British Beer Boring? Brooklyn is Booming!

September 2010

Just back from a flying visit to see the guys at Brooklyn Brewery where there are plenty of interesting developments afoot (more to follow shortly), but it was interesting to see that The Independent newspaper was championing them back home.

Three days was never going to be long enough for our trip to New York but, in the city that never sleeps, it's amazing just how much you can cram into your time!

One of the main talking points with the Brooklyn folk was a recent article in The Independent written by journalist Will Hawkes, under the rather provocative title, "British Beer: Booming or Boring?"

"British beer is enjoying a remarkable renaissance." writes Will, "There are now 767 breweries in the UK, more than at any time since the Second World War.  Last month’s Great British Beer Festival was bursting at the seams with interesting ales and happy drinkers. Beer lovers in this country have never had it so good."

But the article continues, "The growing popularity of American beers in the UK suggests that things are not quite so rosy. The innovative, hop-heavy character of Yank beers is clearly filling a gap in the market, a gap that British brewers have failed to fill."

Brooklyn's Brewmaster, Garrett Oliver, a lifelong fan of British brewing but who hits the nail on the head when identifying what's wrong with a majority of the UK brewers: they simply are not making exciting beers. That's not to say all UK brewers are boring - there are certainly plenty of innovative and progressive brewers within our shores who are willing to push the boundaries - but the rise in profile of the American craft beers in the UK surely says that the drinker is looking for something new, with exciting flavours and a bit of swagger?

Hawkes also highlights Brooklyn Lager as the "One American beer that no serious bar in the capital appears able to do without". We couldn't agree more, and we'd also like to suggest a few others as well which have seen the British brewers collectively sit up and take note.

You can read the complete article by clicking here >

And here's the take on the article from the other side of the pond - click here >