"Domestic Beer"

No doubt. As I was reading this thread, I was actually thinking about how this situation hasn't happened to me in a long time, as I typically frequent joints that give a shit about good beer.

 

It's stupid and arcane, but I still do think it's petty and rude to get into an argument with a server or bartender over it. It's not like they make those decisions, you know?

 

Words have multiple definitions. You are applying a definition to this word that does not fit in this context. No need to get bent out of shape over this issue, we have other appropriate terms to use that are actually better descriptors.

 

Don't know if I get all that worked up but I can relate. We went to a bar because it advertised $4 draft domestics. Came to find out Yuengling Lord Chesterfield is not a domestic, but a craft beer and therefore not $4.

 

In relation to the point above, with definitions already established within the industry, why rock the boat? Why would we want craft/micro beer to be lumped together with those beers that are commonly accepted as domestic? Do we not already have terms that appropriately represent and describe beer currently?

 

Look at it this way, if "session beer" can be redefined to mean "beer I'll drink more than one of in a row," and "hype" can be redefined to mean "excitement that other people have about something," it seems perfectly reasonable that "domestic" can be redefined to mean "less expensive mass market beers made in the US" and "import" redefined to mean "more expensive US made craft beers and beers not made in the US."

 

When I see the "domestic special" my first question is "does that include__________" followed by answer "no"...followed by..."you know that is domestic? words have meanings" .

The funny thing about it...craft breweries in the US are more "domestic" then most of the big boys. I want to see more specials...like..."bucket of craft $10 bucks"!

 

1. I'm originally from Seattle. 2. After living here 7 years it wasn't until about 18 months ago I found a 22ozer with Pearl Jam on it, so I bought it. Eddie Vedder is still collecting dust in my wine rack! Then I found out it was made in Hellaware. People here are kind of set in their beer ways. The"craft" beer people I notice go straight for Victory or Yards(?) The none "trashy" ones (Natural Light consumers) are pretty staplized with Yuengling, Straub, or Lions Head/Stegmaier. Hence the "old school" "local" breweries. My local crafters are Twin Lakes Brewery. (They're on here) They just got in to a handful of liquor stores, but have been in bars for a long while. Besides once a month they have a $20 all you can smash "tour". Just leave your keys!!!

 

1. I'm originally from Delaware 2. Please forgive me for thinking you were a Delaware native since your BA username is 302BeerGuy (for those who don't know, 302 is DE's area code) 3. I've never heard of the phrase "Hellaware" and ya know what?...I love it! I lived in Sussex County from ages 3-24 and I couldn't wait to leave, so I finally did and am lucky enough to live in Asheville now 4. Faithfull Ale comes in a 750 mL, not a 22 oz. and I'm not surprised Eddie Vedder is collecting dust in your wine rack because that beer is awful. 5. Twin Lakes Route 52 Pilsner is one of my favorite pilsners of all time. I always wanted to visit their brewery but never got a chance to make it. Someday I will. 6. If you're local to Twin Lakes, I really hope you live in Bear or Newark and not Wilmington. If you live in Wilmington, no wonder you call it Hellaware as that is one of the shittiest cities in the country.

 

Yes...all of the above! RT. 52 Pilsner and their Oktoberfest are great! Haven't tried any others. Sorry, I'm still used to calling them 22oz bottles, because that's what they are labeled as on the shelf.

 

Intercourse Lager is tomorrow. Another somewhat local.

 

We all know what bars consider "domestic". If you choose to set aside common sense and argue that the craft offering that costs twice as much should be included in their domestic special just because it's made in the US, then more power to you. But this seems a lot like trying to argue that my mini-van is a sports car just because it has a spoiler or the back...

 

Vince Cottone used the term "Craft Beer" in his Good Beer Guide - Breweries and Pubs of the Pacific Northwest, published in 1986 - some credit him with coining it. Both the AP and the New York Times used the term by the late 1980s. It did take many years for it to replace the cringeworthy " microbrew " term (and, for some, it never did).

 

"domestic beer". Sort of outdated like "space age technology". We've been in space for what, 50+ years now?
Our little smart phones that fit in the palms of our hands have for more technology than what was used to launch the first shuttle, yet you still hear adverts on tv tout "space age technology".

 

No. "Domestic" is a clearly defined and long held designation for Bud, Coors, Miller, PBR, etc. One could make a new category for PBR- "Hipster domestic." Really though, I don't think this little piece of the past hanging on should cause you such concern.

 

Except that while the space age began with the launch of Sputnik, the technology that was spawned by that and the ensuing space race has continued to change and evolve with the times, whereas the merchandising and inventory control systems used for beer, etc. have not changed or adapted as much to the diversity of beers currently available. (And your little phone is an example of space age technological adaptation since it quite reasonable to argue that you'd not have that phone if it were not for technology developed to support the space age... )

 

Nope. The term domestic has a very long established history of usage and on account of that it probably will not be going away anytime soon in the beer holes (nee sports bars) that zero in on this kind of customer. The one who is there to watch the game, eat some wings and knock back some brews with the bros. Since I actively do not engage in such places, nor their activities. It has zero impact on me. We can also now play with the word because domestic is also expanded into the term domesticated, and most of those beers are like the black lab or golden retriever of beers. You know what to expect and they don't go out of their way to put anything over on you.

 

The old one that still works is arcane, difficult to sort out and has many dead ends, missing pages of history and unexpected turns. And that's just in what people clamor over with debating whether a beer is brewed to style. Don't overthink what happened in the heat of the moment and stuck. If it ain't fixed. Don't break it.