File - Brian Wilson, A Portfolio

A Strong Tradition Continues
Brian K. Wilson
There is a famous quote by a famous Pennsylvanian that goes, "Beer is proof that
God loves us and wants us to be happy."
Ok so maybe that is not exactly what he said and maybe he was not originally a
Pennsylvanian. Ben Franklin, the famous “Pennsylvanian” in question, only moved to
Philadelphia when he was 17 and what he actually said was, "We hear of the conversion
of water into wine at the marriage in Cana as of a miracle. But this conversion is, through
the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends
from heaven upon our vineyards; there it enters the roots of the vines, to be changed into
wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy." This might not be
quite as direct as the misquote but it expresses the same idea, beer is a great gift to
mankind.
But like any great thing beer has its mystery to the common man. The main
ingredients of beer are: water, barley, hops and yeast. These were set in place in the year
1516 by the German law Reinheitsgebot. The law was actually lifted in 1987 by ruling of
the European Union due to free trade issues, but most brewers still respect it.
The process starts with the malting of the barley, which means the barley is boiled
to create malted barley. The malted barley is then combined with more water and boiled
while adding ingredients like hops to impart bitterness, aroma and flavor. Once the
boiling has finished the entire mixture, known as wort, is strained and moved to a
fermenting vessel, any kind of clean air tight sealable container. The yeast is added into
the fermenting vessel and the vessel is sealed with an airlock.
The beer is aged for anywhere a minimum of two weeks and then bottled with a
small amount of priming sugar in order for the beer to ferment a little more and carbonate
the beer. Some beers, usually lagers, are moved to a secondary fermenting vessel and
allowed to age for much longer. The intricacies of the brewing process are a big part of
what sets craft beer apart.
The Brewer’s Association describes craft brewers with 3 words: small,
independent and traditional. Breweries must sell less than 2 million barrels to be
considered small, be less than half the company can be by a non-craft alcohol industry
company and to be traditional it must its flagship beer must be all malt or have 50% of its
volume be all malt beverages or if adjuncts are used they have to enhance the flavor not
lessen it.
It is the specifics of the beer making process that separates the macro breweries
from the micro breweries and brewpubs (craft beer brewers). The macros are AnheuserBusch InBev, SABMiller and Molson Coors. They are known as making cheap beer and
for many years were at the top of the industry. There beers do not differ much from the
Reinheitsgebot except for the substitution of adjuncts like rice and corn for barley in
order to reduce calories and also save money. This, as well as their size, keeps them from
being craft brewers. These macros actually have better consistency because their
customer base
Micro breweries are known for the making substitutions, but for an entirely
different reason. Different types of grains are combined to created wonderful flavors and
colors. The micro breweries are the ones who add the honey, chocolate, cherries and
oysters and have been praised greatly for their revival of the beer culture in America and
Pennsylvania especially.
Pennsylvania’s history with making great beer goes back to its founder, William
Penn. In 1682 Penn’s Assembly enacted laws to replace the Duke of York’s current
laws. Penn himself started a brewery and the beer made by the Quakers in the area
became renowned for its quality. This lasted for awhile until the prosperity of beer
became its downfall. The lawmakers seeing the chance to make big revenue raised taxes
on imported hops and barley. This led to the movement away from beer and towards
liquor, a change that stayed for many years.
In the early 1800’s beer came back into the picture when lawmakers created laws
to lessen the debauchery caused by liquor. This in turn promoted beer as a different way
to use grains usually devoted to distilleries. Philadelphia, one of the few places to
continue beer production during the liquor years, thrived. In 1810 the total amount of
barrels of beer brewed in the US was 182,690, 138,169 of these barrels came from
Pennsylvania and New York’s 90 breweries. This tradition continued as shown when in
1850 the total in the US was 738,658 barrels and 597,622 of these barrels came from
Pennsylvania and New York’s breweries.
This trend continued until prohibition in the twenties and thirties. After
Prohibition there was a large spike followed by a rapid fall in the number of breweries
leaving only about 50 in the country. The number slowly grew around the country, but
until 1994 there were only 12 breweries in PA including the six that existed before
Prohibition. By 1995 the number was 24 and by 1997 it had risen to 48. This number
has only continued to grow since helping to contribute to the economy in a big way.
If you ask any cynic they will tell you that the only stocks that go up during a
recession are gold and alcohol. They may be right about gold, but the national numbers
for beer sales have actually fallen 2.2%, with imports down 9.8%. The craft beer sector
alone though has seen tremendous growth for the past two years. According to the
Brewers Association craft beer sales by volume increased by 5.9% from ’07-’08 and
7.2% from ’08-’09. In terms of revenue it was a 10.1% increase from ’07-’08 and a
10.3% increase from ’08-’09. These are huge numbers equating to millions of dollars
and show that though craft beer is only currently 4.3% of the beer sales by volume there
is amazing growth still to be seen.
