Craft Beers, Microbreweries and Homebrewing

  • Thread starter Thread starter Astronuc
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around craft beers, microbreweries, and homebrewing, exploring various breweries, beer styles, and the history of American brewing. Participants share personal experiences with different breweries and beers, as well as their thoughts on brewing techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express their enjoyment of specific microbreweries and their offerings, such as Stone Brewing Co. and Oak Pond Brewery.
  • There are mentions of favorite beers, including Wheat State Golden and various ales and lagers, with some participants suggesting tasting tours.
  • Questions arise regarding the types of yeast used in American brewing, with some participants noting that ales typically use top-fermenting yeasts while lagers use bottom-fermenting yeasts.
  • Historical context is provided about American brewing, including the influence of various immigrant groups and the evolution of craft breweries since the 1980s.
  • Some participants express surprise at the variety of beers available in America compared to the past, highlighting a shift from mainstream brands to craft options.
  • There is a humorous exchange about the naming of a stout and its implications, alongside a discussion about the historical presence of beer in America since the arrival of the pilgrims.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share a variety of personal preferences and experiences with craft beers and breweries, but there is no consensus on specific brewing techniques or the overall quality of American beers compared to international brands. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple viewpoints presented.

Contextual Notes

Some claims regarding yeast types and brewing history depend on specific styles and definitions, and there are unresolved questions about the availability of certain beers in different regions.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to beer enthusiasts, those exploring craft brewing, and individuals curious about the history and diversity of American beers.

  • #451
Are there any national craft brands that are doing well? Seems like everything is regional. Don’t see Sam Adams, Dogfish, Fat Tire, Sierra Nevada - which are three national brands that come to mind - at restaurant taps anymore.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #452
BWV said:
Are there any national craft brands that are doing well? Seems like everything is regional. Don’t see Sam Adams, Dogfish, Fat Tire, Sierra Nevada - which are three national brands that come to mind - at restaurant taps anymore.
All but maybe Sierra Nevada are common in the northeast, though half of them are from the northeast so that tracks.

Apropos: I was sipping a Fat Tire while reading this post.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Astronuc and BWV
  • #453
BWV said:
Are there any national craft brands that are doing well? Seems like everything is regional. Don’t see Sam Adams, Dogfish, Fat Tire, Sierra Nevada - which are three national brands that come to mind - at restaurant taps anymore.
It may depend on the restaurant. I prefer stouts, and if I go to a name brand restaurant, IF they have a stout, it's usually Guinness made for the US market (blecchh!).

I find may of the aforementioned beers through two local distributors, but I prefer the unique barrel-age, imperial stouts (and maybe porters, if they have them). I now favor the Boulevard Brewing Co (Kansas City) Whiskey Barrel Stout and Goose Island's (Chicago) Bourbon County Barrel-Age Imperial Stout.

I still like to find the stouts mention in a previous post.
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/craft-beers-microbreweries-and-homebrewing.468902/post-5016095

Unfortunately, they run short batches seasonally, so folks grab them asap and then sit on a case or two.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters and BWV