Why craft beer??

Cause it's the cool and heady thing to do

 

To the OP. I DO tend to defend and lean towards my local tri state brews, Flying Fish, Flying Dog, Dogfish Head (I swear those three did that to f with us), Troegs, Victory, etc because they all got me into the whole craft scence from the beginning. When I started at 21, I went with these local favorites. But at this point I see the flaws in many of their brews and pick others that I know are better, except for DFH, I'll drink anything they make even if people say it sucks.

 

Exactly. Take Weihenstephaner beers. Are they craft? I would argue no. Are they great beers? Absolutely.

 

Because it's better.

 

Because the labels are more interesting.

 

There are more things in beer heaven and earth, than are dreamt of in the "craft vs. BMC" philosophy.

 

I think Jason Alstrom's response states it best. It is strictly in search of beer that satisfies your individual palate the best. And to add, everybodys palate is different. Visiting different brewpubs and trying what they have to offer and comparing it to what I have had in the past is fun and kind of a sideline hobby. There are many different brews availiable today. Why limit yourself to what you have already had.

 

Why craft beer?

Because you drink shitty beer to get drunk.

Getting drunk is just an added bonus of good craft beer.

 

This is like asking why you'd rather hear your favorite band as opposed to a recording of someone reading the phone book.

 

It beats golf.

 

Because when I show up to a party with my own, I know I won't catch some gorilla later on with his hands on my fancy beer.

 

Before I discovered micro breweries, I hated beer, yes I tolerated it because I figured this is just how it was supposed to taste. When drinking to get buzzed, I would have preferred a shot or two to be done with it quick. I couldn't understand the point of drinking light beer, after light beer just to piss it out every 10 min just for a little buzz. But now I will drink a few beers instead because I really enjoy the taste. I don't like being drunk, but a couple craft beers get me to a nice mellow buzz that is enjoyable. Another great thing about it is the good feeling I get knowing I am showing appreciation to the breweries out there that care about the art of making beer and are passionate enough to go against the big guys in the game. Hey everybody loves the underdog I guess!

 

Because the folks at BMCAdvocate ask "why BMC beer?"

But really, I drink the beers I do because I enjoy them.

 

Simple...Flavor, Character, Complexity, Enjoyment.

 

tastes better, its also more fun. i can go to a bar with good beers with a few buddies or even a date and what we're drinking will definitely play into the conversation, even guide it at points. doesn't work that way with a heineken.

if i just wanna get drunk, i'll drink hard liquor.

 

I love the hunt of good beers sometimes. Tracking down those hard to get or special release beers. The joy when you finally find it. Trading beers, meeting new people, experiencing things other people won't get to. Going places I've never gone before.

Oh ya, and the beer tastes good too.

I love good beer.

 

Buy local? I hate to inform you but being from PA and buying Pliny is not "buying local."

 

Variety, discovering, enjoying things that taste good.

Maybe soon I'll calm down from all the rush of wanting to try new brews as I'm working on checking off the "Beers of Fame" list (then again, some I just won't be able to get my hands on).

 

About two years ago I went on my first brewery tour (of Troegs) with a normal employee. I didn't care because I was under 21, but it was interesting enough. A year later, still under 21, I went on the same tour - this time, though, it was with one of the guys who was friends with the founders. The second tour was SO much more interested and made me really realize what goes into making beer, and how you can make it a craft, rather than just something to maximize profits.

Fast forward another year and I start dating a guy who brews his own beer and enjoys good/craft beers. I helped him brew ones or twice and read his whole How to Brew book (minus some of the complicated science-y bits that I didn't need to know as an observer). I really start to appreciate how complex, yet fun it is.

Then I go to Germany. SO MANY DOORS OPENED. Come back from Germany and try ALL the beers. Now I am where I currently stand, and I couldn't be happier. My wallet begs to differ, but I went from preferring cheap wine and crappy mixed drinks to loving craft/good beer.

 

I drink good beer. Often that happens to be craft, but not always. I like to support local business, but I also like to support good business. So, I'll try a beer because it's local, but I buy it again if it's good. But I'm not a small-producer snob. I'd love it if my favorite non-local brewers got big enough that I could buy all of their beers where I live. I'm excited that Founders is now big enough that I don't have to stock up when I'm out of state and that Bell's may be selling here soon. And I look forward to the day (I hope) that Cigar City has decent distribution in New York so I don't have to load up when I visit my parents.

And when the big guys produce a good beer, I'll buy it.