International Beer Day

International Beer Day Facts & Quotes

• International Beer Day began in Santa Cruz, California, 2007.  It was founded by beer enthusiasts, Jesse Avshalomov and Evan Hamilton.
• As far back as ancient Egypt, beer was a staple food.  Known as Hqt, heqet or heket, beer was a thick and sweet source of nutrition including vitamins, minerals and protein that was consumed daily by adults and children.
• According to the Brewers Association, the Craft Brewing Industry contributed more than $55 billion to the U.S. economy in 2014, and provided more than 424,000 jobs.  The U.S. beer market for 2014 was more than $101 billion.
• On average, a can of beer contains 100-150 calories and 10-15g carbohydrates.
• I work until beer o'clock - Stephen King

International Beer Day Top Events and Things to Do

• Visit your local watering hole and try a new beer that you have never had.
• Attend a beer festival to taste beer from around the world and learn more about brewing and craft beers.   Some of the largest beer festivals in the United States are:
  1) Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado
  2) Oregon Brewers Festival in Portland, Oregon  
  3) World Beer Festival held across Durham, NC; Raleigh, NC; Columbia, SC; Cleveland, OH
• Visit a local craft brewery in your state.  Here are our top US picks a visit to:
  1) Dogfish Head, Milton, Del.
  2) 2. Stone Brewing Company, Escondido, Calif.
  3) Founders Brewing Company, Grand Rapids, Mich.
  4) Oskar Blues, Lyons, Colo. and
  5) Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma, Calif.
• Watch a flick that pays tribute to Beer.  Our top picks: Oktoberfest (1987), Beer Wars (2009), Strange Brew (1983), Beerfest (2006)
• Try an international award-winning beer.  The International Brewing Awards are recognize outstanding achievements in the brewing industry.  The winners for 2015 include:
  1.  Champion Dark Beer - Black Butte Porter, Deschutes Brewery Inc., Oregon, USA
  2.  Champion Strong Beer - Brugse Zot Dubbel, Brouwerij De Halve Maan, Bruges, Belgium
  3.  Champion Specialty Beer - Red Chair NWPA, Deschutes Brewery Inc., Oregon, USA
  4.  Champion Keg Ale - Revisionist Rye Pale Ale, Marston’s PLC, Wolverhampton, UK

International Beer Day References and Related Sites