The State of Craft Beer in Nebraska

Hey, at least this President drinks...

I thought it would fun to post our state of the union address for craft beer in Nebraska.  It has been an amazing year in Nebraska craft beer and this seemed to make great sense.  I will be without a teleprompter so bear with me.  Also, my birth certificate is readily available if need be and there will not be a mention of healthcare or the budget in my speech.  So tonight if you would rather read this for the TRUE state of our union, please do.  I assure you it will be more entertaining and the goals will definitely be more achievable.  Like all politicians I can be bought...with beer.

My fellow Nebraska craft beer lovers, 2010 was a great year for us.  We saw the increase in festivals across the state giving more access to craft beer to more people.  I have it on good authority that the festivals will not only continue, in most cases, but become bigger and better.  It is the goal of the blog to become more involved in festivals this year, not only participating in them, but also helping create them.  You will see our presence a lot this year starting at the Extreme Beer Fest in Omaha Feb. 12th, see you there.

Along with more festivals last year we also saw an increase in National recognition for our local breweries not only with awards like a GABF medal for Nebraska Brewing Company but also for articles in National publications like Zac and Lucky Bucket had in Food and Wine among others.  Our beers are getting known and slowly but surely our state is getting recognized for quality beer.  I see 2011 becoming a BIG coming out party.  With the already increased distribution of Nebraska Brewing Company beers and the increased regional distribution of Empyrean and Lucky Bucket, it is only a matter of time.  Congrats to those breweries!

With increased distribution comes expansion and new breweries.  Expansion has already started taking place at Lucky Bucket, and Empyrean and Thunderhead have both purchased new buildings to accommodate expansion when the time and, of course, money comes.  I have it on good authority that another brewery has been looking to expand as well, whether that occurs in 2011 only time will tell.  Word is also out on the street that the Platter River Brewing company sold their equipment to someone else in the state that is looking to open a brewery.  I haven't got any further past heresy on this one, but I like good rumors like this.  If you hear more, contact the blog.  The Modern Monks have moved into Misty's in Lincoln and they are pumping out some fantastic brews and turning heads and bringing people back to Misty's for beer this time.  It is a welcome addition to Lincoln and great to see Misty's seeing the value of quality craft beer.  

One thing I also noticed this year was the number of bars and liquor stores across the state getting "it" finally.  They aren't fully there yet, warm storage anyone, but at least the selection is improving in nearly every store.  That doesn't just happen, that happens because the consumer demands that it happens and we need to make it happen more.  Go to your local watering hole or liquor store and ask them to carry something.  It may take some leg work, like actually researching how they can get it and from who, but they will do it if you buy it. 

The number craft beer bars has continued to increase as well and that is GREAT!!  It is hard to walk into a bar now and not be able to get a craft beer.  I remember 2 years ago, at the most, that I had to either settle for light lager or no beer at all.  I see this trend continuing if we make it so, so order up out there.  There has even been some movement into arenas like Qwest's Beer of the World stand.

The final tidbit is more of a hope we will get another canning brewery in Nebraska this year.  I don't know if this will happen but I know some people want it too.  Here is to hoping. 

You can't have it all good however, so here is what I think needs to take place in the coming year in our state and some bad news items. 

First and foremost we need to make sure that distributors know how important craft beer is in Nebraska.  With the recent merger of distributors in Omaha concerns abound that this will limit the craft beer selection in the state.  We can't let this happen, we must continue to demand quality beer so that they get it.  I think we did a good job on this latest issue but we need to be diligent. 

This leads to the second threat, craft beers pulling out of the state.  Great Divide planned on pulling out this year but due to an overwhelming response from the consumer they agreed to stay.  The last thing we want happening is less of a choice in the state.  So when you hear of a craft brewer looking to leave let EVERYONE know so we can do all we can to stop it. 

Finally, the final frontier, sporting events and arenas.  I mentioned earlier that the Beers of the World stand was a win, but it is a small win.  The selection needs expanded for sure and I am guessing the availability within the arena needs expanded.  Let us also not forget that the new baseball stadium is opening up this year.  There needs to be local beer available in that stadium, PERIOD, end of story.  Sporting events are the final frontier because of the ad dollars that the big dogs pay but I think it can be done because in the end, they want attendance and sales and if we are willing to pluck down $8 for a draw of then it will become available.  

All in all, considering where we have come in as short as 3 years, the state of the craft beer union is pretty good.  We thank all our readers and craft beer lovers.  If you have some things that I may have missed let the readers know in the comments. 

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