With all the buzz surrounding the craft beer industry and a huge number of new breweries pushing beer boundaries, some are already awarding 2013 to the craft brewer. Craft beer’s latest romp in the spotlight comes from Fox News.com, which breaks down the “extreme-beer brewing” that’s coming out of the craft segment.
Hyping high gravities and unique aging techniques, Fox News highlighted the likes of Austin Beerworks and Cuvee Coffee Roaster’s Sputnik – a Russian imperial oatmeal coffee stout that weighs in at a hefty 9 percent alcohol-by-volume (ABV). Hop farmer Mark Zappasodi also gave credit to Sam Calagione, owner and brewer of Dogfish Head, for taking huge risks in brewing and inspiring a generation.
Interestingly, the end of the article also hints at the recent discourse between the craft brewers and the giants of the mainstream beer industry. Since the Brewers Association op-ed article in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that trumpeted brewery transparency in the craft segment and posted a list of domestic non-craft brewers, there has been a landslide of media coverage. Today has even reported on the issue and some have even pointed a finger back at the association. As the old saying goes – any press is good press, and the industry is enjoying some seriously positive press and support.
