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And support your local beer industry!
If you are reading this website, you are at the very least a beer enthusiast.
You may even be a beer guzzler, a real maniac. Or maybe not.
Either way, I am here to point out the obvious for the benefit of all: drink
local beer, buy your beer locally, and homebrew with ingredients purchased
locally.
It's not that I am an anti-mega-brew man, but, I believe in supporting the local
beer industry for several reasons.
First of, here in California, we have fabulous beer. While I certainly enjoy beer from other
states and countries, I still always have some local beer in my fridge at any
given time. Karl Strauss, Stone, Sierra Nevada, Anchor Steam, etc.
Local beer is great, because more often than not, local beer is fresh, and we
all know that freshness is all important when it comes to beer taste and
quality. Don't forget as well, than more often than not, local beer tends to be
cheaper than imported beer. (While that's not always the case - there is plenty of "cheaper" local beer that will always blow
Budweiser out of the water!) And the more local beer you buy, the more popular
it becomes. Hopefully, the more revenue that creates for our local breweries,
and the more - and fresher! - beer is stocked in local retail outlets.
Another industry I like to support is the afore-mentioned local retailers. I do
not like to purchase beer at supermarkets. I like to buy my beer at the local
beer joint, where the people are knowledgeable, and where I can find beer that
is not as "mainstream" as what you can find in a supermarket. And amazingly
enough, prices are not necessarily higher in those specialized stores.
Take for example, the local Trader Joes.
They have a wide selection, great prices, and are a friendly bunch to boot.
I also like to go to local brew pubs and enjoy either a pint or an actual meal
there. In San Diego, there is a fabulous little brew pub called "O'Briens". This place comes highly recommended by yours truly.
One of the fun things about local brew pubs is to ask for a tour of the brewery.
These guys are in it for the money, and I cant fault them there, but first and
foremost they are in it for the love of beer, and they are usually happy to talk
about their craft with other beer enthusiasts. Take them up on it, and you will
be amazed the amount of new information, hints, ideas, etc.. you will pick up.
And while you're there, make sure to buy a growler and bring it home. Beer does
not get fresher than that.
Homebrewing is a fun endeavor. Like I need to remind you guys of that! :) But
seriously, there are great homebrewing stores in most areas, so before you reach
for that national catalog, think about checking out those beer enthusiasts down
the road. Again, what a wonderful opportunity to meet someone with the same
passion, and with whom you can actually have a fun conversation. After all,
that's pretty much what beer is all about. It's a formidable excuse to get
together and talk, brew, sip, and talk some more!
So do your part.
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