"microbrews" news and stories

Does your beer only contain water, hops, barley and yeast? Boring. Driven by creative impulses -- and aided by an arsenal of spices to rival a restaurant kitchen -- craft brewers today are creating beers that are as unorthodox as they are exquisite. Here are 10 flavorful weirdos.

Short's Key Lime Pie
Michigan-based Short's makes countless kooky brews (for instance, Bloody Beer features tomatoes and Bloody Mary seasonings), but I like Key Lime Pie. It's made with marshmallows, graham crackers and lime, expertly evoking the dessert.

Mama Mia! Pizza Beer
This beer doesn't just taste like pizza -- it's made with pizza. An entire whole-wheat pizza margherita is used in the brewing process, complete with basil, oregano and garlic. Thankfully, the beer is strained before it's bottled.

I used to be one of those guys that didn't drink domestic beers. Well, in my teen years I drank pretty much whatever they were serving at the party (disclaimer: don't drink - and stay in school!), but in my 20s I tried to drink nothing but Red Stripe, Corona, maybe a Heineken here and there. But then something happened and I started drinking American beers more and more. Maybe it was because I tried a few beyond Bud and liked them or maybe they actually got better in the 90s, but now I drink Sam Adams and Sierra Nevada a lot, and some blonde ales. When I drink beer, that is, which isn't often (I'm more of a wine and cocktail guy now).

Today is American Beer Day, and how convenient that it falls on a Saturday! Raise a glass of domestic tonight, and make sure you don't drink and drive.