# Why did the craft brewing revolution in the US (and elsewhere) take so long to happen? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 17, 2016, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588 "2016-06-17T06:45:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/41 "2016-06-18T07:09:09Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > • Sierra Nevada brews its first batch of Pale Ale in November 1980. [Cite.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Nevada_Brewing_Company#History) That is the first cite I have for a genuinely great beer being brewed in the US. > > I’m not sure when Anchor’s beer started to be good or if it always was good, so feel free to fill in that bit of history). I’m blanking on the name, but there was a brewery in the Russian River area north of San Francisco that predated Sierra Nevada. And it was a big influence on Sierra Nevada according to Brian Grossman’s autobiography. Anchor Brewing is a lot more interesting historically. Founded in 1896 (or maybe 1871), was burned down several times, survived Prohibition, made beer, had poor quality control and distributed in only 30 bars, and was on the verge of bankruptcy in 1965. When Fritz Maytag, heir to the Maytag washer dynasty and a young Stanford graduate, liked the beer, heard the brewery was closing, and bought it. Turned it around, started bottling in 1971, and set the bar for “Steam” aka “California Common” beer that is still the definitive example of the brew. Now, I’m not sure what legal loophole or grandfather clause allowed Anchor to be in business in those years, but Anchor Steam as it is now known has basically been around since 1971. Here’s a link: [http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/our\_history](http://www.anchorbrewing.com/brewery/our_history) ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 7:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/42 "2016-06-18T07:11:29Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > I can’t remember the last time I ordered a beer anywhere in the US (let’s see, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Texas, Arizona, California, Oregon recently) that did _not_ have the ABV clearly listed, either on the beer menu or on the chalk board. One place even lists ABV for Coors Light (as “pi” percent). > > And if you can’t handle the Imperial IPAs, I suggest you stay away from the Belgian Quads :eek:… Or[Russian Imperial Stouts](http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/style/84/). They’re usually so smooth you’d have no idea of how high their ABV really is unless you found out beforehand. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 9:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/43 "2016-06-18T09:36:27Z")
Good info, thanks! > [@stui\_magpie](#): > > I was actually impressed at the range of different beers available in the USA when I was there on holidays very recently. How would you say it compares to Oz currently? > [@](#): > > The Main St Station brewery in Las Vegas does some very nice beers. I did the taster rack of 6 different beers. We call them “flights” here. Do you not have those/call them those in Oz? ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 9:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/44 "2016-06-18T09:44:30Z")
Speaking of high-ABV beers, the above-mentioned Union made a Strawberry Belgian Quad called “Under the Table” that was 13+ ABV! :eek: I am in their “mug club”: you pay $100 and thereafter you get your beer in whatever mug you bring in = bigger for most people. I bought a 34 oz. mug on Amazon, which is 1 liter (so a little over two pints = 32 oz. per pour). A mug-ful of that would be like drinking 1 liter of wine all at once! Now, the bar won’t pour ultra-high-ABV beers like that, in theory. But in reality, I got the bartender to pour me 2/3 of a mug of [Resin](http://www.beeradvocate.com/beer/profile/10607/77299/) from Sixpoint Brewery, which was on guest tap. And that is 9.1% ABV! The only reason it wasn’t a full mug was because I requested it to be 2/3, lol. My car spent the night in the parking lot… ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/45 "2016-06-18T12:43:17Z")
> [@Busy\_Scissors](#): > > Surely a fine business opportunity - bringing real ale to the French. No doubt this is already in motion, with beer missionaries travelling over from England to spread enlightenment. On my last tour of Europe (England, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy), the absolute best beer I had was a local French Brown (similar style to a Maredsouse). So they have them - it’s just a case of looking. And that’s half the fun. ---
**Author:** ![Wallaby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dc4da7/32.png) [@Wallaby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallaby)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/46 "2016-06-18T12:44:32Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Good info, thanks! > > How would you say it compares to Oz currently? > > We call them “flights” here. Do you not have those/call them those in Oz? That’s a _ **paddle** _. 4,6 (or sometimes 8) - great when visiting the local brewery. ---
**Author:** ![Aeschines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aeschines/32/16251_2.png) [@Aeschines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aeschines)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/47 "2016-06-18T14:16:54Z")
> [@Wallaby](#): > > That’s a _ **paddle** _. 4,6 (or sometimes 8) - great when visiting the local brewery. Ah, makes sense! ---
**Author:** ![neofishboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/neofishboy/32/444_2.png) [@neofishboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/neofishboy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/48 "2016-06-18T14:41:26Z")
> [@China\_Guy](#): > > I’m blanking on the name, but there was a brewery in the Russian River area north of San Francisco that predated Sierra Nevada. And it was a big influence on Sierra Nevada according to Brian Grossman’s autobiography. You’re probably thinking of New Albion. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2016, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/49 "2016-06-18T20:32:12Z")
> [@neofishboy](#): > > You’re probably thinking of New Albion. Bingo. I love this place ---
**Author:** ![stui\_magpie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stui_magpie/32/11010_2.png) [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2016, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/50 "2016-06-19T06:52:15Z")
> [@Aeschines](#): > > Good info, thanks! > > How would you say it compares to Oz currently? It’s hard to compare as I Don’t go to a lot of pubs/bars at home anymore, I stopped working in the CBD 10 years ago and rarely go in anymore. ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2016, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/51 "2016-06-19T18:37:03Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Americans had sophisticated palates before 1920? :dubious: > > Anyone who’s sampled European (and Japanese) beers will tell you there’s a world of difference between them and generic American slop. It’s far from subjective. Depends on the person. One of my friends just spent three weeks in Germany. He says German beer is vastly overrated. 