archive

May 8, 2013 The Alabama legislature has approved a bill making it legal to brew beer at home, a practice that had occupied a legal gray area. If Gov. Robert Bentley signs the bill, as he is expected to do, homebrewing will be legal in all 50 states.

Summary

April 14, 2013 Faced with criticism and ridicule, the New York Yankees have yanked a sign touting a "Craft Beer Destination" stand at their stadium, after beer fans noted that all the products are from MillerCoors. At other ballparks, genuine craft beer is easy to find.

Summary

April 9, 2013 Arsenic in beer doesn't sound like a good idea, even if it's due to a centuries-old filtering process. A new study says filtering beer with diatomaceous earth could boost levels of arsenic. But it's not clear whether this poses a health risk.

Summary

April 5, 2013 Saccharomyces cerevisiae is poised to become the nation's first official state microbe. Oregon is grateful, very grateful, for all the yeast has done for the state's booming craft beer industry.

Summary

March 13, 2013 Three decades after giving the world The Number of the Beast, Iron Maiden is poised to release its latest work — and it's a beer. "As a fan of traditional English cask beer, I thought this could actually be something really exciting," singer Bruce Dickinson says.

Summary

March 6, 2013 Mississippi is poised to make it legal for residents to brew their own beer, as its legislature approved a homebrewing bill today. The shift, to take effect on July 1, would leave Alabama as the lone U.S. state that still bans people from brewing beer for their own consumption.

Summary

March 5, 2013 Malt is an essential component of beer, but most comes from a handful of industrial processors that pool grains from across the U.S. and Canada. Now, a small but growing number of craft malt houses are malting grains from small regional farmers, enabling microbreweries to offer truly local beers.

Summary

February 28, 2013 Class-action lawsuits accuse Anheuser-Busch of watering down Budweiser and other beers and then misleading consumers about their alcohol content. The company denies the claims; in tests commissioned by NPR, samples of Budweiser were found to be in line with their advertised alcohol content.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

February 27, 2013 Despite Germany's long association with beer, it looks like its citizens are imbibing less of their celebrated beverage now than they did a generation ago. Some cite the economy as a factor; others, the rise of health consciousness.

Transcript

On All Things ConsideredPlaylist

February 8, 2013 Yeast are demanding little critters. To make good-tasting beer, brewers have to pamper them like pedigreed pets. A new report says it's all about the microbiology. Brewers say they use science to keep their charges happy.

Summary

February 6, 2013 NHPRSmall, local breweries are trendy, but in many places, starting one can involve a lot of red tape, thanks in part to Prohibition-era liquor laws. New Hampshire is the first state to try to change that. But is the "nano" model really sustainable?

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

February 1, 2013 Malted wheat and barley add flavor and heft to most beers, but they also contain gluten, making beer off limits for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. For those looking for gluten-free options for Super Bowl Sunday and beyond, good news: There are more choices than ever before for flavorful, full-bodied gluten-free beer.

Summary

January 4, 2013 Everyone from the Vikings to 18th century British sailors swore that a pint of spruce beer kept away scurvy. While that may not have really worked, you, too, can capture the essence of your Christmas tree in a glass.

Summary