IMO, there tends to be a strong correlation between total number of microbreweries and beer selection available to the consumer in a certain market. As the number of commercial microbrews increase, so do the number of craft brew pubs, which then tends to encourage area grocery stores and liquor stores to request certain beers from distributors and prominent breweries outside the area to seek distribution deals in a growing craft beer market.
A decade ago, it would be unheard of for a company like Shelton Brothers to have the sort of commercial success they have had importing rare beers to the USA and have distribution reps in places like Omaha without the growth of microbrews in states like Nebraska, nor would a company like Nebraska Brewing Co. be distributing beers to have distribution deals on both coast but not be widely available in certain neighboring states.
It should also be noted that the most successful craft brewing companies have reached a level that precludes them from expanding their market share without legally becoming a macrobrewery. They are now brewing products at a rate that barely keeps up with the demand for their products in a distribution area/market share viewed to be infinitesimally by the major brewing companies of the world.

I agree with everything you posted,
nonetheless, I don't think it's necessarily geographically isolated to specific parts of the US.

picked up 6 of these at the corner convenience store tonight. pretty good.

The grocery store that's a 2 minute walk from my building just doubled its microbrew selection, and they already had more than most grocery stores. I take full credit for this, of course.

http://www.ratebeer.com/beer/avery-ipa/67/



I'm enjoying a few of these before I consider braving the elements to drink crap beer at a local bar.

I love that label. The red line explains everything.

Cool label. I hadn't seen it.

Recents... I've gotten behind.

Sam Adams - Old Fezziwig

Maybe it's nostalgia for back when Busty and I first started drinking decent beer in college, but I still enjoy this. We used to go get 2 22's of this in December every year and get all happy about making a big fat meal and drinking them. And that shit goes back, what, 16 or 17 years now? Jesus I'm getting old. So yeah, I still dig it. reminds me of being 20, having student loans, and having the whole world laid freely before me (and taking advantage of almost none of it). A-


Cerne - Krusovice

Neuro's favorite beer, a bohemian black. He had 'em a lot over in Czech, and talked his local store into getting them. They're cheap by the case, and a good blend of coppery malty goodness without being too strong. "Why would I buy anything else?" I agree, it's a good beer at a good price - waaay better than the schwarzbier my brewery owned, Kostritzer... that shit was candy-sweet and kinda nasty. Anywho, B


Unibroue - Ephemere

I sampled this for the first time at the belgian brew fest, and decided for now it's my favorite of theirs. The balance of green apple is perfect - it's subtle, and it goes incredibly well with that belgian mix of strong yeast, beet sugars, candy sugar, and smack of alcohol. I would grow tired of it if I had it a lot, but for now I love this shit. Doesn't taste like anything else. A


Corsendonk - Abbey Pale Ale

Found ol Tentoze's brand, but only this variety available. As I said briefly earlier, it was as good as this stuff gets. Their water is different. Everything was really well balanced, an you could barely taste the alcohol. I wished for another 2 or 3 of them. A


Victory - Yakima Glory

Still working on this 6 pack. They don't really tell you what it is, but the name suggests you're in for a hoppy ride. And sure enough, it tastes like a slightly darker Double IPA. Alcohol content is listed as 7.something, but I am skeptical. It tastes stronger, and honestly it hits me a lot harder than a 7- beer. I had one of them before lunch on the weekend and had a buzz. I am strongly suspicious these are closer to 9- than 7-. Anywho, it's good, but not really amazing. Typical of them, it's balanced and professional, and I have no complaints. B+


3 Monts - Golden Ale

This one was actually from back in November but I think it slipped past me... just found it on the camera card. I'm glad I did find it because I remember loving it. It's very light and refreshing for the style, the booze flavor is incredibly well hidden, and it just smells like sunshine, rainbows and fresh panties. I could bathe in it. A


Victory - Festbier

Sure enough, they've pulled off a convincing german festbier. It's bock-malty, but not too boozey. And the smell of the hops is just right, very gerrrrrman. I dug it. B


Avery - Saison 16

This is another saison with some fruit in it, so purists beware. But the balance was good, the fruit sweetness was subtle, and all in all it was a pleasant diversion. They did a good job with this. If you don't like it, it's because you don't like ANY fruit flavor in beer, because the fructose here is pretty light. B+


Samuel Smith's - Winter Welcome Ale

A classic. Hints of spice, good malty character, clean finish, and not too thick. Almost sessionable. Tastes like their others... they have a flavor grouping that isn't as tight as Sam Adams (thank god) but there is an identifiable somethin-or-other to what they make. B