90% made from pils or wheat, which means it was like drinking Budweiser, Miller or Coors. Even with the 15-20 different beers he tried, he found the differences subtle and not like the wide variety in America ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2016, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/52 "2016-06-19T22:37:24Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Americans had sophisticated palates before 1920? :dubious: > > Anyone who’s sampled European (and Japanese) beers will tell you there’s a world of difference between them and generic American slop. It’s far from subjective. Why do you think I meant sophisticated? :dubious: Italian quisine is renowned for its simplicity, it’s a strange idea in the US that good food means fancy food. Prior to prohibition, the nation was dotted with small breweries, some were good, I’m sure some were bad, but they were all different. After prohibition, there were only a few big breweries left so American beer all tasted the same. The nation’s palate was ruined for variances in what beer can taste like. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Deeg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/deeg/32/2955_2.png) [@Deeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Deeg)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/53 "2016-06-22T04:51:32Z")
I’m a little late but IMO one factor is affluence. Starting in the 80’s people had enough disposable income to spend more money on beer. The rise of artisinal cheese has occurred over roughly the same period. I’d guess that WW I and WW II prevented (or set back) the craft food industry and it wasn’t until the 80’s that economics allowed it. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/54 "2016-06-22T05:14:02Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Why do you think I meant sophisticated? :dubious: Italian quisine is renowned for its simplicity, it’s a strange idea in the US that good food means fancy food. By “sophisticated,” I meant “able to tell good from bad.” The best food is peasant food. Peasants have always known how to eat. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/55 "2016-06-22T05:59:36Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > It’s a strange idea in the US that good food means fancy food. FTR, I resent being classified as an average American. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Galwegian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galwegian/32/3426_2.png) [@Galwegian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galwegian)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/56 "2016-06-22T08:28:02Z")
> [@Nava](#): > > [Arran](https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/arran/), not [Aran](http://www.visitvaldaran.com/en/) 🙂 Pretty places both, but a few handspans apart. Sorry for the hijack, I only just opened this thread. However, it’s actually [Aran](http://www.aranislands.ie/): I can see the islands from my back window, and I guarantee this is where the itchy, hot, nasty jerseys come from. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2016, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/57 "2016-06-22T08:53:11Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > The best food is peasant food. Peasants have always known how to eat. When the rich folk take all the best ingredients, you have to get creative. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2016, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/58 "2016-06-27T17:27:25Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > I think a couple of big events in the early to mid 20th century are to blame: prohibition and WWII. Prohibition destroyed America’s local beers. Prior to prohibition, there were many small regional breweries, but after it, mostly a few breweries were standing. > > Secondly, after WWII, America’s unprecedented prosperity ushered in a really weird period for cuisine. Look at the cookbooks from the 50s and 60s, it’s all jello mold salads, white bread and meatloaf. Basically prohibition and the period after WWII ruined America’s palate, baby boomers thought that Stroh’s was good beer and that baking a cake from a mix was “from scratch.” We’re only now recovering from those twin shocks of processed goop to re-discover good food. Prohibition cannot be underestimated here, and should be a sobering example of how idiotic if perhaps well meaning legislation can be felt for a hundred years. It’s amazing. I don’t know how many breweries were shut down but it must have been thousands. A similar effect was observed with coffee. Virtually every town of any size had a coffee importer/roaster/blender. Vacuum packaging and wartime needs intersected, “freeze dried” and marketing. Eventually Americans were left with a few huge conglomerates. ---
**Author:** ![Common\_Tater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/common_tater/32/13846_2.png) [@Common\_Tater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Common_Tater)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2016, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/59 "2016-06-27T17:36:16Z")
> [@Jim\_s\_Son](#): > > Depends on the person. One of my friends just spent three weeks in Germany. He says German beer is vastly overrated. 90% made from pils or wheat, which means it was like drinking Budweiser, Miller or Coors. Even with the 15-20 different beers he tried, he found the differences subtle and not like the wide variety in America Anybody who thinks German beer is “over rated and a Pils or Hefe is like drinking Coors” really needs to see their doctor. What I noticed was how reasonably priced it was. Admittedly the dollar was strong at the time, but a case of 24 (10 liters) was around eight bucks. They would even deliver. Another surprising (to me anyway) was well respected German wine production was. France of course, has long had a reputation for wine but the Bosch are no slouches in this regard. Many people there tend to look down on beer drinkers as a class. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2016, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588/60 "2016-06-27T19:37:55Z")
> [@mcgato](#): > > [Here is a brief article that doesn’t get into too much detail](http://www.thewire.com/entertainment/2010/08/how-jimmy-carter-saved-craft-beer/19195/), but deregulation of the beer industry in 1979 greatly opened up the craft brew business in the US. Also, in 1978, homebrewing became legal. I suspect that most, if not all craft brewing founders were homebrewers who expanded, as the big breweries had no interest in brewing much beyond light lagers. Also, I think it took a few generations for American beer drinkers to no longer be conditioned to expect and want the standard American light lagers. I mean, I’d bet that men in my Dad’s generation (he’s about to turn 72), still default to Bud, Miller and Coors, if only because they don’t know any better, and are intimidated by the wide variety of odd-sounding beers and styles out there. Younger generations like myself got into the beer drinking world at a time when there were quite a few imports, and craft brewing was just starting. I turned 21 in 1993, and there were a few craft brews out there that we could get - Sierra Nevada and Sam Adams were the big ones. Not a lot of variety, but enough to know that the world of beer was bigger and more interesting than the big 3 breweries, and that we wanted to find out more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-the-craft-brewing-revolution-in-the-us-and-elsewhere-take-so-long-to-happen/757588.md?page=4)