On November 6th, San Diego kicked off its first ever 'Beer Geek Tour.' Each year, San Diego Beer Week shines a light on 100 different breweries operating in the San Diego area. This year, the event held an education tour for craft beer enthusiasts to learn more about the art of brewing.
The Beer Geek Tour was an educational bus tour that explored the different aspects of the brewing process. Part of the tour involved a stop at 'White Labs,' which manufactures the vast majority of yeast used by San Diego breweries. The stop at White Labs includes a private tour and tasting, which helped attendees learn more about the role of yeast in the beer-making process. Following White Labs, the tour stopped at 'Stone Farms' and gave attendees a glimpse of organic hop farming. The tour ended with a lunch-and-learn session at 'Brothers Provisions.'
While most beer tours focus on interactive tastings, the Beer Geek Tour was more focused on education and teaching attendees about the craft brewing process. The popularity of the tour demonstrates that consumers are interested in learning more about how their beer is made.
Educational Beer Tours
The 'Beer Geek Tour' Allows Attendees to Learn About Craft Brewing
Trend Themes
1. Beer Tourism - Craft breweries can capitalize on the growing interest in educational beer tours that focus on the brewing process, rather than just tastings.
2. Craft Education - Education-focused tours highlighting the craftsmanship and artistry behind a product can be a differentiating factor for industry players in a crowded market
3. Sustainable Brewing Practices - Breweries that emphasize sustainable practices in their brewing process, such as organic hop farming or energy-efficient brewing methods, can benefit from growing consumer demand for environmentally conscious products.
Industry Implications
1. Craft Beer Industry - Craft breweries can differentiate themselves and attract consumers by offering educational tours focused on the brewing and production process.
2. Brewing Supply Industry - Suppliers such as yeast manufacturers, hop farms, and other brewing supply companies can benefit from collaborating with breweries on educational tours for consumers.
3. Sustainable Agriculture Industry - Breweries that value sustainable farming practices can collaborate with local organic farmers and other sustainable agriculture producers to source ingredients and promote responsible farming practices in the industry.