Record number of breweries in the USA
#18
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
I really dont mind if the good beers dont get distributed too much, the local beers are great, and there is enough selection (too much IPA though). Its nice to get new beers when travelling, like time travel. I take my growler direct to the breweries that I like. My favorite is a mild brewed by an Englishman, better than I remember it being at home.
#19
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
I can drink most beers, although I'm not going to pretend that the Bud, Coors, and Miller are any better than alcoholic water (although 99% of non-alcoholic drinks I have are plain tap water). The sad part is where you get so few options due to distributor lock-out, even the beers that look like craft ales (Shock Top, Blue Moon, etc) are just another arm of the big breweries which they pretend is made by a small brewery. And making beer with rice instead of malt is plain wrong.
#20
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Rural Virginia
Posts: 1,076
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
Fifteen states have more than 100 breweries, CA, WA, CO, OR,MI,NY,PA,IL,TX,OH,FL,VA,NC, WI and IA.
The top type is IPA.
Locally we have larger breweries like Devils Backbone and at the other end small poor quality operations which produce swill.
Personally I do not need chocolate, peppermint and other contaminants in my beer.
The top type is IPA.
Locally we have larger breweries like Devils Backbone and at the other end small poor quality operations which produce swill.
Personally I do not need chocolate, peppermint and other contaminants in my beer.
#22
BE Forum Addict
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2008
Location: Rural Virginia
Posts: 1,076
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Location: Oakland County, Michigan
Posts: 846
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
Some really great microbreweries here in Michigan. I agree with the comment above about IPA overkill though.
#24
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2014
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 317
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
I think that my main issue with American beers (particularly craft or small brewers) is the strength. I went to the local beer shop (bar without food) for their quiz night last week - nothing under 7%. Two of those on a school night is enough. I had to nurse the second pint because I couldn't have had a 3rd!
#25
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
I think that my main issue with American beers (particularly craft or small brewers) is the strength. I went to the local beer shop (bar without food) for their quiz night last week - nothing under 7%. Two of those on a school night is enough. I had to nurse the second pint because I couldn't have had a 3rd!
#26
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2014
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 317
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
Me too. I got an invite to a 'tap the barrel' last Friday at 5pm. 11.6% I wouldn't have made it home, never mind cooked tea for 3 kids...
#27
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
A lot of the stronger stuff is sold in smaller measures and in something more akin to a wine glass than a beer glass.
#28
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
I've tried bacon beer at a beer festival back home. Amazingly, it tastes just like bacon. You take a swig and it tastes just like a regular beer. Then the bacon aftertaste hits you. At first it's cool cause it tastes just like real bacon. Then you realize the aftertaste is stuck there and it stops being cool. Luckily, I only had a swig of my mate's pint. That poor sod had to drink the try of the pint LOL.
#29
I approved this message
Joined: Dec 2004
Location: Chicago
Posts: 2,425
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
Three other opinions:
The DIPA / hop bomb / ultra-high ABV / stunt beer thing started to wane about six years ago. I'm seeing lots more session beers these days. We've also been through barrel-aging and sour fads. All of these fads are still around to some degree.
The quality of the local beer is highly dependent on where you live. Here in Chicago there are tons of skillful breweries making interesting stuff or tackling classic styles with subtlety. The same is true in Portland, OR, New England, Denver and San Diego. In contrast, I've found that most of the south and west, in particular Florida and Texas are relative beer deserts. Trying to find good local beer in Phoenix is really difficult, for example.
There are way too many breweries in this country right now. I foresee a shakeout.
Last edited by Hiro11; Feb 9th 2016 at 7:28 pm.
#30
Re: Record number of breweries in the USA
I've tried bacon beer at a beer festival back home. Amazingly, it tastes just like bacon. You take a swig and it tastes just like a regular beer. Then the bacon aftertaste hits you. At first it's cool cause it tastes just like real bacon. Then you realize the aftertaste is stuck there and it stops being cool. Luckily, I only had a swig of my mate's pint. That poor sod had to drink the try of the pint LOL.