| ber the one-on-every corner dimly lit brew pub or | | | | beer is once again brewed on the premises or in |
| tavern, beer-soaked carpeting and Joe the Bartender, | | | | partnership with microbreweries, twinned with pubs in |
| a long row of customers with their glasses of watery | | | | which to serve their products, brew pubs have taken |
| mass-produced beer, all staring at a flickering | | | | new pride, not only in the beverages they create but |
| television? Versions of these drinking establishments | | | | also in the brew pub venue itself. No longer supplied |
| certainly still exist but their heyday as the gathering | | | | by wholesalers of mass-produced products, these are |
| place of choice is over. In fact this rather depressing | | | | generally owner-operated businesses with a |
| era was only a hiatus in America’s rich brew | | | | reputation to protect. |
| pub history. | | | | The European beer garden was and is an oasis in |
| In 1634 the Puritans licensed the first brew pub in | | | | working life, a neighborhood gathering focal point |
| New England with ale brewed on the premises. Their | | | | offering more than just a place to drink beer. This |
| idea was to steer drinkers away from the higher | | | | healthy, social atmosphere is reflected in the modern |
| alcohol content of rum and whiskey. During this | | | | brew pub. Polished mirrors, exposed beams, glasses |
| period, they also passed legislation ensuring the | | | | and bottles proudly displayed, revolving ceiling fans, |
| quality of the product. This tradition of local beer | | | | and menus full of imaginative twists on traditional pub |
| brewing paired with brewing excellence continued until | | | | fare – the modern brew pub is a showcase |
| the time of prohibition in the 1920’s. European | | | | for the brewery’s products. |
| immigrants were the driving force behind this | | | | If you find yourself in the position of a stranger in a |
| tradition, not only in transporting time-honored recipes | | | | strange town, dropping in to your neighborhood brew |
| and methods, but also in flavoring the atmosphere of | | | | pub might be the answer. Here is a social setting ideal |
| their taverns with the customs and décor of | | | | for meeting the locals, playing a game of darts and |
| their home countries. The Dutch and the English, then | | | | sampling fine quality beers, ales and ciders. If you are |
| the Germans in the 19th century brought the family | | | | traveling with the family, by-pass the fast food |
| atmosphere of the old world to their adopted land. | | | | chains and seek out the local brew pub. Many are |
| Post-prohibition, the traditions and style of immigrant | | | | family run and family friendly, reasonably priced with |
| brewing were disappearing. By the end of the | | | | an emphasis on responsible enjoyment, and with |
| 1970’s only light lager was selling in any | | | | food a cut above the cardboard box brigade. |
| significant volume, driven by big business marketing | | | | Operating as restaurants, brew pubs rarely have an |
| campaigns. At that point there were only 44 | | | | age restriction. |
| breweries in the United States. Yet a movement was | | | | Some of you may remember George |
| on the way that would reverse this trend. | | | | Orwell’s famous review of his favorite public |
| In the 1970’s people were traveling in great | | | | house, “The Moon under Water”. |
| numbers. It was the in thing to do and Europe was | | | | Though completely fictional, he describes with |
| the inexpensive destination. These travelers returned | | | | affection the ten best qualities of the place, from the |
| to America with a taste for real beer and an | | | | ornamental mirrors behind the bar to the sound of |
| appreciation of quaffing in agreeable, charming | | | | children’s laughter. Says Mr. Orwell, “If |
| surroundings. With a sneer of disapproval at the state | | | | you are asked why you favour a particular public |
| of watering holes in their native land, many opened | | | | house, it would seem natural to put the beer first, |
| their own breweries and brew pubs in the European | | | | but the thing that most appeals to me about |
| style. In 1982 U.S. legislation finally allowed food to be | | | | “The Moon under Water” is what |
| served in breweries and the brew pub was | | | | people call its “atmosphere”. Given the |
| ‘reborn’. | | | | quality and ambience of today’s brew pubs, I |
| Our brew pubs today represent a resurgence of | | | | believe George would be pleased. |
| tradition and ambience reminiscent of earlier times. As | | | | |
