I heard from a colleague today that the long-rumored sale of Drake’s Brewing in San Leandro is a done deal. Apparently the Martin Brothers, who own Triple Rock Brewery in Berkeley have acquired it. Since Rodger Davis, Drake’s former brewer, recently was hired by Triple Rock, this makes perfect sense and will also give Triple Rock a production facility. Perhaps we’ll soon see Monkey Head Arboreal Ale in a six-pack?

 
UPDATE: Bill Brand has the full story in today’s paper, entitled San Leandro craft brewery sold to Triple Rock.
 

On Friday afternoon I arrived in North Carolina from London for the World Beer Festival put on by All About Beer magazine. Daniel Bradford and Julie Johnson Bradford had invited me to their event back in April and I was keen to see what North Carolina looked like these days and what changes I’d recognize, having moved to California from Durham twenty-five years ago. I was also giving a presentation and tasting on IPAs during the second session, in the evening. There were a few other writers in town for the same reason, such as Lew Bryson and Rick Lyke. After a brewer’s reception, I retired early, as I had only an hour and half’s worth of sleep the night before and was only able to manage a few catnaps on the plane over the pond. I felt like crap and by all accounts looked even worse. Happily, I woke up the following morning feeling much better. After enjoying visits to two area barbecue places with Lew Bryson (yes, we ate two meals), we headed over to the new Durham Bulls ballpark, where this year’s World Beer Festival was being held.

The World Beer Festival at the new Durham Bulls ballpark.

For many more photos from this year’s World Beer Festival in Durham, visit the photo gallery.