If you are new to the world of famous welsh beer brands, you might come across the terms ‘craft’ and ‘draft’ to describe this crispy, frothy drink. But, are they the same thing? What’s the difference between craft vs draft beer? This article will clear up any confusion about differentiating craft vs draft beer. You’ll also learn what both mean so that next time you sit down at a bar or pub, you’ll know how to order your favourite brew. Let’s get into it!
What is craft beer?
In a broad sense, craft beer is beer that is brewed in smaller batches, usually with more attention to ingredients and processes than industrial brewing. This might explain why most of your selected [1] favourite craft beers have an artisanal quality about them. There’s something different about them—they’re not mass-produced like you find at some bars.
What is draft beer?
If you’re unfamiliar with draft beer, it’s probably because your home state doesn’t have any major craft breweries. In most states, draft beer refers to a brewery-produced keg[2] of beer that is put on tap in a bar or restaurant and served to customers. This type of beer is meant to be served fresh from its cold holding tank and consumed immediately, unlike canned or bottled varieties that can be stored for up to two years before consumption.
The brewing process differences
Brewing draft beer is similar to craft beer, but there are some key differences. The process of making Welsh beer differs from that of standard-brewed beers—draft beers are often brewed with additional hops, spices and flavourings. A common misconception about draft beer is that it’s merely a fizzy and weak version of real ale; in fact, a good draft can pack as much punch as a decent keg.
The history
Beer has a long history. Today, we typically think of craft beer as small-batch brews produced by local breweries, but that hasn’t always been the case. Before prohibition, it was common for smaller breweries to contract with larger production breweries to create their beers. Before draft beer became popular in bars and restaurants, people commonly drank canned or bottled beer at home.
This is a great example of how craft and draft aren’t necessarily synonyms. While draft beers were originally brewed by bigger breweries, a craft beer can be any beer produced by a local brewery or a national production company. Even today, some small-batch beers are canned or bottled for easy transportation and home consumption. The point is that not all craft beer is served from kegs, and not all keg beer is crafted by smaller breweries.
Conclusion
Having learned what craft beer and draft beer are as well as their histories, let’s see how they differ.
The truth is, craft and draft beers aren’t that different. Small, independent breweries can produce beer that can be tap-drawn and subsequently transformed into draft beer. While draft beer, which is stored in kegs and drawn from taps, can be either artisanal or just regular beer.
Whether bottled, canned, or tapped, craft beer is all the rage with younger, sophisticated drinkers who desire innovative and refined flavours. Despite its long history, draft beer is essentially just beer that has been well stored to protect it from light and oxygen.
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