Craft beer: 5 Reasons Why We Like it So Much

Beer. It’s one of the oldest alcoholic drinks and the third most consumed beverage on the planet, falling only behind water and tea. Records and writings about beer are sprinkled throughout ancient history, with the oldest archaeological evidence of beer fermentation recorded over 13,000 years ago!It is said that workers building the great pyramids of Egypt were paid in, you guessed it...beer. Archaeologists have long speculated that beer was a key factor in the formation of civilizations.

As civilizations expanded and grew, so did the number of cultures that fermented early forms of beer. Germanic and celtic tribes spread the knowledge of beer fermentation throughout Europe as far back as 3000 BC, and since that time, there are many cultures that have come to identify themselves based on the type (and amount) of beer they drink. Certain brews have come to be recognized as part of the identity of certain countries and peoples in various locations across the globe.

The history of beer and the process of fermentation and brewing that goes with it is widely known, but why do we love it so much? There has been a resurgence of craft breweries over the past decade, and we’ve listed below the top 5 reasons that people love a good craft beer.

You’re Supporting Small Businesses
There are many widely known, big name breweries that mass produce beer...surpassing 300 million barrels a year. What these big companies lack however, is the ability to support local, often small businesses, who rely on local revenue to stay afloat. When purchasing a craft beer locally, you are helping to build a stronger economy within your own community. Most places now even offer the option to buy craft beer online.

Variety in Flavours
Unlike mass producing breweries, craft beer breweries have more flexibility when it comes to experimenting with flavours. They have the advantage of more direct customer input, and since that input comes from local consumers, they can more easily tailor a new brew to things like seasonal fruits or grains, or local and national holiday flavours.

Craft Beer Justs Tastes Better
When purchasing beer directly from your local brewer, you avoid issues like buying stale beer that’s been sitting on the shelf for months. Craft brewers are less concerned with things like marketing and advertising, allowing them to put more focus on taste and quality.

Food and Beer Pairing

Just like pairing certain wines with certain foods, certain craft beers will also pair better with certain foods. Pairing has become a huge trend in the craft brewing industry. Food vendors are now working with local breweries, doing things like hosting theme nights, or adding local craft beers to lists of “must haves” for food crawls. Some popular examples of beer pairing include ale with burgers, fruit beer with light white meats, or a lager served with grilled chicken.