Fritz Maytag, longtime owner and brew master of the Anchor Brewing Company, is a central figure in the story of the American craft beer revolution. When Maytag bought Anchor Brewing Company in 1965, he blazed a new trail in the beer industry. At a time when the market was increasingly dominated by big breweries selling inexpensive, watery lagers, Maytag decided to devote his life to creating more flavorful and traditional beers.
While Maytag worked to improve the quality of Anchor's beer, the number of breweries in the US continued to dwindle, and by 1980 there were fewer than 50 breweries in the United States. But then everything began to change. To the home brewers in the Bay Area who began opening their own small breweries in the 80s and 90s, Maytag was both an inspiration and a mentor. Today, astonishingly, there are more than 1500 breweries in the US.
The craft beer revolution is part of what Maytag calls the "food renaissance." Over the past few decades, economic, political, and cultural freedom—coupled with a uniquely American sense of entrepreneurship—has produced more and better choices for American consumers. Remember how difficult it was to find a decent cup of coffee, let alone an espresso, in the 1970s? Well, today we routinely enjoy outstanding coffee, artisan breads and cheeses, superb California wine and, of course, great American beer.
On behalf of craft brew lovers everywhere—thanks, Fritz!
(Maytag recently sold Anchor Brewing Company to the Griffin Group in an arrangement that will maintain the time-honored traditions of the brewery.)
Approximately 10 minutes. Produced by Paul Feine and Alex Manning.
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Fist of Etiquette|9.7.10 @ 1:54PM|#
REPEAL THE 14TH AMENDMENT!!!
Oh, Anchor Brewing. My bad.
American beer exceptionism, fuck yeah!
|9.7.10 @ 3:32PM|#
I have a Prickly Pear Braggot in my fridge waiting for me when I get home. That would have been pure fantasy twenty years ago.
Fist of Etiquette|9.7.10 @ 3:41PM|#
And, of course, by that I meant exceptionalism. But still, fuck yeah.
robc|9.7.10 @ 3:09PM|#
From the Brewers Association:
# Growth of the craft brewing industry in the first half of 2010 was 9% by volume and 12% by retail dollars.
# Overall, U.S. beer sales were down an estimated 2.7% by volume in the first half of 2010.
Their definition of craft brewers is more restrictive than other definitions - basicly limited to their members and breweries eligible to be members.
So, Blue Moon isnt considered a craft beer (due to Miller/Coors). Niether are the breweries in the Craft Beer Alliance - Red Hook and Widmer (AB-InBew is a major owner). Also, CBA owns too large a percent of Goose Island so they dont count.
I would draw the line somewhere different (GI will be included in craft, at the very least) but just wanted to clarify the numbers.
Trespassers W|9.7.10 @ 3:18PM|#
Agreed. GI ought to be included in craft at the very least.
However, Blue Moon and Red Hook are rightfully excluded, the latter tasting (unsurprisingly) like tarted-up Bud, and the former tasting like tarted-down Hoegaarden.
Ska|9.7.10 @ 5:29PM|#
WRT Blue Moon, don't forget the citrus notes that don't belong in a wheat beer at all.
Joe R.|9.8.10 @ 12:02PM|#
http://www.bjcp.org/2008styles/style16.php#1a
|9.7.10 @ 3:34PM|#
Like any other trade organization, the Brewers Association exists first and foremost to represent the best interest of its members, and at some point that meant kicking the big boys out of the club. It's like when the Colorado Craft Brewers Guild opposed a law allowing grocery stores to sell beer above 3.2% ABW. I think the interests of the BA align with the interests of craft beer consumers 95% of the time, but they still exist to look out for Number One.
Oh, and for the record, I like Blue Moon and will take that over the wave of lame American wheats that have run rampant lately (like Goose Island's 312 here in Chicago).
Trespassers W|9.7.10 @ 10:44PM|#
Barry O drank 312 in a thoroughly misguided attempt to give the impression that he cares about beer. THAT'S how lame it is.
Fiscal Meth|9.7.10 @ 3:38PM|#
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|9.7.10 @ 3:39PM|#
Tangent...
