Back in February the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame (ACBHOF) inducted its first membership class of twelve brewery owners, brewers, writers, educators, and importers, who were “recognized for their involvement in, and support of, the American craft beer industry.”
In August came the ACBHOF’s first selection of Landmark Craft Beers, including five “foundational brews” chosen by the Hall’s electors and advisors, of whom I’m one. Listed aphabetically are descriptions are provided by the ACBHOF.
Anchor Liberty Ale – An early pioneer in the creation of the modern concept of American IPA, and an early standard bearer for what would become the country’s most important style of beer.
Anchor Steam Beer – The resurrection of a truly American beer style, and one that helped define the image and concept of craft beer for decades to come.
Celis White (Witbier) – A revival of a nearly extinct Belgian style that brought traditional wheat beer to American craft drinkers.
Samuel Adams Boston Lager – An icon that helped to bring full-flavored beer to mainstream audiences in the 1980s and put American craft beer on the global map.
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale – The beer that brought Cascade hops to national prominence and helped define the American Pale Ale style.
These landmark beers prompted a nostalgic interlude.
In short, these were the American beers (as opposed to imported beers) that I was seeking to source in 1992 when the Rich O’s BBQ/NABC Public House started in earnest. However, only the two Anchors and Samuel Adams were available from Indiana wholesalers.
Fortunately Sierra Nevada and Celis arrived shortly thereafter. At first Sierra Nevada Pale Ale came in bottles only, soon to be augmented by kegs of Pale Ale as well many of the other Sierra Nevada brands; when beer writer Michael Jackson visited in 1994, he drank a pint of Sierra Nevada Porter, and a just bit later we were buying a dozen or more kegs of Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale for medicinal use in cooler weather.
Probably the most obscure of these five foundational beers chosen by the ACBHOF is Celis White, with “white” indicating the use of wheat. Locally, Upland’s Wheat Ale remains an outstanding example of the style. These are moderate strength, spiced with coriander and orange peel, and intended to be refreshing and light-of-center.
(I’m having trouble bringing myself to acknowledge two familiar and bastardized examples of Belgian-style wheat ale. Fortunately,...Read more
