Welcome, beer enthusiasts and hop-heads alike, to a frothy journey down memory lane! During February 2024, The Casual Pint of Hamilton is raising glasses to the trailblazing brews that kickstarted the craft beer revolution, transforming the beer landscape from mundane to magnificent. Of course, we know that craft beer truly started in 1965 with the creation of San Francisco’s Anchor Steam, but we’re here to guide you through the pints that followed Anchor Steam that still make up the foundation of our beloved beer world!
Throughout the month, you can enjoy these brews on draft in the Pint, or grab a crowler, growler, or 6-pack to enjoy at home!

1. Sierra Nevada Pale Ale:
It’s the late ’70s, and we find ourselves in Chico, California, where Ken Grossman and Paul Camusi founded Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. In 1980, they unleashed the hoppy masterpiece known as Sierra Nevada Pale Ale (SNPA) upon unsuspecting taste buds. Bursting with Cascade hops, SNPA was a beacon of boldness in a sea of bland brews, inspiring a legion of craft brewers to think outside the six-pack.

2. Samuel Adams Boston Lager:
Jim Koch, armed with a family recipe and a passion for beer, founded the Boston Beer Company in 1984. Samuel Adams Boston Lager, the brewery’s flagship brew, quickly became the rebel yell of the craft beer revolution. Its rich maltiness and hoppy character resonated with drinkers tired of watery lagers, propelling Sam Adams to the forefront of the craft beer movement.

3. New Belgium Fat Tire:
Pedal your way to the mid-’90s, and you’ll find Jeff Lebesch and Kim Jordan founding New Belgium Brewing Company in Fort Collins, Colorado. In 1991, they introduced Fat Tire Amber Ale, a malty marvel that rode straight into the hearts of beer aficionados. With its distinct flavor and quirky label, Fat Tire became an emblem of craft beer individuality, inspiring countless brewers to take the road less traveled.

4. Stone IPA:
Stone Brewing Co. wasn’t content with brewing just any old beer; they wanted to create a hop masterpiece. Stone IPA was born in 1997 and it came out swinging. With an aroma that hits you like a hoppy meteor shower and a taste that rocks your palate, Stone IPA is like the lead guitarist of the craft beer band – bold, unapologetic, and ready to shred your taste buds.

5. Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA:
Fast forward to the turn of the millennium, where Sam Calagione and his team at Dogfish Head Craft Brewery were busy concocting liquid gold. In 2003, they unleashed the 60 Minute IPA, a continuously hopped wonder that sent shockwaves through the beer world. The craft beer movement had found its muse, with 60 Minute IPA serving as a hoppy beacon for those seeking bold and boundary-pushing brews.

And there you have it, a frothy frolic through some of the beers that sparked the craft beer craze and paved the way for a diverse and daring beer landscape. Join us all month is raising a toast to the pioneers who turned the brewing world upside down and filled our glasses – and our lives – with endless possibilities! 🍻