(Why) Are imports overlooked?

Disregarding quality or lack thereof, imports are overlooked because:

a) homerism
b) considered boring
c) not in preferred style
d) tunnel vision
e) risky (price vs freshness)
f) poor availability

And on the flipside:

Disregarding quality or lack thereof, imports are praised because:

a) exoticism
b) considered refined
c) seen as benchmark of style
d) encompassing vision
e) paying for premium
f) poor availability

 

Back in the 80s and early 90s, I lived on imports. Dopplebocks and ESBs were my favorites styles. Sierra Nevada and Pete's Wicked Ale were the only "local" breweries that I could drink.

I don't have to drink imports any more to get great beer. If I do drink imports, it's Belgian beers and German Dopplebocks. I have stopped drinking English beers.

 

Is this because there are now US beers in English styles that you enjoy? If so, which ones?

 

I just kind of migrated away from them to different styles. I did drink Redhook ESB a lot in the 90s.

 

I think that, in addition to the other factors already mentioned, it's a bit of a reactionary story. I hear stories about how, before the "first" craft beers, imports were generally hailed as "better", or more "refined", a step above in quality. Now that America's producing some of the top-level stuff, national pride rears its head- "Why should I get that German/Belgian/English beer? I can just get something made by patriotic Americans", well maybe not so much in those words, but you get the gist. However, this isn't to say this is a major factor, just another piece to consider.

 

I definitely should pay more attention to them. I sometimes catch myself not looking at that side of the isle. Definitely some good stuff I still have yet to try. Bust as most people have said, it come down to freshness.

 

I don't seem to be experiencing the freshness issues as much as everybody else, so it really does come down to the character of the beer for me. That means I still enjoy quite a few imports .

 

• Freshness
• Price
• Glass used in bottle
• Availibility
  
• Innovation of the American craft brewers (new style guide-lines every 4 years now)

All these play a role in some capacity.

 

1. The styles brewed here vs there are often more in line with what beer geeks want
2. In NYC we tend to talk more about NY breweries than Oregon ones, because people are also often going to be more focused on their local scene - similar thing going on here, just on a national scale
3. Freshness

 

Great points that many are bringing up...

I often wonder what a Hitachino Ginger would taste like fresh instead of having some age on it. Price is a main factor for some, but if you are willing the price may not matter. Italian craft IS hefty in price but darn it I care not! lol

 

If we are talking about B. United International they do a GREAT job of trying to bring their imports here as fast as possible.

 

I'm a US citizen and want to support USA. I do buy some imports but I prefer US of A beers.

 

I love buying obscure imports but, throughout all by beer buying ventures, I've gotten burned a few times buying said imports because they have been way out of date an oxidized. However, I still like to run the gambit on buying imports but I'm a bit more cautious in that I buy styles that tend to age well or I know for certain they still have some life left.

 

I've made an effort to circle back through styles and start exploring those (styles) I haven't really gotten into. As a result, I have been pleasantly delighted with a lot of imports I otherwise would have continued to pass up. This is how I stumbled across Weinhenstaphner Kristallweissbier which has vaulted to darn near the top of my favorite beers in general. So now I'm trying to pick up one random import each time I make a sixer at TW. Never know what hidden little gem is hanging around out there.

 

Mostly because the vast majority of imports are basic, boring, bland, come pre-skunked in green bottles and I won't enjoy them as much as I'll enjoy a similarly priced American craft. There are absolutely exceptions (Fransizkaner, Weinstephaner, Hoegaarden, Aventinus, most trappist ales, etc.) but in general, you can leave me out of Heineken, Pilsner Urquell, Stella Artois and all of their relatives in Europe. Mexican and Canadian imports are worse, I would never buy Corona, Dos Equis, Molson, Labbatt, etc. because there are simply better options available. If somebody hands me one, I'll drink it, but not spending my hard earned money.

 

I used to drink far more imports before American craft beer got so prolific. It's pretty much that simple. American IPAs also seemed to take over the jones I used to get for bitter British beers. I still enjoy Belgians of course, but even now when I can get fresh Lost Abbey or God knows how old something else, I'm often going to lean domestic.

I still enjoy the occasional British bitter, cream ale, etc.

 

I purchase imported beer but not as often as I would like due to:

1. Freshness issues

2. Price

3. Availability (brands I desire are not always easily available to me

I more frequently purchase US craft brewed versions of certain beer styles (e.g., Pilsner, Helles, etc.) since I prefer fresh brands of these beers.

There was discussion about Belgian imports vs. German imports. I have had extremely good luck with Belgian imports being non-stale but frankly I do not purchase many of them since they are so damn expensive. My solution to this ‘problem’ is that I homebrew my own Belgian style beers (e.g., Trappist/Abbey style ales).

My guess on why German imports are less popular to US craft beer drinkers is that they are typically lagers. The lager category is simply not popular with craft beer drinkers whether they be US brewed lagers or German brewed lagers.

Cheers!

 

The problem isn't just travel time, it's also the fact that the bottles don't seem to move as fast on the shelves as American product.

 

I don't think you are going to get much agreement about the marketing here. Look at one of the top beers of fame here, Westy12 doesn't even have a label.
For me it's freshness and the fact that I can easily acquire pretty darn good representations of Euro styles made right here (Wehinstephaner excepted)

 

It's shipping flavored water a long way. Most of it isn't worth the trip. Then it is not fresh when it gets here (Oregon anyway, YMMV for those of you on the East Coast). And there is PLENTY of good beer brewed locally/regionally.