First, The Brewing Materials Are Different
The brewing materials used in craft beer and ordinary beer are different. Beer is a low-alcohol fermented beverage that contains carbon dioxide. It is made primarily from grains and water, with hops (or hop products) being added for fermentation by yeast.
Based on the raw materials and fermentation process, beer can be divided into craft beer and industrial beer.
1. Craft beer:
It is brewed using only malt, hops, yeast, and water, without any artificial additives. Craft beer has a higher malt and hop content compared to industrial beer, resulting in a more concentrated wort. When brewing craft beer, cost is not a major concern, and brewers often choose the best quality raw materials.
2. Industrial beer:
It is also brewed using malt, hops, yeast, and water. However, in order to reduce costs, industrial beer often incorporates other ingredients such as rice, corn, and starch as substitutes for malt. This leads to a lower concentration of wort and a milder taste.
Second, The Fermentation Process Is Different
The fermentation process differs between craft beer and industrial beer. Craft beer typically follows the Ales process (upper fermentation), while industrial beer follows the Lagers process (lower fermentation). The main differences lie in the placement of yeast during fermentation and the temperature control.
1. Craft beer:
It mostly employs the ale process, where yeast works at the top of the fermentation tank and floats above the liquid. The fermentation temperature is generally between 10-20°C. Craft beer fermenters are usually small and fermentation is not followed by filtration or sterilization.
2. Industrial beer:
Most industrial beers use the lager process, where yeast works at the bottom of the fermentation tank and settles beneath the liquid. The fermentation temperature is generally below 10°C. Industrial beer fermenters are larger, and filtration and pasteurization are commonly employed after fermentation to increase the beer’s shelf life.
Third, The Fermentation Time Is Different
In addition to the differences in the fermentation process, craft beer and industrial beer also have distinct fermentation times.
1. Craft beer:
Due to less concern about cost, craft beer fermentation time is often longer. Traditional craft beers can ferment for as long as 15 days to 2 months, resulting in a fully fermented beer with a higher wort concentration and stronger flavor.
2. Industrial beer:
For industrial beer, time is money, so the fermentation time is usually around 7 days. This shorter fermentation period results in insufficient fermentation, leading to lower wort concentration and a lighter flavor.
Fourth, The Development History Is Different
Craft beer has a longer history than industrial beer and existed before it.
1. Craft beer:
Initially, ale (craft beer) was produced by women to ensure their families’ survival in harsh environments plagued by factors such as disease, famine, and polluted water. During the Middle Ages, beer production was taken over by the church due to high demand and profitability. Many European royal families also established their own breweries to produce craft beer. However, with the introduction of refrigeration equipment, stable and easily transportable industrial beer gained popularity. Additionally, the clarity of lager beer in transparent glass became more appealing compared to the cloudy ale, leading to a shift in preference towards industrial beer.
2. Industrial beer:
In the 1940s, Bavarian beer brewers brought the fermentation process to Pilsen, Czech Republic, and produced the world’s first golden beer, known as Pilsner beer (industrial beer), using refrigeration equipment. This beer, with its stable quality and resistance to spoilage, became popular worldwide and eventually spread throughout Central Europe with improved transportation. European immigrants introduced these popular beers to the United States, where they were gradually embraced. Due to the limited availability of barley, corn was often used as a substitute for brewing, evolving into the use of rice, barley starch, and other ingredients. This eventually led to the development of American industrial beer as seen in the market today.
Fifth, Styles and Nutritional Value Are Different
1. Craft beer:
Craft beer incorporates a wide variety and quantity of malt, yeast, and hops, resulting in various styles such as wheat beer, dark beer, amber beer, and fruit beer. There are nearly 100 different craft beer styles worldwide. Craft beers have pronounced aromas, higher wort content, rich and full flavors, higher nutritional value, and are often priced higher. Most craft beers have an alcohol content exceeding 11%, and some specialty craft beers can reach up to 20%.
2. Industrial beer:
In order to maintain consistency in taste, industrial beer generally follows a single brewing process and style. It has a light taste, more carbonation, lower wort concentration, lower hop content, and lower alcohol content. Naturally, its nutritional value and price are lower compared to craft beer.
Sixth, The Storage Time Is Different
1. Craft beer:
Most craft beers are not subjected to high-temperature filtration or sterilization, resulting in shorter shelf lives. Craft beers typically have a shelf life of several tens of days.
2. Industrial beer:
Industrial beer is often filtered and pasteurized during the later stages of fermentation, extending its shelf life. Generally, industrial beer can be stored for 1-2 years, and some varieties can even last for decades.
Seventh, The Drinking Method Is Different
1. Craft beer:
Craft beer tends to have a thicker and stronger taste, with higher alcohol content, making it suitable for savoring slowly.
2. Industrial beer:
Industrial beer usually has a lighter taste and lower alcohol content, making it more suitable for consuming in larger quantities.
Final Conclusion
Craft beer is brewed in smaller batches and generally has a higher alcohol content than regular beer. It also utilizes more expensive ingredients, resulting in a more flavorful product.
Regular beer is produced in larger quantities, making it generally less expensive than craft beer. It has a lower alcohol content and less pronounced flavor compared to craft beer.
Craft beer, being unfiltered and unsterilized at high temperatures, retains the original nutrients and active yeast components from fermentation. It possesses a smooth body, rich malt flavor, and unique taste that sets it apart from traditional bottled beer.
Craft beer not only promotes health but also offers a rich malt aroma and excellent taste. Its popularity is steadily increasing, particularly in bars, barbecues, and chilled settings.
