.JPG)
It's time to toast your favorite
BeerCity USA. Voting ends
May 23.
As of 11:59 p.m., Sunday May 23 BeerCity USA Poll 2010 was closed. All votes cast after this time will not be counted. Statistics portrayed Monday morning do not reflect finalresults nor final percentages.
For final results see Asheville, NC continues its reign as top BeerCity USA 2010
Original Poll:
It’s time to vote again for your favorite “BeerCity USA.” Last year’s poll saw over 15,000 votes cast. Portland, Oregon and Asheville, NC were announced as winners in a statistical tie for first place.
Since the winners were announced in May 2009, craft beer and American beer culture has skyrocketed. Beer fests and city-wide beer weeks emerge throughout the country. There’s pride existing in local communities for their breweries, their beers and better beer bars, restaurants and pubs. Even to my astonishment I’ve noticed an increase in beer culture in cities that were long beer “dead zones.” America has awakened to better beer and their communities.
It matters in the USA unlike any other country in the world. That’s why we have great beer here in the USA. I think the whole idea 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 forces out there that want to limit your choice. When we as beer drinkers stop recognizing and responsibly celebrating the beer choices we have, we may lose it.
The times are changing and beer drinkers have ramped up their responsible celebrations and their access to choice and diversity.
Once again the unscientific online poll for 2010 BeerCity USA can’t really measure the value of beer culture in America. But it’s fun to applause.
BeerCity USA 2010 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 distributors. Let’s have some fun.
Here’s you chance to express your feelings and vote. One vote per person.
Here are my rules and my guidelines. I’ve put this initial list together based on cities that received 70 or more votes in the 2009 BeerCity USA or this year’s Nomination poll. 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 opened the first day of American Craft Beer Week, May 17 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time. Poll will close 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time), May 23. 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 a 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
All right! Asheville has 100% of the votes (for a few seconds at least). You know, we have two more breweries than we did when we were crowned Beer City USA last year, and another couple of beer fests. Asheville remains Beer City USA.
Asheville!!!!!!!
Asheville is a joke all the local microbrew tastes alike . . . .
Besides the huge ratio of breweries to populations, I would love to see the ratio of home brewers. With Asheville Brewing Supplies we have a town where an educational synergy is being created with home brewers, professionals, and even the extension service to provide outlets for organic local hops as an alternative crop to former tobacco farmers.
We got the "what the heck is Asheville?" out of the way last year...so there should be no surprise this year! Gooooo Asheville!
DC in the lead????
What a joke.
Yesterday, today and tommorow ...
it is MILWAUKEE.
These ballot box stuffing polls are a farce.
One of the (many) problems with this... aside from obvious power voting - is that any state with more than one city involved is getting robbed of a cohesive vote.
Then there are the facts... Asheville has 9 breweries. There's a total of 33 in the entire state of NC (both stats according to the Brewers Association website). The state of Colorado has 103 breweries, with Denver having 16, Boulder with 15, and Ft. Collins at 9. Colorado Springs has 8. There are more breweries opening in each of those cities, as I'm sure there are in Asheville.
Don't even get me started on all the individual CITIES in California, Washington state, Michigan, Oregon (Portland alone has 39!), etc. that have more breweries then the entire STATE of NC. And what's with WASHINGTON, DC having the 2nd most votes on this list over Portland, San Diego, SF, etc.??? Uh... not.
I truly mean no offense Asheville, you DO have a great beer scene, but Beer City USA? Come on... really?
It's quality as well as quantity that makes a city "Beer City". The brews in Asheville are delicious and unique! Denver may have more breweries, but the beer in Asheville just tastes better. Asheville can beer me anytime!! :)
All right! Asheville has 100% of the votes (for a few seconds at least). You know, we have two more breweries than we did when we were crowned Beer City USA last year, and another couple of beer fests. Asheville remains Beer City USA.
Good luck to all cities involved, remember that the most important thing is that YOU support the craft-beer scene in the town you live in. Both of last years winners (Portland and Asheville)are amazing cities with or without the beer scene. The incredible beers just put them over-the-top.
asheville has 12 brew co.s
Oh for Pete's sake, this again? Come on Asheville, I appreciate your enthusiasm, but Portland is Beer City, USA. I have as many breweries within walking distance of my house in SE Portland as you have in your whole city.
Seriously? Having lived in all 4 corners of the U.S. and some places in between, I can emphatically say this shouldn't even be a contest. Portland is far and away the best beer city. Quality and quantity. If Seattle gets together around a cup of Starbucks, you can say the same thing for Portland for their beer.
