From the OC Beer Blog:
The Brewers Association reports the economic impact of craft brewers in America hit 34 Billion in 2012, with California leading the pack at 4.7 Billion. San Diego obviously leads the growth at 70+ breweries; Anaheim will lead OC with almost 9% of San Diego County’s number of breweries by the end of 2014, however San Diego far outweighs production with many large regional craft brewers.
Mayor Tait and city advisors have been active getting Orange County to utilize the State’s health inspection codes instead of OCHCA’s stringent regulations that treat breweries like restaurants; making it quicker to get doors open.
Mayor Tait devoted part of his State of the City address to the topic of making Anaheim a craft beer destination:
A fun example of how Anaheim is showcasing its business-friendly attitude involves one of my favorite topics: craft beer.
Anaheim’s German heritage means that we’ve actually been brewing beer here since city was founded. And in the last several years, the craft and microbrewery industry has seen tremendous growth. Anaheim will soon have more craft and micro-breweries than any other city in Orange County.
The city has been working on making it easier for these artisan beer makers to practice their craft in our town.
As a beer enthusiast, I’m really excited about the attraction of micro and craft brewers to our city. We have all of the elements that these entrepreneurs need—space, great water, a super-friendly regulatory climate, and Southern California’s tremendous population of thirsty residents and visitors.
This budding industry has great potential for our town. Think what the wine industry has done for places like the Napa Valley or Paso Robles over the years. And we’ve seen what the brew industry has done for the city of Portland. It has brought that city new jobs, lots of tourists and events, not to mention bringing the community together.
That’s why we’re branding Anaheim as the Southland’s BrewCity. In Southern California, when you think about craft beer and all that goes along with that scene, you’re going to think about Anaheim.
Moving beyond craft beer, I think Anaheim’s future can be summed up with what’s happening in the center of our city: it’s cool, diverse and authentic. It’s the type of place that young entrepreneurs are drawn to.
Maybe the city can sell growlers emblazoned with the Seal of the City.
I think more craft breweries in Anaheim is one of those things that all men and women of good will can agree on. As the sentiment in the quasi-apocryphal Benjamin Franklin quote goes: “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.“
I don’t want to come off as rude or mad, but in the future could you please quote a snippet and link to the rest of the article? Quoting the entire thing gives readers no need to visit the original content. While I love the article caught your interest and it helps spread the word that Anaheim is awesome, I feel that copying/pasting my words without asking is bothersome.
Also, that Ben Franklin quote isn’t true.
Duly noted, but I’d like to point out that I did link back to your blog and did not quote the entire blog post; however, in the future I’ll excerpt less.
Also, I know the Ben Franklin quote wasn’t about beer, which is why I described it as “quasi-apocryphal”; the real quote is long and about wine.
I shortened the excerpt, per your comment.
“I don’t want to come off as rude”
Too bad, because you did.
Apologies. I guess there’s there’s no way to notify copyright violations without coming off as rude.
Thank you Matthew for changing it, if you’re ever around Anaheim’s great breweries, I’ll gladly buy a round or two. Cheers.
Says Mayor Tait, “That’s why we’re branding Anaheim as the Southland’s Brew City. In Southern California, when you think about craft beer and all that goes along with that scene, you’re going to think about Anaheim.”
Indeed, I’m already thinking about what comes with beer: drunks, alcoholism, traffic accidents, drunk drivers, and dead drivers. Cool, diverse, and authentic for Anaheim? I think not. Leading the charge to cram district-based elections down our throats, the mayor seems drunk with power already.
That is NOT what comes with craft brewing.
Your opinion is noted, but that is not supported by the data.
Anaheim has a long way to go to catch up with San Diego, but the brewing scene in North Orange county is already world class.
It’s a creative art run by classy people. Meet a few brewers who regularly take home national awards before you cast us all as drunks who kill people.
Craft brewery is a small brewery. Drinkers of beer produced by a small brewery become just as drunk as drinkers of beer produced by a large brewery. Please present your data supporting your assertion that “classy people” operate a craft brewery. Are the makers of Budweiser bottom-of-the-barrel individuals?
I’d also like to see your data confirming that drinkers of beer from a craft brewery do not become drunk or alcoholics. No drinker would buy beer lacking alcohol. Because your brewery wins an award has nothing to do with effects of consuming your brew.
I did not assert that craft brewers are drunks. But consumers of your brew become just as drunk as drinkers of beer made by large breweries. I am proud that the Angels and Ducks play in our city. I can’t see myself ever cheering or bragging about beer manufacturing in Anaheim. But I would feel proud of our city if 80% of its students graduated from high school prepared to succeed in college.
Hugh–
In my original comment, I encouraged you to meet your local master brewers. I think they can speak more about who they are, what they represent, and how they serve their community and their clientele better with a handshake than I can with a keyboard. I’d start with Victor Novak of TAPS in Brea. They’re pouring their delicious CaliGold XPA on cask (real British pub style beer engine!) Have some Oysters or maybe their version of Baked Alaska while you’re there.
I think that residents in the Sonoma, Napa, Paso Robles, and Temecula valleys are quite proud of the products they manufacture. I think they’re very proud of what their products attract: Art, cuisine, hospitality, tourism, and of course– lots and lots of money. I think that the people who work in these regions are also proud of their craftsmanship, and I think they’re proud of their contribution to the competitive American spirit on both the national and international stage.
I’m a bit surprised to hear that you wouldn’t be proud of a community that produces an artisan product with national or international recognition. I’m sure there’s a reason for it, but it saddens me nonetheless. I for one am very proud to be associated with a city that produces a quality product that’s been made in this state for 150 years, in this country for over 300 years, and has been made on all six inhabited continents longer than written language.
Regarding “the data”, brewpubs function with similar hours and supervisions as any other restaurant and have similar statistics. They’re not bars. Drunk driving is a product of an individual’s lack of self control, lack of planning, and ease of access to over-service. Any place that serves alcohol has the potential to bring these three conditions together– including your neighbor’s refrigerator. Brewpubs are no exception, but the quantity and number of patrons served at Angel Stadium and at the Honda Center in one day outpaces what many breweries serve in an entire year.
After you’ve visited TAPS, The Bruery, Bootleggers, Old Orange, Anaheim Brewery, JT Schmidts, Noble Aleworks, Valiant, or the soon to open BottleLogic (or the many more in OC), I’d certainly welcome your opinion on how these institutions aren’t “cool, diverse, and authentic.”
Until then, I hope you’ll approach these small businesses with an open mind.
**Regarding Budweiser– I’m sure they’re good folks, but their beer is . . . let’s say out of date. 🙂
And since when did Ryan Cantor ever care about data? Oh yeah, when it backs up his rapid dog, blind support of Tom Tait. Otherwise facts as it pertains to Tait’s voting record and flip flopping stance on issues to suit his current day whims are totally irrelevant and result in Cantor attacking the author who dains to make those facts known. But heck, his righteous defense of craft beers makes sense.
Much obliged for the anonymous ad hominem attack.
Cheers, bro (or ma’am). Enjoy your Tuesday.
“More Beer” – home brew company –
http://morebeer.com/category/personal-home-brewery-equipment-kits.html?gclid=CMuL0srIs7wCFYNi7Aodr04A7g
I’ll put my home brew up against ANY beer.
http://ocfestofales.bksites.net/
Looking forward to competing with you this year.