverage Distributors. She’s also received $15,670 during that same timeframe from Wholesale Beer Distributors of Texas, whose raison d’etre is self-evident. These contributions constitute three of her largest supporters to date, and the list goes on,” the magazine reported.” – Houston Chronicle.

Colorado Craft Beer Week Begins!

Colorado Craft Beer Week is currently in full swing. Taking place from March 21-29, this week is dedicated to all things beer in this wonderful, sunny state of CO. Instead of telling you all of the dirty details, I’ll just let you comb through the copious amount of events that Cory so nicely organized in the Beer Beat. Enjoy!

Beer Releases:

Ska Brewing Company: Vernal Minthe Stout and Mexican Logger

Vernal Minthe Stout is a stout brewed with peppermint, spearmint, cocoa and vanilla beans. It will be available starting on March 20.

Mexican Logger is made with premium malts, Noble hop varieties and fermented with a lager yeast strain from Mexico City. The beer features a light-to-medium bodied with flavors of fresh grain, sweet malt and balanced by a pleasant bite of Saaz hops. It will be available starting April 1.

Ninkasi Space Beer: Ground Control

Ground Control is an Imperial Stout brewed with Oregon hazelnuts, cocoa nibs and star anise and fermented with an Ale yeast that survived a trip to space and back. It will be available April 13, in limited edition 22oz. bottles and on-draft at select events.