What is the Definition of Craft Beer?
What makes craft beer different from other beers? Each beer lover has their own definition of craft beer, and they often share a good story when you ask.
But to keep it simple, we define craft beer as a beer that is not brewed by one of the international “mega-breweries”, who dominate Nepal with light lagers. Though these beers can be refreshing, you can easily find them (you don’t need our help), and one beer tastes similar to the other.
This site helps you to find delicious, more flavorful beers, which are typically produced in small batches, and are not as commonly found in Nepal. We include the following:
- Nepali Craft Beer,
- Craft beer imports from around the world,
- Belgian beers,
- Flavorful beers like Guinness and Murphy’s Irish Stout, plus
- Other imports or beers not easily found in Nepal.
Read on! We further define craft beer, and provide insights into craft beer worldwide.
Simple Definition of Craft Beer
First, the Oxford Dictionary defines craft beer, followed by the American Brewers Association’s more complex definition.
Craft Beer
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A beer made in a traditional or non-mechanized way by a small brewery.
The American Brewers Association defines a craft brewers as:
“A craft brewer is small, independent, and traditional.”
Small
To keep their status as a Craft Brewer, a brewery can produce no more that 6 million barrels of beer annually, or no more that approximately 3 percent of national sales.
Independent
A craft brewery is independently owned. A non-craft brewer cannot own more that 25% of a craft brewery, nor can an industry member that is not also a craft brewer own or control a craft brewery.
Traditional
They brew using both traditional and innovative techniques. And the flavor of their beers must come from the ingredients and from the fermentation process, not from additives.
The following are concepts related to craft beer and craft brewers:
- Craft breweries are small in size.
- And they innovate. Craft brewers interpret historic styles in unique ways, and develop new styles not seen before.
- Craft beer is generally made with traditional ingredients like malted barley and hops; but craft brewers sometimes add interesting and non-traditional ingredients to make their beers distinctive.
- Brewers are involved in their communities through philanthropy, product donations, volunteerism and sponsorship of events.
- They connect with their customers by using a more direct and individual approach.
- As craft brewers, they focus on quality and innovation. Independence makes them more creative, and freedom from non-craft interests allows them to take more risks. They produce unique beers that others would not risk making.
Read more about craft beer and brewers at CraftBeer.com.