food and beverage

Remember the one-on-every corner dimly lit brew pub or tavern
beer-soaked carpeting and Joe the Bartender
a long row of customers with their glasses of watery mass-produced beer
all staring at a flickering television? Versions of these drinking establishments certainly still exist but their heyday as the gathering place of choice is over. In fact this rather depressing era was only a hiatus in America’s rich brew pub history.

In 1634 the Puritans licensed the first brew pub in New England with ale brewed on the premises. Their idea was to steer drinkers away from the higher alcohol content of rum and whiskey. During this period
they also passed legislation ensuring the quality of the product. This tradition of local beer brewing paired with brewing excellence continued until the time of prohibition in the 1920’s. European immigrants were the driving force behind this tradition
not only in transporting time-honored recipes and methods
but also in flavoring the atmosphere of their taverns with the customs and d้cor of their home countries. The Dutch and the English
then the Germans in the 19th century brought the family atmosphere of the old world to their adopted land.

Post-prohibition
the traditions and style of immigrant brewing were disappearing. By the end of the 1970’s only light lager was selling in any significant volume
driven by big business marketing campaigns. At that point there were only 44 breweries in the United States. Yet a movement was on the way that would reverse this trend.

In the 1970’s people were traveling in great numbers. It was the in thing to do and Europe was the inexpensive destination. These travelers returned to America with a taste for real beer and an appreciation of quaffing in agreeable
charming surroundings. With a sneer of disapproval at the state of watering holes in their native land
many opened their own breweries and brew pubs in the European style. In 1982 U.S. legislation finally allowed food to be served in breweries and the brew pub was ‘reborn’.

Our brew pubs today represent a resurgence of tradition and ambience reminiscent of earlier times. As beer is once again brewed on the premises or in partnership with microbreweries
twinned with pubs in which to serve their products
brew pubs have taken new pride
not only in the beverages they create but also in the brew pub venue itself. No longer supplied by wholesalers of mass-produced products
these are generally owner-operated businesses with a reputation to protect.

The European beer garden was and is an oasis in working life
a neighborhood gathering focal point offering more than just a place to drink beer. This healthy
social atmosphere is reflected in the modern brew pub. Polished mirrors
exposed beams
glasses and bottles proudly displayed
revolving ceiling fans
and menus full of imaginative twists on traditional pub fare – the modern brew pub is a showcase for the brewery’s products.

If you find yourself in the position of a stranger in a strange town
dropping in to your neighborhood brew pub might be the answer. Here is a social setting ideal for meeting the locals
playing a game of darts and sampling fine quality beers
ales and ciders. If you are traveling with the family
by-pass the fast food chains and seek out the local brew pub. Many are family run and family friendly
reasonably priced with an emphasis on responsible enjoyment
and with food a cut above the cardboard box brigade. Operating as restaurants
brew pubs rarely have an age restriction.

Some of you may remember George Orwell’s famous review of his favorite public house
“The Moon under Water”. Though completely fictional
he describes with affection the ten best qualities of the place
from the ornamental mirrors behind the bar to the sound of children’s laughter. Says Mr. Orwell
“If you are asked why you favour a particular public house
it would seem natural to put the beer first
but the thing that most appeals to me about “The Moon under Water” is what people call its “atmosphere”. Given the quality and ambience of today’s brew pubs
I believe George would be pleased.

Beer brewing in Europe continues to be a serious traditional business. For thousands of years
Europe has been a leader in brewing this popular beverage. Many countries have perfected distinctive beers; some are like mythological ambrosia. Maintaining the quality of centuries-old recipes
many brewers realise that their strength lies in maintaining tradition over promoting innovation. Not to say there aren’t several breweries experimenting with new flavours
but mostly they leave the newfangled risk-taking to the Americans. Why fix and change that which is not broken?

To promote the preservation of European beer culture
several countries have banded together to create organizations such as the European Beer Consumers’ Union (EBCU). This union was founded in Bruges in 1990 with three founding members: Campaign for Real Ale of Great Britain
Objectieve Bierproevers of Belgium and PINT of the Netherlands. It sounds like a Monty Pythonesque union with contrived names
but it is a legitimate one with twelve countries as members: the above three
plus Austria
Switzerland
Italy
Poland
Sweden
Denmark
Norway
Finland and France.

Their aims are simple: preserve European beer culture
its traditions
beer brewing and breweries; promote traditional beers; support the consumption of traditional beers; and represent European drinkers in a campaign for choice
quality and value. This is not the only pro-quality beer organization in Europe. Others include the Guinness 1759 Society
the British Guild of Beer Writers
and the Brothers of Beer.

The continued production of traditional beers has added one innovation to its traditional facade: beer tours. Beertrips.com
founded in 1998
promotes many beer-tasting experiences in countries like Belgium
France
England
Germany and Austria. If you are interested in experiencing Germany’s beers
for example
there is a 10-day tour of Munich’s Fruhlingsfest and Bavarian Country Breweries. A personal favourite is the Brewers and Distilleries of Scotland tour. Check the website for details.

Each country in Europe seems to have a beer type focus. In Ireland
they continue to promote their stout beers. Stout is thick and heavy
with an earthy
full-bodied taste. They sell lagers and ales
but the focus and specialty is on beers like Guinness. The Guinness brewery was bought and opened in 1759 in Dublin
Ireland by Arthur Guinness. The original stout is strong and bitter-tasting.