The national scene shows the growth of the industry, but what does that mean for
Pennsylvania? In the year 2008 there were 88 breweries in the state. They supply 1,451
jobs with wages totaling nearly $80 million, much of which go to local people in small
communities, and contribute over three-quarters of a billion dollar to the states gross
domestic product. This is only the direct impact of the breweries themselves when the
more indirect effects of craft brewing are taken into account the numbers increase a lot.
Industries such as agriculture, transportation and entertainment are all included and total
16,163 jobs with wages totaling about $670 million dollars and another $2.5 billion
added to the gross domestic product. The impact to the economy is a great statistic to
convince legislators why craft beer should be encouraged, but the cultural significance of
is even more interesting.
Pennsylvania’s culture is an integral part of why craft beer has been able to thrive
here. It all started with the influx of German immigrants early in the states history.
Coming from Germany, a country well-known for its beers, the immigrants created a
market for willing brewers many of whom were German brewers themselves. One of the
qualities that has since been discovered about these immigrants is there loyalty to both
their tradition and the products.
It is that loyalty that kept Yeungling going in the difficult years and it is that
loyalty that craft brewers hope to enjoy. Bill Covaleski at Victory Brewing Company,
one of Pennsylvania’s largest craft breweries, thinks that they have cultivated a sense of
loyalty with this desirable market. It took some work to win them over, but it’s worth it
because like he says, “There skeptical but once you win them over, they’re loyal to the
end.”
A big part in winning over Pennsylvania drinkers has been the brewers dedication
to the local market. Brewers in Pennsylvania have consistent supported their local
business brethren. It isn’t suprsing seeing as all breweries and brewpubs start out as local
businesses and many stay that way. The ones that don’t still find ways to give back to the
community including Troegs, in Harrisburg, sponsoring a beer fest that benefits Cystic
Fibrosis. Other breweries make sure to support local businesses like Selin’s Grove
Brewing who had a Pennsylvania firm fabricate some of their brewing equipment and
Otto’s Pub and Brewery who makes a point of buying much of its food from local farms.
With the all the success that these brewers have enjoyed they still manage to remember
where they came from. And that success has been quite sizable.
As of 2008 Pennsylvania ranks 20th among all states for per capita breweries with one per
every 165,997 persons according to the Brewers Association. This includes everything
from Yuengling’s large brewery to the small brewpub in a nowhere part of the state that
only people who live there have heard of. When asked what his favorite Pennsylvania
beer is Lew Bryson, author of Pennsylvania Breweries considered the best guide to
Pennsylvania beer, responds by saying, “there are simply too many great PA beers to pick
one! I’m not playing politics, I’m serious. There are even too many great PA breweries to
pick a favorite.”
It not surprising considering Pennsylvania is not only known for the amount of
beer it brews, but also the quality of that beer. The Great American Beer Festival put on
by the Brewer’s Association is the most prestigious beer festival in America and only
second in the world to the World Beer Cup. Pennsylvania has annually done great at this
event racking up 160 medals since 1987, 5th out of all the states in the union. That equals
13.5 for every million people in the state, 6th out of all states. As craft beer continues to
grow within the state there is no telling how far up the list Pennsylvania can climb.
As craft beer continues to grow across the country Pennsylvania’s portion grows
even faster. New brewpubs are opened up and old ones are expanding every year. Otto’s
is moving the brewing site to a new location in order to better accommodate its wealth of
customers and Williamsport recently added another brewpub, The Valley Inn. The
community of craft brewing in Pennsylvania will continue to thrive as the brewers all
help each other out and foster the feelings of loyalty within their communities.
"369 Best Beer Map of America." Strange Maps. 31 Mar. 2010
<http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/2009/03/29/369-best-beer-map-of-america/>.
"Brewers Association | Facts." Brewers Association | A Passionate Voice for Brewers.
Brewer's Association. 31 Mar. 2010
<http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/business-tools/craft-brewingstatistics/facts>
Bryson, Lew. Pennsylvania Breweries. 2nd ed. Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books,
2000.
Bryson, Lew. “Article on Craft Beer.” E-mail to Brian K. Wilson April 8 2010
Eldridge, Dan. "All Hail the Billtown Craft-Beer Revolution! (part 1 of 2)." Keystone
Edge. 23 July 2009. Issue Media Group. 15 Mar. 2010
<http://www.keystoneedge.com/features/billtowncraftbeer0723.aspx>.
"German Beer Purity Law." Welcome to American University, Washington, DC USA.
