There were 6,400 brewing facilities around the U.S. in 2019, producing the equivalent of more than 2.8 billion 24-container cases of 12-ounce cans or bottles, according to a report by the National Beer Wholesalers Association.
Clearly, we have plenty of beer of our own to drink. On the other hand, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reports that some 160 other countries around the world also produce beer, and 18% of what we consume annually comes from outside our borders. Some imports are among the most popular beer brands in America.
However, not all “imported” beer actually comes from where you might think it does. As American beverage companies acquire foreign brands, they are increasingly moving production to this country, at least for the beers to be sold in the U.S. market. This is particularly true for the two giants of the industry, Anheuser-Busch InBev (which owns Beck’s from Germany and Patagonia from Argentina, among other labels) and Molson Coors (Foster’s and George Killian’s Irish Red, etc.).
Today, then, when Americans quaff Foster’s — whose commercials used to brag that the name was “Australian for beer, mate” — they’re drinking a brew made in Fort Worth, Texas. And George Killian’s Irish Red? A different color is involved — Golden, Colorado. (These are the states drinking the most beer.)
The companies making “imported” beer in the U.S. claim that the product is the same as it always was. Sometimes they even import the same ingredients used in the beer’s native land.
Click here for 10 “imported” beers that are actually brewed in the U.S.
Not surprisingly, however, consumers sometimes feel misled. In 2015, in fact, Anheuser-Busch InBev settled a class action lawsuit brought by Beck’s fans who apparently thought they were buying a beer brewed in Bremen, not St. Louis.
24/7 Tempo has assembled a list of 10 beers that you may think came from other countries but that are actually made right here. They’re not necessarily inferior in any way, but you may want to think twice before paying import prices for them.
1. Bass Ale
> Where you think it’s brewed: England
> Where it’s actually brewed: Merrimack, New Hampshire
[in-text-ad]
2. Beck’s
> Where you think it’s brewed: Germany
> Where it’s actually brewed: St. Louis, Missouri
3. Cerveza Patagonia
> Where you think it’s brewed: Argentina
> Where it’s actually brewed: Fairfield, California
4. Foster’s
> Where you think it’s brewed: Australia
> Where it’s actually brewed: Fort Worth, Texas
[in-text-ad-2]
5. George Killian’s Irish Red
> Where you think it’s brewed: Ireland
> Where it’s actually brewed: Golden, Colorado
6. Kirin
> Where you think it’s brewed: Japan
> Where it’s actually brewed: Los Angeles, California, and Williamsburg, Virginia
[in-text-ad]
7. Newcastle Brown Ale
> Where you think it’s brewed: England
> Where it’s actually brewed: Petaluma, California, and Chicago, Illinois
8. Sapporo
> Where you think it’s brewed: Japan
> Where it’s actually brewed: La Crosse, Wisconsin (plus Canada and Vietnam)
9. St. Pauli Girl
> Where you think it’s brewed: Germany
> Where it’s actually brewed: St. Louis, Missouri
[in-text-ad-2]
10. Stella Artois
> Where you think it’s brewed: Belgium
> Where it’s actually brewed: St. Louis, Missouri and three other U.S. cities (by late 2021)
The #1 Thing to Do Before You Claim Social Security (Sponsor)
Choosing the right (or wrong) time to claim Social Security can dramatically change your retirement. So, before making one of the biggest decisions of your financial life, it’s a smart idea to get an extra set of eyes on your complete financial situation.
A financial advisor can help you decide the right Social Security option for you and your family. Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three financial advisors who serve your area, and you can interview your advisor matches at no cost to decide which one is right for you.
Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you optimize your Social Security outcomes.
Have questions about retirement or personal finance? Email us at [email protected]!
By emailing your questions to 24/7 Wall St., you agree to have them published anonymously on a673b.bigscoots-temp.com.
By submitting your story, you understand and agree that we may use your story, or versions of it, in all media and platforms, including via third parties.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.