There's a lot more to beer than just pulling back a tab and knocking back a cold one! But you don't have to be a beer genius to enjoy great craft beer. Whether you're just starting out or have been a long-time lover of the craft scene, Crafted Drafts can help you find the right brew for you.

Main Ingredients - Water, Malt (usually Barley), Hops & Yeast

 

The Reinheitsgebot (sometimes called the German Purity Law) established in the 16th century decreed that beer could only be made from water, barley, and hops.  Luckily for us, the law is a German law and doesnt apply to us. Beers these days often include other ingredients such as fruit, or peppers or other adjuncts.

There are really only two different types of beer, ales or lagers.  The difference comes down to the yeast. Think of it in terms of wine like Reds and Whites.

 

Ales - top feeding yeasts

 

Lagers - bottom feeding yeasts

Pouring - Glass shapes really do matter!  Each are designed to take advantage of different types of beer qualities - aromas, head, presentation, etc.  When transferring your delicious beer from bottle to glass, pour it assertively enough that you generate a large head, but not so agressively that your beer overflows the glass.  Beer head is good and is where you get a majority of the aroma.

 

Storing - Light is the enemy of beer. That's why most beer bottles you find are dark brown. Too much exposure to UV rays will result in a skunky-smelling (and sometimes skunky-flavored) beer.  Beer should be stored upright in a dark area with minimal temperature fluctuations.

 

No comprehensive list exists that is agreed upon by everyone, but The World Guide to Beer written by Michael Jackson (no, not him - a different Michael Jackson) in 1977 is often used as the basis for defining different categories of beer.

 

Check out our page on Beer Styles.

 

 

Beer 101