Do you know what craft beer is like? For those of you who don't know much about craft beer this time, I would like to explain what craft beer is.If you are not sure about craft beer, please read it!
What is craft beer in the first place?
There is no clear definition of craft beer in Japan. I think the main reason why craft beer is vague is that there is no definition. Looking around the world, the definition of craft beer is well established in the United States, so I would like to introduce the definition of craft beer in the United States to have a concrete image.
In the United StatesThe Association of Brewers Association has established the conditions for “Craft Brewery”.The conditions are the following three.
・ Small size
・ Independence
・ Made from traditional ingredients and manufacturing methods
The above three are definitions of craft beer in the United States, so not all apply to Japan. When explaining craft beer in Japan, the explanation is "Beer made in a small community-based brewery that is not a major beer maker."
In Japan, the revision of the liquor tax law in 1994 made craft beer in various places. for that reason,Beer made by beer manufacturers other than the five major companies (Asahi, Sapporo, Suntory, Kirin, Orion) that existed before 1994 has a tendency to be called craft beer.
Today, craft beer exists as a local beer throughout Japan. Craft beer can be said to bring us new enjoyment that makes the most of each characteristic.
◎ Difference from local beer
Local beer was born because it became possible to brew beer on a small scale following the revision of the liquor tax law in 1994. Therefore, it can be said that it is exactly the same as craft beer from the perspective of “small beer rooted in the region”.
There were only 5 beer companies in Japan until the first half of 1990. To make sake in Japan, you have to get permission from the country, but at this time only 5 major companies were allowed to make beer, and beer brewing was an exclusive market for 5 major companies. It is.
According to the revision of the liquor tax law in 1994, the annual minimum production of beer will be greatly reduced from 2000 kiloliters to 60 kiloliters, which will lead to the creation of small beer makers throughout Japan. The name of a small beer maker was not fixed at the time,As a result of the word “brew” in the newspaper, the beer from a small beer maker is now called “brew”.
Both local and craft beers are beers that emphasize individuality and regionality. Although it is called differently, there is no problem with the recognition that craft beer and craft beer are the same thing.
◎ Craft of craft beer
In the second half of the 1990 era, craft beer was highly appreciated and enjoyed throughout Japan. However, when we entered the 2000 era, the flow stopped and craft beer stopped selling. At that time, craft beer appeared.In 2011, the first craft beer store opened, which greatly improved the status and quality of craft beer, which seemed to be declining.
In 2014, a major beer maker will finally enter the craft beer industry. There were pros and cons to the entry of major beer manufacturers into the craft beer industry, but there is no doubt that the entry of major beer manufacturers has further boosted the craft beer market.
How to enjoy craft beer
From here, I would like to introduce how to enjoy craft beer for those who are thinking about drinking craft beer. Please read it while paying attention to how it differs from ordinary beer.
I want to remember to enjoy craft beerThere are 4 points. I would like to introduce each point briefly below.
◎ Enjoy the color
Beer has a variety of colors, from light to dark. The shade of beer is scientifically subdivided according to how much light is transmitted.
By pouring beer into a glass and enjoying what kind of color it is, I think that the way to enjoy beer will spread more.
◎ Enjoy the scent
Fragrance is one of the major features of craft beer. Therefore, when you drink craft beer, try to drink while being aware of the scent.
If you want to enjoy more fragrance,We recommend that you pour into a wine glass and drink.By pouring craft beer into a wine glass and swirling it lightly like drinking wine, the aroma spreads well.
If you cool craft beer too much, it won't give you aroma and richness, so we recommend drinking craft beer around 13 degrees.
◎ Enjoy the taste
Depending on the type of craft beer, you can enjoy a unique taste. So do n’t drink,It is recommended that you drink one by one slowly.Let's drink while enjoying various tastes such as bitterness, sweetness, and sourness.
◎ Enjoy with cooking
Because craft beer is a strong beer, let's enjoy it with dishes that complement that personality. Craft beer with a refreshing fragrance is a meat dish with herbs, simmered dishes with a thick black beer, craft beer with a refreshing taste and a little spicy Recommended Chinese and ethnic dishes.
There are various tastes depending on the individual, so please enjoy it with the “food that suits craft beer”.
How to choose craft beer
As mentioned above, each craft beer has its own personality and gives you a new way to enjoy beer. Nowadays, it has become easy to purchase at convenience stores and so on. From here, I would like to explain what criteria should be selected for craft beer.
◎ First from Yale
The beer you drink in Japan is either “Ale” or “Lugger”. The first time you drink a craft beer characterized by a delicate taste, we recommend “Ale”, where you can enjoy the fragrance and taste the umami.
There are many kinds of “Ale” in a bite, so I would like to introduce four typical ones below.
◎ Weizen is characterized by ease of drinking
Weizen is an easy-to-drink type because it has less bitterness than ale and you can enjoy a fruity scent and taste. The color of the beer is a little cloudy and is sometimes called white beer.
Even if you don't like the bitter taste of beer, there are many people who can drink with Weizen.
◎ Pale ale with good balance
Pale ale has a well-balanced blend of richness, bitterness and aroma. You can enjoy a strong malt fragrance, beer-specific bitterness and gorgeous fruity together.
Pale ale is well-balanced, so if you are not good at the bitterness of beer, this is the type you want to recommend to beginners of craft beer.
◎ “India Pale Ale” characterized by strong bitterness
India Pale Ale is a type of craft beer that has recently attracted attention. It is characterized by a slightly bitter and citrus scent that enhances the bitter taste of pale ale.
India Pale Ale is the most popular type of beer in the United States, and its alcohol content tends to be higher than others. It can be said that it is a craft beer that suits adult men.
◎ Stout with richness
For those who like black beer, we recommend a strong stout. Although it seems to have a strong bitter taste, it is richer than bitterness and features a light throat and a rich and creamy taste.
There is not much bitterness, so Stout can be said to be a black beer loved by women.
◎ "Lager" once you get used to "Ale"
When you get used to ale, try drinking a “lager” craft beer. When you enjoy lager with craft beer, we recommend the “Billsner”, which features a good balance.
Bilsner is more carbonated than other lager beers and is characterized by moderate bitterness and light taste. It goes well with any dish, so you can easily adapt it to your usual meal.
There are many kinds of craft beer that you can enjoy in Japan now, so please try and compare various craft beers.
Summary
This time we have been deeply focused on craft beer. Craft beer has a short history compared to regular beer, and there are many people who have not drunk yet. As introduced in this article, craft beer is made with emphasis on individuality and regionality. Therefore, you can easily enjoy beer with various flavors.
If you haven't had a craft beer yet, please try it!
