Three Cheers for American Beer
This past week alone, we ran across three stories about how American craft beer is attracting fans in other countries:
At the Great British Beer Festival, the 80 American-made beers sold out midway through the third day of the five-day event and got good reviews from festival-goers.
Jason Rehel of the National Post might be risking a treason charge in Canada. He not only says that American beer doesn’t suck, but thinks his country could learn from their neighbors to the south.
Finally, the Brewers Association announced that brewers participating in its Export Development Program subscribers won 15 medals in 10 different categories at Beerfest Asia 2010 in Singapore.
Despite a Flat Economy, Craft Beer Thrives
The economy continues to struggle, and some are warning of a double-dip recession. But one industry continues to buck the trend–namely, craft brewing. The Brewers Association reports that during the first half of this year, craft brewers registered 12 percent sales growth and a nine-percent increase in volume of beer sold compared to the first six months of 2009.
The BA also reports that the United States now has 1,625 breweries, one hundred more than a year ago and the highest number in a century.
The Yanks Are Coming
Twenty-six American craft brewers will be sending beer to next month’s Great British Beer Festival. The beer–along with Mark Huges of Lagunitas Brewing Company and Doug Odell of Odell Brewing Company–will be found at the “USA and Rest of World” section of the festival.
For the first time, American breweries are coming to the festival under the auspices of the Brewers Association’s Export Development (EDP) Program. According to the Brewers Association, EDP participants exported more than 1.4 million gallons of beer, a nine-percent increase over the previous year.
The Friday Mash (Popcorn and Beer Edition)
On this day in 1907, Orville Redenbacher was born in Brazil, Indiana. Even as a youngster in 4-H, he was determined to make the perfect popcorn. His efforts paid off: popcorn made him both rich and famous; and nearly 15 years after his death, Orville Redenbacher remains the number-one selling brand.
If all this talk about popcorn made you thirsty, fear not. The Mash is coming your way!
We lead off with this year’s international Beer Challenge, where the Supreme Champion was Samuel Adams Utopias 2009.
Karl Ockert, the founding and long-time brewmaster at Portland, Oregon-based BridgePort Brewing Company, will leave the brewery on July 30. Ockert, who is credited with turing Portland into “an IPA town,” will become Technical Director at the Master Brewers Association of the Americas.
Duquesne Beer, a Pittsburgh-area favorite a generation or two ago, is coming back. The reincarnated version will be brewed with pricier hops–Saaz and Hallertau varieties from Europe, and hops from Washington State–as well as two-row malt.
Bobby Don Johnson, the Lafayette Craft Beer Examiner, offers his take on what makes a beer “drinkable”, and how “drinkable” differs from “sessionable.”
Legislation in Congress that would cut small brewers’ taxes continues to pick up support on Capitol Hill. According to the Brewers Association, 17 senators and 87 representatives have signed on as co-sponsors.
Finally, from the Department of Ancient History: a story in the April 10, 1988, New York Times attempted to distinguish micro-brewers, craft brewers, and “pub brewers.” Hat tip: Alan McLeod of A Good Beer Blog.
Ludwig Says, “Get Out and Vote”
The time for procrastination is over: the polls are about to close in the Brewers Association’s What Does Craft Beer Mean to You” Poll.
Remember, you’re only allowed to cast one vote, and Ludwig reminds you to vote responsibly.
GABF Tickets Now Available to the Public
Earlier this afternoon (Ludwig lives in Michigan), the Brewers Association began the public sale of tickets to this year’s Great American Beer Festival, which will take place September 16-18 in Denver. The GABF website has information on the availability and price of these tickets, which are expected to go fast.
Got a minute? Here’s the Brewers Association’s 60-second-long video of last year’s GABF:
GABF Tickets Now on Sale
Starting today, members of the Brewers Association and the American Homebrewers Association can buy tickets to the Great American Beer Festival. Your membership must be valid through September 30, 2010, in order to attend the Members-Only Tasting Session or the Farm to Table Pavilion.
GABF tickets go on sale to the general public next Monday at noon Mountain Time.
Something to SAVOR
Tonight is the night for SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, which takes place in Washington, D.C. More than just a beer festival, SAVOR combines a presentation of a sweet and savory foods with a tasting of craft-brewed beer from independent breweries.
The Brewers Association has put together a short (just over six minutes) film from last year’s event. It’s a high-quality production that features some of the biggest names in craft brewing. Thanks to the BA, it’s yours to enjoy:
Cheers! It’s American Craft Beer Week
American Craft Beer Week kicks off today. Sponsored by the Brewers Association, “the mother of all beer weeks” will be celebrated by dozens of establishments across the country (find one near you on the Brewers Association’s events listing). While you’re at it, don’t forget to read the Declaration of Beer Independence. And by all means, treat yourself–and a friend–to a pint of American craft beer.
The Friday Mash (Tax Hangover Edition)
Did you put off your taxes until the last possible minute, then rush to the post office to beat the midnight deadline? If so, that’s Reason #2 to pour yourself a beer. What’s Reason #1? Glad you asked. The Mash is up!
Organizing a beer festival? Sean Inman, writing at the Food GPS blog, has a few suggestions.
The Brewers Association has tweaked its style guidelines again. There are 140 styles in all, including American-style Imperial Porter, American-Style India Black Ale, Belgian-style Quadrupel and Fruit Wheat Ale or Lager, which have been either added or defined by the BA.
The latest interview in Deverie Robinson’s “Women in Beer” series spotlights Kim Jordan of New Belgium Brewing Company, who’s proven that brewing pairs well with social justice.
Mario Rubio is hosting the 39th edition of “The Session”. Up for discussion is a popular brewing trend–namely, collaboration. You’re welcome to join in.
A higher calling? St. Mary’s Church in Elsenham, England, is celebrating its 900th birthday with a special commemorative ale.
Finally, there will be an official ale of Seattle Beer Week: Hale’s Double IPA. Beer Week kicks off on May 13.