The "Popularity of Craft Beer" (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

The Simpsons has earned quite the reputation for seemingly predicting the future. It’s actually a bit of a meme at this point, with fans pointing out how many things in the real world appear to have been "predicted" by the show, sometimes years in advance. While some of these predictions are purely coincidental or the result of broad satire, others do seem oddly prescient.

The "Popularity of Craft Beer" (Episode: "The Springfield Connection", 1997)

• What happened: The show predicts the rise of local and craft breweries, with characters engaging in a hip, indie beer trend.
• Reality: By the 2000s and 2010s, craft beer exploded in popularity, with thousands of small breweries popping up worldwide. Consumers moved away from traditional mass-market beers in favor of locally brewed, artisanal options.