How and why do you start a movement? For some people it’s the desire to preserve something they care about and sharing that concern on social media. That’s not exactly how “Flagship February” began, but it’s a good synopsis about this brewing movement in American craft beer.
The more detailed story starts with an article about the declining sales of flagship beers (the beers that helped establish a craft brewery). In response to the steady drop in sales of these beers, esteemed beer scribe Stephen Beaumont proposed a month to promote these brews.
How about, in the spirit of alliteration, how about we make next month Flagship February!?! The focus would be on drinking faves from the early years, not necessarily exclusively, but frequently. The brands would get a boost and drinkers would be reminded of what got them here.
— Stephen Beaumont (@BeaumontDrinks) January 4, 2019
I recently read an article about Beaumont’s idea of #FlagshipFebruary, and it has made me think about the flagship beers I love and how I would feel if they disappeared from the shelf. So in the spirit of Flagship February, I am going to participate in #FlagshipFriday during the month of February.
Living in Japan makes it a little more difficult to purchase American craft beers, so I won’t be drinking flagship beers exclusively during the month. However, I am going to commit to having at least one flagship beer every Friday. I will post a photo on Instagram each afternoon, so be sure you follow me there if you don’t already (click to follow). If you use Untappd, you can send me a friend request (click to add me) and see my comments on the beers.
So what beers should I get for this celebration? I’m a believer in crowd sourcing, so I posited the question to Twitter and Facebook, and have gotten some feedback.
Social media suggestions
Oh man. So many Chicago Flagships I can think of. I’ll give you a few:@HalfAcreBeer Daisy Cutter@RevBrewChicago Anti-Hero@GooseIsland 312@TwoBrothersBeer Domaine DuPage
— Mike Zoller (@mikezoller) January 26, 2019
Had to think on this one…. @sweetwaterbrew 420, @creaturebeer Tropicalia, @terrapinbeerco Wake N Bake (seasonal flagship?), @cigarcitybeer Jai Alai. @sierranevada Pale Ale, @AllagashBrewing White
— Beer Guys Radio (@BeerGuysRadio) January 26, 2019
Wake-n-Bake still counts ?, it’s a long running release (13 years!) in a time where folks don’t put out the same beer more than a few years! But also, give Hopsecutioner a re-try.
— Leah Keggi (@beerkeggi) January 26, 2019
If you have a suggestion on what beers I should drink on Fridays during the month of February leave you suggestion in the comments, and I’ll see if I can find that beer near me.
Filling up for Flagship February
In advance of Friday, February 1, I’ll visit my local craft beer store and see what flagship beers they have in stock. I am not sure what they have, but I am looking forward to seeing what American flagship beers are available in Japan. As we say in Japan when sharing a beer, “Kanpai!”
