Craft beer, behind this term, lies the respect for the brewing process, the pickiness of raw materials and the pursuit of taste. It is not only a drink, but also a life attitude and cultural phenomenon.
The charm of craft beer first stems from the exquisiteness of its raw materials. Unlike industrial beer, craft beer never uses substitutes added to save costs: rice, starch, sugar, pigments, etc. High-quality malt, hops, yeast and water are the four cornerstones of craft beer. Different from the standardized production of industrial beer, craft beer pays more attention to nature and purity in the selection of raw materials to ensure that the aroma and taste of the beer are optimal.
If raw materials are the cornerstone of craft beer, then the brewing process is its soul. Craft breweries typically produce in small batches, and every step of the brewing process is carefully designed and tightly controlled. From saccharification, fermentation to maturation, every step embodies the ingenuity and wisdom of the winemaker.
In the United States, craft beer brewers are usually small and independent, with annual production of no more than 6 million barrels, and non-craft brewers or companies cannot hold more than 25% of the shares.
The development of craft beer also faces some challenges. First of all, the production cost of craft beer is relatively high and the price is also expensive, which makes some people prohibitive. Secondly, the competition in the craft beer market is becoming increasingly fierce. How to stand out among many brands has become a question that craft brewery manufacturers need to think about.
Regular beer is also called industrial beer. Industrial beer is a mass-produced beer, usually produced by large breweries using modern equipment and technology. It is characterized by using a large amount of malt and hops to increase the alcohol content, and adding some artificial additives. to adjust taste and appearance. Its raw materials are usually relatively simple, using large amounts of cheap barley and other additives. The production process usually adopts automated and large-scale production lines, utilizing a large number of industrial equipment to pursue output and price advantages. Industrial beer is usually light, low-alcohol, clear and carbonated, suitable for the tastes of a wide range of people, and the price is relatively low, making it suitable for mass consumption.
The production process of industrial beer mainly includes steps such as malt preparation, saccharification, filtration, boiling, fermentation, maturation and aging. Among them, malt preparation involves soaking, germination and drying of barley; mashing is the conversion of malt into fermentable sugars; hops are added during the boiling process to impart bitterness; fermentation is a key step in producing alcohol and carbon dioxide; and maturation and aging It helps balance and stabilize the beer, as well as produce complex flavors.
Although industrial beers may be relatively limited in flavor and complexity, they remain one of the most popular products on the market. Many well-known brands of industrial beer have a wide consumer base. These beers often use standardized production processes and ingredients to ensure consistency from batch to batch and suit most people's tastes.
What is the difference between craft beer and regular beer?
Alcohol content and wort concentration
In most cases, craft beers have higher alcohol content and wort concentration than regular beers. The alcohol content of craft beer usually exceeds 5%vol, and the wort concentration is higher than 12°P, while the alcohol content of ordinary beer is usually between 3%vol~5%vol, and the wort concentration is between 6~12°P .
The raw materials of craft beer usually only include malt, hops, yeast and water, without any artificial additives. It emphasizes the purity and high quality of raw materials and aims to present the most original flavor of beer. In order to reduce costs, ordinary beer may use corn, starch, etc. to replace part of the malt, resulting in the taste and flavor of beer being different from craft beer.
Craft beer mostly uses the ale process, which is the upper fermentation method. This process requires strict control of the room temperature between 10 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius, and the fermentation time is also relatively long. This fermentation method helps retain the original flavor and nutrients of the beer, making the craft beer more mellow and aromatic. In contrast, ordinary beer uses a lower fermentation process (lager process), the fermentation temperature is low, and it is filtered and sterilized after the fermentation is completed. This process focuses on improving production efficiency and standardization, and the fermentation time is relatively short.
Craft beer has a mellow taste, complex and diverse styles, rich aroma and high nutritional value. Ordinary beer, on the other hand, tends to have a bland taste, single style, and relatively low nutritional value.
The fermentation time of craft beer is usually longer (about 10 days to 2 months), which makes the beer taste more mellow, but the shelf life is relatively short. In order to pursue higher production efficiency, ordinary beer has a shorter fermentation time (usually about 7 days). At the same time, in order to facilitate transportation and storage, its shelf life is relatively long.
This is really a subjective question, as everyone has their own preference for how beer tastes. Some people like the rich taste and unique flavor of craft beer, thinking that they can bring a deeper taste enjoyment; while some people prefer the refreshing taste and moderate alcohol content of ordinary beer, thinking that they are more suitable for daily drinking. In fact, craft beer and ordinary beer have their own merits, and their respective characteristics allow them to exert their own advantages in different occasions and situations. If you are a beer lover, try some different types of craft beers and regular beers, feel the differences by tasting them yourself, and find the beer that best suits your taste. When tasting beer, we can pay attention to some key taste indicators, such as aroma, taste, mouthfeel, and aftertaste. Craft beer usually has a rich aroma and taste, which may include fruity, malty, herbal and other flavors, and the taste is also more mellow and rich. Ordinary beer, on the other hand, usually tastes more refreshing and has a relatively simple taste, making it suitable as a daily drink.
Conclusion
To sum up, there are obvious differences between craft beer and ordinary beer in terms of raw materials, technology, taste, nutritional value and cultural spirit. Craft beer has won the favor of more and more consumers with its unique brewing method and high-quality flavor.
