I like microbrews (ale) for various reasons, a few of them: -They simply taste better than mass produced beer. -I have almost no hangover after drinking a microbrew, compared to a mass produced beer, where, even drinking less, produces a much stronger hang over. Even after drinking more water than the amount I would drink after having a microbrew! -Seem to be more diverse range of taste between various microbrews and even amongst one microbrew company, the range in taste differs so much. Where as, Mass produced beer A and B are basically the same. I think some microbrews require a matured taste palete. I drink MBs 95% of the time. When I deviate, I tend to drink PBR. Not so much for the taste, or because I don't get a hangover from PBR (I do BADLY), but because it happens to be associated with good memories of the past..I guess it could have been any beer though at that moment in life. But still after having a mass produced beer, I am still left with the thirst for more beer the next day. After sipping on microbrews, I am usually good for a week or two. It just satisfies more. I think more people should give microbrews a chance. Sure, it is usually 2-3 dollars more per 6 pack, but give up some junk food or something..something you would eat with the bud light to make up for lack of taste, and you break even. Give MBs a few chances and the taste will grow on you. I drink microbrews, who else love them?
Microbrews, craft brews... I usually call them craft brews because a brewery can produce over the amount required to be called a microbrewery and still have an excellent beer. Microbrews are usually only the very small breweries that distribute only locally. A Brewery like, for instance, Stone or Long Trail, wouldn't be considered a microbrewery because they produce over 15,000 barrels per year. They would more accurately be called craft breweries because they brew real beer without adjuncts, yet produce over 15,000 barrels.
Sleeman is far from a microbrew. It's not even a craft brew. However, they did buy up Unibroue, which is a craft brewery.
I love microbrew beer, Sierra Nevada is my favorite that you can buy in a store. I live near a microbrewery called Dragonmead, they've won a lot of international awards for their beers. I really like their Woody's Perfect Porter, but all their beer is better than anything you'll find in a bottle. OK, so maybe Sierra Nevada is getting a little to large to still be called a microbrew, but it's still far from being a macrobrew.