American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
The popularity of craft beer has soared in the last few years. The growth has been so tremendous that traditional beer producers are taking notice and attempting to buy some of the smaller breweries that produce craft beers. To be defined as a craft beer, it must be produced at a brewery in Australia that produces less than 40 million litres every year. The Craft Beer Industry Association represents the brewers in Australia and offers membership to producers of Australian craft beer and beer lovers.
History of Craft Beers in Australia
Although the traditional beer industry in Australia has been on the decline, the good news is that sales of craft beers are booming. The industry is undergoing a metamorphosis that has been ongoing for more than 30 years. The European beer scene, especially in the UK was thriving while it was going downhill in Australia.
Brewer Phil Sexton and some friends had innovative ideas about brewing beer but couldn’t get backing for a craft brewery. The friends opened a pub and began serving their craft beers in an environment that was welcoming to women, a different concept for Australian pubs. In addition to Australian beers they crafted themselves; they sold imported beers that got the attention of expats from England and Ireland. Eventually, more microbreweries opened up in Australia, mainly in tourist areas, with more Australian women drinking beer as an alternative to wine.
In 1990, the industry was controlled by three brewers. With the advent of microbreweries in Australia, more than 130 new breweries are open around the country, giving Australian beer lovers unlimited options. In one way, craft beer is chosen to compliment certain foods in the same way as wine, so the new, specialty breweries have found a special niche. The thing that attracts a lot of beer drinkers to the bars and microbreweries that serve craft beers is that they offer a fun and more personal experience. A lot of craft beers are related to the culture and folk stories of certain places, so beer drinkers are sold on certain brews based on emotional attachment to the region.
Creating Australia’s Craft Beers
Grains used to produce beer are mashed to release the sugar that’s used during the fermenting process. Sparging, boiling and cooling are done before fermenting. Craft breweries use different ingredients depending on how they want the final product to taste. Hops are added because it’s a natural way to preserve the brew. Different flavours are created by adding fruits, herbs, or other flavourings to create a distinctive taste. With so many variations, you’re sure to find a craft beer that will be your favourite.
Australia now has more than 100 microbreweries all over the country. You can try some of Australia’s best craft beers at pubs, bistros, rooftop bars, and beer gardens all over Australia. One of the best times to celebrate with microbrews is at an Australia Day event. If you have a hard time deciding which of the microbrews to try, here are some of Australia’s best craft beers.
Great Craft Beers and Where To Find Them
Stone and Wood Brewing Company in Bryon Bay, brews Pacific Ale, made from Galaxy hops, Australian barley and wheat. The ale is unpasteurized, so it retains the flavour it has when it’s taken from the brewery tank after fermentation. The brewery creates a Limited Release Stone Beer with a sweet, caramelized flavour.
Little Creatures Brewing Company in Fremantle, Australia brews Little Creatures Pale Ale that has a distinctive citrus flavour. Their Rogers Beer is English-style, amber ale.
Mountain Goat is a microbrewery in Richmond, Victoria, that makes excellent brews including Nitro Hightail Ale, India Red Ale, and Naz Scotch Ale. All these excellent craft beers can be found at the Beer Cartel online shop.
When you educate yourself about the variety of excellent craft beers being brewed in Australia, you’re in for a treat. Your favourite bottle shop can offer recommendations on the top craft breweries and brews that they create so you can make choices based on your preferences.
