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As its Monday morning I thought you might be in need of a bit of inspiration to start this very important week off.

The video above is a collaborative effort by some of the leading craft beer brewers in the USA and is a battle cry in the ongoing fight against mainstream beer.

Like that last sentence is it overly dramatic? Yes. Unnecessarily theatrical and emotional? Of course. But this is the kind of motivational film that only the yanks can do and credit where credit is due they’re the best in the world at doing it.

When I first watched this video I rushed to the fridge to grab a craft beer. I wanted to swear my allegiance to the cause, to play my part in the revolution. I was totally swept away by the emotion, the chest-beating and an enormous sense of pride in being part of the beer industry.

It may be all a little bit ‘Braveheart’ but this video captures perfectly the passion and spirit of the craft beer movement in the US. We should look at it, study it and learn from it here in Sweden.

Now that might be a little bit uncomfortable for some of you. After all we’re not used to sticking out from the crowd, preferring to seek comfort in conformity.

But that’s not what craft beer in this country should ever be about. Craft beer is about passion, creativity, fun, a willingness to be different, a Screw-You-Jante-law attitude, individuality and a burning and endless sense of curiosity.

To the Swedish breweries that make craft beer never stop daring to be different. Brew the beers you want to brew, that mean something to you. Chances are they’ll mean something to us too.

And to the growing legions of craft beer drinkers in this country continue your rebellion against the ‘stor stark state’. Choose to drink beer that has been hand-crafted by people, not suits. Feel proud that your choice of beer is important and that in a very real way it supports this country’s beer community.

Are you motivated now? Is that a tear I see in your eye? Good, now get out there and start drinking craft beer people. But before you do, check out Day 21 of BeerSweden’s Advent Beer Calendar 2009 to see exactly what I’m not talking about……….