Flying Dog advertises its status as the favoured drink of the celebrated radical journalist Hunter S Thompson, and a 2012 study found a positive correlation between the concentration of microbreweries in a state and its likelihood to vote for Barack Obama.

BBC: US craft beer: How it inspired British brewers

More recently, Silicon Valley's tech elite has taken to buying and flying their own planes as a status symbol.

FORBES: Billionaires In Space

These advantages range from the broad and ephemeral (command of the bully pulpit) to obvious perks such as the use of Air Force One, the flying presidential command post and mother of all status symbols.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

"If it wasn't for the miles and status, we probably never would have started flying, and we probably wouldn't continue to do so, " he said.

CNN: The fabulous lives of air miles millionaires