America is the new great beer nation.

[kraftbrew]

American is the new great beer nation because...

A) They have more breweries than any other country on Earth (more than Germany even).

B) They experiment with beer more than any other country (even more than the Belgians).

C) They produce a variety of very high quality ingredients.

I'm Canadian, so it's not like chanting "USA, USA!", it's just that after speaking with many Canadian I have observed that there are people who think that American beer is still the piss-coloured-water that it was in the 1970's and that Canadian beer is inherently superior.

I hate to think that there are people missing opportunities to drink great American beer because of an old beer campaign that said "if I wanted water I'd ask for water" (sorry if I lost you there American readers).

The US is on the cutting edge of beer experimentation and craft brewing and I'm not going to deny it.

Prost!

[steveh]

I have observed that there are people who think that American beer is still the piss-coloured-water that it was in the 1970's

If it makes you feel any better, that's pretty much the majority impression even on this side of the border. Beer still has that reputation as the "working man's drink," something that blue collar people at bars swill while watching sports on a Saturday afternoon.

You mention that you are a beer drinker (to most folks) and you're immediately stereotyped as a "commoner." Never mind that "Rummy" and "Wino" used to be common put-downs!

S.

[dparsons]

We're having fun at the experimentation too!

BTW Steve, beer doesn't care what class you are in. Blue collar, white collar, all the same. I've found a new stigma with some blue collar people. They are reluctant to drink craft brews even though they know the beer is better because of the stigma of being associated with "those" people. I'd rather not see things go that direction.

[steveh]

BTW Steve, beer doesn't care what class you are in.

I didn't say that was my opinion, just the opinion of the vast majority who don't understand what beer is or can be.

S.

[dparsons]

I didn't say that was my opinion, just the opinion of the vast majority who don't understand what beer is or can be.

S.

I know. I do think the perception is changing. The working man not drinking micros in order not to appear too uppity is a recognition that some beer is considered to be for snobs.

[steveh]

...in order not to appear too uppity is a recognition that some beer is considered to be for snobs.

Not exactly the direction we want it to travel, is it?

Before micros it was imports that were viewed as "uppity." And usually imported beer from countries that had pioneered brewing. Micros (or the better imports) shouldn't be viewed as uppity, they should be viewed as real beer (to coin a phrase), not bland, flavorless, dreck that is passed off as beer.

S.

[markaberrant]

Not exactly the direction we want it to travel, is it?

Before micros it was imports that were viewed as "uppity." And usually imported beer from countries that had pioneered brewing. Micros (or the better imports) shouldn't be viewed as uppity, they should be viewed as real beer (to coin a phrase), not bland, flavorless, dreck that is passed off as beer.

S.

You would think that hand-crafted "real" beer would be appealling to "real" average working types, as opposed to being considered "hoity-toity."

However, methinks that the average working type does not really care to do a whole lot of thinking on most levels, and would rather be force fed whatever their TV tells them... with anything outside the norm being slandered, ignored or outright dismissed.

I just calls 'em, as I sees 'em.

[steveh]

... with anything outside the norm being slandered, ignored or outright dismissed.

You forgot disdained (scorned?) with extreme prejudice. Sad, but true. Time to think outside the (false) stereotype.

S.

[Insidious Rex]

If only the American public could collectively go to a beer event with someone like Sam Calagione. I mean who is more polar opposite of 'beer snob' then Sam or some other brewers of his ilk? His events routinely involve crazy stories, foul language and getting at least a little loopy (and talking about the hang over from the night before). Not saying your bud crowd would suddenly run out and start drinking 120's but it would certainly wake a few people p. At least pop that silly stereotype. Not every brewer is like Garrett Oliver (as much as I respect him).

[chazwicke]

However, methinks that the average working type does not really care to do a whole lot of thinking on most levels, and would rather be force fed whatever their TV tells them.


I think this applys to politics too.;)

[Mill Rat]

However, methinks that the average working type does not really care to do a whole lot of thinking on most levels, and would rather be force fed whatever their TV tells them... with anything outside the norm being slandered, ignored or outright dismissed.A presidential candidate in the states here (I can't remember if it was Wilson or Coolidge) was approached by a woman who told him, "I'm certain that you have the vote of every thinking person in this country." To which the candidate replied, "Thank you ma'am, but I will still need a majority."

[dparsons]

You forgot disdained (scorned?) with extreme prejudice. Sad, but true. Time to think outside the (false) stereotype.

S.

Just gotta be yourself and enjoy your real beer. Anything more becomes pretentious. Some people will hold to their prejudices irregardless, so let (and perhaps laugh at) them.

[ratman03]

You would think that hand-crafted "real" beer would be appealling to "real" average working types, as opposed to being considered "hoity-toity."

However, methinks that the average working type does not really care to do a whole lot of thinking on most levels, and would rather be force fed whatever their TV tells them... with anything outside the norm being slandered, ignored or outright dismissed.


The best (read:worst) part is people think they're being patriotic by drinking Bud and Miller. It's difficult to appeal to, or reason with ignorance.

We're probably going to be stuck with those stereotypes for a long time. Jim Koch knows it: (excerpt from Fortune Interview)

Fortune: Will the merger push people toward Sam Adams?

Koch: I don't think so, and I don't think simple patriotism is a good reason to drink my beer. If people like the taste of Bud or Miller or Coors then they should keep drinking those beers.