4 Ways to Start Learning About Craft Beer
If you want to know more about craft beer, the best is to take steps to learn about it. This includes the taste, the history, and the brewing process. Although the idea of learning about craft beer can be a daunting prospect, the great thing about it is that it is easy to understand and not too complex to pick up. Here are 4 easy ways to learn more about craft beer and its growth in the alcoholic beverage market.
- Try Different Beers
Go to your local bar or restaurant and start trying different beers. Start off by noting down different brands and tastes, list the ones you like and dislike. You can then try other beers that are similar to the products you have already tried. Do not be afraid to try flavours you do not think you will like, most of the time you will be pleasantly surprised.
- Understand the Basics of Brewing
Although you do not have to know how to brew NZ beer in detail or head off and buy your own home brewing kit, you should understand the importance of the ingredients used in craft beer.
Here is a simple guideline dedicated to brewing:
- Use hot water to soak grains and extract sugar
- Boil the wort (resulting liquid) for an hour or more
- Add hops and other ingredients to the boiling wort
- Chill the liquid to -72 degrees
- Finally, add yeast to the wort and let it ferment
There you have it, a basic guide to brewing craft beer.
- Different Beer Styles
To fully understand craft beer, you must learn about the basic beer styles. Although there are hundreds of styles, they are all subcategories of 5 main craft beers – IPA & Pale Ale, Stout & Porter, Larger, Saison, & Wheat. When you understand these styles, it is easier to get to grips with everything else.
- Describe the Beer
When you taste craft beer the next time around, start to describe it better. There is no point in saying it is good, you need to be more descriptive. Describe the aroma, taste, finish, and aftertaste to others around you.
There are many ways to learn more about craft beer. You can use all the ideas mentioned above and also do some research online and look at resources dedicated to craft beer. There are plenty of online communities where you can ask questions if you do not understand something about the industry.
