WHAT IS CRAFT BEER? IS IT REALLY ANY BETTER THAN THOSE COMMERCIAL BEERS?

There is a high possibility, if you like to drink beer, you have somewhere heard the term “craft beer’. Craft beer whether it be an India Pale Ale, a Saison or a Hefeweizen (we will look into beer styles some other day), is gaining popularity among the youth of urban cities in India. If Craft beer, offers a beer drinker various styles, flavor, made by using premium quality ingredients, brewed in smaller more controlled batches. So…yes! Craft beer is certainly better more flavorful than the regular mass produced beer, produced to just get consumed in quantity.

I came across this amazing concept of craft beer about 14 years ago in Luzern, Switzerland. While studying hospitality management, I was taking time and exploring the city. I came across this brew-pub, located by the Luzern River, had no branding whatsoever, and were serving beer from taps connected to larger brew tanks. As naïve as I was then, I asked the guy pouring - what else did they serve in terms of beer there, and to my surprise that was it. Just freshly brewed local beer. I was hooked!

WHAT IS CRAFT BEER?

According to brewers association, an American Trade group of over 5400 brewers, suppliers, distributors, retailers - craft beer brewers are small, independent, and traditional. Compared to large scale beer producers, craft beer is produced in small batches using specially curated recipes. Hence the term ‘craft’.

Small – A brewery to be considered under the ‘craft beer’ title, must produce 6 million barrels or less annually.

Independent – Only 25% ownership of the brewery can be from an outside entity who is not identified as a craft brewer.

Traditional – The beer brewing technique should be tradition i.e. like it was brewed a 100 years ago with natural ingredients and flavors.

Drinking craft beer is an experience in itself. The taste, the variety, the complexity caters to every palate. The usage of hops at different stages of brewing adds depth, bitterness and a range of aromas which one doesn’t really associate with beer. Craft beer brewing focusses on maintaining the quality of ingredients and brewing technique used for innovation and enhancing flavors.

WHATS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CRAFT BEER & MASS PRODUCED BEERS?

Quality

Mass produced beers are generally pale, watery, with little or no depth in flavor. They use standard ingredients and processes. Craft brewers is produced in smaller batches using natural ingredients, investing more time and effort in brewing the beer. They put together these ingredients carefully to make sure that they get their distinct flavor in the forefront.

Taste

If you have been drinking the same mass produced beer, you haven’t experience a mouthful of craft beer with hits of chocolate and caramel, rich coffee, floral or even fruity hops. The flavor profile is endless.

Innovation in flavor

Craft brewers really proud themselves on innovating and trying new flavors with their brews. Mass produced beers, if you try and think about it, are monotone in flavor. There no depth no change. Microbreweries, brewpubs or even home brewers for that matter are obsessed with trying different flavors and introduce them for the world to try. Not all beer experiment turn out to be great but the ones that do – blows your mind away.

Personalization

Since craft brewing is small scale and local, anyone can go to such breweries and meet the makers of the wonderful beer they love. You can understand the thought process that went behind crafting your favorite beer. Isn’t that awesome!

WHY IS CRAFT BEER A BETTER CHOICE?

Health benefits

A mass produced beer which is shipped around the globe is treated with glycerin and preservatives to increase their shelf life to 6 months. Craft beers are fresh and use quality ingredients automatically making it a better choice.

Variety

Aren’t you tired of having the same beer year in year out? Another reason to love and cherish craft beer is the variety it offers. Craft brewers introduce different flavors based on seasonality. For example, just imagine having a pumpkin ale during Halloween instead of a pumpkin spiced latte. Me? Yeah, I am definitely up for a pumpkin ale! You know, you will rarely ever find two craft beers tasting the same. There will be a difference either, in the brewing process, usage of certain hops, the amount of hops used, different malts etc.

Food and beer pairing

What? Are we talking about wine here? No, not at all. Craft beers can go really well with food. Wheat beers pair really well with spicy food and fruity dessert and IPA’s can pair really well with anything barbeque.

A beer for every season

There is so much to explore throughout the year in the world of craft beers. During winter beer styles like stout, porters, imperial (if you like your beer extra boozy) are popular. During summer you can try beer styles like wheat, IPA, classic pilsner. Saison is one style I personally love to drink during the spring. It’s a Belgian style beer fermented with wild yeast bringing in complex flavor, sour notes, and typically low in alcohol content. Great way to come out of the winter hibernation.

So, if your choice of beer in one of the macro brands, be a little adventurous, do some research and find out local outlets where you can find craft beer, order one and enjoy. Be in control of what beer you drink.