American Craft Beer Week 2013 #ACBW

It’s the moment we've all been waiting for! It’s time for American Craft Beer Week!

From Monday, May 13th through Sunday, May 19th, as in next week, the country will be celebrating American Craft Beer Week (ACBW). This is the eighth consecutive year for the national observation, and third in a row in which there will be events hosted in all 50 states. American Craft Beer Week, which is organized by the Brewers Association, is a celebration of U.S. craft brewers across the country. Last year, ACBW was celebrated by breweries, brewpubs and retailers in all 50 states with over 1,300 official events. More than 35,000 beer lovers were part of the Facebook community alone, undoubtedly making 2012 the largest celebration of ACBW yet.

The tradition continues this year as ACBW will provide an opportunity for small and independent brewers, craft beer enthusiasts and the community of better beer retailers to celebrate the ever advancing beer culture here in the U.S. Events will include exclusive brewery tours, special beer releases, multi-course food and pairing dinners, collaboration beers, retail promotions and much more.

The United States of Craft Brewers.

Why do we celebrate?

Because beer doesn't have to be yellow, corn/rice based, mass-produced swill... that's why!

Don't mess with your uncle.

There are roughly 50 official state and regional beer weeks throughout the year, but this one is the mother of them all. Beer weeks celebrate the culture of craft beer, and give breweries and beer businesses the opportunity to connect with their fans. ACBW celebrates the unification of these regional events, offering craft beer fans everywhere options to learn about, enjoy and share beer with each other on a national level. As we all know, America’s craft beer industry is thriving, with over 2,300 small and independent breweries responsible for not only advancing the food arts world, but pouring money into the economy via tourism and jobs while creating an overall vibrant craft beer scene nationwide. America’s craft brewers are certainly something to celebrate. If you’re still not convinced, read the official ACBW Manifesto, written by small and independent craft brewers.

How can you celebrate ACBW?

In my opinion, the best and easiest way to support this phenomenon is to visit your favorite local brewery, restaurant or tap room and enjoy your local craft beers. As you may have gathered, this national beer week is a pretty big deal, and all of your local brewers and craft beer providers will be celebrating. They will be hosting events at their places of business, but even beyond that, there will be a sense of community and camaraderie in the air that seems amplified compared to the usual inclusionary spirit. Go to their websites for lists of events, but just popping in and wishing everyone a happy American Craft Beer Week works just as well.

The gang at Elysian Brewing Company in Seattle, WA, raising some pints.

For those of you who are a bit more ambitious, you can host your own event. Gather-up a varied assortment of craft beers made by small, independent brewers and host a tasting, food pairing, or maybe just a beer drinking party. Rent out a hall and invite the whole town, or have it in your driveway next to a fire pit and invite the neighbors. As formal or informal as you like - endless possibilities.

Social drinking is the best kind.

On a similar vein, Thursday, May 16 at 8:00pm Eastern Time is the first ever national ACBW toast. Clearly, this occasion calls for you to invite your friends and family over to collectively toast to craft beer, knowing that the entire country is toasting with you at the exact same time! Take to the social media world and post on Facebook or tweet your toast, or check it into Untappd.

Speaking of social media, the official hashtag for American Craft Beer Week is #ACBW… use it on all of your social drinking escapades during the week. You can also show support of ACBW by joining the more than 50,000 beautiful craft beer lovers on the ACBW Facebook page and updating your social media accounts with these cover photos and  profile pictures.

More links:

For a complete official list of events near you, visit the official American Craft Beer Week events calendar, hosted by CraftBeer.com. Remember though… these are just the official ones. For the unofficial events, plug-in to a craft beer enthusiast near you… they always know what’s what.

Download the 2013 American Craft Beer Week Poster… because it’s cool.

Check out the CraftBeer.com official website for American Craft Beer Week!

Here's to you, craft beer drinkers!

Enjoy your week, craft beer lovers! It’s about those that make, it’s about those that enjoy, and most of all, it’s about the beer! Happy American Craft Beer Week!!! #ACBW

Here’s to craft-brewed happiness… Cheers!