Access Atlanta > The Newcomer > Archives > 2008 > July > 16
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Local beer just tastes better.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I drink far more beer now that I live in Atlanta, probably more than I ever have in my life, including the year I turned 21. It’s tasty. The weather is hot, beer is cold. I drink tea at work, I want something more entertaining after.
But mostly, it’s because I’m a little enchanted by local beer. When I lived in Michigan, I drank a fair amount of Oberon and Labatt, which we thought of as local. (Yeah, we claim Canada.) Back in Kentucky, I liked Kentucky Ale, too, but I liked bourbon more. Local, local, local. Yum.
A story in the AJC this week said local breweries might have a chance to expand now that Anheuser-Busch is being swallowed by Belgian beer maker InBev. It could be bad news, too, if the ever-shrinking number of distributors shrugs off the smaller guys.
The same story says craft beer is big in the Southeast, though. Retail sales jumped 31.6 percent in five Southeastern states in 2007. We’re No. 1!
I kind of like the point that Sweetwater Brewery’s Steve Farace made, now that Anheuser-Busch is owned by Belgians: “The only truly American-owned beers are going to be craft brewers.”
Of course, my experience is pretty limited. Sweetwater 420, IPA and Blue. (Like alcoholic gumballs!) Athens’ Terrapin Golden Ale.
And what else should be on the beer menu? Share your favorite in the comments.
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