Okay, I have been away from BA for a bit, but still drinking beers and ales, of course. Back in the day, it feels like we had a bunch of choices. Now, it feels like we don't, or at least less so. Is it me? Am I getting older in my choices? Thoughts? Is it COVID, tariffs, or just a change?
It seems like there a more options now, but most of those options come in the form of an IPA, so you’re not the only one who has noticed this.
What does this mean? Choices of what? Where? Because I see choices everywhere. I don't even have to lament the lack of stouts in summer because a nearby brewery releases stouts damn near monthly now.
Ok...so maybe it is an age thing.. Jesskidden...you have to remember the late 90's and early 00's...did we not have more to choose from, or was it just exciting to have it exploding?
Where are you seeing fewer choices? The only places where I'm seeing fewer choices are the singles coolers. We have a wealth of excellent breweries in Iowa that are churning out new stuff all the time. Maybe it's due to distribution in your area, who knows? Maybe it's time for a beer trip. That might help to clarify things for you.
I believe that we’re experiencing the pinnacle of Craft Beer right now. I can buy locally made brews at my go-to grocery stores any day of the week. Any common style. Stout, IPA, Lager, Pilsner, etc. That’s in addition to having fresh beers from Sierra Nevada, Deschutes, and Russian River all at my fingertips! Nothing to complain about on my end!
Yeah, if you have been avoiding the beer scene for the last couple of decades, it’s definitely a different game. The expansions and everything is new feeling from back then has changed to a been there, drank that sort of vibe. That said, there is still amazing beer being brewed and new stuff every day. It’s just not as prevalent now.
Here I thought it was a discussion on the The (English) Beat album, Wha'ppen? But, no, I've not really noticed much difference in the Chicago area. Some of the names have changed perhaps but still plenty of choices overall. Of course, it could vary market by market.
Save it for later Don't run away and let me down Sooner or later You'll hit the deck, you'll get found out Save it for later Don't run away and let me down, you let me down Shit happens. The (continuing) consolidation & (the most recent) market correction has begun..... Save it for later, indeed...... At this point, I'll be glad if'n we see two thirds of the larger, "craft" breweries and one half of the smaller, regional/area/micro/nano breweries still in operation within three more years (& I hope I'm severely off base with that prediction)......because there's been too many good smaller/regional/area/micro/nano breweries that have closed up in the last 2 months for me to think it's gonna stop anytime soon.....
I blame ciders... hard seltzers... CBD sh!t... N/A beer. All that stuff crowding out new beer. Infuriates me sometimes.
I agree with you. The selection of beers I once had at my disposal has definitely changed over the past five plus years. However, two breweries have opened in my area during that time and their products have taken up a lot of shelf space at retail stores. MistaRyte's post also addresses a big problem in my opinion.
If beer is losing shelf space and tap handles to seltzers and RTDs, then a likely result is fewer beer choices in that location... and I'm gonna assume that the OP is talking about beer choices rather than beverage choices.
I think this is a big factor for those days. In my area we had the burgeoning craft scene, a good array of imports, and there were still regionals to hunt down. That said, I joined a beer of the month club in the late 90s -- 2 six-packs from microbreweries from around the country. But after about a year, or so, I was seeing all Pale Ales all the time and cancelled out. I got better selection at retailers around my area.
It's you. As of 2024 there was over 9700 craft breweries in the US - up from 6600 in 2017. While the peak appears upon us - there has never been more variety and availability of well made beer in the history of time.
Beer availability/choices is going to vary depending upon where an individual lives. When I walk into my local Retail Beer Distributor (a BIG warehouse type building) it has the appearance of providing lots of choices. When you lift a six-pack off the shelf and see the dates (i.e., how old the beer is) and place it back on the shelf (rinse and repeat this exercise) the amount of choices dwindle. There have been some visits where I am seeking a specific beer style and after being unsuccessful in locating fresh product I either walk out empty handed or 'switch gears' and purchase a different beer style than I intended to buy. Or sometimes drive to a nearby brewery to buy fresh beer direct. I have often opined in BA threads that maybe it would be better to have lesser amounts of brands of beer available at beer retailers with the upside being more fresh choices. Cheers!
You think 3,000+ breweries are gonna close in the next 3 years? Not in the PNW. we lose a brewery now and then, and there aren't as many new ones opening up, but most have found their spot and are doing well.
