Celebrate American Beer Month

There's nothing quite as refreshing as cracking open a cold one on a hot summer day.

Fitting, then, that July is set aside as American Beer Month -- a chance to celebrate the craft brewers who are blazing new trails and consistently creating some of the best beers around.

Just as the United States is a melting pot of cultural diversity, it also is a churning brew kettle full of malty influences from other countries. But in true American style, we're not content to mimic -- our brewers are always trying new things. So much so that Americans now are the envy of the world when it comes to beer flavor and diversity.

Why should we celebrate American beer? It's close to home, for one thing. Fresh beer is good beer (although some more potent ones can age nicely, quite like a wine). Enjoying your local or regional beer supports your local and regional economy. Craft breweries bring good jobs and an artisan product to the area. They also support many local and regional farmers and other businesses.

During July, events across the country give Americans a chance to learn more about the multiplicity of American beers so they don't miss out on this unique piece of America's culinary culture.

From Tampa, Fla., to Seatte, beer fans are celebrating artisan American beers. In Oregon, where Portland touts more brewpubs in its metro area than any other city in the world, they're taking things a bit further, and enjoying Oregon Beer Week (but there so many events happening, it will take nine days to get through it all.)

To find out more about events in your area, click over to AmericanBeerMonth.com. While you're there, learn about several unique beer styles, test your beer knowledge and check out how your thoughts on all things beer compare with others' with a number of interesting surveys.

I'd stick around and tell you more about it, but I've got some American beer to celebrate!

Cheers!

Lisa Morrison's column, Liquid Solutions, was a winner in the 2004 Beer Journalism Awards.