American Craft Beer: The Story Of The Pint

The United States has not fallen behind in the world’s love affair with beer. If you ever doubted that Americans are a nation that likes beer, pay attention to what one American president, Abraham Lincoln, once said: “If given the truth, the people can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer.”

 

History of Beer

American Indians brewed a beer-like drink long before the arrival of settlers, but instead of barley, they used maize (corn), birch sap, and water.

During colonial times, beer was not a special product, but a rather domestic one. Most Americans used to brew it at home. It was common even for women and children to enjoy “small beer”, which is usually made of the leftovers of stronger beer.

In those days, the focus was mainly on English and Dutch technologies and styles. British ales dominated the local market until the middle of the 19th century. It changed with a large wave of German immigrants in the 1840s who introduced lager, which gained popularity thanks to its new production technology and as a result, a longer shelf-life.

The entire alcohol industry experienced a blow in 1919 when the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed and the sale of alcohol was prohibited. As a result of Prohibition, nearly all American breweries were forced to close or to switch to producing non-alcoholic beverages.

After the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, it took quite a while for the beer industry to recover.

 

American Beer Industry Today

The majority of the new breweries that have opened in the U.S. over the past three decades have been small or “craft” breweries famous for their unique styles.

Nowadays, the US is the epicenter of the craft beer movement, which attracts millions of tourists who long to try different styles of their favorite golden drink. Most of the new styles of beer over the past 30 years have been created in the United States thanks to the constantly emerging new American varieties of hops with their bright aromatics and rich taste potential.

​​Some of the most common styles of beer native to the United States include:

  • American lager – a form of pale lager,is primarily produced by the big breweries. This style is moderately hopped, sometimes made with the addition of corn or rice;
  • Amber ale – a style made of amber malt, distinguished by its red-copper color;
  • Blonde ale – a very light, top-fermented beer, usually dry, with pronounced hop bitterness;
  • Cream ale – a style with an alcohol content ranging from 4.2-5.6% ABV, which refers to pale lagers; its hop-malt balance varies according to the manufacturer;
  • California common – a historic style, with an alcohol content between 4.5-5.5%, that can be described as a top-fermented lager offering a fruity, malty bouquet.

Each of these styles is definitely worth trying and has something of its own to offer.

 

How American Craft Beer Can Be Good For You

If you are one of the many beer-lovers, you must have already heard of some of the positive effects the beverage may bring. It is true that, due to its content, beer was reported to have some benefits to your health – of course, if consumed in moderate amounts.

It contains more protein and vitamin B than wine. Beer is also a source of minerals like iron, calcium, and phosphates that play an essential role in various metabolic processes.

Hops, the main component for brewing, is a source of flavonoids, which act as powerful antioxidants. This component also enriches beer with kidney health-promoting phytochemicals and reduces the risk of kidney stones.

Beer can enhance a meal when it is used as an ingredient in different dishes. You can find one such recipe – Beer Mac’n’Cheese – on our website.

The extent to which the history of American beer is entwined with that of the country itself fairly justifies its popularity. And one of the best ways to see American culture from a new perspective – is perhaps when you experience it with a pint of its craft beer.

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