2012 Food and Dining Predictions #6 {Beer is King, not the King of Beer}

Welcome to CB.com's 2012 food and dining predictions. I've always loved postulating about where food and food culture is headed. Sometimes I'm spot on, and other times I've failed miserably. We feel that we have a pretty good pulse on this industry and want to look into that crystal ball and lay out some educated guesses on what the food retail industry may look like like in 2012 without any of the Nicholas Cage Mayan calendar nonsense.

Let's continue with our educated guessing!

Coming in at number six on our countdown is beer. Good beer has been that hyperactive cousin to wine for many when it comes to formal dinner pairings and understanding the nuances of what good craft beer represents.Wine has been the "Go To" receiver in crunch time and it's had a great run. Well done Vino.

America has been duped by commodity beer flavored water for too long. Beverage conglomerates such as Coors, Anheuser Busch (InBev) and Miller Brewing Company have led the charge with tasteless malt punch for the past 35 years. Fortunately we're in the midst of a craft beer renaissance.

All you have to do is look at this graph to understand. I love logistics.

The big boys are scared, and they have good reason. Beer has unfolded in a way where many could not have predicted. Chefs turned brewers have infused eclectic flavors and production methods to churn out a new style of craft beers. Restaurants like The Publican in Chicago have proved that pairing great beer with food can be a recipe for success. Beer is as versatile as it is diverse, providing both complementary and contrasting experiences when paired with food. Also, the piece of mind of drinking a crafted pint versus a bottle of Bud has given place to a social culture hierarchy. (Don't tell Nascar that)

Beer: It's just not for pretzels anymore

The range of pairings, many food experts agree, is as diverse as it's wine counterpart. Examples I like are a great Cornish Lobster Salad -  Paired with Lagunitas Brewing Company Pils and Deschutes Brewery Mirror Pond Pale Ale. Or take your favorite selection of British cheeses and pair with Victory Brewing Company Storm King Stout and Green Flash Brewing Co.'s IPA. You can be over simplistic or as complex as your taste buds will allow you.

We believe Craft beer will push the context of beverages the same way the wine boom did in the late 70's and early 80's. More and more people are realizing good beer is nothing to sniff at, and as more Americans realize they don’t have to drink watered down lagers, we expect huge growth in the wildly diverse craft sector to just keep growing – unless, politicians like Scott Walker have their way.

2012 Food and Dining Predictions:

#10 - The inconvenience of Food 

#9 - Personal Investment and Ownership

#8 - Minimal is the new black

#7 - The fusion of family style meals and belittlement