Here’s an interesting map. Vinepair has created a global chart of “The Most Popular Beer in Every Country,” based on “market share for each country” from “the most recent year available.” If they couldn’t find the data, or if there wasn’t a clear winner, they left them off the map, which is why there are some countries with no beer listed. That’s especially true in Africa and parts of Asia but, curiously, for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, too.
Patent No. 2631393A: Illuminated Tap
Today in 1953, US Patent 2631393 A was issued, an invention of Lionel S Hetherington, for his “Illuminated Tap.” There’s no Abstract, but in the description it states that the “invention relates to illuminated taps and more particularly to an electrically illuminated tap adapted to be used as an advertising device..” In addition, “one object of this invention is to advertise the beverage available on draught at the tap” and “Another object is to visibly indicate the specific beverage to be drawn from a specific tap.”
Top 10 Party States
I got an e-mail this morning from Retale, a mobile app company, with an infographic showing the Top 10 Party States in the Country. To arrive at the list, they looked at a variety of factors including the number of bars, universities and colleges, music festivals, party stores, beer consumption, alcohol tax, hours opened, median age, the number of clubs and how popular the state is for tourism.
Obviously, these types of lists are highly subjective and tend to please no one, but it’s still fun to look at how the numbers shake out on all of the categories they used. Overall my home state of California tops the list, despite being number 1 in only two of the categories (music festivals and tourism). We have nearly double the breweries of our closest state, and a few wineries, too, so I’m okay with that.
How They Created This Ranking
According to Retale. “In determining what criteria to use for this list, we considered contributing factors to party culture, including events, alcohol consumption, venues, tourism, and youth culture. Our Top Ten Biggest Party States interactive visual was calculated based on an analysis of [the following] data.”
Alcohol consumption per capita
Number of nightclubs per capita
Number of music festivals in each state
Most popular tourist destinations
Number of bars per capita
Population density
Last call: opening and closing hours
Number of universities and colleges per capita
Combined alcohol taxes (lower the better)
Median age (lower the better)
Here’s their write-up for California.
1. California (CA)
California is known worldwide for its pristine beaches, enviable year-round weather, HWY 1, and Hollywood. The state is also the #1 ranking party destination in the U.S. There is a reason why our favorite pop and rap artists rave about the California party scene, with its thriving nightlife, underground techno, and midnight street shindigs. California has the highest number of festivals, the second highest number of bars by state (over 3,000), and the most universities and nightclubs relative to population.
With diverse demographics, an expanding youth culture, and innovation in tech and the arts, California has been an epicenter of art and social movement since the 60s. Rivaling party cities in California include L.A., San Francisco, San Diego, Sacramento, and Long Beach.
Individual Statistics
You can see the interactive map online at Retale. Moving the cursor and hovering it over each state reveals the answers for each datapoint.
Patent No. 2631777A: Process For Centrifugal Separation Of Yeast Cells From Beer
Today in 1953, US Patent 2631777 A was issued, an invention of Verner Hanno Tore, for his “Process For Centrifugal Separation Of Yeast Cells From Beer.” There’s no Abstract,
but the description claims that the “invention relates to the centrifugal separation of impurities from liquids, such as the separation of yeast cells from beer. More particularly, it relates to an improved process for this purpose, whereby contamination of the centrifugally purified liquid by the impurities, incident to interruption of the centrifugal separation, is avoided.”
Beer In Ads #1496: Special Lyrics
Monday’s ad is for Budweiser, from 1962. It’ from A-B’s long-running “Where there’s life” series, in this case the “Special Lyrics” are the “101 words” on the Budweiser label. I’m at least pleased to see she’s holding the record on the edge. Back in the day when I managed record stores, there was nothing worse then people just pawing a record with their greasy fingers and leaving fingerprints all over it. But if he keeps pouring that beer it’s going to spill all over her and the album. Also, if you look at the album cover partially show in the background, that photo is from a previous Bud ad.
