Guest post by Tony Buchanan.
The fact that beer is the world’s most widely consumed alcoholic beverage probably won’t come as a surprise to you. Most people like to down a cup of ale every now and then. But beer isn’t what it used to be. Craft beers, the product of small-scale independent microbreweries, are quickly gaining ground on traditional beer companies. Here are 10 things you might not have known about this latest trend:
1. Fuller flavors
Many people find the taste of major brand beers to be watered down and overtly similar to each other. Microbreweries, however, focus greatly on enhancing taste and smell and making their products stand out amongst the crowd.
2. Nutrient-rich
Many varieties of craft beer are rich in soluble fiber, vitamin B and especially silicon, which strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis.
3. Good for your health
Craft beers increase HDL cholesterol, the good kind of cholesterol, while at the same time decreasing LDL levels. This lowers your odds of suffering from strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
4. Less peeing, more drinking
The fact that mainstream beers are so watered down often means that you’ll have to gulp down a significant amount of beer just to get a decent buzz, which usually translates into spending half your night traveling back and forth to the nearest toilet. Craft beers are often much stronger, which encourages you to savor instead of chugging them and then peeing your night away.
5. Variable alcohol content
Speaking of which, craft beers nowadays come in a wide variety of alcohol concentrations. Most stay within 5%-10%, but some will go as high as 20% or even 30%. This allows you to pick the one that works best for you.
6. More money in your pocket
While responsible consumption is a must, as is the case with every alcoholic beverage, the higher alcohol content associated with craft beers also means that you’ll need to buy fewer beers in order to get a good buzz going.
7. Top of the hops
Hop growers can barely keep up with the ever-increasing demand for their product. Right now, cascade is the favorite hop variety among craft brewers.
8. Different shades for different people
The color of craft beer is directly influenced by its malt content. There’s even a scale called SRM (Standard Reference Measurement) with 40 variations, from the palest yellow to the darkest brown. With thousands of variations, craft beers easily cover the entire spectrum.
9. Say goodbye to shaker pints
In order to appreciate its flavorful aroma, craft beer is best enjoyed in tulip pints, nonic pints or plain old-fashioned mugs. A straight-sided pint glass, on the other hand, does a poor job of highlighting the subtleties in the beer’s taste.
Check out the BRC’s Guide to Glassware!
10. The movement is growing
All over the world, craft beers are slowly but surely taking over traditional beer manufacturers. Australia alone has over a hundred microbreweries dotting the landscape, with more opening every month. For an easy start, you can check this list of the best craft beers for 2014.
As is plain to see, craft beers are here to stay. Whether you’re a part of this ongoing revolution or simply an innocent bystander, at least now you know a few more things about the art of microbrewing. Bottoms up!
Tony Buchanan is a passionate blogger, freelance writer and a regular contributor to several blogs. He loves reading news and sharing unique articles through his contents. When Tony is not working, he enjoys music, camping and spending time with his family.
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