Claim Your Beer Independence

Claim your beer independence by supporting your local craft brewery this week.  Nationwide small and independent craft brewers are making special plans for American Craft Beer Week (May 11-17), an annual celebration highlighting the culture and contributions of craft beer.  Dedicated to sharing craft beer in Southern California, Karl Strauss Brewing Company is celebrating American Craft Beer Week with a cask night, specials on beer to go, and a diverse line-up of handcrafted beers.American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) was founded by the American Brewers Association and was recognized as a week-long event by Congress in 2006.  The idea behind ACBW is to empower brewers with a week of events that “inspire beer enthusiasts to declare their independence by supporting breweries that produce fewer than 2 million barrels of beer a year and are independently owned,” says the Brewers Association. 

In addition to special beer events, American Craft Beer Week is also a time for craft brewers to engage their communities and spark a renewed interest in supporting local establishments.  According to the Brewers Association, “small and independent craft brewers provide nearly 100,000 jobs, and in 2008 the total taxable barrels of beer produced by craft brewers was 8,596,971.”  Karl Strauss currently employs over 440 Southern Californians and hired additional employees after the completion of their recent brewery expansion and bottling line.

Despite the recent challenges with ingredient shortages and overall increases in operating costs, America’s craft breweries are some of the nation’s most environmentally friendly and community oriented businesses, and ACBW is a time to celebrate the accomplishments of the craft beer industry.  Karl Strauss Brewing Company has been a longtime community partner, supporting over 280 non-profit community events in 2008, equating to over $65,000 in donations to local charities.  The Pacific Beach-based company also works closely with the Surfrider Foundation, raising awareness through a company beach clean-up and their annual Beach to Brewery Beer + Music Fest, with over $17,000 donated last year.

“We’re very proud to be among the country’s 1,455 craft breweries.  When we started brewing two decades ago, we had no idea that San Diego would be the brewing hot spot it is today.  We love brewing in Southern California and American Craft Beer Week is a great opportunity for us to share craft beer with some new faces,” says Brewmaster Paul Segura.  Karl Strauss plans on sharing the spirit of craft beer at their six brewery restaurants with growlers for half price, a limited edition cask of their Pin Tail Pale Ale on Thursday, and maps encouraging guests to explore the region’s other craft breweries.

So whether it be for the planet, the economy, or for just plain good beer, get out and show your support of craft brewers during American Craft Beer Week. 

For more information about American Craft Beer week, visit www.AmericanCraftBeerWeek.org.
 
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About Karl Strauss Brewing Company
Two college grads, a 75-year-old master brewer, and a passion for beer… when Karl Strauss Brewing Company started brewing full-flavored, quality handcrafted beer in 1989, it was the first craft brewery to open in San Diego in more than 50 years. Today, you can enjoy our flagship beers, special releases, and seasonals at any of our six brewery restaurants or other fine drinking establishments throughout Southern California. For more information visit karlstrauss.com or call the brewery at (858) 273-2739.