Hopinions: Proud to be Drinking American
Mario is hosting this edition of Hopinions and the topic this time around is “Proud to be Drinking American”. Even though Anheuser-Busch is no longer an American owned company, they still carry the “title” of the American beer/brewery. Or do they? Is there a worthy successor to that title? Is there a quintessential “American” beer? Finally is Mario a racist? (SPOILER ALERT: He isn’t, he’s just joking.)
So click here to read the latest edition of Hopinions: Proud to be Drinking American.
July 9th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I’ll check out the actual post here in just a few min. but you know…
I had a very interesting debate with a friend of mine the other day about American breweries and our beer culture here, and where it’s headed.
In my honest opinion, we’re only headed towards a more rich, and developed beer culture here in the states. Which translates to more and more American breweries. Actually I think the growth is a result of them. I’m proud to say that many of my top brews are American made. Not for the nationalism, but because it’s so good to see the beer culture moving more towards the passionate, artful and real beer crafter.
I wouldn’t call Anheuser-Bush any of those things. Most of what they produce is completely garbage made for their monthly earnings reports. They’ve gone a good way to help ruin the beer culture here too. But hey that’s going to happen when you have such a huge advertising budget.
I can enjoy a bud every now and again and it has it’s place. But it’s not something that I’m exactly “proud” of to present to the world.
July 10th, 2010 at 11:13 am
Ilya - You make good points. I don’t think anyone who’s a craft beer fan is going to be proud to call Budweiser “the American beer” but, for better or worse, that’s the image they’ve cultivated for themselves.
Truthfully, I don’t think there’s a single brewing entity that has the resources or volume that can take away that “title”. That being said, I think American craft beer as a whole is much more representative of the true feelings, beliefs and spirit of America. And that’s something I can be proud of.
July 10th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Peter
I can’t argue those points. They’re well made and make sense.
It’s just unfortunate that a lot of the world see’s the Bud Light’s, Natural Light’s, Coors etc as the pinnacle or “brewablility” (not a real word) of the brew culture here. Which bothers me a bit, but at the same time…makes me damn proud to know that we have some of the best and most passionate breweries in the world right here in the states. And in truth, those who really know and love beer, know where to turn.
And coming from a point of view of pride and not insecurity here, I just really wish that the whole world could see the real craft of this country. Because you’re completely right…many do represent the spirit and culture of America.
It seeps through the breweries’ blood lines. And when you’re sitting there in a place like Boulder, Co with crisp cool air. A Yeti Stout (from denver but still)…it transcends words and turns into an emotion.
That’s what I wish the beer world could see and experience for themselves. Not that the corporate Bud Light aluminum can’s at the local Chili’s (dreadful food lol) “scene”.