Here in Asheville the beer scene is simply amazing. When I was growing up my parents when to Brewgrass every year. It doesn't matter the size of the city or the amount of breweries but the quality of the beer and the pride you take in your beer. Each city in this poll has amazing craft brews but Asheville hold my heart as my favorite. Why rip each other down when you can enjoy your city's beer with pride? Travel, take in the other beers around the world. The beer is what's important not the negativity or the title. I'd love if Asheville can hold the crown of Beer City USA! And even if we don't we know the quality craft beers we create have an amazing following. Have pride in your beer!
OK not all Ashevillians are live and love hippies. Portland you have nearly 8 times the population of Asheville and yet it has nearly a third of the total number of breweries that you have so I don't care if you have a row of breweries in a single district. If population determined the number of breweries then according to my math Asheville would have over 60 breweries. The Beer City title should reside here where it belongs.
@ Eli--I think you're looking for the Beer State Competition.
All I see here is a bunch of babies that don't know how to behave when they are losing. This is a poll and if your city is not bringing the numbers then your city loses. May the best and more involved community win. Now, dismissing a city just because of its size its ludicrous. If an unknown home brewer gets the majority of the votes then so be it. Now let me tell you, something is brewing in Asheville and the people that are not aquainted with it are quick to judge. Many times without even trying out the beer. To those I say... screw you! Cheers and drink more beer! Go Asheville!
Asheville!!! =)
Yes, the city of Portland, as well as other cities, have more breweries than Asheville. But they also have 500,000 more people living there. In a contest in which all cities are pitted against each other, without there being separate categories for size of city, we need to consider that relative to the size, Asheville has a remarkable beer culture.
I've had some wonderful brews in many of these wonderful cities, but Asheville beers are just plain better. It's not about how many breweries you have outside your door, Andrew. It's about the passion a community on the whole puts into producing a better beer.
@P McGuire
So why is Asheville more passionate about beer than Portland? People keep talking about passion. Do you have a yearly brewfest where more than 30 breweries all brew Belgian beers with the same yeast? Do you have the country's first all-organic beer brewfest? Do you have the largest outdoor brewfest in North America? Do you have a brewfest dedicated just to fresh hop beers? Do you have a project that lets publicans and drinkers list what beers are on tap at pubs via Twitter that goes into a master database so you know what's on tap around the city before you get there?
'Cause we have all those.
Go Asheville!!! I just enjoyed some organic Pisgah beer last night at a wonderful gathering... the best!! And while you're in a voting mood, log your Asheville vote at the unofficial but I bet Google is watching poll for Google-fiber: www.googlefiber.com Such an investiment in Asheville would help all businesses grow, including our local breweries!
We've already created Android craft breweries apps for the cities of Asheville, NC and Portland, OR. For this year's poll, Wolf Mountain Apps will create an Android breweries map application for each of the top three vote-getters. Looks like Asheville and Portland will likely be the top two again this year, but who will be number 3?
wolfmountainapps[dot]com
@Andrew
You seem to have "bigitis". Not everything that is bigger is better. As a former OR resident, i prefer to go to Hoodoo Ski area. Mt Hood was too big and over priced with too many people. The same reasoning holds true here is Asheville. We simply have a much better product and we support local to the fullest extent. Passion does not have to be big. Maybe Portland is over compensating. ;)
We've already created Android craft breweries apps for the cities of Asheville, NC and Portland, OR. For this year's poll, Wolf Mountain Apps will create an Android breweries map application for each of the top three vote-getters. Looks like Asheville and Portland will likely be the top two again this year, but who will be number 3?
wolfmountainapps[dot]com
We've already created Android craft breweries apps for the cities of Asheville, NC and Portland, OR. For this year's poll, Wolf Mountain Apps will create an Android breweries map application for each of the top three vote-getters. Looks like Asheville and Portland will likely be the top two again this year, but who will be number 3?
wolfmountainapps[dot]com
There is nothing unique about Asheville especially the beer, its all the same water down Microbrew.
ASheville!
Asheville, NC is the #1 Beer city usa
Cleveland, Ohio and towns like Willoughby, Ohio have many small breweries that make some great tasting beers......
Asheville has great beer... so does Portland! Why are people measuring d!cks? Let the votes choose the winner... GO Asheville!!!
I've been to Asheville. Now its time for the east coasters to taste real beer. Portland and the greater Portland Area not only have an incredible amout of breweis, brew pubs and ale houses. There are master brewers here pushing the envelope with their recipes. With over 35 breweries and a lot more brew pubs how could any city other than portland Or. be in the running for Beer City USA.
