STATS
  • Topic: USA vs. Old World Beer Culture
  • Session Host: Ding’s Beer Blog
  • Announcement: Here

For those new to the Session the idea is on the first Friday of every month beer bloggers from around the world unite and write a post on a common topic. Find more info here.

This month Adrian from Ding’s Beer Blog has the pleasurable task of ready everyone’s words of wisdom/drivel. His topic is sure to provide plenty of debate, I certainly know which side of the fence I’m sitting on!

So the real question here is what have the USA, and by extrapolation U.S. brewers. done to change beer? For me the answer is obvious; they’ve improved it!

Old World beer culture revolves around English Pub culture. While I haven’t experienced a heap of this , I’m aware that is based around (on the whole) relatively bland, low ABV beers which can be consumed en masse. This is all well and good, and certainly has a place in society but can it be improved…
Everyone knows that everything is bigger and better in the U.S., and this certainly applies to craft beer. The reason IPA is the most drunk style of craft beer is certainly not due to the English take on the style!
The American beer styles (not just IPA’s) are all hop dominant. Small breweries have always been around, however it is the Americans’ addition of flavoursome, and sometimes excessive hops, that have commercialized an entire industry. Whether it be huge hoppy stouts or IPA’s through to American takes on traditional Belgian classics, Americans beers have struck a chord with drinkers around the world. 
As much as it hurts me to admit it, without U.S. intervention craft beer wouldn’t be advanced or appealing as it is today. American brewers are at the forefront of hop use and innovation; and subsequently they are at the top of their field. Without U.S. beers, and the subsequent breweries around the world that they have inspired, craft beer would still be a tiny niche market; not a world phenomenon!
Remember it’s always Beer O’Clock somewhere in the world!