It is a wonderful time to be alive if you’re a beer drinker. With almost two hundred styles and over twenty thousand brands, it’s safe to say that there is a brew out there for everyone. And if you’re like me, you’re probably noticing all of the microbreweries popping up all over the place. In fact, as of 2018 the count is over six thousand in the U.S alone. But what exactly is a microbrewery?
The name implies small which is true. Microbreweries are generally independently owned and much smaller in size compared to the corporate breweries. The name also designates that no more than 15,000 barrels be produced annually. This allows the microbrewery to focus on quality and diversity. Still, in 2017, almost 30 million barrels of craft beer were produced. It’s also worth noting that in 2017, craft beer was responsible for almost a half million jobs in the U.S.
There’s another important detail that separates the microbrewery from the corporate brewery. Style. Microbreweries are known for experimenting and trying different techniques and a lot of times it pays off. This creates their specialty, holiday and limited edition brews. And the ones they’ve perfected become available year round for you to enjoy.
The next time you’re craving a beer, pop in to your local microbrewery. There is a good chance you’ll meet someone who is involved in the making of the brew. And they will more than likely be happy to discuss the top of the line ingredients they use and the process involved in making that brew. At the very least you’ll get to try some very tasty brews.
