10 changes in the craft beer world

Just read the bullet points , but surprising that they ain't lying


Shout out hazebois yall ruined Belgian Beers

 

Pretty fair list of changes in the last decade.

The only one that I'd challenge is his take that wild ale interest has waned. Perhaps I was out of the loop of the hype 10 years ago, but from what I've seen wild ales have steadily gained respect and prestige. The rise of kettle sours has probably shifted a lot of less committed producers into that vein. If anyone ever thought that funky, acidic, barnyard beers were going to take the mainstream by storm then that person was living in a bubble or something. Just look at Bleu cheese, sauerkraut/Kim chi, pickled fish, or herbal liquers. These are fringe flavors that have never had wide appeal since the option for easy access to simple flavors became a real thing.

Otherwise I'd say it's a good overview of the last decades trends

 

#6 made me sad

 

#1 makes me sad.

 

Yup. And reading the name Ommegang made me sadder.

 

Still better than 22oz bottles

 

Depending on what you’re drinking, that 6oz can make all the difference. I’d love to have had to finish off only 16oz of Fremont Brew 4000 last night …

 

Not sure about this one - some people may have stopped and some never started caring. Lots of the "Captured Craft" breweries didn't see much decrease in sales, IIRC and those that did (Ballast Point I guess is the classic example) I'm not sure one can really make the case that it was consumer objection to being bought by Constellation that did it.

Well, I guess this article's not aimed at BeerAdvocate people...

Did they? Most craft beers were bottled in standard long-neck (aka "export") bottles that were the US industry standard reusable/refillable bottle, eventually manufactured as a Throw-Away, some with Threaded finish (mouth) to accept "Twist-off" crowns.

The notable brands that didn't (Sierra Nevada's and a few other CA brewers' "Heritage" bottle, Anchor proprietary bottle similar to "Select" bottles, Stubbies, for examples) were common US T/A beer bottles.

 

That article was pretty spot on.

Regardless of how far over they get shoved on the shelf beer like St. Bernardus and Chimay will always have a special place in my fridge

 

There is a level of self importance contained in that piece that was off-putting. I learned nothing new about the beer world by clicking and reading through. I don't know, but I read great beer journalism back when Beer Enthusiast Magazine was new (90s). The interaction on BA is a great thing and we all do a decent modern version of beer journalism.....

 

Pretty spot on…

 

At least he was honest that it was about changes since he'd written his book

 

I would add - the proliferation of barrel aged beers. Early 2010s, barrel aged beers were rare and hard to come by. At least in my (houston, tx) neck of the woods. To be fair - our climate doesn’t really support huge ABV beers. Anyway, now, KBS is a year-round shelfie that I can grab any time I want.

the first time I scored a bottle of KBS it was a single. Bc the store didn’t sell then as 4 packs. Sold them as singles to help spread the love. and people lined up for it (lines are, maybe another thing of the past).

 

I disagree with #1. I traveled recently by car 5 states away, and stopped several times to see the beer selections. I'm very disapointed to see the same selections over and over in every state - Elysian, Golden Road, Goose Island, Lagunitas, etc. They may look like craft selections, but it's all the same corporate stuff in grocery stores anymore.

 

Where did you stop though? You can shop for your food at Walmart and swear up and down that there's no local food scene and still be wrong

 

The 22 oz (or 750 ml) bottle is infinitely better than the 16 oz can.

The value of the 16 oz can is that I don't have to know maths to decide how it compares to draught pricing.

 

They still serve craft beer in 16oz pours at bars by you? I guess that's one change in craft beer in the last ten years that hasn't hit your area or the author's.