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American Beer Culture Stories

Discover the rich history, passionate pioneers, and cultural movements that shaped America's craft beer renaissance

The Great American Beer Renaissance: How Craft Beer Saved American Brewing
Foundation Story
4 min read7/28/2025Hop Harrison

The Great American Beer Renaissance: How Craft Beer Saved American Brewing

The story of how a handful of passionate brewers rescued American beer from bland uniformity and sparked a revolution that changed drinking culture across the nation.

Key Takeaways:

  • •Fritz Maytag's rescue of Anchor Brewing in 1965 sparked the craft beer revolution
  • •Jack McAuliffe's New Albion Brewery (1976) created the modern craft brewery template
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Hops Across America: The Story of America's Indigenous Ingredient
Foundation Story
4 min read7/27/2025Hop Harrison

Hops Across America: The Story of America's Indigenous Ingredient

From colonial herb gardens to Yakima Valley hop farms, discover how American hops evolved to define modern craft beer's bold, citrusy character.

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From Homebrewer to Empire: The Garage-to-Glory Stories That Built Modern Craft Beer
Foundation Story
5 min read7/26/2025Hop Harrison

From Homebrewer to Empire: The Garage-to-Glory Stories That Built Modern Craft Beer

Behind every great brewery is a humble beginning—discover the garage labs, basement experiments, and kitchen discoveries that launched America's craft beer giants.

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Now Exploring: Colorado

Week 6 of our 50-state journey in High-Altitude Brewing

Live NowWeek 6 • State 6 of 50

Colorado's High-Altitude Brewing

America's craft beer capital with the highest brewery density in the nation - home to pioneering breweries and revolutionary innovations.

This Week's Features:

  • •7 featured Colorado breweries with complete stories
  • •Daily beer reviews with detailed tasting notes
  • •Local brewery history and founder insights
  • •Interactive journey map tracking our progress
Read Colorado StoryView Beer Reviews
Colorado state landscape
Colorado • Week 6
7 Breweries Featured
High-Altitude
Monday's Featured Beer
Fat Tire Amber Ale
New Belgium Brewing Company
Tuesday's Featured Beer
Yeti Imperial Stout
Great Divide Brewing Company
425+
Colorado Breweries
7
Featured This Week
5
States Complete
45
States Remaining

More Beer Culture Stories

Dive deeper into America's brewing heritage

The IPA Revolution: How America Reinvented India Pale Ale
Foundation Story
4 min read•7/25/2025

The IPA Revolution: How America Reinvented India Pale Ale

Trace the journey of India Pale Ale from 18th-century British ships to American hop bombs that redefined what beer could be.

Read More →
IPAhop-forward beers
Small Town, Big Beer: How Rural America Became the Heart of Craft Brewing
Foundation Story
5 min read•7/24/2025

Small Town, Big Beer: How Rural America Became the Heart of Craft Brewing

Explore how places like Asheville, NC; Burlington, VT; and Bend, OR transformed from quiet mountain towns into craft beer meccas that rival major cities.

Read More →
small town brewingbeer tourism
Hop Harrison - Beer Culture Expert

Meet Hop Harrison

Your guide through America's craft beer renaissance. With a passion for brewing history, local culture, and the stories behind every great beer, Hop brings decades of industry knowledge to every article and brewery visit.

About Hop HarrisonStart Reading