Kona - Pipeline Porter

Had this on draft about 6 months ago (?) somewhere in Harvard Square, and it was better then. But it's still good. Coffee flavor is very muted, you might not even notice it. The guys I applied to work for in Portland own them... figured I should be doing my homework. B-


Founders - Dirty Bastard Scotch Ale

My second favorite "six pack" scotch ale, behind Lake Louie from Arena WI. Both are beaten by the 25oz wax top bottles from Sprecher of their "Scotch-Style Ale" which is oak aged, hard as shit to find, and pricey. But in a scotch you can buy all over, in decent quantities, this is hard as hell to beat. Chewey, thick, full of malt, and with enough hop finish to wake you up on the way out. A-


Cisco - Captain Swain's Extra Stout

Another'n from the little brewery on Nantucket that I like. This was a very good stout. Great pine flavor up front, then a lot of different malts - you can tell because it's a very think complex flavor... you don't really get that from roasting one kind of malt for a long time - and a pleasant, light hop finish. Good on yas, Cisco. A-

I like that Founders Scotch Ale.

Anyone have any beers from Breckenridge Brewery? Supposed to go to a beer dinner tonight they are hosting, but I've never had any of their stuff before. Either way, I'll be giving it a shot, just curious if anyone likes their stuff.

I don't think I've ever had a Breckenridge.

They are a good starter label for new craft beer drinkers, but they don't really brew anything I find to be stellar. I think the Agave Wheat they produce is a great session brew, and didn't have any issues with their Lucky U IPA or Trademark Pale Ale.

agree with the Prom here. they've been around forever, but the best i can muster up for them is a "decent" or "better than bud".

my latest winter go-to brew:

<--- re-size re-tard.

I saw that Grt Divide Winter at the sto'. So it's good, eh? I'll put it up next on the docket.

Had a Rochefort 8 for the first time tonight with some Brie and triscuits.

I feel like I'm in the Beerzard of Oz and everything just went Technicolor.

Kyle, have you had anything from NOLA brewery? They have a stout and I think a Pils on tap at a place downtown here. The stout is real nice. The guy who started the brewery was apparently in the Air Force, living in Seattle, when Katrina hit. He wanted to come home and help New Orleans, and ended up founding a brewery.

Also, I am about to work a project to legalize an actual brewery here in Montgomery, hay can sell for distribution and have a brew pub. Pretty cool, eh?

I just got an obner thinking about that Rochefort 10 I had a few weeks back.

One of my best friends is starting a brewery. NOLA's owner is helping him a lot. I really like their beers. Their seasonals are usually pretty good too.

I'm going to a tapping party for the 2011 version of Goose Island's Pepe Nero, a black rye saison flavored with pepper. I wasn't overly impressed with the 2010 version, but I've been drinking more peppercorn flavored beers and really enjoy most rye beers.

So how does one get ahold of a Westvleteren 12?

Do you truly have to go to the Abbey to get it?

Barring that, ebay?

Asheville actually edged out Portland for the title of Beer City USA in 2010 (the two cities tied in 2009): http://www.examiner.com/beer-in-nationa ... y-usa-2010

There are 9 breweries in Asheville alone not to mention the ones popping up elsewhere in NC, Georgia, SC, etc., so I would argue that a qualified beermaster could do worse than employment in the South.

Is this any good? Thinking of getting it for a birthday present.

http://www.beerhere.co.uk/acatalog/Beer_Mixed_Cases_United_States.html

Vessel / Case : 10xVarious

Our american tasting beer case from across the pond represents some of the lesser known Stateside breweries.

1 bottle of each American beer:
- Blue Moon
- Anchor Liberty Ale
- Anchor Steam
- Brooklyn East India Pale Ale
- Brooklyn Lager
- Flying Dog Doggie Style
- Flying Dog Old Scratch
- Goose Island India Pale Ale
- Goose Island Honkers Ale
- Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

Eh, the Brooklyn and Goose Island are the only ones from it that I'd drink and even those aren't their best offerings. I guess it's worth a try though if you can't get those overseas and really want to try some american beers. I'd much rather spring for their belgian box though.

Hmm. I'm not sure if they're widely available over here or not to be honest. It's for a guy who goes to half a dozen beer festivals around the country every year, I'm thinking he's sampled plenty of the Belgians/europeans.

ND: San Miguel