American Craft Beer Week Begins Today!

What many consider the “Mother of All Beer Weeks” has begun! And although a number of cities that just couldn’t wait, started celebrating last weekend, American Craft Beer Week officially launches today.

We’re all about it here at the ACB compound and you should be too.

For the 12th year in a row, the Brewers Association has invited us all to participate in this nationwide celebration of America’s “small and independent craft brewers” – which in light of Wicked Weed’s recent defection to the AB In-Bev, strikes us as more resonant call to action this year than ever.

From May 15^th – 21^st, all 50 states (and DC) are holding thousands of special events including exclusive brewery tours, special beer releases (yes!), designer beer and artisan food pairings, tons of tap takeovers and all kinds of opportunities for America’s craft brewers to share their diversity, their creativity and their passion for the beverage we all love!

It all started back in 2006, when the Brewers Association changed American Beer Month, which at the time was held in July, into a week-long coordinated effort timed to hit just before the busy summer beer season begins.

One week’s worth of national beer festivities was found to be infinitely more manageable to deal with than trying to oversee and entire month…and the term ‘craft’ was added for obvious reasons.

American Craft Beer Week quickly grew into the largest national effort focusing on craft beer in the world and it remains so today. But you need to do your part, and take advantage of all the cool things going on in your neighborhoods.

With craft breweries now well over 5,300, (an all-time high), this year’s celebration promises to be the biggest ever!

 And we’re hoping that you’ll be checking in with us daily for updates on everything happening near you – and for our ongoing coverage of the week’s many activities.

And please pace yourself this week – we’re begging’ you.

 

All images courtesy of the Brewers Association