American Microbreweries and Neolocalism: "Ale-ing" for a Sense of Place

Local brewing operations, a part of the cultural landscape since the beginning of civilization, held fast in the United States until the arrival of mass production techniques. After a 100-year decline in the number of United States microbreweries, there has been a remarkable resurgence in the last 15 years. Following on the coattails of Britain's microbrewery revolution, the cultural innovation spread outward from California and has recently affected the Great Plains and the South. One may explain the microbrewery proliferation as a response to changing tastes and a growing beer connoisseur subculture. These are significant elements, but just as important is the neolocal craving that is being satisfied. Cultural geography has much to learn from a careful look at the recent changes in the United States brewing industry.