Thousands to Participate in National Celebration During American Craft Beer Week

"The Mother of All Beer Weeks" Takes Place May 17-23

Boulder, CO • April 29, 2010—Beer lovers, craft brewers, homebrewers, beer distributors, retailers, and even U.S. Congress are all making special plans for the annual American Craft Beer Week taking place across the country May 17-23. The "Mother of All Beer Weeks, " organized by the Brewers Association, celebrates small and independent craft brewers and highlights all that America loves about craft beer. In 2006, the week became the largest national effort focusing on American craft brewers and remains so today.

"American Craft Beer Week has become a cherished tradition, making this annual celebration a great chance to toast craft brewers and to celebrate the advanced beer culture here in the United States," stated Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association.

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A House of Representatives resolution, H.R. 1297 (PDF file), was introduced on April 22 to recognize and support the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week. This Congressional effort highlights the valuable role that small and independent craft brewers play through community citizenry, economic contributions—including the estimated 100,000 jobs in the industry–and the resurgence in a rich brewing culture not seen since before Prohibition.

Also, in the works for the 2010 American Craft Beer Week are special brewery tours, beer and food pairing events, special release craft beers and festivals all across the country. Participating breweries are encouraging beer enthusiasts to sign the Declaration of Beer Independence, an official document to support America's small and independent craft brewers, which is available on the American Craft Beer Week website and Facebook page. And, both breweries and homebrewers alike will brew a special recipe called American Craft Beer Wheat to celebrate.

Since its inception in 2006, American Craft Beer Week has continued to attract interest and support from beer enthusiasts and media, with more than 200 breweries formally participating in 2009.

Highlights of 2010's diverse celebrations

For a full list, see the Events database.

Charity Fundraisers:

Barley Brothers (AZ)
East Coast (NJ)
Upslope (CO)
Diamond Bear (AZ)

Declaration of Beer Independence Events:

Peekskill (NY)
Beaver Creek (MT)

Homebrewing Focus:

Alltech's Lexington (KY)
Cornerstone (OH)
Fitgers (MN)
Liberty Street (MI)
Moccasin Bend (TN)
Town Hall (MN)

New Beer Releases:

Avery (CO)
Bell's (MI)
Cigar City (FL)
Freetail (TX)
Full Sail (OR)
Great Divide (CO)
Hangar 24 (CA)
Healdsburg (CA)
Limestone (IL)
New Belgium (CO)
Odell (CO)
Pagosa (CO)
Table Rock (ID)
Water Street (WI)

Opening a Brewery:

Epic (UT)
Fullsteam (NC)
Strange (CO)

Special Beer Festivals:

Central Coast (CA)
Iron Hill (PA)
Rogue (OR)

Special Dinners:

Abita (LA)
Anderson Valley (CA)
Battle Ground (TN)
Chuckanut (WA)
Flossmoor Station (IL)
Gordon Biersch (VA)
NOLA (LA)
Prescott (AZ)
Laguanitas (CA)
South Shore (WI)
Standing Stone (OR)

Special Tours:

America's Roadhouse (IL)
Capital Brewing (WI)
Clipper City/Heavy Seas (MD)
Deschutes (OR)
Draught House Pub (TX)
Great South Bay (NY)
Oakshire (OR)
Ram (ID)

Contact

Julia Herz, Craft Beer Program Director
303.447.0816 x113
julia@brewersassociation.org

Andrew Sparhawk Craft Beer Program Coordinator
303.447.0816 x118
andy@brewersassociation.org

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Based in Boulder, Colorado, USA, the Brewers Association (BA) is the not-for-profit trade and education association dedicated to small and independent American brewers, their craft beers and the community of brewing enthusiasts. Visit BrewersAssociation.org to learn more. The association's activities include events and publishing: CraftBeer.com, World Beer Cup®; Great American Beer Festival℠; Craft Brewers Conference and BrewExpo America®; National Homebrewers Conference; National Homebrew Competition; SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience; American Craft Beer Week; Zymurgy magazine; The New Brewer magazine; and books on beer and brewing. The Brewers Association has an additional membership division of 20,000+ homebrewers: American Homebrewers Association.

Consumers are invited to learn more about the dynamic world of craft beer at CraftBeer.com.