Has anyone tried Ommegang Zuur? It's not around here yet...
|9.7.10 @ 3:47PM|#
Haven't seen it 'round these parts yet, but I'll keep an eye out for it as I do enjoy a good Flanders Red. Have you had New Belgium La Folie? That's probably my favorite Flemish sour.
|9.7.10 @ 3:57PM|#
No, I'll look for it.
I've finally been able to get a hold of a 4-pack of Duchesse De Bourgogne. Which I've had on tap long ago in NYC. It was much more delicate on tap, with a sour cream nose and wine-ish bite of vinegar/sour rather than the bolder notes of the bottle.
CH|9.8.10 @ 11:31AM|#
No. But just had Rare Vos for the first time...delicious. Ommegang is finally breaking into the Colorado market.
Maybe they'll be pouring it at the GABF.
kinnath|9.7.10 @ 3:59PM|#
Oh goodie, another craft beer thread.
Where is TWC when you need him?
Max|9.7.10 @ 4:18PM|#
Craft beers are for pansy-assed high-class rich Republican fuckheads!
jasno|9.7.10 @ 4:45PM|#
Thanks, I'm glad someone mentioned it.
I went through that phase... swilling high-priced, over-hopped queer beer. Then I stopped worrying what other people think of me.
I'm a big fan of light beer now - Coors Light even. Rolling Rock has been a recent fav. I'd go for a Yeungling if I was in PA/NY. It's nice to drink all night and not wake up sick.
|9.7.10 @ 4:55PM|#
There are two types of drinkers I can't respect... Craft beer drinkers who ridicule people who like macro lagers, and macro lager drinkers who ridicule people who like craft beer.
Just for the record, there are plenty of tasty microbrews that aren't overhopped, and some of us who aren't lightweights and can drink something above 4% ABV and not get sick the next morning.
Mr. FIFY|9.7.10 @ 5:15PM|#
I work in a liquor store, and we carry a lot of microbrews. I'm GLAD they exist, and one need not become an obnoxious beer snob to enjoy something better than Keystone or Busch.
|9.7.10 @ 6:28PM|#
I find it odd that you ever drank certain beers because you were worried about what people thought of you. How strange. So you think other people do this? I think it was just you. Drink what you like. There're plenty to choose from.
Danno|9.7.10 @ 4:27PM|#
Anchor Steam is what made me realize how terrible those mass-produced beers were, and I've never looked back. No doubt about it, the US makes some of the best (and a few of the worst) beers in the world.
|9.8.10 @ 10:28AM|#
I've been spoiled since the mid-80s when I moved from the steppes to the cities, with all the start-up micro-brew pubs and local craft beers here.
It's expensive being a drinker.
Robert|9.7.10 @ 4:34PM|#
Then why do they always say on TV that he's lonely?
Wegie|9.7.10 @ 5:01PM|#
Great story. I love business success and entrepreneurial stories
Wegie|9.7.10 @ 5:12PM|#
Unfortunately Fritz does not know the bicentennial was in 1976 instead of 1776.
|9.8.10 @ 9:59AM|#
Seriously?
You clearly don't listen properly. He was simply highlighting the beauty of that special year - 1776.
Go drink a Bud and sit back down on your couch.
|9.7.10 @ 6:21PM|#
Love Anchor, but I live in the midwest. Even though you can find it in a lot of places, it's not usually worth buying, because no one knows about it out here and the stuff they have is always old and not so fresh. Sad. Oh well, my local beer is pretty good. Boulevard.
|9.8.10 @ 11:56PM|#
Do you live in Kansas City?
Carl|9.7.10 @ 10:43PM|#
how about for a small brewery....Shiner! That little old beer from Texas!
kph|9.11.10 @ 4:55PM|#
Shiner is a mainstay for me. Also, St. Arnold is another Texas craft brewery that makes some excellent beers.
"Is there anything beer can't do." -Hank Hill
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|9.8.10 @ 10:30AM|#
Great video!
|9.8.10 @ 12:38PM|#
This man is a national treasure: Intelligent, humble, witty ("you couldn't get arrested in the Haight"), and genuinely patriotic. I like many of his competitors more, but I think I'll pour one of his down tonight.
|9.9.10 @ 4:20PM|#
Great interview. I enjoyed Anchor Steam back in the day, but what really grabbed me was my first Porter...Anchor's. Coupled with Guinness I had found the kinds of beer for me.
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