How I spent American Craft Beer Week

Vernal Falls, Yosemite National Park

This photo is from the top of Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park.

Or I could show you hundreds of shots of waterfalls — May is definitely the time to visit if you want to see roaring waterfalls — giant trees, the valley from above, Dogwoods up close . . . you get the idea. About anything but bears. It seems almost everybody we talked to “just saw a bear.” Not us.

But we did see beer. Including Firestone Walker Double Barrel in the village store. Should have taken a picture for “Where in the Beer World.”

 

Let’s call it Local Craft Beer Week

American Craft Beer Week begins today.

There have been times during the last 12 months we’ve not been able to find craft beer nearby, but those have been rare. Local craft beer can be more of a challenge. So I pass along this photo stolen from the Cigar City blog.

Cigar City beer at Whole Foods

I you read some of the Whole Foods signage closely you’ll notice all is not what they’d like you to think, but it’s hard to argue with something this simple.

As I’ve already written Craft Beer Week is not top of mind for us this week. Following New Beer Rule #5 — It’s only beer — we’re headed for Yosemite National Park.

 

How much you should pay – the point

A really interesting discussion between Mario at Brewed For Thought and Pete from BetterBeerBlog about paying $43 for the Mayfield Iconoclast beers at Whole Foods. (I think, I hope, this is the price of a 750ml bottle.) Go read it all.

I’m too distracted to jump into this other than to suggest . . .

Chatter about why it costs $43 (or $30 or whatever) is noise. The why is relevant only in context.

Instead, here’s the bottom line. If a beer is worth $43 then consumers will buy it. Those at other breweries will notice and if they can conjure up a beer somewhat similar and as good for $42 or $38 or $2.50 then they will do that.

During the discussion portion of Beer Wars Live Greg Koch pointed out that Stone Brewing’s Arrogant Bastard Ale is the nation’s top-selling craft 22-ounce package. How’s that for a target? If Anheuser-Busch could brew that beer for less wouldn’t they? So to the line I’ve heard so often: “The big brewers could brew whatever they want if they chose to” I say “Poppycock.” I’m of the opinion they can’t brew the beer at any price. It’s not in their DNA.

I’ve begun to digress. Back to the point. I’m willing to pay “more” for the beers we want to drink. I don’t expect brewers to sell beers for less they they cost (and I understand all the costs) to brew. But I don’t buy beers based on what they cost to make. I buy them based on the experience they deliver.

The blogs involved:
Brewed for Thought.
BetterBeerBlog.

 

American Craft Beer Week on Facebook

As I type this nearly 5,000 Facebook members have signed up as fans of American Craft Beer Week.

I’m not sure that’s a lot but the number surely will go higher. And the “Declaration of Beer Independence” is bound to get more attention. (I’ve already written I’m delighted to focus on where a beer is brewed and who brews it, but I also think part of independence means people get to drink whatever they want, even Bud Light Lime . . . or is it Bud Lime Light?)

A quick historical note: Had American Beer Month remained American Beer Month this July (because that’s when it was held before it became Craft Beer Week) we’d be celebrating its 10th anniversary.

The Facebook page looks like the best way anybody has come up with so far to let more people know about this not-so-new idea, so maybe more people will join in the celebration. We’ll see. Actually, you’ll see. We’re going to be busy celebrating America itself. Heading to Yosemite and not thinking about beer.

Drink a local beer for me.