Beer sales versus craft-beer sales -- the backdrop of Anheuser-Busch's purchase of Goose Island

Beer sales are down 1 percent, but the craft-beer portion is up 11 percent, according to American Public Media's Marketplace.

Marketplace reported that statistic during this report on Anheuser-Busch's purchase of Goose Island, a craft brewery in Chicago.

Skull Coast!

Yesterday concluded the 3rd annual Myrtle Beach Beer Fest. When I saw the Skull Coast Ale Company pirate on Saturday, I had to get a photo with him. My daughters love pirates, but they were out of town this weekend. So I sent them a photo. Skull Coast's Maelstrom IPA and Gallows Point Dead Man's Porter were outstanding. Find them and drink them. I'll certainly write about them in my next Surge column.

And here's me at my best on Friday evening:

Myrtle Beach Beer Fest continues today; here's what you should try

The 3rd annual Myrtle Beach Beer Fest continues today.

If you go, you must try these beers:

Highland Little Hump Spring Ale -- Light with citrus tones, almost minty

Dogfish Head Bitches Brew -- Dark, medium-bodied, chocolaty and smooth

Thomas Creek Conduplico -- Brown twist on a Belgian ale

Follow my tweets from the Beer Fest here.

Myrtle Beach Beer Fest starts today!

The 3rd annual Myrtle Beach Beer Fest runs 5-9 p.m. today and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday in Valor Park at The Market Common on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

I will be live on Twitter, tweeting from @cfburch4. Follow me here.

Read my latest column, including information about the Beer Fest, right here.

And for more information, visit the fest site.

A new column on craft beer

Joshua Mason posted this good column on craft beer in the U.S.

Walking

It used to be like, "Walk a mile in the other person's shoes." Now it's like, "Just try to walk a mile."