Speaking of a site to help the beer and wine industry...

Check out Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws.

The following comes directly from their "About Us" section.

"Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws was formed in 2005 to advocate for beer and wine laws that: 1) benefit consumers; 2) promote competition; 3) protect the environment; and 4) support Maryland's brewers and wineries.

MBBWL represents all Marylanders -- consumers, retailers, producers, distributors, and just regular folks -- who share our values.

Specific reforms that we support include allowing consumers to order wine through online retailers like wine.com, and buy beer and wine at grocery stores.

To join our campaign for better beer and wine laws in Maryland, contact:

Scott Ehlers
Executive Director
Marylanders for Better Beer & Wine Laws"

If you are seriously considering opening/starting your own brewery or winery in Maryland, I would give this site a visit. It's almost a lobby for beer and wine consumer in Annapolis.

Marylanders, tell your Delegates to say no to Senate Bill 232!

Citizens of Maryland, join me and let's consign this silly bill into the deep!

Courtesy of the Beer Advocate email alert system:

"Attention MD BEER DRINKERS:

Senate Bill 232 - recently introduced in the MD General Assembly by Senator Forehand (Montgomery County) will increase the MD tax on beer 6 times - from .21/ case to $1.22/case. As you are no doubt aware, recent dramatic increases to the cost of brewing raw materials have already added about a dollar to the cost of a sixpack.

And the recent 20% increase in sales tax has also increased the cost of beer. If the proposed legislation is passed a six pack of beer will go up at least another 50 cents, on top of the increases noted above, and will make Maryland's beer taxes more than twice our neighboring states!

Enough is enough! Just Say NO!

This bill is opposed by our local (to the brewery) Delegates - Jimmy Malone and Steve DeBoy. But tell your local representatives to oppose Senate Bill 232 and any other bill that increases beer excise taxes.

1) Click here http://mdelect.net/electedofficials/

2) Enter your address and city and hit "Find Elected Officials"

3) The next screen will give you email links to both your State Senator and Delegates.

4) Send them an email today! Please be respectful, but tell them what you think!"

SABMiller the largest brewer in the world?

The giant global conglomeration, SABMiller, who provide thirsty drinkers around the world with Miller Genuine Draft, Leinenkugel's, Golden Pilsener, Carling Black Label, and Pilsner Urquell, among several other brands, are positioning themselves to be the largest brewer in the world, overtaking the mega-brewer InBev.

According to the ProBrewer Interactive forum with the take over of Grolsch, and Heineken buying out Scottish & Newcastle, SABMiller will position itself as number 1.

InBev is best known for providing us with beers such as Becks, Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, and Labatt. Their portfolio consists of approximately 200 brands spanning the globe.

Heineken, the number 3 brewer, owns a little more than 120 brands; including the ever-popular Heineken, Amstel, and Murphy's Irish Stout.

"Savor" the date

Savor, an event being presented by the Brewers Association, is coming to Washington, D.C. It is a two-day event in May with three sessions. The first one will be Friday night, May 16, from 6:30-10:00 PM. Garrett Oliver is the featured speaker.

The second session is Saturday, May 17, from 12:30-4:00 PM. Featured speakers Randy Mosher, Jim Koch, and Rick Martin will be talking about pairing beer and food.

The final session, Saturday, May 17, will start at 6:30 and end at 10:00 PM. The first seminar will be about "cross drinking". Lauren Buzzeo, Wine Enthusiast Magazine; Ray Isle, Food & Wine Magazine; Ken Wells, CondeNast Portfolio; and Julia Herz, Craft Beer Program Director, Brewers Association will be the speakers at that event. The second seminar will have hosts Sam Calagione and Marnie Old duke it out over beer and wine.

Tickets are $85 a pop for one of the three sessions, but I think it's worth it. I'm trying to convince Rachel that it's worth it too. :)