What Makes It A Craft Brewery

The Rise of Craft Beer

We're not sure who coined the phrase, but the Brewers Association made it their own by defining it. It's a great term because it's not legally restricted, and we all know what it is, or at least what it isn't. It seems generic, but it describes the type of beer we enjoy: craft beer, not artificially brewed beer.

The Brewers Association's mission is to "promote and protect America's small, independent brewers, their craft beers, and the community of brewers who love them." To do that, a definition of craft beer was necessary. Similarly, according to its website, a craft brewery is "small, independent, and traditional."

What is a craft brewery?

• Small-scale: Annual production of no more than 6 million barrels of beer (approximately 3% of annual U.S. sales). Beer production is owned by the brewery under alternate ownership rules.

• Independent: Less than 25% of craft breweries are owned or controlled (or have an equivalent financial interest) by members of the alcoholic beverage industry that are not themselves craft brewers.

• Brewer: Owns a TTB brewery declaration and produces beer.

Types of Craft Beer

The Brewers Association also identifies four distinct categories: brewpubs, microbreweries, regional craft breweries, and contract brewing companies.

• Brewpubs: A restaurant brewery that sells 25% or more of its beer on-site.

• Microbreweries: A brewery that produces fewer than 15,000 barrels of beer annually and sells 75% or more of its beer off-site.

• Regional craft breweries: Independent, regional breweries that primarily produce traditional or innovative beers.

• Contract breweries: Businesses that hire other breweries to produce their beer.

Direct Differences Between Brewery Types

What is a microbrewery?

A microbrewery is one that produces 15,000 barrels or fewer of beer annually. They must also sell 75% or more of their beer off-site, although some microbreweries have small tasting rooms or taprooms for customers to visit.

What is a brewpub?

A craft brewpub is a hybrid of a restaurant and a brewery. A craft brewpub sells at least 25% of its beer on-site and also offers extensive food service. At a craft brewpub, beer is brewed and sold in the restaurant or bar. Where permitted by law, a craft brewpub can sell its beer or distribute it to certain off-site destinations.

What is a pub?

A brewery is similar to a craft brewpub, with 25% or more of its beer sold on-site. The main difference is that a brewery rarely offers food service. At a pub, the experience is the beer itself. Like a craft brewpub, a pub can offer takeout and delivery.

What is a regional brewery? 

Regional breweries fall into one of the broader categories. According to the Brewers Association, regional breweries produce between 15,000 and 6 million barrels of beer annually.

What's the difference between craft beer and regular beer?

Regular beer refers to beer produced by "major breweries" (aka large breweries). These breweries produce far more than craft breweries and are often trading companies or private label brands. Craft beer, on the other hand, happens to remain the most popular beer. We all know those familiar light beers, typically lower in alcohol content, that can be found in every grocery store. They're affordable, simple to make, and easy to drink.

Benefits of Microbreweries

Microbreweries produce beer on a smaller scale and in smaller quantities, giving them significant advantages in beer quality and variety. These breweries also support surrounding communities.

• Variety of Flavors: Brewers can focus on flavor and refine their brewing techniques to create the perfect combination when brewing smaller quantities. They can also experiment with new flavors in small quantities, creating a wider variety with seasonal variations.

• High-Quality Ingredients: Microbreweries typically avoid mass-produced products and instead choose high-quality ingredients, which may even contain health benefits such as antioxidants. This quality is most prevalent among craft microbreweries.

• High Alcohol Content: Mass-produced beer often has a higher water content, resulting in a lower alcohol content. Microbreweries avoid these shortcuts and achieve higher alcohol content.

• Environmental Stewardship: Many microbreweries also prioritize environmental stewardship through water conservation and other sustainable practices.

Craft breweries encourage beer lovers to participate in craft brewing. Competing with large breweries may seem difficult, but craft breweries are proving that bigger isn't always better. Beer lovers may be encouraged by microbreweries to start brewing their own unique drinks, leading to a more diverse beer industry with richer flavors.