Only 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, however, the autonomous port city of a half-million people is worthy of note, if not for its status as the most ethnically diverse city in the country, then for its recent growth into one of Southern California’s newest craft beer hubs.
Everywhere you turn in London, history is meshed together vibrantly with the modern world. This clash of old and new is also reflected in the beer scene.
The National Brewing Awards are so named because they are awarded without the need to enter any competition, to nations in recognition of what they have done for beer brewing during the year in question. There is no ceremony and no official presentation.
In the wake of the declining tourism economy, the Biggest Little City is redefining itself and one element that’s been pivotal in Reno’s renaissance, unsurprisingly, is craft beer. From retail to bars, dinners to fests, and especially in online communities, Reno is awash in good beer like it’s never been before.
Slowly, but very surely, Akron is coming into its own as a beer town, with more establishments offering craft beers and Akron’s own breweries starting to emerge. It’s also worth noting—with appropriate irony—that Akron is the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Today, Philly has upwards of 20 breweries within a 100-mile radius, including Yuengling, the oldest brewery in America, and nationally known brands like Victory, Flying Fish and Stoudt’s.
What used to be a place with literally no hometown breweries, and bars that only sold cheap, macrobrewed longnecks, has emerged as a great city for craft beer.
Each City Drink Deck is designed to promote that city’s unique culture and covers not only craft beer, but cocktail and wine bars—and just great places to eat and drink—for equal-opportunity imbibers.
Why we’re reading The Great American Ale Trail: The Craft Beer Lover’s Guide to the Best Watering Holes in the Nation and Boston’s Best Dive Bars: Drinking & Diving in Beantown.
It’s still a well-kept secret that Albuquerque is one of the most prolific markets of local, craft-brewed beer. Part of the appeal of Albuquerque’s beer scene is that it isn’t trying to be the next Portland or San Diego.
Garage breweries aren’t brewpubs in any traditional sense. You won’t find any food, beyond peanuts or popcorn, and the beer is usually sold off-site as well. And you’re always aware that the brewery hovers around you, not hidden away behind glass partitions.
Because the beer culture is still so young, finding quality local beer can be a real hassle if you don’t know where to look. Yet hidden behind the scenes, in between all the wine bars, osterias and pizzerias, there are some great spots to sit down and have a pint.
Québec’s artisan beer revolution traces back to the Belgian-inflected brewing of Unibroue, which opened in 1992; 20 years later, the movement is entering its adolescence with confidence.
For about a half-decade now, rapid expansionism has defined the United States craft beer market. But with the recent announcements of market retreats by many large and mid-sized breweries, the needs of beer drinkers will soon fall once again to local brewers.
The university town’s love of beer began more than 150 years ago, in the late 1860s, when seven breweries served a population of about 5,000 in Stearns County.
Modern Prague is not a bad experience. On the contrary, it is many times better than it used to be. But I am glad that I was young when I was, and saw different worlds from the one that has become familiar.
Visitors find a walkable college town with crisp, fresh air and a vibe that’s simultaneously urbane and outdoorsy—more hippie than yuppie. So it’s no surprise that Flagstaff is a big beer town, with a scene that’s still on the rise.
The teeming Metroplex area runs from Dallas to Fort Worth, a decent-sized city in its own right that’s since been pulled into Dallas’ orbit. There’s a lot to take in, so it’s best to take it a step at a time, a bar at a time.
Boise bars eagerly stock the biggest, most fragrant beers that Oregon and Washington can pump out. And its homegrown breweries are following that brewing tradition to great effect. Come see for yourself.
Spokane has good water running through its center, and it’s surrounded by wheat and barley fields, with Washington’s hop fields a couple hours to the west. This college town, best known for its ties to NBA short-shorts hero John Stockton, is a fine place to knock back a pint.
How can craft brewers survive the global recession? Ask the Japanese. During its economic boom in the 1980s, the Japanese were huge consumers of single-malt whiskies and fine wines. Beers are starting to enjoy a similar cache.
Next to an impressive range of regular and experimental brews with double-figure alcohol percentages, sit bottles of competent but plain Blonde, Amber and White ales for the unadventurous locals.
When you throw high and low culture in a bag, douse it in bourbon and shake it around a bit, good things tend to come out. The city has vibrant arts and music scenes, and a level of comfort with folks on the fringes. All of which makes it a fine place to pause and tip back a pint.
Good beer can’t be stopped; quality will prevail. Just look at Texas. If you want to see the revolution crystallizing before your eyes, head to San Antonio, a massive city that’s just now at the precipice of becoming a brewing hot-spot.
