When it comes to craft beer & micro-brewed beer, some commonalities do exist between both of them, however, there are significant differences too. Both the terms are interchanged as they are a bit of confusing, and let’s see what Melvin Brewing shares to set this apart for the craft beer lovers!
What’s Micro-Brewer?
The definition of the microbrewery is very simple. The microbrewery makes under 15,000 beer barrels every year, and around 75% of it should be consumed off-site. This term is unclear to a lot of people, with many often making use of “microbrewery” when talking about craft beer. The only difference between the craft brewery and microbrewery is its volume. Craft brewery does not necessarily indicate the microbrewery, though most microbreweries brew craft beer. In the same way, the microbrewery still has to meet the craft brewing standards to be the craft brewery.
There’s also one term called “nanobrewery” that is similar to a microbrewery in the terms of focusing on craft beer. But, there is not any specific volume and limit for the nano-brewery. Generally, this term can be used for referring to the brewery run by multiple brewers. Like the microbreweries, nano breweries will sell beer in 3-tier, 2-tier, or work on the direct sale structure.
What’s a craft brewery?
The craft brewery brews just 2 million beer gallons every year and is owned independently. Unlike the microbrewery, the craft brewery has got certain limitations on its techniques of beer production. The craft brewery’s beer should have 50% traditional malt, instead of adjuncts like barley, oats, and wheat.
The term “craft” in craft beer comes to a fact that the small breweries view the production of beer as an art form their high-scale corporate competitors. The craft brewers are generally small & independent brewers and strive to form a strong connection with the customers. They will care more for the commitment to maximizing aroma and flavor with the quality ingredients, unique & traditional, than care about the profits.
Are They Same?
There’re commonalities when we talk about craft beer & micro-brewed beers, however, there are huge differences. Both the terms are interchangeable because they’re a bit confusing. Microbreweries make some “specialty beers”, most of that are generally consumed at the site of production. Finally, we have got craft breweries. The craft breweries fall between microbreweries & microbreweries by its definition of producing below 6 million beer gallons every year.
The micro-brewery can be classified by several barrels that it produces in one year that is the limit of over 15,000 beer barrels every year and 460,000 US gallons & 75% of beer should be sold outside the brewery. They’re not no strict guidelines that are set on techniques and ingredients the micro-brewery utilizes to produce the beer. The micro-brewery can be classified according to the amount of beer that it produces every year. Thus, these are some of the important things that you need to know about craft brewery and micro-brewery.
