How to Order Beer around the World

We published this on our website http://noreasterbrewing.com and it enjoyed lots of positive comments.

Today, why not learn a foreign language?  – Below, we outline the translation for beer for several countries around the world.  Next time you are traveling abroad, be sure to order a foreign beer in the native tongue!

Country: Translation for BEER

Afrikaans: Bier
Czech: Pivo
Dutch: Bier
Finnish: Olut
Filipino: Bir
French: Bière
Gaelic: Leann

German: Bier
Greek: Bere
Hawaiian: Bia
Hungarian: Sor
Indonesian: Bir
Irish: Beoir
Italian: Birra

Japanese: Biiru
Polish: Piwo
Portugese: Cerveja
Spanish: Cervesa

USA Micro Craft Beer Breweries Continue to Grow

Not since the thirteen dry years of prohibition has the USA witnessed more regional breweries.  In 1978 the USA had only 48 operating breweries;  it was about this time that several innovative home brewers began to expand outside their basements and introduced America to ‘Craft Brewers’. By last year, 2010, the Brewer’s Association confirmed nearly 1800 breweries, and almost 600 in planning.  The specifics of the survey included 1,033 brewpubs, 603 operating microbreweries (under 6Million barrels/year) , and 80 regional (larger) breweries. Although it is true that several breweries shut down each year (generally due to poor management, not quality of beer); however, many new breweries continue to open.

The demand for craft brewed beer also continues to grow, despite a declining overall American beer demand.  In fact, to compliment the newly formed breweries, many of the current operators have raised enough funding to expand their respect capacities to keep up with demand.  The Brewer’s Association reported that overall beer consumption (by volume) declined by nearly 1% in 2010, yet the craft beer segment increased by over 11 percent.  The craft beer market share is now exceeding 5%, while the larger macro operators (ABInBev, SABMiller, etc) as well as imports make up the remaining 95%.  Some predict, the craft beer portion could go to 10% of the market within 5 more years.

 The micro beer brewers are estimating that this robust, double digit,  growth will continue for several more years, than grow at a more modest rate.

How to Drink Beer

WOW, I am impressed anyone is even reading this release …..  but, as always thanks for your support!

-First, we assume you stored you beer in a cool environment (refrigerators do well here) and at 45F – 55F.  Temperatures much lower than this detract from the flavor and aroma and actually numb the tongue. I'll include a release soon on the recommended temperatures for each style of beer in a later release.  Also, your beer should be stored upright and not on the side.

-We generally endorse a cold (not frozen) CLEAN glass.  The proper glassware is a bonus, but not required, as long as the top is wider than the bottom to allow for release of aroma to the nose.

-We suggest you NOT tilt the glass throughout the pour, but rather gently pour the beer with the glass at a 45 degree angle until 50% full, than pour the beer straight into the glass for maximum foam (not overflowing) 1 – 1 1/2” of foam is perfect.

-Let the head settle, take a look at the shade, than place your nose close to the head and take a good sniff of the aroma.  FYI.  “We taste what we smell and see”.  This is one reason why craft beer only uses the finest of hops and malted barley.

-As you drink, breath through your nose to continue to smell the aroma

-Take notes on the style and brand for future reference. It’s fun to compare different craft beers.

-Drink and enjoy. 

I hope you do not consider the folks at Nor’easter Brewing Company snobby, but we endorse you drink our beers out of a glass and not directly out of the bottle …. Would you drink fine wine or spirit liquor directly out of the bottle?

Where Have all the Beer Drinkers Gone?

UBS released a report outlining the recent trend for a declining USA beer market.  They commented that the key demographic target for overall American beer drinkers is one that is 21-34 years old; typically male; has a clerical or blue collar job; is a minority; and also that has been successfully employed ... and now finds himself … unemployed.   

The USA beer consumption declined nearly 3% in May 2011 alone,  and over 1% for all of 2010, and sales were down 2% in 2009 (a decline is forecast for 2011 as well) - note: this is the first three year consecutive decline in beer sales since the prohibition!  The obvious thought is because this group has been hit hard by high unemployment and, accordingly, their buying power has severally been reduced.  This group, more than others, has lost a great deal of confidence in a stronger future economy and just stopped spending money.  UBS went on to say ABInBev sales for all of 2011 would be flat to down slightly, and predicted a decline of over 1% for SABMiller.

