Russ Steele
Now that Belgium-based InBev has bought Anheuser-Busch over the weekend, will all the new Bud labels read "Product of the EU?" When we were in Canada and shopping for wine, many of the labels read "Product of the EU." This makes shopping for an Italian wine, or a Spanish wine, or a wine from Germany just a tad difficult. I would find it very troubling that a beer so uniquely American could be labeled a product of the European Union. On the other hand, my new son-in-law who hails from Canada recently introduce me to Stella Artois which is brewed by InBev. I like it better than most of the bland Buds produced by Anheuser-Busch. Maybe I am more ready for a One World Beer than I thought.
On the other hand, given the growing number of micro-brew labels that are cropping up across the country, I am sure we will have many unique choices with US labels. When traveling, and want a beer with lunch or dinner, we ask for the local micro brew. Most are very good and once in a while you run across one that is outstanding. One of the joys of travel it being exposed to some really great beers. Oregon has some classics and if the air does not clear in Nevada County real soon now, we may be sampling some of Oregon's finest sooner rather than latter. There are some advantages to pulling a trailer, when the air gets bad, just move to a place with better air.
