American craft beer booms

The craft beer scene in the US continues to grow with a host of events planned to mark American Craft Beer Week.

From 14-20 May, events and tastings are to be held across all 50 states as communities come together to show their appreciation on a local level for the more than 1,900 small and independent craft brewers responsible for the steadily advancing American craft beer culture.

The national week-long celebration of artisan malt/hop/yeast/water beverage first began in 2006 and continues to grow.

Growth of the craft brewing industry in 2011 was 13% by volume and 15% by value compared to growth in 2010 of 12% by volume and 15% by value.

“As the craft beer community continues to experience exponential growth, American Craft Beer Week has quickly become an iconic event that underscores the ever-increasing appreciation for small producers in this country,” said Julia Herz, publisher of CraftBeer.com and craft beer programme director at the Brewers Association.

“This year’s celebrations will once again provide an opportunity for small brewers, enthusiasts and the community of better beer retailers to celebrate this growth and the progressively popular craft beer culture in the US. The thousands of scheduled events nationwide underscore the grassroots nature of the craft beer movement.”

This year craft beer is going mobile with Untappd, the mobile-based social network that connects breweries with craft beer lovers, will allow 2012 ACBW participants to earn a special badge for enjoying craft beer during the week. Craft brewers are encouraged to leverage the sharing app by listing their brands on the social media site.

Mad Fox Brewing Company, Falls Church, Virgina

India Pale Ales from Chocolate City, DC Brau, Devil’s Backbone, Lost Rhino, Port City and Mad Fox will go on sale at 6 pm on Wednesday. The first brewery to sell all its beer takes home the people’s choice award.

Other Mad Fox happenings include the tappings of Batch 100 Strong Black Ale on Monday and Broad Street IPA on Tuesday, and “Cask Night” with six house-brewed ales served from traditional beer engines on Thursday.

Strange Brewing Tasting Room, Denver, Colorado

Denver’s newest craft brewery, Strange Brewing Tasting Room, will be featuring its expanded tasting room with 14 taps, including the last of 151 Anniversary Ale and the return of all three of its barley wines.

Starting Wednesday the event is on from 18 – 22 May and from 3pm to 8pm. 

The Tripel, California 

The Tripel in Playa Del Rey and Smog City Brewery of Tustin are marking American Craft Beer Week with a cocktail beer hour. Guests will then enjoy a four-course tasting menu paired with limited edition Smog City beer on draft.

Some of the menu items include: Sweetened egg omelette and wood ear mushrooms, black bread with rabbit pâté and pickled icicle radish, and beet pasta with wild boar ragout and porcini mushroom.

This event is priced at US$65/person but the Tripel will also be offering a selection of Smog City beers alongside the special menu a la carte from 9pm-close.

Miami events

Terrapin Beer company will take over six taps 7-10pm at the Sports Grill in South Miami with Hopzilla, Hop Karma Brown Ale, Monk’s Revenge Belgian IPA, Hopsecutioner IPA, Easy Rider Session IPA, and Rye Pale Ale.

Cervezas on Sunset Drive will host the ultimate draft beer takeover with limited-edition beers such as Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA, Avery Maharaja, Cigar City Bone Valley, and even Blue Point Toasted Lager running through a Randall with cinnamon sticks and vanilla beans.

Smith Commons, Washington DC

Every night this week in Smith Commons will feature three or four special beers from a different brewer alongside some of the city’s top DJs and a special menu of $5 snacks, including po’boy or mac and cheese sliders, veggie samosas and braised pork belly with peppadew peppers.

Tuesday pairs Dogfish Head brews with hip-hop beats by DJ Dirty Hands. Wednesday brings bomber bottles of Brewery Ommegang while the Champion Superior Soundsystem drops deep reggae tunes. On Thursday, DJ Jerome Baker III of the Rock Creek Social Club provides the rhythms for a night of DC Brau beers.

Everything wraps up with DJ Cuzzin B, a founder of the golden-age hip-hop night Tru Skool, and Flying Dog beers on Friday night.