DRAFT Magazine

Small and independent craft brewers nationwide are preparing for the annual American Craft Beer Week, a national celebration highlighting the culture and contributions of craft beer.

Held May 11-17, the week will include special brewery tours, beer and food pairing events, special release craft beers, and festivals held by breweries and restaurants across the country. In 2008, more than 180 brewers registered their community celebrations.

To enthuse thirsty beer fans about the ACBW, brewers are encouraging them to read and sign a Declaration of Beer Independence, a (soon to be historic) document declaring support for breweries that produce fewer than two million barrels of beer a year and are independently owned.

Here’s a short excerpt from the Declaration:

I declare that these are historic times for beer with today’s beer lover having inalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of hops and malt fermented from the finest of U.S. small and independent craft brewers with more than 1,400 of them brewing today, and

I declare the beer I choose to enjoy is not a commodity, but more importantly an artistic creation of liquid history made by passionate innovators. The beer I drink furthers our culture and teaches us geography and helps to nurture a sense of community, and helps to make the world a better place.

Now THAT’S something worth putting your John Hancock on.