Boston Beer Co.'s Samuel Adams Boston Lager didn't have "national distribution" in 1985 (notice it's not even on that map). It wasn't until the end of it's first year that it was available in western PA where it was brewed (at Pittsburgh (Iron City) Brewing Co.) and that was then their only market outside MA at the time. By mid-87, it hit NYC (on the way between Pitts. and Boston ) and, later that summer BBC told the Pittsburgh Press SABL was available "throughout New England, NY, DC, Atlanta, Denver and Oregon." Industry estimates puts their 1986 barrelage at 25k-32k well above the true craft breweries with their own facilities - all under 10k (except for Old New York (New Amsterdam) which brewed on site in NYC but also still contracted with Matt). Anchor, recognized by most as the first US "craft brewery" was brewing in the 40k at the time.
Guinness probably shouldn't count as "craft" considering the scale at which it's made, but it was the first non macro lager I ever had, and I enjoyed it quite a bit. The first actual craft beers I tried all showed up around the same time. Sam Adams Boston Lager, Pete's Wicked Maple Porter, Anchor Steam, and Redhook ESB. Of those, the Redhook and Pete's really got my attention. Out of left field, I also tried some of the Lindeman's lambics around that same time. My friends always called those "$5 beers" since a single 375ml bottle of them was $5 back when you could get a 6 (or even 12) pack of most normal beers for around that much. The bottles intrigued me, so I'd buy those for special occasions. Back then they only had raspberry, peach, and "gueuze," which was back-sweetened and I'd assume was actually a faro.
Saranac Variety Packs were the best, did you happen to come across the Throwback one they've done a couple years now? It has the old labels and all too: Adirondack Lager, Black and Tan, Golden, and IPA.
Redhook ESB wasn't my first, but my drinking in the 90 was pretty much SN (many styles), Redhook ESB, and FatTire.
Boulevard Pale Ale in August 2005 at Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue. I was trying to order an Amstel Light. I can’t begin to tell you how glad I am that they didn’t have that beer that day.
Yep, I noticed that as well, and was wondering how long it would take for someone else to notice. Probably as updated the map was it time of publication. Nothing I could do about it, so I posted it anyway. You’re probably correct on the distribution, although they advertised the heck out of it. The Boston brewery certainly helped pave the way for craft beer to take root.
I have that map from the Summer 1985 issue of Zymurgy, which notes it originated with the other Brewers Association publication, The New Brewer, so since BBC didn't release SABL until April 12, 1985, understandable why it's not there. Also, in those early days of craft brewing, the contract-brewers were often seen as "other" by the established industry - marketers, not "breweries" - at least until they constructed their own facilities and produced at least some of their own beer. That's why Old New York (New Amsterdam) Brewing Co. isn't on that map, either - they released their first beer 2½ years before Koch's SABL in Oct. '82, but would not open their Manhattan brewery until late 1985.
Meaning no offense in the least, until I saw your post and your listed location, I’m not sure I’d ever previously even heard of Kiribati! I had to look it up, and now I know. Glad for the knowledge — and it sounds like a beautiful place!
Oh, 15 or maybe even 20+ years ago, while in high school me and my friends scored a 6 pack of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. To us it was so “heavy” that I don’t think any of us could finish a bottle. As far as enjoying a craft beer, I can remember as far back as 2005 when I visited a friend up in Berkeley while he was going to school there. We went to the school bar, The Bear’s Layer, and each drank a pitcher of IPA together. I can’t be 100% sure, but I’m thinking it was Racer 5 or something else local. I also remember in 2007 when I went out to DC to visit my dad while he was on a work trip. Before takeoff he texted me that he just scored a 6 pack of Stone IPA (which I think was fairly new to DC). Cheers!
Right. The smirk emoji is something I should use more often to conclude my tongue in cheek posts. Thanks John!
Around 2001 I remember having a Pete’s Wicked Ale at I believe an Applebees. It had so much “flavor “ compared to the Macro lagers I was used to. I remember not really liking the first few sips but then embracing the experience.
At that young age, if each of you drank a pitcher of Racer 5 or anything else local, I'm surprised that you can remember anything about that event!
