| Since the beginnings of the United States in the | | | | they were able to produce non-alcohol products such |
| 1700's the United States has been one of the top | | | | as near beer, malt syrup and soft drinks such as cola |
| beer consumers in the world. The first beer in the | | | | and root beer. After prohibition, World War II began |
| USA was ale, brought to the US by early colonists | | | | and again limited the re-emergence of smaller |
| from England. Ale was the most common type of | | | | breweries. The large commercial breweries all |
| beer brewed in the US until about the mid 19th | | | | produced the same type of beer, which is noted for |
| century. | | | | being a pale, tasteless lager beer. They used low cost |
| During this time, the German immigrants introduced | | | | ingredients, which produced an inferior beer. This is |
| the lager style beers. For the beer manufacturers, | | | | what is typified when people think of American beer. |
| lager beer was more profitable on a large scale than | | | | The last several decades have seen a change in the |
| producing ales. It was also better suited for the | | | | beer production in the United States. The emergence |
| shipping methods of the time. Popular breweries | | | | of many microbreweries has created a niche market |
| were founded and became well known. Some of | | | | for new and unique beers that are made using high |
| these are Miller, Pabst and Schlitz. The lager brewed | | | | quality ingredients. Although the prices are higher than |
| by these companies was a classic American pilsner. | | | | that of the large breweries, customers feel that the |
| As time went by, the popular beer of choice in | | | | product is well worth it. |
| America slowly changed to a more mild lager, which is | | | | Many different beers are imported from all over the |
| now widely brewed today. The typical alcohol count | | | | world, allowing Americans to find almost any brand |
| is now rather low, averaging about 4% to 5%. | | | | and type of beer they would like. Many types of |
| Prohibition in the 1930s brought American beer | | | | beers and ales are available at liquor stores and there |
| brewing to a complete halt. Only several breweries | | | | are many bars that offer unique beer from around |
| were able to stay in business and this only because | | | | the world. |
