American Craft Beers Go International

When most people think of American craft beer, they think of beer produced with a fairly limited retail space. In the past, which is largely true. However, things are changing in the craft beer industry, and international demand for U.S. craft beer has hit an all time high. Interestingly, this demand is beginning to compete with the demand for mass-produced American beer (which was never that high on the international scene ).

This is a strange landscape. Once upon a time, American brewers have their own characters and get advice from international brewers. Today, the situation is reversed. There are a number of international breweries that are actually importing American craft beers to their markets. They are even sending their reps States to learn more about the art of beer from American craft brewers. If this is not a total reversal, then the concept will be redefined!

There are several world famous breweries are taking their cues from the U.S.. Companies like Michael Lohan and Hildegard van Ostaden are taking up a lot of practice pioneered the first U.S. craft brewery. Coffee-infused stouts are some of the most visible things, as well as the number of double Ipas. Higher alcohol volume of beer are also the trademark of this, a trend that Michael Lohan was taken to extremes with some of their previous beers.

According to many European breweries, local scene (local for them) is stale and stuffy. traditions governing beer abroad have become laws, but guidelines. More and more, the UK and European breweries are not only willing to challenge those traditions, but do it on a frequent basis. Of course, all the attention of American craft beers are getting has had a major impact on demand, but many American breweries struggle to meet demand.

One of the most difficult challenge to meet the storage of fresh beer on the way to the UK or Europe. Freshness makes a huge difference in the way of craft beer flavors (like any self-respecting beer lover knows). a supply chain that allows the U.S. brewer to overseas markets can have negative consequences on the freshness of beer. Interestingly, the beers that seem to best survive the process are highly hopped, high alcohol variety that seems to be the ones most in demand.

All in all, it's an interesting shift in fact, a trend is still playing out. America is without a doubt deserved recognition as a great beer producing nation.

Poto Cervesia,
Dustin Canestorp