Do you "drink local"?

Even beyond that, very few places in the US even attempt those styles anymore. Even New Belgium axed everything but Tripel. In CO there are a few places still making them, but they're (usually) priced higher than just buying the real deal imports. It's basically just Belgian examples and Unibroue as a result.

 

I do drink local, but not because I have some misplaced notion that Local is by definition Better.
It can be. Sometimes it is not. Sometimes the local brewery is owned by a D-Bag, and I don't go to that brewery even if it is local.

Remember too, the local brewery does not give anyone a local discount just for being a local.
It goes both ways, and it's my money to decide what to do with.

Cheers

 

I'm more or less forced to drink local because distribution from other regions is extremely limited where I now live in the Pacific Northwest. I sometimes regret the limited choices and miss some New England breweries. However, brewing standards are high here, so I really can't complain.

 

I'm almost all local if we are talking about personal retail purchases. I rarely buy anything retail other than at a brewery in my immediate area.

In the past year or so I bought one BCBS variant, a Dark Lord Variant release package and a couple bottles at Modern Times Oakland the day before they closed (everything was 50% off) and I was in town for SF Beer week. Nothing else I can think of from a beer store.

Other than that it has all been local directly from breweries. Other Half and Wild East are the only two I can think of that I have purchased beer to bring home.

I do get a lot of non-local sent to me from various friends and relatives. This makes up a large volume of what is in my fridge/at home at all times.

In the past I would buy a moderate amount of stuff to bring home while traveling for work or pleasure, but now I almost exclusively just drink the beers I want at a bar or brewery while traveling and don't buy any to bring home. In some cases I meet beer friends while traveling and bring home beers that they give me.

 

Typically these days yes, cause the beers are decent and there's a variety of them.

Wasn't always like that, but I have now three breweries within walking distance of home (and by that I mean a simple 30 minute walk to downtown get off your butts people!). The closest is probably a 15 minute walk.

It's not my rule, more that it actually works out to do so. It wasn't always this way, but that doesn't mean I grab something that isn't local either from time to time.

 

Good point about price being as high as the 'real-deal' imports, which is as you also point out is largely null since most breweries don't bother with much of these styles anyway.

A lot of outstanding beers come to California and eastward from Oregon and Washington, particularly hop-forward brews seeing as the growing region (but plenty others too, from chillies parts). So, if "local" is extended to your whole State (of selection that to which you have convenient access), then not even withstanding your undoubtedly fine brewery selection within say ten miles I would imagine that you got plenty of options. And surely shipments don't just leave but come to the boonies, so if you have the hankering and can afford it why not buy beyond 'local'---not that where you're located and your individual taste preferences need to.

 

Is it considered “buying local” if you buy at a local grocery store from a local brewery but that brewery also distributes beer to a region or nationally? Or are we talking on premise purchasing only (ie fresh and from the source).

 

Where I reside in suburbia the nearest open-market breweries are slightly farther from me; more like 20mins on bicycle (20 on foot to the absolute nearest tap room operated by the brewing company, but their selection and location is mediocre, whereas two of the other three on-site separately-owned breweries are excellent, which is well-worth the healthful enjoyable commute).

Likewise not my rule---it just happens to often make the most sense for me. I too by no means restrict myself to local brews.

 

Good question. I would say in most cases No. Unless the source is within your county or adjacent and is a single outfit that distributes primarily sub-nationally (ie regionally or nearer).

 

Probably 50% local, meaning in state
Probably 85% local, meaning regional, neighboring states, etc.

But I also have some New Belgium or Lagunitas or Sierra Nevada or something in there occasionally.

 

I drink local mostly, especially now that we have a brewery in Nashville that is doing some really solid lagers, pub ales and IPAs. There for a while everybody was doing sours and over hopped IPAs so I tended to buy German lagers and brands I knew I loved like Bells and Good People IPA. Glad to see west coast IPAs and lagers making a comeback in my area.

 

Honestly--- How does your 'Orval-clone' homebrew taste compared to the Orval that it is immitating? at I'm presuming much lower monetary expense ?

 

Far from local at the moment. My recent quest for harder to find (or ignored) styles has led to many imports being on my most recent list. About to enter the wonderful world of Lambics and Gueuzes, so Belgium here we come.

 

I guess that’s another point of distinction @JackHorzempa. My BA buddy and fellow NJian have different definitions of local. I consider anywhere in NJ, but also places in NY like Other Half (actually is less than hour away) and Rushing Duck and in PA like Victory to be “local.”

I do mainly buy local but also change up with occasional buys from Founders, Zero Gravity , DFH and other places.

 

Not much reason to buy from local breweries in my area. Beer is more expensive and most of them focus on styles I don't care for.

I'll occasionally get local beer from the store but very rarely buy directly from breweries.

 

What I usually do is visit a local brewery I've never been to and try some of their beers. If any of them is good I'll get a six pack back. That's how I support local. Won't pick up random local beers in a bottle shop. Too much risk.