Welcome to the Original Craft Beer Club guide! We’ve created this resource to provide an introductory understanding of the wonderful world of craft beer. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the history of craft beer, the different types of beer available, and the many benefits of joining the Original Craft Beer Club. We’ll also discuss the brewing process, tips for tasting beer, the alcohol content of different types of beer, and resources for those looking to learn more about craft beer. Finally, we’ll cover the process for shopping for craft beer and getting it delivered safely to your door.
We hope that by the end of this guide, you’ll have a solid grounding in the basics of craft beer, better understand the craft beer varieties available from the Original Craft Beer Club, and be able to confidently explore the world of craft beer further. Let’s get started!
History of Craft Brewers and Craft Beer
Craft beer has been around for centuries and is a staple in many cultures across the world. However, it was not until recently that craft beers started gaining traction in the mainstream market. It all began in the late 1970s, when innovative brewing pioneers in the United States began producing unique styles of beer. Some of the original, commercial craft brewers included Anchor Brewing Company, Sierra Nevada, and New Albion Brewing Company.
The craft brewing industry has grown significantly since then, with the number of craft breweries in the United States now exceeding 8,000. While there are plenty of classic beer styles to enjoy, craft brewers are constantly experimenting with new ingredients, processes, and flavors in order to produce unique, interesting, and high-quality beers.
Influential Trends
There have been several noteworthy trends that have helped shape the craft beer industry. The first is the rise of IPAs – India Pale Ales. This style of beer was developed in the 1800s, but did not gain much popularity until the late 1990s. IPAs boast an intense hop flavor and aroma, which has made them immensely popular among beer drinkers. They are now one of the most widely produced styles of craft beer.
Another influential trend is the rise of sour beers. This style of beer is created by adding wild yeast or bacteria to the fermentation process, resulting in a tart, sour flavor. Sour beers are becoming increasingly popular among craft beer enthusiasts due to their complexity and unique flavor profile.
Finally, the proliferation of barrel-aging has been another important trend in craft beer. Aging beer in barrels allows brewers to impart a range of flavors, such as oak, vanilla, and whiskey. Barrel-aged beers have become more common in recent years, and they often feature an impressive depth of flavor.
Types of Craft Beer
Craft beer is a broad term that encompasses an array of beer styles and flavors. From pale ales and lagers to dark stouts, there's something for everyone in craft beer. The variety of options can seem overwhelming, which is why it's important to understand the different types of craft beer available. Here's a look at some of the more popular styles:
Pale Ales
Pale ales are an integral part of the craft beer family. These flavorful beers are characterized by their light to deep golden hues and smooth hop aroma. Pale ales are typically hopped lightly, allowing prominent malt and hop flavors to come through with each sip. Popular varieties of pale ales include American and English pale ales.
Lagers
Lagers are some of the most popular beers in the world. They are typically light in color and easy to drink, making them a great choice for beginning craft beer drinkers. Popular lager styles include pilsners, bocks, and Dortmunders.
Stouts
Stout beers are dark, rich, and full-bodied beers. They have a roasted flavor and balance of sweetness and bitterness, making them a fitting choice for those who prefer a darker beer. Popular stouts include oatmeal stouts, imperial stouts, and milk stouts.
IPAs
IPA stands for India Pale Ale and is one of the most popular craft beer styles. IPAs are characterized by their strong bitterness and intense hop aromas. Their flavors range from citrusy and fruity to resinous and piney, depending on the type of hops used. Double IPAs and New England IPAs are particularly popular among craft beer lovers.
Barley Wines
Barley wines are one of the most unique styles of craft beer. They are made using malts that are significantly higher in alcohol content than regular beer. The result is a thick, intensely flavored beer with notes of caramel and dark fruits. Barley wines are often aged in oak barrels and can be enjoyed with strong cheeses and desserts.
From pale ales and lagers to stouts and IPAs, craft beer offers a wide variety of flavors, styles, and options to explore. With so many choices, it's no wonder why craft beer is one of the most popular beverages in the world.
