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.

 

Let’s see. If I have a 14% imperial stout would I rather have to commit to drink 22oz to 25oz all in one sitting, or would I rather have the option of drinking just 12oz or 16oz and then have more if I want to ? That’s a no-brainer. If I want a second 12oz can I can decide that after finishing the first one—if I open a huge bottle I’m stuck with drinking, sharing or pouring once I’ve opened it.

Cost is a separate matter I won’t get into, I’m just talking about the level of commitment required by large-format containers—in terms of time, inability to drive anywhere should I need to do that, how I feel the next day, overall health effects, etc.

 

From my perspective, the 12 oz can or (ideally) bottle is the best vessel. If you're giving me a pint can for under $5 I'm not arguing. But we get into the world of beers that cost like 50c+/oz, let alone $1+/oz, and I'd rather get the fancier experience of a nice bottle as part of the bargain.

If it lives up to the hype (price) then 750 mls won't be enough and I'll lament it, if it's a dud 16 oz will be too much. Probably it lands in between and I'll accept the placebo quality delivered by a nice bottle.

These days I'm mostly contented by the full pours at my local beer bar. $1/oz is somehow more tolerable when it's for 9 oz as explicitly spelled out on the menu and its delivered in some obscure and perfectly sized glass.

Although, @zid , my favorite local brewery has the majority of their beers in imperial pints. $5 at happy hour, I think. $6.50 usually.

 

Yeah that’s way too much thinking. 12oz can or bottle is ideal, I agree. After that for me it’s just about not exposing more beer to oxygen than I want to consume within a given window. I’ll gladly take a 750 de Garde 5% wild ale or saison, but anything more than 7% or 8% and I have to really think about what I have going on for the next couple hours, is there a possibility that I’ll need to drive (if you have kids then there’s always that possibility). That said, almost all of the 150+ bottles currently in my beer fridge are 22oz or 750mL, and above 10% ABV.

I really don’t care about the fancy experience because whatever size or format it is, it’s going in the recycling when I’m done. I can’t say I recall ever buying a single 16oz can of beer that cost $8-$16. I had sticker shock on a 4-pack of fresh hop beer (16oz cans) that cost $24, but that one was worth it.

 

True, but the tone still got just beneath my skin.

 

I thought that article was about as accurate and well written as could be to define the last 10 years in craft brewing. Nice job. Also there was a link in there about the most scenic breweries that was interesting and pretty well done as well. Was surprised how many on that list I’ve been to in the US. But clearly for beer and outdoor activities Oregon needs bumped to top of my future US vacation travel lists. Never been to that state before.

 

If we ever get around to travelling again PNW is top of my list. We went to Seattle for a wedding 2 falls ago for a long weekend, all it made me want to do is go back get a van and explore the cascades and enjoy the amazing beer that was all around.

I'd love to start in Oregon our way up through Washington; one day, if the stars align.

Solera just made the top of my list, just checked out their site too, what a cool looking place.

 

This is why 90% of the time, I just get stuff straight from breweries. Most store selections are bad, and half of whatever they do have is usually old.

 

I think #1 depends on where you are geographically and which corporation owns the brewery. Some have fallen off a cliff or lost their way while others have improved. I think the craft community differentiates that and the average consumer probably doesn't know/care. If nothing else, the Bud Light thing showed that a lot of people don't know or care who owns what.

I'm saddened by the fall of Belgian beers and hope that they're able to make an eventual comeback. Especially since at least some of those breweries relied on their export business to stay open. I don't want to lose 'em for good because the US craft industry is so focused on trends.

Quick sours have definitely impacted the sales and popularity of aged sours. They're cheaper, faster, and (thanks to flavoring additives) able to hit you in the face with a ton of flavors. Yes, they lack many, many things that only aged sours can provide but a lot of those things are intangibles and require a story to explain why they're important. That's all while there's a kettle sour that tastes like a banana split on tap for 1/2 price next to it.

One thing I was surprised NOT to see was the rise of lager brewing. For years and years the craft industry rallied against all things lager because they saw industrial-style lagers as the enemy. These days everyone is cranking them out, from the haze factories to places patterned after old world lagerhauses.

 

The loss of market interest in Belgian beer has been so sad for me.

 

Pints (16 ounces) is the typical draft craft beer size in my area. Is this different in your area?

Cheers!

P.S. There may be smaller glasses for high ABV beers.

 

#8 made sense to me. Really appreciate the option to hang on.

 

Some thots:

1. People Stopped Caring About Corporations Buying Craft Breweries

I used to care, I love the romanticised idea of these small businesses making an amazing product and taking their shot at the corporate giants. I have so much respect for those that go into business on their own, takes a lot of guts. That being said, I'm not sure how I would react to an offer of this magnitude from one of these bigger businesses and don't fault anyone for accepting one of those offers and securing their livelihood.

6. Belgian Beers Fall Off a Cliff

The ones I can find will still be in my fridge though.

8. Nonalcoholic Beers Go from Nothing to Something

Good. These products make breweries and beer bars more approachable for those who either don't drink or have volunteered to be a designated driver that day.

 

What is sad is no one is drinking wild ales nor Belgians and we still can’t get Cantillon in the US (well on any scale anyway). This would be the golden opportunity with it checking 2 styles that the hipsters aren’t chasing at the moment. Oh well.

 

This x10 where I live.

The government stores have generally old product, often stored at room temperature. It’s also a limited, uninteresting selection. The independent beer shops that have popped up since the laws were changed here after the onset of COVID, have great selection, but need to up charge so much because they are forced to buy their stock at retail (I can only afford so many $9-11 16oz single cans of DIPA).

I’d reckon I buy 98% of my beer directly from the breweries’ fridges.

 

Have they updated the retail aspect or is it still order the beer and it comes out on rollers?



Cheers!

 

There are probably still a few of the old Beer Store locations that have those. The one around the corner from me was like this until it was renovated about three years ago. They were always out of Elsinore

 

I feel your pain here.

I have been looking and looking but I can't find Shemp's beer!



Cheers!

 

My comment was a joke, but I would say that there is too much variation for there to be a typical pour size at well regarded craft beer focused places by me.