47. American Microbreweries

I never really liked beer as a kid or young man. American beers at that time were still just a conglomeration of macro-breweries and the choices were between Budweiser, Rainier, Olympia, Pabst Blue Ribbon and a few other watery lager’s none of which were very flavorful. So when I went to the UK for the first time and had a pint of bitter (an ale), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I liked it. And then when I came home I found that here in the Northwest there was a new trend starting called micro-breweries. These were little local breweries that were making their own beers and serving food very much in the style of a British pub. More often than not, one of their beers was an ale, and now they almost all have an India Pale Ale which is a nice hoppy beer that has a great bitter taste. It works well for this part of the country because we are known for our barley, wheat and hops. Now, around here, even little towns will have their own microbrewery and pub. The trend has gone nationwide so that even when you end up in places like Washington, DC you can find a little microbrewery and pub where you can place an order for fish and chips and have a nice flavorful beer. And, of course, if you are mor3e prone to the old fashioned American palette of lagers and pilsners (tapping into our strong German heritage) you will always find an array of wheat beers as well.

            Our history of prohibition all but obliterated little breweries and the larger ones made ends meet by marketing non-alcoholic drinks like root beer. But fifty years later, here in the Northwest and gradually across the country “micro” breweries have taken hold. It’s akin to the British CAMRA—Campaign for Real Ale—and I’m fully on board and grateful for the growth of the American microbrewery. So for all of you, who, as Tom T. Hall sang, “I like beer, it makes me a jolly good fellow…” Cheers!