From the Horse’s Mouth

A Letter from Alan Newman

When I started Magic Hat in 1993, there was little variety in the beer world. It was normal for there to be 6 to 8 draft choices; 2 lite corn lagers, an (oxidized) import or two, and if you were lucky, a Samuel Adams Lager or Sierra Pale Ale.

Times have changed. Five  years ago I walked into a bar in Portland, Oregon wanting to catch up with an old friend over a few beers.  This was something I’d done hundreds of times before. I looked out at the draft tower, scratched my head and said to myself, “WTF,” then ordered one of the myriad of beers I knew nothing about. It was a 70 IBU beer with an ABV of 9%. After I finished, I asked the owner/bartender what he had that was not so BIG. They were all in the same camp. After struggling through my second beer, I decided to switch to water.

Portland was a precursor of what would come. The craft beer industry is growing at a rapid rate. In 2012 there were over 2,300 craft breweries in total, and that number increases literally by two every single day.

As a result, it’s now routine for beer bars to be sprouting up with 50, 60, 80, 100 draft lines. Few beers I have ever heard of. Most of them old and oxidized.

The Just Beer Project’s mission is to deliver beer drinkers un-complicated, world-class craft brews that are delightful in their simplicity – nothing too complicated or exotic and with all natural ingredients. Our beers are sessionable, staying in the 5% ABV range, and focus on a great balance between malt and hops.

The Just Beer project is for people who like me, just want a great beer. First up is Just IPA, a delicious hoppy beer with a great fresh hop aroma. Try it. If beer drank beer, this is the beer beer would drink.

— Alan Newman

Founder, The Just Beer Project