(May 2009) Asheville and Portland, Ore., have tied as America’s number one "Beer City USA" in a national online poll by New York City's Examiner.com. More than 16,000 voters from 46 countries cast ballots in the online poll conducted by the respected beer writer Charlie Papazian. The competition turned into a fierce back-and-forth competition between Portland (estimated population of 575,000 and around 28 breweries) Asheville (72,000, six breweries, two more under construction and one in nearby Black Mountain).

See our guide to Asheville Beer, Brew Pubs and Microbreweries.

Here is the full scoop from Charlie Papazian at Examiner.com:

Over 16,000 people from 46 countries cast votes between March 18 and May 7 for their favorite Beer City USA.  In the end Portland, Oregon and Asheville, North Carolina gathered the most votes.  It was close right up until the end.  Philadelphia came in third with 1,103 votes and cities with over 100 votes were:

• 3rd Philadelphia
• 4th San Diego
• 5th St. Louis
• 6th San Francisco/Oakland - Bay area
• 7th Seattle
• 8th Denver
• 9th Portland (Maine)
• 10th Milwaukee.
• 11th Fort Collins (Colorado)

What do the results of an unscientific online poll for 2009 Beer City USA “naming rights” really mean?  There were over 170 comments (and still counting) most indicated the feeling that a poll such as Beer City USA could never measure the real value of beer culture around the country. Many expressed that there was opportunity for voting abuse.   I have to say I got myself into this and now I need to assess the results in as fair a manner as I possibly can.

One thing that a poll like this indicates is the degree of beer culture and networks that exist in various areas of the country. It helps to bring to the forefront that beer culture, beer community and beer enthusiasm are relevant forces in the quest for access to better beer. 

For the most part the comments portrayed the notion that beer matters!  It matters in the USA unlike any other country in the world.  That’s why we have great beer here in the USA.  I think the whole idea of caring where your beer comes from and how it is made is a good thing.  It will be essential for maintaining the great beer choices we have in the USA. 

I saw an effective mobilization of beer communities in several areas of America.  I was surprised that there seemed to be far less ballot stuffing at the end than what I saw in the early days of voting.  Am I an expert in these matters?  No.  I don't apologize for not being an expert.  I learned a few things, many I'm sharing with you now. 

For those of you who know about such things there were over 11,500 unique IP addresses that cast votes.  On a random sampling of multiple votes from the same IP address (I was checking the ones that had between 20 and about 80 from the same IP address) the majority were from communication services such as AT&T and Comcast.  Some were from large companies and even then the votes from the same company were sometimes mixed.

To what degree the actual numbers are accurate - I dare not say.   I do believe the results are quite indicative of the efforts put forth by various communities.  In the end that is what will matter most for the future of great beer in the USA.

This was the first Beer City USA poll.  Ballots were cast during a time when the emergence of local beer communities began to be relevant.  For the future, beer communities and networks will need to exist and find common cause to preserve choices.

Seller beware!  Offer choice and offer quality or beer drinkers just may go elsewhere.

On more of a big picture view, many Americans feel that the quality of life in the USA  has been seriously eroded over the past decade.  What happened with Beer City USA polling is the kind of local, regional and community support many are seeking to foster to bring back quality, value and purpose.   Local food and beverage producers seek this kind of grassroots enthusiasm.  Small, local and independent businesses will strive to connect with the qualities that matter.

Better beer has been on the frontier of social and cultural change for over three decades.

The very fact that over 16,000 votes were cast on this site (a very small corner of the beer world) is because people thought beer mattered.  This is just the beginning.

Who gets top honors?  I’m honoring both Portland, Oregon and Asheville, North Carolina this year.  They are number one in the east and number one in the west with about 6,000 votes apiece.   What, no definitive Number 1 and Number 2?  Correct.  Is that a cop out?  I don't think so, but of course beer drinkers are an opinionated group of individuals and may beg to differ. 

Will I conduct a Beer City USA poll next year?   I haven't decided that yet. 

Now I have to get myself to Asheville for a first time visit and revisit the delights of Portland.