Health & Fitness
Beer City USA
Beer City USA Contest Leaves Out Michigan, But In State Contest It Would Be a Contender
The examiner.com, a publication that I discredit immediately because it's name is in all lowercase, is running a contest to vote for Beer City USA. Of course no Michigan city is on the list. Last year, Asheville, N.C. won. I guess the population there is very supportive of the craft brewing industry. That makes me like Asheville, though it's a place where after three days and $300 at the Biltmore Estate, you'd run out of things to do. Unbelieveably, Chicago is a contender but not Detroit. Chicago? Seriously?
Of course, if the poll were about Beer State USA, Michigan would have to be on there, along with Oregon, Colorado, California, Washington, New York and Pennsylvania. At least if we are talking about microbreweries that would be the contender list. Add in Missouri and Wisconsin if we only care about yellow 4% alcohol lagers with 30% of the mash coming from rice and no malted barley. A lot of big states like Texas, Florida and Ohio are notable in their absence.
Michigan has more tha 80 microbreweries and brew pubs, but more importantly has very good beer. I've tried a lot of beer from different states and I have to give California the nod - not only were they trailblazers, but they also have some just amazing beers. Personal favorite is Stone Brewery near San Diego. It must be the weather.
