The American Brewery

In 1880 the Internal Revenue Department records indicate 2830 breweries in operation in the United States. However by 1910 this number was nearly cut in half. No, the demand for beer didn't drop, but technology allowed fewer breweries to produce more beer. Those who could afford to upgrade their facilities were able to sell more beer and prosper. Those who couldn't, faltered. Unfortunately, with Prohibition in 1919 many of America's remaining breweries went out of business. The breweries that survived Prohibition saw a very competitive industry when they re-emerged. Eventually this took it's toll and resulted in the closure of many more American breweries. The competition was so fierce that brewers had to find new ways to produce the same product for less. This resulted in the introduction of cheap adjuncts which produced beers that were bland and tasteless. In fact David Moulton is quoted to have said "Why is American beer served cold? So you can tell it from urine." In 1983 after the survival of the fittest, there were only 80 breweries in operation nation wide. According to beerhistory.com this was the lowest point in the beginning of American brewing. Thankfully Americans had already begun to demand more out of their beer. Six years earlier in 1977 the first ale is served in a new brewery in Sonoma, CA. Jack McAuliffe's venture is short lived, but the New Albion Brewery will become known as America's first "Micro Brewery" or "Craft Brewery". Five years later, changes in legislation allows a brewery to open that not only sells its beer at its own bar on premises, but serves food to boot. In Bert Grant's Yakima Brewing and Malting Company the Brew Pub is born. Nearly thirty years later the American craft beer movement is alive and well! In 2007 there were 1463 breweries and brewpubs producing over 8 million beer barrels. 1420 of which are craft/micro breweries and brewpubs. 

“When the pilgrims, seeking religious freedom, landed at Plymouth rock, the first permanent building put up was the brewery” - Jim West

Great local breweries

   Surly Brewing Company - Brooklyn Center, MN    

   Summit Brewing Company - St. Paul, MN

   Flat Earth Brewing Company - St. Paul, MN

   August Schell Brewing Company - New Ulm, MN

  Brau Brothers Brewing Company - Lucan, MN

   Lift Bridge Brewery - Stillwater, MN

   Rush River Brewing Company - River Falls, WI

Brewery Visits

I have had the good fortune of being able to see some great breweries in this country.

Leinenkugel's Brewing- Chippewa Falls, WI (6/12/09 - most recent visit)

Great Divide Brewing Company, Denver, CO (5/24/09)

Oskar Blues Brewing Company, Longmont, CO (5/24/09)

New Belgium Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO (5/24/09)

Fort Collins Brewery, Fort Collins, CO (5/23/09)

Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO (5/23/09)

Summit Brewing - St. Paul, MN (6/14/08 - most recent visit)

Surly Brewing - Brooklyn Center, MN (5/23/08 - most recent visit)

Brooklyn Brewery - Brooklyn, NY (2/23/08)

Brau Brothers Brewing - Lucan, MN (1/9/08)

Fitger's Brewhouse - Duluth, MN (10/25/07)

August Schell Brewing Co - New Ulm, MN (8/11/07 - most recent visit)

Miller Brewing Co - Milwaukee, WI (8/21/07)

Lakefront Brewery - Milwaukee, WI (8/21/07)

Shipyard Brewing - Portland, ME (6/6/06)

Boston Beer Company - Boston, MA (7/3/02)