It’s time to vote again for your favorite “BeerCity USA.” Last year’s BeerCity USA 2010 poll saw over 19,000 votes cast. Asheville, North Carolina was announced as the 2010 winner. The BeerCity USA 2011 Poll is now open – Vote Now.
Since the winners were announced in May 2010, American craft brewers continue to rock American beer culture. There are currently over 40 state or city wide craft beer weeks and fests currently scheduled for 2011, with the Mother of them all, American Craft Beer Week coming up May 16-22.
Last month the Brewers Association, who keeps tabs on nearly all of America’s small brewers, announced that craft beer from small craft brewers brewed 11% more beer in 2010 over the prior year. Growing a the beer business as a small company in America’s current economic climate has proved challenging, but the thirst of craft beer enthusiasts is clearly growing and on pace this year for even more extraordinary growth.
America’s beer reputation has arrived. Clearly the USA is the best place in the world to find great beer and to enjoy it.
In mid March the Brewers Association reported the number of operating breweries in the U.S.A. at 1,759 with over 600 additional breweries in the planning stages.
If it hasn’t happened yet, there’ll be a brewery coming to your city soon – if current activity is an indication of things to come.
The vast majority of small breweries are main street businesses and are providing local beer drinkers and communities a taste of what it really means to be local. The top 50 small brewers were recently announced by the Brewers Association. At more than 1,700, the number of breweries in the U.S. is higher than any time since the late 1800s," said Paul Gatza, director of the Brewers Association.
Beer Greatness
Beer matters in the USA unlike any other country in the world. I think the ideas of caring where your beer comes from, how and why it is made are not only good things, but essential for maintaining continued beer choice in the USA. There are many and varied interests and advocacy groups here in the USA that want to limit your choice. If beer drinkers stop appreciating and responsibly celebrating the beer choices we have, we may lose it beer greatness.
The times are changing and beer drinkers have ramped up their responsible celebrations and their access to choice and diversity.
This unscientific online poll for 2011 BeerCity USA doesn’t measure the value of beer culture in America. But it’s fun to applause and celebrate.
BeerCity USA 2011 is a chance for local beer communities to express their enthusiasm and support for their local breweries and local better beer bars, restaurants, stores and I’ve put the ballot together based on cities that received 100 or more votes in the 2010. There were no other cities receiving more 100 nominations in last weeks BeerCity USA Nominating poll. No other cities will be added to the list.
Let’s have some fun.
Here’s your chance to express support for your local beer culture and your own enthusiasm. Vote . One vote per person. VOTING BALLOT HERE
Here are my rules and guidelines. I’ll be happy to add other cities; that’s why I listed “Other” as an option. If I get more than 70 votes for a town or city that’s not on this list – I will add it to the list.
Poll opens Monday, May 2. Poll will close 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time), Monday, May 8. Poll results will be announced shortly thereafter.
Are you a fan of small and independent American brewers and their craft beers? Read the Declaration of Beer Independence. Become an American Craft Beer Week Fan on Facebook. When you become a Fan you’ve signed the Declaration.
Only one vote per IP address and computer. Sorry - If you are using a company or other network, it is likely only one person on the network will be permitted to vote.
Comments