Avid beer consumers often find themselves muddled in confusion when it comes to understanding the differences between craft beer and micro-brewed beer. Though the terms are frequently interchanged, a closer look reveals distinct characteristics that set them apart. To understand this brewing puzzle, let us start with the definitions of microbreweries and craft breweries. If you want to start up your microbrewery, make sure you invest in premium quality microbrewery equipment.
What is a Microbrewery?
A microbrewery is primarily categorized by its annual beer production, capped at 15,000 beer barrels or 460,000 US gallons. A minimum of 75 percent of this beer must be sold beyond the brewery premises. Unlike craft breweries, microbreweries face no strict guidelines regarding the techniques or ingredients used in beer production. The classification as a microbrewery depends solely on the volume of beer produced each year.
What is a Craft Brewery?
A craft brewery is characterized by its production volume, limited to no more than 2 million gallons per year, and an essential aspect is independent ownership. Craft breweries, unlike microbreweries, impose constraints on beer production techniques. A craft brewery’s beer must consist of a minimum of 50 percent traditional malt, distinguishing it from adjuncts like oats, barley, and wheat. The choice of these ingredients, known for enhancing flavor, sets craft beers apart. Predominantly, craft beers often embrace European styles such as ales, stouts, and porters.
Dispelling Misconceptions
The mislabeling of low-production breweries as craft breweries instead of microbreweries stems from a common misunderstanding. To clarify, the accurate terms should be microbrewery and macrobrewery, reflecting the scale of production. Craft beer, on the other hand, is a testament to the quality of the brewing process, not a measure of brewery size. This misnomer persists because some beer drinkers mistakenly assume that a microbrewery exclusively employs craft ingredients, a notion disproved by the practices within the industry.
Brewing Standards
A craft brewery is not inherently a microbrewery, and a microbrewery earns the craft brewery distinction only when adhering to craft brewing standards. Craft beer, as a product, is characterized by batches brewed with premium ingredients, often on a limited or seasonal basis. Many craft breweries take pride not only in the choice of ingredients but also in the specialized commercial brewery equipment used in the brewing process.
Breweries are increasingly sourcing their ingredients locally as craft beers are becoming more and more popular. This commitment to local resources not only enhances the quality of the beer but also contributes to its uni
queness.