[tschmidlin]

In case you missed it:

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/arts-and-lifestyle/2012/08/geography-craft-beer/2931/

[Pinski]

I made virtually the same two maps for a GIS class I took last spring.

[erockrph]

Interesting how it seems the per capita map is clustered in New England and the Pacific NW. Sort of reminds me of Mitch Hedberg's old bit about "first I'd have to travel to the top 2 corners of the map so it won't fall down"

[Pinski]

Mitch Hedberg was hilarious.

[nateo]

The correlations he draws are mostly meaningless, especially this one: 'Craft brewing was far less likely in religious states — the correlation between religion and craft breweries was the strongest of any variables (a whopping -0.75).'

I'm sure the correlation between self-distribution laws and microbreweries is through the roof, yet completely omitted in that article.

[repo]

The state and population thing is misleading also. If you really look at it though you can find some real beer states. The last ten states in population dominate the list-"new england", alaska, wyoming-which for instance means they have at least six- whoa.   But big props should go out to Michigan 8th in pop., Washington 13th in pop.. A city or county comparison would be more appropiate.  I have over 20 within 20 miles of my house.

[redbeerman]

Local laws, bureaucracy, can be a huge barrier to entering this industry.

[roffenburger]

Local laws, bureaucracy, can be a huge barrier to entering this industry.

Many of the counties here is KS don't allow Sunday liquor sales and there are still several dry counties. The laws for actually making and distributing beer are very strict.

[nateo]

The World Economic Forum compiles a yearly report on global business competitiveness between countries, evaluated in 100+ different categories. They also do a survey of business leaders on what they think is holding their country back. In every country in the world, business people complain about regulations, taxes, and bureaucracy, regardless of how much regulation, taxes, or bureaucracy there is.

[punatic]

In every country in the world, business people complain about regulations, taxes, and bureaucracy, regardless of how much regulation, taxes, or bureaucracy there is.

So it's unanimous among business people, no matter where you are, the current level of regulations, taxes, and bureaucracy is too much. 
Every country! 
Amazing that such a broad cross section of humanity can agree on one thing.

As a business owner I agree.

[nateo]

If you haven't read it, it's interesting. The order or importance varies by country. Sometimes taxes are worse than regulation, sometimes bureaucracy is worse that taxes.

Everyone can agree, though: the world would be better if I could do whatever I wanted, and I didn't have to pay so much in taxes.

[punatic]

No, it's not an all or nothing at all proposition.  Government has its place.  But, its place is not everywhere controlling everything.

[nateo]

No, it's not an all or nothing at all proposition.  Government has its place.  But, its place is not everywhere controlling everything.

Good news! There is nowhere on the planet where the gov't is everywhere, controlling everything.

[punatic]

True, but not for the lack of desire or effort.

[euge]

I walked into my local supermarket and picked up stuff for a Sunday BBQ. Wanted to buy some beer so went to that aisle... and it was closed off with all the beer locked up!

Then I realized it wasn't noon yet. Dang Blue laws.

There have been more craft-breweries opening up in Texas. Let's get that ratio up folks!