Microbrews and Craft Beers Are Gaining Altitude

Beer Flight. different kinds of beer

Beer aficionados flying U.S. Airlines this holiday travel season will find that their options include more than just the mass-produced fare normally available on the beverage cart.

U.S. Airlines have, in recent years, come around to the idea that Heineken is not a much sought-after craft brew. United Airlines announced with a great deal of fanfare just this month that Sam Adams Winter Lager will be the first of the airline’s seasonally rotating craft beer options. Surprisingly, even low-cost carriers like Frontier have joined in on the microbrew action.

Now, USA Today columnist Barbara Woolsey has compiled a list of nearly all the craft brews that will be available on U.S. carriers this winter. Some of the options are decidedly mainstream, but there are enough exotic choices to provide a welcome change of pace for both beer enthusiasts and frequent flyers.

American Airlines sticks with tradition offering America’s most recognized craft beer, Sam Adams as its go-to premium lager choice. Delta, on the other hand, lists a wide variety of craft beers and microbrews onboard with a focus on featuring beers local to the destinations the airline serves, including San Diego-based Ballast Point Brewing Company’s ales. Alaska Airlines naturally makes it their tradition to offer Alaska Brewing Company’s Alaskan Free Ride Pale Ale as a nod to both the airline’s roots and sophisticated beer drinkers’ palates. Likewise, Maui Brewing Company’s Bikini Blonde Lager can be found on most Hawaiian Airlines flights.

Virgin American and JetBlue take the game to an even higher level yet. JetBlue offers a selection of craft brews that include beers from the Brooklyn Brewery and Harpoon Brewery seasonal selections. Virgin has perhaps the most intriguing craft beer selections of all. The list of brews includes 21st Amendment, Anchor Steam, Samuel Adams, Brew Free! and Die IPA.

Southwest Airlines passengers shouldn’t feel left out. They can choose from a list of Wisconsin-based Leinenkugel seasonal beers like Snowdrift Vanilla Porter, Cranberry Ginger Shandy and Oktoberfest beers or Denver favorite Flat Tire Amber Ale. Even famously low-frills Frontier Airlines won’t be left behind and also offers Belgian Brewing Company’s Fat Tire Amber Ale on most flights.

[Photo: Getty]