Today, whiskey barrels and vanilla beans are no more extreme than an everything bagel. But brewers continue to find other ways to experiment, from mixed culture fermentation to Sour Patch Kids.
A growing number of cocktail-inspired beers from brewers like Brooklyn Brewery, Short’s Brewing, Four Quarters Brewing and Perennial Artisan Ales have the potential to connect cocktail and beer cultures.
Once primarily restricted to the pumpkin ales stacked high in supermarket aisles every fall, beers brewed with vegetables have become more widespread—and more adventurous.
Michigan, along with California, Colorado and Oregon, has paved the way for favorable legislation for breweries and has seen tremendous industry growth as a result. But even in growing beer states, the fight isn’t always easy.
Craft beer drinkers, like brewers, want to be challenged. From Chipotle Ale to peanut butter and jelly beer, we never know what will pleasantly surprise us, and the true craft beer drinker will try anything once.