In Spain
lager is the most popular. Spanish lagers are a touch stronger than other countries’ lager offerings. Two of their most popular beers are Especial and Extra. Especial is a pilsner beer
quite light in colour and taste while Extra is a pale lager.

Alas
until recently
Sweden had been a beer desert for decades. Their people have choked and sputtered for more to slake their thirst
all to no avail. Histrionics aside
it was the rigidly-controlled regulations for beer brewing that depleted this country’s brewers. Since Sweden joined the European Union in 1995
its regulations have grown more lax and the country has transformed itself from a desert to a vibrant and diverse beer culture. The industry in Sweden imports from many other countries; this has inspired a search for their own beer identity. How better to discover a beer identity than to try many things to see what works for the people of the country?

In Holland
the industry continues to produce their own phylum of beer: Bierbok. A good version of this type of beer is difficult to produce. Bokbier is a 16th century beer from Bavaria that has endured and been perfected. It is dark in colour (red-brown to black)
sweet on the tongue with a mixture of bittersweet flavours
such as toffee
raisins
licorice
coffee
and chocolate. These are not ingredients
but flavours. It is a beer strong in alcohol with an alcohol percentage of 6.5% to 8%.

When applied to beer brewing
history and tradition are not necessarily dusty
boring or dry like old history books or documents. Thousands of years ago
beer was a product in development; it was new and ever-changing. Beer brewing traditions live on and interest drinkers because of the exceptional tastes developed over centuries
not in spite of history and tradition.

Breweries in America are growing at an exponential rate. Beer brewing is becoming big business with a resurgence of traditional types of ales and lagers combining with more exotic offerings. With a colourful history
beer carries on its controversial way to regain the traditional role it’s always played as an every-day beverage
while taking on a more creative flavour to please every palate.

Back in 1620
when the Mayflower came to America’s shores
the boat fell a bit short of its destination due to a shortage of beer
according to a passenger’s journal. One doesn’t think Puritans would have drunk beer – they were Puritans
after all - however this was the every-day drink of choice. People drank beer as we drink pop
juice
milk and water today. Each tavern and inn brewed its own beer.

It is only in modern society that we see beer as having a perilous quality. There were no laws governing beer brewing and drinking. There were no police roadblocks to catch drunk drivers. How much damage could a horse and cart inflict? Certainly there were no scantily-clad women prancing about at parties
drinking beer and impressing men with their sudsy sexiness. Beer was an every-day beverage drunk by everyone in the household from adult to child. When the Mayflower arrived
the people discovered that the Natives made their beer from maize. Wonder which beer was drunk at the first Thanksgiving? This may have been the first ever “Bring Your Own Beer (BYOB).”

The United States has become an international contender in beer brewing and the country can hold its own when in competition with other countries that are notorious for making amazing beer. The U.S. prohibition slowed things down a little
but in the 21st century
things seem to be heating up for American breweries. According to the Brewer’s Association
nearly 7 million barrels of beer will be made and drunk by Americans in 2006. That’s a lot of kegs
bottles
pints and glasses!

Online there are multitudes of sites about beer: beer brewing magazines to read like “Yankee Brew News” and “Brewery News;” breweries to visit; associations for beer-makers to join like the Brewer’s Association; festivals to attend like the Barleywine Festival in Buffalo
New York; and competitions to enter like the World Beer Cup held in Seattle
Washington. Of these sites
about 85% are based in the U.S. so the Americans seem to be leading the pack!

During the 1960s
70
and 80s
beer in America was primarily made and distributed by large beer brewing companies. In the early 1980s
many of the states passed legislation that allowed the smaller microbreweries to get in on the action. The large companies still do big business
but many patrons are fussy and want high-quality
exclusive beers; they are the “yuppies” of beer drinkers. In and around any city in America
there are anywhere from 2 to 20 breweries within a 15-mile radius of that city and the numbers are growing. Some states have more breweries than others. Each microbrewery has a family tradition they want to maintain and each beer is different; a return to the old days when two taverns a mile apart had two different-tasting beers.

The breweries have gone back to creating beers that are made from all-natural ingredients like malt
hops and yeast. They produce traditional lagers and ales together with exotic beers that have a hint of spices
vanilla
caramel
coriander and anise. One brewery
found online
uses rose hips in their beer. Usually used for tea
rose hips must provide an interesting taste to beer. Lemon coriander beer may be quite refreshing on a hot day.

Soon we will be having discussions about what type of beer goes best with chicken or beef. We’ll hear opinions like: “The caramel-flavoured beer would go great with that cheesecake; a sweet beer just made for dessert.” Is that beer good for pasta? Would it be better with a roast beef dinner? Already there are countless beer-tasting functions. Is beer the new wine? Is there a “twirl-glass-sniff-liquid-swish-in-mouth” process for beer? Like martinis
there are excessive amounts of beer types. Perhaps the process should be expedited; Beertinis for everyone!

The beer brewing companies in America
found online
emphasize the importance of quality. They discuss the importance of tradition. They discuss the importance of bringing beer back to its every-day role played for thousands of years. This time
breweries also seem to feel beer can be creative-tasting and still be in demand.