Even in the grips of the Great Recession, one
industry's profits are
bubbling up,
pouring forth, and experiencing growth in
market share,
dollars spent, and
profit:
craft beer!
World beer prodcution is
up, and the major producers are reduced to
bullying, postentially
short-sighted sponsorships,
intimidation and
exploitation of the legal system to
maintain their
profits. Macrobreweries have tried to
release their own versions of
popular styles, or take over independant breweries. (
Previously: Goose Island bought by Anheuser-Busch
Can Craft Beer Save America? All
over the
United States, local breweries are popping up.
Bend, OR leads the way. Craft brewers in Oregon have
broken production records, North Carolina has
encouraged breweries to
move there, and Texas could see a
$5.6 billion economic impact if
restrictive laws are
changed. Part of the problem is the
byzantine 'Three tier' model for distribution (
previously and
previouslier).
Mississippi and
Alabama have the most restrictive laws in the nation, but people are
pushing for change (
previously).
You can take a
beer-destination vacation, pick up some local ale
when away from home, or grab a pint while at a
baseball game. A beer map of the US,
previously. The best beer city in the United States,
previously. Excellent bars focusing on craft beer have
appeared around the country, including one that
works like a stock exchange.
There are many different styles of beer:
the historic roots of seven styles,
ten healthier beers,
eight India Pale Ales (IPAs) you might want to try (along with their
endless sub-categorization and why it is called IPA,
previously), the resurrection of
lambic in America, a
recommendation engine for dark beer,
aged beer, and
why lager is better than ale. Coming in the autumn:
pumpkin beer. Previously:
10 best beer names ever.
How to Save A Beer Style (Hint: drink it!)
Hops and
water are two of the key ingredients, and it is the water that led a famous West Coast brewery to open a
new location on the
East Coast.
Top 50 Craft Beers By Volume, previously
Here's a few, in no particular order:
Abita, located in beautiful
Abita Springs, LA.
Shiner sponsors a
beer run in their hometown.
Kona, like some other microbreweries, has a focus on
sustainability.
Anchor is known for their
hand-drawn labels.
Full Sail's
interview with their founder shows
brewing is no longer a boy's club.
Redhook successfully
rebrands itself.
Sierra Nevada runs a
beer camp for people who want to learn more.
Dogfish Head's founder
Sam Caglione gives a
talk, is featured in
The New Yorker, covered closely in 'Beer Wars' on
Netflix Instant, and was
previously on MetaFilter.
Yuengling has
become the largest
US-owned brewery, and I couldn't possibly expand on
this excellent post.
The beginning of this trend started with
Sam Adams, which is
changing their look to remain competitive. Some snobs
turn up their noses at Sam Adams, but they forget the
small business startup help and
hop sharing program that the Boston Beer Company has done to help other breweries.
Still apprehensive? You may be surprised to learn that
beer saved the world(video).
The Case For Beer,
The Benefits of Drinking Beer, a
Beer Taxonomy and an answer to the ubiquitous
debate over cans.
In fact,
canning beer is
controversial, even during a
significant expansion in the practice.
One brewery avoids it completely,
even as it becomes
more accepted and
easier. Cans keep out light, can be packed more closely, and chill faster. Before bottles or cans became popular, there was the
growler (
previously).
While travelling, you might
get offered a craft beer in your hotel, or carry some
with you on a hike. Be sure to
secure your beer against unwanted visitors. And you'll need to know
how to say cheers in 50 languages.
Of course, appreciation of good beer and developments in brewing are not limited to the US.
Europeans, particularly
the British, are
brewing up their own new
beers. France's beer has been
neglected (though hopefully not for long). Even in traditionally-minded
Germany and
Belgium, changes are brewing.
There is
lots and
lots of information on the internet, for anyone who wants to learn more.
Cheers!
posted by The Whelk at 10:30 PM on August 22, 2012