Please visit our brand new website: www.powersdistributing.com for a daily beer blog that covers everything craft beer related. We also have a brand new Beer Sommelier that pairs everyday recipes with a multitude of beer, informative how-to videos and not to mention our Beer Finder that allows you to rate and comment on your favorite beers. Let your voice be heard! Visit powersdistributing.com!

Ever wanted a Screaming Pumpkin ale wallet? What about a Magic Hat luggage tag? Mindy Humphrey over at Mindy's Designs can take the leftover box from your favorite six pack and turn it into a new treasure!

How can a cardboard box turn into something as unique as a luggage tag? Simple! She covers the cardboard in vinyl, sews it together, and voila! She has tons of different beer gear to choose from on her website... if you can't find the brand you are looking for, just send her your box and she will make you whatever you like (with free shipping!). 

Some of our favorites are:

The Corona Headband,

The Hoegaarden Wallet,

and the Newcastle Brown Ale Cuff.

Mindy was nice enough to share some of her thoughts about Mindy's Beer Gear.

Powers Distributing: So how did you come up with this unique idea?

Mindy:The Bridgeport Brewing name across the top of their six-pack boxes looked perfectly sized for a bracelet. I thought it would be cute to have a bracelet of my cat's name (Bridgeport, named after a Bridgeport Mill, not the brewery). Then I thought I could make a purse out of the whole box. It snowballed from there.


PD: What is your favorite beer?

M: Hard to choose just one. There are so many beers and so little time (or calories). I'm always looking for something new. I can tell you what I have had lately that has blown my mind. Upright Brewing's Hits from the Vine is one of the best I've had lately. It's a Saison Farmhouse Ale that I tasted (a few times) at the Hop Tastival in Portland. My favorite brewery to hang out at in Portland is Breakside Brewing. Their Belgian White IPA is pretty dang good. I recently had 21st Amendment's Hop Crisis in a can. Wow, that about knocked me over.


PD: What is your all-time favorite item you've ever made?

M: I would have to say my Flying Dog Gonzo wallet. I am proud of my new and improved wallet design. And, Ralph Steadman is one of my favorite artists. Anytime I sell a Flying Dog item I get a little sad to have to package it up and say goodbye. The owner of my local bottle shop, By The Bottle, bought the last Gonzo wallet I had. At least I know it went to a good owner and I might even get to see it now and again.
Hop over to Mindy's Etsy page to browse her current inventory. Hopefully you will find the perfect gift for the beer lover in your life!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MindysDesigns

Did you know that the beer legend known as Oktoberfest has kicked off in Munich, Germany? Yes the Marzen beer juggernaut that features massive beer tents, a ceremony for the first keg tapped and of course amazing beers, has attracted people from all corners of the globe. After all who wouldn’t want to join in the fun?

But for those of us that can’t spend the cash on a fourteen plus hour flight, how do we take part? We know a way and so does Draft Magazine. Stateside Marzens using the traditional Marzen style are popping up everywhere! In fact there are at least two of Draft Magazines featured Marzens that you can find at local retailers. Sam Adam’sOctoberfest has hit local shelves and with it’s rich and smooth malts, it’s full of toffee and bready flavor with a punch of spice to make you smile and say: yes, it’s fall! If you’re feeling adventurous you can pick up some of Magic Hat’s Hex Ourtoberfest. Hex mixes cherry-wood smoked malts with a slight sweet flavor and a rich bitterness for a smooth, smoky Marzen with a crisp clean finish.

So grab a bottle, enjoy with friends and you’ve got your own Oktoberfest! Just remember to drink responsibly, you don’t want to end up a bierleichen (it’s what German’s call those who pass out from drunkenness).

To read Draft Magazine’s full article on U.S Marzen beers click Here.

Listed in Fox News as "The World's Most Expensive Beer" is Sam Adams Utopias. At $150 or more per bottle, it's definitely an expensive taste to cultivate, but one of those intriguing snifter shaped bottles lasts a while – making it somewhat easier to justify. Listed as one of their specialty beers, Utopias spent time in Portuguese muscatel finishing casks, as well as sherry, brandy and Cognac casks. This flavorful, slightly fruity brew has a sweet, malty flavor that is reminiscent of a deep, rich vintage port, fine cognac or aged sherry. If you're feeling like trying something new, give it a try!

Pyramid Brewery opened in 1984 under the name of Hart Brewing Company. In 1993 Hefeweizen is born. Unfiltered and brewed with over 60% malted wheat, this full-bodied beer outdoes the 50% Bavarian tradition, and remains our biggest star.This refreshingly unfiltered wheat ale delivers a distinctively smooth flavor worth sharing with friends.

To learn more and see what food pairing go well click here for more information!

We launched a new website this week and so far people are impressed. The website is not 100% finished but it's getting close. There's great "How to Pour" videos, meet our employees, and learn more about beer. There's so much to see and discover you could spend hours on here!

Click on the "Beer Sommelier" page and create your very own beer and food pairing dinner. Want to know more facts about beer? Check out our beer facts at the bottom of the page. Click here to go directly to the new page and let us know what you think!

Draft Magazine came out with a list of simple beer cocktails and one of them is called "The Brooklyn Valentine." This combines chocolate and cherry to create an amazing beer cocktail that's irresistible! Using a tulip glass, pour 11oz of Lindeman's Kreik slowly into the bottom of the glass. Follow that by 12 oz of Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout and top with whipped cream.

Next time your on vacation or happen to be in New York go for a tour of Brooklyn Brewery. Groups of beer enthusiasts, tourists and all sorts of thirsty people stop by the brewery ever day to tour. During the weeknight tours are by reservation and limited to 25 people. You will experience a tasting of different beers as well as a tour of the facility then be able to drink some pints! Friday there is Happy Hour from 6-11PM and free tours on Saturday & Sunday!

This beer is filtered bright with a nice red/brown color! This dark rich roasted flavor is smooth to drink!