BYOB: Brew Your Own Beer

This economic crisis has brought many things: scares about nationalized banks, too-big-to-fall auto manufacturers talking bankruptcy and enough pink slips to do a decent job of redecorating Wall Street with paper mache.

Despite what other media outlets might say, it's not all bad. After all, the craft beer industry is experiencing a revival. Though it's not the cheapest choice on the market, more and more beer lovers are veering from the "big three" corporate beer giants and choosing bottles of artisan and craft brews. In fact, growth of the craft brewing industry was nearly 6 percent by volume and almost 11 percent by dollars last year. Try to name anything that has experienced that type of growth for that time besides the lines outside the unemployment office.

But, at a local midrange of about $8 for a six-pack, the thirst for craft beer can get pricey. The good news? Beer lovers can brew their own booze, and it's good enough to serve even to the snobby neighbors who are still trying to pretend they're current on their mortgage.

Read the rest of this story in Consumer Watchdog in Urban Tulsa Weekly.