Category Archives: Beer

Howdy Drinkhacker readers!

I’m excited to let you know that today we’ve added our first additional writer, Greg Bruce, to the Drinkhacker roster. Greg is a die-hard beer nerd, and he’ll be exclusively focused on increasing the volume and depth of our beer coverage, a category which, frankly, I just don’t have enough time to analyze in depth singlehandedly. I’ll still cover beer from time to time, but I expect Greg will do the lion’s share of the reporting for us.

Check out Greg’s first review of Weyerbacher’s Insanity, and if you have a beer question or review request, email Greg at bruce [at] drinkhacker [dot] com!

Beer sales continue to fall in the U.S., according to data compiled for the 2011 Beer Handbook — although craft beers continue to do reasonably well. Has beer become boring? The outlook for the industry is “not promising,” according to the study. Perhaps they should bring back Zima? Who’s with me?!

For the fourth year in a row, the beer industry has continued its declines and lost 1.9% to total 2.8 billion cases. According to the Beverage Information Group’s recently released 2011 Beer Handbook, continued declines in the Light segment continue to contribute to the overall losses in the industry. This segment has seen declines amongst its core brands and is only seeing pockets of growth from newly introduced line extensions.

Despite the struggling economy, growth was seen among the Craft segment as well as Imports. The higher-priced Craft segment continued to post solid gains due to consumers’ attraction to the interesting flavors craft brewers offer. Imports, which previously have been experiencing declines, gained 0.9% to 362-8 million cases last year, but that is still 11.1% lower than its pre-recessionary levels.

“The Super Premium, Craft/Specialty, and Flavored Malt Beverage category has benefited from the Craft sector’s growth,” says Eric Schmidt, Manager of Information Services for the Beverage Information Group based in Norwalk, Conn. “Consumers are gravitating toward premium products with exciting and new flavors – something the craft segment has done well in providing.”

According to the handbook, the future of the beer industry does not look promising. Rising fuel costs and high unemployment rates among its core consumers are two factors in its downfall. The growth in Super Premium, Craft/Specialty and Flavored Malt Beverage segment is predicted to show positive growth in the next five years; unfortunately, these gains can’t offset the losses in the remaining domestic segments.  Premium, Light, Popular, Ice and the Malt Liquor segments are expected to decline in the short term.

Love this story about the geekiest beers on the planet, from Bachelors Degree Online (which apparently also has a lot to say about booze).

My favorite on the list is actually #10:

Sapporo Space Barley: Japanese brewery Sapporo holds the honor of making the first beer with space-grown ingredients. The barley that’s used for Sapporo’s Space Barley was grown aboard the International Space Station, and offers a distinctive roasted barley flavor. Space beer doesn’t come cheap, though, with a reported price of about $115 per six pack.

Check out the link for the full list!

Getting to wander around a brewery and sample a few beers along the way is one of life’s great little pleasures. TripAdvisor recently scoured its consumer ratings to figure out whose tour is best. These are the top ten.

Check out TripAdvisor for more sudsy travel goodness.

1. Beechwood Best: Anheuser Busch Brewery Tour, Saint Louis, Missouri

In addition to offering free tours that take in the legendary Budweiser Clydesdale Stable, Beechwood Lager Cellars and historic Brew House, true hop-enthusiasts can also opt for the more exclusive “Beermaster Tour.” This behind-the-scenes look at the brewing of Budweiser even offers travelers the opportunity to taste samples directly from a finishing tank. Tour tickets are $25 for over-21 year-olds and $10 for 13- 20 year-olds.

2. Revolutionary Pour: Samuel Adams Brewery, Boston, Massachusetts

All of the senses are put to good use on this hour-long tour, as travelers taste their way through the special malts used to brew Samuel Adams beer, smell the hops and discover the secrets of the entire brewing process – from start to finish. Tours run every 45 minutes or so and are free of charge, although a voluntary donation of $2 is suggested, with all proceeds going to local charities.

3. Rocky Mountain Merriment: Coors Brewery, Golden, Colorado

Founded in 1873, Coors’ Golden operation is today the largest single-site brewery in the world. Visitors can enjoy a complimentary, 30-minute self-guided tour of some of the site’s highlights, accompanied by an audio device which details the malting, brewing and packaging processes. Once the walking is done, thirsty travelers can cool off in the “fresh beer room,” and sip a cold sample while resting on ice-cube benches in a refrigerated room.

4. Waterside Libations: Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Founded in 1987, Lakefront Brewery believes there is a direct correlation between attention span on beer tours and drinking beer. As a result, travelers visiting this inventive microbrewery can expect to sample an array of brews right from the get-go, including what was the first beer to be certified organic in the U.S. Tour tickets are $7 and include a souvenir pint glass, four pours of beer and a coupon for a complimentary beverage.

5. Beer on the Banks: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin

Boasting a picturesque riverside-setting, travelers visiting this old-world Germanic brewery can enjoy spectacular scenery and award-winning flavors. Free tours take in the history of the company, which dates back over 140 years and has been led by five generations of Leinenkugels, in addition to the brewing process. Travelers can round off their visit at the historic sampling bar, or enjoy an al fresco taste on the covered patio.

6. Rocking Refreshments: Stone Brewery, Escondido, California

Travelers seeking a thirst-quenching experience just north of San Diego can enjoy a complimentary, 45-minute guided tour of Stone Brewery – a 55,000 square foot working brewery, founded in 1996. After a journey to the heart of the operation to learn about the craft brewing industry, visitors are invited to participate in a guided tasting of a selection of year-round and special releases.

7. Hop-Filled Flavors: Terrapin Brew Company, Athens, Georgia

For travelers seeking to soak up some sweet sounds with their cold brews, Terrapin Brew Company offers live music and a festive atmosphere. The brewery, which introduced its first beer in 2002, runs educational tours and tastings Thursday through Saturday evenings, offering visitors a sneak-peek at the 40,000 square foot brewing facilities. Entry is $10 and includes a souvenir pint glass and tasting tickets.

8. Mass Malts: Harpoon Brewery / Mass Bay Brewing Co., Boston, Massachusetts

Located within minutes of downtown Boston, travelers visiting this historic city can add extra flavor to their trip with a hop-tastic tour of Harpoon Brewery. Complimentary weekday tastings are held in the Tasting Room, overlooking the brewery – while weekend tours, conducted when Harpoon is not brewing or packaging beer, give beer-lovers the opportunity to join a guided walk through the brewery. Tour tickets are $5 and include a glass and tasting.

9. Delicious Draughts: New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, Colorado

Boasting a Belgian brewmaster, New Belgium Brewing adds a dash of continental flair to Fort Collins. Free tours, which operate Tuesday through Saturday, offer visitors a 90-minute tasting and a stroll around the brewery, which has been creating imaginative blends since 1991. Seven years later, the operation became the first wind-powered brewery in the U.S. – and with sustainability integral to the company, this is an interesting spot for “green” travelers.

10. Froth-Filled Fun: Boulevard Brewing Company, Kansas City, Missouri

No one wants to get left out in the cold, when there’s beer to sample – so TripAdvisor travelers recommend booking a free tour of the largest specialty brewery in the Midwest, plenty of time in advance. After taking in the sights and soaking up Boulevard’s history on a 45-minute, guided walk-through, visitors can enjoy a tasting of an array of beers, including seasonal specialties and year-round brews.