Craft beer has exploded in popularity, and it looks like the clamor for it won’t die down anytime soon. Given its trendy status, many people — enthusiasts and newbies alike — have become enamored with it, so much so that craft beer tours have become a popular urban activity. Despite its ubiquity and fame, what exactly makes a beer crafted?

Defining Craft Beer

1. Made by Small Breweries

According to the Brewers Association, craft beer is defined as being produced by small, independent breweries. A brewery is considered small if it yields 6 million barrels or fewer per year, and it’s considered independent if it’s majority-owned and -controlled by a craft brewer. As of 2018, there are more than 7,000 breweries in the U.S. that churn out craft beer, each brew varying in flavor, color, and aroma. To compare them in person, go on a craft beer tour and see if you can tell what makes each beer different.

2. Crafted

Another distinction that defines craft beer is how it’s made. As the name implies, brews are crafted with care, not manufactured. They’re often made in batches using traditional — some even say handcrafted — brewing methods, unlike their big-name, multinational counterparts. There’s a science to brewing, which leads small brewers to experiment with their methods and ingredients to get a one-of-a-kind taste. 

3. Has Unique Aromas & Flavors

Aside from using traditional ingredients like malt, hops, yeast, and water, craft brewers are known to mix in other things for an unusual twist. Take a sip; you might taste notes of fruit, herbs, spices, milk, and even chocolate. Some are sweeter and lighter in color to appeal to younger generations of drinkers, while others are more full-bodied and richer for the beer connoisseurs. Joining a craft beer tour allows you to find your favorite flavor and discover which foods pair best with it.

 

Go on a craft beer tour aboard the Cincy Brew Bus to learn more about the rich history of brewing in Cincinnati, OH, and the surrounding area. Their local beer tours offer unique, bold explorations of the city’s top breweries so you can get a taste of the VIP experience. Call (513) 258-7909 to book your beer tour now, or visit them online to check out their upcoming tour schedule.