2020 was a challenging and testing year, that much is clear. But for fans of great US beer, the choice available to them is better than it has been in a long, long time. 

When Metallica, the American heavy metal band, started out in the early 1980s, many of their key influences hailed from the UK. Outfits such as Iron Maiden, Diamond Head and Black Sabbath would make an indelible mark on Metallica’s sound.

These UK bands, in some shape of form, could be considered part of the new wave of British heavy metal, something of an underground phenomenon that grew in parallel to the punk scene of the time.

While American groups such as Metallica would draw a great deal of inspiration from these bands, they would go on to put their own mark on the sound. And in many cases turn it into something completely different altogether, to great, world-beating success.

In doing so, artists such as Metallica and their contemporaries in Slayer, Anthrax and Megadeth,  have themselves gone on to influence countless generations at home, in the UK and, well, all across the globe.

In the years that followed the formation of San Fransisco’s finest, other members of the US population would be taking a different kind of inspiration from the UK. This time in the form of its ales that, to this day, remain much loved across the Atlantic.

“I had visited many breweries in small Us towns. And I’ll be honest they really didn’t make as much sense to me as what I had in mind,” John Hall, the founder of Goose Island told us back in 2016.

“Look at Fuller’s. It’s a big brewery, making great beers based in a big city. It just resonated with me. The dream for me was to be a Fuller’s, to represent Chicago like they did in London.”

English cask was also an early influence for the team at Sierra Nevada during their home brewing days, while Cigar City brewmaster Wayne Wambles is also a member of that particular fan club.

Odell Brewing Co founders Doug and Wynne fell in love with UK ales during their honeymoon in 1985 and, upon moving to the UK in 1983, Brooklyn Brewery’s brewmaster Garrett Oliver would have his first experiences of cask. A discovery that would alter his professional trajectory from there on in.

In the decades that have passed since these epiphanies, seminal beers such Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Brooklyn Lager, Jai Alai from Cigar City and Goose Island IPA represent just a handful of releases from these breweries alone that have single-handedly lit a fire in beer lovers across the land that have thought: “I love these flavours so much, I want to try and create my own.”

And much like Metallica did with their appreciation of early British metal, the beers that have stemmed from brewers’ love of those groundbreaking US brews, the creations that have followed have taken on a whole new life of their own.

But in recent years it felt that if you wanted to enjoy great US beer in the UK, you had options but variety could be hard to come by. Especially variety of the fresh kind. But in 2020, choice has vastly improved – both in the trade, and consumer side of the market.

Lotte Peplow, the Brewers Association’s American Craft Beer Ambassador for Europe, believes that American craft beer presents  “unparalleled flavour” and is sought out the world over for a number of reasons.

“The use of high quality raw materials, technical brewing expertise, relentless innovation and an unswerving commitment to quality from production all the way through the supply chain to ensure it reaches the beer drinker exactly as the brewer intended,” she explains.

Peplow adds: “But don’t just take my word for it, American craft beer regularly wins top honours at international beer competitions around the world.

“Another reason why American craft beer remains popular is because beer drinkers are curious and like to experiment with a range of styles from a number of different countries. 

“Consumers are increasingly discerning when it comes to what they buy, and becoming more familiar with ingredients, shelf life and beer styles than ever before.

“American craft beer complements sales and variety for all craft beer, beer drinkers appreciate variety and the opportunity to explore and discover world-class quality, imported American craft beer.”

The UK is an important trading partner for American craft brewers and represents the second largest global export market (after Canada) with 11.9% of all exports. In 2019, global exports of American craft beer were worth $69.3 million.

According to Peplow, there were fewer than 50 American craft breweries forty years ago and the craft beer market as we know it was non-existent allowing American craft brewers to pioneer the market from scratch. 

She adds: “Today there are more than 8,300 small and independent American craft breweries producing a variety of high quality, full-flavoured, style diverse beers unparalleled anywhere else in the world. 

“Consumer demand for for new and exciting beers like American IPA, barrel aged beers, or well-made classic styles continues to grow internationally and other brewing nations are copying American craft brewers in a ‘full circle’ effect.

“Retailers are now more aware of shelf life and chilled storage requirements than ever before helping to preserve beer flavour and maintain American craft beer in the best possible condition.  There has never been a better time to be a beer lover!”

