How good Beersapiens you are, we are sure you know how to value a good recipe craftt of beer. Even, that when choosing what to drink, on that terrace with your friends, you always opt for an artisan beer. But, would you know what the difference is between craft beers and industrial beers?

A question that generates debate

And we ask you because the border is not totally clear. It is a topic that, although it seems simple, still generates some controversy. The cause? Because there isn't, as such, a type of craft beer.

So, what determines that the beer you're drinking is considered craft? How many units have been produced? If it belongs to a big brand or a micro-brewery? And what happens if a traditional recipe is used?

Don't worry, keep enjoying your fresh beer, we are going to try to answer these questions and help you quickly identify a craft beer.

Craft beer: a bit of history

The term «craft beera», or more specifically «craft beer», began to be used in the United Kingdom, in the 70s. In these years a new generation of small breweries began to emerge and wanted to differentiate themselves from the large ones that produced on a large scale, industrially. This was the reason why the term craft was coined.

That is, from its origins a work philosophy was proposed: a more manual, less automated production and following (or rescuing) traditional recipes.

The ingredients: the secret of success

But let's start at the beginning: the raw material. And it is that a craft beer will contain only natural ingredients, usually water, yeast, malt and hops. That is to say, in a craft recipe you will not find artificial products intended to increase the aroma or flavor, to increase the foam or to increase the shelf life Always read the list of ingredients of the beer you are going to drink! and you will see that craft beers never contain added preservatives or antioxidants!

The preparation: a taste for detail

The craft or craft beers are made with the minimum intervention of machines and the maximum of the hand of the human being. This keeps productions small.

But beyond the use or not of machinery (which is obviously essential, especially in some parts of the process such as pasteurization) what is going to make the difference is going to be the recipe staff of the brewmaster. The best kept secret, because in this recipe the ingredients, their origin, quantities and detailed elaboration processes are indicated; and it is the one that will give the special touch and all the nuances to that beer that you are going to drink.

Quality and price

The use of the best quality and only natural ingredients and a careful production process that respects the times of the product, mean that the craft beers have a much higher quality than the industrial ones. And logically this is also reflected in the price, which is usually higher.

In other words, and using an example, it is the same thing that happens when we compare, for example, artisan gastronomic products (a good handmade cheese) with an ultra-processed product (a cheese with thousands of ingredients and a plastic taste). It's clear that we don't mind paying more for something better It's the same with beer ☺

Craft beers will always have more body, flavor and aroma than an industrial beer.

With this we do not mean that there are no good industrial beers. In fact, with the rebirth of the craft industry, major beer brands have looked again at this market, including traditional recipes in their catalogue. And it's great.

But we continue to trust our national teachers, who brew their beers with care and courage, researching, innovating and maintaining incredible levels of quality. Long live craft beer!