Patent No. 3173586A: Beer Barrel Faucet Attachment
Today in 1965, US Patent 3173586 A was issued, an invention of Edward A. Pawson, for his “Beer Barrel Faucet Attachment.” There’s no Abstract, but the description states that the “invention relates to a novel beer barrel faucet attachment whereby beer barrels may be tapped and in particular relates to a barrel unit and a tap unit which is used in connection with barrels or kegs of the type in common use. These barrels to which my attachment is fastened have an opening of standard size and shape in one wall thereof. More specifically:
My invention relates to an attachment of the character stated which is attached to a single opening in the wall of a barrel or keg and which is so constructed that the same attachment provides a means of admitting a gas under pressure into the barrel and also to draw beer from the keg through this same attachment.
Beer In Ads #1495: Most Of The Things I Like Best Begin With ‘B’
Sunday’s ad is for Rheingold Beer, from 1952. “‘Most of the Things I Like Best Begin with ‘B’ — beagles, bands, beer,’ says TV star Harry James. ‘Here’s my favorite beagle — Bugle. My favorite band instrument? You guessed it — the trumpet. As for beer …'” It seems odd they describe James as a “TV star,” when I always think of him as a trumpet player and a bandleader. Harry James’ birthday is today, born in Albany, Georgia in 1916. When I was younger, and a musician, I was a freak for big band music, and Harry James was one of the best of his time.
The Next Session Asks: Cans Or Bottles?
For the 98th Session, our host is Nathan Pierce, who writes the blog for Microbrewr. He’s asking us all to weigh in on what’s better, what you prefer, and/or what’s the deal with “Cans or Bottles?” Essentially he wants to know your take on the packaging wars. Alright, maybe not a war, more like a friendly debate. Fingers crossed.
A bottling line or a canning line is a substantial financial investment. So this question is a significant consideration to anyone starting a brewery.
The answers give great insight. However, one thing I see lacking from the discussion is solid data.
Of course aluminum can manufacturers and glass bottle manufacturers each have an interest in showing their packaging is best. I have heard a lot of arguments on both sides, even data and statistics, but I haven’t heard many references from third-party studies. If you can offer this, that would be a great help.
In any case, I’m looking forward to reading the answers not only to see where the consumer trends are going, but also as research for the brewery I dream of opening.
What’s your perspective?
Will you write from the consumer point of view? From which kind of packaging do you prefer to drink beer? Why do you prefer that packaging?
Will you write from a manufacturer perspective? How do you want your brand portrayed? Which packaging suits your beer best?
Will you write from a distributors perspective? Which packaging do you prefer to transport and stock at retail locations?
Some other insight?
So pop a cap or pull a tab, and decide which one you like better. Then to participate in the April Session, leave a comment to the original announcement on or before Friday, April 3.
Patent No. PP15663P2: Hop Plant Named ‘YCR Accession No. 4’
Today in 2005, US Patent PP15663 P2 was issued, an invention of Charles E. Zimmermann, assigned to Select Botanicals Group, L.L.C., for his “Hop Plant Named ‘YCR Accession No. 4.'” Here’s the Abstract:
A new hop plant (Humulus lupulus) is disclosed. The new variety is used for its aromatic properties. The new variety is moderately tolerant to powdery mildew, and produces a medium size moderately compact cone with good pickability and storageability. The cones mature relatively late, and produce an exceptional yield of approximately 2200 to 3000 pounds per acre (2466 to 3363 kg/ha).
Beer In Ads #1494: Small Talk
Saturday’s ad is another one for Budweiser, from 1958. By “Small Talk,” they really mean small print, which A-B claims “the tiny printing on the label tells you exactly what makes Budweiser so good.” But I can’t take my eyes off of the two long red nails poking out of her hair. I know she’s just running her fingers through her hair as she’s being poured a beer — I mean, I always do that, don’t you? — but they just look a bit creepy and wrong, for no particular reason. Are they two adjacent fingers or is there one in between the two visible ones? Are those nails fake? They sure look fake. They seem too long, and remind me of devil horns. Okay, I’ve clearly been staring at this ad for too long.
