Happy American Craft Beer Week! Now to celebrate by pouring yourself a great American craft beer, stop whatever you are doing and go buy a beer. Even if it is only 8:00 AM, it is time to celebrate. Well maybe not, you do have all week. But I do challenge each and everyone of you to go out to the liquor store or local brewery this week, walk past the domestic light, and pick up something from a small craft brewery that you have never tried before.

So what is American Craft Beer Week?

According To AmericanCraftBeerWeek.org

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Beer lovers, craft brewers, homebrewers, beer distributors, retailers, and even U.S. Congress are all making special plans for the annual American Craft Beer Week taking place across the country May 17-23. The “Mother of All Beer Weeks, ” organized by the Brewers Association, celebrates small and independent craft brewers and highlights all that America loves about craft beer. In 2006, the week became the largest national effort focusing on American craft brewers and remains so today.

“American Craft Beer Week has become a cherished tradition, making this annual celebration a great chance to toast craft brewers and to celebrate the advanced beer culture here in the United States,” stated Julia Herz, a spokesperson for the Brewers Association.

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A House of Representatives resolution, H.R. 1297 (PDF file), was introduced on April 22 to recognize and support the goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week. This Congressional effort highlights the valuable role that small and independent craft brewers play through community citizenry, economic contributions—including the estimated 100,000 jobs in the industry–and the resurgence in a rich brewing culture not seen since before Prohibition.

Also, in the works for the 2010 American Craft Beer Week are special brewery tours, beer and food pairing events, special release craft beers and festivals all across the country. Participating breweries are encouraging beer enthusiasts to sign the Declaration of Beer Independence, an official document to support America’s small and independent craft brewers, which is available on the American Craft Beer Week website and Facebook page. And, both breweries and homebrewers alike will brew a special recipe called American Craft Beer Wheat to celebrate.

Since its inception in 2006, American Craft Beer Week has continued to attract interest and support from beer enthusiasts and media, with more than 200 breweries formally participating in 2009.

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