The Benefits of Joining Original Craft Beer Club
Original Craft Beer Club is a great way to enjoy craft beer of the highest quality and variety. As a member, you will get access to an exclusive selection of specialty beer that is carefully selected by experienced beer professionals. Plus, you'll have access to regular educational content and pairings, allowing you to better understand and appreciate each beer.
The club prides itself on offering beers from some of the best craft beer breweries in the world. Members can choose from light, dark, hoppy, sour, fruity, and wheat beers—all of which are chosen for their unique flavor profiles and styles. That means that no two selections are ever the same, so each shipment brings something new and exciting.
Members also receive exclusive discounts on merchandise, subscriptions, and other products from Original Craft Beer Club, plus access to special events and exclusive membership perks such as educational content, early access to new merchandise, and opportunities to share feedback with brewers.
Finally, Original Craft Beer Club provides peace of mind. All beers in the club are thoroughly tested and approved by experienced craft beer connoisseurs before being shipped. This ensures that members always get high-quality and enjoyable beers.
Becoming a member of Original Craft Beer Club is the perfect way to become part of the craft beer community and explore the exciting tastes of small-batch and limited-run craft beers.
Benefits of Purchasing Craft Beer
When it comes to purchasing beer, craft beer is often a preferred choice for those looking to drink something special and out of the ordinary. While both mass-produced beer and craft beer are alcoholic beverages, there are distinct benefits to buying craft brews. Here are a few of the major perks of choosing craft beer.
- Unique Flavor: One of the main advantages of drinking craft beer is that it offers a broad spectrum of flavors, aromas, and styles. Depending on the craft brewery, they may offer IPAs, Saisons, and Sour ales, among other types of creative beers. This means that when you buy a craft beer, you get a wide variety of options to choose from.
- Support Local Brewers: Many craft beer enthusiasts prefer to support local brewers whenever possible. Supporting a local craft brewer helps encourage the growth of the industry, as well as keeps jobs near the community. Additionally, many craft breweries are family owned businesses, which makes it even more important to show your support by buying their products.
- Health Benefits: Because craft beer is not mass produced like some commercial beers, it often contains fewer additives and preservatives. Craft beer also typically contains higher levels of antioxidants such as vitamin B and iron, making it a healthier option than regular beers.
- Better Taste and Quality: Craft brewers pride themselves on creating high-quality, flavorful beer. As a result, craft beer often tastes better than mass-produced beer. It has more complexity to the flavor profile and is often made with high-grade ingredients. All in all, craft beer is generally considered higher quality than commercial beer.
By choosing to purchase craft beer over mass-produced beer, you can enjoy unique flavors, support local businesses, experience health benefits, and appreciate better taste and quality. So, next time you're in the market for beer, consider buying a craft brew and tasting the difference for yourself!
Brewing Process
Craft beer production is an exciting and vibrant art form that has been gaining in popularity. To the untrained eye, it might seem like all beer is brewed the same way. However, craft brewers take extra time and care to ensure that their beers are truly special. The brewing process begins with malt, a type of grain that has been allowed to germinate and sprout. After malting, the malt is ground into a fine powder called “grist.”
The grist is then mixed with hot water in a vessel called a mash tun. Through this process, the sugars in the malt are released and combined with the hot water, forming a sweet liquid called “wort.” The wort is then transferred to another vessel, usually a large kettle, where it is brought to a boil. During the boiling process, hops are added to the wort for flavoring, aroma, and bitterness.
Once the hops are added, the wort is cooled and transferred to a fermenter, where yeast is added to begin the fermentation process. During fermentation, the yeast consumes the sugars from the wort and produces alcohol and carbon dioxide. Once fermentation is complete, the beer is cooled again before being filtered and packaged.
The final step in the process is the packaging of the beer. Depending on the brewer, this can range from bottling, kegging, and even canning. After packaging, the beer is ready to be shipped out and enjoyed by craft beer enthusiasts around the world!
Tasting Tips for Craft Beer
Craft beer is an art form, and like all art forms, there is an optimal way to enjoy it. To ensure the best experience possible when tasting craft beer, here are some tips to take into consideration:
- When pouring and drinking a craft beer, make sure to swirl the glass as this will help to release the aroma of the beer.
