By: Paula Polei

American Craft Beer Week (ACBW) is the national celebration of small and independent craft brewers and the American beer culture. Held annually, this year’s ACBW will be celebrated in all 50 states May 16-22, 2016. The event is a chance for the community of breweries to celebrate America’s beer culture, while providing an opportunity for today’s beer beginners, beer enthusiasts and beer geeks to toast this week.

Since 2006, ACBW has provided independent beer fans a chance to support their local breweries. During 2015, more than 60,000 beer fans took part in the social media community on Facebook. This year, even more beer enthusiasts are expected to participate. Many breweries kick off the week by hosting special brewery tours, having a new beer release party, having a craft beer tasting and pairing event, planning a special event or festival, or sponsoring an event to raise money for a local charity.

To find an event near you, check out the events page on craftbeer.com. Or, “Like” the Facebook fan page or join the movement on Twitter, and be sure to include #ACBW in your tweets.

We hope you’ll take time to celebrate ACBW at your brewery, or at an event in your area.

Cheers!