Vote now: BeerCity USA 2010 – What’s your pick?

Written by Charlie Papazian for The Examiner

It’s time to vote again for your favorite “BeerCity USA.”  Last year’s poll saw over 15,000 votes cast.  Portland, Oregon and Asheville, NC were announced as winners in a statistical tie for first place.

Since the winners were announced in May 2009, craft beer and American beer culture has skyrocketed.  Beer fests and city-wide beer weeks emerge throughout the country.  There’s pride existing in local communities for their breweries,  their beers and better beer bars, restaurants and pubs.  Even to my astonishment I’ve noticed an increase in beer culture in cities that were long beer “dead zones.”  America has awakened to better beer and their communities.

It matters in the USA unlike any other country in the world.  That’s why we have great beer here in the USA.  I think the whole idea of caring where your beer comes from, how and why it is made are not only good things, but essential for maintaining continued beer choice in the USA.  There are forces out there that want to limit your choice.  When we as beer drinkers stop recognizing and responsibly celebrating the beer choices we have, we may lose it.

The times are changing and beer drinkers have ramped up their responsible celebrations and their access to choice and diversity.

Once again the unscientific online poll for 2010 BeerCity USA can’t really measure the value of beer culture in America.  But it’s fun to applause.

BeerCity USA 2010 is a chance for local beer communities to express their enthusiasm and support for their local breweries and local better beer bars, restaurants, stores and distributors.  Let’s have some fun.

Here’s you chance to express your feelings and vote.  One vote per person.

Here are my rules and my guidelines.  I’ve put this initial list together based on cities that received 70 or more votes in the 2009 BeerCity USA or this year’s Nomination poll.  I’ll be happy to add other cities; that’s why I listed “Other” as an option.  If I get more than 70 votes for a town or city that’s not on this list – I will add it to the list.

Poll opened the first day of American Craft Beer Week, May 17 at 8 a.m. Mountain Time.  Poll will close 11:59 p.m. (Mountain Time), May 23.  Poll results will be announced shortly thereafter.

Are you a fan of small and independent American brewers and their craft beers?   Read the Declaration of Beer Independence.   Become a American Craft Beer Week Fan on Facebook.  When you become a Fan you’ve signed the Declaration.

To vote click…

HERE…

…and scroll down