The flourishing microbrew and craft beer industry has made beer culture in the US a lot more interesting than it was a few decades ago, when a handful of giant firms such as Anheuser Busch and Miller dominated the market.  In a sense, this proliferation of choice is a return to America’s past, when hundreds of small breweries, many founded by immigrants, thrived throughout the country.  Prohibition brought an end to most of these businesses, and with its repeal came the rise to dominance of the giants.  The microbrewery movement, dating from the late 1970s, made inroads against this beer monoculture, and by 2010, 1,753 breweries were operating in the US.  Brew pubs are now commonly found even in smaller cities, and a beer/wine retailer of decent scope will feature an overwhelming selection of brands and varieties.  Whether you are partial to lager, porter, bock, pale ale, or some obscure seasonal specialty, you will likely find something to suit your taste. 

RCPL’s collection features a wide selection of books on the history of beer in America, evaluations of currently available brands, beer cookbooks, and home-brewing guides.  One of my favorites is Travels with Barley: A Journey Through Beer Culture in America, by Ken Wells.