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Location: RI, MA, VT, WI, IL, CA, IN (that one sucked), KY
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While I was all about Great Lakes region, after exploring VT and the ME scene more (and having more Trillium and Tree House) I'm switching my vote to New England.
While the whole state of Colorado really holds it's weight, I think CA narrowly beats it out when you merge the craft offerings of The Bay Area, Northern CA, & San Diego County. Heck, even Orange County and LA hold their weight these days with Smog City, The Dudes, Golden Road, El Segundo, Eagle Rock, Santa Monica Brew Co, Craftsman etc. LA for a while was weaker compared to SD. Finally it's catching up.
Besides CA and CO, you really can't go wrong with the offerings of PA, NY, Pacific Northwest, New England etc.
With 100 breweries and brew pubs in the county, employing over 6000 people and approaching $1B in sales I'm gonna stick with San Diego and it's not even close.
Not to say that there are not many other excellent craft breweries and regions in the U.S., it is hard core culture and business here. I definitely enjoy living a couple blocks from "Beer Boulevard, U.S.A.", 30th St., *Burp*
Does beer have terroir? Meaning, does the location of where the hops are grown affect the taste? I don't know, but if so, that would probably make a difference pertaining to the "best" region.
I wonder how much blue laws factor into this? In states where it's much easier to sell beer than it is wine or liquor, I wonder if more established beer-drinking cultures have developed.
Don't know how great the reporting is because they make some dumb comments about Philadelphia (like there aren't any breweries in brewerytown anymore, which isn't true). Thought it was worth sharing though.
Don't know how great the reporting is because they make some dumb comments about Philadelphia (like there aren't any breweries in brewerytown anymore, which isn't true). Thought it was worth sharing though.
I saw that list and I disagree with a bulk of them -- many are not "beer" cities at all. Some have several local breweries to visit (which ANY US city does, even LA) but it's hard to classify majority of them as strong cities with large amount of beer influence and/or distribution. Heck, I was in Minneapolis a few weeks ago for work and none of their beers have made it out to California (or when I'm home visiting) New Jersey. They want to really spotlight any old city for beer they should mention ATL -- I feel like half a dozen local beers are in the city of Atlanta.
When I think beer cities I think of BOS, DEN, SAN, SFO etc. Not NYC, CHI, Portland, Grand Rapids etc.
With 100 breweries and brew pubs in the county, employing over 6000 people and approaching $1B in sales I'm gonna stick with San Diego and it's not even close.
Not to say that there are not many other excellent craft breweries and regions in the U.S., it is hard core culture and business here. I definitely enjoy living a couple blocks from "Beer Boulevard, U.S.A.", 30th St., *Burp*
Yep pretty amazing how San Diego has really become a true hub for craft beer. I feel like most in the northeast wouldn't even realize it.
Don't know how great the reporting is because they make some dumb comments about Philadelphia (like there aren't any breweries in brewerytown anymore, which isn't true). Thought it was worth sharing though.
Good article. But you should re-read it, it does not say there are no breweries in brewery town.
I saw that list and I disagree with a bulk of them -- many are not "beer" cities at all. Some have several local breweries to visit (which ANY US city does, even LA) but it's hard to classify majority of them as strong cities with large amount of beer influence and/or distribution. Heck, I was in Minneapolis a few weeks ago for work and none of their beers have made it out to California (or when I'm home visiting) New Jersey. They want to really spotlight any old city for beer they should mention ATL -- I feel like half a dozen local beers are in the city of Atlanta.
When I think beer cities I think of BOS, DEN, SAN, SFO etc. Not NYC, CHI, Portland, Grand Rapids etc.
That list is accurate. If you don't think Portland, Chicago and Grand Rapids when you think beer, my assumption is that you're not very knowledgable about the US beer scene.
Portland is easily 1 or 2 (with Denver) and frankly Chicago is underrated on the list (should probably be ahead of Seattle). Grand Rapids is quite easily the best small beer city in the US and punches well above its weight. It's been named Beer City USA by Draft Magazine (IIRC) and HopCat has won numerous best brewpub awards.
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E, MD, NJ, NY, PA, D.C.
