Instead of blindly supporting something because it’s been labeled “craft,” how about we simply support brewers who make good beer with good intentions? And that’s “good” as defined by the consumer, not others who might have a vested interest.
Robot serves a cold one; BrewDog ends history, t’ Koelchip starts the future; “Brewed” coming soon to a TV near you; Canadian football team eradicating beer snakes.
As brewers at the GABF continue to experiment and push the definitions of beer and the boundaries of the drinking public, it’ll be interesting to see what results in the tug of war between the American and British brewing models in another 25 years.
The one place we can’t skimp is our ingredients. No matter how much we’d like to use that cheap bag of feed barley to make beer—there’s a reason it’s feed barley and not malt.
COAST Brewing is a tiny brewery run out of an old navy yard in North Charleston, S.C. Its founders, David Merritt and his wife, Jaime Tenney, can only crank out big, hugely creative beers because they first led the campaign to liberalize South Carolina’s brewing regulations.
Often, the grain is used to give a new twist to a classic style. When you get it just right, its spicy tang plays on a nutty, chocolate-like background with just a touch of coffee.
Bratwurst is a beautiful thing when prepared correctly. It’s the perfect one-handed meal: a good, chewy roll coated with mustard, filled with a meaty yet juicy sausage, and topped with beer-braised sweet onions and peppers.
Craft beer is dark, it is light, it is hoppy and it is sour. The one thing it is not, is mass produced. That fact is never forgotten at Old Forge Brewing Company, a small brewpub in the heart of Danville, Pa. Located on Mill Street, where local artisans craft virtually everything, craft beer fits right in.
In May 2010, a modern tourist structure was completed in the center of Bamberg, and they launched “Brewery Trail” walking tours that have been designed by the tourist bureau on the east and west sides of the Regnitz River.
It’s big and dense and modern, the people are welcoming, the food is fresh and tasty, and should you be inclined to venture outside—some pretty staggering natural sights are right outside the city limits. And here’s where to drink while you’re taking it all in.
