E-Malt.com News article: USA, NC: Appalachian Mountain Brewery completes name change

Appalachian Mountain Brewery, Inc. (OTC:HOPS), is pleased to announce, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA") has approved its name change from North Carolina Natural Energy, Inc. (OTC:NCNE), and will begin trading under the new OTC stock symbol "HOPS." Shareholders do not need to take any action regarding this change, Wall Street Journal reported on January 8.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery ("AMB") is profitable and is consolidating its financial statements now to be published showing results of operations for its year end December 31, 2013. In response to inquiries coming into the company, AMB is filing Form D with US Securities and Exchange Commission and Form U2A with the North Carolina Secretary of State Securities Division, preparing to engage its 506c Crowd Funding, allowing qualified investors to take advantage of the recently passed JOBS Act.

The JOBS Act allows high net worth investors to contact AMB to participate in the growth of Appalachian Mountain Brewery by purchasing preferred stock directly from the company in a private placement. More information will be provided on the company's website via investor inquiry once the regulatory filings are in place with US SEC and NC State Securities Division. AMB is preparing the steps necessary to become fully reporting with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Craft beers like those at Appalachian Mountain Brewery are growing in popularity in the overall U.S. beer market. Total American beer sales fell 2 percent in the first half of 2013, according to data compiled by Bloomberg, while the craft brew segment grew 15 percent. According to the Brewers Association craft breweries added a boost to the U.S. economy by creating 360,000 jobs and generating over $33 billion in revenue. The figure is derived from the total impact of beer brewed by craft brewers as it moves through the three-tier system (breweries, wholesalers and retailers), as well as all non-beer products that brewpub restaurants sell.

One of Appalachian Mountain Brewery's shareholders, Mike Pruitt, CEO of Chanticleer Holdings, (Nasdaq:HOTR), is providing assistance and introductions preparing AMB to enter into its private placement of securities in order to begin canning and distribution of its award-winning beer.

About Appalachian Mountain Brewery, LLC

Appalachian Mountain Brewery, the Official Brewery of the Appalachian Mountains, not only makes craft beer, but focuses its business model on sustainability, community, and philanthropy. The company offers a unique experience through community stewardship and environmental sustainability as a core part of the business. The brewery's modern equipment utilizes a 5kw array of solar panels to offset electricity along with a recapturing system to save water in the brew process. In keeping with the brewery's sustainable mission to reduce, reuse and recycle, AMB has a grain exchange program whereby all spent grain is donated to local farms. AMB also has a "Pints For Non-Profits Program," whereby a portion of proceeds from each beer sold is donated to local non-profit organizations. AMB recently won two Gold Medals and won the overall categories in the 2013 United States Open Beer Championship for its Honey Badger Blonde Ale and California Common. AMB competed against the biggest and best breweries from around the world where over 2,500 beers competed in 68 categories for aroma, appearance, mouth feel, flavor and overall impression. Appalachian Mountain Brewery, located at 3,333 feet elevation atop the Appalachian Mountain Range in Boone, NC, is certified by the NC GreenTravel Initiative, a program that recognizes state travel-related businesses that employ healthy environmental practices. AMB is within minutes of world-class destinations such as Grandfather Mountain, Tweetsie Railroad, Beech Mountain, Sugar Mountain, Appalachian Ski Resorts and the three-time National Football Champions Appalachian State University.


10 January, 2014