This content was originally published by The Hop Review, a digital magazine that joined the Hop Culture family in March 2020.
This piece was written by Tom White.
In this week’s Hoplinks, local brewers bring home the hardware, beer trends are analyzed, low ABV beers might be the next big thing, a long standing beer award is planned for the first time, and the best places in the country to grab a beer are highlighted. Let us know your thoughts on all of this and more in the comments.
DENVER, CO — This past weekend concluded the annual insanity known as the Great American Beer Festival in downtown Denver. This year, Illinois was well represented on the podium with several local breweries taking home honors in various categories. [GABF]
GLOBAL — The American Express Essentials blog rounded up global beer writers and asked them to comment on the latest trend in their locale. Insights are included from around the world including one from The Hop Review on the recent trend of breweries sticking with a style. [AMEX Essentials]
LONDON, UK — Market research firm Canadean has published a study detailing the world’s increasing interest in low ABV and alcohol free beer. Germany is at the forefront of this trend as consumers look for a healthier alternative that still allows them to partake in their beer-centric culture. [Global Data]
CHICAGO — Now here’s an interesting event. The “first ever” 39th Annual Illinois Craft Beer Awards are scheduled for October 23rd at The Chop Shop in Wicker Park. Self-described as “the Academy Awards but for beer industry professionals,” your $35 entrance fee included beer, Malort, and a swag bag. The list of attending breweries is impressive and proceeds from the event will go to charity. [IllAwards.com]
LINCOLNWOOD, IL — The entire distributed portfolio of Denver’s Crazy Mountain Brewing is now available in Chicago. The brewery will showcase eight beers in the Chicagoland market and will be distributed by Louis Glunz. [THR Wire]
USA — There’s no end of lists naming the best bars in America, but we like this twist on the idea as Men’s Journal names the 76 best places to drink a beer in the US. We’ve been lucky enough to visit several of these but there’s plenty of traveling left for us to beer and a ton of great beer to drink on the way. [Men’s Journal]
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Photo of Munich’s Hofbräuhaus during a summer 2016 visit — by Tom White.