On a more positive note, UBS forecasted a continued yearly growth for the micro crafted beer brands and that the mass produced operators will begin to enjoy a transition to growth toward the end of 2012. The report also commented on the "Bud / Miller / Coors " breweries must now take a serious review of penetrating the craft segment more effectively.  The craft market, while less than 5% of all the beer drinkers, has been enjoying double digit growth.  The craft beer target market, mainly white males, still feel craft beer is an affordable luxury and a good alternative to wine and spirits.

How to Store Beer

Although most beer is best and the very freshest on the the day it is brewed, there are many beers, especially high alcohol (ABV), that taste better with age.  Most breweries stamp a ‘date brewed’ or ‘drink before date’ on the packaging. You should always look for this stamp.  If it is not immediately visible, ask the store associate. 

Storing beer at home the correct way is really very easy.

We recommend

-Store beer in a cool / cold environment.   

A dedicated beer refridgerator is very functional or , better yet, a cellar that maintains a consistent temperature.  Heat spoils beer over time and a consistent temperature is best.  Actually, I would argue heat and inconsistent temperatures is the very worst action you can do and will almost certainly ruin the beer.  Most beers can be stored at 50F-55F.  Stronger beer, those with more %ABV(over 7%) do well at 55F-60F.  Lighter %ABV (less than 5%) should be kept at 45F – 50F.

-Keep your beer out of the light …. especially sun light

Obviously, a refridgerator assists here.  But light is the #1 enemy of beer and will spoil beer.  This is one reason craft brewers chose to package in cans or amber or green bottle – they keep the light out!

-Store your beer bottles upright

This assures that the yeast remains at the bottom and will not leave a mark along the side of the bottle or can and also the yeast will not settle back into the beer.  Modern caps have a barrier layer to prevent oxidation – so storing beer on it’s side has no benefit.

Additional Comments: 

Generally, American craft beers can be stored up to 6 months without any decline in quality – although most brewers endorse drinking their beer within 90 days for best taste.  Imported beers can last up to one year and many have preservatives.  As mentioned earlier, beers with higher alcohol content actually do better with age and some breweries recommend storing over 5+ years.  Look for the brewers date.

Remember – store beer up right, cool, and out of light!

Will Beer Prices Increase this Fall?

Over the past few weeks, we have included several twitter releases commenting on the increase for raw materials that are affecting the cost to brew beer.  The trend has been for hop acreage to decline and this year weather has reduced harvests. A recent concern is aroma and bittering hops demand continue to grow by double digits each year.  This is especially taxing in that craft brewers will use well over 50% of the entire 2011 USA  hop crop, and estimates call for over 60% of the 2012 crop.

The difficultly with barley this year has been poor weather; initially, in the Spring,  it was flooding, and now both excessive heat and no rain are playing havoc.  Canadian farmers have already reported a poor yield.  This escalated raw material cost will surely cause an increase to beer production.

We are not only witnessing cost increases in hops and malted barley (the two biggest ingredients in beer), but also increases in energy and transportation.  It is quickly becoming a challenge for the craft brewer (especially the smaller crafter brewers) to absorb all these important increased costs.

Ironically, early in the season, flooding lowered the quality and quantity of barley crops in both Canada and Australia.  The forecasted decrease in supply immediately placed pressure for USA and European suppliers.  Many brewers fear the return of 2008, when hops pricing increased by 34%. 

Several brewery operators are estimating 20-25% increase on Barley and 15-20% on Hops.  Although many of the breweries confirm contractual agreements for both volume and price, they are short term.  Note, the ‘big brewers' such as ABInBev and MillerCoors contract out long term, and will not be immediately effected as the micro crafted breweries. 

What does this all mean to the beer drinker?  If the cost increases as outlined, the craft brewers will have no choice but to increase the street price.  We’ve heard forecasts of $0.50/six pack – or $1.00/12 pack.  Generally, the industry reviews costs and pricing in the Fall and announce the following year’s price in October.

Not sure who coined this phrase but …..the taste and quality of the craft beer will be remembered long after the price of beer will be forgotten!!

Beer ….. still an affordable luxury.  Let's hope.  CHEERS!!