American Craft Beer week is May 16 – 22. We have some ideas on how you can celebrate! As much as we love to party, American Craft Beer Week isn’t about passing out somewhere. It’s about celebrating the hard work that goes into each glass.

1. Drink Up!

Get started by drinking craft brews! But first we need to know why we drink craft. Matt Brynildson, Brewmaster of Firestone Walker Brewing Company, helps us defines craft beer. “Craft beer is all about wholesome regional fresh flavors opposed to international conglomerate homogenized brands.” He adds, “When asked what my favorite beer is, I always respond that it is the freshest local beer wherever I happen to be at that moment. We all should be supporting local fresh sustainable businesses like our local craft breweries!”

Randy Mosher, author of “Radical Brewing” and “The Brewer’s Companion,” also wants you to drink local and thinks you should make a statement with your purchases. “Who would you rather support? [For me it's] genuine artists and small businesses who have struggled to create a happy niche in the market where none existed before.”

American Craft Beer Week is about the celebration of small breweries and their delicate work in creating a fine beverage. These beers are created with the precision of science combined with art. They are similar to an artist with a blank canvas, except the brewers are painting with ingredients like spices, fruits, grains and hops. It’s a labor of love! “Craft beer offers a dizzying range of different flavors, textures, aromas and more, driven very much by the passions of individuals trying to create something interesting and push the art forward,” Randy Mosher adds.

2. Attend a Craft Beer and Food Pairing

You know about wine and food pairings, how about craft beer and food pairings? There are currently over 60 different categories being judged at the Great American Beer Festival, each has their own distinctive taste. It’s a fun time for your palate and The Homebrew Chef Sean Z. Paxton agrees. “Attending a craft beer and food pairing at a brewery or a restaurant will educate the participants palate in many ways. The brewer will be able to share their craft with you, as you drink the brew.” Sean continues, “He/she might point out what makes the beer unique with history, style or ingredients. Then, blend that with the creative mind of a chef, to open up new flavors, textures and combinations both in the beer and food, add depth and meaning to the brew and the dish.”


3. Spread the Love!

Already know the world of craft beer? Bring a friend to an ACBW event. You can find events all through out the U.S. on the ACBW events page.

If you are a “beer beginner,” Julia Herz, Craft Beer Program Director of Brewers Association, wants you to give craft beer a try. “This is the perfect opportunity for beer beginners to dip their toes into the rich flavors and culture of craft beer made by today’s U.S. craft brewers.”

Beer week events across the nation:

Don’t know where to start? We have some recommendations. Give your taste buds some love with these unusual brews:

Additional Information
http://www.craftbeer.com/acbw
http://www.facebook.com/#!/AmericanCraftBeerWeek