American Craft Beer Week. 7 Days, 7 Ways

7 Days and 7 Ways to Celebrate American Craft Beer

With more than 500 official events planned over 7 days, in all 50 states, there is no excuse not to celebrate American Craft Beer Week this May 16-22. The majority of Americans live within 10 miles of a craft brewery, but if you aren't so fortunate, scores of bars, restaurants and craft beer retailers have you covered. There are currently over 1,700 small and independent craft brewers in the U.S. today, and each one contributes to its community in some way. American Craft Beer Week celebrates these small businesses and toasts their success.

Here are 7 ways to join in the celebration,

1. Support Your Local Brewery
Most places in the United States enjoy a vibrant or up-and-coming local craft beer culture. Have you visited all the breweries in your town? Does your bar proudly serve the local small brewers’ craft beers? Remember, the best tasting craft beer is usually the freshest; you can’t get any fresher than straight from the tank.

2. Look for New, Special and Collaborative Beer Releases
You and I aren’t the only ones excited about American Craft Beer Week; the brewers are, too. All over the country craft brewers will release special beers in honor of ACBW. Often these beers are brewed in very limited quantities, so don’t miss out!

3. Experience Craft Beer and Food
We live in a time where the flavors and possibilities of craft beer and food pairing are limitless. If you have not had the pleasure of experiencing what talented chefs and brewers can do with craft beer and food, use this as an opportunity to discover what you are missing.

4. Attend a Craft Beer Festival
Festivals are the place to learn more about craft beer and craft brewers. The excitement and camaraderie of enthusiast and brewer alike make this an option that should not be passed up.

5. American Craft Beer Week Bar Crawl
May is also National Tavern Month, which just happens to go along with craft beer like beer and a burger... And hey, it’s also National Burger Month! We can’t argue with that coincidence. Check out bars that are planning ACBW festivities or hop on one of the pub crawls and grab a craft beer and a burger.

6. Craft Beer for a Cause
Craft brewers give a lot back to their communities, and you can, too. Enjoy a charity-minded beer event where what tastes good feels even better.

7. Share
Craft beer would be missing something if you didn’t have people to share it with. Bring your “I don’t like beer” friend along to an event and give them every chance to discover what all the fuss is about. You can even share great craft beer with friends online—this American Craft Beer Week,Untappd is recognizing ACBW with its very own badge.

Need more events?
Search by state through the Official American Craft Beer Week Event Calendar.

Getting ready for American Craft Beer Week!

Brewers Association Predicts Record-Breaking Participation in 2011 American Craft Beer Week

By CraftBeer.com

Nationwide Toast to the Craft Beer Community: May 16-22, 2011

Boulder, CO • Feb 22, 2011-Cheers. Salud. Prost.L'Chaim. The Brewers Association-the national non-profit association representing the majority of today's U.S. breweries, and publishers of CraftBeer.com-will celebrate American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) May 16-22, with local events held nationwide.

Considered The Mother of All Beer Weeks, ACBW recognizes one of America's true culinary arts and provides a platform for small and independent craft brewers to salute supporters and connect with their local communities. Thousands of today's beer enthusiasts, beginners and hard core geeks will toast craft beer, with ACBW events predicted to take place in all 50 states.

"American Craft Beer Week is an annual celebration of these historic beer times and the amazing community citizenship of craft brewers," said Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association. "With an emphasis to savor the flavor responsibly and the resurgence of a rich brewing culture here in the U.S., the week is a chance to highlight and recognize the incredible contributions of America's craft brewers."

There are close to 30 local beer weeks/beer months in the U.S. annually, each with its own identity and organizer. Established in 2006, ACBW builds on these local celebrations and is the largest national effort focusing solely on American craft brewers. Economically, small and independent U.S. craft brewers contribute an estimated 100,000 jobs, accounting for $3 billon annually in wages and benefits.

In 2010, ACBW logged 341 participating breweries that hosted 621 events with recognition at multiple retailers in 45 states. In addition, U.S. Congress passed House Resolution 1297to support the goals and ideals of ACBW and recognize the significant contributions of craft brewers to the economy.

Throughout the week, a variety of events will be hosted by craft brewers and beer retailers across the country. Mirroring the diverse styles and brands of the industry, events include charity fundraisers, new beer releases, brewery openings, festivals, unique craft beer dinners and special brewery tours. Additionally, participating breweries will once again encourage beer enthusiasts to sign the Declaration of Beer Independence, an official document to support America's small and independent craft brewers.

For an ever-expanding list of events visit the official calendar on CraftBeer.com.

2011 ACBW registered celebrations to date:

Augusta Brewing Company, Augusta, GA: BBQ food pairings and a special release craft beer.

Kreuz Creek Brewing Co., Sugar Land, TX: Limited release tastings, extended tour hours, discounted merchandise, and a Wranger National Patriot Fundraiser.

Kuhnhenn Brewing Co., Warren, MI: Free personal pizza giveaway for patrons who tape their signed Declaration of Beer Independence to the pub wall.

Intuition Ale Works, Jacksonville, FL: Will celebrate American Craft Beer Week at the Jacksonville Craft and Import Beer Festival on May 20.

Mountaineer Brewing Company, Martinsburg, WV: There will be daily brewery tours and on Saturday May 21, an open house with live music and a motorcycle stuntman.

Omaha Beer Festival, Omaha, NE: The largest craft beer festival in Nebraska, will include craft beer tastings, beer-related seminars, beer and food pairings, a comparative beer glass seminar, and live entertainment/local food vendors on-site.

Rogue Ales, Newport, OR: To benefit dog charities in Oregon, Brewer's Memorial Ale Fest will include over 30 microbreweries, live music, doggy musical chairs, dog wash, dog dancing, and celebrity dog look-alikes.

WEBSITE: CraftBeer.com

CONTACT:

Andy Sparhawk, Craft Beer Program Coordinator
303.447.0816 x118
andy@brewersassociation.org

Julia Herz, Craft Beer Program Director
303.447.0816 x113
julia@brewersassociation.org

###

Based in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade and education association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. Visit BrewersAssociation.org to learn more. The association's activities include events and publishing: CraftBeer.com, World Beer Cup®; Great American Beer Festival®; Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®; National Homebrewers Conference; National Homebrew Competition; SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience; American Craft Beer Week; Zymurgymagazine; The New Brewer magazine; and books on beer and brewing. The Brewers Association has an additional membership division of 24,000+ homebrewers: American Homebrewers Association.

Beer lovers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com.