The craft beer movement has basically exploded in the last five years, with popular microbreweries becoming powerhouse brands, and making it possible for just about anyone with a passion for great beer to not only brew their own beer, but distribute it as well. “Buying local” no longer applies to weekend Farmer’s Markets, but can also mean supporting your favourite local brewery.
Craft beers have become a major part of bar and pub culture so quickly, but…what is craft beer, anyway? And what are the major varieties?
Some have criticized the term “craft beer”, accusing it of being a marketing scheme by beer companies, along the lines of phrases like “artisanal” and in many cases “organic”. But the truth is, “craft beer” means that a beer was made by a small, independent brewery, using traditional brewing and flavouring techniques. Consumption of craft beer has significantly increased in the last five years, while consumption of beers made by major breweries and corporations has decreased, marking a significant shift in the tastes of beer drinkers and the beer industry as a whole.
There are many different types and variations of craft beers out there, and many times when looking at a beer menu at a bar or pub, the names of craft beers can be so specific and confusing, that you’re not sure what it is you’re going to be drinking! So, let’s break down the two major types of craft beers that you can choose from: Ales and Lagers.
Ales are the oldest and most traditional types of beer in the world, while lagers have only been around for roughly 150 years. The differences between ales and lagers start right from the type of yeast used for the brewing process. Ales ferment in warmer temperatures with a top-fermenting yeast, while lagers are made with a bottom-fermenting yeast and brewed in colder temperatures.
The differences between ales and lagers don’t only include the yeast and temperature of the brewing process, but also the length of the brew cycle; how quickly a batch is ready for consumption and distribution. Ales can complete the brewing process in as little as one week, while lagers take a significantly longer amount of time. Some lagers can even take up to several months before they’ve completed their brewing cycle and are ready to be enjoyed. These differences in brew cycle are why many lagers are more expensive than ales; it’s much easier and less costly to make large quantities of an ale.
Ales and lagers are also served differently, making each type a unique drinking experience. Ales must be served cool but not cold, while lagers have to be served cold in order to get the full taste.
When it comes to flavour, ales and lagers couldn’t be more different. Ales have a strong, full taste; you can always tell when you’re drinking an ale. Lagers are smoother and crisper, which allows for more subtle flavours to seep through when you drink.
Craft beers are the definitive drink of our time, and don’t seem to be going anywhere soon. Even the major breweries are investing heavily in craft beers and independent breweries across the globe to capitalize on the craft movement. So the next time you’re in a bar or a pub, scanning the beer menu, try a craft beer. Make it an ale or a lager, and enjoy being a part of the biggest revolution to happen to beer in hundreds of years!
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