Here's more good news for people who can't digest gluten: Anheuser-Busch is rolling out Redbridge, a wheat- and gluten-free beer brewed with sorghum and the first to be available nationally.

A-B, which describes the lager as having "a well-balanced, moderately hopped taste," worked with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness on the beer.

An estimated 1 in every 133 people have (and most don't know they have) celiac disease, a condition in which gluten proteins -- found in wheat, barley, rye and other grains -- destroy the nutrient-absorbing lining in their small intestines, leading to other health problems.

Redbridge, brewed in Merrimack, N.H., contains 4.8 percent alcohol per 12-ounce serving.

The brew is just now becoming available in Western Pennsylvania, where you also can find gluten-free Bard's Tale as well as Ramapo Valley honey beer.

Brewery is closed

The local chamber of commerce confirmed last week that Four Sons Brewery & Restaurant in Titusville, Crawford County, is closed, at least temporarily.

Honey Porter picked

Beer fans voted and picked the Honey Porter (over the Smoked Lager) as their Beer Lover's Choice, and so that's the beer you'll find, along with five other varieties, in the Samuel Adams Brewmaster's Collection just being released now.

An assist

Fort Worth Star-Telegram beer writer Barry Shlacter reports that while rebuilding for a fall 2007 reopening, owners of the Katrina-devastated Dixie brewery in New Orleans are having Dixie brews made by the Huber Brewery in Wisconsin, and some should be ready for Mardi Gras.

An opening, some tastings

Now open: Barleys & Hops Bottle Shop in the South Park Shops on Route 88 in Bethel Park. The place aims to eventually carry and provide research materials on 800-some imported and craft beers that you can buy individually and in mix-and-match six packs, along with some food.

From 6 to 8 tonight, they'll be doing their first complimentary tasting -- of Cleveland's Great Lakes brews. The tastings will happen each Thursday (www.barleysandhops.com and 412-854-4ALE).

Meanwhile, the Bocktown Beer and Grill in North Fayette is holding free tastings from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays. On tap next week: Meet East End Brewing Co. beers and their brewer, Scott Smith, as well as Bocktown owner Chris Dilla (www.bocktown.com or 412-788-2333).

Other upcoming beer events include:

From 7 to 9 tonight, there will be a beer tasting at Jernigan's Scotch and Cigar Bar in the Galleria in Mt. Lebanon (412-531-5881). Vecenie Distributing's "Beer Guy" Tony Knipling will be sharing imports EKU 28, Czechvar, Weltenburg, Asam Bock and Monchshof Schwarzbier, as well as Dogfish 60 Minute IPA and Weyerbacher Blithering Idiot.

Starting at 8 p.m. on Jan. 30, Club Diesel on the South Side will get a way-early jump on spring by hosting the 2nd annual Samuel Adams White Party to launch Samuel Adams White Ale. White attire is suggested. But the live music is by Green Eggs.

Also helping to get us through: The Cabin Fever Brew Fest on Feb. 3 at the Gunner Restaurant & Inn in St. Marys, Elk County (www.gunners.biz or 1-814-834-2161). Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at door, or get an overnight package with two tickets and a room for $99.

The weekend of Feb. 17 in East Liberty, it's the third annual Hell with the Lid Off barleywine blitz at Kelly's Bar & Lounge (412-363-6012).

The Harris Grill in Shadyside is hosting a Brewer's Dinner on Jan. 24 featuring Scott Smith and the brews he makes at Homewood's East End Brewing Co.

Only a handful of tickets are left, but on Feb. 28, the place will be holding another one, featuring folks and brews from the highly regarded Stone Brewing Co. in San Diego. Watch www.harrisgrill.com or call 412-362-5273.

On Feb. 25, the Brewerie in Erie hosts the Erie Illusion (women's football team) Beer Fest (erieillusionfootball.com).

Beer Drinker's Diet

Finally, if you've made any weight-loss resolutions, you might want to know about Bradley Scott Cailor's book, "The Beer Drinkers Diet." The Plain City, Ohio, man claims to have lost 114 pounds without giving up you-know-what (www.TheBeerDrinkersDiet.com).