California’s craft brewing industry generated approximately $3 billion in total economic impact to the state in 2011, reported Steve Wagner, president of the California Craft Brewing Association (CCBA), Nevada City, Calif., and president and brewmaster at Stone Brewing Co., Escondido, Calif.

DuClaw Brewing Co. announced the winning 2012 H.E.R.O. beer: Chocolate Chipotle Stout.

 Karl Strauss Brewing Co. released its Windansea Wheat beer in bottles for the first time earlier this summer.  

Anheuser-Busch (A-B), the St. Louis-based subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev (A-B InBev), announced the expansion of Bud Light Platinum production to its St. Louis and Columbus, Ohio, breweries as well as plans to add its Fort Collins, Colo., brewery in June. The production expansion will keep up with demand for the new product that launched early this year and is outpacing expectations, the company said in a statement.

Odell Brewing Co. introduced Shenanigans Oak-Aged Crimson Ale in 750-ml. cork and cage finished bottles.

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls, Wis., a subsidiary of MillerCoors’ Tenth and Blake Brewing Co., is celebrating its 145th birthday by taking its craft beer portfolio on a cross-country tour this summer.

Odell Brewing Co. released its first single-serve beer of the year.

Brewmasters for 21st Amendment Brewery and Ninkasi Brewing Co. joined forces to create an ale that features ingredients from each brewer’s local region.

Shmaltz Brewing Co. launched Coney Island Barrel-Aged Human Blockhead lager. With 10 percent alcohol by volume, the Imperial American Bock was aged for more than five months in first-use Buffalo Trace Kentucky straight bourbon barrels.