Neo-Localism in Texas - Article Example

Neo-Localism in TexasNeo-localism, according to Flack is the effort by local people to restore their cultural identities and uniqueness within their communities, as a way of shunning the globalization of market products (198). The craft beer industry existed prior to the 1800s and has recently come up as a protest towards the globalization of the beer industry that had seen the identities of local communities and their beers diminish. In this respect, the last ten years have seen the revival of micro-breweries in beer industry in the United States as communities endeavor to re-establish their identities in as far as brewing is concerned.

In these micro-breweries, the style of making beer is similar to that used in the United States up until the mid-1800s, whereby top-fermenting yeast was used to produce ales, stouts, and porters (Flack 199).According to Flack, one such microbrewery is the Spoetzl Brewery in Texas, which survived the effects brought about by the globalization of beer, and until today, continues to produces local ales for the Texas community (201). The character of the town of Texas, the people, and the Spoetzl Brewery are inextricably linked, a link that has been there for over 75 years.

This link is exemplified by the fact that most employees have worked in the brewery for over 20 years, and the Shiner High School anthem is about the brewery (Flack 204). Apart from the brewing industry in Texas, there are other industries that have also demonstrated a sense of neo-localism. The food festivals in Texas symbolize a historic connection between the food item and the cultural identity and geography of the town of Texas. For example, in April, the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW) celebrates a food festival in form of a three-days long street party in which indigenous food, music, drinks, art, and many more are on offer for free.

This food festival is an effort to shift Away from global practices and focus on the uniqueness of Texas, particularly the culture of DFW. Work citedFlack, Wes. "American Microbreweries and Neo-localism: Ale-ing For a Sense of Place”. The Introductory Reader in Human Geography: Contemporary Debates and Classic Writings. Eds. Moseley, William, Lanegran, David, and Pandit, Kavita. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell, 2007. 198-205.Print.