The Craft Beer Revolution
The craft beer “revolution” has changed the world immeasurably — and for something that’s reshaped how we drink beer globally, it’s surprisingly hard to define. Despite the hype, there’s still no single, agreed definition of craft beer, even as the craft beer revolution continues to influence breweries, drinkers and beer culture worldwide.
So what exactly is craft beer? What does craft beer mean, where did it come from, and how did the evolution of craft beer lead us to where we are today, especially in the UK?
Let’s break it down.
What is craft beer?
It’s actually quite hard to define craft beer. The Cambridge Dictionary definition of craft beer is “beer made using traditional methods in small, independent breweries”, but most breweries that we would now consider to be well-established started out that way. There are no strict criteria for what makes a craft beer crafty but, there are some loose guidelines. This lack of a rigid definition is part of what has shaped the evolution of craft beer, allowing brewers to innovate freely without being confined to one style or method.
There is, however, a clear craft beer definition in the USA. The US Brewers Association defines a craft beer brewery as:
- small: a maximum of 6 million barrels (about 7 million hectolitres) output per year
- independent: A maximum of 25 percent of the brewery may belong to a large beverage company
- traditional: The brewer must commit himself to traditional, artisanal methods, the taste must not be created by artificial flavouring but must come from "pure" brewing ingredients
How is craft beer made?
The thing that sets craft beer apart is the artisanal and often rare ingredients used and traditional, smaller scale production methods. Craft brewers invest a lot of time and effort, love and attention to create the artisanal beers, we know as craft.
How does craft beer taste?
The taste of craft beer is so diverse and varied that there is no one answer to that question. Craft beer is often more aromatic and more intense in taste than a “simple” industrial beer, but not always/
What types of craft beer are there?
India Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Stout, Porter, Saison, sour beer, barrel-matured specialties... Ultimately, every type of beer can be craft beer. Even a common lager can be creatively thought over and brewed to a high quality. In fact, although IPA is seen as the figure head for craft beer, due to its part in the US craft beer revolution and its huge popularity in the last decade, not every craft beer is an IPA.
However, until recently, “craft lager” may have sounded counter intuitive given that lager was exactly what the craft beer revolution set to push against. Craft beers with their rich and complex flavours were designed to contrast the mass produced, flavourless lagers of the time.
Prohibition and the history of craft beer
We have the Americans to thank for the ‘craft beer’ phenomenon, as it all began before prohibition. Most immigrants to the US brewed their own beer: there was wheat beer from Germany, various types of ales from England and dry stouts from the Irish. However, after prohibition there were only a few breweries left.
By the 1950s, three large brewing groups dominated the entire US beer market brewing only pilsner (aka lager) and the beer brewing model had evolved into a mass-produced industry, a far cry from “craft”.
That all changed in 1978 when then President Jimmy Carter lifted the home-brewing ban, and hobby brewers were now also allowed to sell their beers. Old beer styles were revived bby home brewers and the rest is history!
Why is craft beer more expensive?
The price of a pint is often a hot topic for debate within the beer industry. Long story short, craft beers are more expensive due to ingredients, scale and labour. Brewing in small batches with more expensive ingredients will result in more expensive prices for the consumer. But this isn't a bad thing - by paying a little bit more for your pint, you are supporting craft brewers that innovate the industry and often benefit local communities.
We love providing both the big brands you love, as well as bringing craft brewers to join our home draught journey. Wasted Degrees, Fourpure, Brixton, Brussels Beer Project have all been in our beer taps and we can't wait to welcome more onboard!
How do you drink craft beer?
Like any beer, you can drink it however you wish. Keep in mind though that the average ABV for craft beers tends to be much higher, and so downing several in a row might not be the best idea. Craft beer is intended to be properly tasted and enjoyed. Similar to wine, it is more about discovering and appreciating the individual variety of aromas in a beer. The temperature also plays a role here; the colder the beer, the less the aromas can develop. Read here article about Beer Temperatures.
Tasting glasses are often used for drinking, theoretically there is a glass for every beer style, but a tulip-shaped (wine) glass can be used for most.
History of craft beer in UK
To understand the craft beer origins in the UK, it’s important to look at how British drinkers responded to the rise of imported lager and mass-produced beer in the mid-20th century. These were lighter, fizzier and less alcoholic than traditional British cask ales. A group of enthusiastic beer fanatics, CAMRA, formed an alliance in direct response to the rise of mass-produced beer.
Additionally, the introduction of a cut in beer duty tax had a huge impact on smaller breweries in 2002; they were allowed to pay 50% less tax. In 1995 there were just 92 registered breweries, by 2017 the UK had reached record numbers, totalling over 2000.
From its rebellious beginnings to today’s diverse and experimental brewing scene, the evolution of craft beer has been shaped by independence, creativity and a desire for better flavour. Whether you’re drinking a classic IPA, a modern craft lager or something completely experimental, every pint is part of a much bigger story. One rooted deeply in the history of craft beer and still being written today.