What’s #DrinkLocal and Why is it Important?
An important grass-roots social movement, the #DrinkLocal tag creates awareness and support for local breweries, pubs and liquor stores.
By Dustin Miller on Sep. 07, 2016
#DrinkLocal — Why?
Support Local Businesses! It’s simple: when you buy beers from local breweries (AKA “craft beer“), you’re supporting those businesses. You’re fostering industry growth and you’re nourishing new opportunities for economic development in your city. That’s very important because beer is a BIG industry, like REALLY BIG:
The Craft Brewing Industry Contributed $55.7 Billion to the U.S. Economy in 2014, [including] more than 424,000 Jobs.
Brewers Association
#DrinkLocal — Variety!
Supporting local breweries not only benefits the economy, it also offers you more variety! Small breweries have the advantage and freedom to explore new and creative beer ideas. If their creation is a hit, it can bring them international recognition! Of course, small breweries will always have classic recipes ensuring consumers like yourself will still get what you want. After all, these beers are generally their bread and butter.
#DrinkLocal — A Beer for Everyone!
If you’re one of those individuals who really likes one particular beer and have always been drinking it, you may not be sure where to start with craft beer. Have no fear, there’s likely a local beer for you too! All you have to do is ask. Ask your local Brewmaster, your server, or the liquor store clerk. Generally, you’ll get the best suggestions and insights into locally-brewed alternatives. If you’re not close to a local brewery, pub, or liquor store, then you can always try getting a response online by messaging a local brewery’s social media account on Twitter or Facebook.
How to Find Local Craft Beers & #DrinkLocal
To start drinking local and tapping into the world of craft beer:
- Use one of JustBeer’s “beer compatibility” quizzes to help you find a beer style for you based on things you know you already like
- Visit your Canadian city’s beer guide to find “craft beers near me” from local breweries based on the beer style information you’ve learned on JustBeer
- Visit a local brewery or liquor store and ask a bartender, a brewer or server!
That covers the basics of the #DrinkLocal movement. You can learn more about #DrinkLocal by reading up on Craft Beer, which is just one of many local products supported by the #DrinkLocal movement. At the heart of it, the #DrinkLocal movement is people supporting people and a movement is nothing without the support of people like YOU!