My picks of beer news from around the web that you need to read and my two cents on the topics.  Most of the time it’s Hawaii beer news topics, but every once in a while you’ll find other general beer related topics.

Costco Connection – Maui Brewing Company makes it into Costco….magazine. Cool little write up in Costco Connection about MBC with owner Garrett Marrero. Now when will we see MBC sold in local Costco??? http://bit.ly/14o3EUv

Slate.com – A great break down and look into contract brewing in it’s many forms. Kona Brewing Company’s President Mattson Davis is quoted as well. There is a lot of ill will towards contract brewing and the more consumers know about the practice and business implications the better. http://slate.me/17KJ1b4

The Full Pint – Deschutes Jubelale is coming and with all new labels. The winter seasonals (one of my favorites) should be showing up in Hawaii in the next month or so. http://bit.ly/15w801M

Beer Pulse – Hawaii got super lucky to receive a few cases of Fifty Fifty Brewing’s Eclipse Imperial Stout in 2013. The chances of that happening for next year are slim, so many die hards purchased “futures” of the rare beer. You have to be a pretty big fan to pay $20+ a bottle for the beer then make the trip to Tahoe to pick it up. Or have nice friends to pick it up and ship it to you. Details on the rare whale release party are here. http://bit.ly/1dMhVDQ

Craft Brewing Business – Inc. Magazine annually ranks the fastest growing companies in the US. Normally these are tech companies, medical companies and service companies. This year 4 craft breweries landed on the list. None of the four are distributed in Hawaii yet, but hey, if they are growing that fast maybe they’ll make it here sooner than later.  http://bit.ly/14VZMxv

SaveonBrew – Fun interview with Russian River’s Vinnie Cilurzo. Just cause I love RR so much. http://bit.ly/15w3K2t