Untapped Insights: Exploring the Distinctions Between Various Types of Breweries

When discussing craft beer and micro-brewed beer, they have similarities, but there are also differences. Different people have different understandings of terms because they are too confusing. However, Micet Craft hopes to help craft beer lovers to distinguish them here.

Microbrewery

The microbrewery is classified according to the number of beers produced in a year (in barrels). They can produce up to 15,000 barrels of beer each year, and 75% of the beer needs to be sold outside the brewery.
Although 75% or more of the beer in the microbrewery must be sold outside the brewery. But there will still be some microbreweries selling beer to beer consumers in small tasting rooms or bars. Microbrewery complete sales in one of three ways:

Three-tier sales: brewers sell to wholesalers, wholesalers sell to retailers, and retailers sell to consumers.
Two-tier sales: brewers act as wholesalers and sell to retailers, and retailers sell to consumers.
Direct sales: Brewers sell directly to consumers through takeaway or sales at on-site bars or restaurants.

Nano Brewery

The difference between nano-brewery and microbrewery lies in the size of the brewery. The simple definition of nano-brewery is any brewery that produces batches of three barrels or less. Also, the newly promulgated New Hampshire law has increased the definition of nano-brewery. Nano brewery is defined as a brewery that produces less than 2,000 barrels per year.

Brewpub

The brewpub is a combination of restaurants and breweries. It needs to sell at least 25% of beer on-site, and it needs to provide consumers with delicious food. In brewpub, beer is mainly to provide more choices for consumers in restaurants or bars. Of course, where permitted by law, brewpubs will also sell beer like other regions.
Brewpubs have the unique advantage of being able to dispense beer directly from storage tanks in the brewery. These large tanks are often used as the aesthetic cornerstone of enterprises because they have a strong industrial visual appeal. The presence of cans also provides an authentic atmosphere, which many consumers appreciate when accepting craft beer. The setup of a brewpub often showcases the way the beer is brewed as well as the technical skill required to produce a quality beverage.
When legal, many brewpubs also operate takeaway services and establish distributors in other regions to help build their brands.

Taproom Brewery

Taproom brewery is similar to a brewpub in that it also needs to sell more than 25% of beer on-site. The main difference between Brewpub and taproom is that taproom does not provide food service. Of course, taprooms can also sell beer like other regions.

Regional brewery

A regional brewery refers to a brewery that serves beer in a fixed geographical location. Regional breweries belong to one of the broader categories. According to the Association of Brewers, a regional brewery produces 15,000 to 6,000,000 barrels of beer each year.

Craft brewery

A craft brewery needs to brew no more than 2 million gallons of craft beer each year, and the brewery is independently owned. Unlike microbreweries, craft breweries impose restrictions on beer production technology. The beer produced by craft breweries must contain at least 50% traditional malt instead of grains such as oats, barley, and wheat. The term “craft brewing” in craft beer comes from the fact that these breweries regard brewing beer as an art form. They don’t want to compete with large breweries. Craft breweries are small and independently owned, and need to establish contact with customers frequently. They are more concerned about the taste and aroma of craft beer and are not very concerned about whether they can make huge profits.
The craft beer brewing industry is proud of high-quality raw materials, reliable equipment, and unique brewing techniques. Because of this, craft beer usually uses high-quality raw materials for small-batch brewing, rather than large-scale and large-scale production of beer like a large brewery.

So, what is the difference between craft breweries and other types of breweries?

The main difference between craft breweries and other types of breweries is in the brewing process of beer. Many micro-breweries use unique brewing processes to make beer, and because they meet the production standards of craft beer, they can also be called craft breweries.
The purpose of beer, people, and the brewery itself defines craft breweries, not just the size and distribution as classification criteria. Microbreweries and large breweries are defined based on the number of beers produced each year. If you have a limited budget, opening a microbrewery can be a good choice. In addition, craft beer is a product, not a measure of size. When some beer drinkers drink craft beer in a microbrewery, they will misunderstand that a microbrewery is a craft brewery. But this is not the case.
All in all, craft breweries are not always micro-breweries. If the microbrewery follows the production standards of craft beer, it can also be called a craft brewery.

What are the characteristics of craft breweries?

Craft brewers are small and independent, without any substantive guidance from non-craft brewers;
The hallmark of craft breweries is innovation, and they are committed to developing more flavored craft beer;
The craft brewery has made a new interpretation of the historical style and the unprecedented new beer style;
Craft breweries usually like to establish contact with customers in a personalized and unique way;

What are the characteristics of craft beer?

Craft beer is usually not filtered and sterilized by high temperature, and no preservatives and chemicals are added;
Craft brewers use large amounts of malt for brewing. This is because malt will add a better flavor, texture, and size to the beer;
When craft beer is brewed, it will combine the old-fashioned brewing technology with the style and flavor of the new beer;
Craft beer usually needs to be drunk at a slightly higher temperature than most beer to obtain the best flavor. This is because the colder the thing, the slower the release of aromatic compounds;
The darker the color of craft beer, the less refrigerated it should be;
Craft beer is made based on traditional raw materials, usually including the provision of distinctive non-traditional raw materials.

What is the difference between craft beer and industrial beer?

Many people know that craft beer and industrial beer can be distinguished by the taste of beer. Industrial beer has a more bland taste and a lighter color. In addition to looking at the brewery that produces it, you can also tell the difference in other ways.

Appearance: You may have noticed that industrial beer is usually the same water yellow color, and when you pour it into a glass, the foam will quickly dissolve. Craft beer has an amazing range of colors (depending on how it is brewed). The foam of craft beer can last a long time and can provide you with a better taste.
Taste: Because industrial beer must maintain homogeneity and needs to be acceptable to most people, the taste of industrial beer is usually bland and tasteless. Craft beer has many unique flavors and is suitable for drinking at higher temperatures.
Production: Industrial beer brewers are trying to get the most profit, which shows that they will use cheaper raw materials to reduce production costs. Previously, many large brewers would use traditional hops to brew beer. Now, they use rice or corn instead of malt, which can help them reduce costs.

Craft breweries have been working hard to maximize beer flavor and aroma, not to create high profits. The definition of the craft brewery is their commitment to raw materials and their guarantee of brewing technology. If you want to know more about the difference between industrial beer and craft beer, you can check out our article “Differences between craft beer and industrial beer“.

Differences between craft beer and industrial beer

The main raw materials of beer are barley malt and wheat malt. Hops added during brewing to enhance the taste of the beer. Because the production materials and brewing process of beer are different. So it can divide into industrial beer and craft beer. So what is the difference between industrial beer and craft beer?

Differences between craft beer and industrial beer

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What is the difference between various types of breweries?