Your #1 Reason for Craft Beer?

Don't worry. Not exactly a hobby of mine lol

 

Because it is consumable art

 

Well, realistically, because the guy who bought me beer in college only drank craft beers, High Life, and Steel Reserve. He'd bring back tons of craft and do tastings listening to records, and it got you just as drunk. I started reading about beer history and brewing and whatnot then.

I've continued in the hobby because my other interests pair well and are low cost. If I didn't have a decent paying job though, I'd rethink beer in general. 24 years old by the way.

 

my first beer was a Coors light and if that was all beer could offer, I would have been extremely disappointed. My cousin then got me into craft beer and I haven't looked back since. For me it's the flavor and the adventure in the variety of it all.

 

Flavor, variety, and because it's better than wine!!!

 

amazing selection.... fantastic tastes.... sheer potential...

 

Taste, and respect to push the boundaries of beer. Always progressing!

 

It makes me feel special.

 

While flavor is a very close second for me, I would have to say the primary reason I got into craft beer is supporting small business. Clearly not every craft brewer is a small business anymore (Sierra Nevada, Boston Beer, New Belgium) but I would rather send my dollar to these folks than massive conglomerates that fight to crush the competition with some seriously unsavory business practices. We vote every year, but the votes that matter are the ones we cast with our wallets. Did I buy BCBS last year? Yes, but reluctantly so. I am not saying I never purchase products from the Big Guys but I will always choose a Yuengling or Boston Lager over a macro lager or macro owned import. The products they are making taste fine, some even have good flavor- they are well-crafted, these companies have the best Brewers in the world! But I vote with my dollar and choose local and small business when possible.

 

For me its flavor, quality, supporting local breweries and community (buying local). Really, the only, "big beer" that I drink is Leinenkugels' because its the only Wisconsin beer that I can get in Ohio.

 

Flavor.

 

Culture.

 

My answer is the same as most others on this thread, but with a twist: uniqueness and depth of flavor. As a ticker and someone who truly enjoys almost every single style of beer, I'm always looking for a new flavor or combination of flavors that I've never experienced before. Craft has opened my eyes and palate to so many new and exciting ingredients and tastes not just in the beer realm, but also in the food realm. I used to not like the heavy roast bitterness of stouts or coffee but I liked the chocolaty stouts. So, as I tried more and more chocolaty stouts, my palate grew accustomed to that roasty bitterness and I started to drink coffee more and now I'm practically addicted to it. That's one of many examples I could cite where open-mindedness in beer has led to me being more open-minded about other foods and beverages. Being content with drinking macro lagers all the time is like being content eating Easy Mac and instant mashed potatoes all the time.

Btw, according to the figures in the article, Magic Hat and Pyramid are hurtin pretty bad right now huh?

 

Everyone is saying Flavor, but I say soda has a shit ton of flavor but no one goes crazy trying each one.
Let's all be real, it's the thrill of enjoying alcohol in different ways.

 

Price



[sarcasm]

 

I like how it makes me feel inside

 

Flavor, variety, and that surprise when that next beer turns into one you'll never forget.

 

Taste.

 

I started getting into "craft" beer as soon as I turned 21 and was able to walk into a liquor store and immerse myself in a world of choices.

Also at that time in my life I was attending many more social engagements that revolved around large crowds of young twenty-somethings getting very drunk on very cheap booze. It's much easier to show up with a six-pack of what we'll call "acquired taste beer" and have a controlled, individual experience then just bringing more beer for the cooler.

Nobody was ever dumb (or smart?) enough to steal one of my Smutty's or DFH's.