If you have been consuming popular pale ales from large breweries for an extended period, it’s time to give craft beer a try. Craft beer is produced by small, independent local breweries that strive to create rich and unique flavors that are nearly impossible to achieve in larger-scale breweries. Here are ten compelling reasons why you should choose craft beer.
1. Superior Taste
Craft beer offers a richer and more distinct taste compared to watery mass-produced beer. Most craft brewers are passionate about the taste and flavor of their beer, dedicating time and effort to maintain or improve its quality instead of focusing on extensive marketing campaigns.
2. Wide Variety
Craft beer provides a greater variety of choices compared to the common beers offered by major brewers. Worldwide, there are thousands of delicious craft beers, with each craft brewery striving to create a unique combination of ingredients that will leave you talking about their beer.
3. Health Benefits
Craft beer offers important health benefits as it contains antioxidants, protein, and vitamin B complex. It serves as a good source of silicon, and recent scientific studies even suggest that hops could act as a barrier against the gradual decline of cognitive functions in the brain. Regular consumption of craft beer (in moderation) can provide these benefits due to the high-quality ingredients used in brewing.
4. Premium Ingredients
While beer typically consists of water, hops, grains, and yeast, most local breweries ensure the use of the best quality ingredients in their beer production. A visit to the nearest craft brewery will reveal their use of fresh, organically grown, high-quality ingredients. In fact, almost all craft breweries are willing to show you the ingredients they use.
5. Environmentally Friendly Brewing
Local brewers make significant efforts to maintain environmentally sustainable practices. They practice composting, offer spent grains to local farmers, and even utilize alternative sources of energy. Craft breweries prioritize eco-friendly practices over solely making enormous profits. Moreover, every time you fill your keg or use a reusable growler, you contribute to waste reduction.
6. Higher Alcohol Content
Craft beers generally possess a higher alcohol content by volume, ranging from at least 5% to 10%, with some even reaching up to 20%. Unfortunately, macro breweries seldom offer more than 2.5%, which is why they are often referred to as mass-produced “beer water.” Consequently, you will require fewer pints of craft beer during each drinking session.
7. Lower Cost
Most craft beers have at least twice the strength of “beer water” sold by major breweries. Therefore, you would typically need to consume about four to six watery lager beers in one drinking session. However, if you opt for craft beers such as porter, stout, IPA, or pale ale, you can enjoy the strong, high-quality flavor without needing more than three pints to satisfy your craving. This also reduces pressure on your bladder, resulting in fewer trips to the bathroom.
8. Seasonal Variety
You can find craft beers specifically brewed for each season during winter, fall, or spring. Instead of consistently drinking the same boring watery beer throughout the year, why not try something refreshingly different for each season? For example, aged barrel stout during winter or exceptional pumpkin beer during fall.
9. Engaging Conversations
Drinking craft beer with your friends creates an opportunity for engaging conversations about taste and beer quality. This can lead to further intelligent discussions about the style, origin, ingredients, and other interesting aspects of the beer you are enjoying. Start drinking craft beer and bid farewell to boredom!
10. Support for the Local Economy
Choosing locally made craft beer helps support the economy of your community. It contributes to local farmers and creates more job opportunities in the area. Additionally, most craft breweries fund local charities and participate in hosting local events. By drinking craft beer, you actively contribute to the thriving of your community.
These are just a few of the significant reasons why you should start drinking craft beer. With its exceptional taste, high-quality ingredients, cost-effectiveness, and positive impact on the local community, there are numerous reasons to be a proud craft beer drinker.
