Once upon a time, there were only a handful of choices in the beer cooler. Mass-produced brands like Budweiser and Miller were often the only option. My how times have changed! These days, there are more beer options than you can count. This is thanks to the craft beer revolution that’s been going on. “What exactly is craft beer?”, you may be asking yourself. We’ll learn a bit more about craft beer in this post, but first let’s take a look at the two main types of beer.

Ale or Lager?

There are two major classifications of beers – ale and lager. Ales have been around much longer than lagers, while lagers have only been around for a few hundred years. The difference between these types of beers comes down to the type of yeast that is used and the fermentation process. For ales, top-fermenting yeasts are used. This means that the yeast floats on top of the beer during fermentation. Conversely, lagers use bottom-fermenting yeasts. I’m sure you can guess what that means. Another difference in the process is that ales are fermented at warmer temperatures for a shorter period of time. Lagers on the other hand are fermented at cooler temperatures for longer.

Generally speaking, lagers are lighter and crisper. Most beers that are mass-produced fall into this category. Ales tend to be darker and richer in flavor. Of course, you can also have dark lagers and light ales! The possibilities are endless when it comes to beer.

Different Styles

For the most part, every beer out there can be classified as either an ale or a lager. Branching out, there are several different styles of ales and lagers. For example, there are pale lagers, dark lagers, and pilsners that fall into the lager category. For ales, you’ve got pale ales, IPAs (India Pale Ales), stouts, porters, and wheat beers. In case you were wondering, the most commonly consumed beer style in the world is the pale lager. Budweiser, Heineken, Asahi, Corona – they’re all pale lagers. These beers are light and refreshing, and are usually 3-4% alcohol.

Some of these styles of beer have an interesting story behind the name. The pilsner style of beer originated in the Czech Republic in the town of Plzen. This style came about when brewers decided to make a pale lager with stronger hops. Of course, it was named after the town where it came from.

The IPA has a fascinating story behind it as well. When India was a British colony, the Brits had a hard time transporting their beer all the way there. Thanks to the long journey and the rough seas, their beers kept arriving in India spoiled. They decided to experiment with the recipe a bit and added a bunch of hops. The beers actually made it there just fine, and a new style was born. IPAs are very hoppy and aromatic. They’re also quite strong at 6-7%.

Now that we’ve learned about the different styles of beer, it’s time to talk about craft beer.

What is Craft Beer?

For a long time, mass-produced pale lagers were often the only type of beer available. Over the past decade or so, however, more and more smaller, independently owned breweries started to spring up. These are known as craft breweries. According to the Brewers Association, “Craft brewers interpret historic styles with unique twists and develop new styles that have no precedent.” They usually incorporate non-traditional ingredients into their beer to make it unique. As a result, making craft beer is a very creative job. Each new variety of beer represents the creativity of its brewer.

Learn more about craft beer in this short video from Voice of America:

The Craft Beer Revolution

People have taken a liking to craft beer, with the industry growing rapidly in the US and around the world in recent years. There are currently over 4,000 craft breweries in the United States alone. In fact, a majority of Americans live within just ten miles of a craft brewery! It’s estimated that craft beer is now a $22 billion industry and it’s only continuing to grow. More and more supermarkets, restaurants, and bars now serve a variety of craft beers. There are also craft beer festivals happening all throughout the year. In short, craft beer is here to stay!

Enjoying Craft Beer

Many craft breweries offer tours where you can learn about the brewing process and sample a few of the beers. Most breweries also have a taproom where you can just go to drink their beer and get something to eat. A lot of them sell their beers in bottles or cans that you can bring home. If you’d rather have it on tap, you can fill a growler – a large bottle that holds 4-5 beers.

Most craft brewers will tell you that their beer is best enjoyed from a glass. There are even different types of glasses that you should use for different types of beers. Just like wine, craft beers can be also paired with food. Many restaurants now recommend certain types of craft beers for their main courses.

If you’re a craft beer lover, some of the best cities to travel to include Grand Rapids, Bend, Asheville, and Denver. All of these cities have claimed the title of “Beer City USA” as they are full of different craft breweries.

With so many choices, there’s never been a better time to be a beer lover! Whether it’s a classic Czech-style pilsner, a super hoppy Double IPA, or a delicious porter with notes of chocolate, there’s a craft beer out there waiting for you. Cheers!

Is there craft beer in your country? Is it popular? Have you ever tried craft beer? What did you think of it? Leave a comment below!