Introduction
Craft beer is one of the most popular alcoholic beverages of the modern era, with scores of artisan breweries popping up all around the world in recent years, and each one with their unique and distinctly crafted recipes. But what exactly is craft beer, and what goes into making this delicious drink? The goal of this blog post is to demystify the craft beer process, and explain the journey of the beer, from the brew house to the taproom.
What is Craft Beer?
Craft beer is made in small, independently-owned traditional breweries – which can be referred to as craft breweries – and it is typically produced with traditional ingredients and methods. The main distinction between craft beer and other types of beer lies in the process used for craft beers.
Craft beers are usually made with traditional brewing methods and with a variety of hops and malts to give it a unique taste, as well as other ingredients such as fruits, spices and botanicals, used to achieve the desired flavor. Craft beer is also usually unfiltered and unpasteurized, making it a complex and interesting beverage.
Craft Beer Process
Making craft beer is a complicated yet rewarding process that can take several months from the beginning of the process to the date the beer is ready to be served to the public. The entire craft beer process can be broken down into several steps:
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The Brewing Process is the first step in the craft beer-making process in which brewers use grains, such as wheat, oats and barley, as well as hops, yeast and water to make the wort, essentially a type of beer. This process typically takes a few weeks, with the finishing touches being added by the brewery’s brewers.
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Fermentation is the second step of the craft beer-making process, and in this stage, the beer is placed into large tanks and exposed to yeast cells. As the yeast works on the beer, the sugars from the grains and hops are converted into alcohol and carbon dioxide, which gives the beer its flavor, its color and its carbonation.
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Conditioning is the third step of the craft beer-making process, and in this stage, the beer is allowed to condition, or “mature,” for several weeks. During this time, the carbonation levels in the beer continue to increase and the yeast also begins to eat away at the proteins in the beer, resulting in a smoother, more balanced flavor.
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Packaging is the final step of the craft beer-making process, and in this stage, the beer is placed into bottles or cans and then labeled, sealed and shipped to the customer or bar. The ability to package the beer for sale is one of the biggest benefits to the craft beer-making process, as it allows customers to enjoy the beer wherever they go.
Types of Craft Beer
There are a variety of craft beers available for enjoyment, including IPAs, pale ales, stouts, porters, lagers and saisons. These types of beer all have their own unique flavors and characteristics, stemming from their ingredients and the brewing process they went through.
IPAs are probably the most popular type of craft beer and it stands for India Pale Ale. These beers are known for their strong hop presence and crisp bitterness. IPAs have an array of flavor variations, ranging from light, fruity flavors to piney and resinous flavors.
Pale ales are a type of craft beer that is slightly bitter, but with a sweetness that is balanced out by the use of malts and hops. These beers are typically brewed with a moderate bitterness and sometimes have hints of citrus and fruit.
Stouts are a dark, thick-bodied beer that is usually made with roasted barley or malt. Stouts are usually full-bodied and high in alcohol content. These beers typically have notes of roasted coffee and chocolate, as well as a hint of bitterness from the hops.
Porters are a type of craft beer that is slightly sweeter and has a smooth, mild taste. Porters are often said to be an aromatic beer, with a rich, malty flavor and hints of chocolate, coffee or caramel.
Lagers are usually light-bodied and crisp, with a clean and slightly sweet finish. These beers are brewed with bottom-fermenting yeast, which gives them a smooth and balanced flavor.
Saisons are a tart, refreshing type of craft beer. These beers are brewed with a combination of spices and herbs, and they have a dry and crisp flavor that is slightly tart and hoppy.
From Brewhouse to Taproom
Now that we’ve taken a brief look at what craft beer is and the types of beers available, it’s time to look at the journey of the craft beer, from the brew house to the taproom.
Brewing is the first step of the craft beer-making process, and it involves extracting the sugars from the grains and hops, fermenting the wort to create alcohol, and then conditioning the beer for a few weeks.
Packaging is the next step of the craft beer-making process, and this involves bottling or canning the beer and labeling it for sale.
Shipping or transporting the craft beer from the brewery to the customer or retail shop is the next step. In order to be served, craft beer must be kept cold to maintain its freshness and flavor, so it is necessary to make sure the transportation is done correctly.
Serving the craft beer is the final step before the beer reaches the customer, and this involves the bartenders or servers pouring the beer into the appropriate glass with the right kind of tap and the right head on the beer. The bartender should also check the temperature of the beer and the CO2 levels, to ensure the customer is served with the freshest, coldest, most flavorful beer possible.
Enjoying Craft Beer
Now that the process of creating craft beer has been discussed, it’s time to talk about how to properly enjoy these delicious beers. There are a few things that should be taken into consideration when trying craft beers:
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Glassware – The type of glass and size of the glass used can greatly impact the flavor and smell of the beer, so it’s important to make sure you’re using the correct glassware when drinking craft beer.
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Temperature – The temperature of the beer can also affect the flavor and aroma, so it’s important to make sure that the beer is being served at the correct temperature.
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Meal Pairings – Craft beers can be enjoyed on their own or paired with food. When pairing beer with food, it’s important to keep in mind the flavor, aroma and body of the beer, in order to create a balanced meal.
Conclusion
Craft beer is an increasingly popular beverage, and it is one that requires a great deal of skill and knowledge to create. From the brewing process to the packaging and shipping of the beer, craft beers are made with care and attention to detail. The journey of the beer, from the brew house to the taproom, is an important part of the craft beer-making process, as each step of the process plays a role in the flavor and quality of the beer. Understanding the process of making craft beer and how to properly enjoy craft beers is an important part of truly appreciating this aromatic and flavorful beverage.