If you are looking for small towns with little population but several quality breweries look no futher than Bend Or. With only 80,000 in population and 5 breweries that have put out some of the best beers around it is definitly a town that can not be over looked. As well as being the place where the very hoppy Imperial IPA was born. If you want to try a true NW IMP Bend Brewing Co.'s Hop Head is the way to go.
Rochester, NY should be on the list. Home to Genesee Brewery, Dundee Brewery, Rorhbach's Brewery, Custom BrewCrafters Brewery and also home to Constellation Brands and North American Breweries.
I voted for Asheville. GREAT beer, great city that loves its beer. Per capita it is by far they Beer City of the USA
Go Asheville! and with so many great breweries in one great nation I believe we all win.
What? only one vote per IP address?? I'd planned to vote early and vote often, but hey, this is better. Now I can just go on down to the Wedge, having done my civic duty, and enjoy the sunset over the tracks while I savor my Iron Rail. Ya'll have fun, we know what we've got here in AVL.
In good spirit, I purchased a 6-pack of Bridgeport IPA tonight to enjoy while watching NHL hockey. Portland's oldest brewery, good stuff.
But I won't stop there, French Broad Brewing later tonight and Thirsty Monk South on Thursday for cask Craggie Brewing. Karen, you said it best, we know what we have here in Asheville! :)
As far as craft beer goes Asheville, NC has to be near the top. 8 microbrews that you can walk to and a tremendous town/community as well. Mid size town and an epic beer scene go Asheville!
Sorry Asheville, This North Carolinian votes for Missoula Montana. The chosen few who've been to this wonderful town understand my vote.
voting for all the small home brewers here in Asheville!
Aheville is ALL about local and flavor. I rarely purchase any national brews because there are so few on par with Asheville's brews. We don't try to compete with Portland as far as festivals are concerned. We do have them but the day to day life here is far more important. The ability to walk into one of several breweries and always know somebody, often many, and enjoy a fine brew in the sun or shade is what makes Asheville a true beer city. There should be divisions in the poll according to city size but two cities were crowned last year and likely will be again this year.
It totally rocks that America is collectively getting with the program on great beer :) Portland has some awesome brew - Go Dead Guy Ale! - but my heart is here in Asheville. So many breweries and beer bars within walking distance offering their finely crafted suds makes life that much better.
I've been around the world and tasted many beers. Germany is still the place (if you're fortunate enough to visit). Each city has it's own beers, and they're all great in their own way (even Rauchbier from Bamburg :P). The thing is, the best beer is the beer that's near. Asheville is near to me so it has to be the best for me. There's nothing like getting it fresh from where it's brewed. Bottles and cans lessen the taste, so unless you visit the city, you can't really and truly judge the quality. Every city you're near that has a brewery is your best beer city. So support your local brewery, and enjoy. Thanks to all of you that are finally doing something we (as a country) should have never stopped doing in the first place. Brewing our own beer be it Ale or Lager.
No doubt about it, Asheville breweries ROCK!! I used to live in Germany and have tasted many beers there. Almost all of them were quite tasty and usually put American beers to shame. Not any more though. Asheville brewers have proven that American beers can compete anywhere in the world and come home with a gold medal. Of course Karl's beers (The Wedge) would bring home a platinum medal. If ever in Asheville, GO TO THE WEDGE!!!!
Pisgah Brewing, the Wedge, French Broad, Highland Brewing, Green Man, Asheville Oysterhouse Brewery, Lobster Trap, the Lab, Asheville Brewing Co, Craggy Brewing... that's 10 breweries I can think of. Any I'm forgetting?
Philadelphia should secure the win this year. With an amazing beer week coming up (phillybeerweekDOTorg), and a rapidly growing local craft beer scene, it's the clear choice. People here seriously geek out over good beer, and you'd be hard pressed not to find at least 5 craft beers in any local bar - from a "bro-y" sports bar to an upscale restaurant.
You've got to be kidding me. Asheville is certainly not a good craft beer city. San Diego, Portland, Philadelphia (suburbs), and Kalamazoo would get my votes.
It is really just between Portland and Denver.
I think your list needs to add Nantahala Brewing, Heinzelmännchen, and Appalachian Craft.
[quote]Pisgah Brewing, the Wedge, French Broad, Highland Brewing, Green Man, Asheville Oysterhouse Brewery, Lobster Trap, the Lab, Asheville Brewing Co, Craggy Brewing... that's 10 breweries I can think of. Any I'm forgetting? [/quote]
Pages
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!