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Looking back, looking ahead Fifteen years have passed, and more than 1,000 brewpubs have opened, since Bert Grant established the first post-Prohibition brewpub in the United States. Grant's Brewery Pub recently marked its 15th anniversary with a gala celebration in Yakima, WA, and shortly thereafter Grant took the time to answer a few questions from All About Beer. He is busy these days creating four new seasonal ales, each of which will showcase a specific hop variety from the Yakima Valley. The first, Fresh Hop Ale, will be released in September and seasoned with just-picked Cascade hops. All About Beer: Did you expect 15 years ago that we'd have close to 1,000 brewpubs operating now? Bert Grant: I was quoted in '82 as saying that by '92 there might be 500 brewpubs. AAB: What are the best changes you've seen in the microbrewery industry in the last 15 years? BG: The best thing that has happened in the last few years is a great improvement in the average quality of brewpub beers. AAB: What are the worst? BG: The worst thing is the proliferation and prosperity of beers pretending to be craft-brewed beers. We really need some "truth in advertising." AAB: How have specialty beers themselves changed? BG: Specialty beers now offer the consumer much more genuine variety of flavors than at any time in recent history. In addition to the wide variation in brands and types produced by the craft-brewers, the major brewers also are making many more styles. AAB: Do you think the United States has developed a beer culture? If so, how would you describe it? BG: Yes, the beer culture is growing quite rapidly; still far from a majority but it now has reached a sizable minority status. AAB: What are your predictions for the microbrewery business in the next 15 years? BG: Craft and specialty beer volume should double in the next 10 years. Brewpubs also could easily double in the same period. AAB: What is your favorite beer you brew? Could you name three favorite beers you don't brew? BG: My favorite has always been Bert Grant's Scottish Ale. Outside favorites include Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Full Sail Amber Ale, and most of the cask-conditioned ales at the Wharf Rat in Baltimore.