- Don't gulp; instead, taste the beer slowly and savor the flavors.
- Aroma is essential to the craft beer tasting experience, so hold the glass close to your nose and take a few short sniffs before your first sip.
- Look for the main aromas, such as floral, citrus, herbal, malty, spicy and yeast esters.
- Taste the beer; you should be able to pick out flavors such as sweet, bitter, sour, salty, balance, and finish.
- Take the time to appreciate the complexity of the beer, it is not just a drink but a work of art.
By following these tips, you will be able to experience craft beer in all its glory. With the right approach, craft beer can be an enriching and enjoyable experience.
Popular Craft Beer Styles
Craft beer is becoming increasingly popular, and it can be overwhelming for beer lovers to choose the right style for them. Here, we’ll break down some of the highly rated and popular types of craft beer that are available on the market today.
One of the most popular styles of craft beer is India Pale Ale (IPA). This hoppy beer is brewed with a higher hop content than other beers and has a distinct aroma and flavor profile. IPAs are often categorized as either West Coast or East Coast based on the hops used, with West Coast IPAs having a more bitter taste than East Coast IPAs.
Another popular craft beer style is Stout. Stouts are dark, thick beers typically brewed with roasted barley and/or chocolate malts, giving them a distinctive taste. They are typically full-bodied and boast complex flavors that can range from coffee and dark chocolate to smoked bacon.
Wheat beers, such as Hefeweizen, are also popular. These beers are brewed with a large proportion of wheat, giving them a light, refreshing flavor. They have a light to medium body and a subtle, sweet flavor.
Sour beers have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their tart and tangy taste. Sour beers are brewed with a variety of different ingredients and yeast strains, giving them a unique flavor. They come in a variety of styles, such as Gose and Berliner Weisse.
Finally, Belgian-style ales are a popular choice for craft beer drinkers. These beers are usually brewed with a special yeast strain, which gives them a distinct fruity or spicy flavor. They often have a higher alcohol content than other styles of beer and a relatively low bitterness level.
No matter what type of craft beer you prefer, there is something to suit every palate. From IPAs to Stouts and Sour Beers, there are plenty of options to try. Enjoy exploring all the different craft beer styles!
Understanding Alcohol Content
For anyone who is looking to enjoy a cold craft beer, it’s important to understand the alcohol content of the beer in question. By learning about the amount of alcohol in a particular beer and understanding how to calculate its density, you can make an informed decision about what to drink and how much.
Alcohol by Volume (ABV)
One of the easiest ways to determine the strength of a beer is to look for the Alcohol by Volume (ABV). This is the percentage of alcohol that is in the beverage, and it is usually listed somewhere on the label. For instance, a beer with 5% ABV would mean that 5% of the liquid in the bottle is alcohol.
Specific Gravity
In addition to ABV, many craft breweries will also list the Specific Gravity of the beer. This refers to the density of the beer, and it can give you a good indication of how strong the alcohol content is. The higher the gravity, the more alcohol it will contain. To calculate the Specific Gravity of your beer, you will need to measure the weight of the beer and divide it by the weight of an equal volume of water.
Alcohol Content
Once you have both the ABV and the Specific Gravity, you can calculate the alcohol content of the beer. To do this, simply multiply the ABV by the Specific Gravity. This will give you an approximate number for the beers alcohol content per volume, which can give you an idea of how strong the beer will be.
By understanding these terms and doing a simple calculation, you can get an idea of the alcohol content in any craft beer and make sure you stay safe when drinking.
Craft Beer Resources
For those new to the craft beer community, there are plenty of resources out there to help you get started. First, there are a number of websites, blogs and forums dedicated to craft beer. These are all great places to start learning about different beer styles, breweries and local craft beer events. You can also find reviews and recommendations on various beer-related websites and social media groups. Additionally, many breweries offer brewery tours that provide an insider look at the brewing process.
