Michael Jackson’s Great American Beers: And Where to Find Them
Jackson spent several months in the United States in 1995 and 1996 researching this book. He conducted “pod tastings” where brewers brought him what they considered their best beers. One described the experience: “. . . like a an audience with the Pope.”
In 2002 he explained what happened (or didn’t happen):
“I visited every state in the course of my research (even brewery-less Mississippi). Unfortunately, by the time I had written half the book, about 50 per cent of the material was already out of date. Breweries were opening and closing at such a rate, brewers moving jobs, and product-lines changing, that the task became impossible. Despite being a very fast worker, I realised that, the time I finished the book, 75 per cent of it would be outdated. I have never in my career abandoned a project, but this one is sidelined for the moment.’
I can’t help but wonder if we are on the cusp of another such time. So many breweries opening, merging and moving operations through contracting. Wild Goose has been closed as a brand, Cottonwood is now production in Pennsylvania rather than North Carolina, and how long will Old Dominion survive now that they aren’t being brewed in Virginia? These are just a handful of examples and I am sure everyone knows a few in their area. Not saying it will be bad for craft beer, I just suspect we are on the edge of another turbulent time.
Not saying it will be bad for craft beer, I just suspect we are on the edge of another turbulent time.
I’m actually counting on this happening.
Nanobrewing has really captured the desire to bring brewing back into the hands of more people, though I will tell you that I think the business model favors too few. It’s just not sustainable in most situations.
In my heart, I’d like to see a return to small neighborhood brewing with the brewpub being less as an Applebees with a brewery. These smaller breweries would become Oldenburg’s third place, something that urban communities and the brewing community desperately needs these days.
Wouldn’t it be great to see the emergence of community brewhouses (like the Zoigl breweries in Germany, but we should give them an American name)? That’s one neighborhood association fee I wouldn’t mind paying.
Interesting thoughts, if our communities were better designed for it, I could see it. There are places it may happen, but in communities like Olllllo’s Phoenix, LA or any major community with heavy suburbs I have my doubts. Nice dream though.