Have you seen the recent Banoosh article highlighting 8 Beers You Should Stop Drinking Immediately (http://banoosh.com/blog/2014/04/03/8-beers-stop-drinking-immediately/)? For some beer drinkers, that post was an unhappy surprise. Pointing out GMOs and unhealthy additives in popular beers, the author suggested that we avoid the worst offenders if we want to enjoy a good ale, stout, or lager. We’ll take it one step further and suggest that you make your beer-buying a local affair. Here are four compelling reasons to support your local craft brewery while avoiding commercial beer offerings. #1: Craft beers have more funDiscovering local breweries is one of the best parts of becoming a beer aficionado. Many local craft breweries feature taprooms where you can sample a variety of ales and lagers, with cases and kegs available to purchase. Bring some friends and make an afternoon of it! Munch on crunchy snacks while sampling local brews to see which ones you want to take home with you.#2: Support your local brewerThe beer business is a competitive one, and local brewing companies spend decades working to produce the very best beer they can make. Often, these brewers use organic ingredients and leave out the chemicals and preservatives you find in mass-market beers. Buying a case from your local brewery is good for your health – and good for the local economy!#3: Buying local is easyWhile it can be fun to spend your weekends sampling craft beers at local taprooms and events, sometimes you just want to grab a six pack after work. That doesn’t mean you have to resort to the corporate brewing companies. Many local breweries distribute their best work to grocery stores and liquor shops. Picking up a locally brewed beer is no more difficult than picking up a Budweiser or Miller Lite.#4: Restaurants are in on the fun, too! Ask you server to recommend a great local or craft beer the next time you visit your favorite restaurant. As more people strive to buy local (and healthy), more restaurants are working with local breweries to keep specialty beers on tap. Farmers aren’t the only ones successfully selling to major corporations. Breweries are doing the same thing. Be adventurous, and you may discover a new lager to love where you least expect it!