The American University. 31 Mar. 2010
<http://www1.american.edu/TED/germbeer.htm>.
John Dunham and Associates. “Economic Impact of the Beer Industry” Beer Serves
America. 2008 <http://www.beerservesamerica.org>. Path: Economic Impact;
Pensylvania
"Misquote: Ben Franklin on Beer." Urban Legends. 31 Mar. 2010
<http://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2008/09/15/misquote-ben-franklin-onbeer.htm>.
Papazian, Charlie. The Complete Joy Of Homebrewing. 3rd ed. New York:
HarperCollins, 2003.
Thomann, Gallus. American beer glimpses of its history and description of its
manufacture. New York: United States Brewers' Association, 1909.
Breweries
Bavarian Barbarian Brewing Company
Williamsport
Breaker Brewing Company
Plains
Copper Kettle Brewery
Millmont
East End Brewing Company
Pittsburgh
Erie Brewing Company
Erie
Legacy Brewing Company
Reading
Lion Brewery, Inc
Wilkes-Barre
Philadelphia Brewing Company
Philadelphia
Reading Brewing Company
Reading
Roy Pitz Brewing Company
Chambersburg
Royersford Brewing Company, LLC
Riverford
Shawnee Craft
Shawnee On Delaware
Spring House Brewing Company
Conestoga
Stoudts Brewing Company
Adamstown
Straub Brewery
St. Mary’s
Swashbuckler Brewing Company, LTD
Manheim
Tröegs Brewing Company
Harrisburg
Philadelphia
Yuengling Brewery
Pottsville
Brewpub
Abbey Wright Brewery/Valley Inn
Williamsport
Duboistown
Allentown/Bethlehem Brew Works
Allentown
Bethlehem
Appalachian Brewing Company
Harrisburg
Gettysburg
Camp Hill
Barley Creek Brewing Compnay
Tannersville
Berwick Brewing Company
Berwick
Blue Canoe Brewery
Titusville
Bube’s Brewery
Mount Joy
Bullfrog Brewery
Williamsport
Victory Brewing Company
Downington
Voodoo Brewing Company
Meadville
Weyerbacher Brewing Company
Easton
Yards Brewing Company
Church Brew Works
Pittsburgh
Crabby Larry’s Brew Pub
Chalfort
Dock Street Beer
Philadelphia
Earth Bread + Brewery
Philadelphia
Glen Mills
Malvern
Elk Creek Café & Aleworks
Millheim
Nodding Head Brewery and Restaurant
Philadelphia
G.G. Brewers
Glenside
North Country Brewing
Slippery Rock
General Lafayette Inn & Brewery
Lafayette Hill
Old Forge Brewing Company
Danville
Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
Otto’s Pub and Brewery
State College
Inn At Foxburg On The Allegheny
Foxburg
Pennsylvania Brewing Company
Pittsburgh
Iron City Brewing Company
Pittsburgh
Porterhouse Restaurant & Brew Pub
Lahaska
Iron Hill Brewery and Restauant
West Chester
Media
North Wales
Phoenixville
Lancaster
Red Star Brewery & Grill
Greenburg
Kutztown Tavern
Kutztown
Lancaster Brewing Company
Lancaster
Harrisburg
Rivertowne Pourhouse
Monroeville
Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
King of Prussia
Homestead
Selin’s Grove Brewing Company
Selinsgrove
Manayunk Brewery and Restaurant
Philadelphia
Sly Fox Brewing Company
Phoenixville
Royersford
Market Cross Pub & Brewery
Carlisle
Sprague Farm & Brew Works
Venango
Marzoni’s Brick Oven & Brewing
Company
Duncansville
The Brewerie At Union Station
Erie
McKenzie Brew House
Triumph Brewing Company
New Hope
Philadelphia
Pictures
Union Barrel Works
Reamstown
http://www.hartransom.org/hart_ransom/blast_09/Penn/images/William_Penn.png
William Penn not only helped to found Pennsylvania, but also opened its first tavern
(place in history section)
http://files.posterous.com/eriebrewingco/mmsMh39VckQVgVFpljS6XJLHRDfvZNbA2
BZTKAOPQnpN92JLILdrXRZYOp03/Unnamed.jpg?AWSAccessKeyId=1C9REJR1E
MRZ83Q7QRG2&Expires=1270782829&Signature=9Bnkx9Kc3JGRMBIT/ZdQTvg81x
8%3D
Erie Brewing Company won one of Pennsylvania’s many medals with their Railbender
Ale
(in the awards section)
http://www.beerme.com/graphics/brewery/4/4286/generic.gif
Victory Brewing Company is one of the largest craft brewers in PA
(near the quote from Bill Covaleski)