A question just might arise about what makes a beer craft. Which is actually a really good question due to the rise of beer, and for those just getting into the craft beer scene.
There are three tiers of craft according to craftbeer.com.
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Small
Annual production of 6 million barrels of beer or less (approximately 3 percent of U.S. annual sales). Beer production is attributed to the rules of alternating proprietorships.
Independent
Less than 25 percent of the craft brewery is owned or controlled (or equivalent economic interest) by a beverage alcohol industry member that is not itself a craft brewer.
Traditional
A brewer that has a majority of its total beverage alcohol volume in beers whose flavor derives from traditional or innovative brewing ingredients and their fermentation. Flavored malt beverages (FMBs) are not considered beer.
As a whole, the US has over 150 types of beers, and over 20,000 brands. It has never been a better time to be a beer drinker. The best part of being a craft beer is that it really is a personal experience. We all like different styles and flavors, most of all it can be an emotional/sentimental experience to drink the beers.
You may notice the overabundance of cheap beers/domestics, ultimately running the sales numbers. You can find Bud light, Miller lite, and Coors Light in almost every bar not only on tap, but also in bottles. Meaning that at least three taps are the domestic beer. ( Beer from the big man breweries, such as Budweiser). Blue Moon also has a permanent spot in establishments. It is technically a craft, but brews in the domestic warehouse.
Places with few taps take the domestics, and don’t give the others a chance. Beer lovers keep trying to change that. We drink local, we support small, and finally we are here to stay.
Step away from the domestic choice and try something out of your comfort zone. Add something new on your Untappd, and be the beer snob that we know and love!
Until next time!
