Lucky to live in the U.S.A.

[dantodd]

We really are lucky to live in the U.S. now. A lot of Europeans like joke about how bad the beer is in the U.S. That used to be true but now we have so many good beers in so many different styles that it is really amazing. Try going to a grocery store (or beers shop) in Europe and you'll find some great beers but nothing like the variety we get here. Look at the "what's in my fridge" thread for an example of how diverse the U.S. brewing industry has become.

Happily, the marketshare of BMC is declining and craft/micro breweries are picking up more .


I would argue that we have the greatest brewing industry in the world today! And also the most active homebrewing community I believe.

(A lot of other reasons I feel lucky to live in the U.S.A. but this IS a beer forum!)

 

[chillHayze]

Hip hip hip horray for the USA!

It is interesting to see the craft industry growing by leaps and bounds. It seems that for a few decades folks started to forget what good beer was. It's funny, I was just thinking about this while listening to the BN broadcast with Mitch from Stone brewing.

I am in Germany right now, and while the Pils in this area is excellent, that is all there is, along with an occasional Dunkel or Hefe.

 

[david_42]

I've only been in the West Indies and there it was lager (BMC-like) or opaque. Opaque is best described as alcoholic oatmeal, but it wasn't that good.

The rum was cheap & excellent. Cavalier White rum, oh yes.

 

[Klainmeister]

I dont know. I went to many TrinkMarkts in Bavaria and these were Costco size stores strictly for alcohols. I would spend much-a-money on beer and probably tried over 50 in the 2 months i was there. Chillhayze, where are you in Germany? I'm coming there in 26 days to Muenchen. Grab a drink?

 

[ayrton]

I also have to disagree. I've been to several stores in Britain and Germany that had selections that match or better anything I can find here in central PA.

That's not to say we have terrible beer selection here, but (to me) it's not the best.

 

[Fiery Sword]

The stores around here are amazing. I know of more than a half dozen stores that have literally hundreds of beers to choose from, kags, cases, 12's, 6's and singles. I could not possibly drink them all......or could I?? :cross:

At the stores that I frequent, BMC take up about 3-4 of 10 cooler doors (but still makes up for 90% of sales, so give the stores credit!!!). The rest is filled with exciting options, and usually there is a warm section where I can get singles and special bottles to try out.

the other thing that makes me happy is the amount of fine tequila available here. Less stores have a good selection, but I know of 4 within 10 minutes that have 20-30+ types of Real Tequila. And by real I mean if has to be served in a traditional Mexican guaje. With no CO2.

 

[chillHayze]

I dont know. I went to many TrinkMarkts in Bavaria and these were Costco size stores strictly for alcohols. I would spend much-a-money on beer and probably tried over 50 in the 2 months i was there. Chillhayze, where are you in Germany? I'm coming there in 26 days to Muenchen. Grab a drink?

In Dresden, about 6 hours north of Munich, but I'll be leaving in a few days so I won't be able to take you up on the offer. Thanks for the offer, tho.
Prost

 

[homebrewer_99]

I agree. I've been to many a Getrinkmarkt. Dozens of brews to select from...

 

[dantodd]

I agree. I've been to many a Getrinkmarkt. Dozens of brews to select from...

If I go to BevMo there are probably 100 brews and that isn't close to complete.

 

[Brewtopia]

I guess I also feel lucky to live in the NW corner of the USA. Between Seattle and Portland we have more brewpubs per capita than anywhere else in the country. I can walk to 8 breweries within a 1 mile radius of my house. Seattle has a specialty beer store called Bottleworks with over 850 different beers in stock and not one BMC. The Portland area has several specialty beer stores including Belmont Station, Liquid Solutions and John's Marketplace with hundreds of specialty imports and micros. I was recently in Belgium and was hard pressed to find a belgian beer in stores in Brugge and Brussels that I couldn't find at home.

 

[Klainmeister]

I agree with that too, John's Station is excellent. Living in the Willamette Valley or anywhere in this region is gift. Portland, the Munich of the Willamete.

 

[ayrton]

The best place for beer variety that I've found so far in central PA is the Market Cross Pub in Carlisle. They only make a few beers themselves, but they have ~200 beers from all around the world. I've still seen better in my European excursions, but it's still more varieties of beer than you'd find in any distributor around here.

I think the appeal of Germany to me was that almost every town had at least one brewery in it, which is something one definitely does not find where I am (although the one or two microbreweries that are nearby are excellent).

 

[Cheesefood]

I'll agree with the "Viva la USA" sentiment.

I live in an area where microbrews are easy to find, and there's probably more than I'll ever go through. But I'll also say this much: just because they are sold doesn't mean all of them are very good. I've had some TERRIBLE imported beers. Beers that I would gladly take a BMC over any day of the week. Much like we learned from the Yugo, just because it's imported doesn't mean it's good.

 

[EdWort]

After living in in Germany for 5 years before moving to Utah (beer heaven to beer hell), I have found a new appreciation about living in the United States of America.

While Germany and Europe have great beers, I've found they are nice to visit, but I much rather enjoy my freedoms better here in the USA along with my German style homebrews.

I think everyone should live abroad for a few years like a native in their host country. Learn the language, eat the food, pay the taxes, and experience the socialized health care (and drive on the Autobahn).

I love visiting Germany (I'll be heading back to Munich after Thanksgiving), but I also love coming home more.

God Bless the USA!

 

[Fuggles]

Completely agree with with post. Not only does the U.S. import just about everything worthwhile from abroad - the selection of domestic craft brews is staggering. There was a revolution here in the United States so the Europeans and Canadians can stop snickering about how our beer sucks. They USED to be right - now it IS a cold day in hell and the U.S. is sitting atop the beer world. Something else to brag about - I know how everyone loves it when an American reminds them that they are the best at something. U-S-A U-S-A U-S-A!!!!!!!

 

[Caplan]

We really are lucky to live in the U.S. now. A lot of Europeans like joke about how bad the beer is in the U.S. That used to be true but now we have so many good beers in so many different styles that it is really amazing.

As a English 'European' who enjoys good beer I wish I could get my taste buds on not only the 'craft brews' but also the 'mid sized breweries' of America. I've tasted a few but we never seem to get them in Europe. I wish we did.
Sierra Nevada (Pale Ale, Celebration and a 'summer fest' brew - can't remember the exact name of it), Rogue's Dead Guy Ale, Brooklyn Lager and J.W.Dundee Honey Brown are about all I can remember tasting in the last 12 months. Some fantastic, some were best described as just 'okay'.
I can buy (Yes I've counted this week) 150 varieties of British ale/beers/stouts, 40 of European beer/ales (I've included the few 'Irish' beers/stouts in this), 1 American ale, 85 of 'Worldwide' lagers and 40 of cider in one store that's a few minutes walk from my house. If I choose to take the car and extent it to a ten minute drive to take in 3 stores I can add an extra 50% percent at least to my the initial figures.
It's a double edged sword - You guys moan about bad European beer (which after shipping it will be) and your 'smaller' brewers aren't set up to 'selling beer back to the Europeans'. It's a shame really but makes business sense to the smaller US brewers.