Birmingham, AL – Alabama’s craft beer industry continues to expand as AlaBev, Alabama’s premiere craft beer distributor, releases the first brew in their Master of the Brewniverse series. The series provides homebrewers a platform to take their brew public through a bi-annual competition hosted by AlaBev. Each spring and fall, AlaBev will partner with a brewery in Alabama to allow the winner of each competition to brew a limited edition, specialty beer. AlaBev has committed to donating a portion of each batch’s proceeds to a charity of the brewery’s choosing.

This past October, AlaBev hosted the first competition in the series and selected homebrewer James Glass of Warrior, Alabama to brew his winning beer, titled Black Saturday, with Avondale Brewing Company. Inspiration for Black Saturday came from time that Glass spent working in Yellowstone National Park and pays homage to the mighty forest fires that burned 150,000 acres on August 20, 1988. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama.

“The process and beer is something that I love to share with my friends and family, and now I’m excited to be able to share it with everyone else with the help of Avondale and AlaBev,” stated winning brewer James Glass. “My beer is a big stout beer that is perfect for the holidays. It showcases the balanced flavors of roasted malt, cherry and vanilla throughout every sip.”

Black Saturday became available in draft Monday, December 14 and will be available in bombers for consumers to purchase the first week of January. The draft can be purchased in Birmingham at Hop City, Slice Pizza & Brew, Aloft, and Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint. The draft can be purchased in the Huntsville-area at Below the Radar Brewhouse, West End Outdoors, Stem and Stein, Old Town Beer Exchange, and Wildwood Tavern. Locations for bomber purchase will be announced at a later date.

“Homebrewing has launched some of the best beers in the world, including Oskar Blues, Lagunitas and local favorite Avondale Brewing Company,” stated Harry Kampakis, President of AlaBev. “We are providing them a platform to take their brewing to the next level. AlaBev’s Master of the Brewniverse competition is the first time a beverage distributor has brought its resources together to create its own line of craft beer. We are excited to launch this inaugural brew to the public and look forward to discovering many more exceptional homebrews as the series continues.”

The second competition in the series will be announced in the coming weeks. AlaBev will be partnering with Straight to Ale Brewing Company in Huntsville, Alabama.

ABOUT ALABEV

AlaBev was founded in 1907 in Birmingham, Ala. AlaBev currently distributes to the areas surrounding Birmingham, Huntsville and Montgomery. They distribute domestic beer, domestic craft and specialty beer, imported beer, organic beer, draught beer, flavored malt beverages and coolers, cider, wine, alcohol free beverages and specialty foods. AlaBev is currently the largest distributor of domestic craft and specialty beer within Alabama. For more information about AlaBev, please contact Matt Kilpatrick at mkilptrick@AlaBev.com or 205-516-3122 or visit www.AlaBev.com.