Hops are the pretty green flower of the Humulus Lupulus plant, a member of the hemp family. They look like soft green pine cones, and are smaller than your thumb. Beer did not always contain hops. It used to have gruit, a mix of spices and herbs. There is a rumor that...
In states where the three tier system still allows for limited self-distribution, the craft breweries are thriving. Distribution is a complex business though and for the breweries that go into self-distribution there are challenges similar to large distribution...
