Beer: An American Revolution - How Microbreweries Promote Choice

In 1920, the National Prohibition Act destroyed the beer industry in the United States, putting some 1,500 breweries out of business. When the "noble experiment" was repealed in 1933, beer lovers rejoiced, and the beer industry staggered back to its feet. The industry had lost much of its diversity, however, and the emergence of national brands in the 1950s and 1960s led to industry consolidation and fewer choices for American beer drinkers. By 1980, there were less than 50 breweries in the U.S.

By the 1980s, American beer had an international reputation as weak and watery as a case of Hamm's. Most breweries only produced American-style lagers, a light and inexpensive style of beer typically made with rice or corn adjuncts in addition to barley, hops, yeast and water.

What American beer lovers didnt know at the time was that a revolution was imminent. In 1979, a clerical error in the 21st Amendment was corrected, and for the first time in nearly 50 years it became legal to brew small batches of beer at home. Home brewers who had little interest in cutting costs or making beer with mass appeal began brewing big, flavorful beers in a wide range of styles. Many of these home brewers decided to turn their passion into small businesses, and microbreweries began popping up all over the country.

Today, although mainstream beers still dominate the market, more than 1,400 breweries in the U.S. produce more styles of beer than anywhere else in the world, and American beers routinely dominate international beer competitions.

So the next time youre at your favorite brewpub, hold your glass up high and celebrate the American beer revolution.

"Beer: An American Revolution" was written and produced by Paul Feine. Alex Manning was the director of photography and Nick Gillespie is the narrator. Approximately seven minutes.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• beer
• reason.tv
• reason
• magazine
• revolution
• micro
• brewery
• breweries
• lagunitas
• alcohol
• booze

[christmanpunch]

Apparently Americans don't suck at making beer after all. I also need to try some more of these small company beers. I always hated beer because I couldn't stand the taste of the large brands. It tastes like rust bucket water mixed with foamy piss.

[NatureLegalized]

enjoy the wonderful varieties of cannabis beer ;)

[seroyer2]

@christmanpunch Come to Portland OR, we have more breweries then any other city in the world, over 70 micro breweries in the city limits.

[NAGGERNUTZ]

@BornFromLiberty - Amen brother! I have some Highland Gaelic Ale in the fridge right now. There are so many great beers around. Red Oak and Natty Greene's (Greensboro) are both excellent brews, but I still prefer what I brew here at home. I just finished drinking a batch of really smooth Oatmeal Stout. I have a batch of Weizenbier brewing for the wife. As soon as it's bottled, I'll make another batch of Oatmeal Stout. Later dude.

[BornFromLiberty]

@NAGGERNUTZ NC BABY! Won more craft beer awards than any other state in the south. The Duck-Rabbit Russian imperial stout is my personal favorite. Here in Asheville we have Highland Brewery as well. Thanks to deregulation we have delicious beer. ITS HERE. ITS BEER. GET USED TO IT!

[ALITL8]

@KripDrip California? of course, you need special permission to do so which implies that we are not actually free.

i suppose we should all be thanking Jimmy Carter for "allowing" free people to produce micro-brews (1979) and "permitting" individuals to compete with the corporate monopolies that had been in "control" of the beverage alcohol industry since alcohol prohibition was supposedly repealed back in 1933.

[ALITL8]

@ne0nsurf "Alcohol addiction is utterly destructive to the human mind." - The Consumers Union Report on Licit and Illicit Drugs by Edward M. Brecher and the Editors of Consumer Reports Magazine, 1972

and it shows LOL

[KripDrip]

where can you walk into a store and buy marijuana???

[insulatedmemory]

LOVE CRAFT BEER!

[seymourbbest]

Yuengling I think is the oldest beer in the US. Best damn draft you'll drink too. I also like corona and newcastle brown ale.

[JoeJC]

what a great, relaxing video. The Irish, Germans and Yanks stand out in my mind as the great beer creators. Possibly the Brits as well.

[miafan89]

Of course! Try Yuengling. Its from Pottsville, PA its one of my favorites.