Subscribing to a craft beer club is another great way to learn more about beer. Craft beer clubs allow members to sample unique craft beers from around the world and can teach you a lot about beer in a short amount of time. Original Craft Beer Club offers monthly shipments of delicious craft beer plus discounts on additional purchases.
Finally, books on craft beer can be a great way to learn more about the subject. There are plenty of books available on the history of beer, craft beer styles and brewing techniques. Books are a great resource for those who prefer to learn on their own and have the time to dedicate to reading.
Shopping for Craft Beer
Online shopping for craft beer can be a great way to explore a wide variety of flavors and styles. It's also often convenient and cost effective. But there are a few considerations when it comes to buying craft beer online.
Safety Measures
First and foremost, you want to make sure that the delivery service you are using has properly secured packaging for your beer. You don't want your beer to be exposed to extreme temperatures or mishandled during transit. Most online retailers will have temperature-controlled shipping and special boxes that absorb shock in case of mishandling.
Ordering Process
The ordering process is simple and straightforward. Browse through the selection of craft beers offered and pick out the ones you would like to try. Then, select the quantity you would like to purchase and the delivery address before confirming your order.
Finding Deals
Another great thing about buying craft beer online is that you may be able to find some great deals. Different stores or vendors may offer discounts, free shipping or other perks depending on the time of year or the size of your purchase. So be sure to shop around for the best deals.
Payment Options
Finally, you'll want to make sure that your chosen store offers secure payment methods. Ideally, you should use services such as PayPal or credit card payments which provide an extra layer of security.
By following these tips, you can make sure that you get the best deal and experience when buying craft beer online.
Craft beer is a beverage that has undergone a revival in recent years, with new craft brewers popping up all around the world. Original Craft Beer Club provides beer lovers access to exclusive craft beers from around the globe. Through this guide, we've broken down the history and basics of craft beer, along with providing tips for purchasing and tasting your favorite brews.
Joining Original Craft Beer Club gives you access to crafted beers from around the world, delivered to your door. You’ll discover new types of beer you never tried before, along with the experience of tasting and learning about the unique flavor profiles of each selection. Plus, you get access to special offers and discounts, making this a great deal for anyone looking to become a true connoisseur of craft beer.
In conclusion, craft beer has experienced a huge resurgence in recent years, and Original Craft Beer Club offers an amazing opportunity to explore the vast world of craft beer without leaving your home. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can learn more about this type of beer, find resources to further educate yourself, and take advantage of Original Craft Beer Club's offerings. Cheers!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: What is the Original Craft Beer Club?
A: The Original Craft Beer Club is a monthly membership service that features exclusive craft beers from the world's best breweries. Each month, members receive 12 bottles of beer, hand-selected by our beer experts to match their individual taste preferences. - Q: What is the history of craft brewers and craft beer?
A: Craft beer has been brewed for centuries, with the first commercial craft brewers emerging in the late 19th century in the United States and England. Since then, the craft beer movement has seen an influx of new breweries specializing in variety of styles, from pale ales to barley wines. - Q: What are the benefits of joining Original Craft Beer Club?
A: By joining Original Craft Beer Club, members gain access to exclusive craft beers from around the world, hand-selected each month to match their personal tastes. Membership also includes other perks such as discounts on future purchases and access to special events. - Q: What are the benefits of purchasing craft beer?
A: Buying craft beer offers consumers several advantages over regular mass-produced beer, including greater variety of flavors and styles, as well as unique production techniques. Moreover, craft beer is typically fresher and produced with more care and attention than its commercial counterparts. - Q: What are some popular craft beer styles?
A: Some of the most popular craft beer styles include IPAs, stouts and porters, sours, wheat beers, pilsners and lagers, and Belgian-style ales. - Q: What resources are available for craft beer enthusiasts?
A: Craft beer enthusiasts can access a variety of different websites and blogs dedicated to craft beer, as well as attend beer-focused events or subscribe to newsletters or magazines. - Q: How can I safely purchase craft beer online?
A: When ordering craft beer online, it is important to pay close attention to delivery services and safety measures to ensure that your purchase will arrive in good condition. Many online retailers offer temperature-controlled shipping systems to guarantee the quality of their products.