Willamette Valley
The Pacific Northwest region is one of the most isolated regions in North America, separated from the rest of the continent and world by high mountains, remote coastlines, and dense forests. It also has the continent's only active volcanoes. The natural beauty of this region has contributed to a deep sense of environmental identity that is characteristic of many people who live in this area. Its cool, rainy climate is also a unique characteristic to North America. The Pacific Northwest includes western Oregon, western Washington, British Columbia, west of the Rocky Mountains, and the southeastern panhandle of Alaska. To the west is the Pacific Ocean, and the Klamath Mountains lies to the south, which divides northern California from southern Oregon. The Rockies and the Cascades lies to the east and they converge on each other.
Microbrewery
The Pacific Northwest became the center of the craft beer movement that is now flourishing and spreading across the United States, Canada, and the rest of the world. In the 1970s, a couple of brewers in Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia became tired of the traditional American beers so they began to explore different ways of making better beer brewed from local ingredients. These were then called "microbrews." There are over 1700 breweries that are responsible for the many beer brands existing in the United States. 6.3 percent of overall beer sales in the United States came from craft brewers in 2008. The state of Oregon is the center of the microbrew production in the Pacific Northwest. This is because it is the largest craft-producing state, generating over 9 million barrels in 2010. Oregon has 82 brewing companies, and it operates 114 brewing facilities in many of its cities. The boom in the craft beer brewing industry is a successor to the fur, fishing, and timber industries. A common phrase that is often stated in Oregon is, "Save a tree and drink a northwest local beer."
New York
The influence of the brewing success in the Pacific Northwest has carried onto the state of New York as New York state holds home to a brewery that distributes beer to 25 states and 20 countries. Since its founding in 1988, Brooklyn Brewery has brewed flavorful beers that caters to the fulfillment and enjoyment of its customers and communities. It is an award-winning brewery and stands as one of the top craft beer producers in the world. Throughout 2011-2013, Brooklyn Brewery underwent an expansion that has quintupled its overall capacity. This makes this brewery to have the potential to export more beer than any other American craft brewery. Some of the other Craft beer bars that have been recognized in New York city are: Bierkraft, Good Beer NYC, Top Hops, and New Beer Distributors. New York City often holds "Beer Weeks" to advocate and promote awareness of its local brewing members; to increase the awareness of local beers through various programs, events, and education; and to foster a healthy and ethical beer industry throughout the entire city.
