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A friend invited me one evening to sit in a craft bar. To be honest, I didn’t really understand what it was. I thought it was some very fashionable place where young people gather. But after all, I’m still nothing – I packed up, went. But it turned out it wasn’t all that scary. An ordinary bar with a pleasant atmosphere and very tasty beer. Only in the menu it was listed under the name “craft”. Mentally we then sat.
And at home, I decided to fill in the gaps in knowledge and found out what kind of animal this is, craft beer. And then I mastered the practical part – I tried many varieties.
What is craft beer
The history of craft beer (craft – “craft”, “skill”) begins in 1978, when US President Jimmy Carter officially legalized home brewing. But the term itself appeared much later, already in the XNUMXst century. Now, in order for a drink to be recognized as a craft brew, an American brewery must meet the following criteria:
- maximum annual production – 6 million barrels;
- independence (another brand in the alcohol market may own no more than 25% of its shares);
- production by fermentation.
In Europe and Russia, the criteria are less precise – only “independence” and “author’s approach” are mentioned. That is, craft beer is a drink made by a brewer not in the order of mass production, I would call it “personal creativity”. The vast majority of varieties are simply unknown to the general public; it is almost impossible to purchase it in a regular grocery store near the house.
Top Grades
Any “rating” is subjective, because everyone has different tastes, but my list is as follows:
- Brewlander Hope Summer Ale. A pale ale from Singapore. The taste is not too “complex” and “overloaded”, just right for those who are just starting to get acquainted with craft beer. The drink is light, refreshing, the most it is in the heat.
- Kyoto Bakushu White Yuzu. Japanese witbier with refreshing citrus notes on the palate. The yuzu fruit, exotic for Russia, has been added to the beer.
- Holgate Temptress. An Australian take on the classic porter. The taste is very rich, chocolate-coffee-creamy.
- Northern Monk Tropic Pineapple Grapefruit Juice IPA. One of the latest trends in craft brewing is fresh and juicy taste. This British drink is slightly cloudy, pineapple and grapefruit add acidity.
- Barbar Blonde. Fairly strong (8%) Belgian honey ale. Amazingly harmonious sweet bitterness is complemented by a creamy aftertaste.
- Scotch Silly. Belgian version of Scottish ale. The drink is very balanced both in taste and aroma. The combination of “malty”, sweetness and bitterness of hops is close to ideal for me personally.
- Buxton Rain Shadow. Strong (10%) British imperial stout. Distinctly gives coffee and cocoa. The long aftertaste is like eating dark chocolate.
Even a lifetime is not enough to try all the varieties of craft beer. But for true drink connoisseurs, the process is often more important than the result.
How is craft beer different from regular beer?
Unlike ordinary beer, craft beer is a bright individuality and a special taste for each variety. Its features:
- XNUMX% natural composition, a ban on the addition of preservatives, flavorings;
- uniqueness of the recipe (own or old recipes);
- a wide variety of additional ingredients (chocolate, chili, any spices and spices, milk, citruses);
- shorter shelf life (from 1-2 weeks to 3 months versus a year for regular beer);
- high cost (from 150-200 rubles per 0,5 l).
Important! Craft beer is small batches, individual recipes and traditional production. Best of all, in my opinion, the finished product is described by the epithets “exclusive”, “handicraft”, “home-made”.
How to choose craft beer in Russia
A few useful abbreviations to get you started:
- ABV – the strength of the drink;
- IBU – degree of bitterness;
- SRM – color intensity;
- OG / FG – the density of unfermented or fermented wort (the larger the number, the richer, stronger the drink).
But only those who are just starting to get acquainted with craft beer definitely recommend going to a craft bar. There you can talk to a specialist, describe your own preferences to him, and with a high degree of probability you will get what you like.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask questions. In such establishments, as a rule, enthusiasts work, who will be happy to tell you about the taste, aroma, and other features of the varieties.
Many beer connoisseurs have recently switched to craft beer. Its undoubted advantages are the naturalness of the ingredients and the widest variety of flavors. It will not be possible to try all varieties, even if you seriously set yourself such a goal.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!
Are you satisfied with the quality of mass-produced beer that you can buy in any store? Or do you prefer craft, with its often very unusual ingredients and original unforgettable taste?