Joe Alton is editor-in-chief of The Growler and project director of the Beer Dabbler.

This week, Joe stops by The Current's Morning Show to talk about growth in the world of neighborhood breweries.

In the pre-Prohibition late 1800s, Joe said, there were just over 4,000 breweries. "We've just caught back up to that number," Joe said. "And it's really impressive."

Minnesota has just about 100 breweries, Joe said, and he's seeing a trend in the return to specific styles and genres.

For example, Oude Oak is the first sour-only brewery in the state. (Sour beer typically refers to beer brewed with wild yeast - yielding a more tart and sometimes sour flavor.)

There's also Fair State, Minnesota's first cooperative brewery, that specializes in sour beers.

And as more breweries open in the state, breweries and vineyards are starting to collaborate and gel their businesses together.

Read more about beer trends in Minnesota and get information about the upcoming Beer Dabbler in February.