Craft Beer
The American Craft Beer Revolution has overshadowed the beer country of Germany in the last 20 years — at least in terms of variety and experimentation. Of the over 9,000 breweries in the USA, more than 8,000 are craft breweries (independent, small, traditionally producing). The scene has exploded.
The most important beer styles:
- IPA (India Pale Ale) — America's most popular craft beer style. Hop-forward, bitter, often with tropical aromas (grapefruit, mango, pine). The West Coast IPA is bone-dry and intensely bitter; the Hazy/New England IPA (NEIPA) is hazy, juicy, and less bitter.
- Stout & Porter — Dark beers with chocolate and coffee aromas. Pastry Stouts (with vanilla, maple syrup, marshmallows) are the latest trend.
- Sour Beer — Sour beers, inspired by Belgian Lambics, but with American experimentation (fruit purees, spices).
- Lager — Yes, they exist too: Mexican-Style Lager (light, with lime) and Cold IPA are the current trends.
Craft Beer Strongholds: Portland (Oregon, most breweries per capita), San Diego, Denver, Asheville (North Carolina), Burlington (Vermont), Philadelphia, and Grand Rapids (Michigan). In each of these cities, you can visit 20+ breweries in a day (please use Uber).
