This is breaking news and I thought a lot of you would be happy to hear that Derek Bean has accepted the newly created position of Field Sales Manager - Beer at Missouri Beverage, effective September 29th. I’m sure a lot of you know or have met Derek at various beer festivities around the area. He has been working as Sales Manager for O’Fallon Brewery since March 2007 and has previously worked for Pabst, Summit, Glazer’s and Schlafly.

MoBev owner/president Bill Reichhardt had this to say of the addition of Mr. Bean, “We’re all looking forward to Derek’s knowledge, experience and personal skills to help manage and direct the growth of MoBev’s beer portfolio.” I have to agree with Mr. Reichhard, adding Derek to MoBev only helps to make one of the best beer distributors in St. Louis that much stronger. Here’s to hoping Derek can help bring in new brands to the area and also perhaps bring some of the current neglected brands into the MoBev fold.

Avery Brewery, the makers of Hog Heaven, Salvation and Ellie’s Brown Ale, have been sighted in Kansas City, MO. Looking at Avery’s website it looks as if Major Brands was scheduled to begin distributing them in Missouri starting this month.

With any luck we’ll be seeing them in St. Louis shortly. If you need your Avery’s fix right now though, you can easily find them at many fine Illinois vendors.

In the Breaking News department, I’ve gotten word from BA Forums that La Folie has made it’s way to Missouri and will be available to purchase tomorrow! I’ve spoken to both Lukas Liquors and Whole Foods in Brentwood who’ve confirmed that they’ll be receiving some tomorrow.

If you’ve never had La Folie you’re in for a treat and surprise. It’s a refreshingly sour wood-aged beer in the style of a Flanders Red. It’s something to be slowly sipped and appreciated. You’ll do yourself quite a service to buy it and even more of a service if you can buy one to drink and one to age for a few years.

I’m being told that quantities are limited this year, so make sure to purchase it as soon as possible. I know I am!