Comments on: What is a “Craft Brew”? http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/ A visual tribute to beer and the people who love it Fri, 16 May 2008 20:19:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jonathan http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-99 Jonathan Wed, 27 Jun 2007 06:09:41 +0000 http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-99 I don't know if any of ya'll listen to James Spencer's Basic Brewing Radio (a free podcast), but he's been discussing this topic the last few months. It seems to be cropping up a lot lately. I think he dedicated a half hour to the subject, pouring over listener-submitted comments. Some are good, some are... not. But if you're interested, check it out: basicbrewingradio.com. I don’t know if any of ya’ll listen to James Spencer’s Basic Brewing Radio (a free podcast), but he’s been discussing this topic the last few months. It seems to be cropping up a lot lately. I think he dedicated a half hour to the subject, pouring over listener-submitted comments. Some are good, some are… not. But if you’re interested, check it out: basicbrewingradio.com.

]]> By: Stan Hieronymus http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-92 Stan Hieronymus Mon, 25 Jun 2007 02:58:19 +0000 http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-92 Sage, 1 I've always been partial to this quote from Dirk Naudts of De Proef Brouwerij in Belgium: “We want to show our customers that the craft of brewing is as important today as it ever was. Brewing with the necessary craftsmanship, following the rules of the art. Artisanal is not a synonym for dirty or old-fashioned; it means brewing as one ought to, while at the same time applying modern know-how and technology.” I would argue that you can employ the most modern technology and still have a beer with soul, or be small, low tech and soul-less. Leading us to ... 2. <em>It’s the beer that makes the difference, not how it’s produced.</em> How it's produced is <em>part</em> of the beer to some of us: Aroma, Appearance, Flavor, Mouthfeel, <em>Soul.</em> Sage,

1 I’ve always been partial to this quote from Dirk Naudts of De Proef Brouwerij in Belgium:

“We want to show our customers that the craft of brewing is as important today as it ever was. Brewing with the necessary craftsmanship, following the rules of the art. Artisanal is not a synonym for dirty or old-fashioned; it means brewing as one ought to, while at the same time applying modern know-how and technology.”

I would argue that you can employ the most modern technology and still have a beer with soul, or be small, low tech and soul-less.

Leading us to …

2. It’s the beer that makes the difference, not how it’s produced.

How it’s produced is part of the beer to some of us: Aroma, Appearance, Flavor, Mouthfeel, Soul.

]]> By: Steve http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-91 Steve Sun, 24 Jun 2007 09:40:11 +0000 http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-91 hmm, ok, so I guess I get your point now, craft being a function of size and equipment I guess. hmm, ok, so I guess I get your point now, craft being a function of size and equipment I guess.

]]> By: Beer Sage http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-82 Beer Sage Sun, 24 Jun 2007 02:30:53 +0000 http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-82 You're right -- it does describe Stone now. It's no longer "craft beer" -- really good beer, yes, just not craft beer. (Ask Stone's former brewer Lee Chase). I think we need to get away from automatically assuming that trowing the word "craft" in front of "beer" somehow makes the beer better. All great beers start out as "craft beers". The ones that are truly exceptional become popular and move out of a "craft" stage and get mass-produced. Nothing wrong with that. It makes good beer more available. You’re right — it does describe Stone now. It’s no longer “craft beer” — really good beer, yes, just not craft beer. (Ask Stone’s former brewer Lee Chase).

I think we need to get away from automatically assuming that trowing the word “craft” in front of “beer” somehow makes the beer better. All great beers start out as “craft beers”. The ones that are truly exceptional become popular and move out of a “craft” stage and get mass-produced.

Nothing wrong with that. It makes good beer more available.

]]> By: Steve http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-81 Steve Sat, 23 Jun 2007 07:19:43 +0000 http://www.mybeerpix.com/what-is-a-craft-brew/#comment-81 hmmm... the way you described A-B facilities... could also describe Stone's..... I get what you are saying, but does the technology really countervail the art and science of something? Still, for the main point, I agree it's not craft beer, but this is an easy one because it's one of the world's largest breweries we're talking about here.... now if it were Sam Adams.................... hmmm… the way you described A-B facilities… could also describe Stone’s….. I get what you are saying, but does the technology really countervail the art and science of something?

Still, for the main point, I agree it’s not craft beer, but this is an easy one because it’s one of the world’s largest breweries we’re talking about here…. now if it were Sam Adams………………..

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