Craft beer these days can be somewhat like veganism and CrossFit. One joke explains it perfectly: How can you tell if someone loves craft beer? Answer: They’ll let you know.
To some, craft beer is a hippy fad; to others, a much-needed industry revolution. All this begs one simple question: What makes a craft beer a craft beer?
In this guide, we’ll set the record straight and discuss what sets craft beer apart from all the other beer options on the market.
What Makes a Craft Beer a Craft Beer?
This is a difficult question to answer in a single sentence. Let’s start from the top down by explaining what defines a craft brewery.
The Brewers Association has an answer. To be a craft brewer by their estimation, you must meet the following criteria:
- Produce no more than 6 million barrels per year
- Give 25% or less of controlling ownership/stake to non-brewer investors
Pretty clear answer, right? A craft brewery is a small operation that owns and operates itself in majority. Once it produces more than 6 million barrels per year, it’s competing with the big-name brands.
By that definition, there are approximately 9,000 craft breweries in the U.S. alone. That may seem like a lot, but it pales in comparison to big-beer profits.
What About Microbreweries?
Microbreweries have sprung up like rabbits in recent years. As their name implies, these are very small breweries — producing 15,000 barrels or less per year. They also sell most of their yield to retail shops, rather than in-house.
The definition of a microbrewery can get pretty muddy. It can refer to the side-hustle lager someone cooks up in their backyard. Or, it can be the IPA produced in a brewery the size of a studio apartment downtown.
A microbrewery can produce craft beer. And many would argue that it’s the only thing a microbrewery can produce.
What About Craft Beer Itself?
You can see a pattern emerging: craft beer is, by necessity, small-scale and independent. If Anheuser-Busch announced a lineup of craft beer, people would scratch their heads. That said, is the beer craft breweries produce any different from “normal” beer?
Yes, absolutely. You see, the independence afforded to craft brewers gives them some freedom. With that freedom, they explore new types of beer regardless of market pressures.
Reinheitsgebot Purism
For some, the beer-drinking experience requires rigid adherence to Reinheitsgebot. This is German “kosher law that delineates real beer from any beer-like travesty. According to Reinheitsgebot, beer can only have four ingredients:
- Hops
- Barley
- Water
- Yeast
That’s it! A Reinheitsgebot purist would tell you anything else is unworthy swill. Naturally, some craft breweries uphold this standard with cult-like conformity.
Venturing Beyond Reinheitsgebot
However, some craft brewers would tell you that this stale purism is hindering beer’s development. In their eyes, a craft brewer has to have the freedom to tinker and refine. The whole point of indie brewing, they’d say, is trying new things.
Many craft beers break out of the mold with new processes and a variety of flavors. Their beer might taste like coffee or fruit. It might be sour, sweet, or smoky.
Really, it’s up to the brewery to decide. They can brew beer based on ingredients native to their hometown or region. Or, they can use foreign techniques.
No Two Craft Beers Are the Same
The craft beer you try in New York will be different from the one in LA. And that’s the whole point.
Independent brewers aren’t beholden to greedy shareholders. They don’t have to prioritize profits and stick to safe investment strategies. They can do what they want, giving them unparalleled freedom.
It’s similar to how indie businessmen in many industries can try new, bold things. The result? A vibrant, burgeoning industry unfettered by profit-first business practices.
Craft brewers want to drink beer that is enjoyable and pleasant. They don’t care how you get that result, as long as you get it. And that is the beauty of the craft.
Where Did Craft Beer Come From?
With that in mind, it’s worth mentioning how craft brewing came about. Believe it or not, it’s a mostly American phenomenon — with some British offshoots.
Individuals weren’t allowed to brew beer at home until 1978. Once people were able to brew at home legally, craft beer was born.
It started out as a hobby for many. As the movement gathered steam, though, people realized there was potential to spice up a stuffy old industry. Big beer focused so heavily on single-taste lager at the time that folks wanted something new.
Craft Beer Takes Flight
Things really started to kick off in the 1980s. Craft beers garnered national interest and began to spread across the world. By the late 90s, hundreds of craft breweries stretched from coast to coast.
These days, the industry is a mainstay. Adventurous entrepreneurs can dip their toes in crafting novel IPAs and stouts–or whatever their heart desires. People go out of their way to test craft beer at local festivals and celebrations.
Who Is Craft Beer For?
Craft beer options have the following general qualities:
- Small, independent breweries make them
- They allow for unlimited experimentation
With that in mind, you can guess who the intended audience for craft beer is. It’s for people who want something new; folks who want to experiment, leave their comfort zones, and have fun.
It’s important not to separate the social aspect from craft beer, either. Small, tight-knit communities are at the heart of the practice. Unlike big brands, craft breweries serve niche audiences from whence they themselves sprang up.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what makes a craft beer.
Try Craft Beer at Upstream Brewing Company
Craft beer starts with a small, independent brewery committed to creating the best beer. It ends with a delicious, bespoke beer crafted by passionate enthusiasts, for passionate enthusiasts.
Upstream Brewing Company invites you to leave your comfort zone for something new. Check out the brews we have on tap and enjoy them with our delicious fare.
When you’re ready to enjoy craft beer alongside a delicious meal make a reservation today online or call 402-344-0200!