The USABeerTrends Top 5 Craft Brewing Trendsetters of 2009 – Vote Now
Happy Monday, Beer Nation. As we tumble headfirst into the holidays, our strange little crew of beer survey scientists has been busy parsing your nominations for Top 5 Craft Brewing Trendsetters of 2009. This one was harder than most in that the Beer Nation was reluctant to respond. Was it that you didn’t think there were any trendsetters in an industry that relies on craft, imagination and creativity? Were you afraid that some familiar names might get more of the limelight? Do you just not care as long as flavorful craft beers are always available in you grocer’s cold case?
Well we did get a few suggestions, and some actually received multiple nominations. From those who received the most support, we give you your Top 5 nominations. We suggest you visit them if they are close by. If not, drink their beers, or at least poke around their web sites. These are in alphabetical order:
The Bruery Placentia, CA 
Why nominated? You said: always brewing interesting Belgian-style brews; New, young brewery that is producing some unique and well crafted beer!
(from their site)
A small craft brewery located in Orange County, California. Our simple but often confusing name is a fusion of ‘brewery’ with our family name, Rue.
Our calling is to create beers with character and depth using the simplest and purest of means. We do not filter or pasteurize our beers. All of our bottled beers gain carbonation through 100% bottle conditioning, allowing carbonation to naturally occur through a secondary bottle fermentation. We strive to use unconventional ingredients, and we will proudly state what we put in our beers.
We enjoy serving you, your friends and your family.
Dogfish Head Brewing Milton, DE
Why nominated? You said: They are always on the cutting edge; not afraid to push the envelope; the founder is an awesome advocate for the craft beer industry; they do things their own way; consistently good beers.
(from their site)
Dogfish Head? An unconventional company? No way …..
Okay, so maybe we are a little nuts! We brew strange concoctions of beer, sell silly accessories with our name on it and have our own music group, The Pain Relievaz!
We like to keep it a little kooky and wacky around the Dogfish joint!
Fullsteam Durham, NC
Why nominated? You said: For using the most locally produced ingredients possible; a friend to foodies and the “extreme” beer crowd; they’re primed to make a big splash.
(from their site)
In the past few years, North Carolina’s beer selection has flourished with beers around the world: Belgian dubbels, tripels, and quads; English bitters and barleywine, German lagers. Amazing craft beer from US breweries establishing regional traditions and styles: the West Coast IPA phenomenon. Hearty Wisconsin lagers. Experimental beers from the Northeast.
But we have yet to develop a Southern craft beer identity. Fullsteam’s mission is to reflect the unique Southern confluence of industry and agriculture, crafting a distinctly Southern beer style.
Rock Art Brewery Morrisville, VT
Why nominated? You said: For taking on a corporate juggernaut; for bringing arcane copyright laws to light; for fighting the good fight and coming to a happy solution.
(from their site)
Matt and Renee created Rock Art Brewery to brew beer for you and your friends to enjoy. The brewery is located in Morrisville, VT.
Ska Brewing Durango, CO
Why nominated? You said: Brand new “green” building, supporting homebrewers, increasing capacity and brewing experimental beers; they win points for being in Durango; the guys that run the place rock.
(from their site)
“it takes characters to brew beer with character.”
So, there they are, Your Top 5 nominations. Now, you must vote. Click HERE to vote now.
We’ll post the results on December 31, 2009.
Cheers!
Your Super Analytical USABeerTrends Beer Buddies
Great list, I couldn’t argue against any of them. Now’s the part where someone should throw something at me for not getting these in earlier but here are a few more to think about: Jolly Pumpkin, the guys pushing the cans (21st Amendment, Oskar Blues, Ska,…), and the guys doing the organic thing (Bison Brewing, Otter Creek, Wolavers, …). Now ducking for the inevitable shoe heading my way.
Totally know who nominated The Bruery and said “New, young brewery that is producing some unique and well crafted beer!”
#justsaying
Beer N Bikes, thanks for the story link! We were a little surprised, also, by the non-mention of Ska’a canning. We had some in our cooler a couple of years ago, camping near Owl Creek Pass. For the survey, we left it to the nominators to give us the reasons why they think a nominee is worthy. Cheers!
USABT
FullSteam Beer and the entire Southern Agrarian brewing philosophy is the next generation of craft beer revolution. It’s literally what Fritz Maytag and Jim Koch did 20+ years ago x 10. Not only are the beers dramatic innovations in their own right (rhubarb ale+political activism+oil cans=f-ing genius), but the idea of making beer locally that fits the community, supports the food and helps the world is amazing. It’s not an innovation in craft brewing, it’s taking the Wright Brothers to the Moon.
I vote FullSteam! I am a foodie and I have had the wonderful opportunity to taste Fullsteam and I can’t wait for it to hit the Chicago markets.
Fullsteam. I’m down with the localness.
Fullsteam is a remarkable enterprise and a wonderful libation. They get my passionate, unqualified vote. Go Cackalacky!
Another vote for FullSteam!
Love Fullsteam’s “Farm to Pint” concept. Let’s put the South on the beer map and beer on the foodie map!
I vote for Rock Art. Stood up to MONSTER energy drink’s bullying and they make great tasting beers with food suggestions.
How could you guys forget The Vermont Pub and Brewery? They’re innovative and trend setting. Where else can you get a Gruit infused with lotus flowers, a flemish sour red and a top notch hefeweizen named “Beetlejuice” all on the same menu??
No one nominated them. Maybe someone should next year.
Rock Art Gets another vote!
Otter Creek’s Wolaver’s Pale Ale (organic) is the best!!!
Rock Art is at the top of the heap and has my vote!
RockArt is the best–it’s all I buy.
We appreciate the comments and hope you are clicking on the survey link to cast your votes. Cheers!
Rock Art all the way…there’s always a Ridgerunner in my fridge!
i vote for rock art because their beer makes your taste buds dance and leaves a nice clean after taste which one very much enjoys.