Ranger Creek Small Batch Series

SAN ANTONIO - Ranger Creek Brewing has announced its new limited edition line of specialty beers named the Small Batch Series.

The Small Batch Series will be a seasonal release that is intended as "unique, interesting, and often experimental." Each batch will be brewed only once and only in small quantities, and bottled in smaller 375-ml wax-dipped bottles intended for aging.

The beer for Small Batch Series No. 1 will be an Oak-Aged Rye Oatmeal Pale Ale ("OPA"). This 7% ABV beer was first brewed as their one-year anniversary beer in November 2011.

Twisted X Brewing Moving

CEDAR PARK - Twisted X Brewing Company is moving from its present location in Cedar Park to a new site in the nearby town of Dripping Springs.

The new location just southwest of Austin will have three acres and a 7000-square-foot facility for growth.

Jester King Certified Organic

AUSTIN - Jester King Craft Brewery recently became certified organic by the Texas Department of Agriculture under the USDA National Organic Program.

Most of their beers will carry the certified organic symbol on the next label batches except for the Black Metal Farmhouse Imperial Stout, which still uses a small amount of non-organic specialty malt. However, as Black Metal is still brewed with over 70% organic ingredients it will carry "Made with Organic Ingredients" and the Texas Department of Agriculture seal on its label.

Hops are not currently required to be organic in origin to be certified under the National Organic Program but will be so required to carry the label beginning in 2013. Jester King is currently searching for organic versions of hops now used in their beers without compromising the flavor or quality.

Jester King is the first brewery in Texas to achieve certified organic status.

Texas Brewers at 2012 World Beer Cup

More Texas breweries won medals at the 2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup. The winners were announced May 5th at the conclusion of the annual Craft Brewers Conference in San Diego, California.

Recognized Texas brewers include:

• Düsseldorf-style Altbier: Gold for Alt-eration from Hops & Grain
• Pumpkin Beer: Silver for Pumpkinator from Saint Arnold
• Imperial IPA: Silver for Endeavour from Saint Arnold
• Weizenbock: Silver for Primus from Live Oak
• American-style Dark Lager: Silver for Shiner Bock from Spoetzl
• American-style Dark Lager: Bronze for Santo from Saint Arnold

The World Beer Cup is a judged competition held every two years and sponsored by the Brewers Association, the craft beer industry's professional organization. This year's competition included more than 3900 beers from 799 brewers in 54 countries.

Awards are given in 95 different style categories of beer, with the top three beers recognized with gold, silver and bronze medals.