What are your motivations for drinking imported craft beer?

What do you see as the difference between an imported craft beer and a domestic beer?

I like how each craft beer has it's own distinct taste and texture. There is a lot more to it than the watered down micro brews, yuk!

Hey Christine and Shar! Great to have both of you here.

DrinkCraftBeer.com is actually a site that focuses on American Craft Beer and aims to educate people about these exact ideas you brought up.

As for the questions, the only differences I find between imported craft beer and domestic craft beer is price and freshness. Imported craft beer tends to be a lot more expensive and is often times not as fresh. Also, the modern European craft beer movement has actually been heavily influenced by what has been going on around here for the past 15 - 20 years or so.

American craft brewers are making exceptional world class beers now, and have been for quite a while. When more people think of American beer, they think Budweiser or Coors or Miller, but that's just not true anymore. And, to Christine's point, I would hardly call most of the micro brews out there "watered down." In fact, many Europeans would call a lot of American craft brews overly flavorful now. Between the Double IPAs, the Imperial Stouts, all the Belgian Styles and other strong ales being made over here, you can definitely find something that will blow your palette away.

Just out of curiosity, what do both of you think of when you think of American micro brews?

Thanks for your response Jeff. I was referring to mainly the primary mainstream beers like Anheuser-Busch, Miller, Coors, Heineken, etc. vs. craft beer. Its interesting how the mainstream brands are so popular with Americans but may not have the same level of taste as craft beer. Do you primary drink craft beer? Do you have a favorite that you buy consistently?

Oh yeah, the mainstream macro lagers are fairly bland. But, it's like anything... to be mainstream, you have to be inoffensive to almost every body, which makes for a little bland and watered down. If you look throughout most of Europe, it's the same thing. Macro style lagers have taken over almost all the beer markets. The USA actually has one of the most thriving craft beer cultures in the world now, which is humorous as most people still see us as just Budweiser.

I actually do almost only drink craft beer... I'll once in a while drink some Miller Lite, but usually that's at a party or a friend's house. I can't remember the last time I actually had any in my own fridge. I don't have a favorite brand that I buy consistantly per se... I like to have a variety, so normally have several different seasonals and special release around. That said, Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA is pretty much my go to. It's got a massive hop flavor without being too overly bitter.

Yea, I definitely meant that the domesticated American beers are way too watered down. But like Jeff said, they have to appeal to the masses.

My question, is do you think that preference for craft beers depends on geographic location? I only say this, because ever since moving from Springfield, MA to Vermont, I have found myself much more enthusiastic about craft beer. I know that Vermont also prides itself on it's locally brewed or founded beers, such as Long Trail and Magic Hat and has plenty less renowned locally brewed beers that really fantastic. I even find that most of the kids still in college that I interact with are drinking these beers, rather than the stereotypical Bud Lights and Coors. Just a thought. I am sure almost anywhere you go, you will find an area that prides itself on local brews.

Good point Christine. I mostly drink Bud Light but thats because its what I'm use to and have grown up drinking. If you are surrounded by craft beer I bet you would be much more likely to drink that instead of the mainstream brands. Besides their environment, how do you think people hear about different types of craft beer? word of mouth? just by trying different kinds? There isn't much advertising for craft beer. Also because craft beer is more expensive, do you think price deters people from trying new kinds of beer rather then getting the same old thing they are use to?

Jeff, How did you first get into craft beer?

Christine: I don't think craft beer interest depends on location so much as it depends on sociographics, location just usually ends up being a good proxy for this in many cases. Your example of Vermont is perfect. Many in Vermont can be characterized as a bit counterculture: the college kids are a little hippy-ish, many adults aren't known to follow the masses... hell, they were the first to institute same-sex civil unions. I think there's still plenty in Vermont who drink Budwiser and the like, but there are also many who go against the grain in all aspects, not just beer.

Shar: If you grow up in a family of craft beer drinkers, and many of your friends are, then yes I'd agree you're more likely to drink it too. In fact, many of Devon and my friends got more into craft beer because we always drank it and had them try everything. As for how people hear about different types, I think it depends on the level of someone's interest. In my case, I keep up on industry news and have quite a few friends who work for distributors, brewers and retailers. Many people either hear about stuff from friends or just try the new stuff at the store. As you mentioned, there really isn't much advertising for craft beer, so it is mostly work of mouth in one capacity or another. The price question, I do think the price deters some people from branching out from Budweiser and that ilk, but if you put it in context, most beer isn't more than $10 for a 6 pack or $10 for a bomber. That's not a huge outlay, especially when you consider that almost nobody has a problem spending $10-$15 on a low-mediocre bottle of wine. I think the problem can be when they don't like something the first time they try it, people feel burned as it was more expensive than their fall back (i.e. Budweiser), but they didn't like it as much. In the end, you're paying more for a wider array of flavors. To some people that's a priority and to some it's not.

Personally, I got into craft beer when I was 21. I went to college and drank whatever the cheapest 30-rack was for a long time, but never really enjoyed it. I started drinking Sierra Nevada and Samual Adams and just decided I was going to be into beer. I believe my words to my parents were,"I'm going to be into beer now, if you're wondering about what to get me for Christmas." For that Christmas, I got a book by Michael Jackson (not of "Billy Jean" fame, but the beer writer one) about beers of the world and the brewing process. I was hooked. I started trying everything new I could with know real knowledge at all of what I was drinking. Over time, I read more tried a lot more and learned tons more. I also started homebrewing to understand what goes into it all a bit better. So my advice would be just try new beers. Find a store with a good beer selection and talk to the beer guy there. Find a bar with a good selection and just try stuff, often they'll even let you have a sample first if you're unsure. Also, ask questions here. It'll all come in time, but the most important thing is find out what you like, then every once in a while try stuff you didn't like in the past... you might be surprised how your pallete grows.

Because they do not make celebrator, fruli, or spaten oktoberfest in Texas

bsdmon wrote:
Because they do not make celebrator, fruli, or spaten oktoberfest in Texas

If you like Oktoberfest beers, check out these articles:
drinkcraftbeer.com/editorial/articles/ok...08-beer-reviews.html
drinkcraftbeer.com/editorial/articles/cr...berfest-reviews.html

They might not make Spaten in Texas, but there are some great Oktoberfest beers made in the US available in TX!