One company working hard to bring fresh US beer to the UK is Beer Hop. Founded by husband and wife combo Lucy and Matt Tobin earlier this year, the business is working directly with Sierra Nevada to supply an extensive range of the brewery’s beer to consumers.

Running The Wise Old Owl in Kingsfold in the south of England some six years, Tobin would start stocking Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. It allowed him to rediscover a brewery he had enjoyed on a holiday in Florida prior. 

And little more than two years ago, they would take on a Fuller’s tenancy, The Star in Petworth. In doing so, they effectively became a Sierra Nevada taproom with six guest taps showcasing Sierra Nevada beers.

“We became a bit of a destination, he explains. There was a lot of firsts, having Hazy Little Thing on draught, alongside stocking beers like Otra Vez, Sidecar and more. I told Fuller’s I wanted these products, please get them. So Sierra Nevada would add them to the shipments coming over.”

Steve Grossman, the brother of brewery founder Ken Grossman and himself an ambassador for the business, visited for an event showcasing Sierra Nevada’s beers.

“People came from far and wide,” he smiles.

This meeting with Grossman would help Tobin take the next step in this relationship with the US giant.

The duo were invited out to the States to visit the brewery as a thanks for their support in the UK. In that time, initial discussions were had on Tobin’s desire to bring the brewery’s beers over the Atlantic on a more regular basis.

And two weeks after returning from the US, lockdown stuck.

“The weather was great, so we were sat in the garden being able to relax for the first time in a long while and you found yourself thinking – Ok, this is quiet nice!” he laughs. “So I said to Lucy, we really should be trying to bring these beers over.”

Tobin adds: “So I spoke with Ian Newell, the UK managing director of Sierra Nevada about the idea and he told us he couldn’t think of anyone better for it.”

And with that, much of the brewery’s portfolio would become available to the Tobins. While they work directly with Sierra Nevada, Beer Hop partners with businesses such as James Clay and Heathwick on other breweries it offers consumers, which include Cigar City, Oskar Blues and Anchor Brewing.

“We didn’t know how Beer Hop was going to go,” he explains. “Starting in mid July, we knew we needed to work with others. But the key for what we do here, is the relationship with Sierra Nevada. The passion we have for the product is of great value to the brewery and they respect that.”

Much of what the company is bringing over from the brewery has been bottled or canned less than two months prior.

And in addition to the strong partnership Beer Hop have with Sierra Nevada, Tobin expects to grow the company’s offering in 2021 and bring more beer over, and with that same emphasis on freshness.

“It’s been a learning process so far, but we’re really, really happy with the response we’ve had, says Tobin. “And we can’t wait for what next year brings.”

Another UK business that has emerged, in part, as a result of the impact the global pandemic has had on people’s existing careers is The Beer Bruvs.

Co-founded by Paul Kirkby, the company is also offering a wide array of US beers direct to the consumer, working initially with the Bronx Brewery, Destination Unknown Beer Co, Paradox Brewery and Workhouse Beer Co.

“What we’re trying to do is something a little different,” says Kirkby. “There are a lot of excellent US breweries around that everyone knows, but there are also a lot of great outfits with equally great reputations that haven’t made it over here before.”

The current economic landscape in 2020 effectively fast-forwarded a career change for Kirkby. He was already a fan of US beer and following a conversation with a fellow beer-loving family member, they decided to make a go of giving UK consumers access to breweries and their beers that they didn’t have before.

Working with freight business Samskip on the logistics side, Kirby and the team are eager to build a name for the breweries they’ve already brought over, alongside the wealth of businesses they’re expecting to take to these shores in 2021, too.

“There is a lot of great beer in the UK, but lots of these outlets are offering the same names and same releases. We’re offering something different, something complementary, and that can only be a good thing,” he explains.

Already lined up for next year are beers from Gun Hill Brewing Co in the Bronx, Departed Soles of Jersey City and Rogue Ales of Oregon.

“It’s a great time to be a fan of US beers in the UK,” says Kirkby. “All we want to do is offer people that variety, and insight in what’s happening with breweries in the States, and provide them with access so some of the fantastic beers they are making.”

Speaking to us in 2016, Goose Island founder John Hall said this: “Travelling is the best education anybody can ever have. To travel, and see what everyone is doing, it can change your life. Let me tell you.

“I was working with a big company, and I was able to travel a lot and it opened my eyes to so many things, not least of all, beer.”

And in a year where travel has been off the agenda for many, getting a taste of fresh beers from overseas is a pretty good substitute.