The Growth Of Craft Breweries
- By Steven Hooch
- Published 11/18/2011
- Food and Drink
- Unrated
Craft breweries and craft brewers on one hand and craft beer enthusiasts on the other hand have continued the noble traditions of craft beer alive. It is an advocacy, a passion and an art that brings pleasure to daily life in so many ways beyond the flavours, aromas and textures of the beer itself. Beer, after all, is considered liquid bread, thus, it is an important part of life for enthusiasts, if not the essence of life itself.
Culture of Beer:
Of course, not everybody shares the passion for craft beer for many reasons. The most notable reasons include lack of information in terms of their quality, availability and diversity. Fortunately, the tide is changing in favour of craft beer.
The emergence of a culture of beer in the United States is evidenced by sales figures. Consider this: In the first half of 2010, craft brewers experienced a 9% increase in sales while the overall sales volume for the entire US beer industry dropped by 2.7%. Indeed, despite the relatively higher prices for craft beers, American beer drinkers are ready to pay for the higher quality and variety of craft beers.
This is evidence that American beer drinkers are embracing the idea of craft beers over the commercial brands -and for good reasons, too. While commercial beers lean on the bland and generic side, craft ales and lagers provide for a rich smorgasbord of flavours, aroma and mouth-feel. Craft beers then provide for a wide variety of food pairings from entrees to desserts to suit even the most finicky gourmand's taste buds.
Bleak Picture of the Prohibition:
This emerging cultu
re of craft beer had its own share of challenges of which the most notable was the Prohibition. Over 800 breweries were driven out of business during the Prohibition obviously because of the stringent laws against the production, distribution and consumption of alcoholic beverages. Only about 300 breweries survived the Prohibition, a number that was insufficient to supply the thirst for excellent craft beer in the country.
Things began to be rosy for the beer industry after the Prohibition ended but progress was slow. Between the years 1933 to 1982, America's 700 breweries were reduced to a measly 50. Then in 1982, 6 microbreweries opened - a slow but promising start.
The Renaissance of Beer:
Home breweries started the so-called democratisation of beer by the late 1970s. The home brewers experimented with old recipes and discovered new recipes with the use of both traditional and modern tools, techniques and technologies. The beers produced were usually those not sold in commercial quantities or those not any more in production.
On a larger scale, the rise of the microbreweries arose from the home breweries. The Brewers Association developed the definition of a craft brewery, also known as a microbrewery, as a small, independent and traditional brewery. Take note that the definition only applies to American breweries since there is no international definition for a craft brewery. Also, the definition is also controversial but that's for another article.
Nowadays, craft breweries are alive and well with a small and yet growing share in the beer market. We are only thankful that this is so because craft beer remains to be one of the best beverages in the world, bar none. Beer is life, indeed.
Culture of Beer:
Of course, not everybody shares the passion for craft beer for many reasons. The most notable reasons include lack of information in terms of their quality, availability and diversity. Fortunately, the tide is changing in favour of craft beer.
The emergence of a culture of beer in the United States is evidenced by sales figures. Consider this: In the first half of 2010, craft brewers experienced a 9% increase in sales while the overall sales volume for the entire US beer industry dropped by 2.7%. Indeed, despite the relatively higher prices for craft beers, American beer drinkers are ready to pay for the higher quality and variety of craft beers.
This is evidence that American beer drinkers are embracing the idea of craft beers over the commercial brands -and for good reasons, too. While commercial beers lean on the bland and generic side, craft ales and lagers provide for a rich smorgasbord of flavours, aroma and mouth-feel. Craft beers then provide for a wide variety of food pairings from entrees to desserts to suit even the most finicky gourmand's taste buds.
Bleak Picture of the Prohibition:
This emerging cultu
Things began to be rosy for the beer industry after the Prohibition ended but progress was slow. Between the years 1933 to 1982, America's 700 breweries were reduced to a measly 50. Then in 1982, 6 microbreweries opened - a slow but promising start.
The Renaissance of Beer:
Home breweries started the so-called democratisation of beer by the late 1970s. The home brewers experimented with old recipes and discovered new recipes with the use of both traditional and modern tools, techniques and technologies. The beers produced were usually those not sold in commercial quantities or those not any more in production.
On a larger scale, the rise of the microbreweries arose from the home breweries. The Brewers Association developed the definition of a craft brewery, also known as a microbrewery, as a small, independent and traditional brewery. Take note that the definition only applies to American breweries since there is no international definition for a craft brewery. Also, the definition is also controversial but that's for another article.
Nowadays, craft breweries are alive and well with a small and yet growing share in the beer market. We are only thankful that this is so because craft beer remains to be one of the best beverages in the world, bar none. Beer is life, indeed.
Steven Hooch
Steven Hooch is a leading connoisseur for a variety of fine wines and ales. He has been sharing his insights and reviews for over 11 years striving to provide expert advice and information on a wide range of alcoholic beverages including craft beers.
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