Why Craft Beer is one of the best things for America

I thought about this last night while reading the CBS post of craft beer going flat.

First off, as a basic background and introduction, I'm in my early 60's with 3 kids. I grew up essentially drinking Lone Star or Pearl. In the late 80's, early 90's I would drink an occasional Shiner. With that said, my kids and the recent explosion of craft beer in and around Austin have introduced me to trying and sampling more and more beers. I am no way an expert and I don't care for all styles. I'm still trying and sampling different styles of beer. It's fun to see how they are made and what the brewer is going for.

Now that's out of the way, back to my original point - why craft beer is one of the best things for America. First and foremost, breweries are expensive to run and require a lot of equipment and materials. Breweries employ a lot and their is a great trickle down effect (from the distributers that distribute the beer, to the bartender at your favorite beer joint, to the chocolatier the brewery gets its chocolate from for their coco stout recipe). That new, no-name band that is playing over in the corner, trying to make it big, is getting their opportunity to play because of the brewery and the crowd it attracts.

Second, craft breweries are so good for the community. I know some of you Bible beaters may initially give a For a good while, there was a great disconnect in local communities. I grew up remembering (especially with my father) more social gatherings and bbq's, softball leagues, boiling leagues, men joining things like that Elks Lodge and other fraternal organizations. I remember a time in the 80's and early 90's, there was a great disconnect in the community. People would tend to go about their own way. Craft breweries bring so many people of all types together. They do it with a common hook - great beer. But that's not only it. My daughter (senior at UNC) goes to Yoga with her friends at a local Chapel Hill Brewery. My oldest son catches trivia with friends at some of the local D-FW breweries. Sometimes, the breweries will have family night with Bingo, Movie nights, concerts, and so much more. Of course, a good deal of food trucks are parked out front for all to enjoy (and I'm sure they sincerely appreciate the brewery and its customers). My son said their local brewery down the street turned what used to be a pretty dull, secluded quiet neighborhood into a more happy and fun community.

He's seen it in DFW. I've seen it in Austin. That's why I think craft beer is one of the best things to have happened in the US.